Thank you for... card (Lavinia Stamps)

I recently applied for a Design Team place for Lavinia Stamps.  I was fortunate to be short listed for one of the two available positions.  I have to say, for somebody within the crafting business to have faith in my crafting abilities felt amazing, I was so excited and felt like I was walking on cloud nine!

I think we all doubt our abilities in one field or another.  I know for me, that my love of paper crafting has grown over the years, but the self doubt is always there, that the items I make are not good enough.  But good enough for who? I don't know, but that is how I feel.  

Being short-listed felt absolutely wonderful, as if I have had the stamp of approval some how - pardon the pun! For this stamping company to believe in me has changed my mind set to believe in my abilities too. Amazing how small things can change your outlook.

For this super simple card, I used a Lavinia Stamp called "Floral Spray" horizontally.  I used Woodware sentiments from their "Thank You For...  FRCL094) set either side of the stem, all stamped in Versafine "Black Onyx" on a cream card background.

You're Amazing - Visible Image Card

I took advantage of the 50% off Black Friday offer at Visible Image.  My order arrived late morning and I have wasted no time in trying out some of my new goodies!

I have used three Visible Image products to create this card. This bird is from the "Life is beautiful" set, the sentiment is from the "One of a kind" set and the background is a stencil called "Meshing around".

I stamped the bird in two shades of Versafine Clair ink "Green Oasis" and "Paradise".  The un-inked area of the bird, I painted using a Distress Ink in the shade of "Lucky Clover".  I then created a mask and positioned it on top of the main image using a repo adhesive.

For the stencilled background I used two shades of Distress inks "Wilted Violet" for the inner shade which was covered with "Chipped Saphire" on the outer areas.

The sentiment was stamped in Versafine Clair "Green Oasis".  I added extra colour to the bird using a grey Promarker and also some shimmer using a Sakura Gelly Roll pen.

Week 45 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2018

It's that time again, the Week 45 prompt is "Mixed Media".

This was my second attempt at a tag for this prompt.  The first went very badly, ending up in the bin.  I think it's mainly due to me feeling pretty rubbish at the moment.

So for this tag, I started off with running some card through a chevron embossing folder, then inked it in a sludgy green and a red ink.  

I stamped a script pattern on a small brown tag, and with the other gave it a thin coating of Gesso.  Once dry, I inked the edges and cut added some die cuts and sticky pearls.

I found a small piece of cardboard, so I stripped the surface off to expose the ribbed surface.  I gave that a thin coat of Gesso, when dry I added some red ink to the raised areas.  

After sticking everything down, I added some extra embellishments:  sequins, punched hearts, a heart pin and a button.

I persevered and made this tag.  I started by sticking four lolly sticks together, then giving a thin coat of Gesso.  I then used Distress Inks through the Visible Image "Time Tunnel" stencil.

I coated a wooden star in Gesso, when dry I used two shades of Distress Inks.  Using the Visible Image "Peace Love & Hope" stamp set, I stamped the "Hope" word and the circle with the distressed edge onto the star.

I added little sequins to the white area of the spiral.  Die cut a black circle which I added to the middle of the star and two hearts in different sizes.

Finally, I used the three stitched circle stamps from the Visible Image "You Are Not Alone" Stamp set, stamped in a Distress Oxide ink onto black card cut into a tag shape. I then mounted the wooden lolly design onto the black card.

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If you would like to know more about the 52 week challenge, please click on this link.

There is also a closed Facebook Group for this challenge.  It's a small friendly group of like minded people who take part in this very relaxed challenge by sharing their makes and chatting about craft related things.  You are more than welcome to join us.  Sam x

Inkylicious Daisy Stencil Card

Today I wanted to make something vibrant to reflect the sunshine outside.

I started of by blending Distress Inks, starting with a yellow then green and blue.  I then used an orange colour over the very central area.

I used an Inkylicious Daisy mask/stencil and then covered the area with Sweet Poppy " Stencil Dimension Paste" in glossy white.  I removed and cleaned the stencil and left the paste to dry for a couple of hours.

I cut the card down to 6x6" and inked the edges in purple Distress Inks.  I used a Woodward sentiment from their "Thank you for..." set stamped in black Versafine Ink.

Wishing You A Beautiful Day

Last night I played with dies and flowers to create this card, which I think has turned out rather well.

Nesting Birds Card

I tend to make cards in a very similar style, so this afternoon I decided to stretch myself.

My creative session started off with preparing Panpastel backgrounds.  I like to make a few at a time as I get a bit messy doing them.

Flicking through my stamp folder I came across a couple of stamps that I've not used for ages, so decided to put them to use.  I first stamped the bird/egg image and then used the remaining ink on the stamp to repeat the image on a scrap piece of paper.  I used repo Herma to position it over the stamped image (creating a type of mask).  I was then able to stamp the script image without going on the bird/egg area.  I then removed the mask to reveal the finished stamped area.

I then embossed a sheet of grey cardstock.  I routed through some of my dies and embellishments and positioned them in a pleasing arrangement before sticking anything down.

The chipboard bird shape has been inked and then coated in a Stickles glitter glue.

This foliage is cut using an assortment of dies.

I have to say I do like the finished card although it took me ages to get it to this stage.  I think I need to stretch myself more often  perhaps go grungy next time!

Hello Secret Garden Card

Yesterday Postie kindly delivered an eBay bargain. A Stampin' Up Secret Garden stamp & framelits set. I couldn't wait to get creative and made this card.

I started by cutting a circle in yellow card stock. I then embossed (the non circle bit) using the Stampin' Up "Brick Wall" folder.

I stamped the flower images, using Promarkers to colour them. I ran the large flower through a dotty embossing folder to provide a bit of interest.

For the sentiment, I used Sale-A-Bration "Hello" stamp set and added it to the white circle area of the card. I played with the positioning of the flowers a fair bit, till I was happy with them. I then glued them down, with the exception of a couple which I used foam pads to add dimension to the display.