IndigoBlu Colour Me Daisy Card - a happy accident

While out with friends on Friday I purchased a jar of white emobossing powder.  I went to use it today, it was only while I was using my heat gun that I realised that the powder wasn't white (as stated on the pot) the contents were in fact clear!  This card is the result of my "happy accident"

I've used an IndigoBlu "Colour Me Daisy" stamped in Versamark and then heat embossed.  I have used Liquid Pearls in a "Ballerina" shade.  The sentiment is from a Stampin' Up set called "Sheltering Tree".

Unfortunately, the card does not photograph awfully well.  I've made a little video clip that can be viewed on The Crafting Niche Facebook page, so pop over there if you want a better look.

Week 35 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2018

The prompt for Week 35 is "Transport".

I opted for a Distress Ink background and a selection of Stamper's Anonymous stamps, stamped in different shades of Versafine Clair ink.  I also used a pend to add some gold metallic dots.

Design Team Make - 25th August 2018 (Christmas in August) - My Time To Craft Challenge

The prompt for the "My Time To Craft" challenge for 25th August 2018 is "Christmas In August".  Please do pop over and take a look at the other fabulous makes by the Design Team and maybe take part yourself?

It seems very odd to be creating Christmas cards at this time of year.  I tend to leave it till late September/October time, but it does allow me to re-visit my festive goodies that have been packed away for months.

I started off by masking a moon and then painting the sky using three shades of Distress Inks.  I then removed the moon mask and gently dabbed a pale yellow and dark grey shades of Distress Ink.

The deer image is part of a Stampin' Up set called "Christmas Deer" which I stamped in Versafine Vintage Sepia ink.

I tore card to create an uneven snowscape at the base of the Deers feet.  I then used a Memorybox die called "Frostyville Border" to cut the intricate frosty detail.

I added extra star/snowflakes to the card and then some dots using a white Signo pen to replicate falling snow.  I added some dots of Stickles to give a subtle glitter to the snowflakes and the decorative border (I'm not sure it shows in this photograph).

Finally, I added a sentiment using a sentiment from another Stampin' Up set called "Winter Memories".

Moonlight Foxgloves on a Brusho Background

Having watched a Lavinia hour on Hochanda this afternoon, I decided to have a play with my Brusho paints, creating this card.

I heat embossed the Lavinia "Foxgloves" image in a fine silver embossing powder.  The  Lavinia "Fairy Orbs" were heat embossed in a shade of "Enchanted Gold" embossing powder.

I then chopped the image up into half inch strips.

Framed Roses Tag

This afternoon I have played with no agenda other than enjoying myself.  

I started with a small piece of wrapping paper that I had kept to one side for inking.  It had small sprigs of flowers over it.  I dragged inks across the surface, then used a stencil for the red dots.

I used a couple of stamps, one with netting, the other with some clock faces. Finally, I added the "Inspire" stamped sentiment and the chipboard frame to go round the sprigs of flowers that I had not covered with ink.

Birthday Cup Cake Card

I made a quick birthday card using a cup cake stamp from a Papermania set called "Bunting".  The sentiments are part of a Art Impressions Girlfriends set called "Chocolate Therapy".  The small stars are by Lavinia Stamps.  I've coloured the cake cup topper using water colour pencils, using patterned paper for below the topper.

I Love IndigoBlu - Challenge "Vintage" Card

I received an invite to take part in the "I Love IndigBlu" challenge on a theme of "Vintage".  When I actually looked at my IndigoBlu stash, I found I actually only have 5 IndigoBlu products, so perhaps that needs addressing.

For this card, I used a piece of 12x12 double sided patterned paper.  I added the dotty side to a tag and then dragged blue and pink inks lightly over the surface.  Using the IndigoBlu "English Flourish" stamp I added the flourish image in a dark red ink.  I used the same ink for the edges of the tag too.  I added a red paper ribbon and a section of lace to the base of the tag.

I then added a piece of patterned paper to the blank card and inked the edges and added some foxing marks to give an aged look.

For the topper, I used the IndigoBlu "Flutterby" stamp in the same red ink, I added extra colouring by using a gold and a lilac metallic pen.  I then cut it out.

Finally I mounted the butterfly onto a topper base using the same patterned paper.  I used a double height of foam pads to make the wings appear lifted.

Here's a photo of the two stamp sets used in this challenge: 

Week 34 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2018

The prompt for Week 34 is "Weddings" 

My tag this week is very simple and came together very quickly (you may have already grasped this). I used a decorative border die cut in white, on top of a grey card.  I used a loop border punch for the decorative edge on the right hand side.

I already had the typed sentiment which I die cut using a Spellbinders die.  I finally added self adhesive pearls and a pretty ribbon to hang the tag.

My second tag for this challenge I die cut a large heart and coloured it with a Promarker pen.  I popped it though the Big Shot in a swirl Cuttlebug folder

Next I used two Stampin' Up sets the ladybirds are from  the "Love you Lots" set and the sentiment (I cut off the scrolls) is part of the "Happy Happenings" set.  I coloured the ladybird with Promarkers and then die cut the image into an oval shape and adhered it to the embossed heart.

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If you would like to know more about the challenge, please click on the button to the right of the "home" button for all the information you may need.  It also has the previous prompts too.

There is also a Facebook Group, so if you would like to join in and meet other like minded crafty people, please pop along - the more the merrier.  Sam x

IndigoBlu Colour Me Daisy Card

I have loved this stamp since the first time I saw it.  The image is fabulous and it is stunning as a stand along square of stamping, but I wanted to do something a bit different with it.

I stamped multiple images of the IndigoBlu "Colour Me Daisy" stamp in Versafine Clair "Fantasia" shade.  I mounted the clearest stamped image onto black card.  (I added a slight bit of shading to the central area by painting diluted Distress Inks).  The others I die cut in various sizes of circles.  I stuck them to the background and then layered the main image on top.

The sentiment is typed and then die cut using a Spellbinders die.

Midnight Meandering Rabbits (Lavinia Stamps) Card

I've entered this card into the Lavinia Stamps monthly challenge.  I've had a few days of not crafting, so it was nice to be back at my desk this morning.

For the background, I masked the moon and then applied serveral shades of Distress Inks.  I then used a selection of Lavinia Stamps:  Sacred Spells, Sacred Tree and Midnight Meandering stamped in Versafine and Versafine Clair inks. I added a few lighter areas using a white Signo pen.

70th Birthday Card

My crafting friend will be 70 this month, so I needed to make her a card that was a bit different.

I started by applying Distress Oxides (in shades of Tumbled Glass and Cracked Pistashio) to a card.  I then sprited and dried it.

I then used a die to create the cut out detail at the base of the card (sorry, I don't recall where the die came from).  I needed to die cut it in two directions to get the area I required.

I then used a Stampin' up set called "Dragonfly Dreams" for the sentiment and the dragonfly, stamped in Versarine Clair (Monarch shade) Ink.

Using a small Lavinia pound stamp, I stamped the stars using a Momento "London Fog" shade of ink.

I then die cut the "70" and adhered the centre of the "0".  I also die cut the dragonfly wings using the Stampin' Up "Detailed Dragonfly Thinlits".  I used a glue to stick the central section of the wings.  I applied sticky backed silver gems to replicate the eyes.  I also applied some to the underside of the wings, so that they do not sit flat on the card, in the hope that it replicates movement.

Finally, I stuck further gems to the middle of the large stars and stuck the green/blue top to the purple card.

Week 33 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2018

Week 33 of the challenge.  The prompt for this week is "Wings"!

My tag is a bit random, this week, I grabbed a handful of bits and decided to make of them what I could.

I've used Distress Oxides to create the coloured base. I used a Lavinia Stamp called "Sacred Spells" and lightly stamped the text deliberately leaving a fragmented text look.

I stamped the wings, which are a Gemini/Crafter's Companion set called "Angel Wings" in a StazOn ink onto Vellum, then die cut them.  

The deer head was from a magazine set last year.  I stamped it and coloured it with Promarkers and then die cut the image.
I partially adhered the wings onto the tag and then mounted the deer head using sticky foam pads so that it is a little raised.  I then added some Stickles to the wings to add a little glitter. Finally, I used a Stamper's Anonymous stamp for the sentiment stamped in Versafine Clair ink.

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If you are interested in knowing more about the challenge, then please click the button to the right of the home button at the top of the page.

There is a Facebook Group for this challenge, which you are invited to join.  On the group you will be able to share your challenge creations and also chat to others who take part in the challenge.

Have a great weekend.  Sam x

Design Team Make - 11th August 2018 (More than one fold) - My Time To Craft Challenge Blog

Having been given a great opportunity to design makes for the "My Time To Craft" challenge blog, this week I've felt a little nervy and uncertain of my ability.  The prompt for this fortnight is "More than one fold".

I'd played with several ideas and then decided I was over complicating things and went for a simple but hopefully classy make using four folds.

I cut a piece of pale blue card into a 12" x 6" size.  I then scored down the shorter length at the following intervals 2", 4" 8" and finally 10".  On the edge of the short side, I made a small pencil mark 3" down and cut from the 4" scoreline to the outer left 3" pencil mark.  I then made another pencil mark 3" down the short edge and cut on a diagonal to the 8" scoreline. This provides the dropped angle of the card.

I wasn't sure how far to go with my stamping, so thought I would keep it clean and simple.  I stamped the sentiment (from the Stampin' Up "One Big Meaning" set).  

The Dandelions are from two Lavinia Stamps sets "Fairy Dandelions" and "Make a Dandelion".  I've used Versafine "Smokey Grey" ink for all stamping.

Please do pop over to "My Time To Craft Challenge Blog" to have a look at the other Design Team makes and maybe participate yourself.

Sam x

PS:  I forgot to add a photo of the card closed.  Here it is Branwen x

The Blue Seahorse Card (Lavinia Stamps)

I've had several projects to make so this afternoon it was nice to play, for the sake of playing.

I made this card using a background of an off-cut of Clarity's "Shenandoah Natural Wonders" paper.  

I used three Lavinia stamps for this card:  Seahorse, Sacred Spells and Fairy Barnacle, stamped in various Versafine Clair inks.

I added white dots to the seahorse using a Signo Pen.  In various other areas I used a Sakura Jelly Roll pen and also a silver metallic pen.  (Unfortunately, not much of the shimmer and shine can be picked up in this photograph).

New Home Card

My neighbours have lived next door to us for about twenty years.  They move house shortly so I wanted to make a card for them.

I used a set that came with issue 175 of Simply Cards & Papercraft magazine a few months back.  I die cut the house and roof and coloured everything with Promarkers.

The sentiment is from a Papertrey Ink set called " "Love Lives Here" stamped in a Versafine Clair ink

Birthday Card

I have a large stash of patterned paper that I rarely use, so for this Birthday Card, I decided to use some.  For this card, I have used three 6"x6" sheets from a stack/pad called "Wanderlust" which I purchased from The Range some time ago.

I die cut the dark floral paper with a border die to create a scalloped bottom.  I layered it onto the striped paper then cut it to size.  I then added the yellow and white floral paper to the card base and adhered to the yellow paper.

Finally, I used a Spellbinders die set from their "Renaissance Jubilee/Jubilee Tags" to create the sentiment.

Week 32 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2018

The prompt for Week 32 of the challenge is "Food"

I decided to use a fruit stamp for my tag this week.  It's by Stampin' Up from their "Studio Sketches" set.  I coloured the image with Promarkers.  Then cut a rectangle and attached it to the wooden frame.

For the background of the tag, I used an orange Promarker.  On the two long edges I used a Stamper's Anonymous stamp from their "ornate trims" set.

I then cut a length of patterned paper with a trellis design and another with a grid design and stuck them to the tag, then added the framed fruit picture.

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If you're interested in this challenge, click on the button to the right of the "home" button for all the info. Please feel free to join in the challenge on the Facebook page too.

A Design Team - Exciting News

For some time, I have been toying with the idea that I fancied doing something with my crafting.  



Today I was accepted onto the Design Team for a challenge blog called "My Time To Craft".  Here's the link if you would like to have a look at the challenge.

"The Sky's The Limit" Dragon ATC

I used Distress Oxides for the background of this ATC.  I've used Lavinia Stamps for the script background, the trees and the small dragon.  The "Sky's The Limit" sentiment is from a Penny Black set called "Nature's Wishes"

Midnight Meandering Bunnies ATC (Lavinia Stamps)

Sometimes it is nice to make things in a different size from normal.  Today is one of those days and I've made an ATC (Artist Trading Card).  An ATC measures just 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" there are no rules to making them other than the size.

I've masked the moon then used  several shades of Distress inks for the background.  I've used a Lavinia Stamp called "Midnight Meandering" and "Tree Scene" on this ATC.  I've used a white Signo pen for the eyes and for the stars.

Midnight Meandering Rabbits Card

I decided to have a go at heat embossing.  I've done it in the past with mixed results so I was happy with the way the embossed dandelions came out.

I've created a background of Oxide Inks.  I then used the Lavinia Stamps "Midnight Meandering" stamped in Versafine Black Onyx ink.  

I used a Versamark ink pad on the Lavinia Stamps "Fairy Dandelions".  I then coated the area with Papermania "Superfine Silver" embossing powder.  Finally, I used a Signo pen to add lighter areas.

Hopeful Thoughts Sympathy Card

It seems that I'm going through sympathy cards at quite a rate this year.

I've used Stampin' Up "Hopeful thoughts" stamp for the flowers.  The sentiment is from a Papermania set called "Bunting" stamped in Versafine Ink.  I have added small iridescent self adhesive gems to the middle of the flowers.

Edited to add:  Huge apologies.  I've noticed that on this photograph there is a shadow at the base of the image.  It definitely isn't there in real life.  Sam