This beautiful zinnia stamp by Stampendous can easily transform a card used on its own! I love the Picked Rasberry Distress Ink. It is such a deep, glowing colour, so I decided to sit and waste an hour cutting out masks, and stamped them all over. I used direct to paper technique on a spare scrap of card, then stamped with Staz On Black, and cut and decoupaged one flower. And that was it! Simple but striking. Oh, and a touch of Diamond Stickles applied to the centre to add a bit of depth. Its very satisfying; a bit like making a simple recipe from one or two ingredients!

Thank You Card using Distress Inks

I stamped and clear embossed the flowers before building up a coloured background with Distress Inks, leaving the centre lighter to give a glowing effect. I sprayed the card after inking with a mica spray, which gave it a lovely dappled effect, and then stamped some further images on top.

Using the negative image from a die cut scallop circle, I used a stencil brush to colour and blend the inks. Then I stamped in black Staz on once the colors were dry. The first time I made this card, I smudged the pink ink before it dried! So to try and save the card, I used a Tulip 3d paint to cover it up! But I liked the effect so much, I did it on the next card, even though I didn't smudge this one. I also used liquid pearls in  silver grey at the top of the card, to provide a balance, and it reminds me of champagne bubbles coming from the glass.

Cardmaking and Papercraft have an Autumn Challenge going. The card could be anything 'autumnal' but had to include a leaf somewhere. So I started off smooshing Distress Inks in autumn colours onto a craft mat, and picked them up with glossy card, which I then sprayed with mica spray. I had a lovely flourish stamp that included leaves, so stamped that across the page, before building up with buttons, gems and flowers in coordinating colours. I made a few leaves with shrink plastic, and coloured them with alcohol inks. A banner stamp, coloured in with the same Distress Inks used below completed my entry for the challenge.

I adapted this idea from Art Journey, as I loved it so much! I have seen the droplet stamps used before, and was fascinated with them, but didn't know where they were from. I found Art Journey on Pinterest, and ordered the stamp from Holland. It took just two days to be delivered! Fantastic service, lovely stamp. So please forgive the plagerism, but I simply loved this layout! The droplets look almost real. I stamped them with Distress Ink and clear embossed them to add to the 'wetness', then I used a white gel pen to add a little highlight.

This little stamp was a freebie from Craft Stamper. I love their little 2x2's so much! The stamp was so pretty, so I used minimal colour and embellishments. I used a stencil brush to lightly dust Distress Inks around the image, and coloured the image with a water brush and Distress Inks. I added a little interest by decoupaging some of the flowers, pricked around the card,added a few gems and left it at that. White on white? I quite like the minimalist effect for a change!

This card was made for Jill's Challenge on the docrafts site. The challenge was to use the sketch idea provided. I decided to use some Forever Friends paper that I had in my stash, and the hexagon dies. Very girly!

Holidays in Italy

This is a card I have entered for the quick Cards Travel Challenge. I have used the Artemio Italy stamps, with Elusive Images papers as a background. I love the little Pisa Tower die! A few Crafty Individuals stamps have been cut about and pasted to the foreground, after colouring with Distress Inks. Then I added the lovely Prima doll, complete with paper pieced dress and headband. Very summery!

Craft Barn Alpha/Dictionary Challenge. Letter 'T'

Here is my entry for the Craft Barn Alpha/Dictionary Challenge. Letter 'T'. memories of a wonderful holiday!!