52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge

Friday 31 May 2024

Lavinia Stamps "Forest Leaf" in Autumn Card




For this card, I used three shades of Elements Inks on a piece of white card for the background colour, using Sundance, Russet Orange and Paprika shades of ink.

I then used the "Russet Orange" again through the Lavinia "Floral Stencil" giving a very subtle pattern in the background.

Next, using Versafine Clair "Pinecone" dark brown ink, I stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Forest Leaf" stamp.  Around the edge of the stamped image, I used Versafine Clair "Portobello" a mid brown coloured ink to stamp the Lavinia "Mystic Swirl.  I then used Versafine Clair "Strawberry" red ink to multi stamp the Lavinia "Winter Spice" verse.  

I inked the edges of the card using Versafine Clair "Acorn" and "Pinecone".  Using the "Pinecone" ink again to stamp the Lavinia sentiment, which is part of the "Words from the heart" stamp set.

I added some white paint splatters to the surface and then added extra colour to the leaves of the "Floral Leaf" stamped image using Derwent Inktense pencils.  Finally, I used a 2B pencil to add some depth to the underside of the leaves and added some touches of gold gel pen to the background and the leaves.

Thursday 30 May 2024

My Zentangle Habit



About few weeks ago, I decided to try my hand at the art of "Zentangle", it's a type of doodle.  I bought a little square book with blank pages from Amazon and had a go.  These are some of my recent makes.


For the background colour, I have used the Creative Expressions, Cosmic Shimmer Iridescent water colour paints, which do indeed have a wonderful shimmer to them.


So far, I have completed about twenty five pages in my book of about ninety pages.


I do quite a bit of my Zentangle doodling while at the caravan.  It keeps my hands busy and I only need to take a small bag with my book, pencil case and paints in it, so it doesn't take up a lot of space.









Stash Busting Collage #2


 

Today I have continued to use my off-cuts from previous projects to create another collage.

For this collage, I have used off-cuts of papers from Funky Fossil Designs paper stacks.  The white and blue edged fussy cut flower was part of a Funky Fossil stamp set called "Funky Florals".

In my box of bits and bobs, I found a bit of a honeycomb die cut and some sort of foliage, both in white.  I finished the collage by adding a Tim Holtz Idea-ology word sticker from the "Small Talk" set, which says "look on the bright side" which I thought was apt as the papers were so bright.

Wednesday 29 May 2024

Penny Black "Animal Wisdom 30-352" Birthday Card



I've gone very clean and simple with this card, using the Penny Black "Animal Wisdom 3052" stamp set with Versafine Clair "Portobello" and "Grass Green" to stamp the image and sentiment.

I've coloured the stamped image using Distress Oxide Inks.  I used Tea Dye, Rusty Hinge, Worn Lipstick and Twisted Citron.  I coloured the sunglasses with a purple Posca Pen.

Tuesday 28 May 2024

Funky Fossil Designs "Celestial" Card



I made this card using some older stamps from Funky Fossil Designs.  It was nice to reacquaint myself with them.

I started with a 6x6" piece of white card.  In the middle of the card, using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink, I stamped the lightbulb, which is part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Celestial" stamp set.  

I then stamped the feathers, which are part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Magical" stamp set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" ink.

In the background, I randomly applied three shades of Distress Oxide Inks with a paint brush.  The colours I used are Tumbled Glass, Bundled Sage and Wilted Violet.  I Inked the edges of the card with the Wilted Violet too.

Next, using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink, I stamped the hanging jewels, which are also part of the Funky Fossil Designs stamp set called "Celestial". I coloured the jewels with Posca Pens.

I then coloured the bulb and the feathers using Derwent Inktense pencils, applied with a paint brush.  Finally, I added touches of a gold gel pen to the feathers and a white gel pen for the highlights.

Monday 27 May 2024

Cat Collage Card



Like many crafters, I loathe to throw any bits away.  This includes off cuts of projects and die cuts never used. Because I have been making so many items the last three months, my box of bits and bobs is struggling to close, so I decided to make a collage, using some of the pieces I'd kept.

I can't tell you much about the process of this.  I started with a three and a half inch square piece of white card and just covered it.  Mainly I have used off-cuts from gel plate printing, some snippets of torn book pages and die cuts.  If I recall correctly, the cat is from a Memory Box die and the black circular area in the top right is from a Tim Holtz die.  I suspect the "Love" die cut word is from a Sizzix / Stampin' Up word die set.  That's all I can tell you about the process.

I really like the way this has turned out.  I especially like the hints of lime green that lift all the blues.

Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay challenge - Day 100



Today, is Day 100 of the Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay challenge - the final day!  I have to say, there have been times when I thought I might walk away from this challenge, but I'm glad I have completed it now.  This last day, there is no prompt, just "anything goes", so this is my final challenge make.

Starting with a white piece of card, I gave it a water colour wash using three shades of Elements Inks, using Della Blue, Dark Denim and Midnight Blue colours, using a heat gun to dry the surface.

I then stamped the Creative Expressions "The Places You Go" stamp designed by Andy Skinner, stamped in Versafine Clair "Twilght" dark blue ink.

I created the hills using more "Della Blue" Element Inks and Versafine Clair "Twilight" inks.  I then added colour to the stamped image using Derwent Inktense pencils and a white gel pen for highlights.

Sunday 26 May 2024

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 22



This is a weekly challenge. I provide you with a prompt/theme each Sunday morning through out the year.  The challenge is very relaxed.  You can do as much or as little as you like.  You can create cards, tags, Artist Trading Cards (ATC's) or index cards, the choice is yours. You just go with what ever is in your head at the time.  You can stamp, get inky, use patterned papers, texture, embellish it is all down to you.

There is a dedicated private Facebook Group, with a lovely bunch of people who are already sharing their makes from previous challenges.  You can find the group by clicking this link.  I'd love you to join in.

The Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2024:

The prompt for Week 22 is "Footwear / Footprints"

*****

This is the tag that I have made for the Week 22. 

I started with a plain white tag, using "Shadow Grey" Ranger Archival Ink through the Clarity Stamps "High Heel Shoe" stencil.

Next, I stamped the two shoes and the sentiment, all are part of a Hero Arts clear stamp set called "High Heels - CL303".  Stamping in Versfine Clair "Fantasia" purple ink for the top shoe, "Glamorous" pink ink for the lower shoe and "Nocturne" for the sentiment.

I stamped the shoes on the tag itself and then on a piece of white card.  I coloured the shoes on the white card using a purple Posca Pen and a pink Derwent Inktense pencil.  Then fussy cut and stuck the shoe shapes on to the tag.

I inked the edges of the tag using versafine Clair "Glamorous" pink ink. Mounting the tag on to a piece of purple card.  

I felt the tag needed more, so I used a grey Posca Pen and a pink Gel Pen to add dots in between the grey shoes in the background to finish the tag.


Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge - Day 99



Today is Day 99 of the Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay challenge - it also happens to be the penultimate day too, with an "Anything goes" theme.  For my last but one challenge make, I have gone all out grunge!

I started with an off cut of patterned paper then used the Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous "Shifter Layering Stencil - THS127" with "Shadow Grey" Ranger Archival Ink.

Next, I used the Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous "Doodle Art 2 Stencil - THS142 with "Seafarer" Ranger Archival ink.

For the music score, I used the Stampers Anonymous "Butterfly Melange" stamp set with Versafine Clair "Chianti" dark red ink.

I decided the tag needed some warmth so added touches of "Orange Blossom" Ranger Archival Ink to the top left and bottom right.

I then used "Cobalit" Ranger Archival Ink through the Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous "Strings Stencil - THS004".

I added three sections of typed text, torn from a yellowed old book.

Next I used Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink to stamp the bird, sentiment and scrolls, which are all part of the Sizzix/Tim Holtz "Love You 660190" stamp and die set.  I used the same ink to ink the edges of the tag, then mounted it on to a piece of kraft card.  Finally, adding some dots of black Ranger "Enamel Accents".

Saturday 25 May 2024

Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge - Day 98



Today is Day 98 of the Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay challenge.  The prompt for this week is circles and dots.

I started by swooshing a piece of card through spritzed "Abandoned Coral" Distress Oxide ink.  I used a heat gun to dry it.  Then using a fan shaped paint brush splattered "Worn Lipstick" Distress Oxide Ink over the surface to achieve an informal two tone look to the surface.  Once dry, I die cut the piece of card into circles of various sizes and stuck on a piece of white card.  

I inked the edges of the card in "Abandoned Coral" Distress Oxide Ink and then "Portobello" Versafine Clair Ink, then mounted on to dark brown card and then a white card blank.

On a piece of white card, I used Versafine Clair "Portobello" brown ink to stamp the birds and the enjoy sentiment.  Both are part of a Penny Black Inc clear stamp set called "Enjoy - 30-024".  I then die cut the image using a circle die and inked the edges in the colours used previously.  I then stuck the circle to the middle of the card using foam pads to elevate it a little.

Finally, I used a Dotting Tool with Decoart Americana "Pebble" shade of ink to create the dots in between the large coral dots to fill the white background space.

Friday 24 May 2024

Sweet Poppy Stencils "Snowberries" gift tag

 


I made this quick gift tag using Sweet Poppy Stencil products.

I started with a cream coloured tag, laying the Sweet Poppy Stencil called "Plaid Backplate" over the tag and applying two shades of Ranger Archival Inks through the bottom right hand side of the tag, fading the colour out towards the top.  The two coloured inks I used were "Prickly Pear" and "Leaf Green".

Using Versafne Clair "Shady Lane" ink, which is a mid green colour, I stamped the Sweet Poppy "Snowberries" and also the sentiment from the Sweet Poppy "Hugs and Kisses" stamp set.

I coloured the snowberry branch using Derwent Inktense pencils applied with a paint brush.

Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge - Day 97



Today is Day 97 of the Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge.  The prompt for this week is "Circles and Dots".

Starting with a 7x7" white card, I used a blending brush in circular motions, with "Sunflower" Ranger Archival Ink to colour a rough circle in the middle of the card.  I then used the same ink through the Vivsible Image "Supernova" stencil.

I then used "Bright Tangello" Ranger Archival Ink through the Visible Image "Breakout stencil".

Next, using Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink, I stamped the large daisy from the Visible Imafe "Daisy Grunge" stamp set.  I used Derwent inktense Pencils with a paint brush to colour the daisy.

I used Versafine Clair "Summertime" with the Visible Image "Grunge Tones" stamp set to create the circles around the top and left of the daisy, using an orange coloured Posca Pen to colour the larger dots.

Finally, I splattered black and white paint across the surface using Posca Pens,

Thursday 23 May 2024

Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay challenge - Day 96



Today is Day 96 of the Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay challenge.  This week is all about dots and circles.

For my make, I cut a piece of white card into a tag shape and used three shades of Elements Inks to colour the background.  The colours I used were Lime Punch, Green Sleeves and Pine.

Over the top of the background, I lay the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "Bubbles Layering Stencil THS138", secured with a piece of low tack tape.  I then used the "Mermaid" Elements Ink through the stencil.

Next I cut the white flowers using the Spellbinders "Blooms One" die set.  Sticking the flowers on to the tag with wet glue.  I then mounted the tag on to a piece of white card.

Finally, I used a dotting tool to colour the middle of the flowers using Decoart Americana Bright Orange and Primary Yellow acrylic paint.

Wednesday 22 May 2024

Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge - Day 95



Today is Day 95 of the Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay challenge.  This week is all about dots and circles.

For this card, I used the Memory Box "Large Circle Burst Die - 98478" to cut out the decorative dots and the large inner circle.  I then mounted the white card on to navy blue card and then on to a white card blank.

Next, using the inner circle of the die, I stamped the new Lavinia stamp called "Luka" the cat in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

Around the edge of the circle, I stamped sections of the new Lavinia stamp called "River Root Corner" in Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" ink.  I then inked the actual edge of the circle in the same ink.

In the background, I used two shades of Versafine Clair inks, using "Blue Belle" for the land and the new "Bali Blue" for the sky.

I then stamped the Lavinia "Small Branch" using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.  I used a white gel pen to add highlights to the circle.  Finally, I added sticky foam pads to the underside of the circle and stuck the image over the circle on the card blank.

Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge - Day 94



Yesterday, was Day 94 of the Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay challenge.  We decided to stay an extra couple of nights at the caravan, so this piece is a day late.  The challenge for this week is all abouts "Dots and Circles".

For this card, I used three colours of Ranger Archival Inks, uisng Sunflower, Tea Rose and Poppy shades through the Clarity Stamps "Orbit Stencil" for the background design.

I used Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" to stamp the word "Congratulations", which is part of the Clarity "Entwined Sentiments" stamp set.

I then used three shades of Versafine Clair Inks (Tulip Red, Morning Mist and Strawberry) with the Clarity "Doodle Disc Framers" stamp set.

Monday 20 May 2024

Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge - Day 93



Today, is Day 93 of the Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge.  The prompt for this week is "Circles and Dots".  Just one more week of the challenge left, where have these weeks gone?

A clean and simple design today, using the Clarity Stamps "Circle Nested Embedder Stencils" with three shades of Ranger Archival Inks.  I've used "Shadow Grey" for the outer colour, "Garden Patina" for the middle colour and "Cobalt" for the central colour.

Using Versafine Clair "Blue Belle" ink, I stamped the flying person, the branches and the word "dream", which are all part of the Clarity A6 stamp called "Fly Away".

Sunday 19 May 2024

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 21



This is a weekly challenge. I provide you with a prompt/theme each Sunday morning through out the year.  The challenge is very relaxed.  You can do as much or as little as you like.  You can create cards, tags, Artist Trading Cards (ATC's) or index cards, the choice is yours. You just go with what ever is in your head at the time.  You can stamp, get inky, use patterned papers, texture, embellish it is all down to you.

There is a dedicated private Facebook Group, with a lovely bunch of people who are already sharing their makes from previous challenges.  You can find the group by clicking this link.  I'd love you to join in.

Week 21 prompt for The Crafting Niche "52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024" is "TEXTURE".

***

This is the tag that I made for Week 21 with a prompt of "Texture".

I coated a plain tag with three shades of metalic sticky backed foil tape.  I used a mat copper, a shiny copper tape and a shiny silver tape.  You can buy these tapes from hardware stores, I believe plumbers and heating engineers use it.  I was fortunate that my Hubby had some from a previous job, so I nabbed the rest of it.  He won't see it again!

Anyway, once you have covered your tag, smooth the surface.  An old credit card or similar works well.  I then put the whole tag in an embossing folder.  I don't recall, who made it but it had lovely wavy lines on it.  I then ran it through the Big Shot.  I realised I had put the tag in the wrong way round, with the wavy lines being concaved, rather than sitting high/embossed, so I worked with what I had - a happy accident.

I then covered the whole tag with a black sharpie.  Once the tag was covered, I rubbed the surface of the tag with a piece of kitchen roll, to reveal the original colours of the tape, but with the wavy lines being black.  Then with scissors, I cut along one of the wavy lines, so I then had two pieces, one for future use (see below).  



Setting the two pieces to one side, I moved on to work on the dark side of the tag.  I covered a plain tag with black card, then put it through a Crafters Companion/Gemini Embossing Folder and popped it through the Big Shot.

This embossing folder has quite a deep design, so I decided to apply some Cosmic Shimmer "Platinum Gilding Wax" over the top, applied with my finger, which highlighted the design.  I then glued the left hand side of the metalic tape tag on to the tag.

Because the tag was quite thick, I went around the edges with a black Sharpie Pen.  I then mounted the tag on to a piece of black card, trimming to tag shape.

Finally, I raided my crafting embellishments.  I found a Tim Holtz / Idea-ology word sticker, with the word "Feel" which I thought was appropriate.  I popped it on to the tag, then outlined the word with a white gel pen.

I then added some small circular embellishments, following the wavy line.

Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge - Day 92



Today is Day 92 of the Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay challenge.  This is the first day of a new prompt of "Dots and Circles".

For this card, I used a stencil called "Dotty Circles" by Funky Fossil Designs with "Leaf Green" Archival Ink for the background pattern.

Over the top of the dotty circles, I stamped a stamp by Crafty Individuals, (sorry I have no idea what the name of the stamp is), stamped in Versafine Clair "Summertime" orange ink.

Finally, I added a Tim Holtz Idea-ology "Big Chat" word sticker, then mounted the card on to green and then white card.

Saturday 18 May 2024

Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge - Day 91



Today is Day 91 of the Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay challenge, this is the last day with the prompt of "inks".

This was a quick make card.  I found a small piece of kraft card, only 4"x4" - it was one of those situations - do or ditch.  I decided to use it.

Going through my stamps, I came across a set from my scrapbooking days, I think it was by 7gypsies and has not seen the light of days for around fifteen or more years!  I decided to address this by using a couple of the stamps from the set.

I rubbed an anti-static bag over the surface of the kraft card, popped it in my stamping platform then using a Wow! Clear Embossing Pad, coated the stamp and stamped.  I did this a couple of times as the Kraft card tends to absorb the ink quicker than normal card.  I then covered the inked area with Wow! Opaque Bright White Embossing Powder and heat set. Finally mounting the kraft card on to a white card blank.

Friday 17 May 2024

Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge - Day 90



Today is Day 90 of the Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay challenge.  This week I am working with inks.

On this tag, I have stamped using a stencil.  I used the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "Bouquet Layering Stencil THS143", dabbing four colours of Elements Inks direct on to the stencil.  The colours I used are:  Russet Orange, Lime Punch, Confetti and Violet Chalk.  I spritzed the inked stencil with water, then turned it on top of a cream coloured tag, smoothing the surface to ensure a reasonable coverage of ink.  

My stencil print actually turned out a bit patchy, so to fill the gaps, I used the same colours of inks with the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "String Layering Stencil THS103".  This added an extra layer of colour.

I used a sentiment from the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "Phrases 2" red rubber cling stamp set, stamping in Versafine Clair "Monarch" purple ink.  I used the same ink to edge the tag too.

Finally, after mounting the tag on to a piece of card, I added a trail of white Range Enamel Accent dots across the surface of the tag.

Thursday 16 May 2024

Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge - Day 89



Today is Day 89 of the Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay challenge.  This week is about "inks".

For this card, I started by using low tack tape to position the large Lavinia Stamps acetate circle/masks.

Within the circle, I used six colours of Ranger Archival Inks through the star section of the Lavinia Stamps "Words 2 Stencil".  The colours I used are:  Sky Blue, Pink Peony, Tiger Lily, Chrome Yellow, Prickly Pear and Vivid Chartreuse.

Around the edge of the circle I used "Shadow Grey" Ranger Archival ink, to accentuate the edge of the circle a little more.

I then used Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink to stamp the Lavinia Stamps "Large Key" and the Simon Says Stamp "Congratulations" sentiment, which is part of their "Tiny Words" stamp set.

Finally, I used a white gel pen on the stamped key area and round the edge of the circle.  I then edged some of the stars using a gold sparkly gel pen.

Wednesday 15 May 2024

Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge - Day 88



Today is Day 88 of the Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay challenge.  This week I'm using "inks".

For the base of this tag, I used four shades of Dylusion Spray Inks, using Lemon Soft, Fresh Linen, Bubblegum Pink and London Blue colours.

I then used two "Oakhouse Studio" stamps, I've had these for years and I believe the company is now closed, but the stamps continue to be pulled out of my stash every so often. I used Versafine Clair "Monarch" purple ink to stamp the flowers.

I used a white pastel pencil to colour the petails and a white gel pen to go around the edges and also to draw white lines between the flowers.

Finally, I added tiny dots of orange and yellow Posca Pens to the middle of the flowers.

Tuesday 14 May 2024

Lavinia Stamps "Arch of Angels" Card



I decided to have a play with the new Lavinia Stamps release, this time playing with an archway stamp.

I started by stamping the Lavinia Stamps "Arch of Angels" using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.  I then used the Lavinia "Red Brick Stencil" with three shades of Ranger Archival Inks (Shadow Grey, Orange Blossom and Prickly Pear).

I gave the archway a wash of Distress Oxide Inks, using Antique Linen, Tea Dye, Pumice Stone and Weathered Wood.  Within the archway, I stamped the "Silhouette Castle" using "Morning Mist" Versafine clair ink.  I then coloured the background using the following Distress Oxide Inks:  Tumbled Glass, Bundled Sage and Crushed Olive colours. I then stamped the new "Inner Gate" in Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" grey ink.

Using Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" I stamped the "Leaf Creeper" trailing down the building and the "Thiimble Weed" growning up the building. I then used Versafine Clair "Spruce" green ink with one of the "Foliage Set" of stamps.  Then added the "Small Branch" stamped in Versafine Clair "Portobello" brown ink.

Finally, I used a 2B pencil for low lights/shadows and various colours of Posca Pens for the flowers.


Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge - Day 87



Today is Day 87 of the Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay challenge, this week is inks week for me.

Starting with the inner image, I used Versafine Clair "Twilight" ink to stamp the jelly fish, which is part of the Visible Image "Dare to swim" stamp set.  I coated the stamped image with Wow! Clear embossing powder and heat set.  I then covered the body and the water circles with Pebeo Drawing Gum.

I moved on to colouring the background, using Distress Oxide Inks (Speckled Egg, Tumbled Glass, Salty Ocean and Peacock Feather).  I then dipped a fan shaped paint brush into some water and tapped the brush over the background letting tiny droplets of water settle on the Distress Oxide Ink background.  After a few seconds, I mopped the surface with a piece of kitchen towel, which left a lovely speckled look.

I used Versafine Clair "Twilight" ink to stamp more air bubbles and Versafine Clair "Bali Blue" ink to stamp the fish on the right hand side.  I then used Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" ink to stamp the sea weed.

I rubbed off the masking gum and then painted the body of the jelly fish using Derwent Inktense pencils, applied with a brush.  I used a white Posca Pen to accentuate the air bubbles.

I then moved on to the larger background.  On a piece of white card, I lay the Visible Image "Fibres" stencil over the card, then applied two shades of Distress Oxide Inks through the stencil, using "Cracked Pistachio" and "Tumbled Glass" shades.  Finally I mounted the jelly fish piece on top of the stencilled background, using double sided sticky tape to stick the two together.

Monday 13 May 2024

Lavinia Stamps "Luka the cat" Card



Hooray!  My Lavinia Stamps order has arrived, so after adding them to my spread sheet and repackaging them, I had to have a play.  What I noticed in this new colllection is that there is only one animal and no fairies, which makes a pleasant change.

I started by masking off two edges of the card, the bottom and the left hand side, leaving a similar space covered.  I used the three shades of Ranger Archival Inks through the Lavinia Stamps "Red Brick Stencil", keeping the colours light and fading out towards the top and to the right hand side of the card.  The colours I used were Shadow Grey, Orange Blossom and Prickly Pear.

Retaining the masking tape in position, I then started stamping.  I stamped the Lavina "Falling Ivy" in Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink, using first and second generation stamping. I used the same ink with the Lavinia "Psychic Signs" text stamps to add a little interest to the empty areas.

Next, I stamped the the new Lavinia cat called "Luka" using Versafine Clair "Pine Cone" dark brown ink.  I added a bit of shading to the cat using a Derwent Inktense Pencil.

I checked through my Lavinia Stamps and came across the "Corks" set of stamps, which I was yet to use.  I decided one of them would make an ideal flower pot, so stamped that in the new Versafine Clair "Portobello" brown ink.  I then coloured the pot in with an orange and green Derwent Inktense pencil.  While the green pencil was out, I added some strands of grass to the scene.

I used Versafine Clair "Pine Cone" dark brown ink to stamp the bird on top of the pot, using one of the birds from the "Bird Collection" of stamps.

Finally, removing the masking tape I added a few finishing touches using a white gel pen and an orange coloured Posca Pen for the flowers.


Lavinia Stamps "Snailcap Mushrooms" and the bird card



I am stalking the postie today.  My order of the new Lavinia Stamps is due to arrive within a three hour window.  I really hope it arrives sooner rather than later!  To keep myself occupied, I've had a play with some of my existing Lavinia Stamps.

I stamped the Lavinia "Snailcap Mushrooms" in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.  I then stamped "Pipin" the hare in Versafine Clair "Portobello" brown ink.  Stamping the bird, from the "Bird Collection" in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

I gave the background a light wash of "Bundled Sage" Distress Oxide Ink.  Stamping the sentiment from the "Heartfelt Verse" stamp set in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.

Next, I moved on to colouring the undergrowth, using two shades of Distress Oxide inks (Peeled Paint and Mowed Lawn) roughly applied with a paint brush.  I then added the idea of flowers using dots of coloured Posca and Gel Pens.

I coloured the mushrooms with Derwent Inktense Pencils and white gel pens, adding shadows with a 2B pencil. Finally, adding tiny dots around the mushroom heads using the Lavinia "Mini Dots" stamp with Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.

Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge - Day 86



Today is Day 86 of the Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay challenge.  This week is about inks.  Only another two weeks to go till the finish.  I can't believe I have come this far.

For the background of this card, I have used the gel plate with "Mulberry" Elements Inks and three shades of Brusho, using White, Lemon and Purple colours.

I have then used a die for the flower, sorry, I'm not sure who makes it.  I've cut the outline of the flower in card and the inner petal area in tissue.

I used a wet glue to stick the outer and flower edge in place, then added a dot of glue to the inner tissue petals, then added another layer of tissue petals over the top.

I added a little wet glue to the middle of the flower and popped some micro beads in an orange/yellow colour over the top of the glue.  I then used a white Posca Pen to add the stem to the flower.

Finally, using Versafine Clair "Monarch" purple ink, I stamped the Simon Says Stamp sentiment, which is part of their "Tiny words" stamp set.  I used one of the Simon Says Stamp "Nested Banners SSSD111928" to die cut the sentiment into shape, then used some double sided sticky tape to position the sentiment on the card.

Sunday 12 May 2024

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 20


This is a weekly challenge. I provide you with a prompt/theme each Sunday morning through out the year.  The challenge is very relaxed.  You can do as much or as little as you like.  You can create cards, tags, Artist Trading Cards (ATC's) or index cards, the choice is yours. You just go with what ever is in your head at the time.  You can stamp, get inky, use patterned papers, texture, embellish it is all down to you.

There is a dedicated private Facebook Group, with a lovely bunch of people who are already sharing their makes from previous challenges.  You can find the group by clicking this link.  I'd love you to join in.

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It is Week 20 of "The Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024".  The prompt for Week 20 is "Follow the sketch".  Here is the sketch in question.



For my tag, I've used a selection of Stampin' Up stamps to make this lighthouse tag.

I started with a white tag, using the Stamping Up "Hardwood" stamp which is a lovely woodgrain look, stamped in "Speckled Egg" Distress Ink. I then used "Iced Spruce" Distress ink dragged down the surface of the tag.  I used the same ink to ink the edges of the tag too.

Next, I used Versafine Clair "Morning Mist", grey ink with the Stampin' Up script stamp from their "HighTide" stamp set, stamping several times in second and third generation stamping on the top right hand corner, so that the text eventyually faded out.

Using the Stampin' Up "High tide" stamp set, I stamped the rocks at the base of the tag, using two shades of Versafine Clair Inks (Shady Lane - a green ink and Acorn - a brown ink).  I stamped the sea using Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze" then went over the surface with a pale blue pastel pencil, giving it a rub with my finger in various places to help it blend in more. I then stamped the lighthouse, using Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink.

At the top of the tag on the right hand side, I stamped the long striiped penant,which is part of the Stampin' Up stamp set called "Perfect Penants". I then mounted the card on to a piece of dark blue card and trimmed to the tag shape.

Using a sentiment from the Stampin Up "High Tide" stamp set and Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink, I stamped the sentiment and then die cut it using the Sizzix / Stampin Up "Banners Framelits Die set".  I added foam pads to the back of the die cut and stuck it into position.


Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge - Day 85


 

Today is Day 85 of the Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay challenge.  This week I'm working with "inks".

For this card, I started with a 7x7" white card, using the Funky Fossil Designs "Tree Top 2 layer stencil set to create the tree, using "Coffee and Potting Soil" Ranger Archival Inks for the tree trunk and "Prickly Pear", "Leaf Green" and "Fern Green" Ranger Archival Ink for the tree leaves.

In the sky, I used "Tumbled Glass" Distress Oxide Ink.  For the land, I used "Sea Grass" and "Fern Green" Ranger Archival Inks.  

The badger, is part of the Funky Fossil stamp set called "Forest Friends", stamped in Verafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.

I drew the fence in pencil then touched it up with a brown Derwent Inktense Pencil.  I added flowers using Posca Pens.

Saturday 11 May 2024

Funky Fossil Designs "Downpour" Gift Tag



A quick gift tag using the Funky Fossil Designs "Downpour Stencil" coloured with assorted Posca Pens.

I went around the raindrop shapes with in the stencil with a pencil, then coloured the rain drops then using a black Posca Pen filled in the background.

Tiffany Johnson Creative #100dayartplay Challenge - Day 84



Today is Day 84 of the Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay challenge.  This is the last days using the "inks" challenge.

I used a page from an old hymn book for the background of this piece.  I positioned one of the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "Moon Masks" in the middle of the page and coloured the outer area of the moon, using four shades of Distress Oxide Inks (Blueprint Sketch, Prize Ribbon, Chipped Sapphire and Black soot), applied with blending brushes.

With the solid mask still in position, I used Dr PH Martin's bleed proof white paint with a fan shaped paint brush to create the white splatters, replicating stars.

I removed the solid moon mask, replacing it with the one showing the moon craters.  Through this stencil I applied Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink with a finger dabber.

Around the edge of the moon I used a white pastel pencil to give the impression of rays of light coming from the moon.

Next, using Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink, I stamped the sentiment, which is part of the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous cling stamp set called "Phrases 2".  The sentiment saying "Every possibility begins with the courage to imagine..."

Friday 10 May 2024

Funky Fossil Designs "Good Vibes" Camper Van Birthday Card



A quick card featuring a camper van by Funky Fossil Designs.  The stamp set is called "Good Vibes".  I've stamped the camper van and the sentiment, part of the "Stripped Back Sentiments" also by Funky Fossil Designs in Versafine Clair "Blue Belle" ink.  I've added colour to the van using some bright Posca Pens.

Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge - Day 83



Today, is Day 83 of the Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay challenge.  This week is all about inks.  I've gone for a clean and simple look for this sympathy card.

I have used a paint brush to paint the background colour using three shades of Distress Oxide Inks.  I have used Tumbled Glass, Spun Sugar and Scattered Straw shades, randomly applied to the white background.

Using an off cut of white card, I die cut the flower stem.  Sorry I'm not sure who makes the die.  I then used a wet glue to stick into position.

I then stamped the Waffle Flower "Essential Sentiments" thinking of you greeting, using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.  I mounted the card on to a piece of soft grey coloured card and then on to a white card blank, before adding a few dots of white Ranger "Enamel Accents".

Andy Skinner "I'll be your umbrella" Card


 

I was up very early for some reason this morning, so decided to craft, making this card.

I started by masking off the edges of a piece of white card, marking on the masking tape the approximate placement where the stamp would be.  I used a technique Eileen Godwin shared a couple of years back, where you create lines of colour off the edge of a piece of paper/acetate/ruler.  To do this, I used four shades of Ranger Archival Inks, using Sky Blue, Garden Patina, Leaf Green and Watering Can.

I then stamped the image, which is an Andy Skinner stamp called "I'll be your umbrella", purchased from Country View Crafts.  I used Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink to stamp in.  I added colour to the stamped image using Derwent Inktense pencils.

Thursday 9 May 2024

Andy Skinner "Let's go fly a kite" Card



I was super excited to open an order from Country View Crafts, which contained a couple of the new Andy Skinner stamps.  In my head, I had a sepia / vintage image, so that's what I went for.

I stamped the image using the new Versafine Clair "Portobello" brown ink.  I then coloured the card using various shades of Distress Oxide Inks, including:  Lumberjack Plaid, Tea Dye, Tumbled Glass, Gathered Twig, Rusty Hinge, Victorian Velvet and Faded Jeans.

I inked the edges of the card using two colours of Versafine Clair Inks, using Acorn and Pinecone.

Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge - Day 82



Today, is Day 82 of the Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay challenge.  This week is all about using inks.

For this card, I have used lots of Ranger Archival Inks with stamps and stencils from Visible Image. 

I used the Visible Image "Strobes" stencil with two shades of Ranger Archival Inks, using "Sunflower" and "Tiger Lily" shades of inks.

I then used the Visible Image "Supernova" stencil with "Monarch Orange" Archival Ink.  I then used the same ink through the Visible Image "Leafy" stencil.

Next, I used the Visible Image "Halftone" stencil with "Sunflower" Archival Ink.

Next, I used "Cornflower Blue" Archival Ink through the Visible Image "Ripples" stencil.

I then used the Visible Image "Bloom & Grow" stamp set, to stamp the finger print and the baby, using the new Versafine Clair ink called "Very Peri".  I used the same ink for the Visible Image "Scripted Streets" stamps and the "Creative Chaos" stamp set for the dots/circles.

I went around the edges of the card using "Monarch Orange" Archival Ink blending towards the middle.  I then edged that in Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink.

I used the "Twilight" ink again to stamp the "Bloom and grow" sentiment across the page.

I added a few white and blue lines to the "strobes" area using Derwent Inktense pencils.

I went around the stamped baby image using a black fine liner pen as I wanted it to stand out a little more.

Finally, I used white and orange Posca Pens across the card to add extra depth of colour.


Wednesday 8 May 2024

Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge - Day 81



Today, is Day 81 of the Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay challenge.  This week is all about inks - my favourite!

For my piece, I have used the new Versafine Clair "Sand Dune" ink to stamp the Funky Fossil Designs  "Tree Rings" in the background.

I've then used Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink to stamp the Funky Fossil Designs "Ferns" and the sentiment.  I used the same ink for the edges of the card too.

Finally, adding some dots of Liquid Pearls in an "Avocado" shade.

Tuesday 7 May 2024

Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge - Day 80



Today is Day 80 of the Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge.  This week is all about inks, so I have stamped and painted in two different inks for this piece.

I stamped the Funky Fossil Designs "Scribble Hare" and the sentiment from the same stamp set, using the new Versafine Clair "Portobello" brown shade of ink.  

I painted the eyes, ears and body using three shades of Distress Oxide Inks, using "Saltwater Taffy" for the ears, "Wild Honey" for the eyes and "Brushed Corduroy" for the body.

Monday 6 May 2024

Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge - Day 79



Today is Day 79 of the Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge.  This week is all about inks.

To create the background of this piece, I swiped the white card through four shades of Elements Inks, using Sundance, Greensleeves, Pine and Blue Atoll till the white card was fully covered.



Once dry, I stamped Clarity Stamp images using the Leafy Swirl Stamp set with Versafine Clair "Twilight" ink.

I then used the Clarity Stamps "Swallow Journalling" stamp set with Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink for the harlequin design in the background.

For the sentiment, I used the Clarity Stamp set called "Quote Set", stamped in Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink.

To finish the piece I used white gel pens and Posca Pens, with black and white Ranger Enamel Accents too.

Sunday 5 May 2024

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 19



This is a weekly challenge. I provide you with a prompt/theme each Sunday morning through out the year.  The challenge is very relaxed.  You can do as much or as little as you like.  You can create cards, tags, Artist Trading Cards (ATC's) or index cards, the choice is yours. You just go with what ever is in your head at the time.  You can stamp, get inky, use patterned papers, texture, embellish it is all down to you.

There is a dedicated private Facebook Group, with a lovely bunch of people who are already sharing their makes from previous challenges.  You can find the group by clicking this link.  I'd love you to join in.

The Crafting Niche 52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2024:

The prompt for Week 19 is "Wings"

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This is the tag that I have made for the Week 19.

Starting with a cream coloured tag, I used "Victorian Velvet" through the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "Bouquet Layering Stencil - THS143".

I then edged the tag working with lighter colours outwards using Distress Oxide Ink "Bundled Sage", "Gathered Twigs" then "Ground Espresso", finally edging in Versafine Clair "Pine Cone" ink.

I coloured a Tim Holtz "Paperdoll", using "Victorian Velvet" Distress Oxide ink for the skin tone and "Picked Raspberry" Distress Oxide Ink for the clothes, applying both with a paint brush.

Moving on to the wings, I used a Crafters Companion stamp and die set, sorry I don't know what it is called other than that.  I used the stamp with Wow! Clear Embossing Ink and Wow! Bright White Embossing Powder on Velum and then heat set.  I then fussy cut around as I didn't trust the die not to move!

About half an inch from the base of the tag, I created some ground, using a Lavinia Stamps "Hill Mask" and Versafine Clair "Pine Cone" dark brown ink with a finger dabber.

I then mounted the tag on to a piece of dark red card and cut to size.

I used Cosmic Shimmer wet glue to stick the wings and the paper doll in position.

Finally, I used two Tim Holtz Idea-ology "Clipping Stickers" for the sentiment.


Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge - Day 78



Today, is Day 78 of the Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay challenge.  There is a new prompt for the coming week of "Inks".

For this card, I used the Lavinia Stamps "Wild Vine" stamp with two shades of Versafine Clair Inks, stamping in the new "Avocado"  shade and the existing colour of "Shady Lane".  

I used a blending brush with the "Avocado" ink to add some colour around the edges of the card, leaving the central area white for the sentiment. I used the Lavinia "Just For You" stamp which is part of their 'Heartfelt Verse" stamp set.

Using a Q-tip/cotton bud, I added dots of the new Versafine Clair "Lilac Blush" ink, to create the look of wisteria trailing from the vine.

Saturday 4 May 2024

Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge - Day 77



Today, is Day 77 of the Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay challenge.  It is the last day of using the prompt of "crayons".  I have found this week a challenge in itself as crayons are not my choice of medium to work with.

For this make, I used some tape to hold the base card in place on a board and then placed it at an angle.  I used my heat gun to melt the crayons so that the colours ran down the page.  The crayons I used normal kids "Crayola" crayons", uisng yellow, green, blue, orange and purple colours.

While the wax coloured drips were setting, I cut a piece of card and stamped the saying "Free your imagination" sentiment which is part of a Visible Image stamp set by the same name, stamped in Versafine Clair "Fantasia" purple/blue ink.  I added double sided sticky tape to the back and stuck over the wax drips.  I then mounted the piece on white card.

Friday 3 May 2024

Tiffany Johnson Creative #100daysartplay Challenge - Day 76



Today, is Day 76 of the Tiffany Johnson Creative £100daysartplay challenge.  The prompt for the week is use crayons.

For my tag, I shaded three colours of wax crayon at angle across the tag, using blue, green and purple colours.

I drew branches with leaves on them using a turquoise coloured Posca Pen, in the gaps, I used a white Posca Pen to draw scrolls. Finally adding a Tim Holtz Idea-ology "Chit Chat" word sticker, saying "Cherish".