Try It On Tuesday New Challenge

 We have a theme called 'WHAT A NIGHT' for our latest challenge at Try It on Tuesday.

I hope you can find time to pop over to the BLOG and see what the rest of the creative team members have come up with - and that you'll be inspired to join us.

This card was something of an experiment for me - I wanted to do a sky that was a dark and moody Northern Light type display (instead of the bright green and violets) and used black card stock as the base card instead of my usual white.
It gave a completely different effect but one that I am not too disappointed with!

I roughly and randomly brushed the top of the card with some white Brilliance ink and then used the same ink with the mountain stencil and built up the colour at the bottom.

The sky colours are Cracked Pistachio, Picked Raspberry and Blueprint Sketch.
The castle is from Lavinia and the pine trees are from Inkylicious.

I have had the sentiment for a long time and just white heat embossed to make it stand out before adding a few small ink spatters to make stars in the sky.

Overall I am not too displeased with the end result on the dark card background - but I think I wouldn't blend the colours over the last and largest mountain range if I did this again.
I wanted it to look like the sky was reflecting off the snowy slopes and I don't think I quite nailed it.
Thanks for looking and for any comments you leave - I really do appreciate it! x

May Card Chain Challenge Reveal

My May challenge card went to blogging buddy Carol here in the UK.
Using the colours and the option of a stencil from the technique list I made this!

The stencil was part of an unbranded pack - it's only small so I fiddled about with it re-positioning where I wanted.

I used Picked Raspberry and Wilted Violet inks. Having tried lots of different colours I decided the violet was the nearest I had to Blueberry!


I ran a piece of card through a Vine embossing folder and lightly inked before die cutting my butterfly.
I really should have embossed after die cutting I think but the texture is still there even if it's a little flatter than I would have liked.

Using an embossing pen I heat embossed the body and antenna in gold and finished with a gold embossed sentiment.

This month I received the most stunning card from my clever friend Hilary - thank you again! x

There's still time to sign up for this month - pop over to the Card Chain Challenge blog if you fancy joining us!

Fantasy at Try It On Tuesday

Our new challenge at Try It On Tuesday starts today and for the next 2 weeks we hope you will share your 'Fantasy' themed creations with us!

I make no apologies for once again playing about with my all time fave stamps - I LOVE these mermaids!

This was framed and given to a friend - who like me thinks Mermaids are one of the coolest things ever!

Ink blended background and used a Lavinia stencil for a bit of added interest.
All stamps are also from Lavinia (obviously!)

Coloured the images with my Mondeluz Aquarelle Coloured Pencils which are simply awesome - and they blend beautifully and a few highlights with a white Posca pen..

Thanks for stopping by and hope we will see lots of fantasy creations over at the challenge blog this time round! x

A Return

 It's been a little while since I took hold of a canvas but having a recent tidy (for 'tidy' insert - 'open boxes to see what's in them') I found some 6 x 4 canvas boards long forgotten!
In the box with the canvas was all kinds of stash saved for mixed media including a massive bag of shells which were collected over several years each time I had a trip out anywhere beachy!

I painted the canvas first with Gesso then mixed some Mermaid Lagoon ink with texture paste and covered the whole board.

When dry, I randomly sponged over it with Salty Ocean and a little bit of Chipped Sapphire.

I wanted to create something that looked like a wave of white foam and this proved quite a challenge!

After trying out different things on a piece of scrap, I remembered I had a Funky Fossil stencil of a surfer riding a wave - the wave bit was just what I needed so back to the texture paste, this time with white acrylic paint and lots of masking so the surfer didn't appear!

Arranged a couple of shells so they looked like they were being tossed in the waves (I hope) and fixed some hessian, pearl beads, more shells to the bottom.

Popped on a few blue Dew Drops to imitate water droplets and found two tiny metal fish (from I know what where) in my stash.

The sentiment is one of my all time favourites stamped on vellum with Memento Danube Blue and heat embossed.

Quite pleased with the way it turned out in the end, and it reminded me how much I enjoyed the odd venture into mixed media - am sharing this over at As You Like It where the option is Fussy or Clean and something which gives you an inner glow of pride - well I am proud of this fussy make as it's been so long before I did anything like it!

Have promised myself I'll use up the other canvas very soon and thanks for looking today - hope all is well in your part of blogland! x
Also sharing over at -
We Love 2 Create - Anything Mixed Media
Creative Artiste - Anything Mixed Media
Stencil Fun - Using my Funky Fossil Surfer stencil
Darnell's I.D.E.A.S - week 4 - the letter 'A' - Anything Goes

Another Stencil and I.D.E.A.S

UPDATE 27TH MARCH -
Blogger decided to close our linky early on the challenge post and deleted everyone's entries!
If you've already entered we do have a record of your entry - if you've still to enter just link up as normal!

Our 'Use a Stencil' challenge at Try It On Tuesday has reached it's half way point of the fortnight tomorrow.

I needed a quick card for a friend who is definitely not into 'fussy, flowery and fancy' (her words not mine!) so made this.

It was intended to be a 'thinking of you' type of card without that exact sentiment if you understand me!

The stencil was inked with Twisted Citron.

The vases are from a Sizzix die set and I painted them with Distress Oxides - I watercoloured first then went over them using a dry brush to try and give some texture/depth. The orange one worked far better than the blue!

The stems were a gift from a friend and I cut them out with some Lime coloured card.

A simple quick CAS card - no frills or fussy just to let someone know if they were here I would give them a hug!

If you've not yet linked up to the challenge blog you still have another week to go!

Popping this over to Darnell's I.D.E.A.S link which this week is
'A is for Anything Goes' - and if you haven't a tickety boo what I am talking about all is revealed HERE on Dolly's blog!

Thanks for looking today. x

Use a Stencil at Try It On Tuesday

 Our next challenge at Try It On Tuesday starts today and the theme is 'USE A STENCIL'.
I have lots of stencils - many of which have never been used - this is one!

It was bought in a pack of Mandala stencils ( think I was going through a bit of a Zen phase at the time.....😵) and yet another purchase that once I got I became completely devoid of ideas as to what to do with them!

Anyway this challenge made me go through the stencil stack and I thought I'd try making something!
I used Sweet Poppy Stencil paste onto a plain black card.

I have a few tubs of paste - but am afraid they are all on the verge of solidifying completely which is my own fault as they never see the light of day.
The gold one was a bit gloopy but I managed to use it for this.

I then had a bit of a struggle as to 'sentiment or not'  (and what kind of sentiment do you put on a gloopy part mandala anyway?😔) - then I remembered this one which is a kind of 'use for anything' kind of greeting!

Simply gold heat embossed and added a couple of sequins before running some gold ink round the edge.
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Hope you will join us this challenge - lots of lovely inspiration if you need it from the DT over on the challenge blog too.   Happy Stencilling!
Sharing at
Stencil Fun - A/Goes
Creative Knockouts - Sparkle and Shine
NBUS #60

Card Chain Challenge February Reveal

Time to share my make for the February Card Chain Challenge which I sent to Bonnie in Colorado USA.
Sending lots of thanks to my other swap partner Julia for my lovely card too!
I selected 'Stencil' as my technique option and Flowers and Friendship from the 'Theme' choices

Using Cracked Pistachio ink for both the leaves and the dotty stencil, once the dotty one was dry I stamped some pretty flowers (an old set from I know not where!) and added a teeny bit of Nuvo crystal drops to the centres.

Cut out a circle from the leaves and simply overlaid it.

I have lots of stencils which don't actually get used enough so this challenge gave me another opportunity to dust them off!
I was a little apprehensive as Bonnie makes some beautiful artsy and colourful cards with her stencils and is very talented so I hope she liked my relatively CAS take on this months challenge!

If you fancy giving our massive World wide challenge a go pop over to the challenge blog and sign yourself up.

It's simple to take part - there's colours, sketch, theme and technique options to chose from and you only have to use one so you have lots of scope- and it's lovely to receive a hand made card from elsewhere in the world.

Happy Crafting! x

Spotlight

 A new challenge at Try It On Tuesday!
This time it's called 'In the Spotlight' so we would like to see something spotlighted (highlighted) on whatever you create!

I used a Sweet Poppy stencil.

This was a really quick card to put together too which sometimes is needed when you're running round last minute!

Grey ink first on the base card then another piece of card using red ink through the stencil and a little green on the visible flower stems.

I used a wavy die to cut it out and glued it on top. 
Edged it with a black pen to make it pop a bit more.

For some reason I really struggled taking the pic - I was getting lots of glare from nowhere so it does look a little stark bright white here!

Lots of lovely inspiration over on the challenge blog from the rest of the team and our lovely Guest Designer - please pay them a visit!
Thanks for stopping by. x

Home for Autumn!

 

It's been a very dull grey misty morning here and it generally feels damp - the leaves on my Birch tree have changed colour and are now falling -  I think Winter is on it's way!

Another Lavinia to share - (and having needed to do a couple of new homes cards for my own stash and unable to come up with something a bit out of the ordinary, I turned as always to Pinterest).

This is a large slimline card and I really like these cottage and lodge stamps 'cos I can imagine them hidden away in the magical kingdom home to elves and pixies!

This one is called 'Bayleaf Cottage'.

Coloured with Inktense pencils after ink blending the background with Spiced Marmalade and Fossilized Amber.

I used Carved Pumpkin DI through the Lavinia stencil.

A few leaves stamped in Autumn colours and a little tree (which looks just like my Birch tree!) to finish.

Sharing over at
Stencil is our Game - A/Goes w/Orange option
I Spy - Autumn Shades
Dragonfly Dreams - Autumn

Thanks for looking - have a great day whatever you're doing! x

New Challenge - Try It On Tuesday

The next two weeks we have the challenge theme of 'Going Round in Circles' at Try It On Tuesday.
Please pop over to the challenge blog and see what the rest of the DT have done this time!

I just had a bit of fun with a spotty stencil and some pretty Distress Oxide colours.

From the top - Twisted Citron, Cracked Pistachio, Blueprint Sketch, Picked Raspberry and Fossilized Amber.

Die cut a few different sized circles and simply stamped some sea/beach themed images in the same colours.

Used a little Wink of Stella in the same shades on the stamped circles so it has a teeny shimmer in real life.

Thanks for looking today and hope you can join us for this challenge - we welcome all types of crafting not just cards as long as it fits with the challenge theme!
Sharing at
Stencil Fun - A/Goes
Daisy Chain - Dots/or Stripes
HLS Stencils - A/Goes

Life

 

Been a funny old week one way and another.

Life has a peculiar way of throwing you a curve ball one minute and then visiting upon you something to lift your spirits and make you feel that Life ain't so bad after all.

Hence the sentiment on this card.

I used some texture paste through the wave stencil and once dry lightly brushed over it randomly using Salty Ocean and Cracked Pistachio inks.
(I am really sorry about the photo - the light here is terrible!)

I had some tiny bits of card stacked ready to go in the paper recycling bin - I no longer keep little bits usually as I simply don't have any room for more stuff - but some of the bits came in handy as I have had this seahorse idea in my head for a day or two!

The tiny die cut seahorse was a mag freebie some time ago and coloured with Oxides - I added a teeny bit of copper gilding wax round the outline and a little bit on the body.
The shells and coral die cuts were also mag freebies.

We have had some torrential downpours the last few days and although I welcomed it in one respect as it meant I didn't have to water my pots, my poor dahlias and delphiniums are looking very sad this morning, the weight of the water laying heavy on their poor heads!

Anyway, I hope the sun is shining wherever you are and thanks for looking today!
Linking to
Pixies Snippets Playground #461
Cut it Up - Under the Sea
MTTC - Die Cuts
Stencil Fun - A/Goes

June Card Chain Challenge Reveal

My make for the June Card Chain Challenge went to Patricia in Texas and I received a lovely card from Gundi in Germany too - so thanks again! x

Once again I opted for the colour challenge and managed to add in the product option of Lace.

Using cream base card instead of the usual white I stamped the lavender image (Technique Tuesday) and coloured the flower heads with Picked Raspberry Oxide.

The background stencil is one of my most go to stencils and as I've now lost the packaging I've no idea which make!

Stencil ink blending was a combo of Spun Sugar and Picked Raspberry.

Added a piece of cream lace and some pink/cream twine then popped the floral spray onto a mat of Picked Raspberry inked card before putting it onto the main card.

The 'sign up' for next month is open for a couple of days if you fancy having a go!

Thanks for looking today - hope all is well in your part of blogland! x

Reminder post - Try It On Tuesday - Use a Stencil

Mid way through our USE A STENCIL challenge at Try It On Tuesday.

Having made a card using my circles/bubbles die the waste was lying on the desk so I used it to make this!

Blending Cracked Pistachio, Mermaid Lagoon and Peacock Feathers over the waste and overlapping to make sure it filled the entire side of the card.

Added a white heat embossed sentiment on a scrap of black card and a couple of teeny sequins.

Was really quick to do and is now in the 'man' stash box! (yes even with the sequins on it!)

Just a week left for you to come and join our challenge - hope to see you there! x

November Card Chain Challenge

This month in the Card Chain Challenge I sent my card to Dee in Kenya!
I chose to do the colour option (well tried to anyway!) and used a stencil as the technique option.

The Lavinia stencil was inked using Versafine Clair Morning Mist ink - my substitute for Slate
I stamped the pinecone branch, tree and the berry wreath using Versafine Clair Pinecone - my substitute for Chocolate
I painted the berries with Carved Pumpkin Oxide and used the same to stamp the stars.
I finished with some orange glitter on the fir tree - well you've got to have a bit of bling haven't you!.

I know it's unlikely Dee will see snowy fir trees in Nairobi so thought I might send her some wintry greetings from here!

It was really nice receiving my card from Jeanne last month - happy mail!
I've signed up again for the December challenge - if you aren't in our chain of happy mail, pop over to the blog and sign up - you still have time!
Thanks for stopping by today - have a good day whatever you're doing. x

A Winter Scene

 It's not quite Winter yet - or if it is no one has told some of the summer plants in the garden - I still have fuchsias and alstromerias in flower and this morning 3 cone flowers have appeared! Although the temperatures are dropping it is still relatively mild for November- even my Christmas Roses have decided to poke their heads out.

All a far cry from my snowy scene here!
I bought this Inkylicious Ornate Leaf stencil when it first came out and to my shame this make was the first time it's been used - but I made 3 more similar with it so I didn't feel quite as guilty.

A quick card really with some ink blending, stamping and glitter.

Used Tumbled Glass and Blueprint Sketch oxides inside and Iced Spruce for the shading and Versafine Clair Twilight for the figures and trees. The dark blue made a change from the usual black I use for silhouettes/

I think I may need a little more practice with the shading at the outer edges - I was bothered about putting on too much and making it really dark!

The stamps are all from Cardio.
Sharing over at
Fab n Funky - Shades of Blue
LRW - Winter
Holly and Ivy - Anything Christmas

In a moment of madness I agreed to take a table at the local Community Centre for their Christmas Artisan Fair so have spent some time stamping on candles (a first for me and dead chuffed with myself!), and making Fairy baubles as well as cards. Am working on the basis that if all leftovers will simply end up being used by me!

Hence why my blogging is sporadic at the mo but now am a bit better organised I can sit and visit everyone!
Thanks for looking today - hope all is well in your part of blogland. x

CAS Mix Up Mid Month Reminder

 Half way through Hilary's challenge at CAS Mix Up where we have to use Gesso and a Stencil!
Lots of lovely examples over on the challenge blog and also some links to video tutorials to give you some inspiration.

The stencil is from Honey Doo and I used Spun Sugar ink over.
The butterfly was coloured, fussy cut and given a liberal helping of glossy accents so it shines bright.
The sentiment is from SU.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sadly this is our very last challenge at CAS Mix Up, I have loved being on the Design Team with the most talented group of crafters.

Thank you to everyone who has played along over the years, it has been a joy to see all your wonderful creations. x

CAS Mix Up August Challenge

 August already!
And it's time for a brand new challenge at CAS Mix Up, this time set by Nancy with the theme of 'Emboss Resist'.

I stamped and heat embossed in white then fussy cut the leaves and flowers.

I have a feeling that the flower stamp came free with a mag - but who knows?!

I used Spun Sugar, Picked Raspberry and Seedless Preserve to watercolour the flowers and Twisted Citron and Mowed Lawn for the leaves.

I used a diamond stencil for the background and lightly inked in Bundled Sage and Stormy Sky.

I liked the subtle effect of the background as it made the flowers stand out a bit more.

There's some wonderful examples of this technique over on the challenge blog, so please go visit!

We have BRENDA as our Guest Designer this month - please go visit and see her lovely card!
I really hope you'll be able to join us this month and look forward to seeing your creations in the gallery! x

CAS Mix Up Mid Month Reminder

 Mid way through June and here's my reminder post for CAS Mix Up!

The challenge this time has been set by Loll and is a Stencil one using 'Gels and/or Pastes'. I really hope you can join us if you've not already done so and don't forget to make your entry CAS!

I used a colour combo that I've seen several times before and it just appealed to me! Rocket Red and Peacock Feathers are not colours I would normally put together but I think they work well!

I used gesso for my stencil and once the gesso had dried I re-applied the stencil and sponged over it. Did a couple of random watercolour splodges with the Peacock Feathers D.Ox.

The flower is by Visible Image, stamped, coloured and fussy cut. Was a bit fiddly but managed it!

We've some lovely cards in our gallery - hope you are there too!

Thanks for looking! x
PS - Thank you to everyone who sent me cards and messages today, I've had a lovely birthday!

Wall

We've had some nice dry days recently so the work has continued in the garden and the craft desk has been sat at infrequently.

But I did do a couple of makes and tidying away the usual mess I make (yes I am keeping the new room tidy 😉), I thought I would use the Gesso again before it got consigned back to the cupboard after being inspired by Pinterest.

I have quite a lot of stencils - I have decided I have to start using them more - I buy them, look at them and then they just get filed away!

I have a couple of brick wall stencils but this one is a large one from Clarity.

I started by inking my background in shades of Antique Linen, Victorian Velvet and Seedless Preserve.

Once dry I simply randomly applied the gesso through the stencil.
A bit of random stamping along the bottom and one of my fave sentiments using Memento Sweet Plum
Job done!

Sharing over at TIOT whose challenge this time is Use a Stencil, and over at Colourful Options the challenge is Pretty in Pink.
Hope all is OK in your part of blogland and will get round to catching up with you all soon! x

Ups and Downs

It has been a few weeks of ups and downs so unsurprisingly I've not felt like doing anything.
DOWN - The purchase of the house we have been trying to buy since May has fallen through with the buyer (after weeks of messing us about and running up our solicitors bill) deciding he didn't want to sell it after all.  I have had some not very nice and very uncharitable thoughts about this person.
UP -  The search for another home proved fruitful and we made an offer which was accepted.
DOWN - The lady selling has not yet found somewhere else to live so we are stuck here in the rented house for several more months.
UP - Trying to make the best of things we set to and shifted some of the cardboard boxes and other stuff which were surrounding us in the room where we had temporarily put the work desks and my storage shelves were put back together. OK the other room is like Cardboard Mountain but here in what is now the 'Office' and 'Craftie Space' is tidy and I have rescued some more (not all) of my stash from the packed cases. 

I just fiddled about a bit and made this slimline card using pastel coloured DI's, a Flourish stencil and a stamp that was free with a mag eons ago.
The sentiment is from an Altenew set.

So that's the update from here - and I now have a stable internet connection too which means I can have some time visiting you all. Thanks for looking today! x
Sharing over at -
Cardz 4 Galz - Stencils
Mod Squad - Slim Cards
HLS Stencils September - A/Goes