Special hand made cards (by a five year old).

It is always lovely to receive a hand made card, especially when it's from a very special little person.  These two cards were made by Willow, our five year old grand daughter.  It would be lovely is she persues her crafting in the future, following in my footsteps.

On the blue card, she has featured a picture of Rosie, our Spaniel.  Within the heart, she has drawn her family (Mummy, Daddy, her two brothers and herself).

While Willow was with us at the weekend, we had a little crafting session with a project that featured in her "Cuddles" comic.  We made these little paper birds with fan type wings and tails.

Lavinia Stamps "Shaylee" Card

This weekend we have had our son and his family staying with us.  we planned a fairy hunt in the garden for Willow, our Grand daughter who is five, and she loved it, so I've made this card to remind Willow of her stay with us.

I started the card, by creating a background using various shades of Distress Oxides. 

All the stamps I have used are by Lavinia Stamps.  I stamped the main fairy "Shaylee" in Versafine "Black Onyx" ink.  I then created the landscape Shaylee stands on by using Distress Oxides and a mask.

I then stamped the "Foxglove" and the "Fern Heads" in Colorbox and Memento inks.

I stamped the "mini snail", "Fairy Bugs" and the "ball/bubble" the fairy is holding in Versafine Ink. I added touches of white and silver glitter to the card by using Signo Pens.  Finally, I added "Glossy Accents" to give the bubble a more crystal ball look and a handful of clear Nuvo sequins to add quiet interest to the background.

Week 5 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2019

The prompt for Week 5  is "Geometric Shapes".

For my tag, I started by making a background of three shades of Distress Oxide Inks:  Squeezed Lemonade, Twisted Citron and Tumbled Glass.  Once dry, using a Visible Image stencil called "Two Tone" I covered the service with dots of Twisted Citron Distress Ink.

Using a Versafine Clair ink pad called "Paradise", I stamped concentric circles from the Visible Image "Shape It Up" stamp set across the surface of the tag.

In Versafine "Stormy Grey" ink, I stamped three images of artist supplies, using IndigoBlu sets: Collector's Edition no.17,18 and 20 (Pencils, Brushes and Paint Tubes.  Which I then die cut into circle shapes. I also die cut different blue cardstock in different size circles.

Returning to the stamped, circle images, I coloured them using Distress Inks, using a silver Signo Pen on some areas too.

I arranged the blue discs and the stamped images into a pleasing arrangement and stuck them into position.  Some are flat, others are elevated on foam pads.  To finish, I lightly inked the edges of the tag.

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Would you like to know more about this challenge?  Click this link to find the info you will need.

There is also a Facebook Group for this challenge, where you can share your makes and chat to others taking part in the challenge.  It is a very relaxed group.  There is absolutely no pressure to keep up, you do what you want, when you want to do it.  The weekly albums are there to be added to when ever is convenient to yourself.  Why not pop by and say hello.  The more the merrier.  Sam x

Design Team Make for "My Time To Craft Challenge blog" (389) All You Need Is Love

It's time to share another Design Team make for the "My Time To Craft Challenge Blog". Challenge number 389 has a prompt of "All You Need Is Love", so anything along the theme of Valentine's, Weddings, Anniversaries etc.  If you have a moment, please do pop over to the challenge blog and take a look at some of the fab makes by my fellow DT colleagues and maybe even take part in the challenge yourself.

For my card, I used a sheet of music score covered with Distress Oxides, spritzed and left to dry.

I stamped the woodgrain by using a Stampin' Up "Hardwood" stamp, stamped in Versafine "Smokey Grey" ink.  I then painted a wash of colour using diluted Distress Inks applied with a brush.  Once dry, I die cut a heart in the middle of the woodgrain image.  I then mounted the die cut woodgrain card onto the coloured music score paper.

I die cut the word "love" using a die from a Stampin' Up thinlit set called "Expressions".  The Papertrey Ink sentiment of "is all you need" is from their "wonderful words - love" set, which was stamped in Versafine "Black Onyx" ink.  Finally, I stuck a sprinkle of clear sequins across the surface of the card.

January Craft Box UK Delivery

Back in December, I pre-ordered a little treat for myself, in the form of the January Craft Box.  It appealed to me as I'd been doing all things Christmas and the beautiful spring colours of the goodies gave hope that the long dark nights would soon be a thing of the past.  

Roll on about a month and my box of lovely sunshine arrived. As usual, it was beautifully presented in a soft duck egg blue box that is ripe for altering.

Here's a pic of the contents, including the beautiful 6x6" scrapbook papers in the earlier photo.  Can't Wait to get playing with them.

Week 4 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2019

The week 4 prompt is "Friendship".

For my tag I started by stamping a section of the large butteryfly from the Stampers Anonymous set called "Perspective" in Versafine Clair "Monarch" shade of ink and also the Papertrey Ink Sentiment from their "We Go Together" set.  I then painted the background of the tag in a Distress Oxide called "Picked Raspberry".

I coloured the butterfly image using  Promarkers.  Using a Visible Image stencil called "Two Tone" I made dots across the surface using a Distress Ink in "Carved Pumpkin" shade.  Using the Stampers Anonymous stamp set called "Ornate Trims", I stamped the decorative edge in Versafine Clair "Monarch" ink shade.

I also made this tag, using an off-cut of patterned paper, using the Stampin' Up set called "Lovely Friends" I stamped the sentiment in Versafine "Vintage Sepia" ink.  Next I inked the edges of the tag to give it a more vintage feel.

I then stamped flowers from the Hobby Art stamp set called "Janies Collection - Wild Roses".  I cut the flowers out and inked them

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Would you like to join in with this challenge?  It's really relaxed and you work at your own pace.  For more information, have a look here.

There is also a Facebook Group for the challenge, where you can share images of your creations and chat to others who are taking part.  We'd love you to be part of our friendly group.  Sam x

Valentine Card using Lavinia Stamps

Here's a little Valentine card I made using Lavinia Stamps.

The background is a combination of several Distress Oxide colours.  I then applied Distress Inks through a heart stencil.

I stamped the rabbits, trees and sentiment in two shades of Versafine inks (Black Onyx and Stormy grey).  Finally, I added some white areas to the rabbits using a white Signo pen.

Here are the links to the stamps that I used:

Rabbits (Midnight Meandering)

Sentiment

Skeleton Tree

Exciting News - I'm on the Lavinia Stamps Design Team

Today I can confirm that I have done it!  To say I am over the moon to hear that I have made the Lavinia Stamps Design Team is an understatement - note to self "Don't doubt your abilities Sam"!  I can't wait to get cracking on my makes as part of the team.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the Lavinia Stamps company and staff for giving me this fabulous opportunity.

Sam x

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.

Week 3 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2019

Hi, thanks for popping in.  It's time for another challenge prompt. 
The Week 3 prompt is "Collage"

If like me, you save your scraps of paper and other bits and bobs, for a "just in case moment", then this prompt is for you. Drag out those bits and put them to use.

For my collage, I decided on a beach scene, but yours can be on anything you like.  I raided my oddments box and came up with this.

I started by painting the sky with water colours and worked my way down the tag from there.

I've torn inked paper into scraps,  found an embossed bit of card that could be used for sea and added a bit of extra sparkle with Nuvo sequins.  On the rocks in the foreground, I have used some FlowerSoft which was given to me by a friend but I had never got to use.  

The only stamping on the tag, are the birds which are a Lavinia Stamp. 

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You can join this challenge at any time, do as much or as little as you like, it's very, very relaxed.  If you would like more info or would like to see the previous prompts, you can check them out here.

There is also a Facebook Group for this challenge, I'd love it if you popped over and joined the fun, by sharing your challenge images and talking to the others taking part about all things crafty.  Sam x

Design Team Make for "My Time To Craft Challenge Blog" (388) - Winter Birthday (Lavinia Stamps)

This is a Design Team card I have made for the "My Time To Craft Challenge Blog" on the theme of "Winter Birthday".  Please do pop over and take a look at the fab creations from my fellow DT colleagues.

For my card, I started by using water colour pencils with a paint brush to paint the sky and the land.  

Using a Lavinia Stamp called "Trees", I repeat stamped the image across the card using Versafine "Vintage Sepia" ink.  I added the Lavinia Stamp "Birds" stamped in Versafine "Stormy Grey".

I continued to build up the image with adding more depth with the water colour.  I then cut the image down to 4x4" and mounted it onto brown card.  At this stage I added some icy/frosty sparkle using a silver glitter Signo Pen.

I cut a piece of plain paper to 4x4 size, positioned it in the middle of a plain card and marked where the line of trees was, then stamped the same tree image across card from side to side.  I lifted the paper mask and then positioned and stuck the water colour image down.

The Papertrey Ink sentiment, from their "Winter Hills" set was stamped in Versafine "Vintage Sepia" ink to finish the card.

Book Mark using Lavinia Stamps "Rue"

I'm an avid reader.  Although most of the books I read are ebooks, sometimes I do read a "real" book.  There rarely seems to be a bookmark close to hand, so I made one instead.

I've used a Brusho Background.  I stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Rue" and added extra foliage using their "Spanish Moss" both stamped in Versafine "Black Onyx".  I added silver dots, using a Signo pen, as if dust motes have been disturbed by Rue swinging on the foliage.

Bear Birthday Card (Papercraft Essentials Magazine - issue 159)

I made this card for a relative who will be celebrating his birthday shortly.

The lovely bear and sentiment was a stamp that came free with Papercraft Essentials magazine in issue 159.  I stamped him in Versafine "Vintage Sepia" ink for the bear face and "Black Onyx" for the hat and the sentiment.  I then coloured the image using a damp paint brush and Distress Inks.

The green stars in the background were stamped in Versafine Clair "Verdant", this stamp was in the same set as the star. Finally, I added two shades of Nuvo sequins to the surface of the card and a sticky black gem for each of the eyes.

Chloe Stem (Memory Box) Birthday Card

The sun is shining and it is reflected in the sunny background of the card I have made this morning.

I used Distress Inks "Carved Pumpkin" colour through a stencil to create the background pattern on yellow cardstock.

I put a Memory Box die called "Chloe Stem" through the Big Shot to cut the black flowers.  I then used a Papertrey Ink sentiment from their "Movers and Shakers" stamp set, stamped in Versafine "Black Onyx".

Cherry Blossom Card (Lavinia Stamps)

Now that we're into the new year, my mind is moving forward to Spring time and got me thinking about all the beautiful colours of the season.  This prompted me to make this Cherry Blossom card.

It's a simple little card which I have actually used as a "thank you" card.  I stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Cherry Blossom" in Versafine "Vintage Sepia" ink.  The Rubbadubbadoo sentiment is stamped in the same ink.  I coloured the flowers pale pink using a Promarker.

I then re-stamped in Versamark clear ink and then coated in clear embossing powder and heated.  This gives the image a slightly raised feel.  It also preserves the colour for when I used a pale green water colour wash for the background.  To add a little more interest to the background I added small dots using a gold coloured Sakura jelly roll pen.

Skeleton Tree (Thinking Of You Card) Lavinia Stamps

To make this card, I used Distress Inks for the background and Versafine "Black Onyx" ink for the trees and the sentiment.  

I started by making the mountain/hill area.  For the skyline, I used a stencil in two different colours and two different directions.

I stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Single Skeleton Tree" and the Stampin' Up "Sheltering Tree" Sentiment.  Finally, I added a little sparkle by using a silver Signo pen, which unfortunately, doesn't really show up in this photo).

Monday Wash Day - Lavinia Stamps

Today I have re-visited my Lavinia Stamps which have been ignored for far too long and decided to enter into their January challenge on a theme of "A story to be told".

I decided on the stamps I would use and have called this "Monday Wash Day".  I started by using Distress Inks to create the background.  I used four Lavinia Stamps:  Fairy Washing Line, Creeping Vine, Fairy Barnacle and Sacred Spells Script, stamped in Versafine inks.  I added a touch of sparkle by using a Signo silver glitter pen.

Engagement Congratulations Card

I've been going through my magazines today.  Pulling articles out for keeping and putting the rest in the recycling.  While doing that, I came across a number of freebies, so with some of them, I made this card.

The trellis background, the birds and the sentiment were all free with issue 186 of Simply Cards and Papercraft.  The trellis was a stencil which I put Distress Inks through.  

I stamped the birds onto the trellis and also onto a piece of plain card.  On the trellis piece of card, I coloured the branch that the birds are sitting on in a brown Promarker.

Returning to the stamped image of the birds on the plain piece of card, I coloured the birds using a moist paint brush and water colour pencils.  I then cut the bodies and heads of the birds out (I didn't cut the branch or the bird feet).  I then went around the edges of the cut out birds with a black felt pen.  Using foam pads to elevate the image, I stuck the birds on top of the earlier stamped bird image on the trellis to provide a puffed up 3D body effect.

I then punched a little heart and added it above the birds and mounted the image onto the same pinky/red background, trimming to size.

I found an embossing folder which came free with and earlier issue of Simply Cards and Papercraft (issue 170) and ran it through the Big Shot and trimmed to size.  I mounted the bird image onto the embossed background. Digging around my pre cut die cut box, I found the two green foliage pieces that I thought would work and added these to each side of the card.

Week 2 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2019

The prompt for Week 2 of the challenge is "New".

This could be new stash, baby, home, year, shoes, phone, diary the choice is endless.  I opted for "New Year, New Diet" for my Week 2 tag.

I used one of the free stamps in issue 66 of Creative Stamping magazine for the main image, stamped in Versafine "Black Onyx" ink and coloured with Promarkers.

I gave the background a wash using a paintbrush and colour from a water colour pencil.  Once dry, I randomly stamped the tape measure (which came in the same set as the main image), in Versafine "Stormy Grey" ink.  I filled in the area with silver dots using a Signo pen.  I then inked the edges and surface of the tag using two shades of Colorbox ink.

Finally, using a ProvoCraft rolling alphabet stamp I stamped the words "New Year and New Diet" . I cut the words down and gave the surface a rub with ink, then drew a box around each word before positioning them raised on the tag using foam pads.

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You can join in with this challenge at any time, it doesn't have to be at the beginning of the year.  You can find info about the challenge here.

Why not join the challenge Facebook Group.  Here you can upload your challenge images to the weekly albums and chat to others taking part about crafty things.  It's a really friendly group and the challenge is very relaxed.  You do what you can, when you can.  There is never any pressure to keep up.  The more the merrier. Sam x

2018 Tag Challenge Overview

The 2018 tag challenge seems to be a distant memory, so I thought I would share with you photos of the tags I made for the challenge. Some weeks I made more than one, so there are more than 52.

Don't forget it is never too late to join in with the 2019 tag challenge.  You'll find the info here and the Facebook Group where you can upload your images and join in with the chat is here.

Male Teen Birthday Card

It's time for me to get cracking on cards needed in the next few weeks and here is the first.  A birthday card for a male teen - a theme that I have difficulty with.

I created a background using three shades of Distress Oxides (Tumbled Glass, Spiced Marmalade and Blueprint Sketch).  Once dry, I stamped circles using a Visible Image stamp from their "Shape It Up" set.

Using a stamp from a Stampin' Up set called "Epic Celebrations" I stamped the trainer image in black Versafine ink.  I then stamped the same image on a piece of white card.

I coloured the shoe laces on both images of the trainers, then cut the shoe shape from the white card (but not the dangling laces).  I ran a black pen around the edge of the shoe image then stuck it to the card base using foam pads to elevate the trainers.

I finished by mounting onto black card and trimming to size.  To add a little more interest, I used a silver glitter Signo pen to add dots across the surface of the card - these are not really picked up very well in the photograph.

Design Team Make - Love To Craft Challenge Blog (30)

How time has flown, here I am on the 1st January with my Design Team project for "Love To Craft Challenge Blog".  The challenge blog has an "anything goes" theme every month, so if you have a minute, do pop over and take a look at the fab makes by my fellow Design Team colleagues and maybe enter the challenge yourself?

For my project, I started by making the background with Distress Oxides, using about five different shades.  Using a script stamp, I randomly stamped across the page.

I die cut a circle of vellum the size of the decorative snowflake border and stamped the "Hello", using a Stampin' Up stamp, stamped in StazOn ink.  I stuck the vellum to the background using two dots.

I then stamped the dots and honeycomb using Stamper's Anonymous stamps - I don't recall what they are called as I have had them for some time.

I then added glitter to the decorative snowflake border, available from Craft Box and then stuck it into position over the top of the layer of stamped vellum.

Finally, I covered some chipboard numbers in black and positioned onto the ring and punched snowflakes.  I coated the snowflakes in glitter and then stuck them diagonally across the card.