Funky Fossil "Beauty's Garden" Tag

The other day, I attempted to make a tag and towards the end, I managed to drop an ink pad face down on to my pretty tag.  I attempted to rescue it, but it just wasn't what I had in my head.  Today, I had another attempt at it.

Starting with a white tag, I lay the Funky Fossil Designs "Urchins" stencil over the top and added Ranger Opaque Texture Paste through areas of the stencil.  I then set it aside to dry.

Once dry, I used a Funky Fossil blending brush to apply colour to the tag, using "Rose Madder" Ranger Archival Ink, which is a pretty coral/rose colour. Then, using a black Posca Pen, I tapped paint across the surface of the tag.

On a separate piece of white card, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the vase, which is part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Beauty's Garden" stamp set. For placement, I also stamped the vase on the tag.  I then stamped the flower, which is also part of the same stamp set.

I shaded the vase stamped on the piece of white card using Derwent Charcoal Pencils and a white gel pen.  I then fussy cut the vase, sticking foam pads on the back and then placed in position.

Finally, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the word "Miss You" which is part of the Funky Fossil "Small Print" stamp set.

***As a matter of interest, here is the tag that I first made, where I attempted to recover half of the original inky tag after I had dropped an ink pad on it.

Lavinia Stamps "Dancing Till Dawn" gel plate card

 

I enjoyed the gel plate technique Eileen Godwin shared on her "Live" last night that I decided to make another card using the same principles.

I used Versafine Clair "Avocado" green ink and a brayer to put a thin base layer of ink on the gel plate.

Then I used two shades of Ranger Archival Inks to stamp the Lavinia Stamps "Berry Leaves" multiple times in first and second generation stamping using "Periwinkle" blue innk and "Paradise Teal" a green coloured ink, direct on to the gel plate.  I then placed a piece of card over the top of the gel plate and took the impression.

Round the top and bottom, I added extra foliage using the Lavinia Stamps "Arctic" blue ink with the "Wild Vines" stamp.

Next, I stamped the Lavinia "Dancing till dawn" ladies, using Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink.  I used the same ink to stamp the "Vine Branch" at the top of the card, also to ink the edges of the card too.

Using Versafine Clair "Arctic" blue ink and a Lavinia Stamps "Hill Mask" I created the landscape behind the dancing ladies.

I then used a large Lavinia "Moon Mask" with "Rose Madder" Ranger Archival ink to create the impression of the pink dawn sun.  I used the same ink through the Lavinia Stamps "Feather Leaf Stencil" too, within the sun area.

I used a 2B pencil to add shadows and a white and a gold gel pen for highlights.  I used a white and coral coloured Posca Pen for the dots to create the impression of flowers.

Finally, I added the "Have an amazing day" greeting, which is part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Stripped Back Sentiments" stamp set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Twilight" ink.

Green Pebble Zentangle

It's been a while since I opened my Zentangle book, but this weekend I did and made this page.  This is page 33 completed of 88 blank pages in the book, so It's going to take some time to get all the pages filled.

Lavinia Stamps "Mae" and the crystal ball

Last night, I watched the super talented Eileen Godwin do a live tutorial.  I was up early this morning, so decided to have a go myself.  I didn't take any notes, so this is made by memory.  I've used a couple of different stamps to Eileen too.

I used a brayer to put Versafine Clair "Sand Dune" ink on to a gel plate. Then I used the Lavinia "Maple Leaf" stamp to stamp leaves around the edge, using two shades of Ranger Archival Inks.  The colours I used were "Cornflower Blue" and "Rose Madder". I then took a print from the gel plate.

Using Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink, I stamped the Lavinia fairy called "Mae" and also the "Small Lily Flourish".

I used "Rose Madder" Ranger Archival Ink with a Lavinia "Moon Mask" edging the moon with the pink colour.  I then used the same coloured ink through the Lavinia "Laurel" stencil".

Next I stamped the Lavinia "Luna Lights" that hang on the top right of the card, in Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink.  I used the same ink to edge the card too.

I used the Lavinia "Bubbles" stamp set, using the smallest bubble for the crystal ball, stamped in Versafine Clair "Arctic" and then given touches of 2B pencil and white gel pen.

I coloured the flowers using "Malibu" coloured Derwent Inktense pencil.  I used a gold pen to colour in the "Luna Lights" and a gold shimmer pen to outline some of the leaves.  I added "A Wink of Stella" to the wings of the fairy and then finally added some dots of white Ranger Enamel Accents round the moon.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 27

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

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 prompt for Week 27 is "Summer"

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This is the tag that I have made for the Week 27.  I decided to go with a bee, as nothing sums up summer to me, than the sound of the low hum of a bee in the distance.

I used Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" ink, coated in Wow! Clear Embossing Powder and heat set for the Funky Fossil "Hello Gorgeous" flowers and sentiment.

I coloured the flowers by painting the flowers with different shades of Distress Oxide Inks.  I also used Posca Pens and gel pens.

The bumble bee is part of the Funky Fossil "Queen Bee" stamp set, I stamped the bee on to the tag and then on to an off-cut of white card, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I then coated the stamped image in Wow! Clear Embossing Powder and heat set the image.

I fussy cut the bee, inking the edges of it in black ink, then coloured the body using Posca Pens, using "A Wink of Stella" on the wings.  I used wet glue on the underside of the head of the bee, but for the rear end added some black foam pads to stick the bee into position, this gave it a more 3D look.

Funky Fossil "Surf's Up" Textured Card

I've been playing with Ranger 'Opaque Matte Texture Paste" through the "Petal Burst" stencil from Funky Fossil Designs to make the background of this card.

Once dry, I used Ranger "Paradise Teal" Ranger Archival Ink to give the raised area a blue tint, circling the blending brush from the centre of the raised design outwards.

I then used "Jet Black" Ranger Archival Ink to stamp the surf figure, which is part of the Funky Fossil Designs stamp set called "Surf's Up".  There were a few lower gaps between the raised areas that did not get any ink, so I used a black pen for those, to get a more solid image.  Finally adding some dots of white Ranger "Enamel Accents".

Funky Fossil Designs "Falling Leaves" Card

 

This evening I've made a card featuring a selection of products by Funky Fossil Designs.

Starting with a five inch sqaure of white card, I used three shades of Ranger Archival Ink through the Funky Fossil "Leaf Trio Stencil".  The colours I used were Chrome Yellow, Tiger Lily and Carnation Red.

I then used black Ranger Archival Ink through the Funky Fossil "Falling Leaves stencil".

I added some touches of text over the surface using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink with the Funky Fossil "A7 Vintage Script" stamp. I then inked the edges of the card using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink and mounted on to black paper and then onto a white card blank.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the greeting, which is part of the Funky Fossil "Stripped Back Sentiments" stamp set.  I then die cut the sentiment into a banner, fixing with foam pads on to the card.

Finally, using a gold glitter pen, I went around the edges of the black leaves.  I then used a gold gel pen to add little dots in the remaining white background area.  Then added some white and black Funky Fossil Enamel dots from the "Monochrome Set".

Lavinia Stamps Greyboard & Stencilled Birthday Card

My Hubby celebrates his 60th birthday in a week or so and I have been absolutely stumped on what card to make him.  Time was running out as I knew he would be around the house for the next few days, so I had to make it while he was out.  I ended up with this card which I really like.

With no real idea in mind, I used a Brusho background from my stash, which dictated the colour scheme I have used.

Over the top of the Brusho background I applied three shades of Ranger Archival Ink through the Lavinia Stamps "Honeycomb Stencil".  The shades of ink I used were Sunflower, Tiger Lily and Paradise Teal.

I then used "Watering Can" grey Ranger Archival ink through the Lavinia Stamps "Dynamic" stencil.  I inked the edges of the card in Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink and then mounted it on to grey card and then on to an 8x8" white card blank.

Using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink, I stamped the two sentiments.  Both are part of the Simon Says Stamp set called "Tiny Words - Birthday".

I put the card aside and then concentrated on the central section.  I used "Cobalt" Ranger Archival Ink to colour the Lavinia Stamps "Greyboard Clocks 1" and "Greyboard Cogs 2" and set aside to dry.

I then used Dr PH Martin's bleed proof white paint on the Lavinia Stamps "Greyboard Number Embellishments" and set aside to fully dry.

As the greyboard is quite a fussy shape to glue, I used spray adhesive to stick the embellishments on to the card.

Heat Embossed Flower Anniversary Card

Another card ticked of my list of "to be made" cards.

I used a four and a half inch square piece of white card and ran an antistatic chalk pad over the surface.  I then stamped the flower, which is part of the Hobby Art Stamps "Abstract Flowers CS175D" stamp set, stamped in Wow! Clear Embossing Ink, which I then coated in Wow! "Rich Gold" Embossing Powder and heat set.

I then coloured the white card with two colours of Derwent Inktense Pencils, applied with a paint brush.  Using "Burnt Orange" for the flowers and "Neutral Grey" for the background.  Once dry, I then added dots of white and gold gel pen.  I used a black fine line pen to fill the central dots of the flowers, then mounted the card on to a piece of black paper and then on to a white card blank.

Finally, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the "Happy Anniversary" greeting, which is part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Stripped Back Sentiments" stamp set.  I then die cut the stamped sentiment in to a banner shape, using sticky foam pads to elevate the greeting off the surface of the card.

Visible Image "Lilies with love" Birthday Card

I've had to push myself to craft ,as I have several occasions where I need to make and send cards coming up.  This one is needed next week.

From a previous project I was planning, I had stuck a square of patterned paper on to a  7x7" white card blank, so I decided to use that as my base.  A bit risky as I wasn't sure of the quality of the paper and how stamping the ink on to it would be:  would it bleed etc?  Fortunately it took the ink fine.

I used the new Visible Image "Lilies with love" stamp set for the central image, adding extra circles from the Visible Image "You are not alone" stamp set, all stamped in Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink.

I then added the "Happy Birthday" sentiment, which is part of the Hobby Art Ltd stamp set called "Greetings for friends CS158D", also stamped in Versafine Clair "Twilight" ink.

I used three shades of Derwent Inktense pencils (Spring Green, Fern and Fucshia) applied with a paint brush to colour the image.  I added some touches of orange Posca Pen to the middle of the lilies and finally added some white dots of Ranger "Enamel Accents".

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 26

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

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 prompt for Week 26 is "Butterflies"

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This is the tag that I have made for the Week 26.  I started with a white tag.  Using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink, I stamped the jug with the lavender in it.  The stamp is by Penny Black  and is called "Farm Fresh - 40-834", I created a mask using a post it note and covered the jug and flowers, then using the same ink stamped the butterfly background, which is also a stamp by Penny Black, called "Butterfly Charmer - 40/422".

I used Distress Oxide Inks to paint the scene, using "Mermaid Lagoon" for the background between the butterflies and "Pumice Stone" for the ground the jug stands on.

I used Shaded Lilac, Wilted Violet and Bundled Sage for the lavender and Dried Marigold and Saltwater Taffy for the jug itself.

I didn't make a note of the colours I painted the butterflies.  

I inked the edges of the tag using Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" ink, then mounted the tag on to a piece of navy blue coloured card.

Lavinia Stamps "Swing Bed" and the hares

I seem to be on a roll, my third card for the day.  I'm amazed considering how I was feeling about crafting earlier on this morning.This card is made using a selection of inks and Lavinia stamps.

Starting with the Lavinia "Swing Bed" stamped in Versafine Clair "Spruce" green ink, I then added colour within the swing bed area using the remains of "Paradise Teal" Ranger Archival Ink on my blending brush.  I then created the green landscape using "Leaf Green" Archival Ink with a Lavinia Stamps "Hill Mask".

Around the "Swing Bed" I used "Majestic Violet" and Cobalt" Ranger Archival Ink, using the darker shade around the edges of the card.  I then inked the edges with Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink.  I used the Lavinia Stamps "Background Script" stamp with Versafine Clair "Monarch" purple ink to get the slight impression of text, filling the blank areas.

I then used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" ink to stamp the black flowers and leaves, which are Lavinia Stamps "Vine Set" and "Mini Lucky Clover" stamps.  I then stamped the two hares in the same ink, which are part of the "Wild Hare Set" of stamps.

Finally, I used a white gel pen for highlights and various coloured Posca pens to add flowers.

Baby Girl Card

Trying to find my crafting mojo by making very simple cards.

For this card, I found a little dress card topper in my stash, so decided to use it for this card, mounting the white card on to pink and then on to a white card blank.

I used a stamp from a Personal Impressions stamp set (sorry no idea what the name or reference of the stamp set it) for the "A little bundle of joy" sentiment, stamped in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink. 

Lace "Thank You" Card

Well my crafting mojo is missing at the moment, hence there being so few crafting posts.

A friend recently gifted mea box of crafting goodies, including fabrics, ribbons, laces and various trims.  This is the card I have made using some of the lace and a lace butterfly from the box of crafting items I received.

I used Kraft card and a Lawn Fawn stamp from their "Simply Sentiments" stamp set for the "Thank You" which I heat embossed using Wow! Opaque Vanilla White embossing powder, which I heat set.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 25

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

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 prompt for Week 25 is "Mosaic"

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This is the tag that I have made for the Week 25, starting with a plain white tag, I used two Ranger Archival Inks (Buttercup and Sunflower) through the Funky Fossil Designs stencil called "Broken Mosaic".

Using Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze" and a stamp from the Funky Fossil "Musings" stamp set, I stamped some text in second generation stamping.

I then used Versafine Clair "Blue Belle" mid blue ink to ink the edges of the tag using a finger dabber.

I splattered a white and a dark blue Posca Pen over the surface of the tag to create more backround detail.

On a white piece of card, I stamped the floral image, which is part of the Funky Fossil stamp set called "Funky Florals", again using Versafine Clair "Blue Belle Ink".

I coloured the stamped floral image using Derwent inktense Pencils (applied with a paint brush) and Posca Pens.  I then fussy cut the image and stuck on to the tag using wet glue.

Finally, I mounted the tag on to a piece of navy blue card and cut it to size. Then added a few dots of white Ranger Enamel Accents.

Happy Birthday Card (Stencilled background) Card

This background has been in my "Ditch or Do" box for at least a year, as I was trying out a texture pastes.  Today I decided to use it for a birthday card.

Sadly, I didn't write on the back of it what I used, so this is a bit of guess work regarding the inks.  For the colour, I used "Twisted Citron" and "Mowed Lawn" Distress Oxide Inks through the Funky Fossil Designs "Micro Dots" stencil.  I then used a metallic silver texture paste through the Funky Fossil Designs "Between the cracks stencil".  This ended up quite raised, maybe I should have used a little less, but it's called "texture paste" for a reason !

I used "Monarch Orange" Ranger Archival ink through areas of the Funky Fossil Designs "Brick Wall 2" stencil.  Then I used wet glue to add the die cut "Happy Birthday" sentiment.  After mounting the piece on black card and then on to a white card blank, I added some dots of black "Ranger Enamel Accents", to add a bit more texture to the card.

Floral Card

Continuing my stash busting efforts, I found a small off cut of a gel plate background in my box of "ditch or do" goodies.  It only measured 11 x 7 cm, but I had fortunately had the foresight to jot down on the back what I had used to create the background.  I'd used "Mulberry" Element Ink, brayered on then splattered with white, lemon and purple Brusho paints.

I decided to break up the colour a little more by adding splatters of purple, black, lemon and white Posca Pens.

Using a wet glue, I added some white die cuts which I had never got round to colouring, if I remember correctly they're from a Sizzix/Tim Holtz thinlits die set called "Wildflowers" or something similar. Finally, I added a few dots of white Ranger "Enamael Accents".

Another Stash Busting collage

I've made a dent in my box of odds and ends which I call my "Ditch of Do" box.  Making this card.  

I've used off cuts of patterned paper, cardstock die cuts, Posca Pens and Liquid Pearls too.

This is a very busy collage.  My eye doesn't know where to settle so maybe less is more!

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 24

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

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 prompt for Week 24 is "Die Cuts"

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This is the tag that I have made for the Week 24, I started with a cream coloured tag, covering it with scraps and off-cuts of gel plate printing and inked book page projects that I had kept - just in case I could use them!

I used Range Archival Ink in the "Red Geranium" shade of ink to stamp the Funky Fossil Designs "Bubble Wrap stamp" in the bottom left and top right of the tag.  I then went around some of the circles using a black fine liner pen.

I used white Gesso through the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "Horizontal String Layering Stencil - THS103" in various areas of the tag, then set aside to dry.

While the Gesso was drying, I cracked on with die cutting, using three Memory Box dies:

• "Honeycomb Background 99434" with dark blue card
• "Leafy Border 98628" with white card
• "Chloe Stem 98321" with white card

I then stuck the die cuts in to position using wet glue.

Finally, I mounted the tag on to a piece of dark red card and added some touches of gold glitter gel pen to areas of the white die cuts.

Visible Image "Calm Over Chaos" Card

This morning I've made a quick card using three shades of Distress Oxide Inks to create the coloured background.  The colours I have used are Twisted Citron, Mermaid Lagoon and Picked Raspberry.  

Once the background was fully dry, I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the figure and blossom.  Both are from the new Visible Image stamp set called "Calm Over Chaos".  

I stamped the lower part of the figure again on a piece of white card, then fussy vut it and stuck it on over the coloured area of clothing.

Finally, I used a white and orange Posca Pen to colour the blossom.

Stashbusting Collage

Another stashbusting collage, using bits and bobs lurking in my "ditch or do" box of goodies.

I've used a piece of a torn book page, patterned paper, die cuts, a gel plate background and a piece of cardboard and  Posca Pen splatters

Visible Image Hope Card

Today, I have been playing with Visible Image products to make this card.

I started with a piece of white card measuring 4" x 5.5".  I used the Visible Image stencil set called "Art spheres #2" with three shades of blue Ranger Archival Inks, using Sky Blue, Paradise Teal and Cobalt colours.  I went round the lower edge with a 2b pencil to darken it a little and added some dots of white Posca Pen to areas above the wave to replicate water spray.

I used Versafine Clair "Blue Belle" ink to stamp the wording which is part of the Visible Image stamp set called "Equality, Hope & Love".  Finally, adding a few Nuvo "Aqua Aurora" sequins across the surface of the card.

Zentangle Tag

This was one of those projects that started off as one thing, sat at the back of my desk for about a year, but then today I decided it was "do or ditch "day.  It turned out to be a "do" day, resulting in this finished tag.

My original idea was that it would go in my diet journal as a tracker tag, the whole diet thing is now a thing of the past, which was why the tag had been left unfinished.  If I remember correctly I used a coupld of shades of Distress Oxide Inks for the pink/coral colour and the green, I'd already drawn the pattern outline, so it was really just filling in the areas with various pens.  As I'm in Zentangle mode it seemed natural to use some of those designs to fill in the spaces.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 23

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

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 prompt for Week 23 is "Weddings"

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This is the tag that I have made for the Week 23, I started with a piece of white card, cut into a tag shape.

Using "Finger Dabbers" and three shades of Distress Oxide Inks:  Spun Sugar, Tumbled Glass and Shaded Lilac.  I added lots of dots across the surface of the white card.  Some over lapped, in places I left some white space.

I then cut a strip of Vellum, wider and longer than the tag by about an inch each way.  Along the bottom of the narrow edge, I used a punch to create a scalloped edge to the vellum.

Then, using a stamping platform, with Wow! Clear Embossing Ink, I stamped the image of the bride on to the vellum, using a Stampin' Up stamp set, called "Wonderful Moments".  I coated the stamped image with Wow! Opaque Bright White Embossing Powder and then heat set using a low heat setting in case the heat distorted the vellum.

I added a strip of double sided sticky tape to the top of the back of the tag and folded the top of the vellum from the front over to the back, so that the sticky tape held it into position.  I then mounted the tag on to a piece of lilac coloured card.

Next, I stamped the sentiment, using the same Wow! ink and embossing powder as I used earlier, with a Penny Black sentiment saying "Love is all around".  The sentiment is part of their set called "Only You 30-666", I then heat set the stamped sentiment.

Returning to the vellum, the decorative edge, kept lifting, so I added a touch of glue to keep it in place.  I then added a handful of sticky backed pearl gems across the surface of the tag.

Lavinia Stamps "Honeysuckle Cottage" Tag

 

Today, I've played with my Lavinia Stamps to create this tag.

I started by using "Sundance" and "Lime Punch" Elements inks randomly across the tag, I then used the same coloured inks through the Lavinia "Berry" Stencil to create the patterned background.

Next, I stamped the Lavinia "Vine Branch" as a tree using Versafine Clair "Portobello" ink for the trunk and "Verdant" and "Grass Green" for the leaves.

I then used Versafine Clair "Pinecone" dark brown ink to stamp the Lavinia "Moss Cap Cluster" stamp and the "Honeysuckle Cottage" stamp.

I moved on to colouring the image using Derwent Inktense pencils, a 2B pencil, a black fine liner pen and white and a gold Signo Uniball gel pens.

Clarity Stamps "Seedhead & Foliage Tiles" Stencil Card

Today, I've used Clarity stamps and stencils to make this clean and simple card.

Starting with a white 6x6" card blank.  I used the Clarity Stamps "Seedhead & Foliage Tile" stencil set. positioning the blank square in the middel of the card, securing with a piece of low tack tape.  I then used "Prickly Pear" Ranger Archival Ink to fill in the central square area.  

Over the top, I lay one of the other tile stencils form the same stencil set, again secured with a piece of low tack tape, applying "Leaf Green" Ranger Archival Ink through the stencil.

Lifting off the stencils, I then lay a square mask over the top of the stencilled area, then used "Forget me not" Ranger Archival Ink through the Clarity Stripes stencil in a vertical and a horizontal position to achieve the gingham look to the stencilling.

Next, I used Versafine Clair "Shady Lane" green ink to stamp the "Sending you love and hugs" sentiment, which is part of the Clarity "Happy Birthday Occasions Sentiment" stamp set.  Finally, I added touches of Signo Uniball gold gel pen around the stencilled area.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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".

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.

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,

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.

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.