Lavinia Stamps "Olivia" Card

It's the first time for me to use one of the recently released stamps from Lavinia Stamps.  This one, which is the main feature of this card is called "Olivia" I've used the small version here. 

For the background, I have used an off-cut of a Scenescape, which I have enhanced with extra colours. I've used the following Lavinia Stamps: Tree of Hope, Small Branch, Foliage Set and Small Pixie Houses.  I have stamped in two shades of Versafine Clair inks:  Nocturne and Morning Mist.  I have also used Posca Pens and Signo Uniball pens.

Lavinia Stamps "Wild Flower Vine" Anniversary Card

I made this quick card using three shades of Archival Inks (Buttercup, Tiger Lily and Prickly Pear) in the background.

I stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Wild Flower Vine" in Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink.  I used the same ink to stamp the MFT stamps anniverary sentiment, part of their "Essential Sentiments" set.  Finally, adding some colour with a pastel pencil and a Signo Pen.

Funky Fossil Designs "Critters In Cups" Card

I made this card for our eight year old Grandaughter, who had a brilliant end of year report.

I used the Funky Fossil Designs "Critters In Cups" stamp set, stamped in Versafine Clair inks and coloured with Van Goch Pastel Pencils, Posca Pens, Distress Oxide Inks.

Lavinia Stamps "Wild Summer Flowers" card

Sometimes you need to send cards for difficult situations.  This is one of them.

I have used the Lavinia Stamps "Elegance" stencil with "Shabby Shutters" Distress ink for the background.

I used the new Lavinia Stamps "Wild Summer Flowers" stamp set and a sentiment from their "Blessings" set, both stamped in Versfine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

Finally, adding some white splatters using a Posca Pen.

Lavinia Stamps "Penblwydd Hapus" star card

This is a quick card I've made, with minimal stamping using Lavinia Stamps. 

I have used the stars from the Lavinia Stamps "Words 2" stencil with four shades of Archival Inks (Bright Tangelo, Forget Me Not, Pink Peony and Prickly Pear to create the background.  Around some of the stars I have used a Sakura shimmer pen to add a little extra detail.

I've used the Lavinia Stamps "Penblwydd Hapus"  (Happy Birthday) stamp from their "Welsh Words" set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze" ink.

Lavinia Stamps "Drooping Dandelion" new home card

Hi, hope you're coping alright in this heat.  I feel I am wilting like the dandelion in this card! 

I've used a Brusho background from my stash that I'd made some months ago for the base colour of this card. I used various shades of Versafine Clair inks through out this project.

I created the landscape using the torn edge of paper and ink.  I then stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Drooping Dandilion", "Tall Dandelion", "Leaf Creeper" and "Small Pixy Houses".  I have used a white Signo pen, and a glitter pen for extra details.

Lavinia Stamps "Mae" card

This morning I have had a chance to play with a couple of the recently released Lavinia Stamps, making this vintage looking card. 

I started with a white piece of card, covering it in "Antique Linen" Distress Oxide Ink.  I then used "Tea Dye" Distress Oxide Ink around the edges to darken them.  Through the Lavinia Stamps "Posy" stencil, I used "Aged Mahogany" Distress Oxide ink.  Removed the stencil and added a touch of the same colour around the edges to darken them further.

Using Versafine Clair "Chianti" dark red ink, I stamped "Mae", the "Small Lily Flowers" and the "Leaf Spray". Using Van Goch Pastel Pencils to colour the image and a white Signo pen to outline areas.

The sentiment is part of a Simon Says Stamp set called "Tiny Words - Birthday" which I stamped in Versafine Clair "Chianti" ink,

Lavinia Stamps "Seeing is Believing" on a Brusho gel plate background

Back from the caravan and I couldn't get at my craft desk quick enough!

I've used a Brusho Gel Plate background from my stash, but I had made a note of the colours I had used to create it.  I used "Mulberry" Element Ink and three shades of Brusho paints:  Lemon, White and Purple.

Over the top of that, I used the Lavinia Stamps "Posy" stencil with and orange and dark pink/purple Archival Ink.

I used the following Lavinia Stamps:  Seeing is Believing, Sacred Spells, and Dandelions stamped in Versafine Clairn "Nocturne" black ink.

I used a white pastel pencil to add highlights to the background area and a white Signo pen to highlight the fairy and the dandelions.

 

Funky Fossil "Lush Leaves" thank you card

I've been playing with Funky Fossil Design goodies today, creating this card. 

For the base, I have used a gel plate with Pan Pastels and the Funky Fossil "Lots of pips stencil.

I then used Distress Inks through the Funky Fossil "Lush Leaves stencil".

Next I filled the more empty areas with some text using the Funky Fossil "A7 vintage script" stamp with Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink.

Finally, adding a Funky Fossil "Thank you die cut sentiment".

Home made Skirt and Top (self drafted pattern)

You may recall my post a couple of days ago where I shared with you a simple summer skirt I had made.  

Yesterday, with the remaining fabric. I made a matching summer top, but this time with the striped pattern running vertically.  I self drafted the top, using an old t-shirt I had, cutting it up the seams and folding in half to get the shape.

I quite like the idea of having separates that I can mix up to give different looks, so I think I will experiment with these type of garments in future

There are a couple of things I would do differently if I should make it again, but on the whole I'm happy with the end result.

Lavinia Stamps "Stag and Tree of hope" Birthday Card

I've made a birthday card today using Lavinia Stamps, inspired by one of the Lavinia Stamps Design Team members "Annie Gardner Frazer.

I've used the Lavinia Stamps "Flurry" stencil with "Lime Punch" Elements inks for the round background pattern.

I've used Versafine Clair Inks to stamp the "Stag" and the "Tree of hope", colouring the tree with Distress Oxide Inks.

The sentiment, stamped in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink is by Simon Says Stamp, from their "Tiny words - Birthday".  I have also used touches of Posca Pens.

Funky Fossil "Surf's Up!" Birthday Card

Going through my stash of backgrounds, I came across a piece I had made using Brusho paints which I felt leant itself to be paired with the Funky Fossil Designs "Surf's Up!" clear stamp set. 

I stamped the sufing image using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.  I used the same stamp for the Funky Fossil "How Old?" sentiment which is part of the "Small Print #2" stamp set

A simple hand made summer skirt

I'm still in my sewing mode.  A couple of days ago, I pulled out some black and white striped fabric from my stash and decided to make a light and airy summer skirt.  If I remember correctly, I got the fabric from "Pound A Metre" on-line shop, maybe three years ago.

I didn't use a pattern for this, just really made a tube, hemmed one edge and then gathered and used elastic in the waist.  It should be a comfy wear in the warm weather.

I have a bit of this fabric left and I hope to be able to create a top with it, but having the stripe horizontally.  I've been to my local fabric shop to get some black cotton fabric, which has been washed and is drying on the line at present, as I will need to use that for the back of the top.

Funky Fossil Designs "Beauty's Garden" on a "Baroque" stencilled background

For some reason, I have overlooked the anniversary of our friends, which is tomorrow.  I've made a quick card which will go in the post today, but even though it will go first class postage, it's unlikely to arrive in time. 

I have used the Funky Fossil "Beauty's Garden" stamp set for the central urn, stamped in Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink.

I masked off the urn and covered the stamped image, then used the Funky Fossil "Baroque" stencil with "Weathered Wood" Distress Oxide Ink, applied with a Funky Fossil blending brush.

The "Better Late Than Never" sentiment is part of the Simon Says Stamp set called "Tiny Words - Birthday", which is also stamped in Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink.

More cushion covers

In my earlier post, I shared with you that while my sewing machine and overlocker were still out on the desk, I had made a start on making cushion covers to brighten and freshen the look of the front room.

Today, I have made more.  I think that will do for now.  I am liking the fresh look of them.

Cushion Covers

While the sewing machines have been out this weekend, I decided to make some fresh new cushion covers to go in the lounge as the old ones didn't fit the decor since we decorated.

I've used fabrics from my stash, using some Aldi fat quarters that were just the right colour.  I've made three cushion covers and plan to make more to fill the brown sofa.  

Is it silly that I find the overlocked edges of the underside of the cushion cover rather pleasing?  I guess it's an OCD thing.

When I have made the remaining covers, I will take a photo and share it on here to show the whole sofa fof cushions.

 

Simplicity 8926 hand made top

A different type of crafting for me yesterday, making this top using SimplicityS8926 sewing pattern. I chose this pattern and fabric as I am at the age where I fluctuate in temperatures hourly, so I thought somthing light and floaty would be ideal.

I originally made it longer, but after spending ages hand sewing the hem, decided it needed to be a few inches shorter, so cut three inches off then machine hemmed.

I like it more now that it is shorter, however I am not totally happy withe the neckline, it's a little big on me and gapes at the central front and back neckline area (circled). I think if I make the top again, I will make it in a size smaller and maybe use medium weight interfacing rather than light weight. I guess I should really make a toille before cutting into proper fabric, but having spent ages tracing the pattern and markings I just want to get cracking on the construction.

I really do wish I had a sewing guru I could consult on sewing.  I try my best, but generally I end up with something I'm not happy with for one reason or another/

Funky Fossil Designs "Surf's Up!" Card

I've played with the new "Surf's Up!" stamp set by Funky Fossil Designs making this card.

I started blending some Archival inks is shades of green and blue to create the background. I then stamped the Funky Fossil "A7 Halftone" stamp in Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze" ink.

Using the Funky Fossil Designs "Surf's Up!" stamp set and Versafine Clair "Twilight" ink, I stamped the surfer and the "Your wave is waiting sentiment".