Sunflower Sympathy Card

How do you make a sympathy card for the family of somebody who has been cruelly killed and taken from them at such a young age?  Words seem so insignificant. Our friends are in our thoughts constantly, we can not begin to understand what they are going through.  So shocking and so sad.

I used Distress Inks in four different shades through a Clarity Stamp Stencil.  I added further embellishments by using a gold metallic pen and a dark brown Promarker for accent touches.  The sentiment is from a Stampin' Up set called "Sheltering Tree" stamped in Versafine Ink.

Rocking the Red, White and Blue for 4th July Card

So it's the last day of June and my thoughts turn to birthdays and events in July.  Today I made a card to celebrate America's Independence Day - 4th July.

I used Distress Inks through the Visible Image "Time Tunnel" stencil.  I then stamped the Liberty image using a Stamper's Anonymous "Mini Blueprints 2" stamp set, layering it over the spiral.  

(Apologies if you find your eyes going funny looking at the "Time Tunnel" - mine have done exactly the same).

Strawberry Banana Bread/Cake

My friend (who doesn't bake) tagged me in a recipe for Strawberry/Banana Bread/Cake.  I think it was a not so subtle hint.  Anyway, I gave it a go.  Here's the link to the recipe if you would like to make it too.

I had been keeping my three bananas to one side to ripen, but when I went to get them, I noticed Hubby had eaten one, so I added a little more of the strawberries to make up for it.

This isn't a very sweet cake but it does have a very stodgy consistancy.

The measurements are American, so for your convenience, I have used:

1 stick of butter / 110g

1 cup of dry ingredients is approx 8oz

375f is 190 in oven temperature.

Angel Wings and Heart Tag for Maddie

Today we learnt some horrific news.  The niece and daughter of our friends had been missing in America.  We had all hoped for a positive outcome, but that was not to be. 

Her boyfriend went to the Police station and told them where her body could be found.  We are in shock and Maddie has been on my mind all day. She was only 27 and had so much to live for.

A Distress Ink shaded background with stars stamped with a Lavinia Stamp.  The angel wings are by Crafter's Companion coloured with Promarkers.  The heart is cut using a Tonic die.  The sentiment and flower on the heart are both from a Stampin' Up set called "Silhouette Sentiments".  I typed & printed the sentiment at the base of the tag.

Seahorse Seascape Card using Lavinia Stamps

I saw an article in a magazine recently about rotating a stencil, so thought I would give it a go. I used Distress Inks in two shades of blue through the stencil in one direction, I then lifted and rotated it and put green Distress Inks through the stencil, which gave a two tone cross-hatch design which lent itself to a watery background.

I used the Lavinia Stamps "Seahorse" and "Seaweed 2" stamped in Versafine Ink then coloured with Brusho.  In a grey Memento "London Fog" shade of ink, I stamped the bubbles (the stamp came free with magazine).  Finally, using Liquid Pearls in a silver shade, I added dots to highlight areas on the seahorse.

Birthday Party Bottles Eclipse Card

A couple of days ago in the supermarket, I noticed a set of stamps attached to a magazine that I thought would be handy.  The Magazine was Issue 161 of Papercraft Essentials.  (Here's a pic of the mag and freebies, which included stamps, embossing folder and dies too).

I needed to make a birthday card for a male, so decided on this set.  

I started by stamping a selection of the bottles in a row.  I coloured them with Promarkers.  I then stamped a wine and champagne glass, coloured them and the die cut them using the dies that came with the mag.

I then used my alpha dies to cut the word "Party".  I backed the card with a red paper then stuck the letters back on using foam pads to elevate the letters.  I then stuck the die cut drinks to the bottom of the card.  Finally, I stamped the sentiment "it's your" and "celebrate" using a Stampin' Up set called "Endless Birthday Wishes".

Lavinia Stamps "Chinese Lanterns" Thinking Of You Card

This morning I have been hiding away from the sun.  It is too warm for me, but it does give me a good reason to craft in the cool house instead of painting the fence.

I used the Lavinia Stamps "Chinese Lanterns" stamped in "Vintage Sepia" Versafine ink.  I coloured these using a Promarker.

I then used "Wild Honey" Distress Ink through a stencil for the larger dots and a gold metallic pen for the smaller ones.

Finally for the sentiment I used a Stampin' Up set called "Sheltering Tree".

Life Adventure Card

This card has been in the making over the past three days, purely because life has priority over crafting.

I've used three shades of Distress Oxides for the background.  The bird and sentiment are both part of separate Sizzix/Tim Holtz sets:  "Love you" and "Paris Adventure" stamped in Versafine ink.

The three different size flowers in the background are from a Visible Image set called "Create It" which are stamped in a grey colour Memento ink.  A Signo pen was used for the white dots.

Week 26 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2018

Here we are at Week 26 with a prompt of "Light and Airy".

I splattered Distress Inks across the tag diagonally using two yellow and one orange shade.  I used a Stamper's Anonymous stamp from their "Butterfly Melange" set for the four central butterfly images painting them with the same colours used for the splatters.

For the edge pattern and also the decorative line behind the butterflies, I used stamps from another Stamper's Anonymous set called "Ornate Trims".


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If you're interested in knowing more about this weekly challenge, then click on the tab at the top of the page next to the "Home" button.  All the information you need is there, including the prompts from previous weeks/years.

If you'd like to join in with the challenge, why not pop over to our friendly Facebook Group, where you can share your makes, meet and chat to other like minded crafters who are taking part.  This challenge is really relaxed, you do what you can, when you can, it's as simple as that.  Hope to meet you soon.  Sam x

Crow and Net Tag

This evening I've made a quick tag using a lovely crow/raven stamp from an AALL & Create set.  The background is coloured with Distress Inks and a Phil Martin stamp called "Botanica" for the net and scroll overlay. 

Celebrate Card in Black and White

The cards that I have been making recently are full of colour using lots of different inks.  Today I took things back to basics and let the stamps do the talking by stamping on a plain white background in black Versafine Ink.

The stamps I have used on this card (with the exception of the sentiment which is Stampin' Up) are all Lavinia Stamps.  I have used Seaweed 2, Fairy Barnacle, Zen Plant and Sea Creatures.

Lavinia Stamps Artist Trading Coin #1

Having made the Artist Trading Coin Mini Album I decided I should make a coin to go in with it.

I used Distress Inks for the background and the following Lavinia Stamps:  Woodland Hares, Climbing Ivy, Creeping Vine and a pound stamp.

I think I'm going to enjoy making these little pieces of art.

Summer Bedding Plants

It's that time of year again!  You know the one, where you start planting out the bedding plants and then you spend the rest of the season watering them.

Today I have tackled some troughs and a large tub.  I've gone for hot colours in the troughs and pinks/mauves in the tubs.

I need to hit the garden centre again though as I've run out of plants.

Face and Fern Tag

Today, I made a tag for no reason other than I pulled out a page of tags and decided to use what was in front of me. I have no idea who made the face or the heart border stamp, but the ferns and flowers came from a Crafty Individuals set.

I added colour to the lips using a Promarker, colour to the cheeks using Distress Inks and colour to the eyes using a Signo pen

Darkroom Door Retirement Card

After 41 years working for the same company, my Brother retires this week.

For this card, I created a background of Distress Oxides.  I used Darkroom Door stamps from two of their sets "Wild Africa Vol 1" and "African Trees" stamped in Versafine Ink.

Artist Trading Coin (mini book)

Recently I've seen swaps for Artist Trading Coins - think Artist Trading Cards but round in shape.  I don't take part in swaps but fancy giving them a go, just for myself so want a suitable way to store them.

While looking on-line, I came across this YouTube tutorial by Teresa Morgan, on how to make a mini book to hold 9 coins.  Today I have made a little holder for them.  I still need to decorate the cover but it is more or less ready to hold the  coins.

Each pocket has acetate over the aperture so that the decorative coin can be seen in its little home.  I deliberately chose a patterned paper that had a calm colour scheme to that the eye is drawn to the coin itself.

Week 25 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2018

Everything is growing quickly in the garden at the moment so the Prompt for Week 25 is "Full Bloom"

For my tag, I used a Clarity Stamp stencil to create the sunflower, shading it with Distress Inks.  I then used Leaf Green coloured Brusho for the background.

Once everything was dry, I went around the outline of the petals in a black pen and one side of each petal with a metallic gold ink pen.  The background dots were also created in this way.

Looking at the finished tag, it actually reminds me of a silk painting.

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If you would like to know more about the challenge, please click on the button to the right hand side of the "Home" button above where you will find a list of the previous prompts and also full information about the challenge.

The challenge does have a friendly Facebook group, which you are more than welcome to join. In the group you can see other group members weekly creations and chat to like minded crafty people.  I hope you'll pop over and say hello.  The more the merrier.  Sam x

A Card for Dad (Visible Image Vintage Car)

My Dad passed away over 14 years ago and I miss him daily.  Every advert on TV seems to talk about Father's Day at the moment and it's odd not thinking about buying a gift and card, so today I made a card for my Dad.  I know he won't receive it, but it feels the right thing to do.

I have used a Visible Image "Vintage Car" stamp for the central image on a Distress Oxide background.  For the rest of the area I have used some old red rubber stamps that have not seen the light of day for a very long time.

IndigoBlu "Splattered Heart" Card

Today my friend came over to learn a few techniques with Tim Holtz Distress Oxides and Distress Inks.  After she had left, I continued my play making this card.

I started by using Distress Oxides to make the coloured background.  I then used a die to cut the relief area on the bottom left of the card.

Using Versafine Ink, I stamped the heart using IndigoBlu "Splattered Heart" and then the sentiment using a Woodware "Thank you for..." stamp.  Finally I added dots of pink and purple Stickles and white dots using a Signo pen.

Lavinia Stamps - Sunset Geese

This month, I seem to be on a roll with my creative makes.  This card is my 5th and final entry into the Lavinia Stamps monthly Creativity Challenge for June on a theme of "Sunset Pinks".  You can see all the entries by clicking on this link.

I used a brayer to apply Distress Oxide Inks.  I then stamped the "Seasonal Tree" on the right hand side of the card and mirror image stamped the tree to the left by using a piece of acetate.  I then stamped the geese.

I used Distress Inks, Promarkers and Signo pen to add shading and high-lighted areas.

Lavinia Stamps "Dream Catchers" Card

Having made a couple of darker cards, I wanted to make something a bit brighter and made this card using the Lavinia "Dream Catchers" stamp for the flowers and a Stampin' Up stamp from their "Sheltering Tree" set.

I coloured the flowers and the background by using Tim Holtz Distress Inks applied with a paintbrush.  I finished by adding touches of white with a Signo pen and a little shimmer using a Gelly Roll pen.

Snowy Fairy Hive (Lavinia Stamps)

Today I've been playing with Distress Oxides on a black card, the colours still work the same but are not quite as vibrant.

I used the recently released Lavinia Stamps "Fairy Hive" stamp for the central image.  Lavinia "Fairy Barnacles" for the flowers at the base and the Lavinia "Creeping Vine" and "Forest Spruce" for the trailing foliage at the top (all stamped in Versafine Ink).

I then used Brusho to paint the barnacles as flowers.  A white Signo pen for the snow and a Gelly Roll pen for a the glitter look.

Lavinia Stamps Badger Tag

While sorting my craft cupboard, I came across a tag with a background I'd made some months ago and not used, so in attempt to tidy the odds and ends away, I made it into this.

For the background, I had applied Gesso through a brick work stencil.  Once dry, I applied Distress Inks.

I've used three Lavinia Stamps on this project:  Badger, Fairy Barnacles and Fern Heads.  Coloured with Promarkers and a white Signo pen.

Visible Image "Behind Every Mask" Card

I am up early and feeling the grunge look today, making this card.  I brayered three colours of Distress Oxides to colour the background (Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint and Iced Spruce).  I then spritzed a stencil/mask (Creative Expressions Skulls) with water and placed it on top of the oxide background, leaving it for a couple of minutes.  I lifted the mask off, dabbed with a kitchen roll and then used my heat gun to dry it off.

I used a Visible Image stamp called "Behind Every Mask" for the bird and the sentiment.  For the foxing spots, I used a Stampin' up stamp from their "Gorgeous Grunge" set, then inked the edges.  Finally, I used a Brusho turquoise to colour the eyes and a white Signo pen.

Week 24 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2018

The prompt for Week 24 is "Thank You" I thought this is a nice broad prompt that can be taken in any direction.

I started out with a piece of patterned paper that I stuck onto a tag.  I then used the Lavinia stamp sets called "Moon Pods" and "Fairy Barnacle" to add the images.

I used Brusho painted onto the stamped images and a white Signo pen.  Finally, I added the sentiment which is by Woodware and part of their "Thank you for..." set.

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You can find out more about this challenge by hitting the tab to the right of the "home" button at the top of the screen.

There is a Facebook Group for this challenge, which you are welcome to join and participate in.  You can meet others taking part in the challenge and share your creative makes too.

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.

Lavinia Stamps Sea Creatures Tag

I've had a bit of a play with stamps and ink today, but my heart wasn't really in it for some reason.  But I did make this tag.

I started off with brayering Distress Oxides, then lay a damp mask/stencil (called Time Tunnel by Visible Image) over the top.  The wet surface reacts to the inks so that it gives lighter areas.  I then dried the surface with my heat gun.

I then used the Lavinia  "Indian Flourish" stamp to the lower area of the tag.  The circular area is something I had worked with previously and didn't use, so I was able to stamp the fish from the Lavinia "Sea Creatures" set, adding white dots with a Signo pen.  I then stuck it to the middle of the tag.

Lavinia Stamps "Shoal of Fish" Tag

I grabbed a tag that I had started months ago and abandoned as I wasn't happy with it and decided to try to make something with it.

The background had splatters of Distress Inks on it, so I decided to work with what I had stamping fish using the Lavinia Stamps Sea Creatures and Shoal of Fish" stamp sets.  

I then used some Brusho to paint in extra colour around the stamped images.  Finally I added some white and silver areas using a Signo pen.