Visible Image "Break Free" Daisy Tag

I had decided to have a day off crafting, but found myself drawn to my craft desk, so decided to make a little tag.

I used a tag with a Distress Oxide Spray background that I had prepared a while back, I had already used the Visible Image "Meshine Around" stencil on it, so that really dictated the way I went with the whole tag.

I used the Visible Image "Break Free" stamp set for the vase and flower, coloured with Distress Oxide Inks.

In the background I used the dotty circles from the Visible Image "Creative Chaos" stamp set and the straight lines form the Visible Image "Shape it up" stamp set.  The words are from the Visible Image "Random Art of Kindness" stamp set, all stamped in Versafine Ink.

I added some white areas to the dots, which turned pale blue due to the base, using a Posca Pen.

Sunday Bunday Baking Challenge (a sweet tart) - Maple and Pecan Tart

These Sunday Bunday baking challenges seem to be coming round so quickly.  This week the theme is sweet tart.

I'm trying out a Jamie Oliver recipe for a tart I have never made before.  It's a maple and pecan tart.  A bit like a treacle tart.

It has lots of lovely ingredients:  orange rind, grated ginger, grated apple, breadcrumbs two types of syrup and of course pecan nuts too.

It's also the first time I have used my new loose bottomed flan tin from Tesco.  Which was an absolute pleasure to use.

I'm really happy with the way it turned out and I'm looking forward to trying the tart at lunch time with some whipped cream.

Lavinia Stamps Fairy Forager and Fairy Dandelion Tag

It seems ages since I pulled out my Lavinia Stamps, so this evening I made a quick tag using a Distress Oxide background I had in my stash.

I decided to use one of my favourite Lavinia Stamps, the "Fairy Dandelion", the "Make A Dandelion", "Willow" and the "Fairy Foragers" stamps.

I stamped in two shades of Versafine Clair Ink, "Monarch" and "Purple Delight", some I heat embossed, other areas I kept just stamped.

I used a couple of Posca Pens to add grass and flower heads to some of the foliage.

Stampers Anonymous "Mini Bouquet CMS269" New Home Card

A good friend asked if I would make a new home card for a special aunt.  I actually don't make cards for other people.  I don't like the stress iand pressure it puts me under, so I usually decline.  But I made an exception this time.  The brief I had was flowers.

I used a Stampers Anonymous stamp set called "Mini Bouquet - CMS269" for the flowers, stamped in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.  I used the same ink for the Papertrey Ink sentiment which is part of the "Love Lives Here" clear stamp set, which I then heat embossed with clear embossing powder.

I used a selection of Distress Oxide Inks, applied by a paint brush.  I used the "Antique Linen" Distress Oxide Ink for the background colour.  I added white highlights with a Posca Pen and a subtle gold shimmer using a Sakura Gelly Roll pen.

Funky Fossil "Full Of Love Stencil" & Visible Image "Have I Told You Lately" Card

Today my Hubby and I celebrate 35 years of marriage.  I have absolutely no idea where the years have gone.  But they definitely have when I think of our two sons and now our grand children too.

Like many, life hasn't always been easy, but equally we have been more fortunate than some.  When our family was young, my Hubby worked hard to keep things together, taking a second job as a retained fire fighter, which worked alongside his shift work and then went to college on day release to get his HND in engineering while holding down two jobs.

You here people say that others are "their rock" and he is mine.  Over the years our life has changed but the constant is that we are still together and love each other.

This is the card I have made for Hubby.  I used a Stampin' Up woodgrain stamp for the background with Distress Oxide Inks.  I used Distress Oxides through the Funky Fossil "Full of Love" stencil.

The "Soulmates" sentiment and the "Have I told you lately" sentiment are both by Visible Image and are part of their "Have I Told You" stamp set.

Sunday Bunday Baking Challenge - Sweet Dough (Iced Finger Buns)

Today was "Sunday Bunday" Baking Challenge.  The theme this week was "Sweet Dough".

I used a Paul Hollywood recipe for my iced finger buns.

In my head, I had something sticky with nuts and lovely flavours.  Unfortunately, for some unknown reason the dough just didn't rise how I expected it to, leaving me wondering if I should continue with a bake or not.  

If I continued with the theme that I had planned, I could have wasted more ingredients, so I decided to keep it simple and make an iced bun with fresh whipped cream and raspberry jam.

The whole process takes quite a while.  I gave it an hour and a half to proove initially, moulded into shape and then a further prove of an hour before a quick ten minute bake, then there was making the icing, whipping the cream and the jam.  I didn't make the jam, I strained some Tesco Finest Raspberry jam instead.  

I have to say, even though the whole process was a bit of a faff, they actually taste ok, maybe the bread area is a little heavier than it should be but if it tastes ok, then that is half the battle!

Funky Fossil "In The Meadow" and a Bank Holiday Discount Code

I made this card using the Funky Fossil Designs "Abstract Bamboo" stencil with "Shabby Shutters" Distress Oxide Ink.

I used Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink to stamp the flower and sentiment, both are part of the new Funky Fossil "In The Meadow" stamp set.  I added some sticky pearls for added interest.

Don't forget to use the discount/promo code at checkout.  Quote "FOSSIL15" to get 15% off everything in store from now till 29th May 2020! funkyfossil.co.uk

The Black Crow - a Hero Arts and Lavinia Stamps fusion

I had the urge to stamp so used what was closest to hand on my desk, resulting in this card.

I stamped the Hero Arts urn, which is part of their set of four "Garden Ornaments" stamp set.

I then built up the image using an assortment of Lavinia Stamps, one of the crows from the "Crow Set", the "Tree Scene", the "Birds" the "Meadow Grass" and the "Twisted Vine" set.  Stamped in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist", "Nocturne" and "Shady Lane" and coloured with Distress Oxide Inks with touches of Posca Pens for the flowers in the meadow.

Funky Fossil Discount Code (15% off)

Funky Fossil Designs have a 15% offer discount code, which is valid from 22nd May to 29th May 2020.  

All you need to do is quote "FOSSIL15" at checkout! 

For this card, I used three Funky Fossil stencils.  I masked off the coffee cup using the Funky Fossil "Coffee Cup" stencil, I then used the Funky Fossil "Coffee Bean Heart" stencil around the edge of the coffee cup using "Vintage Photo" Distress Oxide Ink.

I removed the mask and drew around the shape on Kraft cardstock, fussy cut the shape and inked the edges using Versafine Clair "Acorn" brown ink.  I then adhered onto the card.

I used the Funky Fossil "Caffeine Buzz" word stencil for the coffee jug and word on the cup, using the Versafine Clair "Acorn" brown ink.

I die cut a couple of hearts and added them to the cup and found a Tim Holtz Idea-ology "Clipping Sticker" saying "Longing For" which seemed to be apt for this card.

Hero Arts "Garden Ornaments" and "Polka Dot Vase Bouquet" Card

I made a quick card this evening using a couple of Hero Art Stamps.

I used one of the four Hero Arts "Garden Ornaments" stamps for the urn, stamped in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

The flowers are the upper part of the Hero Arts "Polka Dot Vase Bouquet" stamped in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.

I used a selection of Distress Oxide Inks to colour the stamped images.

Sewing - A Summer top (Simplicity 4552)

I couldn't sleep last night, so got up and made a summer top, using one of the patterns from the Simplicity 4552 pattern pack.

It was a straight forward make.  My top half is two sizes smaller than my hips, so I needed to alter the pattern a little when tracing it onto paper, but it fits ok.

I think I will use the same pattern and extend the length to make a summer dress.  The longest part of the whole make was sorting out the pattern.

A Papercrafting Break with Sewing Instead

Sometimes it is good to take a break.  This past week I've really not been in the mood for papercrafting.  I don't know why I feel like this, but I can feel that I have taken a step back from it.

The last week, I seem to have occupied my time with reading and shuffling sewing patterns and stroking my fabrics.  In true crafting tradition, one can never have enough stash and that applies to fabrics too, so I placed an order for some new fabrics which arrived yesterday.

Within five hours of the fabric arriving it was washed, dry, ironed and folded ready to use.  (I wash all my fabrics as soon as I have them, that way the shrinkage happens before it is made up into clothing or patchwork - I learnt this from experience!).

Stampers Anonymous Stencilled Tag

Here's another tag I made using fabulous Stampers Anonymous stamps.  I used a tag with a multi stencilled background as the base for this tag.

Scrap Metal Art - a retirement interest

My Hubby retired at the end of last year.  Although he has a lot of interests, most of them are not home based.  

One thing he had been contemplating having a go at was "Scrap Metal Art".  He has been squireling bits and bobs away for some time.  From what I can see of his hoard, anything goes!

Yesterday he finished his first piece of scrap metal art.  This seahorse on a wood base now hangs on the wall in our hall.  I'm pretty impressed with the way it has turned out.  He now has lots of ideas of what he wants to make and a couple of friends have asked if he can make them something too.  This new hobby should keep his occupied in the garage for a while.

Stampers Anonymous "Warehouse District CMS124" Tag

Today I have been playing wiht Stampers Anonymous / Tim Holtz goodies to create this tag.

I started with a plain cream coloured tag, blending "Vintage Photo" Distress Oxide over the surface.  I then used the Stampers Anonymous "String" stencil with "Aged Mahogany" Distress Oxide Inks.

I used stamps from the Stampers Anonymous set called "Warehouse District CMS124" in various shades of Ranger Archival Ink and Versafine Clair Ink to stamp the various images

I added a "Paperdoll" image and sentiment to the bottom corner, before inking the edges of the tag.

Funky Fossil "Butterfly Wishes" Tag

My sewing today has been giving me headaches, so I've taken a break from it and made a tag instead.

I started with a cream coloured tag and used "Rusty Hinge" Distress Oxide ink through the "Dashing Backgrounds" stencil.

I used two shades of green Distress Oxide Inks (Lucky Clover and Pine Needles) through the "In The Tropics" stencil.

I stamped the butterfly on the tag and also a piece of white card using Versafine Clair "Nocturne".  I coloured the butterfly on the white card using Distress Oxide Inks and Posca pens, then fussy cut the insect and adhered onto the tag.

"Sunday Bunday" Baking Challenge - Muffins

Today the "Sunday Bunday" baking challenge set by my friend is "Muffins".

I decided to go with a sweet and a savoury muffin.  Bacon, Cheese and Mustard for the savoury and Lemon and Dark Chocolate for the sweet.  Both are very, very good, even if I do say so myself!

That Sewing Urge

The BBC TV programme called "The Great British Sewing Bee" has been back on the television for about a month.  Since it returned to the screen, I have been feeling an urge to sew, as I've not done any for ages.

Like most crafters, I have a stash of stuff and that includes fabric.  As soon as I buy new fabric I wash it, to get rid of any shrinkage, then iron it and put the fabric away, that way I know that all my fabric is ready to use when the urge to sew comes upon me.

Sewing Bee was on TV last night, which inspired me to pull out a selection of fabric.  Today I will be sewing.  I wouldn't call myself a confident sewist... wish me luck!

Visible Image "Ahead of our time" 50th Male Birthday Card

Today our friend celebrates his 50th birthday.  As the postal service is a bit slower, I made this card a fortnight ago, just to be sure it arrives with him before or on his special day.

I knew the blue colour scheme I wanted to use(this friend spends a lot of his leisure time on the water) and although I had an idea what I wanted to create, I actually had a dummy run of the card using a background I was not so fond of.  This gave me an indication of positions etc.  As it was it turned out ok, so I may well use this "draft" card for somebody else in the future.  This is the first draft of the card.  Same stamps, just a different colour way.

For the main card, I used four Brusho colours (Ultra Marine, Turquoise, Violet and Black) to create the background colour.

I used stamps from Visible Image "Ahead of our time" stamp set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

I used a silver, blue and purple glitter Signo pens and a white Posca Pen for areas of the card.

I typed out and printed the "You Sir, are fifty today!" then die cut and layered the sentiment.  The two smaller stamped sentiments of "Congratulations" and "Happy Birthday" are from a Papertrey Ink stamp set.

Visible Image "Disguise of a smile" card for National Nurses Day

Yesterday, the 12th May, was National Nurses Day.  I made this card with the Nurses in mind.  They always do such an incredible job, but it must be heartbreaking for them at the moment, having the strain of what is happening at work and some not being able to be with their nearest and dearest, so I just wanted to acknowledge the day in a card.

I used a gelli plate background I had prepared a while back.  When I made the background, I remember deciding to add red splatters to it using Brusho, just to see how it took.  As you can see, it worked well.

I used a selection of Visible Image stamps for this card, starting with the sentiment called "Disguise of a smile" and then the butterfly from "Live Life Now", both stamped in Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" ink.

I then used Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink to stamp the small flower in the background which is part of the Visible Image stamp set called "Creative Chaos".

I added a few splatters of white using a Posca Pen to lighten the background a little too.

Ranger Alcohol Lift-Ink Butterfly Card Topper

I continued with playing with alcohol inks in a way this afternoon.  While I was filing away the backgrounds I had made earlier, I came across a scrap of a previous alcohol ink project, so decided to have a play.

I found an old rubber stamp that I've had for about fifteen + years and decided it was a nice image to play with.  I inked the stamp up with Ranger/Tim Holtz Alcohol Lift Ink and stamped onto the scrap of background I found.

I then removed the background, replacing it with a piece of white card then without re-inking the stamp, stamped again onto the card.  The ink that the stamp had lifted from the background had clung to the stamp and then transferred to the white card, providing a pretty image.

Here's a photo of the scrap of background, after I had buffed the image where I had stamped to remove any remaining "Lift ink".  It didn't leave an awfully clear stamp impression, but you never know, it could well appear in a future creation... I loath to throw any crafty scraps out!

Alcohol Ink Play

Today I've had half an hour play with my Ranger Alcohol Inks, making these backgrounds.

I've no idea how I will use them, they invariably end up in my file called "backgrounds for future use"!  I'm really happy with how they look, so there is a good chance they will get used sooner or later - fingers crossed!

Stamper's Anonymous "We Come To Love" tag

With no agenda, I pulled out stamps that have not seen the light of day for some time and made a tag.  It was a lovely informal play session.

I started with a plain white tag and built up the background colour using Distress Oxide inks.

The next step was stamping the typewriter, the grid and the large letter head, positioned vertically (all Stamper's Anonymous stamps) in three shades of Ranger Archival Inks.

I used a That's Crafty fern mini stencil with a Distress Oxide Ink.

Finally, I stamped the sentiment from another Stamper's Anonymous stamp set in Versafine Clair "Pinecone" brown ink, coating it with clear embossing powder and then heating to set.  I then inked the edges of the tag.

Funky Fossil "In The Meadow" Stencilled Tag

I've been playing with the Funky Fossil "In The Meadow" stamp set to make this tag.

I started with a plain tag and blending four colours of Distress Oxide Inks across the surface (Wild Honey, Dried Marigold, Rusty Hinge and Brushed Corduroy).

I used "Aged Mahogany" Distress Oxide Ink through the Funky Fossil "Circle Lattice Stencil" in two opposite corners.

I then used "Peeled Paint" Distress Oxide Ink through the Funky Fossil "Brick Wall 2 stencil" from two opposite corners.

To blend the areas I then used "Ground Espresso" Distress Oxide Ink with the Funky Fossil "Micro Dots Stencil".

I then stamped the flowers and the sentiment using the Funky Fossil "In The Meadow" stamp set, stamped in two shades of Versafine Clair brown coloured ink.  I used "Acorn" for the lighter stamping and "Pinecone" for the darker stamping.

Lavinia Stamps Winter Berries Christmas Card (inspired by Eileen Godwin).

I recently watched a demo by the talented Eileen Godwin where she made a stunning Christmas card, I was so inspired by her card I decided to replicate it.

I started by using a small That's Craft "Fern" Mini Stencil in two shades of Distress Oxide Inks:  Shabby Shutters and Bundled Sage.

Using Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink, I stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Berry Leaves".  

I then used Versafine Clair "Acorn" brown ink to stamp the Lavinia Stamps "Winter Berries".

I coloured the berries using two shades of Distress Oxide Inks:  Fired Brick and Candied Apple.  I then glazed the berries using "Glossy Accents".

Finally I added a sentiment using a Simon Says Stamp "Tiny Words Christmas" sentiment.

Funky Fossil - Bee Geometric Card

Today I have made a CAS (clean and simple) card, playing with the new Funky Fossil stamp set called "Bee Geometric" which was released yesterday, with a Memory Box die cut called "Honeycomb Stitched Circle Frame".

I've used Distress Oxide Inks for the coloured background in "Dried Marigold" and "Wild Honey", with stamping in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink and the bee coloured with Arteza Brush Pens.

Funky Fossil Designs New Stamp Release - Bee's Knees

Funky Fossil Designs have five fabulous new stamp sets which are being released today.

This is a sample I have made with one of the new sets called "Bee's Knees".

I used Distress Oxide Inks to make this card, starting with the Funky Fossil "Dotty Frame Stencil" in the background.

I stamped the toadstools, sentiment and bees in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink and again used Distress Oxide Inks to colour the images.

Funky Fossil Designs New Stamp Release and Hochanda TV May 2020 - Bee Geometric

Funky Fossil Designs will be on Hochanda TV today, Sunday 10th May with a selection of lovely goodies, including some brand new clear stamps which will be released today too!

This is a sample I have made for the show using one of the new stamp sets - Bee Geometric!

I used a selection of Distress Oxide inks to create the background colour:  Mustard Seed, Wild Honey and Rusty Hinge with the Funky Fossil "Floral Honeycomb" stencil.

I stamped the geometric shapes and the bees in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink and coloured the bees with Arteza Brush Pens.  I used a Sakura Gelly Roll Pen to add a gold shimmer to the wing area.

Funky Fossil Designs New Stamp Release on Hochanda TV May 2020 - Furry Friends

Funky Fossil Designs will be appearing on Hochanda TV today, Sunday 10th May with a selection of goodies including brand new stamp sets.

This is a sample I have made for the show, using the new "Furry Friends" stamp set.

I used the Funky Fossil "Abstract Geometric" Stencil with three shades of Distress Oxide inks:  Tumbled Glass, Peacock Feathers adn Blueprint Sketch.

I stamped the dog and sentiment in Versafine Clair, Nocturne Ink and coloured it with Arteza Brush pens

Funky Fossil Designs New Stamp Release for Hochanda TV May 2020 - In The Meadow

Funky Fossil Designs will be appearing on Hochanda TV today, Sunday 10th May with a selection of goodies, including brand new clear stamp sets.

This is a sample I have made using the new "In The Meadow" clear stamp set.

I used "Shabby Shutters" Distress Oxide Inks through the"Dotty Circle" background stencil to create the quiet pattern background.

I stamped flowers and sentiment using two Versafine Clair inks:  Morning Mist and Nocturne.

Finally, I used "Morning Mist" Versafine Clair ink through the "Birds In Flight" stencil.

Funky Fossil Designs Samples for May 2020 Hochanda TV using Funky Florals Set

Today, Sunday 10th May Funky Fossil Designs will be on Hochanda TV with a fabulous selection of goodies.

For this card, I started with a background of "Peacock Feathers Distress Oxide Ink. I've used the "Funky Circle" stencil in the background with "Faded Jeans" Distress Oxide Ink.

I used the "Funky Florals" stamp set  stamped in Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze ink.  I used a touch of turquoise coloured Stickles for the middle of the flower.

I've used the "Happy Words" stamp set for the sentiment, stamped in Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze".

Funky Fossil Designs - Hochanda TV May 2020 - Scandi Home and Scandi Garden Set

Funky 'Fossil Designs will be on Hochanda TV today, Sunday 10th May with a lovely selection of goodies to share with you.

For this card, I have used the Funky Fossil "Scandi Home" clear stamp set, stamped with Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink.  

The background is created using the Funky Fossil "Simply Stripes" stencil with four Distress Oxide Inks (Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Cracked Pistachio and Mowed Lawn).  Shading from light to dark, the repositionion the stencil and shading dark to light.

Funky Fossil Designs New Stamp Preview May 2020 using "Bee Geometric"

Funky Fossil Designs will be launching five fabulous new stamp sets tomorrow, Sunday 10th May.  It also happens that they will also be on Hochanda TV the same day at 3pm and 7pm.

For this sample, I have used two of the new stamp sets, "Bee Geometric" and "In The Meadow"

I used a Funky Fossil MDF heart shape for the base, coating it white Gesso first and then in Paperartsy Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic paint in a colour called "Tangerine Twist".

Once the paint was dry, I used a section of the Funky Fossil "Floral Honeycomb" stencil with "Ripe Persimmon" shade of Distress Oxide ink.

I then moved on to the stamping, using two shades of Versafine Clair ink, "Morning Mist" a grey shade and "Nocturne" a black ink. 

The Bee and sentiment are from the new "Bee Geometric" stamp set and the foliage at the base of the heart is from the new "In The Meadow" set.

Finally, I added some shimmer and glitz to the bee image, by adding gold Stickles to the abdomen of the bee.  I used a Sakura Gelly Roll pen on the wings to give a subtle shimmer.

Funky Fossil Designs New Stamp Preview Hochanda TV May 2020 - Bee Geometric

Funky Fossil Designs will be appearing on Hochanda TV tomorrow, Sunday 10th May with a selection of lovely goodies which include some new clear stamp sets.

This is a sample I have made for the show using the new "Bee Geometric" clear stamp set.

I started with a piece of kraft cardstock and the Funky Fossil "Floral Honeycomb" stencil using Mustard Seed Distress Oxide ink through the stencil.

I then used "Antique Linen" Distress Oxide ink through the Funky Fossil "Micro Dot" stencil in the opposite corners.

I stamped the bee and the sentiment using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.  I coloured the bees using Sakura Gelly Roll and Signo Glitter pens.  Finally, to add the impression of the bee flight path, I used the Funky Fossil "Dotty Circle Background" stencil, just selecting a few dots, colouring them using a fine tip black pen.

Funky Fossil Designs New Stamp Preview Hochanda TV May 2020 - Bee Geometric

Funky Fossil Designs will be on Hochanda TV tomorrow, Sunday 10th May with a selection of goodies including some new clear stamp sets.

This is a sample I have made using the new "Bee Geometric" clear stamp set.

For this card, I have used the Funky Fossil "Grid Stencil" with "Mustard Seed" Distress Oxide Ink,  I have stamped the bee and the sentiment in Versafaine Clair "Nocturne" ink and coloured the bee with Arteza Brush Pens and Sakura Gelly Roll gold shimmer pen.