Sweet Angels

Hello,  I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas - and that you were on Santa's 'nice' list.

I made this tag for someone who was definitely on the 'nice' list, and if you want to check out the details, please pop over to the Artistic Outpost Blog, here.

Thanks for calling in,
Avril xx

Merry Christmas

Just a short popst to 

 Wish You All a Very Merry Christmas

and to thank you for all your visits and supportive comments throughout the year, I do appreciate it.

Best Wishes to you All

Avril xx

Gloria

Hello,  I'm over on the Artistic Outpost blog today with a Christmas card using one of the New Release stamps sets - Gloria.  For all the details, please pop over to Artistic Outpost.

Avril xx

Last 3!

Well, I've done it, all 12 Tags of  Christmas Funkie Junkie Style the challenge which is  run by Linda Coughlin, and sponsored by theFunkie Junkie Boutique.
Not in order, but when you have all 12 to pick from because you start at the end.......well,

Week 5

I followed Linda's inspiration of the white card dipped in Tarnished Brass stain and for a bit of extra sparkle I also dipped the Kraft card before die cutting the holly from the Holiday greens Thinlits.   The vintage seam binding (60's dressmakers seam binding from stash) also got the dipping treatment. I stamped a Gothic script with Potting Soil Archival, but when I layered my kraft card over, I felt as though the size of the script was too big.  I gold embossed the die cuts, distressing the gold EP and heat setting before placing them back inside the cut out.  I die cut a further couple of kraft holly springs and pressed them into Versamark, lightly sprinkled on gold EP for a more distressed look and again heat embossed.  The sentiment is part of the same Gothic script stamp, gold embossed and fussy cut.  I left this one till last to make as I wasn't happy with the script stamp that I had, but in the end I love the way it turned out.

Week 7

I took inspiration from Linda's blue background, with a little Brushed Pewter paint smearing, some stamped snowflakes in silver and heat embossed.   A glittered die cut deer and glittered snow words and a layered die cut snowflake.  This is quite sparkly, but so difficult to photograph.

Week 9

I followed Linda's inspiration for the base and folds of the tag, and again decided to make this into a gift card/money wallet, hence the little pocket, which was dry brushed with Tarnished Brass paint and stamped with fern green.  I used an oval Nestie to cut the top opening.  Again I decorated a little kraft envelope.  Using leftovers from the pocket I die cut the greeting from the handwritten holiday words, added gold twine and a little bell.

That's it, all 12 complete, wasn't sure if I would really manage it with so little time - a bit stressful when I should be busy doing other things - but I am so pleased that I did manage to complete and on time.  I really enjoyed the challenge and it was nice to use someone else's ideas and inspirations, so a big 'Thank You' to  Linda for all the wonderful inspiration you've given for this challenge and for the prizes she is offering.

Most of my cards were already written out before I started this challenge, so I now have a good start on next year's cards!  

Thanks for all the positive comments you've left each day, I do appreciate it.
Now to organise Christmas,
Avril xx

Another 3 for the ~Funky Junkie Christmas Tags Challenge

 I'm nearly there -  I've completed 10 of the 12 Tags of Christmas Funkie Junkie Style hosted by Linda Cloughlin and sponsored by the Funkie Junkie Boutique.
I'm still not quite in order, but that doesn't matter, as long as they all get linked up by 19th December.

Week 10

I used Linda's inspiration of the kraft and and stamped white spots, which I heat embossed.  The snowflake was painted with Antique Linen  and then the edged covered with Versamark and heat embossed with white EP.  There's also a vellum layer, this was also heat embossed with white on the tips.  The little star button whas covered with Red Tinsel  EP and I used the frayed threads from the burlap trim to 'tie' the button.  I kept everything neutral and used Watering can Archival to stamp the sentiment, which was clear embossed.

Week 11

I've kept to Linda's red/white and snowflake theme, but as I don't have a suitable large sentiment, I made my focal image the white snowflake, which was embossed  in the matching folder and then  heat embossed with white EP.

Week 12

I followed Linda's inspiration for this, I didn't have a suitable script, so there's some music score faintly stamped in the background.  I decided to decorate and add a small kraft envelope, which will contain money or a gift card.

I've just 2 more left to complete, so it's back to the craft desk for me tonight.

Avril xx

Funkie Junkie Tags, Part 2

Welcome back to part two of my take on the Funkie Junkie's 12 Tags of Christmas which is sponsored by the Funkie Junkie Boutique.  So here goes with the next 3,

Week 4

I used Linda's inspiration with the poinsettia, I used Antique Linen distress paint on a heavy card base and when it was dry, splashed on some gold paint.  I kept the stenciling to one corner and initially masked off the holly leaves as Linda suggested.

A little bit out of order now
Week 6

I love Kraft on white, so I virtually cased Linda's tag adding a little pop of red too.

Week 8

Again I followed Linda's inspiration apart from the missing lamp post.

Not much personal inspirations with this little lot, but I'm happy with them and being able to case Linda's tags means I have a good chance of finishing the 12, fingers crossed!!

Avril xx

12 Tags of Christmas Funkie Junkie Style

Hello......well, it's official, I've put the 'big girl panties on and bit the bullet' so to speak, and I'm joining in with the Funkie Junkie's 12 Tags of Christmas....and I'm definitely a late starter as the challenge started in September.  This is the 5th year Linda Coughlin has run the challenge with prizes and vouchers sponsored by the Funkie Junkie Boutique.
This is my first time of joining in although I've followed the challenge for the last couple of years, but after visiting Alison last week and reading how she was now challenging herself to complete all 12 tags,  it gave me the push I needed, poor DH has forgotten what I look like!
So, week 1 -

I decided to make my 'tags' as cards and I more or less followed Linda's design, but when I mixed gold paint with embossing paste it was a bit runny and smudged, so back to the drawing board and gold embossed stars along with 3 (table confetti) stars.

Week 2 -

A similar design to Linda's, as I had the Woodland tree and Nordic stencils

Week 3

I kept to the gold/black theme, but heat embossed instead of stenciling.
Well, that's the first three, I'll be back with more soon as I'm on a roll!!!

Avril xx

Golden Christmastime

Hello, and thanks for popping in, I'm posting on the Artistic Outpost Blog today and I'm featuring another card from the December New Release.  For all the details please pop over to the blog.

Avril xx

Anything Goes at FSC

Hello and thanks for calling in today.  It's the last challenge of 2016 at Fashionable Stamping Challenges and it's one you all like - Anything Goes.  Again, we have Flonzcraft as our sponsor and they are offering one lucky random winner a $20 spend in their online store.
I've used one of my favorite Santa images from Tim Holtz along with the Festive Knits rubber stamped backgrounds.   Some festive greenery and a die cut word on some burlap to finish.

The rest of the DT have some fabulous inspiration for you, so please pop over to the main blog and you will find all the challenge details there as well.  Just remember, we are a stamping challenge and we must see real stamping as the main element of your creation.

I am entering this at:
  The Artistic Stamper - Christmas

Enjoy the rest of your week,
Avril xx

Artistic Outpost New Release for December

Hello, I'm so pleased you've called in today and I can tell you about the New Release of Artistic Outpost Stamps for December.

                                                           Christmastime

                                                                  Gloria

I've got a couple of projects to show using these gorgeous Christmas stamps which are available from Our Daily Bread Designs.

For my first project I've  used Christmastime, stamping with Flitterglu and Gilding Flakes onto navy card .  To keep the silver tones right, I covered the edged of my base card with the same flakes.  This really is a fabulous stamp and ideal for 'flat' cards to post.

Next, using one of the images from Gloria,  The background of my tag was sprayed with Tumbled Glass spray stain when it was dry I stamped the Music Script from the Ephemera Backgrounds with Versamark and heat set with Gold EP.  I also mixed some Tarnished Brass paint with Texture Paste to used through a flourish stencil.  My image was coloured and fussy cut, and I added stickles to her wings, and layered her onto a couple of  soft white feathers.

 

The rest of the Design Team have some wonderful inspiration to share with you, and that's not all ...

Prize Information:

Just for commenting on the Design Team Blog Posts, you have a chance to win a $15 Gift Certificate to the ODBD Website.  You have until December 9, 2016 at 10:00 PM CDT to leave comments on the participating designers blogs for a chance to win! One random winner will be selected from the comments left on the designers blogs, the winner will be announced on the AO Blog on December 10, 2016, be sure to check back there to see if you have won! 

So, please visit all the Design Team 

 *   Terry  *  Julie  *  Lisa  *   Avril - you are here

Thanks for your visit, and I hope you've enjoyed seeing the New Release as much as I've enjoyed using them.                                                                                                                          

Avril xx                                                                                                                               

Promises to Keep

Hello, I'm over on the Artistic Outpost Blog today with another Christmas card,  and if you want to know all the details, please pop over here.

I am entering this at Craft Stamper Take It Make It - Snow and Ice

I know it's unusual for me to post twice in one day - but this is a busy week.....more to follow!!

Avril xx

Celebrations at TioT

Hello, it's time to tell you about the new challenge over at Try it on Tuesday which is 'Celebrations'
What kind of  'Celebration'  is up to you - Birthday - Christmas, whatever the Celebrations we would just like to see what you Celebrate.

Over the Christmas holidays we always have lots of Celebrations with Friends and what better way to help the Celebration along than with a bottle of wine.  Rather than just a bottle bag, I've made a 'bottle card' or whatever you'd like to call it!
I've used and image from Artistic Outpost 'Snowy Woods' coloured it with Distress inks, added lots of Chunky White Embossing enamel and some festive Greenery.  The sentiment is also from the same set.

The rest of the DT are Celebrating is lots of different ways, so please pop over to the main blog where you will also find all the challenge details.

Thanks for calling in, have a great day
Avril xx

Poinsettia bargain

Hello, and thanks for visiting today, just thought I'd share a very simple card that's nice and flat for the post.  I bought this Tim Holtz  Thinlits set from Ebay for about a third of it's normal price and it was new, such a bargain!  I used the Tim Holtz Linen background stamp with Pumice stone DI and then spritzed with Tarnished Brass stain, added a piece of torn gold handmade paper before adding the die cut poinsettia.
That's another for the box, think I need to write them out as I know there's not nearly enough, and I'll need to buy some!

I am entering this at:
  Stamping Sensations - Floral Fancies
  Allsorts - CAS
Thanks for calling in, I do appreciate it, especially as I've been such an intermittent blogger of late, hopefully this will be a better week.

Avril xx

Cold and Frosty

Hello, I'm over on the Artistic Outpost Blog today with this frosty looking scene.

For all the details, please pop over here.

I am entering this at
  Penny Black and More - Anything Christmas
  Stampiong Sensations - Christmas Greetings
  Allsorts - Anything Christmas

Avril xx

Enjoy the Beauty of the Season

Hello, I'm over on the Artistic Outpost Blog with  this seasonal card.

For all the details, please pop over here.

Avril xx

Layer it Up for Try it on Tuesday

Hello and thanks for popping in, today sees the start of a new challenge at Try it on Tuesday and for this fortnight we want you to  Layer it Up.  As usual it's up to you what you make as long as we can see lots of layers - ink, paper, paint - it really is up to you.

I've used a Tim Holtz Santa image layered up on the Stampendous Holiday greetings and a Christmas postcard image, along with a layered a selection of greenery cut from the Thinlits Holiday Greens.

The rest of the DT have some wonderful layered inspiration for you, so please pop over here and you will also find all the challenge details.

I am entering this at:
   Christmas Card Challenge - Challenge 49 Christmas
  Addicted to Stamps - Die cuts/Punches
  Penny Black and More - Anything Christmas with Stamping
  Stamping Sensations - Christmas Greetings
                             

Well, that's another for the box, I feel as if I'm on a roll with the Christmas cards now.

Avril  xx

Snow Globe

Hello, and thanks for popping in today.
It was one of those weeks again when all the good crafting intentions just didn't happen, and I'm just getting round to show another card from last weekend.
I don't know about you, but I often buy a magazine just for the free stamps - they might come in handy, or so I tell myself, but more often they sit un-inked.  This snow globe is from a set from last year and it fit perfectly over the Inkylicious Winter Cabin.  Glossy Accents and lots of glitter to the base, popped up with foam pads.  The background is an old Papermania stamp and then a sprinkling of Chunky White embossing enamel to finish.

Well that's another for the box, but the little bell means it won't post.

Just a quick post, and hopefully I be around to do some catching up.

Avril xx

Snowy postcard

Hello, and thanks for popping in today,  I had a lovely crafty day  - caught up with DT projects and even did some cards for the Christmas box.
One of my favorite images, and I must admit it comes out every year, is this Stampendous Snowy Postcard, along with the Greetings stamp,  I've added the Tim Holtz holly sprig from the Thinlits Festive Greens along with the Christmas handwritten greetings die.  Almost flat apart from the pearls, so hopefully it will do for the posting pile!  A nice easy card to get the Christmas mojo working.

Just need to keep the momentum going now -   so off to play again,
Avril xx

Autumn bike ride

Hello, I'm over on the Artistic Outpost blog with this Autumnal tag, all the details are over here

Thanks for your visit,
Avril xx

Tis The Season at FSC

Hello, time for a new challenge at Fashionable Stamping and this time, Dot has chosen the theme of 'Tis the Season'.   This could be Autumn or if you're like me starting to make your Christmas cards, well.... it's THAT season!
We have Flonzcraft as our Sponsor for this challenge and they are offering one lucky random winner a $20 spend in their online store.

I've used a Christmas Greetings from Flonzcraft for my card.  I started by dipping some card into Tarnished Brass and Brushed Pewter stains mixed with Ice Spruce Distress ink, it has a lovely sheen, which of course doesn't show in the photo.  I stamped using Ice Spruce DI, and on a spare piece of the card, stamped the Christmas Greeting again.  I coloured the robins and holly with DI's.
I also stamped and cut a Tim Holtz holly spray with Peeled Paint DI, heat embossed with clear EP before colouring with DIs.
The rest of the DT have some wonderful inspiration, so please pop over here where you will find all the details of the challenge, but don't forget, we are a stamping challenge and your stamping must follow the challenge theme.
Well, that's another one for the box, but I think I need to make a few more.

I am entering this at Stamping Sensations - Christmas Greetings

Have a great day,
Avril xx

Another One for the Box

Hello, and thanks for popping in.  I've had another play with the Tim Holtz Textured Snowflake, cutting a few in Acetate and Vellum.
The background was cut from a masterboard that had been dipped in various blue inks with some random music script stamped in Chipped Sapphire. I randomly stamped a snowflake with Versamark and brushed on some Perfect Pearls -very difficult to see in the photo, before matting on silver card.
I used my finger to spread adhesive on the acetate snowflake before covering with a filament type glitter that has been in my stash for ages, this was attached to another cut from vellum.  I added a self adhesive rhinestone to the center, which when I've looked at the photo has disappeared! (this card was a nightmare to photograph, so I won't edit it).  The sentiment was cut from the Tim Holtz Holiday words.
The weather forecast isn't too good for the weekend, so hopefully I'll get some more Christmas cards in the box.

I am entering this at ABC Christmas Challlenge - W for Wishes

Have a great weekend, whatever you're doing.
Avril xx

Vintage Cocoa

Hello, I'm over on the Artistic Outpost blog with a card that uses one of my favorite images.

To find out more, and see details of the inky background,  please pop over here.

Avril xx

Trees are Green?

Hello, and thanks for popping in, today sees the start of a new challenge at Try it on Tuesday and for this fortnight it's  Trees are Green?   but it's up to you - they can be any colour you want!

I've used my new Tim Holtz Tree line die for this quick Christmas card, layering it up 3 times over an inky background.  I added a torn piece of embossed card, ran some StarDust stickles on the edge,  die cut greeting and holly, quick and fairly flat for posting.

The rest of the DT have some great inspiration for you, so please pop over here, where you will also find all the details.

I am sharing this at :
  Cards for Guyz where the theme is Trees

Thanks for visiting,
Avril xx

You Should.

Hello, I'm over on the Artistic Outpost blog today with this fun tag.  If you'd like to find out the details, please pop over here.

Avril xx

Snowflakes

Hello, and thanks for visiting today, I've not had a lot of time for crafting or blogging lately and I've felt as though the old mojo was a bit lethargic of late, so what better way to give it a kick start than to buy some new Christmas goodies (any excuse)!!
I really liked the look of the Tim Holtz Snowflake last year, so...... it's now in the stash, and I love it.

The base of this card is from a little play - ages ago.  The article was in a Craft Stamper mag -  (I think they used carrot tops) I used bits from one of the conifers in the garden, position them on card and use sprays over the card.  When dry you have a lovely white outline.

These have been in the  'box' just waiting to be used.

I randomly stamped music script and embossed with Gold EP and then sprayed on some Tarnished brass spray stain.  I cut two snowflakes, coloured one with Tarnished Brass stain, then stamped them both with the music script and heat embossed with Gold EP.  I ran the white one through the matching snowflake embossing folder and highlighted the raised area with gold ink and layered with foam dots.
My matching base card was coloured with stain as I didn't want different golds.

Well, at least I've made a start on the Christmas cards and used something out of the bits box!

I'm entering this at:
  Allsorts - Lets Make a Start on Christmas
  Christmas Card Challenges - Anything Goes

Thanks for calling in, I do appreciate it.
Avril xx

Magic in the Air!

Hello, I'm over on the Artistic Outpost blog with this fun tag, to find out all the details, please pop over here.

I am entering this at Make My Monday - I put a Spell on You

Avril xx

Hand Made by You for TioT

Hello and thanks for visiting today.
There's a new challenge over at Try it on Tuesday and for this fortnight the theme is  Hand Made by You -  so nothing digital or shop bought.

I've finally managed a play with  my new Tim Holtz crayons in the pastel colours.  I started with a piece of pearlised card that I embossed in the Cuttlebug.  I scribbled Spun sugar, Tumbled glass, Shaded Lilac and Cracked pistachio and blended with my fingers.  I used a Tim Holtz Tattered floral die for the shabby roses and the Thinlits Garden Greens.  The  'Wishes' sentiment was cut from the Thinlits Handwritten Holiday die set.

The rest of the DT have some wonderful Hand Made inspiration for you, so please pop over here, where you will also find all the challenge details.

Thanks again for popping by,
Avril xx

Black canvas

Hello, and thanks for visiting today, I've finally finished this little 6" x 6" canvas which has been on my desk for a number of weeks in various stages - good job I didn't need it in a hurry!

It was originally given a coat of white gesso.  I added some embossing paste through a couple of stencils and stuck on bits of lace,  paper and clay roses, die cuts, a metal bird and butterfly.
Then, I decided it should be black, so it got a couple of coats of black Adirondack.  Next came the Copper and Silver gilding wax.  I stamped the sentiment onto a piece of black card and heat embossed with Copper EP, cut to fit and then some wax was brushed on the edges.

That's all for  now, hope you've had a good weekend.
Avril xx

Autumn Friends

Hello, I'm over on the Artistic Outpost blog with another Autumn card, to find out the details, please pop over here.

Avril xx

We Go Together

Hello, I'm over on the Artistic Outpost blog with this Autumnal card and if you'd like to find out the details, please pop over here.

Avril xx

Halloween Time at TioT

It's that time of the year when the bewitching hour is approaching!

Yes, it's time for our annual Halloween challenge at Try it on Tuesday, so please join us with your spooky or scary makes.

I started off with a black card base and some Tim Holtz mixed media die cuts (which were white) coloured these with silver and black paints.  I also did a bit of 'atmospheric stamping' with my finger dipped in silver paint.

I printed off a couple of images from the internet, and fussy cut the witch and adding foam pads to give dimension and framed these in a TH Cabinet card frame 'stamped' with the silver finger.  The sentiment was computer generated.  A added a plastic spider and web.

The rest of the DT have some great inspiration for you, please pop over here for all the details.

I am entering this at:
  Country View Crafts - All Things Spooky
  Crafty Creations - Halloween
  Mixed Media Mojo - Spookiness


Have a great week,
Avril xx

Trees at FSC

Hello and thanks for popping in, today sees the start of a new challenge at Fashionable Stamping and this months theme is Trees.  We have Flonzcraft as our sponsor who are offering one lucky random winner a $20 spend in their online store, but please remember, we are a stamping challenge and stamping must follow the theme of the challenge.

I took the opportunity of making my first Christmas card!  I used Inkylicous Winter Cabin, stamped in Watering Can Archival ink  and then used Iced Spruce Distress ink with a small tree from the Tim Holtz Tree line stamps to create the woodland scene.  I used Chipped Sapphire and Stormy sky to create my stormy sky!

Thanks for visiting, I do appreciate it and thanks for all the comments you leave as I know I haven't been the best of bloggers of late, but real life just kept getting in the way.
Hopefully, now that I'm up to date with DT commitments, my little blog can have some TLC, fingers crossed.
Have a great day,
Avril xx

Bike Ride Pleasure

Hello, I'm over on the Artistic Outpost blog today with this tag using images from the Lovely Day stamp plate.  If you would like to find out more, please pop over to the AO blog for all the details.

Avril xx

Together

Hello, I'm over on the Artistic Outpost blog  using this lovely image from the Generation Redux set of stamps.
If you would like to find out more, please pop over here for the details.
Avril xx