Lavinia Stamps "Forest Inn" New Home Card

I've played with my Lavinia Stamps today to make this New Home card. 

I stamped the Lavinia toadstool image, called "Forest Inn" in second generation Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.  I used the same ink to stamp the Hobby Art Ltd sentiment too.

I stamped the "Woodland Ferns" and the "Leaf Spray" in Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink in first and second generation stamping.

I used Derwent Inktense water colour pencils, Van Goch Pastel Pencils, Posca Pens and Gelly Roll pens to colour the image.

Funky Fossil Designs "Scribble Hare" tag

Today I have had a play with one of the new wildlife stamps from Funky Fossil Designs called "Scribble Hare" designed for Funky Fossil by "Mo's Art UK". 

I started with colouring the background with what I think of as hot colours, using the following Distress Oxide Inks:  Spiced Marmalade, Rusty Hinge, Crackling Campfire, Barn Door and Candied Apple.

Once dry, I stamped the Funky Fossil Designs "Scribble Hare" in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, immediately sprinkling Wow! Clear Embossing Powder over the stamped image and then heat setting the image.

I then used the Funky Fossil Slimiline "Brick Wall Upright" stencil with another two Distress Oxide Inks:  Barn Door and Aged Mahogany.

Using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink, with a script stamp from the Funky Fossil "Musings" stamp set I lightly stamped areas of the tag.

Using a Quickie Glue pen and Cosmic Shimmer Gold Gilding flakes, I adhered little flecks of gold over the surface of the tag.

I then masked the stamped hare image and splattered white Posca Pen over the surface of the tag.

Once the white paint was dry, I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne Ink" to darken the edges of the tag.  I gave the tag a blast of the heat gun to dry the surface, then used a metallic gold pen loosely around the edges of the tag.

Finally, I used a white Gelly Roll Pen to add light areas to the eyes and whiskers.

Lavinia Stamps "Druid's Inn" and the hare card

It's another early morning crafting session for me today, creating this card using a selection of Lavinia Stamps 

I used a background from my stash that I had made some months ago, using spray inks with a spritz of the Lavinia Stamps "Mysticals" spray (unfortunately, it doesn't show up on this photo).  it was only a small background, so I had to work with the size I had, hence using landscape rather than portrait position.

I used the following Lavinia Stamps:  Druid's Inn, Tree Root, Small Branch, Forest Spruce and a hare from the Wild Hare Set with stamping in various shades of Versafine Clair inks.  I coloured using Van Goch Pastel Pencils and a white gelly roll pen.

Card-io Majestix "Hares" Christmas Card

Recently, I have seen so many posts menitoning the "C" Word - "Christmas"!  Which made me want to make a card. I have used three Card-io Majextix clear stamp sets to create this card, using the large tree from "Peaceful Place", the trees in the backgroud from the "Mini Tall Trees" set and the hares from the "Field Day" stamp set, all stamped in Versafine Clair Inks.

For the background, I used three shades of Archival Inks:  Cobalt, Blue Bird and Shadow Grey.

The sentiment, is part of a Simon Says Stamp Set called "Tiny Words - Christmas".

 

Funky Fossil Designs "Architectural" card

I was having trouble sleeping last night, so decided to get up and craft, making this card. 

I used Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink to stamp the image, using Funky Fossil Designs "Architectural" stamp set, then used Wow! Clear Embossing Powder and heat set.  Once dry and cooled, I used a mask to cover the stamped area and then used four shades of Archival Ink (Cornflower Blue, Orange Blossom, Red Geranium and Chrome Yellow) to create the patterned background, finally adding some sticky backed pearls.

Netgalley Book Review "Holiday Romance" by Catherine Walsh

The past ten days, I have been reading a new book via Netgalley, called "Holiday Romance" by Catherine Walsh.  This book will be available to purchase from 4th October 2022 or you can pre-order on Amazon now.

I absolutely loved this book, from the bright red cover to the last sentence of the epilogue.  The story made me laugh out loud, it was a fabulous festive read which I was really sorry to finish.

Funky Fossil Designs "Pumpkin" stencilled card

Today I've been playing with a new stencil by Funky Fossil Designs, called "Pumpkin Trio" .  I paired the stencil with the bunny from the Funky Fossil "Critters in cups" stamp set.  Using the "Hello Sentiment Die".

I coloured the image using the new Tim Holtz Distress Water Colour Pencils and Van Goch Pastel Pencils, stamping the rabbit in Versfine Clair "Morning Mist" Grey Ink.

Funky Fossil Designs "Tie Dye Stencil" Good Luck Card

A young man that we have watched grow from a baby, goes off to university this week.  Huge changes ahead for not just this lovely boy but also his family too, who will miss him so much. As I couldn't sleep, I decided to get up and make a card for him.
 

I started by blending colours for the background, starting in the middle and working outwards using the following Distress Oxide Ink colours: Squeezed Lemonade, Wild Honey and Carved Pumpkin. I gave it a blast of the heat gun to dry off the ink.

I then taped the Funky Fossil Designs "Tie Dye Stencil" over the top and used a further two shades of Distress Oxide Ink, using Villainous Potion in the middle and then Wilted Violet out towards the edges.

I decided the image needed something else, so I edged the pattern area using a gold shimmer Gelly Roll Pen, which added an extra dimension.

I stamped the sentiment, part of the Stampers Anonymous "Saying Stuff" clear stamp set in Versafine Clair "Monarch" purple ink.

Ranger Tim Holtz "Distress Water Colour Pencils" first play session

In an earlier post, I mentioned I had ordered the Ranger / Tim Holtz Distress Water Colour Pencils from "Art From The Heart" .

I had a lovely mail box full of goodies today, including the new Distress Water Colour Pencils, so I of course had to have a play, creating this tag.  I went full on grunge, something I've not done for a while and to be honest, I enjoyed every minute of it!

I used one of the backgrounds I'd prepared a couple of days ago, using Tumbled Glass and Tea Dye Distress Oxide Inks for the base.

I stamped in black Archival Ink, uisng a couple of Stampers Anonymous red rubber stamp sets:  Haberdashery - CMS105 and a sentiment from the Perspective Set - CMS213.  I didn't keep note of the colours of water colour pencils I used, just picking up the ones that I was drawn to.

I found the Distress pencils really easy to use.  I liked that you could lay a lot of colour down at once, but also they way they can be diluted.  One of the best things about them is that they are a continuation of the lovely collection of colours already in the existing range, which I have a whole lot of love for!

For me, this tag shares my love of paper crafting and my addiction to sewing so I love it.

Tim Holtz new Distress Water Colour Pencils

I was very excited by the recently announced new release by Ranger/Tim Holtz of Distress Water Colour Pencils.  I watched the long release video where Tim shows you how they work and decided I needed to get them.

I have ordered all three sets from Art From The Heart and I can not wait for them to arrive.

Inspired by the video, I decided to start creating some typical grungy Tim Oxide backgrounds so that I could play with the pencils as soon as they arrive.  

I am now in stalking the Postie mode... it's going to be a long week!

Netgalley Book Review: Snowflakes and Secrets in the Scottish Highlands by Donna Ashcroft

Snowflakes and Secrets in the Scottish Highlands by Donna Ashcroft - I was instantly drawn to this book by the festive cover, which invited me into a winter wonderland.  I like the flow of the writing and enjoyed the story too.  What more can you ask of a book!

Twenty five year old budding author Merry McKenzie from Hertfordshire, wants to reclaim her life back.  She realises that she has relied on her three older brothers for too long, it's time to stand on her own two feet and get on with her life

Her Aunt Ava, who lives in "Christmas Village" in the Highlands, asks Merry to house sit and to look after her many animals while she is abroad. Merry takes this as the opportunity to move on with her life plan.

On arrival, Merry scans the many notes an animal care, detailing a secret festive mission that she would like Merry to take care of for her.  Unfortunately, the house rabbit has other ideas, destroying the notes and leaving Merry to work out the mission for herself with the help of local vet, Theo.

Funky Fossil "Meadow Flower Silhouette" stencil card

Today I have made a CAS card using two stencils and a stamp set from Funky Fossil Designs 

I used "Saltwater Taffy" Distress Oxide Ink through the Funky Fossil "Round in dots stencil".

I then used "Unchartered Mariner" Distress Oxide Ink through the Funky Fossil "Meadow flower silhouette stencil".

Finally, stamping a sentiment from the Funky Fossil "Small Print stamp set", using "Warm Breeze" Versafine Clair ink.

Lavinia Stamps "Lori the hare" new baby card

This afternoon, I have played with my Lavinia Stamps, creating this New Baby card. 

In the background, I have used the Lavinia Stamps "Flower Mask" with "Salt Water Taffy" Distress Oxide Ink.  I have then added a touch of extra colour to the central area of the flower using Van Goch Pastel Pencils.

I have used three shades of Versafine Clair inks: Shady Lane, Chiante and Acorn for the stamping.

I used the following Lavinia Stamps:  Lori, Wild Hare Set, Maple Leaf, Woodland Fern, Small Branch and Leaf Creeper.

The sentiment is part of a set by Personal Impressions.

I've used a white gel pen to highlight areas and Posca Pens to create the impression of flowers in the grass.

Penny Black Inc "Sprigs 30-284" card

I've used a small off-cut of a previous project (using Distress Oxide Spray Inks) for the background of this card.

I've stamped the Penny Black Inc "Sprigs 30-294" clear stamp set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.  I've used a white gel pen for highlights.