Creating Tag Backgrounds

I usually have a whole stash of tag backgrounds that I can draw from, but I noticed the stock is very depleted.  Nothing was on TV last night that I was interested in, so I had a play with some spray inks.  I've used Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Spray (for the more dull coloured tags).  For the brighter tags I have used the Dylusions Ink Spray.  These should keep me going for a little while.

I've just randomly sprayed the colours onto the tags with no plan of how they will be used in future.

I also need to make more backgrounds for cards, which I find takes more time, so I may crack on with those this afternoon.

Have a good Tuesday.  Sam x

Prima Water Colour Confections - Tropical Pan Set

I realised a couple of weeks ago, that although I have a lot of different crafting materials, including water colour pencils, that I didn't actually have any water colour paints.  Having looked around and thought about the colours that I like to use, I decided to treat myself and purchase the Prima Water Colour Confections Pan Set in the "Tropical" colour scheme.

Each little square of colour comes celo wrapped and has a paper label detailing the number and colour name of each pan.

There is a small metal clip at the top of each pan to keep them into position too.

Also in the tin is a card with a grid and numbers within.  I think they missed a trick by not printing the name of the pan against the number, so I've jotted it down, that way if I need to replace any in the future, I know the name I need to purchase.

I spritzed the pans with water and brushed some into the boxes to remind me of the shades and strength of colour at their darkest.

I'm really looking forward to having a play with these later in the week.  I'll keep you posted with how I get on with them.  Sam x

Gelli Plate Play Time

Roaming around the internet, as one does, I came across a little video By Birgit Koopsen which inspired me to have a go at the technique myself.  This is the video that I watched: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=334061483970900

I actually have a stash of Pan Pastels that have not seen the light of day for some time, so when I saw that I could use them to create a background, I had to give it a go.

It's a straight forward process of applying Panpastels to your plate through stencils then applying paint (I used a cheap acrylic) and a brayer across the surface.

The double image above is the result of the first (on the left) and the second pull (on the right) from the gelli plate.  I now know to use less paint with the brayer - crafting is always a learning curve.

The top image is where I have added shades of ink to cover the  white/missed areas.

Week 18 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2019

The prompt for Week 18 is 'Just One Stamp".

This prompt sounds really easy, but actually I found as soon as there is a restriction on using stamps I found I wanted to use lots of them.

The background of the tag was created using Colorbox Inks brayered onto a Gelli plate and then speckled with Brusho.  Once dry, I used a Tim Holtz Distress Ink in the shade of "Peacock Feathers" through a Stampers Anonymous stencil (THS003 Rays).

I stamped the Visible Image bird (part of the "Life Is Beautiful" stamp set) using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" shade of ink.  I inked the edges of the tag and then mounted it onto black card.  Finally, I added some Green Stickles glitter to replicate the sheen that can cometimes be seen on birds with dark feathers.

Funky Fossil Leafy Mandala Birthday Card with Tim Holtz Wild Flower Stem Dies

It's time for another birthday card, this time using die cuts.

I started off using a base of Distress Oxide Sprays in two shades:  Cracked Pistachio and Mermaid Lagoon.

Over the top of that I layered a Funky Fossil stencil called "Leafy Mandala" and used Distress Ink in the shade of "Pine Needle" through the stencil.

Using two set of Sizzix Tim Holtz Thinlits dies called "Wild Flower Stems" 1 & 2, I die cut the flowers using my Sizzix Big Shot.  I then coloured them using Distress inks and a blending tool.  I glued the coloured die cuts into postion and then stamped the sentiment in Versafine Clair ink in the shade of "Monarch".  The sentiment was part of a free stamp set that came with a magazine.

Birthday Card (Cuttlebug Embossing Folder)

This was a nice quick make card for a teenage boy - I always struggle with making male cards, but this could actually be for anybody.

I used a Cuttlebug Embossing Folder through my Big Shot machine to achieve the textured word background.

Using Versafine Clair Ink in the shade of "Blue Belle" I stamped the sentiment using two clear stamp sets from Spellbinders STP-008 and STP-002.  I mounted the sentiment on foam pads to give more of a 3D look.

Lavinia Stamps Design Team Sample for Hochanda TV on Tuesday 23rd April 2019

Lavinia Stamps will be featured on Hochanda TV on Tuesday 23rd April 2019 at 11am and 3pm.  This is a Design Team sample I have made for the show.

For the background I used a Gelli Plate press.  The brick work detail was made by pressing an embossing folder pattern on to the Gelli Plate.

I decided to use tones of blues, so I stamped "Harrieta's House", "Path" and the "Single Skeleton Tree"in Versafine Clair Warm Breeze and Twilight shades of ink.  I used two shades of Distress Ink (Stormy Sky and Faded Jean), to create the landscape.  Finally I coloured in areas using Signo Glitter pens.

Lavinia Stamps Design Team Samples for Hochanda TV on Tuesday 23rd April 2019 (Set 4 - 3)

Lavinia Stamps will be featured on Hochanda TV on Tuesday 23rd April 2019 at 11am and 3pm.  This is a Design Team sample I have made for the show.

I decided to make something different for a sample so decided upon a Chocolate Bar Gift Pocket.  I measured the chocolate bar and made a template by using a scoring board, to mark the card in the appropriate areas.  I then coated both sides by using a Distress Oxide Spray in a "Cracked Pistachio" shade of ink.

I then stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Dandelions" and a section of the "Fairy Wishes" sentiment both stamped in Versafine Clair "Purple Delight" ink.  I then stamped the "Small Fairy Chain" over the Dandelion images.

Using double-sided sticky tape I stuck the sides of the pocket into position.  I used a pair of self adhesive magnets for the closure for the pocket.

Lavinia Stamps Design Team Samples for Hochanda TV on Tuesday 23rd April 2019 (Set 1 - 4)

Lavinia Stamps will appear on Hochand TV on Tuesday 23rd April 2019 at 11am and 3pm.  This is a Design Team sample I have made for the show.

This is a very different type of sample to the ones I have previously created as this is a canvas measuring 10"x12".

The papers I have used are all recycled with the exception of the tag that I have stamped on.  I have tea stained the majority of the papers for various lengths of time which has created different tones of the same colour.

To start with, I rescued some of that brown packing paper that comes in the Amazon boxes.  I scrunched the paper up tight and then flattened it a little and ran an ink pad over the surface. I then ironed the paper so that it was flat enough to stamp on. (I used an old tea towel either side of the paper).

Once flat, I stamped the script which is a Lavinia Stamp called "Sacred Spells".  I scrunched up the paper again, flattened slightly it and dragged a Versafine ink called "Vintage Sepio" across the rippled surface. I then put PVA glue onto the canvas and the sides and adhered the paper to the canvas and left to dry.  

Now the paper is dry I dragged a Colorbox Cats Eye ink pad across the textured surface to add some colour to the background.

I used the largest tea stained paper first stamping the  "Single Skeleton Tree" in a Versafine "Vintage Sepia" ink.  I dragged a pink/red ink pad down the piece from top to bottom to create a streaked look.  Using the same colour I inked the edges of the paper doilies/coaster.

On an old page torn from a spiral bound pad and tea stained, I stamped the words using the Lavinia "Zen Angelic Words" stamp.

To make the tag, I used a background of Distress Oxide Inks.  I masked off the moon and created a darker rim and coated the inner area with a Memento Luxe "Wedding Dress" ink.  I stamped "Josie" the fairy in a Versafine Clair "Chianti" shade of ink.  I then used Distress Inks in shades of brown to create the ground-scape she stands on.

Finally, I assembled and glued all the different elements.  Using some metallic sequins, metal leaves and the flowers sprayed with Distress Oxide Spray to create the finished canvas

Lavinia Stamps Design Team Sample for Hochanda TV Tuesday 23rd April 2019 (set 2 - 3)

Lavinia Stamps will be featured on Hochanda TV on Tuesday 23rd April 2019 at 11am and 3pm.  This is a sample I have made for the show.

To create the background I sprinkled Brusho Gamboge and Emerald Green onto card spritzed with water.  Once dry, I stamped the "Indra" butterfly,  part of the "Let Your Spirit Take Flight" sentiment and the tag edges in Versafine Clair "Fantasia" shade of ink.  

I coloured the butterfly with various products, including Signo Glitter Pens, Liquid Pearls and Distress Ink Pens.  Finally, I added some sequins to give a sparkle/shimmer.

Lavinia Stamps Design Team Sample for Hochanda TV on 23rd April 2019 (Set 1 - 3)

Lavinia Stamps will be featured on Hochanda TV on Tuesday 23rd April 2019 at 11am and 3pm.  This is a Design Team sample I have made for the show.

For this sample, I started by painting a rough landscape line , colouring the area below the line, in a very pale colour of green.  I blotted the area dry and popped a circle mask on the card to be used as a sun.  I taped a stencil into position over the card and the prepared landscape, using a low tack tape.  I marked each outer corner with a pencil, so I knew where to reposition it later.

Using Distress Inks and a sponge finger dabber.  I first used "Tumbled Glass" for sky and "Old Paper" for the land.  I then lifted and rotated the stencil and repositioned with tape.  Next I used "Broken China" on the sky and Twisted Citron" for the land area. After lifting the stencil away, I then lifted the mask I had made for the sun and coloured the circle using the "Scattered Straw" Distress Ink.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" ink, I stamped the Lavinia Stamps fairy called "Josie".  Using the Distress Ink called "Peeled Paint", I created a landscape for the fairy to stand on.  

I used three Lavinia "Pound Stamps" to add some extra detail.  The "Mini Leaf 1", the "Mini Snail" and the "Mini Slender Mushrooms" also stamped in Versafine Clair "Nocturne".  Finally, I added touches of white to the mushrooms and snail using a Signo Pen and a hint of gold shimmer using a Sakura Jelly Roll Pen.

Week 17 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2019

The prompt for Week 17 is:  "Write It" - what I mean by this prompt is that you use your own writing on the tag somewhere.

For my tag, I started with a base of Distress Oxide Sprays in the following colours:  Fired Brick, Fosilized Amber and Faded Jeans.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" ink, I stamped the  light bulbs and moths from the Visible Image stamp set called "Glimmer of Light" I used a white and a silver glitter Signo pen to add highlights to them.

I wrote the sentiments and used sticky letters for the word "Light". 

~~~

Click here for more info on this relaxed challenge.  

There is also a friendly Facebook Group for this challenge, where members can upload their makes to the weekly prompt albums and talk to others who are also taking part.  You are more than welcome to join in, the more the merrier.  Sam x

Lavinia Stamps Design Team Sample for Hochanda TV on Tuesday 23rd April 2019 (Set 3 - 2)

Lavinia Stamps will be featured on Hochanda TV on Tuesday 23rd April 2019 at 11am and 3pm.  This is a sample I made for the show.

I started off with two cream coloured tags.  I decided I would cover one with the flower head from the Lavinia Stamp "Fairy Buds" stamp, which I stamped in Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" ink.

I then turned my attention to the second tag.  I positioned "Harrieta's House" stamp with enough space for the "Path" and stamped both in Versafine "Stormy Grey" ink.  I masked both these and stamped the "Fairy Buds" in Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" ink.

I removed the masks and coloured the house in different shades of Signo Glitter Pen.  I then filled the background with Distress Inks in shades of green and blue.  Then stamped the "Mini Leaves", again in Versafine "Shady Lane".

I then prepared the background page by using Distress Inks in "Vintage Photo", Crushed Olive and "Peeled Paint".  Once the tags were glued into position, I stamped the sentiment called "Once Upon A Dream".

Lavinia Stamps Design Team Samples for Hochanda TV Tuesday 23rd April 2019 (Set 2 - 2)

Lavinia Stamps will be featured on Hochanda TV on Tuesday 23rd April 2019 at 11am and 3pm.  This is a Design Team sample I have made for the show.

For this sample, I stamped the "Indra" butterfly in Versafine Clair "Charming Pink".  I then masked the background off and coloured circles, using three shades of Distress Inks:  Wilted Violet, Picked Raspberry and Faded Jeans.

For the script in some of the circles, I used the Lavinia Stamp called "Sacred Spells".  In other circles, I have used the following pound stamps:  "Christopher the Caterpillar", "Mini Toadstool", "Mini Slender Mushrooms"and "Mini Single Flower".  I then stamped the sentiment called "Let Your Sprit Take Flight" . All of these were stamped in Versafine Clair "Fantasia".

I then returned to the butterfly and started to colour it in two shades of Promarker pens:  Magenta and Amethyst.  I used a Signo Pen to create the silver glitter look and a Sakura pen for some of the purple areas.  I also used Liquid Pearls in a shade of "Blackberry" for the raised dots.

Lavinia Stamps Design Team Samples for Hochanda TV on 23rd April 2019 (set 4 - 2)

Lavinia Stamps will feature on Hochanda TV on Tuesday 23rd April 2019 at 11am and 3pm.  This is a Design Team sample I have made for the show.

I started by using a Brusho background I had prepared a few days ago.  The colours used for this background are Gamboge and Emerald Green.  The area where the sun is now didn't have any Brusho colour, so to fill the gap, I masked a large circle area and filled it with two shades of Distress Ink.  I then added some Memento Luxe "Wedding Dress) ink to dull down the coral red shade around the sun.

I stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Fairy Chain", the "Dandelions" and the sentiment called "Believe In Magic" in Versafine Clair "Nocturne".  Finally, I added touches of subtle gold shimmer using a Sakura Jelly Roll Pen.

Lavinia Stamps Design Team Sample for Hochanda TV April 23rd 2019 (Set 1 - 2)

Lavinia Stamps will be appearing on Hochanda TV on Tuesday 23rd April at 11am and 3pm.  This is a Design Team sample I made for the show.

I had previously made a batch of backgrounds using Brusho paint.  The two Brusho colours I have used to create this background are Gamboge and Sea Green.

For all stamping on this card, I used a Versafine Clair ink in "Shady Lane" colour.  I stamped the "Zen Angelic Words" on end, so it appears "Josie" the fairy is standing on them like stepping stones and as there was a little space either side of the words to the far left and right, I stamped a "dandelion" head.

Lavinia Stamps Design Team Samples for Hochanda 23rd April 2019 (set 4 - 1)

Lavinia Stamps will be appearing on Hochanda TV on Tuesday 23rd April 2019 at 11am and 3pm.  This is a Design Team sample I have created for the show.

I started off with a background of Distress Oxides in a whole host of shades.

I stamped the sentiment "Believe In Magic" and the "Fairy Chain" in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" ink.  I then stamped the three types of  "Dandelions" in different shades of Versafine Clair Ink:  Nocturne, Shady Lane and Green Oasis.

I used various two designs of pound stamps around the edge, the "Mini Leaf" stamped in Versafine Clair "Chianti" and the "Mini Berry" stamped in Versafine Clair "Verdant".  I then stamped the "Mini Star Group" in Memento "Grey Flannel" ink.

Finally to add interest, I used a Signo Pen in a silver glitter shade and a Metallic Gold pen to add high lights around the card.

Lavinia Stamps Design Team Samples for Hochanda TV on 23rd April 2019 (Set 3 - 1)

Lavinia Stamps will be featured on Hochanda TV on Tuesday 23rd April 2019 at 11am and 3pm.  This is a Design Team sample I have made for them.

I apologise for the multiple images and the poor photography.  As I have used mirror card, it is nearly impossible to take a photograph without getting my reflection too.

I used a piece of mirror card for the base of this card, applying the followint shades of alcohol ink to the surface:  Citrus, Aquamarine, Mermaid and Meadow.

I inked the top and bottom edges of the card and dragged the black Ranger Archival ink pad across the surface from top to bottom and then bottom to top (not cross ways).

Using the same ink, I stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Harrieta's House", the "Path" and the "Fairy Buds".  Once the Archival Ink was dry, I then dragged a Versamark clear ink pad across the surface (not fully flat, just enough to get a streaked look).  I then covered it with clear embossing powder and heated till the powder had melted.  To finish the card, I added black dots of Liquid Pearls to the Fairy Buds, Roof and the area between the door and the path.

Lavinia Stamps Design Team Samples for Hochanda TV Arpil 23rd 2019 (Set 2 - 1)

Lavinia Stamps will be appearing on Hochanda TV on Tuesday 23rd April 2019 at 11am and 3pm.  This is a Design Team sample I have made for the show.

For this sample, I created a background of Distress Oxides Inks using shades of:  Squeezed Lemonade, Scattered Straw and Dried Marigold.

I stamped the beautiful Lavinia Stamps butterfly called "Indra" and the sentiment  called "Let Your Spririt Take Flight" in a Versafine Clair ink called "Fantasia".  I then coloured the butterfly with Promarker pens in the following shades:  Bluebell, Magenta, Cyan and Leaf Green.

Next I moved onto the flowers at the base of the card.  I stamped the "Fairy Buds" (the tall flowers), in two shades of Versafine Clair ink:  Verdant Green and Charming Pink.  I then stamped the "Dandelions" in Versafine Clair "Fantastia" shade of ink.  

Finally, I added some dots of Liquid Pearls to the Fairy Buds and to Indra.  I also added a touch of glitter to the trail of flight from the butterfly using the "Brusho Sprinkle It - Iridescent Gold"

Lavinia Stamps Design Team Sample for Hochanda TV April 23rd 2019 (Set 1 - 1)

Lavinia Stamps will be appearing on Hochanda TV on Tuesday 23rd April 2019 at 11am and 3pm.  This is a Design Team sample I have made for the show.

For this sample, I created a background using an assortment of Distress Oxide ink colours including:  Tumbled Glass, Cracked Pistachio, Peacock Feathers, Mermaid Lagoon and Wilted Violets.  Once I was happy with the background, I sprikled droplets of water onto the surface and then mopped it up with a paper towel.  This leaves a nice quiet, slightly bleached look where the droplets have been.

Using a circular mask, I made the dark outline around the moon using Versafine Clair "Monarch" shade of ink.  I then coloured the middle of the moon using "Memento Luxe "Wedding Dress" shade of ink.

Next I stamped the two script area using the Lavinia Stamps "Sacred Spells" stamped in Versafine "Stormy Gray" coloured ink.  I then stamped the fairy figure called "Josie", stamped in Versafine Clair "Fantasia" shade of ink.  Using the same ink I stamped the sentiment "Let your spirit take flight"

I then stamped the "Single Skeleton Tree" and the "Birds" both in Versafine Clair "Monarch" shade of ink.

Next I turned my attention to creating a landscape.  I knew I wanted to create a pool and a reflection, so went about making a landscape using several shaped masks and Distress Ink in the shade of "Wilted Violet".  The area of water I gave a water colour wash of grey paint to replicate the pool.

To create the reflection.  I used the "Josie" fairy stamp again, but instead of stamping on paper, I stamped the image onto my Gelli Plate (I used Versafine "Stormy Gray" ink).  I then turned the Gelli Plate upside down and positioned it onto the card where I wanted it to be and put light pressure to transfer the image onto the sample.  It came out quite light, so I painted the pale areas with water colour paint.

To finish, I added touches of silver glitter using a Signo pen to the water, fairy and dandelion.

Design Team Make for "My Time To Craft Challenge Blog" #395 Spring Flowers

It is time for another challenge on the "My Time To Craft Challenge Blog".  This time the theme is "Spring Flowers".  If you have a minute to spare, please do pop over and take a look at the creations by my fellow Design Team members and maybe take part in the challenge yourself.

I decided to go for a clean and simple (CAS) look.  For this card I used an embossing folder that came free with a magazine a couple of years ago.  

The bucket of flowers is also a free stamp from the "Crafts Beautiful Magazine", March 2018 issue.  I used Tim Holtz Distress Marker pens to stamp the image in the following shades:  Wilted Violet, Hickory Smoke and Twisted Citron.

I decided against using a sentiment for this card, as I thought it would be handy plain for several different occasions.

Lavinia Stamps April Monthly Challenge - "Buds and Blossoms" #3

It's time to remind you that the April  Lavinia Stamps monthly challenge with a theme of "Buds and Blossoms" ends on the 25th of the month, so you just have time to create up to five entries and maybe win £40 of vouchers to spend on the Lavinia Site.  This is a Design Team sample I made to help promote the challenge.

I created a background using Colorbox Inks on a Gelli Plate and then sprinkled Brusho paint on top.  I then positioned my card on top of the gell plate and applied a little pressure across the surface and this mottled look was the result, which I rather like.

I used Versafine Clair "Twilight" shade of ink to stamp the following images:  Fuchsia, Faith the Fairy, Single Skeleton Tree, and Star Blossom.  Using the same ink, I masked off the moon area and created an edge to define where the moon is.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" ink, I stamped the Wild Flower.

I coloured the Star Blossom flowers with a gold metallic pen.  I used a white Signo Pen to add high-lights.  I also used a Sakura Gelly Roll Pen to areas to give a subtle gold shimmer.

Week 16 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2019

The prompt for Week 16 is "Whimsical".

For my tag, I started by using a brayer to apply two shades of Colorbox ink:  Kiwi and Ocean.  Using a fan shaped brush, I splattered water droplets across the tag, then blotted them with some paper towel.

All the stamps I have used on this tag are by Lavinia Stamps.  I stamped the "Fairy House" in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" ink.  I then stamped the "Skeleton Tree", the fairy from the "Fairy Foragers", the hare from the "Whimsical Hare" set, the "Fairy Wishes" sentiment and the "Mini Slender Mushrooms" in Versafine  Clair "Fallen Leaves" ink.

I coloured various areas using Sakura Gelly Roll pens and a white Signo Pen.

~~~

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

There is also a friendly and informal Facebook Group for this challenge.  It's a really relaxed group where members can upload their challenge makes to the weekly prompt albums and chat to others taking part.

Week 15 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2019

The prompt for Week 15 is "Spring Colours".

For this tag, I started with a background of Distress Oxide Inks in the following shades:  Tumbled Glass, Squeezed Lemonade and Twisted Citron.

I stamped the tree trunk in Versafine "Vintage Sepia" ink.  The blossom is stamped in Versafine Clair "Charming Pink" and "Verdant" . Both sections of the tree are from a Stampin' Up set called "Sheltering Tree".

The Spring sentiment at the top of the tag is a "Sweet Poppy" stamp, stamped in Versafine Clair "Verdant".  I created both the landscape and inked the edges using Distress Inks.

~~~
Click here for more information about this challenge.

There is also a friendly Facebook Group for this relaxed challenge, where members can upload their creations to the weekly prompt albums and chat to others taking part.  It would be great if you pop along and join in.  Sam x

Design Team make for "My Time To Craft Challenge Blog" #394 - Easter/Hedgehogs

It's time for another prompt on the "My Time To Craft Challenge Blog".  The theme for challenge #394 is Easter/Hedghogs.  This is the Design Team tag I made for this prompt.

Rather than a card, I thought I would make a tag instead.  I like making tags as I find them more informal than a card. 

I started with a background of Distress Oxides in greens, mauves and pale pinks.  

All the pink stamping is done in Versafine Clair "Charming Pink" ink.  I don't recall where the stamps came from as i've had them for some years, but the quality of them is not good so it makes me think they may have come with a magazine.  (Please note:  the sentiment is from a Penny Black set called "Garden Friends").

The hedgehogs are made by Lavinia Stamps and are called "The Wallace Family" which I have stamped in Versafine Clair "Fallen Leaves" ink.

Finally, I inked the edges of the tag in Versafine Clair "Charming Pink" ink and added spots of Liquid Pearls in a shade called "Blackberry".

Design Team Make - Love To Craft Challenge Blog #33 (April 2019)

I have made this as part of the Design Team for the "Love To Craft Challenge Blog" #33 (April 2019), which is an "anything goes" challenge.  Please do pop over and take a look at the fabulous makes by my fellow Design Team colleagues.

I started this picture by creating the background with Distress Oxides in the following shades:  Antique Linen, Tumbled Glass, Spun Sugar and Salty Ocean.

I stamped the Lavinia Stamps verse called "Sacred Spells" in Versafine "Stormy Grey" ink and the the "Foxgloves" in Colorbox and Memento inks. I stamped "Field Grass" in Distress Ink in the "Crushed Olive" shade.

I then turned my attention to the fairy, which is a Lavinia Stamp called "Rue".  I needed to stamp a mirror image of her, I chose to use Versafine Clair "Purple Delight" shade of ink, so I did that first, by stamping onto the back of a large rubber backed stamp and then pressing my created background down onto the stamped image.  I was then able to align the same fairy stamp and create a look as if the fairies are having a tug of war.  

I then made the landscape that the fairies are standing on by using a landscape mask of torn paper and Distress Ink in a "Crushed Olive" colour.

I then used some Lavinia "Pound Stamps" for the leaves at the top and sides of the picture, for the stars around the fairies and also the flowers and snail at the base of the foxgloves.  Finally, I added some touches of silver and gold glitter using a Signo pen to areas of the fairies and also to the middle of the stars.

Lavinia Stamps April Monthly Challenge - Buds and Blossoms #2

Lavinia Stamps has a monthly challenge, where entrants have a chance to win £40 of vouchers to spend on lovely Lavinia goodies on their site.  The challenge theme for the Month of April 2019 is "Buds and Blossoms".

I've made this card as part of the Design Team, to inspire crafters to enter to competition and to promote the Lavinia Stamps brand.

The background of this coloured with Distress Oxide Sprays in the colours of "Picked Raspberry" and "Spiced Marmalade".  I then used a Distress Ink, in the shade of "Festive Berries" through an Andy Skinner stencil called "Tornado".

I then stamped the "Sacred Spells" verse in Versafine Clair "Glamorous" shade of ink in the central area of the card.  Using Verafine "Vintage Sepia" ink I stamped the "Star Gazing" couple" and the "Cherry Blossom".  I then coloured the blossom flowers with a Promarker.

Finally, I masked areas off to create the landscape the couple are sat on and coloured the stones with a Promarker.  I added touches of gold sparkle using a Sakura Jelly Roll pen.

Lavinia Stamps April Monthly Challenge - Buds and Blossoms #1

Every month, Lavinia Stamps holds a monthly challenge, where the winner wins a £40 voucher to spend on the lovely Lavinia goodies on their site.  As part of the Design Team, we are asked to produce three samples to help inspire crafters to take place.  The challenge theme for the month of April 2019 is "Buds and Blossoms".

For this card, I started off by creating a background using the Lavinia Stamps "Skeleton Tree" multiple stamping only the main tree canopy rather than the trunk.  I stamped in two Versafine Clair shades of ink " Verdant" and "Cheerful".  I then stamped sections of the "Sacred Spells" in Versafine "Stormy Grey" ink.

Using Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze" I stamped the fairy called "Rue" and the "Spanish Moss Foliage" hanging from the top of the card.  Using Versafine "Black Onyx" ink, I stamped the "Creeping Vine" at the top of the card.

I then turned my attention to the area below the fairy, by stamping the "Lilly" in Versafine Clair "Verdant" shade of ink.

I then stamped the "Fern Heads" in Versafine "Shady Lane" ink.

Next I stamped the "Fairy Barnacles" in Versafine "Stormy Grey" ink.  I coloured both the Lilly flowers and the Fairy Barnacles with two different shades of Promarker pens.

Finally, I stamped the "Climbing Ivy" at the base of the card using Versafine "Black Onyx" ink.  Using a Versafine "Stormy Grey" ink I stamped the butterfly from the "Fairy Bugs" set of stamps.  to finish the card, I added areas of silver and purple sparkle to the fairy, flowers and butterfly by using Signo Glitter pens.