52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 47

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 47 is "Swirls & Flourishes"

For my Week 47 "Swirls & Flourishes" tag, I started with a cream coloured tag for the base.

I inked up a Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "THS032 Flourish Layering Stencil" using three shades of Distress Oxide Ink.  I then spritzed the inky surface and lay the cream tag over the top.  Sadly it moved a little so the pattern can not really be seen.

Using a red rubber decorative crow stamp I have had in my stash for years (sorry no idea who made it), I stamped the bird on to the now dry surface of the tag using Versafine Clair 'Nocturne" black ink.  I then stamped it again on a piece of white card and fussy cut the bird for later use.

I used Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink to stamp the flourishes.  These are from a polymer stamp set I have had for many years which I think may have been made by 7gypsies?

I then used wet glue to adhere the bird on the white card into position.  I used a black fine liner pen to accentuate the outline of the bird. I used a Derwent Inktense pencil to draw a branch for the bird to stand on.

I added dots using a gold gel pen and also platinum coloured Liquid Pearls.  Finally, adding the "on my adventure" sentiment from the Lavinia Stamps "Sentiment Stickers 6" set.

Lavinia Stamps Dancing Mice Birthday Card

 

This will be my final make before I pack up my crafting things for moving house.  The move date has not yet been confirmed, but I need to get ready.  I'm likely to be not properly crafting for a couple of months.  However, I am well ahead on the tag challenge, having made tags up to mid March, so those posts are scheduled on here and will pop up each Sunday morning.

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For this card, I started with the Inkylicious Mini Splatter Circle, using two shades of Distress Oxide Inks:  Kitsch Flamingo and Abandoned Coral ink.

I used Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink to stamp the Lavinia Stamps "Musical Notes" using both the small and large stamp set.

I then used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the dancing mice, using the Lavinia "Basil and Bibi" and "Tilly and Tango" stamp set.

Finally, I stamped the "Happy Birthday" greeting, part of the Lawn Fawn "Simply Sentiments" stamp set, stamped in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

52 Week Mini Art Card/Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 46 Bold & Bright

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 46 is "Bold & Bright"

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For my Week 46 "Bold & Bright" tag, I used a white card cut to a tag shape.  I then blended several shades of Distress Oxide Inks across the surface.  The colours I used were Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Cracked Pistachio, Blueprint Sketch and Wilted Violet.

I then used some of the same colours of Distress Oxide Inks through a couple of Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous stencils.  The stencils I used were THS132 Sparkle Layering Stencil and THS006 Dot Fade Layering Stencil.

For the drift of dragonflies across the tag, I ues a die from the Stampin' Up "Detailed Dragonfly Thinlit" set, cutting two of the them in white card.  I then used wet glue to stick them on the tag, trimming off the surplus.

I mounted the tag on to black card, then added a "Wink of Stella" to the wings of the dragonflies to give a lovely spakle.

I used a white Posca Pen to add dots around teh dragonflies, then added a word sticker saying "See the light" from the Lavinia Stamps "Sentiment Stickers 6" set.  Finally, I added some dots of hot pink coloured Liquid Pearls called "Dazzle" and set the tag aside to dry.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 45

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 45 is "Metallic"

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For my Week 45 "Metallic", I scrunched up some sticky backed silver foil then coated a plain tag, smoothing the surface till it was flat but still had texture.

I used a piece of copper coloured foil sticky backed foil tape, stuck to a piece of card then die cut it into a circle shape.  I used double sided sticky tape to stick the disc on to the silver foil tag.

Next, using a piece of black card, I die cut the woodland scene using a die from Funky Fossil Designs called "Forest Glade Die". on the reverse around the cut out area, I added some strips of double sided sticky tape then stuck the black die cut card on to the silver tag.  I then trimmed the edged down.  Then mounted the tag on to a piece of black card and cut, leaving an equal sized edge to each side.

Using another piece of the same black card, I die cut two black cats using the "Large Sitting Car Die - style 871" by Poppy Stamps Inc.  I used foam pads to sandwich the two layers of cat shaped card together.  Then added more foam pads to the underside and stuck the cat on to the tag.

Finally, I added some white highlight lines using a white Signo gel pen and then added a sentiment, which is part of the Lavinia Stamps "Sentiment Stickers 6" set. 

Lavinia Stamps Frosty "Street Lamp" Tag

On Saturday, I received my order of the new Lavinia Stamps release called "Starlight Whispers".  Sadly I wasn't home when the stamps arrived, so as I was up early this morning, decided to have a quick play.

I started with a plain white tag, using three shades of Distress Oxide Inks to create the background.  The names of the inks I used were Squeezed Lemonade, Tumbled Glass and Blueprint Sketch.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the Lavinia "Street Light", the figure "Annie" and "Mini Rune".

To the left hand side, I used the Lavinia "Gip" stamp with Versafine Clair "Morning Mist", stamping a bird from the Lavinia "Bird Collection" in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

In the bottom left corner, I used the Lavinia "Small Branch" stamp with Versafine Clair "Pinecone" brown ink, adding red berries to the branches using a Posca Pen.

I added shadows to the stamping using a 2B pencil and added a more frosty look to the branches by ading touches of of silver glitter using a Uniball Signo pen.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 44

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 44 is "Knitting and Stitching"

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For my Week 44 "Knitting & Stitching", I used a cream coloured tag for the base.  Using "Chrome Yellow" Ranger Archival ink through the "Knitted Background Stencil" by Funky Fossil Designs.

I used Versafine Clair "Chianti" dark red ink to stamp the thread and sentiment, sorry I don't recall who makes the stamp, I've had it for some years.

I used a "Red Wine" coloured Posca Pen to add the stitchec detail around the edge of the tag.

Clarity Stamps "Retirement Card"

My friend retires from her TA job in the local primary school tomorrow after many years of service, so I made her this card.

For the central area of the card, I used two stencils from the Clarity Crafts "Seedheads & Tiles" stencil set.  For the square background I used "Vivid Chartreuse" Ranger Archival Ink .  I then lay the decorative leaf stencil from the same set over the top and applied "Fern Green" Ranger Archival Ink through the stencil.

I dusted the surface of the card with an anti static bag of chalk, then stamped the words "On your retirement", part of the Clarity "Entwined Sentiment" stamp set, using Wow! Clear Embossing pad, coated the words with Wow! Rich Gold Embossing Powder and heat set.

I mounted the card on to a piece of dark green card then on to a white card blank.  I used a Signo Uniball gold coloured pen to add littel dots around the central tile and around the extremities of the inner leaf.

Lavinia Stamps "Sticker Stencil" Anniversary Card

Those who regularly visit my blog, will have noticed that there is a huge drop in crafting productivity in the last couple of months.  This is because we are in the process of selling our house.  We have a purchaser and the sale is going through.  However, we have not found our "Forever Home" yet, so everything is being packed up into boxes and put in a container.

Even though my paper crafting stash is still in situ at home, I just have not felt the urge to craft, but I needed to make an anniversary card, so this morning I quickly made this so that it can catch the post later today.

For this card, I used one of the Lavinia Stamps "Sticker Stencils" for the heart shapes.  For the darker heart, I used "Vibrant Fuchsia" Ranger Archival Ink for the base colour, stamping the cogs, part of the Lavinia Stamps "Cog Set 3" in Versafine Clair "Charming Pink" ink.

For the lighter heart, I used "Pink Peony" Ranger Archival Ink for the base colour, using the same ink to stamp the stars, which is one of the Lavinia "Mini Stamps".

I used Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink to stamp the Lavinia "Large Key" and the "Love" sentiment which is part of the Lavinia Stamps "Live the life" stamp set.

Finally, I added touches of a gold sparkle gel pen to highlight areas of the design.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 43

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 43 is "Leaves"

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For my Week 43 "Leaves' tag, I used a cream coloured tag for the base.  I then used Ranger Archival "Peat Moss" ink through the Lavinia Stamps "Leaf Trail stencil", blending the colour darker at the base and getting lighter towards the top of the tag.

I used one of the Lavinia Stamps "Moon Masks" with Ranger "Tea Rose" Archival Ink to make the spot light/moon area.  I then stamped the Lavinia Stamps fairy called "Rue" in Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

For the leaves around the base I used the Lavinia "Vine" Stamp with Versafine Clair "Portobello" ink and then used the large and mini Lavinia "Maple Leaf" stamps with Versafine Clair "Chianti" dark red ink.  Finally, adding touches of "Clear Star" Gelly Roll pen to add a little sparkle and highlight areas of the leaves.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 42

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 42 is "Wax Relief"

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For my Week 42 "Wax Relief' tag, I started by using a cream coloured tag as the base.  I then used a Brusho "Wax Relief Crayon" through the Funky Fossil Designs "Stylish Stencil".

Lifting off the stencil and brushing the small fragments of wax off the surface using a decorators paint brush.

On my glass mat, I added two shades of blue of Ranger Distress Oxide Ink, using "Mermaid Lagoon" and "Prize Ribbon".  I spritzed both inks and the surface of the tag, before swooshing the tag through the colour.  I used a heat gun to dry the surface.

Once dry, I used a 2B pencil to add the shape of the face and eyes as it had got a little lost in the making process.  I used black and white Posca Pens to add dots and dashes over the background.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 41

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 41 is "Numbers"

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For my Week 41 "Numbers' tag, I started by using a gel plate/Brusho background I had in my stash, which I cut into tag shape.

Next I used Ranger Archival "Violet" ink through two stencils from Funky Fossil Designs, using the "Number Scrabble Stencil" and the "Large Polka Dots Stencil".

I then used the Funky Fossil "Musings Stamp Set" to add the darker numbers on the top left, using Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" ink.  I used the same ink to ink the edge of the tag and also to stamp the Lavinia Stamps "Witches Cat" at the bottom right hand corner.

I used the Funky Fossil Designs "Blooming Numbers 2" stamp and die set with Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" to create the number seven, which I layered using foam pads for added dimension.

I used a white Posca Pen to add dashes of white vertically and horizontally.

Finally, I added a sentiment of "I feel so lucky" from the Tim Holtz "Idea-ology TH93193 Small Talk" sticker set.

Stampscapes Windmill Christmas Card

 

I received a very large order of new Stampscapes polymer stamps licenced to Sweet Poppy Stencils, so I of course had to make this quick card.

I used "Sky Blue" Ranger Archival Ink through the Sweet Poppy "Triangle Stencil".  I then lay the "Harmony Backplate Stencil" over the top and applied the same coloured ink through the stencil to create the two tones patterned diesign/Christmas Tree.

I used the Stampscapes new polymer "Large Windmill" stamp to stamp the windmill image, using Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze" ink. I then used the same ink to stamp the sentiment, which is part of the Sweet Poppy Stencil "Festive Phrases" stamp set.

Finally, I used a gold shimmer pen to draw around the stamped areas and also the pattern on the Christmas Tree.  This provided a beautiful subtle shimmer, which sadly doesn't look as good in the photograph as it does in real life.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 40

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 40 is "Autumn"

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This is my Week 40 "Autumn" tag, using a cream coloured tag for the base, I used the Funky Fossil Designs "Slimline Windy Day Stencil" with four shades of Ranger Archival Inks, using Coffeem Red Geranium, Tea Rose and Fern Green colours of inks.

I used a Sweet Poppy Stamps "A6 Seasons stamp" for the sentiment, stamped in Versafine Clair "Chianti" dark red ink.

I edged the tag with two colours, first using "Red Geranium" Ranger Archival Ink and then on the very edge using Versafine Clair "Acorn" brown" ink.

Finally I mounted the tag on to a piece of brown card and added dots of metallic gold Signo Pen for extra detail.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 39

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 39 is "White on white"

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We're now three quarters of the way through the challenge - the end is in sight!

For my Week 39 - "White on white", I started with a piece of white Papermill Direct 300gsm super smooth card, cut into a tag shape.

I then used the scroll die from the Sizzix / Tim Holtz thinlit die set called "Mixed Media #2 - ref 661185" to cut the pattern on the right hand side of the tag.

I then mounted the patterned tag on to a piece of plain white card and cut around it, using a border.

Next I used two different die cut sets to add the foliage.  The first was a Sizzix / Tim Holtz thinlits die set called "Garden Greens - ref 661206".  The second was a Sizzix / Stampin' Up thinlits set called "Pretty Pine ref 141851".

I glued the components together, using wet glue and foam pads to elevate areas of the tag.  Finally, adding a few dots of white Ranger "Enamel Accents" for extra interest.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 38

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 38 is "Engineering/cogs"

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For my Week 38 - "Engineering/cogs", I used a cream coloured tag for the base.  Stamping the Funky Fossil Designs engine, part of their "Engine Room" stamp set in Versafine Clair "Acorn" brown ink.  I then coated the ink with Wow! Clear Embossing Powder and heat set the image.

Next, I used Versafine Clair "Sand Dune" ink through the Funky Fossil "Mechanical" and "Micro Dots" stencils.

I then used Versafine Clair "Pine Cone" brown ink through the "In the air" stencil for the birds. I edged the tag in Versafine Clair "Chianti" dark red ink, using the same ink through the diamond section of the Funky Fossil "Make your mark III" stencil.

Finally, I used a Posca Pen to make black paint splatters across the surface of the tag and then mounted the tag on to a piece of co-ordinating card.

Lavinia Stamps "Penblwyd Hapus" card

I used a part sheet of the Lavinia Stamps "Dream-Scapes" patterned paper as the base of this card.

I used several Versafine Clair inks to create the wreath, using some of the Lavinia "Mini" stamps and the new "Magical Mist" stamp. The colours I used were:  Monarch, Purple Delight, Hawthorn Rose and Verdant.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the "Penblwyd Hapus" sentiment, a bird and the black cat called "Witches Cat".

I used a white gel pen to add highlights to the leaves and a silver glitter pen to add little dots around the wreath and the background.

I mounted the piece on to coloured card and then on to a white card blank.  Finally, I added dots of two shades of Liquid Pearls, using "Silver Pearl" and "Avocado" and set aside to dry.

Lavinia Stamps "Blue Moon" Witches Card

I've surprised myself, a third card in one day!  This was supposed to be a birthday card, but Hubby reckons it's "a bit dark" for a birthday card, so I will make another one.

For this card, I started off with a white piece of square card and stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Tree of courage" and "Tree of hope" using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

I popped a moon mask in postion then used Lavinia "Sundance" Elements Ink with a blending brush within the tree area.  At the base of the tree, I used "Lime Punch" Element Ink to add more of a green tinge.

Next, I used a further three Element inks, around the edge using Dark Denim, Violet Chalk and Midnight Blue colours in that order.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the three witches, which are part of the Lavinia Stamps "Blue Moon" stamp set.

I used Derwent Inktense pencils with a paint brush to colour the tree trunk and to add some background foliage and green shadows.

I then used a white gel pen and a black fine liner pen to add highlights and low lights to the tree areas.  I also used the black fine liner pen to add extra shadow.

Finally, removing the moon mask, I used "Antique Linen" Distress Oxide Ink to colour in the moon with a blending brush.

"Life is a mixtape" Male Birthday Card

Two cards in one day!  I must be on a roll!  Our friend celebrates his birthday next week, so I needed to get a card made.

This was super quick to make, I used two patterned papers from the Funky Fossil "Turn it up" patterned paper pad. for the base.

I then used Versafine Clair "Pine Cone" dark brown ink to stamp he central detail and the sentiment, both are from the Funky Fossil stamp set called "Press Play".

I used a Derwent Inktense pale blue pencil to colour the tape. I then stamped "Celebrate" on it using a sentiment from the Funky Fossil Designs "Small Print" stamp set and Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink.

Finally, I added four colours of Posca Pen splatters using Black, White, Red and Aqua Green colours.  I edged the card in Versafine Clair "Pine Cone" dark brown ink to get a more grunge look, then mounted it on to a brown card and then a red card blank.

Engagement Card (inspired by Manja Nelan)

We received some wonderful news a few days back, that our younger son and his girl are now engaged.  We are absolutely thrillled for them.

I am really not in crafting mode at the moment, due to packing up for a house move.  My crafting mojo seems to have been replaced by all things moving!  So I was really struggling with ideas for a card to make.

I remembered seeing a card on the Lavinia Stamps facebook group that I thought was very clever, so I searched for it and found the one I was looking for, it was by Manja Nelan from 2021, so I decided to give it a go.  The card above is inspired by Manja's card.

Using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink, I stamped the two Lavinia Stamps trees, they're called "Tree of courage" and "Tree of hope".

I then found my Visible Image "Love is love" stamp set, with two profiles.  I stamped them on to a piece of card and then fussy cut the face profiles. I used a pencil to lightly draw around the profiles on the edge of each tree.  I then used the central area between the stamped face image as a stencil, colouring and blending the face with "Fern Green" Ranger Archival Ink.  I've shown a photo of what I mean.

I used the same ink with a blending brush and a Lavinia Stamps "Hill Mask" to create the land that the trees are based on.

Next, I used a fine liner black pen to add extra branches to fill in the empty areas of the faces. I  then used a brown Derwent Inktense pencil with a paint brush to colour the tree trunk and some of the thicker branches. I added gold coloured dots within the tree branches too.

Finally, using Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink I stamped the word "love" between the foreheads, using part of one of the "Heartfelt Verse" sentiment stamps from Lavinia Stamps.  I used the same ink to stamp the word "Congratulations" which is part of a Clarity Stamps stamp set called "Entwined Sentiments".  I mounted the card on to a piece of dark green card and then on to a 8x8" card blank.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 37

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 37 is "Rays of light"

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For my Week 37 - "Rays of light", I started by stamping Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink to stamp the Penny Black  wood mounted "Cala Lillies 282K" stamp" image.

I placed the Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous "Rays Stencil THS003" over the top of the tag and used two shades of Ranger Archival Inks, using "Shadow Grey" and "Sky Blue" colours.

I coloured the stamped image in using Derwent Inktense Pencils, applied with a paint brush.  The colours that I used were Lemon, Spring Green, Applie Greenm and Malibu.

I added extra detail using a 2B pencil, a Gelly Roll pen called "Clear Star" to give a subtle shimmer and a few dots of white Ranger Enamel Accents.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 36

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 36 is "How do you relax?"

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For my Week 36 - "How do you relax"? I started with a piece of patterned paper with a shades of cream and beige zig zag pattern, which I stuck on to a plain tag.

I then used Ranger Archival Inks through the Funky Fossil Designs "Chatty Cups Stencil".  The ink colours I used were Thistle, Tiger Lily, Coffee, Poppy and Vibrant Fuschia.  I also used Vibrant Fuschia to ink the edges of the tag to brighten it a little.  

I used a stamp from the Funky Fossil Designs "Coffee & Friends" stamp set to multi stamp the definition, using Versafine Clair "Morning Mist" grey ink.  I then mounted the tag on to a piece of dark brown card and trimmed the edges.

Over a piece of plain white card, I lay the Funky Fossil "Coffee Cup Stencil" and coloured it in using some orange ink that was left on my blending brush for the right hand side and then used "Pebble Beach" Ranger Archival Ink for the left hand side, blending towards the middle so that the colour was very light down the middle of the cup.  I then fussy cut the cup and inked the edges of it using "Pebble Beach" ink again.

I used Versafine Clair "Acorn" brown ink to stamp the sentiment on to the cup.  The sentiment is also part of the Funky Fossil stamp set called "Coffee and Friends".  I then used foam pads on the back of the coffee cup to stick it to the tag.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 35

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 35 is "Underwater"

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For my Week 35 - "Underwater", I started with a white tag, I added stripes of diferent Washi Tape till the surface was covered.  I then popped it in a Crafters Companion embossing folder with a water/wave design, sorry I have no idea of the name of the folder.  

Over the ridges of the waves, I rubbed Versafine Clair "Warm Breeze" turquoise coloured ink pad, which created a textured background.

Then on white card, I stamped the fish.  I used Versafine Clair "Chariming Pink" ink on the Lavinia stamps fish called "Arlo".  I used Versafine Clair "Summertime" orange ink for the Lavinia Stamps fish called "Flo" and for one of the fish in their "Fish Set".

I fussy cut the fish, adding Posca Pen and a "Wink of Stella" to give a lovely gold shimmer. I used wet glue to fix them on to the tag, but put a foam pad behind the tail of the pink fish to make it appear more 3D.

On a piece of white card, I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the "Deeper than the oceans" sentiment by Lavinia Stamps.  Once dry, I cut the sentiment up in to separate words.  Adding a rough black outline around each word using a black Fine Line pen, then stuck into position.

Finally, I added pearls, sequins, clear beads and touches of Range "Glossy Accents" to add extra detail and sparkle to the surface of the tag.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 34

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 34 is "Hot Colours"

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This is the tag that I have made for the Week 34, with a prompt of "Hot Colours". Starting with a white tag, I secured the Clarity Stamps "Squiggly Round Stencil" over to the left side of the tag using low tack tape.

Then I graduated four shades of Ranger Archival Inks, using blending brushes from left to right.  The colours I have used are Carnation Red, Cactus Flower, Tiger Lily and Buttercup.

I used Versafine Clair "Nocturne" black ink to stamp the Clarity Stamps sentiment (part of their "Quotes Set 1 - One Day At A Time" stamp set), in the middle of the tag.

Finally, I mounted the tag on to red card and then added three dots of black Ranger Enamel Accents.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 33

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 33 is "Kraft"

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This is the tag that I have made for the Week 33. Starting with a kraft card tag base, I stamped the Lavinia Stamps "Logan" hare using Versafine Clair "Pinecone" brown ink.

I then used the Lavinia Stamps "Waffle" stencil with "Bundled Sage" Distress Oxide Ink around the hare.  

I inked the edges of the tag and then brought the colour in around the hare using Versafine Clair "Pine Cone" brown ink using a finger dabber.

I masked off the hare and added black and white splatters of Posca Pens.  Then added colour to the hare using Derwent Inktense pencils.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 32

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 32 is "Fruit"

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This is the tag that I have made for the Week 32. Starting with a piece of white card cut into a tag shape, I used three shades of Ranger Archival Inks (Prickly Pear, Vivid Chartreuse and Poppy) through the Funky Fossil Designs stencil called "An apple a day" to create the background design.  

Using an apple stamp from a magazine, I stamped the half apple on to a piece of white card, using Versafine Clair "Avocado" green ink.  I then added extra colour using Derwent Inktense pencils.  I then die cut the apple into a circle shape and used the remainder of the Archival Ink from my blending brush to add a very slight green border to the circle.  I used sticky backed foam pads to stick the circle on to the tag.

I used the computer and printer for the "An apple a day..." sentiment, cutting it out and using double sided sticky tape to stick it to the tag.  Finally, I mounted the tag on to a piece of co-ordinating card and added some touches of 2B pencil to the apples.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 31

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 31 is "Tropical"

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This is the tag that I have made for the Week 31 "Tropical".  Starting with a plain white tag I used the Funky Fossil Designs stencil called "Tropical Leaves" with "Twisted Citron" and "Mowed Lawn".  I then used another Funky Fossil stencil called "Tropical" with "Rustic Wilderness" Distress Oxide ink.  The little gaps of white between the leaves, I coloured with a blue Derwent Inktense pencil.

On pieces of white card, I used a Globeland leaf stamp to stamp a couple of different leaf shapes,  I coloured them with Derwent Inktense pencils then die cut them.

I then moved on to the toucan, which is part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Toucan Talk" stamp set, stamping the bird on to the tag and also on to a piece of white card using Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink.

I then coloured the bird image that I had stamped on white card, using Posca Pens, then fussy cut the shape and stuck over the bird image on the tag.

I used Derwent Inktense pencils to draw and colour a branch for the toucan to be standing on.

Next, I inked the edges of the tag, using Versafine Clair "Rain Forest" dark green ink, then mounted the tag on to a piece of blue card to match the blue of the Toucan.

Finally, I inked the edges of the die cut leaves, again using Versafine Clair "Rain Forest" dark green ink and then arranged and then glued the leaves into positiion on the tag, leaving a couple of the leaves raised for dimension.

Patterned Paper and MDF Collage Card

I've made another collage card, using up some off cuts of patterned papers from two Funky Fossil Designs paper packs "Textures" and "Patina.

I've also used three MDF shapes.  I used a white Posca Pen to paint the arrow.  

Considering these are all scraps of paper, it makes quite an impact!

Funky Fossil "Skeleton Leaf" Birthday Card

This morning, I took delivery of a small order from Funky Fossil Designs, in it was a "Skeleton Leaf stencil" which I loved the look of, so had to try it out immediately, making this card.

To make this card, I lay the new Funky Fossil "Skeleton Leaf Stencil" over a piece of white card and used three shades of Ranger Archival ink through the stencil.  Starting with "Seagrass", then moving out to "Paradise Teal" and then finally on the very edge of the leaf I used "Night Sky".

Lifting the stencil, I then used the "Sea Grass" and "Paradise Teal" to colour the card between the leaf and the edge of the card.

Next, using Versafine Clair "Arctic" blue ink, I multi stamped some text from the Funky Fossil "Musings Stamp set" around the edge of the leaf.  I then inked the edges of the card using Versafine Clair "Medieaval Blue" ink.

I used the flowers from the Funky Fossil "In The Meadow" stamp set, stamped in first and second generation stamping with Versafine Clair "Medieval Blue" ink.  I then used the same ink to stamp the sentiment, which is part of the Funky Fossil "Stripped Back Sentiment" stamp set.

I added a touch of colour to the butterflies, also part of the "In the meadow" stamp set, using a Derwent Inktense pencil.  Finally adding some white splatters of Posca Pen.

Funky Fossil Designs "In the neighbourhood" new home card

For the last couple of years, our friends, who were once our neighbours and are greatly missed, have been building their own house.  This week they eventually moved in, so this is a card I have made for them.

In the background I used "Shadow Grey" Ranger Archival Ink through the Funky Fossil Designs "In the neighbourhood stencil.'

Then using the Funky Fossil Designs "Honeycomb Heart Die Set" I cut one layer in green, with the leaves.  I then used the same die in white, cut off the leaves and glued over the green heart, leaving the leaves exposed.

Using the same die set, I then cut the inner honeycomb area in yellow card and glued into position over the white area.  I then glued the whole heart into position overthe stencilled background. Mounted the card on to grey card and then on to a white card blank.

I then die cut the house and the word home in grey card, using another Funky Fossil die set.  Sorry, I don't know what it's called and I can't locate it on their web site either, so likely retired and glued into position.

I returned to the "Honeycomb Heart die set" and die cut a couple of bees in yellow card.  I used a black Posca Pen to add stripes and a gold shimmer gel pen on the wing area, then glued into position on the card using a wet glue.

Funky Fossil "Sending Hugs" Card

Our pets mean so much to most of us and it is heart breaking when you eventually have to make the decision to say that last goodbye, but it's the one final kindness we can offer them, to ease their pain, when our pain at losing them goes on for what seems forever.

Sadly, my friend has booked the vet to have her old dog and loyal friend put to sleep tomorrow.  He was a rescue dog and has had such a lovely life with my friends.  Today, I am invited to go to visit Marco for the final time, to see his tail wag, to sit on the floor with him and show him I care.  I will miss that boy so much.

Anyway, I made this card for my friends.  I used Archival Ink left on my blending brushes through the Funky Fossil Designs "Pawprint Background" stencil.

I used Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink to stamp the "Sending Hugs" sentiment, which is part of the Funky Fossil "Stripped Back Sentiments" stamp set.

Funky Fossil "In the meadow" friendship card

When you can't sleep, craft!  That's me at the moment, it's not yet 3am and I've been awake for hours, so decided to come down and play with some ink, stamps and stencils.

For this card, I've used three stencils by Funky Fossil Designs and a couple of their stamp sets.

I started with two shades of Ranger Archival Inks (Sea Grass and Garden Patina), through the Funky Fossil "In the flow" stencil.

Next I used "Shadow Grey" Ranger Archival Ink through the Funky Fossil "Large Polka Dot" stencil.

I then used "Fern Green" Ranger Archival Ink through the Funky Fossil "Leaves in the breeze" stencil, keeping the main design in the bottom left hand corner and fading out towards the right.

I then used Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink to stamp the flowers, which are part of the Funky Fossil "In the meadow" stamp set and also the friendship sentiment, which is part of the Funky Fossil "Small Print 2" stamp set.

Finally, after mounting the card on to a piece of navy coloured paper and then on to a card blank, I added some silver glitter gel pen to areas of the flowers and background dots.

Funky Fossil "Classic Trimmings" Christmas Tag

As usual, when I get back from the caravan, I have to have a play with stamps and inks.  Today I made this Christmas gift tag.

I started with a blank tag and added horizontal strips of washi tape in a plaid design.  The tape is from the Funky Fossil set called "Timeless Traditions Trio Washi Tape".  I then sanded the surface to dull it.

Next, I went around the edge of the tag and drew vertical lines (on the left hand side), using a gold gel pen. I then used the Funky Fossil "A7 Face the music" stamp set to stamp music notes, stamped in "Jet Black" Archival Ink.

On an off cut of white card, I used a Wow! Clear Embossing Pad to stamp the ornament shapes.  The ornaments are part of the Funky Fossil "Classic Trimmings" stamp set.  I then coated the stamped image in Wow! Rich Gold Embossing Powder and heat set.  I coloured the ornaments and then fussy cut them, gluing them into position on the tag.

Finally, using Versafine Clair 'Morning Mist" grey ink, I stamped the sentiment, which is part of the Funky Fossil "Christmas Small Print" stamp set, cut it down and edged it in a gold gel pen.

Zentangle Update

When I'm away in the caravan I am still doing my zentangle/doodles in my Arteza book.  So far I have filled 38 of 88 pages in my book, so still a long way to go.  I can't wait to see the book full of patterns.

This photo shows four of my recent completed pages.

52 Week Mini Art Card / Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 30

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 30 is "Embossing"

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This is the tag that I have made for the Week 30. I've opted for embossing folders to create the texture on this tag.

Starting with a piece of cream card, I put through the Big Shot using the Crafters Companion "Scandi Christmas" embossing folder for the background cream design.

I cut three sqaures of dark blue card and put each through a different Apple Blossom embossing folder two with stripes of different sizes and the third with dots.  I used wet glue to stick them to the tag.

I die cut the flower and the word "hope" both are part of the Stampin' Up / Sizzix thinlits set called "Sunshine Wishes" and glued into position, finally using a gold gel pen on the die cuts and splattering gold paint across the surface of the tag.

52 Week Mini Art Card - Tag Challenge 2024 - Week 29

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 29 is "Modes of transport"

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This is the tag that I have made for the Week 29, it's a clean and simple design after the rather busy tag from Week 28.

Using Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink, I stamped the boat/liner off the edge of the tag.  The stamp was part of a set that came free with Issue 54 of "Creative Stamping Magazine". I then stamped it again on a post-it note, fussy cut it and used it as a mask.

With the mask in place and another post-it note across the tag to create a horizon line, I coloured the sea are around the boat, using "Forget Me Knot" blue Ranger Archival Ink.

I used three shades of Distress Oxide Ink, applied with a paint brush to create the mottled sky, uisng Tumbled Glass, Speckled Egg and Weathered Wood colours.

Using Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink again, I stamped the "Bon Voyage" sentiment and also the compass.  Finally I added some touches of white gel pen to the water around the boat and then mounted the tag on a teal coloured card.

Funky Fossil "Fern" Celebrate Card

A very quick card to make.  I used a stitched edge rectangle die to cut a piece of patterned paper from the Funky Fossil Designs "Patina" paper pad.  I stuck it to the middle of a white card blank.

Then using an off cut of white card, I used one of the dies from the Funky Fossil Designs "Fern Die Set" and cut the fern using the Sizzix Big Shot.  I used a wet glue to secure the die over the patterned paper rectangle.

I used a gold coloured Signo Unibal pen to add dots on the patterned paper and I also drew around the edge of the rectangle.

Finally, I use Versafine Clair "Twilight" dark blue ink to stamp the "Celebrate" sentiment, which is part of the Funky Fossil Designs "Small Print" stamp set.