It's Wednesday ..... what's on the agenda today?

Morning readers,

More social distancing methinks! Whilst strictly adhering to it ... I have to say that I'm more than a little bored of it! Oh - how I shall appreciate NOT having to cross the street to avoid people when restrictions are finally able to be lifted. In the meantime, I'll keep doing the social distancing whilst out and staying  home at other times. STAY HOME and STAY WELL

I've a make to share with you today .... an Artist Trading Coin, intended as a swap for the theme of "Robins and/or Owls" -

My Artist Trading Coin

Materials used:

• Snippets of leftover card in white and red
• Penny Black image (from Winter Wonderland) stamped using Memento tuxedo black ink - stamped a second time on to full coverage post it which I fussy cut out to use as a mask
• With my mask in place I applied Memento Bahama blue ink using a makeup brush, to the entire snippet and Memento grey flannel ink around the outer edge only
• With a Tim Holtz stencil (from set #38) in place I applied the blue ink again
• Penny Black sentiment (from the same set) stamped using Versafine Clair twilight ink
• Alcohol markers used to colour image
• Stardust stickles to bling up the ATCoin

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

1. Happy Little Stampers - April ATC challenge - MAKE YOUR OWN BACKGROUND
2. Pixie's Crafty Workshop - challenge No. 376 - USE SNIPPETS
3. Corrosive Challenge - challenge No. 4 - ANYTHING GOES
4. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - challenge No. 130 - ANYTHING GOES
5. Through The Craft Room Door - April 21st challenge - ANYTHING GOES

And now for a card ..

My card

 

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

The "out of focus" part of my card - my image spritzed with water before stamping!

Materials used:

• White C6/A2, 250gsm card and matching sized envelope
• Two pieces of white card cut to fit
• One piece of DCWV textured lime card, cut to mat
• Creative Expressions image stamped using Distress Ink twisted citron, spritzed with water and then stamped on to my card front, for the "out of focus" effect! .... elsewhere on the card and envelope I stamped using Memento pear tart ink
• Crafty Individuals leaf image (unknown reference) stamped using Versafine Clair nocturne ink
• HLS sentiment (from "Wish you were here") stamped using Versafine Clair morning mist ink
• One faux crystal gemstone added for a bit of bling!
• Quick application of Crafters Companion Spray and Shine to the card front, to protect the water based ink

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

1. Simply Less Is More - challenge No. 417 - OUT OF FOCUS
2. AAA Cards - challenge No. 163 - SKETCH + (optional) twist  of IT FLIES (which I didn't use this time around
3. The Paper Players - challenge No. 487 - CAS (Clean And Simple) and a twist of ADD SOME SPARKLE ... mine was in the form of the gemstone
4. Crafty Sentiments - April 21st challenge - HAPPY BIRTHDAYS
5. Addicted to Stamps & More - challenge No. 386 - ANYTHING GOES

 

 

Monday and the start of another week .......

Morning readers,

How was your weekend? Anyone go away for the weekend? And by that, I mean ... really kick back and pack for a weekend visit to, say, ........ the spare room??? It was a weekend of two halves here - Saturday was pretty filthy for much of the day, my daily walk saw me dripping home! Sunday's walk, however, was GLORIOUS - lovely sunshine and everyone I encountered (from a 2m distance, of course) was smiling in the sunshine, it was lovely.

I've a make to share with you today .... it's an Artist Trading Coin for a themed swap and the theme is "Autumn Leaves" hence the colours from green through to brown

My Artist Trading Coin

Materials used:

• Snippets of card in white and pearlised gold
• Nesting dies to cut my circles 2½" and 2¼" diameter
• Close To My Heart clock face (from D-1257) stamped on to my gold layer using Memento rich cocoa ink
• PSX mini maple leaf (B-1077) stamped on to my white layer using Memento inks: rhubarb stalk, potters clay, bamboo leaves and Versafine Clair pine cone
• Stampers Anonymous sentiment (from CMS155 "Simple Sayings") stamped using Versafine Clair nocturne ink

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

1. Southern Girls - April 16th challenge - ANYTHING GOES
2. Through The Purple Haze - challenge No. 166 - ANYTHING GOES
3. Crafty Creations - challenge No. 408 - ANYTHING GOES
4. Creative Crafters - challenge No. 27 - ANYTHING GOES
5. Crafty Friends - challenge No. 133 - ANYTHING GOES

And ... despite the (mostly) pleasant weather recently ... when I headed to my ToC (Table of Craftiness) what evolved was ..... a Christmas card!!! I can't believe it's only April and I appear to have filled my 2020 quota - if you see more (and you WILL) they'll be towards 2021!! I don't believe I have EVER been this far ahead this early but then - I've never been under lockdown before either! Keep Crafting = Keep Sane!

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
• Inkylicious image and sentiment (from "Santa's Sleigh") stamped using Versafine Clair nocturne and Tulip red inks
• Happy Little Stampers skyline image (from "Wish you were here") stamped using Versafine Clair morning mist ink
• Wink of Stella clear glitter gel brush pen used to add subtle sparkle to my design

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

1. AAAChallenges - challenge No. 163 - SKETCH + (optional twist) IT FLIES
2. Happy Little Stampers - April Christmas challenge - ANYTHING GOES + (optional twist) FESTIVE ANIMALS
3. Krafty Chicks - challenge No. 503 - CAS ( Clean And Simple)
4. Fezziwigs Festive Frolics - April 8th challenge - FESTIVE ANIMALS ..... reindeer!
5. Christmas Craft Creations - April challenge - USE A STAMP

 

Super Saturday!

Morning readers,

Here we are in the lockdown extension and I, for one, am not sorry to see some rain this morning, for one thing, the gardens are parched and could use the moisture and for another .... somehow not being able to go out is easier when it's chucking it down outside! Stay home and stay safe peeps.

I've a make to share with you today ....

My Artist Trading Card

Materials used:

• ATC blank
• Snippets of card in white and patterned
• Distress Ink in wild honey applied to the white snippet, using a makeup brush
• Distress Ink in spiced marmalade applied through a Tim Holtz mini stencil (from set #24) 
• Distress Ink in ripe persimmon applied around the outer edge of the panel and to stamp the Hero Arts "Old French Writing"
• Imagination Crafts "thistle" image and CardzTV sentiment (from "Just Sayin") stamped using Versafine Clair nocturne ink
• Crafters Companion Spray and Shine applied to inked panel, to protect the water based inks
• Craft-T Products Metallic rub ons in nubian (to patterned card) and deep gold (to inked panel) to give it a little patina

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

1. CCEE Stampers - challenge No. 2016 - STENCILS
2. CardzTV - challenge No. 112 - ANYTHING GOES
3. Alphabet Challenge - April 10th challenge - "A" is for ANYTHING GOES
4. QKR Stampede - challenge No. 394 - ANYTHING GOES

And now a card for a sketch challenge ...

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 grey card, cut to mat
• Stampers Anonymous sentiment (from CMS155 "Simple Sayings") stamped using Versafine Clair twilight ink
• Rubber Stamps of America plane image (no reference on wood mounted stamp) stamped using Versafine Clair morning mist ink ... it's so unusual for me NOT to use a black ink somewhere on my project!

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

1. AAACards - challenge No. 163 - SKETCH + (optional twist) IT FLIES ... which, of course, my plane DOES!
2. Krafty Chicks - challenge No. 503 - CAS (Clean And Simple)
3. Pattie's Creations - challenge No. 169 - BIRTHDAY
4. Creative Fingers - challenge No. 184 - ANYTHING GOES

 

I discovered that I was a "Favourite" for March's ATC challenge over at Happy Little Stampers - thanks so much to the HLS DT for picking one of my ATC's, please see below if you want to see which one it was.

 

TGIF peeps!

Morning readers,

Hope you have a lovely weekend planned. I SHOULD have friends staying right now and can't help but think this weekend would have been a blast! Particularly since it's the birthday of one of them! HB2ULiz .. but, with lockdown, we had to cancel our plans until who knows when .....

I've a make to share with you today .... it's a scrap layout! I KNOW, been AGES since I did one!

A Scrap Layout 

Materials used:

• One piece of 12" x 12" patterned paper (which I've had for so long, not wanting to use!!!)
• Snippets of card in white, black and red
• Computer generated journalling
• Die for the "doily", red hearts and banner
• Honey Bee "you're my favourite" heart stamped using Versafine nocturne ink and then fussy cut out

I'll be entering this over at the Love To Craft Challenge Blog for their April "Anything Goes" challenge.

And now for an ATC .....

My Artist Trading Card

Materials used:

• ATC blank
• Snippets of card in white and pearlised green
• On the white snippet and using a makeup brush applied Distress Inks in shabby shutters and peeled paint, with just a little lucky clover in the corners and round the edges
• Adding my TCW stencil (357S) and then my Dutchdoobadoo stencil (470.715.120) I added forest moss
• Using a paintbrush I splattered some India Ink (Dr PH Martins - "sepia") over the inked panel
• Stampers Anonymous sentiment (from CMS155 "Simple Sayings") stamped using Versafine Clair nocturne ink
• RubberNecker image (497-11 "Floral") stamped using versamark embossing ink, sprinkled with Stampendous white embossing powder and heat set
• White Signo uniball gel pen used to scribble/doodle a border

My inky background

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

1. Happy Little Stampers - April ATC challenge - MAKE YOUR OWN BACKGROUND
2. Creative Crafters - challenge No. 27 - ANYTHING GOES
3. Try It On Tuesday - April 14th challenge - HAVE FUN WITH STENCILS
4. CCEE Stampers - challenge No. 2016 - STENCILS
5. Southern Girls - April 16th challenge - ANYTHING GOES

And now, with lockdown extended another three weeks ... nothing for it but to spend more time at the ToC (that's Table of Craftiness) so ..... a Christmas card. I've used traditional colours (as per a challenge) but chosen to use them on stars ... not normally red I know but hey .... I LIKE IT and I hope you will 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
• One piece of red card, cut to  mat
• Paper Artsy image (JOFY65) stamped using Versafine Clair morning mist ink
• Paper Artsy sentiment (also JOFY65) stamped using Versafine Clair tulip red ink
• Pro Marker alcohol markers in red and poppy used to colour
• Crystal stickles used to bling up my image

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

1. 52 Christmas Card Throwdown - April challenge - COLOUR CHALLENGE - see below
2. Passion For Promarkers - challenge No. 538 - CAS (Clean And Simple) ... there's a lot of white space which I hope will count as CAS and the only colouring medium used was pro markers!
3. The Holly and ivy - challenge No. 60 - ANYTHING (Christmas) GOES
4. Christmas Craft Creations - April challenge - USE A STAMP
5. Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge - challenge No. 485 - ANYTHING (Christmas) GOES
6. Chrimbo Crackers - challenge No. 208 - SENTIMENTS

Wednesday and the weekend isn't far away!

Morning readers,

Alright, hands up .... who was surprised to wake up yesterday morning ... to FROST!?!?!? I WAS!

I've a make to share with you today .... it's an Artist Trading Card,made for a swap with a pal

My Artist Trading Card

Materials used:

• ATC blank
• Snippets of card in white and navy
• Using an Aldi stencil brush I lightly applied Memento Bahama blue over the white snippet
• Placing my Dutchdoobadoo stencil (470.715.105) over the snippet I applied Bahama blue again
• Replacing grid stencil with a That's Crafty dinky (bricks) to the edge I applied the Bahama blue ink again
• With both stencils removed I stamped a border using a Crafters Companion image (from splatters and stains) and Memento Paris dusk ink
• Using the ink blot from the same Crafters Companion set I stamped multiple times using the Bahama blue ink
• Finally, I stamped my chosen sentiment (from PRS "Positive Thoughts") using Versafine Clair nocturne ink

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

1. Happy Little Stampers - April ATC challenge - MAKE YOUR OWN BACKGROUND
2. Try It On Tuesday - April 14th challenge - HAVE FUN WITH STENCILS
3. Lemon Shortbread - challenge No. 117 - ANYTHING GOES
4. Crafty Sentiments - April 14th challenge - ANYTHING GOES

And a commission make ... a 90th birthday card for a lady who became friends with the commissionee when they worked together at the telephone exchange - hence the choice of design. I had, originally, co-ordinated the envelope (as is my habit) but my pal preferred a blank which is why I'm not sharing the envelope - you've all seen those!.

My card

 

The front, back and inside of my card

Materials used:

• White 5" x 7", 300gsm card and matching sized envelope
• Two pieces of white card cut to fit
• One piece of pearlised gold card, cut to mat
• Snippets of card in white and pearlised gold - die cut in to nesting rectangles, using WRMK dies
• Gold glittered washi tape
• Stamps used: Stampers Anonymous telephone (from CMS154 - mini blueprints 4), Picture This sentiment (from Worms "Happy Days"), TCP "9" and "0" (from N7544) and small telephone image (from Stamp of Excellence)
• Ink used - Versafine Clair morning mist
• Colouring Medium: Faber Castell polychromos pencils, Kaisercraft glitter gel pen in gold

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

1. Seize The Birthday - challenge No. 187 - ANYTHING GOES + (optional) SPRING FLING
2. CASonFriday - challenge No. 177 - BLACK, WHITE + ONE OTHER COLOUR (in my case - GOLD)
3. Daring Cardmakers - April 10th challenge - CAS (Clean And Simple) + A DASH OF SPARKLE (in my case the gold glitter tape)
4. PaperBabe - challenge No. 116 - BIRTHDAYS

 

With the recent lovely weather I was enjoying my walks more and more, imagine my surprise on Easter Monday - dull, grey, windy as heck and spotting with rain! Still, I'm no quitter and went anyway

I took a panoramic shot but you may not really be able to see detail - it's pretty though!