Week 14 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2019

The prompt for Week 14 is "Splodge, Splash and Splatter".

This prompt takes me totally out of my comfort zone, I tend to do more constructed rather than informal crafting.  

I took three shades of acrylic paint, added a dob of each to the tag and smeared it  across the surface and left to dry. Using a gold coloured Brusho SprinkleIt (with water), I brushed some of the areas to give it a quiet sparkle.

I then splashed white Gesso across the surface of the acrylic paint with a fan paint brush.  Once this was dry, I added spots of three shades of Liquid pearls.

Finally, using a Versafine Clair ink pad called "Charming Pink" I stamped the words which are from a Visible Image stamp set called "Into The Woods".

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Click here for more information on the challenge.

There is also a Facebook Group for this challenge, where members can upload thier images to weekly prompt albums and chat to other members.  It is a very informal group, you do as much or as little as you like.  I hope you will pop over and say hello.  The more the merrier.  Sam x

New Home Card (Papertrey Ink)

I have new neighbours next door but one, so I made a little welcome to your new home card.

I've made several very similar cards over the years using the same Papertrey Ink dies from their "Love Lives Here" set of stamps and dies.  I used patterned paper from a 6x6" stack called "Pretty Posy" and the sentiment is from another Papertrey Ink stamp set called "Winter Hills", stamped in Memento "Rhubarb Stalk" shade of ink.

Golden Wedding Anniversary Card

This week our friends celebrate thier golden wedding anniversary - a whole fifty years of being married!  Not many people can say that these days!

For this card, I stamped the white background with a "Flower Flourish" by Lavinia Stamps, stamped in Versafine Clair "Nocturne".

I used a piece of yellow/gold card I had previously prepared using the following Distress Oxide Inks:  Scattered Straw, Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed, Fossilised Amber and Dried Marigold.

The sentiment of "Endless Love" is by a company called Stamps By Me Ltd which I again stamped in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" ink.  I inked the edges in black and added some Old Gold Gilding Wax by Cosmic Shimmer to the corners too.

Rose Thank You Card using Spellbinders Clear Stamps (STP-001 and STP-005)

A couple of days ago, I found out that I was the name drawn to receive a set of 12 Spellbinders Clear stamps, courtesy of Hope and Chances Creativity.  My fabulous prize arrived today and I decided to get cracking and make a thank you card using the new stamps.

For the rose itself, I used three stamps from the set STP-001, and three shades of Versafine Ink:  "Charming Pink" for the base, the middle shade is 'Glamorous" and the darker shade is "Purple Delight".  The leaf is from the same set and I used two shades of Versafine Clair ink.  The base colour was "Shady Lane" and the lighter colour on the top is "Verdant".

The sentiment is from the set with the reference number of STP-005 and was stamped in Versafine Clair "Purple Delight".

First Birthday Card #laviniastamps

I made this card for a special little person who will be one in about a week.

I used a pre-prepared background I'd made a few weeks back using Distress Oxide Ink Spray in Pistachio and Faded Jeans colours.

I stamped the Lavinia Stamps Skeleton Tree, Whimsical Hares, Woodland Hares, Field Grass and Mini Slender Mushrooms in two shades of Versafine Clair ink shades of "Fallen Leaves" and "Acorn".  I then masked off an area to create the landscape for the hares to sit on.

I then stamped the Papertrey Ink sentiment from their "Stylish Sentiments" set.

I die cut two discs and also the number one.  Mounted them onto each other and glued into position.  Finally, I added highlighted areas with a white and a silver glitter Signo Pen.

Mother's Day Card 2019

I made this Mother's Day card earlier this morning. My Mother-in-law, doesn't seem to recognise how much effort I put into my personal cards, they usually just get a glance, so I thought I would go with a card with a classy look but one that took little effort.

For the background, I used a Stampin' Up patterned paper from the pack called "Floral Boutique".  I used two sets of Spellbinders dies.  The larger white background die is called "Victorian Medallion Two".  The one with the sentiment on is called "Jubilee Tags".  It was just a case of layering - some flat and some elevated with foam pads to give depth.

I'm a winner - Hope and Chances Creativity Draw

I purchase from Christine Emberson's  Hope and Chances Creativity website reasonably often as I use some of the adhesives they sell and obviously end up buying a die or two too.

Recently, they have changed their website, to celebrate they had a prize draw of a fab set of Spellbinders Stamps.  All you had to do was purchase from their new site, which obviously wasn't a problem for me!  

This morning I received notification that my name had been drawn, so this fab set of stamps is heading my way.  What a way to start the new week!

Week 13 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2019

The prompt for Week 13 is "Flowers"

For my tag I started with making the base colour using Distress Oxide Inks in shades of "Tumbled Glass" and "Antique Linen".

I used the Stamper's Anonymous "Flower Jar CMS297" stamps for the jar and the flowers all stamped in Versafine "Black Onyx" ink.

I used a Personal Impressions stamp for the sentiment from their set called "Double Sayings "PICSA6104".  I then inked the edges of the tag in a black and gold shade of inks.  I added touches of white to the flowers using a Signo Pen.

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Click here if you would like more information on the 52 Week Tag Challenge.

There is a Facebook Group for this challenge, where members can share their makes in the weekly prompt albums and chat to others taking part.  Please pop in and say hello.  The more the merrier.  Sam x

Design Team Make for "My Time To Craft Challenge Blog" #393 "Female Card/Mother's Day Card"

It's time for another challenge on the "My Time To Craft Challenge Blog".  Challenge #393 is "Mother's Card or Female Card".  If you do get the opportunity, please do pop over to the blog to check out the fab makes by my Design Team colleagues or even take part yourself.

I decided to go for a female card rather than a Mother's Day card for this challenge.

I used several shades of Distress Ink (Wilted Violet, Blueprint Sketch, Mermain Lagoon and Peacock Feathers), stamped onto a large stamping block, lightly spritzed with water and then stamped onto card to create the gorgeous coloured background.

I used an IndigoBlu stamp, which I think I received free from possibly a magazine, for the lady with the hair image and a sentiment from a Stampin' Up set called "Endless Birthday Wishes" both were stamped in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" ink.  I added a few dots of silver glitter within the hair area using a Signo Pen.

Maka and the Owl Card - #laviniastamps

Today I have played with another of the recently released stamps by Lavinia Stamps.  "Maka" is the seated wolf!

I used a background I had previously prepared using Brusho paint.  I started by stamping "Sacred Spells" in two areas on the card.

I then stamped another new release called "Tree Of Faith" and then "Maka" the seated wolf.  Next, I stamped the "Tree Root", the "Large Owl" and the "Mini Slender Mushrooms". I added highlighted areas in white and shimmer using Signo Pens.

Drake The Crow Card #laviniastamps

I've had a play with one of the new crow stamps released by Lavinia Stamps. This crow is called "Drake" and he is the large stand alone crow (rather than the small one from the set of three).

I used a background I had pre-prepared a couple of weeks ago.  I used Distress Inks on the Gelli Plate.  I used the following inks:  Wilted Violet, Blueprint Sketch, Mermaid Lagoon and Peacock Feather.  The large background with the strong colour was the first pull, the inner background that Drake stands on was the second pull.

To create the background on the inner background, I used the Lavinia "Feather" stamp, stamped in Versafine Clair "Monarch".  I stamped the crow called "Drake" in Versafine Clair "Nocturne".

I added some Liquid Pearls in a "Blackberry" shade and some silver glitter and white high lights using Signo Pens.

The Wolf Call (Card using #laviniastamps)

I had decided I wasn't going to do any crafting today, but the urge came upon me, so I decided to obey the call, making this card which I have called "The Wolf Call".

I used a background I had prepared a couple of weeks ago, which consists of the Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink Spray in the following three shades:  Faded Jeans, Mermaid Lagoon and Spiced Marmalade.

I have used the following shades of Versafine Clair Inks on this card:  Nocturne, Morning Mist, Shady Lane, Rain Forest and Fallen Leaves.

I started by stampin the "Tree Root" on the bottom left hand side.  I then masked off the bottom two thirds of the card and stamped the line of trees using the "Forest Scene" stamp. I then stamped the "Small Fairy Fir Tree" and the "Small Fairy Fir Tree 2".  I moved the mask to a different position and used it to mark out the landscape.

I then stamped "Valko" the standing wolf, the "Mini Slender Mushrooms" and the "Field Grass".

To finish the card, I added touches of white using a Signo Pen and some gold shimmer using a Sakura Gelly Roll Pen.

The Oracle and Valko Card #LaviniaStamps

I am absolutely blown away with the detail on the hair of "The Oracle" one of the new released stamps from Lavinia Stamps, so I wanted to make her the star of this card.

For this card, I started off with a background of two shades of Brusho paints:  Gamboge and Moss Green.

I started by stamping "The Oracle" in Versafine "Black Onyx" ink.  I then stamped "Valko" the standing wolf, stamped in Versafine Clair "Fallen Leaves" ink.

Next I stamped the "Star Burst" flowers, three in Versafine "Black Onyx" ink and two in Versafine "Stormy Grey" ink.  

I stamped the sentiment "Once Upon A Dream" in Versafine "Black Onyx" ink.

Finally, I highlighted areas using a white Signo Pen.  I gave areas a gold shimmer using a Sakura Gelly Roll Pen and a touch of colour to the flowers using glitter Signo Pens.

The Leaping Hare (watched by Rory and Darcy) Card #laviniastamps

I have continued my play with some of the newly released Lavinia Stamps today making this card.

I created the background using Distress Oxides in the following shades:  Antique Linen, Tumbled Glass, Salty Ocean and Twisted Citron.

I have stamped in several shades of Versafine Clair ink on this card:  Twilight, Blue Belle, Acorn, Fallen Leaves and Summertime.  I have also used the standard Versafine "Stormy Grey".

I started by stamping the script called "Sacred Spells".  I then stamped the "Celestrial Tree" and the "Single Skeleton tree". I then stamped the "Birds".  Next I stamped the full size character stamps of "Rory" and "Darcy".

Now that the main areas were completed I just had to in-fill, so I stamped one of the "Whimsical Hares".  The hedghogs called "The Wallace Family" and the "Mini Slender Mushrooms".  The last stamping was "Mini Toadstool" and the "Mini Flowers".

Finally, to finish the card, I used a white Signo Pen to add highlights and a silver glitter Signo Pen to add some sparkle to the Celestrial Trees.

Lavinia Stamps - March 2019 New Releases "Rory & Darcy" #laviniastamps

Yesterday, Hubby and I went to visit family, so I didn't have an opportunity to play with the new stamps.  Before I went to bed, I pulled out a background I had prepared a couple of weeks ago and an assortment of stamps.  I knew I was too tired to start, but at least come the morning I knew what I would be playing with.

Roll on two hours later and I was wide awake.  I couldn't stop thinking about the stamps and the background, so I gave up, got up and made the card.

I received several comments about the background of the previous card I made, so before I did too much stamping, I remembered to take a photo of an almost bare background.  To create this background, I used Distress Oxides in the following shades:  Salty Ocean, Mermaid Lagoon and Twisted Citron.  I then stamped the Lavinia script stamp called "Sacred Spells" in Versafine "Stormy Grey" ink.

I started by stamping the "Star Burst" in both full ink and shadow style. I then stamped the "Star Blossom".

Next, I moved to "Rory & Darcy" . I used the small pair not the individual larger ones and the "Spotty Toadstools".  I then created the ground scape that the toadstools and the couple stand on using a Distress Ink in the shade of "Stormy Sky: the "Slender Mini Mushrooms" at the base of the card.

I masked of a circle for the moon and used Memento Luxe "Wedding Dress" ink to lighten the area.  I then darkened the edge by using a Versafine Ink.  I stamped the sentiment "Believe In Magic".  I added a canopy of leaves to the top of the card using "Mini Leaf 1"

Finally, I got busy with Signo Pens in white and coloured glitter, I also used Sakura Jelly Roll Pens.  I used "White Opal" liquid pearls for the dots on the toadstool.

Week 12 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2019

The prompt for Week 12 is "Kraft".

For some reason my kraft cardstock was in hiding, so I used a piece of brown paper to cover a tag instead.  For a previous project I had tea stained some book pages, so I decided to tear one up and apply over the kraft base.  

Using a small script stamp from a Stampin' Up set called "By The Tide" I stamped the writing in various positions using Versafine "Vintage Sepia" Ink.  From the same set, there was a stamp with some coral, so I stamped that in Versafine Clair "Chianti" ink.

I stamped the Woodware "Teasels - JGS329" on to the tag, using Versafine Clair "Acorn" shade of ink.  I then inked the edges of the tag in a red and a black ink.  Finally, I added a little bit of co-ordinating trim, some metallic sequins and a tea-stained piece of string to hang the tag.

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Click here if you would like more information about this tag challenge.

There is also a challenge Facebook Group, where members share their creations to the weekly prompt albums and chat about crafting.  It would be fab if you could join in too.  The more the merrier.  Sam x

Lavinia Stamps - First play with the March 2019 New Releases - Dusk

With much excitement this morning, I opened a package of eleven brand new Lavinia Stamps.  Each one is absolutely stunning and I couldn't wait to have a play with them. I've called this card "Dusk".

I started with a background of Distress Oxide inks in the following shades:  Squeezed Lemonade, Twisted Citron, Picked Raspberry and Abandoned Coral.

I started by masking the moon and edging it with Versafine Clair "Monarch", which I have used for all the stamping on this card.

I started off by stamping the "Dragon Stone Castle" and script using the "Sacred Spells" stamp.  I then stamped "The Oracle", then "Valko" the wolf, then two stamps from "The Crow Set."

I then moved to filling the middle of the card, by masking off areas and creating a landscape using two shades of Distress Inks:  Stormy Sky and Faded Jeans.

I added "Birds" across the moon, then the "Celestrial Tree" and "Fern Leaf".  I then filled the base of the card using "Field Grass" and "Mini Slender Mushrooms".

Finally, I used a Distress Ink called "Dusky Concord" to darked the edges and a Signo Silver Glitter pen to add lighter areas.

New Lavinia Stamps March 2019 Releases #lavinia stamps

As you may have already gathered, I am very fortunate to be on the Lavinia Stamps Design Team.  Tracey Dutton, who founded Lavinia Stamps also designs them too.  She has excelled with these stamps which will be released this week.

I can't wait to play with them.  These are some of the samples made by Tracey to promote the new loveliness.

Lavinia Stamps March Monthly Challenge - Sample #3

Every month, Lavinia Stamps have a monthly challenge.  The challenge for March 2019 is "Pink, Purple and Blue".  As part of the Design Team, we are asked to produce three samples based on the challenge theme.  This is my third of the three samples needed.

I started by using the brayer with three shades of Distress Oxides "Picked Raspberry", "Wilted Violet" and "Shaded Lilac".  

I used the Lavinia Stamps "Fern Leaf" stamped in Versafine Clair "Purple Delight" ink.  I then used "Small Fairy Fir Tree" stamped in Versafine Clair "Monarch" shade of ink and "Small Fairy Tree 2" stamped in Versafine Clair "Fantasia" shade of ink.  I then stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Sparkle" sentiment using Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" shade of ink.  

After mounting the image with complimentary coloured layers, I finished the card using a "Crystal" coloured Stickles.

Week 11 - 52 Weeks Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2019

The Week 11 prompt is "Furry Friends"

For my tag I decided to use a dog image from a Hobby Arts Stamp set called "Dogs CS130D".  The sentiment stamps were both in issue 68 of Creative Stamping magazine.

With the exception of the heart, everything was stamped in Versafine "Stormy Grey and Black Onyx" shades of inks and coloured with Promarkers.  For the heart, I used a red Distress Ink through a stencil. Finally I inked the edges of the tag in black.

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Click here if you would like to know more about this challenge.

There is also a friendly Facebook Group for this challenge, where you can join others in uploading your makes to the weekly prompt albums.  We'd love you to join in, so please do pop over.  Sam x

Design Team Make for "My Time To Craft" Challenge #392 "Raining Cats and Dogs"

It's time for another challenge theme on the "My Time To Craft Challenge Blog".  If you have a spare minute, please pop over and take a look at the fab samples my Design Team colleagues have made and maybe take part yourself.

Challenge #392 has a theme of "Raining Cats and Dogs"

For my card, I have used stamps that came free with Creative Stamping magazine, issue 68.  

I stamped the dog, bunting and sentiment in Versafine ink.  I coloured the dog and bunting with Promarker pens and gave the background a water colour wash of blue and grey.

Week 10 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2019

The prompt for Week 10 is "Maps/Directions"

For my tag, I pulled out a page from an old AA road atlas and cut it down to the size of the tag.  Using a section of a Visible Image "Somewhere In Time" stamp, I stamped the blue edge is Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze" shade of ink.  Using the same ink, I stamped the compass (it was part of a free set of stamps I had with a magazine).


Having decided on the saying I was going to use, (which seems pretty apt for me), I typed, printed and then cut down the words into individual boxes.  I then used a black pen to go around the edges and stuck into position.  The word "construction" is elevated using foam pads.

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Click on this link if you would like to know more about this very relaxed challenge.

There is also a Facebook Group for the challenge.  Where you can chat with others taking part and share your makes to the weekly prompt albums.  The more the merrier, so please do pop in and say hello.  Sam x

Design Team Make - Love To Craft Challenge Blog #32 (March 2019)

I've made this Design Team card for the March 2019 "Love To Craft Challenge Blog".  If you have a minute, please do pop over and take a look at the lovely creations by my fellow Design Team members.

The base of this card is made of Brusho and Distress Oxide Inks.  I stamped the images using various shades of Versafine Clair inks.  I used these Lavinia Stamps on this card:  Sebastian the Seahorse, Sea Bubbles, Shoal of Fish, Fern Heads and Sea Creatures.  I finished the card by adding area of white, using a Signo Pen, around the eyes and the bubbles.

Lavinia Stamps March Monthly Challenge - Sample #2

Every month Lavinia Stamps hold a monthly challenge.  The challenge for March 2019 is "Pink, Purple and Blue".  As part of the Design Team, we are asked to produce three samples for each challenge theme.  This is my second sample for this month.

Initially, I was going to make a graduated brayered background, but after applying the Distress Oxides "Spun Sugar" ink, I decided to keep it to one colour.

I used Distress Ink in the shade of "Wilted Violet" through a  Sweet Poppy stencil then built the bouquet up using the following Lavinia Stamps:  Wild Vines, Vine, Dragon Pods, Zen Plant and Zen Thistle.  I stamped these in  Versafine Clair "Blue Belle", "Monarch" and "Purple Delight".

I added touches of extra colour using Signo Glitter Sparkle Pens in Violet and Blue.  I also used a white Signo Pen too.  I added a few Nuvo Sequins to lift the plain areas.

Finally, I mounted the card onto a dark blue cardstock then punched a couple of holes and threaded the ribbon through and tied the bow.  I then mounted the card onto a white card blank.

Lavinia Stamps March Monthly Challenge - Sample #1

Every month, Lavinia Stamps have a monthly challenge.  The challenge for March 2019 is to use the colours "Pink, Purple and Blue".  As part of the Design Team, we are asked to produce three samples on the challenge theme. This is the first of my three.

I decided I wanted to create a more light and airy card, instead of a solid coloured background, so had a messy splatter session using Distress Inks in the shades of "Worn Lipstick, Picked Raspberry, Wilted Violet and Salty Ocean", which I splattered using a fan paint brush.

When the coloured splatters were dry, I stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Flower Fairy" and "Fairy Wishes" sentiment in Versafine Clair "Monarch" shade of ink (I actually masked of the "and angel kisses" as I didn't want that part of the sentiment on the card).  Finally, I added a few Nuvo Sequins to the surface of the card.