Keep it Simple at TioT

There's still another week to go for the current challenge at Try it on Tuesday which is Keep it Simple and I couldn't resist inking up this Highland cow that I bought when I went to a Craft Show last month.  The image and sentiment were a set and I though perfect for a fun masculine card.  The image is so simple to colour, just a few random brown pencils.

I did have another reason for buying it - Highland Cows - apart from dinosaurs of course - are Teddy's favourite animal, so we've stamped a few and we've also used the printer to enlarge them for him to colour, which he loved, especially as he had 'made' them himself and he even 'made' some for Lucy, both of them enjoy colouring and drawing.

I am entering this at - We Love Stamping - All Creatures Great and Small

                                    Polkadoodles - Anything Goes

                                    CraftyCatz - Anything Goes

                                    Simply Clean & Simple - Anything Goes

Avril xx 

 

Cute Creatures at Stamping Sensations

It's mid month inspiration over at Stamping Sensations where our theme is Cute Creatures or A/G if you prefer.

I've used one of my Anita Jeram stamps, but instead of the bear holding a flower as per the stamp, I masked that off and then stamped a HoneyDoo  balloon stamp that I bought recently at a Craft show.

I coloured the image and balloons with pencils.  I added Stickles to the balloons, a die cut Happy and then stamped Birthday onto black card and heat embossed with white EP.

The rest of the DT have some great inspiration for you, so please pop over to the main challenge page for all the details.

Avril x

Keep it Simple at Try it on Tuesday

 

Our new challenge at Try it on Tuesday is Keep it Simple, well you couldn't get much simpler than this.

I stamped my image onto white card and coloured with pencils and added a birthday sentiment, then die cut with a stitched square die.  The black and grey mat is actually a recycled card, so no cutting and layering with different cardstock.

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

Avril x

A splash of Pink!

 

After a recent 'tidy-up' in my craft room I felt guilty at the amount of neglected stuff, all of which were must have buys at the time, so I've been making a conscious effort to try and use them.  Also. I've hardly used any dies lately, and one of my favourites are these flowers from Sizzix, which I used on this tag.  I also have a large box of backgrounds - as you do! so a rummage and I found this pink/cream piece which I cut using the AALL&Create tag die set 31 that was a prize at Tag-along and ACTs a while ago. 

I randomly stamped a script/ledger background stamp, not sure of the make as it's lost it's original packaging and was found with my Tim Holtz stamps, but I don't think it's his?  The flowers were coloured with Distress inks and tied with twine.

I am joining in at Tag-along and ATCs  where the challenge is Add some Pink and also at

Neglected Stuff Challenge. The challenge at Fab'n'Funky is to use Pink, Blue or Yellow.

Avril x

Cute Creatures at Stamping Sensations

Its the first Sunday of the month and that means a new challenge at Stamping Sensations, but this time, sadly,  it's our last challenge after 16 years.

 Our last theme is Cute Creatures or you can always go with the Anything Goes option, and we have a wonderful prize from Highlight Crafts, just remember to include real stamping on your entry to be eligible.

I've used this cute Robin from Crafty Individuals, masking him off before adding a stencilled background and them stamping the music notes and greeting that also came with the stamp.  He's quite a large stamp and fits nicely on an 8" x 8" card base.

The rest of the team have some wonderful makes to share with you, so please visit the main challenge pages, where you will also find all the challenge details.

I am entering this at We Love Stamping - All Creatures Great and Small

Avril x

 

Numbers at Try it on Tuesday

 Our new challenge at Try it on Tuesday is Numbers, stamped or added, it's up to you.

I've used AALL&Create's Gem of a Plant stamp for my tag, stamping onto an inky background and then colouring with pencils.  I've used some bleach to fade out the colour of the larger numbers.

The rest of the Design Team have some great inspiration for you, so please visit TioT's main page , where you will also find all the challenge details.

Avril x

Inspired by Nature at Stamping Sensations

 

It's mid way for the current challenge at Stamping Sensations where our theme is Inspired by Nature or if you prefer there's always the A/G option.  There are two prizes this month - a $20 Gina K voucher and an AALL&Create stamp.

I couldn't resist using my new Inkylicious Sketched Floral stamps again.  I've stamped them onto a gelli plate background using Black Edition pencils, which have covered the background really well, a few white highlights with a gel pen and lots of sparkle with Glamour Dust, which of course doesn't show.

The rest of the DT have some lovely Nature inspired creations for you, so please pop over to the main challenge page, where you will also find all the challenge details, just remember, to be eligible for a prize you must included real stamping on your project.

I am also entering this at We Love Stamping - Spring

                                         14th Ellibelle's Garden Party

Avril xx

Fresh as a Daisy

 

At Tag-along & ATCs  this month the theme is  Blossoms, Butterflies, Birds and you have the choice to pick of one or more of the elements.

I've opted for Blossoms and used some Sizzix Wildflower dies to cut my daisies and just colouring the stems and centres of the flowers.  My background tag was cut from an inky background which was in the pile that seems to have accumulated in a very large box and I've used a TH stencil with some white gesso for texture and interest, I did think  the gesso might have dried up as it's a long time since it was used, but although thick, it was perfect for stencilling.

I am also entering this at  Neglected Stuff challenge - Gesso, stencil and background.

Avril xx

Make Your Own Background at TioT

 

We're asking to Make Your Own Background for the new challenge at Try it on Tuesday.

I've used Hickory Smoke Di smooched onto some watercolour card, when dry I randomly stamped AALL&Create#304 to add detail to the background using Versafine Morning Mist.  My flowers a new purchase from Inkylicious were stamped in black and the flower heads were also stamped onto watercolour card, coloured and fussy cut.

The rest of the DT have created some wonderful backgrounds, so please pop over to the main blog for all the details.

Avril xx 

 

Friendship Tree

I've completed another page in my new journal (which I've called my CAS journal) 

The stamps I've used are at least 5//6yr old, but have only been inked once!  I think they are Jane Davenport, but I've lost the original packaging, I do like this quote and I think that's probably why I bought them.  I've also added a cherry blossom branch which is an old wooden stamp from Rubber Stampeed.   Everything was coloured with pencils.

The theme this month at Art Journal Journey is Trees, so hopefully my 'tree' quote and branch will qualify.  

Thanks for calling in,

Avril x

Inspired by Nature at Stamping Sensations

It's time for a new challenge at Stamping Sensations and this month it's Inspired by Nature, so lots of scope there.  There are two prizes this month - a $20 Gina K voucher and an AALL&Create stamp.

I've chosen Spring flowers as my inspiration and used the Viola from AALL&Create#624, stamping onto a Geli plate background, and coloured with Faber Castell Black Edition pencils.  I used a Sizzix Thinlits double stitched Rectangle to cut out, then a stitched rectangle die for the next layer.

The rest of the Design Team have some fabulous inspiration for you, so please pop over to the main challenge for all the details  and challenge rules, just remember, you must include real stamping on the front of your entry to be eligible to win a prize.

A couple of challenges for my card - We Love Stamping - Spring

                                                             Allsorts -  It's Springtime

                                                             Sweet Stamping - Spring or Easter

                                                             Cards 4 Galz - Spring Flowers

Wishing you All a Very Happy Easter.

Avril x

Make it Cute at Try it on Tuesday

It's time for a new challenge at Try it on Tuesday and this time around we're asking you to

Make it Cute!   and this little girl is Cute.

I've opted for a CAS design and used a circular Gelli print stamping the image with Versafine Black ink and then using bleach to lighten out her skin and part of the bear.  The sentiment is a freebie from a magazine.

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

Avril xx

Spring at Stamping Sensations

 

It's mid month reminder time for the current challenge at Stamping Sensations where the theme is Spring.

I've used this gorgeous Viola stamp from AALL&Create Crocus #624, stamped onto a gelli

plate background and coloured with pencils.  I used bleach to lift the colour from the number circle and there's also some background stamping with another A&C stamp#304

The rest of the Design Team have some lovely

Inspiration for you, so please pop over to the main challenge page where you'll also find details of  the 2 prizes from Sweet Poppy stamps and stencils.  Just remember, to be eligible to win, you must include some real stamping on your entry.

Thanks for calling in. Avril x

 

Hello Spring

 

It's time for a new challenge at Try it on Tuesday and this time it's Spring.

I'm keeping up with my aim to do at least 1 journal page a month, and I've used a mix of old and new stamps.  The girl is an old Flonzcraft stamp, the flowers are Tracy Evans and the words are craft magazine freebies.

My thinking for this page is new beginnings in the circle of life and nature.

The rest of the Design Team have some lovely Spring themed projects, so please pop over to TioTs main page, where you will also find all the challenge details.

The challenge this month over at Art Journal Journey is Spring Forward, so I am joining in there.

I'm also entering at Neglected Stuff challenge as my Flonzcraft stamp was neglected and also at              Crafty Calendar March challenge - Spring

Thanks for calling in, Avril x

Feminine at TioT

Our new challenge at Try it on Tuesday is Make it Feminine, which is great as I need some 'girly' cards.

I've used an old Flonz image, stamping onto a reverse stencil print background.  I stamped the image again onto red card and fussy cut the dress.  The sentiments were freebies from an old Creative Stamping magazine.

The rest of the Design Team have lots of varied inspiration for you, so please pop over to the main blog, where you will also find all the challenge details.

You would have thought a week of walking and various activities in the Lak District would have exhausted the twins, but NO!  They were absolutely hyper when they came for a sleepover on Saturday night, their energy continued all day Sunday - wish I could have had some!

Avril xx

Spring At Stamping Sensations

 It's time for a new challenge at Stamping Sensations and this month the theme is Spring.

I've used AALL&Create Crocus #624 stamping onto a Gelli plate background.  I also stamped the flower head a second time,  (I wasn't satisfied with the colouring over the yellow of the background) so coloured and attached this after randomly stamping  parts of the scrip of another A&C stamp #304.

The rest of the Design Team have also followed this theme, but if you prefer you can always follow the A/G option.

There are two prizes this month of Sweet Poppy stamps and stencil, but remember to be eligible to win you must have some real stamping on the front of your project.

A busy day ahead as I have the twins today, they've just had a week in the Lake District.  They got their first pair of 'proper' walking boots - they climbed to the top of Castlehead - their first mini mountain!

I'm looking forward to hearing all about it.

Avril xx

Nostalgia

 

Slightly late, but I'm managing to keep my 'intention' of journaling - (so far) with a page for this months theme at Art Journey Journal which is  Anywhere, Anytime, Any Place with Anyone chosen by Bleubeard and Elizabeth.

It's quite a loose theme and I've chosen 'childhood with a friend'

I started by lightly  spritzing the page with Antique Linen before assembling my various bit of stamped ephemera - old Tim Holtz stamps, some fussy cut poppies( for remembrance)  and of course my sweet friends.

Let's just hope I won't be as late with joining in next month.

Avril x

Mid Month Favourite at Stamping Sensations

At Stamping Sensations we're halfway through our current challenge of Favourite Stamp. I love Lavinia stamps and my favorites are usually the flowers, but I do love this fairy  from Moments Like These,  she looks so peaceful. 

I've used another of the Scenecape papers and then built up the scene around her using Bell Flower Vine,   Fairy Buttercups,   Orchard Grass   and the Leaf Creeper stamp.  It's hard to tell from the photo, but I painted Diamond stickles on and around the foliage.

The rest of the team are showcasing their favourite stamps, so pleas pop over to the main challenge page where you will also find all the challenge details along with details of this months prize of Lavinia Stamps.

Avril xx

3-2--1 at Try it on Tuesday

 

The new challenge at Try it on Tuesday this fortnight is Countdown 3-2-1  

For my card I've picked 3 Flowers - 2 stamps - 1 stencil.

I started with a white card base and used embossing paste through a TH stencil.  When the paste was dry, I spritzed with Victorian velvet  and although I dabbed colour off the paste, it needed brightening up so I dabbed white Gesso through the stencil.

My  2 stamps are AALL&Create 304 Heartfelt and an old Hero Arts Birthday greeting.

3 die cut flowers coloured with Picked Raspberry DI.

The rest of the DT have been very creative with their 3-2-1, so please pop over to the main blog for all the details.

Avril xx 

All Loved Up at TioT

February is the month of Love and we're feeling All Loved Up at Try it on Tuesday.

I've used one of the lovely Scenecape papers from Lavinia for my tag and stamped the fairy couple gazing at the moon. The sentiment was a magazine freebie from a while back.    My tag is very similar to a card I made a couple of months ago and the two are apparently being used together, lucky someone is getting a gift for Valentine's day!

The rest of the DT have some fabulous Love themed inspiration to share, so please pop over to the main challenge page where you will also find all the challenge details.

Some challenges for my tag - Shopping Our Stash - Love Me Do

                                                Creative Moments - Love  and Romance

                                                The Dream Factory - Love Actually

                                                Sweet Stamping - Love

Avril xx