Week 31 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2019

The challenge prompt for Week 31 is "Summer Holidays"

For my tag, I have used a selection of stamps from three issues of Creative Stamping Magazine.

I stamped the images using Versafine "Stormy Gray" shade of ink and coloured the tag using a paint brush to apply the following Distress Oxide Ink Shades:  Antique Linen, Scattered Straw, Fossilized Amber, Mustard Seed, Squeezed Lemonade, Twisted Citron, Spun Sugar, Frayed Burlap, Seedless Preserve, Broken China and Tumbled Glass.

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Click here for more details of the challenge.

Click here for the challenge Facebook Group.

Design Team Make for "My Time To Craft" Challenge #402 Christmas

It is time for another challenge theme on the "My Time To Craft Challenge Blog".  The theme for challenge #402 is "Christmas".  

If you do have a spare moment, please do pop over to the blog and take a look at the fab makes by my Design Team colleagues.

For my card, I have used a background that I created using a circle gelli plate, Colourbox inks and Brushos.  Once the background was dry, I die cut a large snowflake using a Sizzix/Tim Holtz Bigz die, sticking the snowflake over the coloured circle.

Using a Woodware Christmas sentiment stamp, I stamped the "Seasons Greetings" in Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" shade of ink.  Die cut into a rectangle and positioned on the top of the die cut snowflake.

Frisk Buddy Cup Palette

Today I took delivery of the Frisk Buddy Cup Palette purchased from Lavinia Stamps.  

The Buddy Cup Palette has 12 small pots with a tightly fitted lid that fit into a plastic palette.  I have used the small pots to make up small amounts of Brusho Paint.  I've labelled the pots so that I know what colour is in which pot.  Because I have quite a few Brusho shades of paint, I purchased additional pots from an alternative on-line supplier.  

The benefit of having the paint already made up is that I usually put off using Brusho as it can be a messy process, but this little palette is ideal especially to attend workshops.

Here's a photo of all my Brusho Paints made up.  I have some spare empty Buddy Cups to fill when I purchase new shades of Brusho Paint.

Just so that you are aware, you can get into quite a mess using Brusho, so I always wear an apron and when I remember I wear some rubber gloves.... unfortunately, today was not one of those days, so I will be wearing this paint on my hand for a couple of days!

Oh, I forgot to say, I have trimmed my fan brush so that it fits into the little Buddy Cups comfortably.

Week 30 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2019

The challenge prompt for Week 30 is "Use red and black".

For my tag, I started off with a cream coloured plain tag.  I swooshed the tag through three shades of Distress Oxides (Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy and Gathered Twigs) to give a mottled background look.

I used a Distress Oxide in the shade of "Barn Door" through an Inkylicious large shell stencil.

Using a script stamp from a Stampin' Up stamp set called "By The Tide" I randomly stamped the script using a Versafine Clair ink in the shade of "Morning Mist".

I stamped the Visible Image sentiment, using their "Laugh Louder" stamp in Versafine Clair "Nocturne".  Using the same ink, I stamped the patterns around the edge of the tag using a Stampers Anonymous set, finally, I inked the edges of the tag.


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Click here for more information on this tag challenge.

Click here for the challenge Facebook Group.

Celebrate - Inkylicious Stencil Card

I had used the Inkylicious shell stencil with a Distress Oxide ink for a previous project, but while cleaning the stencil with a wet wipe, I had a piece of card below, the colour on the stencil transferred onto the white card giving a lovely shell pink colour.  This was too pretty not to use.  As I needed to make a congratulations card, I thought this would be ideal as the main feature.

I stamped the Spellbinders (STP-004) in a brown Versafine Clair ink called "Acorn".  Then mounted the cut down image onto brown and then a similar coral shade of card.

Finally, using a Sakura Gelly Roll Pen in a soft glittery gold shade, I went around all the edges of the shell image.  It doesn't show up very well on the flat photograph, so I took a little video to show it to you.

Week 29 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2019

The prompt for Week 29 is "Layers".

I used two shades of Distress Oxide Inks (Cracked Pistachio and Evergreen Bough) to shade the background of my tag.

Using a Stamper's Anonymous stamp from their "Butterfly Melange" set I stamped the sentiment, using Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" shade of ink.  Using the same ink I also stamped the fragmented hexagon background, also from a Stamper's Anonymous set, but I don't recall the name as I've had it for some years.

I cut two strips of dark blue patterned paper and three strips of white background patterned paper and cut a notch into the end of each one.  I then positioned them in a weave type of arrangment and glued into position.

Finally, using a Sizzix die called "Scribbles Swirls" I cut the pink scroll, glued into position then layered a couple of flower heads and secured with a pink button brad.

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Click here for more information about this challenge.

There is a Facebook Group for this challenge, where members can upload images of . their tags/cards to the weekly prompt albums and also chat to others taking part.  This is a very relaxed challenge, you do what you can and there is no pressure to do every week, just dip in and out of it as you please.  Sam x

Lavinia Stamps July 2019 Monthly Challenge "Midnight Blue With An Orange Hue" #3

On the first of each month, Lavinia Stamps announce the theme of their monthly challenge.  

The theme for July 2019 is "Midnight Blue With An Orange Hue".  This is the third sample I have made as part of the Lavinia Stamps Design Team to promote the challenge.

I used an assortment of Distress Oxide Inks to create the background applied with a brush and initially diluted inks, building up the colours.  I started with the lamp area using "Antique Linen" and moved on to the following shades.  Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans Wilted Violet, Chipped Sapphire and Blue Print Sketch. 

Once dry, I coloured in the orange/yellow centre of the lamp area using Arteza Brush Pens.

I stamped the fairy, called "Dragonfly Keepers" in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" shade of black ink, positioning the lantern above the yellow/orange area.  I then stamped the the hare image using the same ink.  The hare is part of a three piece set called "Whimsical Hares".

Using a Versafine Clair ink called "Morning Mist", I stamped the "Sacred Spells" sentiment, very lightly so that it sits in the background of the image.

Using a torn piece of card, I created the landscape image for the hare to sit on, using Distress Inks.

I then returned to using the Versafine Clair "Nocturne" ink to stamp the "Creeping Vine", the "Mini Holly" and the "Mini Slender Mushrooms".

Finally, I added some white highlight areas to the card using a fine tip Posca Pen.  I used a silver glitter Signo Pen to add some sparkle to the fairy wings and also some speckles of fairy dust around the fairy too.

Design Team make for "My Time To Craft Challenge Blog" #401 "Check It Out"

It is time for another "My Time To Craft Challenge".  The theme for challenge #401 is "Check It Out".

This is a card that I made, if you have a spare minute, please do pop over and take a look at the other fab makes by my Design Team colleagues.

I used a checked background that I had made a couple of weeks ago, you can read how I created it here.  I trimmed chequered background to 5"square.

For this card I have used Hobby Art Ltd stamps from a set called "Janie's Collection - Lino Cut Hares".  

Using a Versafine Clair ink in a shade called "Chianti", I stamped the landscape around the edge of the card.  I then stamped the hare and then the grasses.  

I then masked off a circle for the sun and filled the circle with Distress Oxide Ink in the shade of "Wild Honey".  I then inked the edges of the sun and also stamped the dragonfly, using the Versafine Clair "Chianti" coloured ink.

Camper Van Birthday Card with a stencilled background

My Hubby celebrates his birthday today, so as we are in the process of buying a camper van, it seems apt to make a card to that theme.

I started by creating the background.  Using a blending tool and Distress Oxide Inks in the shades of Tumbled Glass, Salty Ocean and Mermaid Lagoon.

I then positioned the Creative Expressions stencil called "Mica Masks Falling" over the prepared background and secured with low tack masking tape.  Through the stencil, I used another Distress Oxide Ink in the shade of "Blueprint Sketch".

This is how it looks when you carefully peal back the masking tape and remove the stencil.

I cleaned my stencil by placing it on a spare piece of cardstock and used a wet wipe to clean the surface.  The ink on the stencil transfers to the gaps within the stencil, replicating the pattern but in softer shades.

The camper van image is from a set of stamps that came free with issue 54 of Creative Stamping Magazine.  I stamped the van onto the prepared background and also onto a piece of white card using Versafine Clair "Twilight" shade of ink.  I also stamped the sentiment in the same ink.

I then matted and layered the base onto a co-ordinating piece of card and then onto a card blank.

Returning to the camper van image stamped on the white card.  I cut the image out and cut the wing mirrors off.  Using black foam pads, I stuck the main image over the previously stamped image on the background.  Using a touch of wet glue, I positioned the wing mirrors, to provide the impression of depth.

Lavinia Stamps Seahorse and Baby Card

I've used one of the gelli plate backgrounds I created the other day for the base of this card.  I then Distress Oxide Inks in the shades of Crushed Olive and Peeled Paint throug a Funky Fossil stencil called "Fish Background" to create the whole background look.

Using Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze" shade of ink, I stamped "Sebastain the Seahorse" and the baby seahorse which is from a stamp set called "Sea Creatures".

Using two shades of Versafine Clair ink, "Verdant" and "Shady Lane", I stamped the "Seaweed" in the foreground.

I then inked the edges of the card using the Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" for the lower half and Distress Oxide "Broken China" shade of ink for the top section.

Finally, I used a white Posca Pen to add highlight areas to the seahorses and a metallic gold pen for areas on the seaweed.

I am entering this into the July 2019 "A Place To Start" challenge which has an anything go theme for the month.

Week 28 - 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2019

The prompt for Week 28 is "Sparkle and Shine".

When I made my tag I was thinking of a disco mirror ball, so decided to cover my tag with PVA glue and round discs, some are in a gold glitter and some are more of a bronze colour.  They are actually a bag of table confetti I picked up from Home Bargains shop and thought I could use somehow.

I added extra colour by adding droplets of Liquid Pearls in a "Ruby Red" shade.  I aslo used two shades of red Stickles too "Burgundy" and "Xmas Red".

Once dry, I then used a die cut from the Tim Holtz/Sizzix Thinlits set called "Wildflowers - stem 2".

I couldn't find a sentiment in my stash that suited the tag, so decided to type, print and then cut out my own, saying "Sparkle & Shine".

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

There is a Facebook Group for this challenge where members can upload their images to the weekly prompt albums and talk to others taking part.  It is very relaxed and we'd love you to join in to.  Sam x

Shades Of Green Shoal Of Fish Tag (Funky Fossil)

This evening I had a play with a new stencil called Shoal Of Fish by Funky Fossil making this tag.

I created the background using Distress Oxides in shades called Tumbled Glass, Twisted Citron and Broken China.

Once dry, I secured the Funky Fossil "Shoal Of Fish" stencil over the tag using low-tack masking tage and used another Distress Oxide ink called "Faded Jeans" through the stencil.

I used the Hobby Arts Ltd sentiment from their "By The Sea CS038D" set, stamped in Versafine Clair Medieval Blue shade of ink.

I had a small bubble stamp that came free with a magazine which I stamped in a Memento Ink called "London Fog".

Finally I inked the edges using the Versafine Ink I had stamped the sentiment in, then added silver glitter high-lights to the edges of the tag and to some of the bubbles to give it a more water/shimmer look using a Signo Pen

Design Team Make for "Love To Craft Challenge Blog" #36 July 2019

Can you believe we're now in July?  I have no idea where this year has gone to.

As it's the first of the month, it is time for a new "Anything Goes" challenge on the "Love To Craft Challenge Blog".  This is the card I have made as a member of the Design Team.  If you have a spare moment, please do pop over and take a look at the fab makes by my fellow colleagues.

Here's a photo of the main items I used to make this card.

I started this card by tearing a page out of an old book and sticking a panel to the middle of the card blank.

I made a water wash with a Distress Oxide Ink in a pale green shade called "Cracked Pistachio" and then brushed it across the text section.

Using a stamp from a Stampers Anonymous set, I stamped the cirles horizontally across the middle of the card using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" shade of ink.

Using the same ink, I also stamped some vertical lines using a Stampin' Up stamp set called "Gorgeous Grunge".

Using diluted white Gesso, using a brush, I painted around the edges of the torn page and out to the edges of the card.  I deliberately went over the edges of the torn paper so that the Gesso helped to stick any stray raised pieces that had not stuck previously.

Once this was dry, I used a foam blending tool to add a subtle shade of pale pink to the background using a Distress Oxide in the shade of "Spun Sugar".  I then stamped more of the circles to create an image from edge to edge of the card.

I also stamped some hexagon images using Versafine Clair "Charming Pink" ink.

On a plain piece of card, I stamped two butterfly (Stampers Anonymous "Perspective" stamp set) images, again using the Versafine Clair "Charming Pink" ink.  I cut one out and stuck it onto the card.  With the second one, I only cut the upper wings out.  I used a small blob of "Silicon Glue" to adhere these.  This gave the upper wings a more 3D look.

Finally, I added the "Celebrate" sentiment using a stamp from a Stampin' Up set called "Endless Birthday Wishes".  I added some sticky backed pearls to add a little more interest.

Lavinia Stamps July 2019 Monthly Challenge "Midnight Blue With An Orange Hue" #2

Every month, Lavinia Stamps holds a monthly challenge.  The challenge theme for July is "Midnight Blue With An Orange Hue".

This is the second of three pieces that I have made as part of the Lavinia Stamps Design Team to promote this challenge.

I made the first stage of the background for this card some weeks ago.  Using a gelli plate with Colorbox Inks and Brusho paint sprinkled on top.

For the second stage, I used the "Printing With A Stencil" technique, I shared with you a couple of weeks back.  In this instance, I used two shades of ink to make the grid appearance by using Distress Oxide Inks in "Faded Jeans" and "Carved Pumpkin" colours.

Once the Distress Oxide grid was dry, using the Versafine Clair "Twilight" ink, I stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Indian Flourish" feather.  Using the same ink, I stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Wild Vines" around the edge of the card.

I decided that the edges needed to be darker, so I used the Distress Oxide ink in the shade of "Faded Jeans" and then the Versafine Clair ink in the "Twilight" shade to make the very edge of the card darker.

Lavinia Stamps July 2019 Monthly Challenge (Sample #1)

Every month Lavinia Stamps have a monthly challenge, where the winning name drawn will receive £40 of vouchers to spend on lovely Lavinia goodies.  

This is a card I have made as part of the Lavinia Stamps Design Team to promote the July challenge with a theme of "Midnight Blue With An Orange Hue".

I created the coloured background by using Dylusion spray inks in the shades of: London Blue, Crushed Grape and Fresh Lime.

Once the background colours were dry, I started stamping the image.  First I stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Spring Trees" in Versafine "Stormy Grey" shade of ink.

I then stamps the "Horse and Foal" image in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" shade of ink.

I created the landscape, by tearing a piece of card into a landscape shape and rubbing Distress Inks across the surface.

I then cut the card down to the size I wanted, added the moon using Memento Luxe "Wedding Dress" shade of ink.  I added the stars using a white Posca pen.

Finally, I stamped the "Mini Slender Mushrooms" also in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" ink and then added white highlights to them and the back of the horses by using a white Signo Pen.