Monday, 19 April 2021

* Vera Lane Studio: Create

 

Hello!

As it is Monday, it's my DT day at Vera Lane Studio. 

We have a new digi set release today called Create which features a male creative, along with his art supplies and storage box.

Here is what I made:


All of the images were coloured with Copic markers and fussy cut. 
The background was heat embossed in white using the AALL & Create stamp # 351 Alphabet Splatter. I inked over with Distress Oxides in Twisted Citron, Cracked Pistachio and Evergreen Bough. Some splodges were stamped in black using #362 Splodge. I added white paint splatters and used torn washi tape #5, Artsy, to ground my crafty boy and also some #6 Crafty washi.



That's all for now.
I hope you'll come along and play on Vera Lane. It's such a friendly, fun place to be!


  

Here's all the info you need:
AALL & Create carry Janet's clear stamp sets, stencils and Washi Tape. 
A list of stockists can be found here.

Thanks for stopping by today.
xoxo

I'd like to play along in these challenges:

Saturday, 17 April 2021

* Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers GDT: Distracted and Unsympathetic - Monochrome

 

Hello!

I would firstly like to welcome 
Janet Santolini, 
Christopher Lopez 
Mary Jordon and
Nancy Iverson
Thank you so much for becoming followers of my little blog!

***

I am delighted to be a guest designer at the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers

I recently had the honour of being crowned Queen of Snark - this is such a huge privilege!

The new challenge starts today and the theme is M is for Monochromatic

Here is the card I made:


I love this quirky woman. She is from a PaperArtsy stamp designed by Lynn Perrella 
#LPC 049. 
I stamped her with Twilight Versafine Claire, masked her and inked the background using a stencil and stamps from AALL & Create (stencil #113, stamps #294, #375 and #385). I used  various Distress Oxides in shades of blue and embossed with Distress Glaze in Speckled Egg.
The sentiment is a snarky, Big Talk sticker from the Tim Holtz collection.
Here she is in close up. Despite her snarky sentiment, I think this quirky lady is very elegant and quite how she came to have birdies in her hands and on her head is pure serendipity.


Thank you to the Sisters for inviting me to be a guest on their blog. If you have time, please consider joining the M is for Monochromatic Challenge, or just pop over to see the amazing samples of work made by the DT and the challenge entrants.



That's all for now.

Thanks for stopping by today.
xoxo

I'd like to play along in these challenges:

Penny's Challenges #494 AG 27/04
Daisy Chain Challenge #51 Monochrome
A Place to Start #4 AG/Elegant 30/04
Taylormadecards4u April Serendipity 30/04
Lost Coast Portal to Creativity #120 Sentimentally Yours 30/04
The sentiment is not stamped, so please delete if this is disqualified :) 
Creative Crafters #39 AG 08/05


Thursday, 15 April 2021

* Gecko Galz: Goddess ATC Swap

  

Hello!

This month is swap month at the Gecko Galz. Paper Crafting Facebook Group.

Kim organises a swap every 2 months and a challenge even other month using selected Gecko Galz images and ATC papers which can be downloaded free from her blog. 

The theme for April is Goddess ATCs and here is what I made:


I opted to use gold embellishments to decorate my goddesses, choosing Tim Holtz 3D Impresslits and a TH crochet border die. I threw some golden leaves in for good measure. I love working in miniature form and really enjoyed making these.

Below is a close up of each ATC:

This one uses the 3D Star border Impresslit and the smaller star Impresslit.

For this one, I used the small Star border Impresslit, a mini Cut & Make doily die with a small section of Crochet Border. I used up some ancient gold sticker borders too!

The third ATC has a small Star border and a large Star Impresslit with some leaves cut from a 'Rose Leaf Strip' Britannia die.

That's all for today.

You still have time to join the Gecko Galz customer challenge. The theme for April is Blooming Beauty and the winner will get a $25 shopping spree at the Gecko Galz shop.


The only rule is that you must use at least one Gecko Galz product 
(this can be one of the freebies or, of course, you can buy at the Etsy store!) 
Also if you sign up for the Gecko Galz newsletter, you'll be able to claim a free collage sheet each month and get first claim on the monthly $1 deals!

Please pop over to the Gecko Galz blog to see the fabulous designs by the very talented DT.

We also have a friendly Facebook Group where there are 4 monthly challenges, each with a collage sheet prize. 
Do come and join us!


I'll be back on the 20th April with more Gecko Galz projects.

Here's all the info you need:
Current Gecko Galz Challenge : "Blooming Beauty"
***
Thanks for stopping by today.
xoxo

I'd like to play along in the following challenges:

As You Like It Embossing or Stencilling 21/04
This time I'm opting for dry embossing using 3D folders to add textured embellishments to my ATCs
Penny's Challenges #494 AG 27/04 WINNER
A Place to Start #4 AG/Elegant 30/04
Creative Crafters #39 AG 08/05

I'd really love some feedback :)      
I read and appreciate all your comments. 
***

Monday, 12 April 2021

* Vera Lane Studio: Bloom ATCs


 Hello!

Happy Monday!

Please let me welcome Fiona Whitehead, my new follower.  I am always delighted when someone takes time to look at my blog posts :) 

Today we have fewer Covid restrictions in the England - that is something to be happy about. 

  Non-essential retail and services are opening - hurrah for the hairdressers and gyms! We also have outdoor hospitality opening and now two people can visit family or friends in care. Overnight stays away from home are allowed in England, as long as you keep in your bubbles, but international travel is still not allowed. So, there's plenty to smile about today! Let's hope people act with caution and we don't end up back in lockdown.

***

As it is Monday, it is my DT day for Vera Lane Studio.

I have a trio of ATCs to share. This month we are having an ATC swap and the theme is 'Bloom'. Here is what I made:

I chose two older digi sets called Wildflower and Daffodil, as well as last week's new digi set release, Jardin.

I made my backgrounds by stamping green Distress Oxide inks with Reverse Diamonds. I added some Scripted Diamonds along the edges and some #4 Encrypt washi Tape. I used #6 Crafty washi tape to ground my girls and added some florist moss for some texture. (Stamps and washi tapes are from AALL & Create)

Here are the ATCs in close up:

Firstly, this is Jardin. She is teamed with flowers from the 'Thoughts of You' digi set (available on request).


Next is Wildflower - I love this quirky flower girl. I teamed her with flowers from 'Sunny'.


And lastly, this is Daffodil. She comes with a meadow full of daffodils which I used in the background.

All of the sweet sentiments are from the Back to Back Collage set (available on request).

Wildflower                           Jardin                             Daffodil
  

That's all for now.
I hope you'll come along and play on Vera Lane. It's such a friendly, fun place to be!


  

Here's all the info you need:
AALL & Create carry Janet's clear stamp sets, stencils and Washi Tape. 
A list of stockists can be found here.

Thanks for stopping by today.
xoxo

I'd like to play along in these challenges:

Dream Valley #245 Springtime 17/04
Get Creative Challenges #100 AG 30/04 
Dare 2b Artzy April Bright Colours 30/04 
Crafters Castle #40 Spring/Summer 30/04 
The Crafting Challenge April AG 30/04



Saturday, 10 April 2021

* AALL & CREATE: Hibiscus


 Hello

It is my GDT day at AALL & Create today and I have card to share featuring the beautiful Hibiscus stamp set designed by Tracy Evans.

Hibiscus flowers remind me of tropical islands, summer holidays and balmy evenings, and one holiday destination in particular where the ladies dance with hisbiscus flowers behind their ears. The blue background is representative of the evening sky and the Heart Grunge background shows my love of this destination.


Glossy Accents was used on some the background hearts and there is one heart stamped in black on white card tucked behind the top flower. I also added some texture paste hearts.


The black row of numbers from Through the Meadow were stamped three times and added to the card. Yellow and white Posca pen dots make the hibiscus stamen.

Here is how it came together:
1. White emboss the large stamp from #453 Heart Grunge. Extend the bottom the stamp by adding a section of the text and butterfly stamp from #458 Hibiscus. Stamp out 3 hibiscus flowers on watercolour paper.

2. Add colour to the background using Distress Oxides and water and the smooshing and dipping technique. Add stamping in white ink and Blueprint Sketch using the #470 Scripted Diamonds stamp and #484 Reverse Diamonds. Use Versafine Nocturn to add diamond stamping to the edges of the card. Ink around the edges with black ink.

3. Colour the flowers. I used brush pens and a water brush, then deepened the colour with Inktense watercolour pencils, adding Posca pen dots for the stamen.

4. Add the stamped heart and butterfly directly over the stamped images. Stencil texture paste hearts from the #114 Art stencil. Add glossy accents to the hearts. Assemble the flowers using foam tape for dimension.  Stamp the Hibiscus sentiment, heat emboss and pop on foam pads.
.

Stamps used:
#453 Through the Meadow
#458 Heart Grunge
#470 Scripted Diamonds
#484 Reverse Diamonds
Stencil: #114 Art
To see the stamps, stencils, dies and washi tapes used, please visit
A list of stockists can be found here.

You'll find lots of inspiration on the 

That's all for now.
Thanks for stopping by today.
xoxo

I'd like to play along in these challenges:
Incy Wincy Designs Bright Colours 18/04
Handstamped Sentiments #361 19/04
Creative Moments #212 AG 20/04
Get Creative Challenges #100 AG 30/04
Dare 2b Artzy April Bright Colours 30/04
Crafters Castle #40 Spring/Summer 30/04
Crafty Creations #420 AG 03/05
More Mixed Media April AG 03/05

Wednesday, 7 April 2021

* AALL & Create: Love & Friendship

 

Hello

Today I am sharing my project for AALL & Create

I made a bright and cheerful card:


The card features two stamp sets from Tracy Evans as focal points, Through the Meadow and Quirky Friends. The background uses the Lotza Dotz stencil along with Scripted Diamonds and Reverse Diamonds. Bipasha's gorgeous washi tape grounds the mouse.


My little mouse stands on #13 Fasteners washi tape with its rich brown and tan colours and secret text, and he is offering a glossy heart.


The circles from the Through the Meadow butterfly stamp were stamped three times. Two of the stamps were cut up to give circles to add as dimensional pieces. These were coloured with Inktense watercolour pencils.


The background was stamped in parts with Oxides smooshed onto the Lotza Dotz stencil. The same Oxides were used to stamp the Scripted Diamonds. I stamped Reverse Diamonds in black around the edges.

Work in Progress 

1. Colouring circles and Butterfly with Inktense pencils. The butterfly was clear embossed to make it a little sturdier as it will be shaped and adhered just at he centre.

2. Adding the stencilled background using Fired Brick and Fossilised Amber Distress Oxides.

3. I used the small circle and splatter stamp from Heart Grunge to add a little extra design around the main butterfly stamp. Next I added tone on tone background stamping with Scripted Diamonds and black Reverse Diamonds around the edges.

4. Colouring the mouse with Copic markers.

5. Everything was adhered in place with some of the circles being raised on foam tape. Black thread was added beneath the butterfly. The mouse was popped on washi tape for grounding and a tiny heart from the Heart Grunge stamp was coloured and added with Glossy Accents for shine and dimension.
The edge of he background was inked with Fired Brick and then Black ink. The words Love and Friendship were stamped and matted onto black card.

Stamps used:
#449 Through the Meadow
# 453 Heart Grunge
# 466 Quirky Friends
# 470 Scripted Diamonds 
#484 Reverse Diamonds
Stencil used: #39 Lotza Dotz
Washi used: #13 Fasteners

To see the stamps, stencils, dies and washi tapes used, please visit
A list of stockists can be found here.

You'll find lots of inspiration on the 

That's all for now.
Thanks for stopping by today.
xoxo

I'd like to play along in these challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Layer It 12/04 Designer Spotlight
Incy Wincy Borders/Bright Colours 18/04
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #155 AG 18/04
Butterfly & butterfly colours were my inspiration
Aud Sentiments #272 AG 20/04
We Love 2 Create #4 AG Mixed media 22/04
Unicorn Challenge #64 Animal 30/04
Dragonfly Dreams April: Feature A Creature 30/04 WINNER



Monday, 5 April 2021

* Path of Positivity: Spring Has Sprung

 

 Hello!

Today is the start of a new Path of Positivity challenge.
The challenge lasts for the month of April.

This month the theme is Anything Goes with the optional twist of 
Make me Smile/Laugh.

Prizes this month include:
  • TWO digital images from Hetty Clare our guest sponsor for this month, for a person chosen in a random draw based on all qualifying entrants. 
  • ONE image (value of $5 or less) from Scribbles Designs, for the post or project that the team deems most inspiring of the bunch based on all qualifying entrants.
  • One digital image from Creative Bug Digital SnapShots for each person chosen as a DT Delight.

Our optional theme this month is Share A Smile/Laugh.
So, this month we want you to create a project that makes you smile or laugh.
What brings a smile to your face or makes you laugh? How do you share that smile with someone else? What we show on the outside can become how we feel on the inside. So, if you've been feeling low, how about putting a smile on your face to help you put a smile on your heart as well! Anything with a fun or funny theme is perfect for our challenge this month.

Please remember ...
... in order to be eligible for the prizes your project must be positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some way. 

Anything cute and or whimsical brings a smile to my face - I love sweet images and particularly ones of cute animals doing human activities. If it is an image, I actually like to see the animals dressed in clothes and I am particularly fond of Victorian, anthropomorphic cats. Am I weird? I don't think so! I blame it on all the story books I was read when I was a child - Beatrix Potter and Wind in the Willows and, a little later on, in the 1980s, Brambly Hedge.  Oh, Happy Days!

Anyhow, on to my project for the start of this month's challenge.

Here is my card using one of Hetty Clare's beautiful, whimsical images. This one is called 'Spring has Sprung'.


Now this sweet image of a bunny family playing at skipping on a spring day just has to bring a smile to your face!
I coloured the image with Copic markers. I made a rough paper mask from a second print and placed it on top of my coloured version so that I could blend some inks to represent the sky. I used a Lawn Fawn die to cut out the image.
I decided to make my own card for matting the image upon. I did this by blending Scattered Straw ink onto white card and then I repeatedly stamped a flower image in the same colour of ink.
I typed the sentiment and matted it onto inked card before attaching it to the image.


Many thanks to Hetty Clare, this month's guest sponsor,


and to Scribbles Designs as the ongoing sponsor of the challenge


We would love to see your creations! 
Just make sure that your entry is positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some way!
The link up is here: Challenge #90 Path of Positivity.

 

That's all for today! 

I'll be back with a another Path of Positivity project in a couple of weeks time.

Thanks for stopping by today!
xoxo
                                                                                                                                            
I'd like to play along in these challenges:
MMM Challenge #145 Easter/spring 11/04
Crafting Happiness  #91 Sunshine/AG 12/04
Pammies Inky Pinkies #2114 AG 12/04
Dream Valley #245 Springtime 17/04
2 Crafty Critter Crazies April AG 25/04
Crafty Animals #49 27/04
I'd really love some feedback :)      
I read and appreciate all your comments. 

xoxo