Week 40 - 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2018

The prompt for Week 40 is "Clean and Simple (CAS)"

For my tag, I decided to use a stamp set that I've not used in a while.  It's the Stamper's Anonymous "Crazy Bird" set.  The chicken wire is a stamp by Creative Expressions.  I stamped the bird, sentiment and wire in Versafine ink. I then shaded the image with my water colour pencils and finally inked the right hand side edge.

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If you would like to know more about the challenge or see a list of the previous prompts, click on the tab at the top of the page.

There is an active Facebook Group for this challenge.  It would be great if you popped over and joined in, chatting to others taking part and uploading your images to the weekly albums.  Sam

When Crafting Goes Wrong!

Generally, when my crafting goes wrong I can salvage a piece by covering areas or just re-working it. Sadly this was not the case with this.  

Having created a Brusho background in the shades I wanted, I waited for it to fully dry, I taped a stencil into place and applied the texture paste through the stencil.  I let it sit for a few minutes before I lifted the stencil.  Unfortunately, the paste spread and blurred in the middle of this master piece, also now that the paste is dry, the white has picked up some of the base colour.  

I guess, it doesn't matter how much crafting you do, you are always on a learning curve.  I now know I need to perfect this technique and consign this piece to the bin :(  Maybe now is a good time for a coffee!

Male Birthday Card

I find making cards for males quite difficult, especially if they don't have a hobby, but this card developed nicely.

I used a blend of three colours of Distress Inks through a masked off circle.  The birds, tree and giraffes are all from  a Darkroom Door stamp set called "African Trees".  The sentiment is from a Papertrey Ink stamp set called "Stylish Sentiments", all stamped in Versafine "Black Onyx".

I mounted it on a Kraft card blank.

Wild Flowers Sentiment Tag

I wanted to make a sunny style tag and came up with this one.

I used Brusho for the background and stamped two Crafty Individuals stamps in Versafine "Black Onyx".  I finished the tag off by inking the edges and adding some sequins and sticky gems.

Monochrome Hitching A Ride Tag (Lavinia Stamps)

When you can't sleep craft!  That's my motto for this morning, making this monochrome tag using all Lavinia Stamps.

I used the following Lavinia Stamps:  Mimsy, Moon, Fairy Buds, Fairy Foragers and a pound star stamp.  All were stamped in Versafine Black Onyx or Smokey Grey.

Cauliflower Cheese with leeks and bacon - Yum!

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Now that the cooler weather has arrived, I find myself turning to comfort food.  Yesterday I made a beef stew, today I made a fabulous tasty cauliflower cheese.  It all goes in one tray so there's not too much washing up either!

I am pretty loose with my ingredients, as I tend to put in what is in the fridge or pantry.  Here's a rough guide of what you will need.

• A large cauli broken down into small florets (I have also used broccoli if I've not had much cauli to hand).
• Two leeks washed, stripped, cut into lengths and then into segements (semi circles).
• Ricotta Cheese (approx 200g)
• Creme Fraiche (approx 200g)
• Worcester Saunce - a dash
• Mature Cheddar, grated (approx 200g)
• Parmesan, grated (approx 50g) to be sprinkled on top 
• Bacon(chopped) or lardons (approx 100g) fried
• 2 roasted red peppers (the ones in the jar) diced
• Mustard powder (about half a teaspoon)
• Ground pepper for seasoning

Preheat the oven around 180.  Place the cauli florets in the dish and place in the oven for around 10-12 minutes (it gives the cauli a bit of a nutty flavour).

When the cauli is out of the oven, sprinkle with chopped red peppers and leeks.

In a bowl add the Creme Fraiche, Ricotta, Worcester Sauce, Mustard Powder,  grated mature cheese  and ground black pepper and mix together.  If you find the mixture a bit stiff to stir, then use a little milk to loosen the texture.

Spoon the mixture over the cauli, pepper and leeks.  Finally sprinkle the Parmesan Cheese on top.  

Pop in the middle of the oven for about thirty minutes, when it should be golden brown.

I like to leave my cauli cheese to rest for ten minutes before serving so that it soaks up any juices in the bottom of the baking dish.

Enjoy.  Sam x

Grunge Postage Stamp Tag

Today I played with stamps and inks with no agenda while listening to some favourite old tunes.  Some how I ended up with this grunge looking tag.

I started off with a piece of off-white coloured card cut to the shape of a tag.  I used some old Rubbadubbadoo magnetic stamps for the main image, stamped in Versafine "Vintage Sepia".  

I used a Distress Ink through aTim Holtz Stamper's Anonymous stencil "THMM101" for the background dots.  I then inked the edges and dragged an old black ink pad across the surface of the tag to give it a more aged/grunge look.

The Fairy Poppy Dance Tag

I've played with fairy stamps again today, making this tag.

I've used the Lavinia Stamps "Group Poppies" coloured with Versafine Clair and then Promarker.  Then fairies and snail are stamped in Versafine "Black Onyx".

I painted the background using a wet brush and water colour pencils adding the star details using a Lavinia pound stamp.

Magical Fairy Wish Card (Lavinia Stamps)

This evening I have again been playing with Lavinia Stamps.

I started with a background of various Distress Oxide colours in really subtle shades that almost look like marbelling.

I then stamped the Lavinia "Sacred Spells" stamped in a Versafine "Smokey Grey" shade.  I then stamped the image of the figure, which is a Lavinia Stamp called "Make A Wish", which I stamped in Versafine Black Onyx shade.  

Finally, I added some trailing foliage using one of the recently released stamp called "Spanish Moss Foliage" (stamped in Versafine "Smokey Grey" shade.  I added some touches of shimmer to the card using a Sakura jelly roll pen.

(I'm not sure who made the sentiment as I purchased it along with some other second hand stamps).

New Lavinia Stamps "Flower Flourish" Thinking of you card

Lavinia Stamps have recently released some fab new stamps.  As soon as I returned from my holiday, I ordered some.  They arrived today, so I thought I would have a play.

For this card, I made a coloured background using Brusho.  I then stamped the Lavinia "Flower Flourish" in Versamark then heat embossed the images using Wow, Super Fine Metallic Silver embossing powder.

I mounted the image onto black card and cut to size and positioned and glued onto my card blank.  I then stamped the "Thinking of you" sentiment (Stampin' Up, Sheltering Tree set), in Versafine "black onyx" ink.

Week 39 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2018

The prompt for week 39 is "Trees".

For my tag, I used a background of Brusho.  I used a Memento ink in a "Grape Jelly" shade through a Visible Image stencil called "Strobes".  

I used Versafine Black Onyx ink on three stamps from the Visible Image "Into The Woods" set for the trees and the owl.

Finally, with a black pen, I added some dashed lines to the strobes.

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If you would like to know more about the challenge, click on the tab at the top of the page where you will find all the information you need, including prompts for previous weeks.

There is an active Facebook Group for this challenge, where you can add your tags/art cards to weekly albums and chat to others taking part in the challenge.  Please do pop along and say hello.  The more the merrier.  Sam x

Sympathy Card

Apologies for my absence the past fortnight.  I've been away on my holidays but have returned home a little earlier than expected due partly to the poor weather conditions and also being full of cough and cold.  Hopefully it will pass quickly.

Unfortunately, while away I received some sad news that a family friend had passed away, so this card was my priority make first thing this morning.

I used a Stampin' Up set called "Hopeful Thoughts" for both the tree image and the sentiment, stamped in Versafine Black Onyx ink on patterned paper.  I added a few sticky gems to the tree area to give a little dimension to an otherwise flat card.

Design Team Make - 21st September 2018 (Food and Drink) #380 My Time To Craft Challenge

The prompt for the 22nd September 2018 on the "My Time To Craft Challenge Blog" is "Food & Drink".  Please pop over and take a look at the other fabulous makes by the other Design Team members.  

For my card, I started off by stamping the floral wreath (Papermania Freshly Cut Flowers collection).  I then stamped the sentiment using a Stampin' Up set called "Floral Phrases" both stamped in Versafine Ink.

The champagne bottle and glasses was part of a stamp and die set in "Papercraft Essential magazine, Issue 6).  I stamped and hand cut each piece.

I used Promarkers the colouring of the wreath, the bottle and the champagne glasses, raising the bottle and one glass with foam pads for dimension.

Week 38 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2018

The prompt for Week 38 is:  "Use a saying"

For my tag, I used a brusho background using a mix of orange and purple.  Once dry, I stamped the images and saying, in Versafine Onyx Black using a Visible Image stamp set called "Glimmer Of Light".  I coloured the light bulbs and the moths with Promarkers and added some gold metallic dots to the background before finally inking the edges of the tag.

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If you would like to know more about this challenge, then click on the tab with the title "52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge", here you will find all the information you need, including a list of the previous challenge prompts.

There is a Facebook Group for this challenge.  I would love it if you pop over and join the others and share your makes by uploading them to the weekly albums.  Sam x

Week 37 - 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2018

The prompt for Week 37 is Tag on Tag

We're well into September and here on Anglesey things are getting back to normal after the holiday season. It's nice to have it a little quieter again.

For my tag, I have used a whole assortment of things.  I started with cream coloured tag and stamped the net and flourish images.  Then inked the edges in two different shades.

I found some wide hessian style ribbon, which I glued to the tag on the right hand side.I inked a paper doily to give it a more aged look and then stuck that to the tag.

 I had an off-cut of curtain lining fabric and stamped the script onto it.  I cut a circle of cardboard, then stuck the stamped fabric to it and trimmed to size.  I found some wide fine organza style ribbon, so I stuck that across the centre of the circle creating a few ruffles as I went.  I then added two layers of lace to the top edge.

To the underside of the tag, I glued some green ribbon and punched foliage.  I rummaged though my oddments box and found some mini baubles that I had salvaged from Christmas crackers last year and also a mini light house metal charm which were glued into position.

I used the Tim Holtz paper dolls for the male and dog figure.  The sentiment is from the Stamper's Anonymous "Clippings" set.

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If you are interested in this challenge and would like to know more about it, hit the tab at the top of the page next to the "home" button.  It has all the information you will need and also a list of the previous prompts.

This challenge is very relaxed, you can dip in and out of it as you wish.  Pop over to the challenge Facebook Group and join in the chatter and add your challenge creations to the group albums.  We'd love to meet you.  Sam x

Design Team Make - 8th September 2018 (Under The Sea) "My Time To Craft" Challenge

The 8th September prompt over on the "My Time To Craft" fortnightly challenge is "Under The Sea".  Please pop over and see the other fab makes by members of the Design Team.

I started off by using Distress Inks to create a pale sand and water background.  Using an assortment of stamps from manufacturers like:  Unity Stamp, Stampin' Up and Lavinia Stamps.  Stamped in Versafine, Versafine Clair and Momento inks.

Autumn Leaves Card - Design Team Make #26 Love To Craft Challenge Blog

Well following my excitement to be accepted onto a Design Team for "Love To Craft Challenge" Blog, I have got stuck in creating my first project for #26 the September challenge.  You can find the blog post here.

I used five shades of Distress Oxides (Mowed Lawn, Fossilized Amber, to create the Spiced Marmalade, Wild Honey and Tea Dye).  Once dry, I used a Stampin' Up set called "Vintage Leaves" to stamp the leaf in Versafine "Vintage Sepia" ink.  I used another Stampin' Up set called "Gorgeous Grunge" for the foxing marks.

I cut a piece of card into a square and used a Sara Davies script stamp to create the text.  I then used a Distress Inks to colour the square card and fixed it to the Oxide background.

Using Stampin' Up "Leaflets Framelit" dies I cut the leaves.  For each one, I built up the colour using various Distress Inks.  I curled some of the edges of the leaves to make them appear more realistic.

More Exciting Design Team News

This week I have received more exciting news.  I have been accepted onto another Design Team.  

I am now a member of the "Love To Craft Challenge Blog" which is a monthly blog.

Please pop over and have a look at the blog and maybe take part yourself.

Sam x

Week 36 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2018

The prompt for Week 36 is:  "Your Initials"

For my tag I made a background to Memento Inks using shades of Dandelion, Cantaloup, Tangelo and Love Letter.  I applied it with a silicon make up pad that works a bit like a small gelli plate.

Using a Versafine Clair ink in the shade of "Tulip Red" I stamped the Sara Davies script. Using two shades of Versafine Ink (Black Onyx and Smokey Grey) I stamped the circles, which are from the Visible Image set called "Shape It Up", I then inked the edges of the tag too. I used a gold metallic pen to add dots to the surface of the tag.

Using a white chipboard heart, I used a Black Soot Distress Ink through a Tim Holts/Stampers Anonynous mask/stencil called Dot Fade Layering.  I stuck that to the tag.

I inked up some chipboard letters, using the Memento "Love Letter" ink, I had used for the base and then added then to the tag from the top left corner to the bottom right.  Finally, I added some smaller chipboard letters to the surface of the chipboard heart and some Nuvo sheer diamond sequins to the main tag.


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If you would like to know more about the 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2018, please click on the button to the side of the "home" tab.  Here you will find all the information you need about the challenge, including a list of the previous prompts.

If you would like to take part in the challenge, why not take a look at the Facebook Group?  You can upload your creations to the albums and meet other like minded people who are also taking part.

New Home Card

I needed to make a quick new home card, so popped this together.

I've used pale pink and white patterned paper for the background.  I die cut the "home" letters and the little house on the end.

Using a Memento ink in a shade called "Rhubarb Stalk", I stamped the words "New" and "Welcome".  I stamped flourish/scrolls in the corner using a stamp I've had for years and inked the edges of the card to pull the eye to the middle of the card.

The Green Man Card #1 (Lavinia Stamps)

This week seems to have whizzed by and I've been itching to craft but I've not had an opportunity, due to galavanting about, so today is my craft day!

I have loved the Lavinia Stamps "Green Man" stamp since it was released, but there have always been others that took priority in my shopping basket.  I addressed this over sight this week and treated myself to the small version, which actually isn't so small, approximately 5" x 3.5" in size.

The background of this card is Brusho, applied to a spritzed card, in shades of emerald green and untra-marine.

I stamped The Green Man using a Versamark ink and Wow "Super Fine Metallic Silver" embossing powder and used a heat gun to set it.

I made a mask to cover the image and then used the Lavinia "Sacred Spells" stamp to the top right and bottom left, stamped in Versafine Ink.

I used the Lavinia "Creeping Vine" and "Climbing Ivy" stamped in Versafine Clair "Rain Forest" ink.  

Finally I added white to the eyes, using a Signo Pen and a handful of Nuvo sequins to lift the more plain areas.