It's Wednesday and there's a new challenge over at The Male Room too ..... read on!

Morning readers

Thanks to the lovely peeps over at The Male Room I was picked as a winner for one of their challenges. They kindly offered me a Guest Design Team Member slot which I was happy to do. I've therefore got a make to share with you today for their current theme .... #135 "Sentiment in focus"

 

They'd love to see your entries

My card

 

The front, back and inside of my card along with the front and back of my envelope

And a view of my stencilled panel before I started stamping on it!

Materials used:

• White C6/A2, 250gsm card and matching sized envelope
• Two pieces of white card cut to fit
• One piece of navy, cut to mat
• I masked off a slanted panel, using low tack tape, placed my Stamplorations stencil (Shutters) over the top and applied Memento grey flannel and Paris dusk inks over the panel
• Having then removed the low tack tape I stamped my PRS splatter (from "Positive Thoughts" - my collection since Oct 2017) using Memento Paris dusk ink
• Ranger Letter-It sentiment (Birthday)  stamped using Versafine Clair twilight ink
• Inkadinkado motorcycle image (96346 - think it's been in my collection around 10 years) stamped using Versafine Clair nocturne ink

Additionally, I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:-

1. Simply Less Is More - challenge No. 418 - SCRIBBLES, DRIPS and/or SPLATS - 3rd entry
2. Seize The Birthday - challenge No. 189 - ANYTHING (Birthday) GOES
3. Retro Rubber - challenge No. 133 - ANYTHING GOES (MUST use stamps older than one year)
4. Pammie's Inky Pinkies - challenge No. 2017 - ANYTHING GOES
5. Creative Crafters - challenge No. 27 - ANYTHING GOES

 

Most of my regular readers will know that I am trying to walk daily ... to both improve my health and fitness and also to lose some weight. Since we've been enjoying the driest (and sunniest) April since records began (in 1929) I've been getting rather used to heading out in joggers and a T-Shirt ... not so yesterday, what a change?! Not only was it raining but it was rather on the chilly side too - brrr. Needless to say I didn't break the three mile barrier yesterday but I DID manage 2.6 miles/4.19km at 5.6kmh which at least kept me warm!!!!

Monday and welcome to another week

Morning readers,

How was your socially isolated weekend? If I'm honest, I saw more of my neighbours yesterday than I have in ages! No, I didn't go visiting ... I went out for my usual walk and bumped in to nine of my neighbours! Had a chat with each one of them (appropriately distanced) in the sunshine, it was really nice - guess I'm missing the social side of my "normal" life more than I had realised. Still, at least we're all safe and well and, right now, that's way more important than being able to go to the pub or coffee shop. Take care readers, take care.

I've a mail art make to share with you today .... If I'm making cards then I usually match the envelope to the card so .. to send out a letter WITHOUT decorating the envelope seems kind of weird, so -

My C5 envelope

And a closer view of the detail

Materials used:

• White C5 envelope
• Full cover post it, cut to 7½ x 5 cm, to use as a mask to cover my address
• With my mask in place I stencilled my TCW stencil (357S) using Memento rosebud ink and my Memory Box stencil (88517) using Memento grey flannel ink
• I used a variety of stamps from the Imagination Crafts set below (12991) and Memento inks in rosebud, tangelo and grey flannel
• Using a circle die cut as a template I drew the circles using a Faber Castell pitt pen and doodled some detail
• Once finished I was able to remove the mask a reveal the address again, to conform with Royal Mail regulations

I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:-

1. Love To Craft Challenge Blog - April challenge - ANYTHING GOES
2. Creative Fingers - challenge No. 184 - ANYTHING GOES
3. The Three Muses - April 22nd challenge - MAIL ART

And, whilst I had my stencils and stencil brushes out .... don't know of any purple and yellow frogs in real life but ..... you just never know!

My Artist Trading Card

Materials used:

• ATC blank
• Snippets of leftover card in white and also Costco double sided 300gsm card
• Stampendous frog image and sentiment (from SSC1269 "Yoga frogs") stamped using Memento tuxedo black and Versafine Clair morning mist inks
• Stencils: TCW 357S, That's Crafty dinky stencil TC043 and Memory Box grid (88517)
• Inks: Memento grey flannel and dandelion
• Aldi stencil brushes
• Faber Castell polychromos pencils

I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:-

1. Crazy4Challenges - challenge No. 532 - ADD A FROG
2. CraftyCatz - challenge No. 503 - ANYTHING GOES + twist of ADD A SENTIMENT
3. Colour Crazy - challenge No. 16 - ANYTHING (hand coloured) GOES
4. Penny's Paper Crafty - challenge No. 469 - ANYTHING GOES

And now for a rather bright card ... following both a sketch and a theme!

My card

Initially, my card looked like this but I noticed the "HAPPY" was at a jaunty angle
Whilst it looked "OKAY" I wasn't happy

 

The front, back and inside of my card along with the front and back of my envelope

Materials used:

• White 6" square, 250gsm card and matching sized envelope
• Two pieces of white card cut to fit
• One piece of PaperMill Intense red card, cut to mat
• Snippets of card in the white and intense red - for my sentiment "fix" on the card front!
• Stamps used: Hero Arts AC026, Inkylicious "Splodge and Splat 2011", Ranger Letter-It "Birthday"
• Inks used: Memento dandelion, tangelo, lady bug, rosebud and Versafine Clair morning mist

I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:-

1. CASe this Sketch - challenge No. 369 - SKETCH ... see below
2. Simply Less Is More - challenge No. 418 - SCRIBBLES, Drips and Splats! - 2nd entry
3. The Corrosive Challenge - challenge No. 4 - ANYTHING GOES
4. Aud Sentiments - challenge No. 249 -  10th Birthday so ADD A BIRTHDAY SENTIMENT
5. Southern Girls - April 16th challenge - ANYTHING GOES

 

It's Saturday and it's Rudolph Day!

Morning readers,

I hope you've enjoyed the weather this past week and been able to enjoy the garden despite the self isolation - we've even managed a BBQ!

Staying home has given me the opportunity to craft more (without guilt) and I've a make to share with you today ....

My card

 

The front, back and inside of my card along with the front and back of my envelope

Materials used:

• White C6/A2, 250gsm card and matching sized envelope
• Two pieces of white card cut to fit
• One piece of red card, cut to mat
• StampaBarbara snowie (02306 Carolling ornament) stamped using Versafinen Clair morning mist ink
• Sentiment and border (from one set that has become detached from its packaging so I've no idea who the manufacturer is and it's over 15 years old!!!) stamped using Versafine Clair morning mist and nocturne inks
• Faber Castell polychromos pencils and Kaisercraft glitter gel pens to add colour to my card

I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:-

1. Retro Rubber - challenge No. 133 - ANYTHING GOES - I'm gonna say my carolling ornament's probably close to 20 years old!
2. The Holly and Ivy - challenge No. 70 - ANYTHING (Christmas) GOES
3. Fezziwigs Festive Frolics - April 22nd challenge - CAS (Clean And Simple)
4. Scraps of Life - April Rudolph Day challenge - ANYTHING CHRISTMAS GOES

 

And there's a new challenge over at Simply Less Is More too ...

My card

 

The front, back and inside of my card along with the front and back of my envelope

Materials used:

• White C6/A2, 250gsm card and matching sized envelope
• Two pieces of white card cut to fit
• Stamps used: Honey Doo "Paint Splodges", Hero Arts "AC026", Paper Artsy HTPX01, Happy Little Stampers "Wish you were here" and Visible Image "drag and drip"
• Inks used: Versafine Clair morning mist and nocturne, Memento London fog and lady bug
• Dimensional foam tape

I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:-

1. Simply Less Is More - challenge No. 418 - SCRIBBLES, DRIPS and/or SPLATS!
2. Alphabet Challenge - April 24th challenge - "B" is for BOYS
3. Creative Friday - challenge No. 254 - BLACK, WHITE and a DASH OF COLOUR
4. Pattie's Creations - challenge No. 169 - BIRTHDAYS
5. Seize The Birthday - challenge No. 189 - ANYTHING BIRTHDAY + (optional twist) FOOD / DRINK

 

And now ... an Artist Trading Coin, made for a swap with the theme of "Owls and/or Robins" - you can see I went with OWLS!!!

My Artist Trading Coin

Materials used:

• Snippets of leftover card in white and pearlised gold
• Nesting circle dies to cut my circles
• My Craft Stamper free owl image stamped using Memento rich cocoa ink, stamped a second time on to a full cover post-it which I then fussy cut out and used as a mask
• With my  mask in place and using a makeup brush, I applied Memento Bahama blue lightly over the entire circle. I then placed my Tim Holtz stencil (from set #24) and applied more of the same blue ink
• Whilst the mask was still in place I also stamped the branch (from Penny Black "Natures Bounty") using Memento rich cocoa ink
• MFT sentiment (from BB-49 "Bitty Bears") stamped using Versafine Clair morning mist ink
• Alcohol markers used to colour: Peach, Winter Berry, Ice grey I & II, Icicle, Hot Pink and colourless blender

I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:-

1. Crafty Catz - challenge No. 503 - ANYTHING GOES
2. QKR Stampede - challenge No. 395 - ANYTHING GOES
3. Colour Crazy - challenge No. 16 - ANYTHING (hand coloured) GOES
4. CardzTV - challenge No. 113 - ANYTHING GOES

It's Friday and what lies ahead for the weekend?

Morning readers,

Is it more self-isolation, perhaps? Will you be taking a day trip .... to the garden? I hope we will be taking that trip, particularly if the weather is nice!

In the meantime .... I've been busy a tthe ToC (that's Table of Craftiness) I've a make to share with you today ....

My Artist Trading Card

Materials used:

• ATC blank
• Snippets of leftover card in white, pearl grey and textured red
• Katzelkraft rat image (from KTZ179) stamped using Memento grey flannel ink. I stamped a second image on to full coverage post it which I then fussy cut out and used as a mask
• With my mask in place I positioned my first stencil (from set #24) and, using an Aldi stencil brush, applied Memento lady bug ink. I then changed to my second stencil (from set #35) and applied Memento potters clay ink
• After removing both my stencil and mask I stamped the Stamplorations "Noteworthy" sentiment using Versafine Clair nocturne ink
• Faber Castell polychromos pencils used to colour image

I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:-

1. Unicorn Challenge - challenge No. 53 - FURRY FRIENDS
2. The House That Stamps Built - challenge No. A2220 - ANYTHING GOES
3. Lemon Shortbread - challenge No. 118 - ANYTHING GOES
4. Pammie's Inky Pinkies - challenge No. 2016 - ANYTHING GOES

And now for my next make ..

My card

 

The front, back and inside of my card along with the front and back of my envelope

Materials used:

• White C6/A2, 250gsm card and matching sized envelope
• Two pieces of white card cut to fit
• One piece of DCWV textured hot pink card, cut to mat
• Using a piece of scrap card with an aperture cut from it as a mask, I applied Distress Ink in squeezed lemonade and then, placing the Dylusions circles stencil, I applied Distress Ink picked raspberry
• With the mask removed I stamped the sentiment and silhouette (from HLS "Wish you were here") using Versafine Clair morning mist and nocturne inks
• Finally, a quick spritz of Crafters Companion Spray and Shine - to protect the water based inks in transit

I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:

1. Water Cooler Wednesday - challenge No. 268 - ALL ABOUT THE OCCASIONS
2. Sisterhood of Crafters - April 22nd challenge - HAPPY BIRTHDAY or FUN FOLD or BOTH
3. Crafty Creations - April challenge - ANYTHING GOES
4. The Spot - challenge No. 107 - BIRTHDAY
5. Crafty Sentiments - April 21st challenge - HAPPY BIRTHDAY

 

As I went out for my walk yesterday, imagine my surprise to see a deer in the front garden!!! One can only assume that the lack of traffic and the neighbourhood adhering to the "stay home" rules. I took the photo below (just in case) and it's just as well I did because, as I moved slowly towards it, it shot off before I managed to get 4' closer.

Oh DEER!