Anglesey Red Squirrels

I don't share too much about my private life on this blog, but thought you might like to see a photo of one of our garden visitors. 

Here on the Isle of Anglesey, the grey squirrels were erradicated and the red squirrels re introduced.  Since 2013 the red squirrels have thrived and we are very fortunate to have some visit our garden.

We have a wall mounted squirrel feeder and our friend made a squirrel sized picnic table for them to feast from.  I position the table by my craft room sliding door.  This allows me to watch them at close quarters with the door open and take some pics if I'm quick enough.

The squirrels that visit our garden appear to have firm favourites in the food department.  In first place is hazelnuts (in shells), they like to bury them in my pots or in the lawn and then return later in the day to collect them.  In second place are peanuts and in third position are sunflower seeds.

These furry friends are a pleasure to observe and even Rosie, our Springer Spaniel likes to watch them too.

Anniversary Card (Stamps By Me)

Our friends celebrate their anniversary at the end of the week, so I've made them a card before our visitors arrive for the weekend. 

I used a sheet of Clarity "Shenandoah" patterned paper for the background which I think is so pretty.  I used a "Stamp By Me" stamp for the sentiment, heat embossed using Wow! Super Fine Metallic Silver embossing powder.  

50th Eclipse Birthday Card

Our friend celebrates her 50th birthday next week.  I suspect she isn't aware that I know it's a milestone birthday, so have made this eclipse style card for her.

I started by using a Lavinia Stamps "Laurel" stencil with "Bundled Sage" Distress Oxide Ink just in the central area, fading to the edge.

I then used number dies through my Sizzix Big Shot die cutter to cut the two numbers out of the middle.  I then mounted the piece of card on to a dark pink background.  With the die cut numbers still in position, I adhered the middle of the "zero" flat onto the coloured card stock and then removed the remainder of the number.

I used a Hobby Art Stamp set called "Greetings for friends", stamped in Versafine Clair "Purple Delight" ink.

Next I cut some double sided thin foam strips and stuck them where the numbers would be.  I then layered the die cut number on top.  This means that the actual numbers are slightly raised and from the side, you get a little hint of the colour below.  This is the bit which is called "eclipse".

 

Funky Fossil Butterfly Wreath Birthday Card

I seem to have a few birthday cards needed for August.  This one is for next week. 

I stamped the Hobby Arts Lts sentiment, from their "Greetings for friends" set using Versafine Clair "Purple Delight" ink.  I then coated it in Wow! clear embossing powder and heat set to give a lovely glossy sheen.

 I've used the Funky Fossil "Butterfly Wreath' stencil with three shades of Distress Oxide Inks (Worn Lipstick, Picked Raspberry and Wilted Violet) grading the colour from light in the inside to darker on the outer edge (applied with finger daubers).  

Woodware Teasels on a Brusho background

I had a quick play with one of my favourite stamps this morning.  It's the Woodware "Teasels - JGS329". 

I'd found a multi coloured Brusho background I'd made some time ago and thought it would be perfect.  I stamped the teasels in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.  I then used a Stampin' Up "Crackle Paint" stamped with Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" to create more depth to the background.

I coloured the teasels using a gold metallic pen and inked the edges of the card.

I'm really happy wiht the finished look of this card, especially as it was so quick to create.

Lavinia Stamps Ocean Scene featuring "Flo"

I've had a play with my Lavinia Stamps this morning creating this ocean scene. 

I used a cling wrap background I had created some time ago, enhanced with areas of Distress Oxide Inks. All stamping is in various shades of Versafine Clair inks.  I used a selection of Lavinia Stamps for this piece, including Flo, Fish Set, Shoal of fish, Sea Creatures, Marine Kelp, Seaweed and Sea Bubbles.

I added extra colour to areas using coloured pencils, a shimmer to areas with a metallic silver pen and highlights using a white Poscal pen.

Friend Birthday Card using Funky Fossil "Stylish Stencil"

My friend celebrates her birthday next week, so I needed to get a card made for her.  I didn't really have anything specific in mind for her, but decided to start with blending shades of blue/green Distress Oxide Inks for the background, which happen to be her favourite.  I used Tumbled Glass, Peacock Feather and Blue Print Sketch inks.

For the text background, I used a large stamp with definitions of friendship, I bought the cling stamp second hand, but it could be Hero Arts?, which I stamped in Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze" ink, which worked well with the background shades.

For the main image, I have black archival ink through a Funky Fossil stencil called "Stylish Stencil".  I picked this image as my friend is familiar with the 60's, in fact I've seen a photo of her with a similar hair style to that of the stencil.

Finally, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the "Happy Birthday" sentiment using a "My Favourite Things" stamp from their "Essential Sentiments - CS137" set.

Funky Fossil "Bold Damask" Stencilled "Celebrate" Card

Just a reminder, that Sarah and her Funky Fossil goodies will be on Hochanda TV tomorrow morning at 9am (Friday 7th August - UK time).  You can watch the show on Sky 673, Freeview 85 and Freesat 817 as well as watching live on your computer or tablet.

I made a quick card this afternoon, using a background I'd created a few days ago using Dylusion Ink Sprays.

I used the Funky Fossil "Bold Damask" stencil with black archival ink to create the pattern.  Using an off-cut of the background, I stamped then"Celebrate" sentiment using a stamp from the Funky Fossil "Small Print" stamp set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" ink. 

Funky Fossil "Dancing Dragonflies" stencilled card

Today I used a Funky Fossil stencil in an alternative way.  I used the "Dancing Dragonflies" stencil with Wow! Clear embossing pad and powder to give a quiet backdrop to some Tim Holtz/Sizzix die cuts from the "Wild Flower Stem #1 thinlits" set, which I have coloured with Distress Oxide Inks.

I used the Funky Fossil "Small Print" stamp set for the sentiment, which I stamped and heat embossed using Wow, Metallic Silver Super Fine Embossing Powder.

Lavinia Stamps Dream Catcher Card

I've had another play with Lavinia stamps and stencil to make this card.  

I used three Dylusion Ink Sprays (Lemon Zest, Pure Sunshine and Squeezed Oranges) to create the initial background colour.

I then lay the Lavinia Stamps "Laurel" stencil over the top of the background and used "Abandoned Coral" Distress Oxide Ink through the  stencil.

I used a circle stencil with Wow! Embossing Powders (clear and Sunburst) to create the raised circles.  I used the Lavinia Stamps "Sacred Spells" with Versafine Clair "Charming Pink" ink for the background text detail.

I then moved on to stamping the main areas using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" ink to stamp the Lavinia Stamps "Dream Catchers", "Creeping Ivy" and the "Every Dream" sentiment.

I used a couple of Signo Glitter pens (bronze and red colours)and a metallic gold pen to colour the "Dream Catchers".  Finally, I inked the edges o the card in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" ink.

Lavinia Stamps Moon Pods on a Coral Stencil Background

I started this card yesterday morning, but the day ran away with me.  I was up stupidly early again as my mind wouldn't settle, so decided to finish this card off as it's another busy day ahead.

The other day, I made some backgrounds using Lavinia Stamps stencils.  I've used the new "Coral" stencil with a spritz of Dylusion Ink Spray (Vibrant  Turquoise, Crushed Grape and London Blue) through it, which gives a lovely light multi-coloured background.  The Lavinia stencils are generous in size and this is actually the other half of the one I used with "Luna" earlier in the week.

I used the Lavinia Stamps "Moon Pods" stamped in Versafine Clair "Monarch" purple ink, opting to have them dangling (I usually have them growing upwards, but thought they work well either way.  I coloured the "Moon Pods" with Cosmic Shimmer water colours topping the dots with "Glossy Accents".

Using the same ink, I stamped the Lavinia "Hanging Lanterns".  Again just for a change I had them growing up rather than down.  I coloured them with a gel pen, adding highlights to both the Hanging Lanterns and the Mood Pods using a silver glitter Signo Pen.

I stamped the little fairy, which is part of the Lavinia Stamps "Fairy Foragers" set in Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" ink.    Finally, I inked the edges of the card using Versafine Clair "Purple Delight" ink.

Lavinia Stamps "Luna" on a coral stencilled background

While the stencils and inks were out, I have made another card.

I used the Dylusion Ink Sprays (Vibrant Turquoise, Crushed Grape and London Blue) through the Lavinia Stamps "Coral" stencil to create the background design.

I then stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Goddess Luna" in "Medieval Blue" Versafine Clair Ink.  I decided I needed some more braches, so used a couple of the smaller ones from the "Tree Branch" stamp, in the same ink.

I multi stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Meadow Grass" using "Monarch" purple Versafine Clair ink.

I then added extra colour to the background, using "Wilted Violet" Distress Oxide Ink to the lower section of the card and "Peacock Feathers" Distress Oxide Inks to the top section.

I used a section of the Lavinia Stamps "Fairy Wishes" stamp with Medieval Blue Versafine Clair ink.  

Finally, I painted some Cosmic Shimmer water colour to the wing area and added highlights to the card with a subtle gold Sakura pen.

Lavinia Stamps Celeste on a Coral and Pebble Stencil Background

I had a rubbish night of sleep last night, so it was a relief to get up.  It did mean that I had a head start on some crafting, which was a bonus.

Today I have used two Lavinia Stamps stencils.  The first thing I did was lay the "Coral" stencil on some kitchen towel, I then lightly spritzed it with a couple of shades of Dylusion Spray Ink, I used Crushed Grape and London Blue.  I then flipped the stencil on to an off cut of white card and smoothed over.  I lifted the card and dabbed any surplus ink away, then gave it a blast on the low setting of the heat gun.  

Unfortunately I didn't take any photos mid way as I really didn't think I would actually be making a card.  But this one just kind of evolved.

I lay the Lavinia Stamps "Pebble" stencil over the background and lightly applied "Peacock Feathers" Distress Oxide Ink with a blending tool through the stencil, making the central area lighter and the edges darker.

I stamped the Lavinia Stamps fairy called "Celeste" in the middle of the card using "Medieval Blue" Versafine Clair ink.  

Next I stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Marine Kelp" in first and second generation using "Monarch" a purple Versafine Clair ink.

I then decided I wanted to introduce more mauve shades.  I did say I had nothing in mind when I started making this!  I used "Wilted Violet" Distress Oxide ink with a blending tool, again, I applied a light shade in the middle and darker towards the edges.

I used the Lavinia Stamps "Shoal of fish" and "Sea Bubbles" stamp with Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.

Finally, I added some white and silver glitter highlights to a few areas using Signo pens.

Lavinia Stamps Max and Pipin Baby Card

Following on from a post I made yesterday, here's another new baby card I've made.  I have used the Lavinia Stamps "Pipin" and "Max" hare stamps, stamped in Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" ink.  I have used the same ink for the Personal Impressions "Double Sayings" sentiments.  Finally I painted some grassas a base for the hares using "Mowed Lawn" Distress Oxide inks.

Funky Fossil Designs "Festive Phrases" Stamp Set Release

Today is the day when all five brand new clear stamp sets and the "Let it snow" 6"x6" paper pack are available to purchase.

I've used a sheet of the "Let it snow" patterned paper for the background of this card.  In the central area, I have heat embossed the sentiment which is part of the new "Festive Phrases" stamp set in Wow! Metallic Gold super fine embossing powder.  For a simple card, I think it works a treat!

Funky Fossil Designs "Elegant Ornament" stamp set release

Today is the day when five fabulous Funky Fossil Designs new stamp sets are available to purchase.

For this sample, I have used the new "Elegant Ornaments" stamp set.  I've stamped the images in three shades of Versafine Clair inks:  Monarch, Warm Breeze and Medieval Blue which I heat embossed using Wow! Clear embossing powder.

I used the sprig of holly from the new "Christmas Characters" stamp set coloured with Posca and Signo Pens.

The sentiment is from the "Elegant Ornaments" set and is stamped in "Medieval Blue" Versafine Clair ink

Funky Fossil Designs "Christmas Characters" Stamp Set Release

Today is the day that Funky Fossil Designs launch five fabulous new stamp sets.

For this card, I have used the Funky Fossil "Elegant Tree" stencil on with a pink pearl dimension paste on black card.

I used the brand new "Christmas Characters" stamp set to stamp the fairy and deer, I coloured them using Distress Oxide inks, then cut them out and adhered on to the card.

I heat embossed the sentiment using a fine silver embossing powder and finally added some self adhesive gems as ornaments.

Funky Fossil Designs "Filigree Flakes" New Stamp Release

Today is the launch day for the five fabulous new stamp sets and a paper pack by Funky Fossil Designs.  I've used "Filigree Flakes" for this sample.

I've made an Artist Trading Coin using one of the MDF blanks covered in patterned paper from their new "Let It Snow lack and heat embossed the snowflakes which are part of the new "Filigree Flakes" stamp set that will be available to purchase from today.  I have also used a Funky Fossil MDF christmas tree shape and heat embossed the surface with a Wow! glitter powder called "Mistletoe Magic".

Funky Fossil Designs "Gamer" New Stamp Release

Today, Funky Fossil Designs release five fabulous new stamp sets.  I've used the new "Gamer" set for this card.

I've used a selection of Distress Oxide Inks for the background.  I then used the Funky Fossil "Beauty In Profile" stencil with black Archival ink for the main image.  I've also used the Funky Fossil "Bee Geometric" stamp set for the hexagon detail and then the gamer words and the loading image.