I recently joined the Clarity Stamps "Stencil Club". I received my first stencil and welcome pack today, so of course I had to have a quick play.
The stencil is called "Abstract Droplets" by Clarity Stamps. I used five colours of Archival Inks through the stencil to create the background (Cactus Flower, Violet, Leaf Green, Forget-me-not and Vivid Chartreuse).
For the greeting, I used a stamp from the Clarity "Entwined Sentiments" set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Purple Delight" ink.
I've been away again, home just in time to do one of Eileen Godwin's challenges of create something "Abstract".
I raided my backgrounds file and found a tag I'd made a while back using "Bundled Sage" and "Peeled Paint" Distress Oxide Inks on a cream coloured tag.
I used "Peat Moss' Archival Ink through the Clarity "Abstract Droplet" stencil.
Next I used "Library Green" Archival Ink through the Clarity "Circle Dots" stencil.
Using a fine tip black pen, I drew some vertical lines, then drew some boxes on them, adding dots inbetween the boxes. Some of the boxes I coloured with a gold shimmer gel pen, the others I filled using a black Posca Pen, edging some with a metallic gold pen.
I inked the edges of the tag using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink before mounting it on to black card.
Finally, I added dots of black Ranger "Enamel Accents" and gold coloured Liquid Pearls.
Another day and another feather on a Brusho background, but quite different to the earlier one.
I raided my Brusho background file and found this blue and green piece of card, which was the ideal size for the Sweet Poppy "Feather" stencil.
I used Versafine Clair "Monarch" purple ink through the Sweet Poppy Stencil, I then coated it in "Rich Gold" Wow! Embossing powder and heat set with the heat gun.
I used "Monarch" again to stamp the sentiment, which is part of the Sweet Poppy "Autumn Leaves" stamp set.
Finally, inking the edges of the card in "Monarch" then mounting on co-ordinating paper and then a white card blank.
After making relatively clean cards in the past day, this evening I have gone all out to fill all the white space. It's one extreme to another!
I started with a Brusho background I had made a while back. I rubbed an anti-static bag over the surface of the card then stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Feather" and a sentiment from the "Heartfelt Verse" stamp set in Versafine Clair Medieval Blue. I immediately coated stamped images in Wow! Clear Embossing Powder and heat set using a heat gun.
I used "Bright Tangelo" Archival Ink through areas of the Lavinia "Elegance" Stencil. I then used "Cobalt" Archival Ink through the Lavinia Stamps "Waffle" stencil, trying not to overlap the stamped images, so each were allowed to breathe and highlight the design of each stencil.
Finally, I inked the edges of the card using Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" ink, then mounted it on to a dark blue card before placing on a card blank.
I've been playing with my heat gun today to make this card using a Sweet Poppy stencil.
I ran an anti-static bag over navy blue card then lay the Sweet Poppy Stencil called "Wildflower Butterfly SP2-129" which I believe may now be retired from the present collection.
Through the stencil, I applied Wow! Clear Embossing Ink using a finger dabber till all areas were covered.
I then covered the inked area with Wow! Rich Gold embossing powder and heat set.
I was going to add a head embossed sentiment, but decided that this card would be handy to have for any occasion, so decided to leave it blank.
One of the Lavinia Stamps I have hardly used is "Bogart", so I decided to make a card featuring this handsome guy.
I stamped "Bogart" in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink. I used a Simon Says Stamp from their "Tiny Words" stamp set for the sentiment, also stamped in Morning MIst.
I coloured Bogart and the water using a selection of Derwent Inktense Pencils, applied with a paint brush. I used: Lemon, Spring Green, Light Olive, Sicilian Yellow and Malibu.
I added touches of yellow Posca Pen, I also used a 2B pencil to add some extra tone and a white Gel Pen too. Finally, I added a dot of Ranger "Glossy Accents" to the eye.
Today, Tuesday 16th May, Eileen Godwin set a challenge to make a "Thank you" card. I've opted for the word "Diolch" which is the Welsh word for "Thanks".
I started by using shades of Archival Inks through the Lavinia Stamps "Words 1 Stencil" to create the floral background I used Leaf Green, Pink Peony, Violet and Cornflower Blue inks. I used the latter to blend the edges of the card.
Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the Lavinia "Fearn Heads" and the words "Diolch" which is part of the Lavinia "Welsh Words" stamp set.
Using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink, I stamped the Lavinia "Texture 1" at the base of the card. Finally adding some white dots of Ranger "Enamel Accents".
I've had a few days away again, so I of course couldn't wait to get back to my craft desk, especially as my order from Funky Fossil Designs was waiting for me to play with.
I joined the Funky Fossil Design Team when it first started in 2019. I love their products, especially the stencils, which were my first FF love.
Since 2022 I have been an "Honourary DT Member" which allows me to go away without feeling any pressure to keep up with releases. I guess it's the best of both worlds for me.
When the "Happiness Blooms" stamp set was released, I knew that I had to order it as I loved the clean look of the design. I wasn't disappointed in using it either. I love it.
I stamped the main image and sentiment (both part of the Happiness Blooms" stamp set) using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.
I used three colours of Derwent Inktense Pencils to colour the image: Golden Yellow, Cadmium Orange and Spring Green. Applied using a paint brush and building up the strength of colours. I finished off using a 2B Pencil and a white gel pen to add some tone too.
As I had the Lavinia Stamps "Tree of Dreams" stamp out, I decided to make another card using it.
Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Tree of Dreams" in the middle of the white card. I then stamped "Pipin" and one of the hares from the "Wild Hare" stamp set.
Using a black fine line pen, I extended the roots of the tree and drew a landscake.
I then used Archival Inks through the Lavinia "Elegance" stencil fading the pattern out towards the edges
I coloured the tree and the landscape using Derwent Inktense pencils.
I then used two shades of Versafine Clair Inks: Purple Delight and Monarch with a blending brush to blend the edges of the cards fading towards the middle of the card. I then edged the card in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.
I used Versafine Clair 'Purple Delight" ink to stamp the "Sacred Spells" verse around the edge of the tree.
Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" and "Morning Mist" I stamped the "Fairy Hives" hanging from the tree, adding dots of yellow Posca Pen to the windows.
I used an orange glitter and white gel pen to colour the climbers and to highlight the roots. I then used the orange glitter pen to add dots around the tree, to give the impression of leaves.
Using Gold Stickles, applied with my finger tip, I added sparkle to the tree canopy. In real life it looks really pretty, sadly the sparkle isn't picked up in this photograph.
After making some clean and simple cards, I've gone to the total other end by making this card, which is a take on a recent Lisa Taggart tutorial using the Lavinia Stamps "Tree of dreams". You can see her tutorial here.
Basically, to start this piece you apply a selection of Elements Ink to a gel plate, spritzing with water before taking a print. Then build up the colours by adding more ink and spritzing again.
Then using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, stamp the Lavina Stamps "Tree of Dreams". then apply more Element Inks building the depth of colour.
Extend the tree lower than the stamped image. Then use pastels, coloured pencils, gel pens, Posca pens to create the rest of the image.
The tutorial is very thorough and well worth a watch.
I'm either very late or very early making this Christmas card, but I just fancied making one!
I've used the Sweet Poppy "Snowflake Aperture Stencil", using "Forget me not" Archival Ink through the stencil.
I stamped the Sweet Poppy "Small Winter Cottage" in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink. I coloured the cottage image using Derwent Inktense pencils, using a paint brush.
I used a Simon Says Stamp sentiment, from their "Tiny Words - Christmas" stamp set, also stamped in "Morning Mist".
Finally, I added some sticky gems in two sizes to the snowflake wreath.
I thought it was time I used one of my Penny Black stamps as it has been a while, so made this card.
I used the Penny Black red rubber cling stamp called "Hello Dear 40-062", stamping the image in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.
To colour the stamped image, I used Derwent Inktense pencils, applied with a wet paint brush, addking touches of gel pen to the flowers at the base.
Finally, I stamped the sentiment, which is part of the Simon Says Stamp "Tiny Words - Birthday" stamp set in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist grey ink, before mounting the card on to a lilac piece of card and then on to a card blank.
A late craft session from me today as I've had a migraine that is still lingering. Hopefully it will have passed by the morning.
I rummaged in my file of prepared backgrounds and found one made on the gel plate with bubble wrap, to create the pattern, which I thought would okay. Then cut it into a tag shape.
I stamped the Sweet Poppy Stencil "Foxglove" stamp in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink. I then coloured it using Derwent Inktense pencils, applied with a paint brush. I added touches of white and purple gel pens.
It seems like ages since I last used my Lavinia Stamps, but as I needed to make a card for a horse mad young lady, the "Horse & Foal" stamp seemed ideal for the focus of the birthday card.
I used the Sweet Poppy "Circle Aperture" stencil for the central round area. Using "Sky Blue" Archival Ink with a blending brush to create a very subtle background. I then lay the Lavinia Stamps "Feather Leaf Stencil" over the top and used the same ink and brush to provide a quiet background pattern.
I was in two minds to keep all the stamping within the circle or let some of it "off the edge". I decided on the latter.
I stamped the large tree, the Lavinia Stamps "Elm" Tree in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, allowing the branches to extend past the circle edge. Using the same ink, I stamped the Lavinia "Horse & Foal".
Using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink, I created the landscape using a finger dabber to apply the ink over the torn edge of copy paper.
Using the same ink and the Lavinia Stamps "Small Trees", I stamped the tree images so they looked like they were in the distance.
I used a black pastel pencil to create the impression of shadows from the legs of the horse and foal. I then used a black fine line pen to give the impression of grass in the foreground.
Finally, I stamped the "Happy Birthday" using the Lawn Fawn "Simply Sentiments" stamp set.
I'm back to a cleaner look with this VW Camper Van card using products from several different manufacturers.
I started by stamping the camper van, which was a free stamp within a "Creative Stamping Magazine (Issue 54), stamped in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink. I then stamped the van again on a post it note, fussy cut the image and popped it over the original stamped image to make a mask.
With the mask in place, I then lay the Sweet Poppy "Aperture Circle Stencil" over the top and coloured the background in "Peat Moss" Archival ink. I then lay the Clarity "Sunshine Stencil" over the top and applied "Sky Blue" Archival Ink through the stencil.
Removing the stencils, I then coloured the camper van using Derwent Inktense pencils, applied with a paint brush. I also added touches of silver Gel Pen for the chrome areas of the van.
To finish the card, I stamped "Happy Birthday", which is part of the Lawn Fawn "Simply Sentiments" stamp set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink. I then mounted the card on to co-ordinating card stock and then on to a white 7"x7" card blank.
I fancied doing a bit of crafting, but didn't want to make a card, so made this ATC (Artist Trading Card). It's just two and half by three and a half inches, so a small area to work with.
I started by using a blending brush with "Pink Peony" Archival Ink, blending from the edges towards the middle, so that the edges were darker than the central area.
I then used the Paperartsy "JOFY JM11" red rubber stamp with Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the text/flower image.
I coloured the berries with a Posca Pen, colouring the leaves with two shades of Derwent Inktense pencils, applied with a brush.
I used "Plum" Archival Ink through the Funky Fossil "Abstract Bamboo Stencil", using the same ink to darken the edges of the ATC. I then used "Nocturne" on the very edge to make the colours pop.
Next, I lay the Funky Fossil "Celebrations Stencil" over the ATC and applied "Blue Bird" Archival Ink through the dots, fading from left to right. I then used a fine tipped pen to draw around the circles for definition.
I've not been feeling quite right today. Nothing I can put my finger on, just not right, which meant I've not crafted until this evening. Hopefully it will have passed by the morning.
I've used a selection of products from Clarity Stamps, starting with the "Leaf Stamp and Stencil set". I stamped the leaf in Versafine Clair "Verdant" light green ink.
I then coloured the stamped image using the following shades of Derwent Inktense pencils: Spring Green, Leaf Green and Wild Flame, applied with a brush. I added touches of yellow and orange Posca Pen to the middle of the flowers. Then used a 2B pencil to add a little definition.
I then lay the leaf mask over the top of the stamp and coloured image and edged it with Versafine Clair 'Verdant" and "Shady Lane" green inks.
I then lay the Clarity "Sunshine Stencil" over the topand faded out Versafine Clair "Verdant" ink towards the edges.
I used Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" mid green coloured ink to stamp "Thank You", which is part of the "Entwined Sentiments" stamp set.
This evening, I have had a play using the new Octopus stamp from Sweet Poppy Stencils.
I found a Brusho background I had made some months ago which I thought would be suitable for a watery background.
I stamped the Octopus image using Versafine Clair "Blue Belle" ink. Then coloured the image using Derwent Inktense Pencils applied with a brush, building up the colour to create layers of colour. I added touches of a white gel pen and a yellow Posca Pen, finally adding Ranger "Glossy Accents" to the eyes and the suckers.
Sometimes when I'm laying in bed in the early hours, I get an idea for a card and I can't let the thought go. I had that problem this morning, so had to get up and make the card and this is it.
I've used one of the new stamps from the Sweet Poppy Stencils "Botanical" range called "Lily of the valley". I've stamped the flower using Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink on Kraft card.
I've coloured the image using Derwent Inktense pencils. The sentiment is also by Sweet Poppy Stencils but I'm not sure what it is called as I think this set is retired from their range.
Once again, I am back from a few days away and I really missed my crafting, so while the first load of washing was in the machine, I got cracking and made this mixed media card.
I used lots of products on this and to be honest I didn't make notes, so don't recall what order I used things, so I'll list the products I used.
Visible Image - Free Your Imagination Stamp Set
Visible Image - Atomic Flower Stencil
Visible Image - Supernova Stencil
Visible Image - Strobes Stencil
Visible Image - Halftone Stencil
Archival Ink - Prickly Pear
Archival Ink - Garden Patina
Archival Ink - Sky Blue
Archival Ink - Watering Can
Versafine Clair - Nocturne Black Ink
Ranger - Distress Texture Crackle Paste
Ranger - White Enamel Accents
Posca Pen - Yellow
Unibal Signo Pen - White