Blending In

 The theme for the latest Shopping Our Stash challenge is **Blending In**  where they would like to see some ink blending incorporated into a project.  I've made a set of four little 'Thanks' note cards (two of each design) which I thought could make a nice small gift.  I've blended Distress inks through a stencil using a blending brush and also blended the same inks onto the die cut flowers but this time with a sponge to get a slightly deeper colour.  These flowers were die cut from a piece of card which was a 'failed' print from the Gelli plate - came out a bit patchy and rather than ditch it I decided to see if I could find a way of using it - never throw anything away 😉😉

Stencil - from Lavinia Stamps
Flowers - Wildflower dies by Tim Holtz, Sizzix
Thanks - die which was a free gift (positive and negative so quite handy).

Dandelions

 Some die cutting for a change on today's card and also some stamping.  The banner was cut from a piece of card which I'd stencilled.  The flowers were stamped and coloured before lightly stamping some text to add a bit of interest.  The white flowers were die cut and everything was arranged onto a piece of dandelion background paper.

Background and Flowers - Dandelion DSP,  stamp and die set by Stampin' Up (retired)

Allsorts Challenge #683

 Time for another Allsorts Challenge again and this time the main theme is **Flora and/or Fauna** with an option of *Anything Goes*.  This was a great opportunity for me to use one of my Gelli plate backgrounds and I've built up a little scene which covers the challenge.   I just trimmed the background to size and added a selection of stamps and some sponged ink - what a lovely way to spend a morning. As always there is plenty of inspiration from the design team and a prize for a  lucky winner.

Background made using Brushos and a Gelli plate
Stamps - from Card-IO with the addition of a floral one which was a freebie from way back

Beautiful Papers

For a change I've used a beautiful piece of DSP as a backdrop to some stamping  rather than getting inky and making my own.  The main image was stamped in place first, followed by some background stamping to give the impression of a distant forest and then some foliage was added in the foreground.  The fantasy boat was coloured using coloured pencils, also some tiny foiled dots which give a lovely subtle touch of shine which sadly doesn't show in the photo.

Paper - New Horizons DSP from Stampin' Up
Main Image - Liberty from Lavinia Stamps
Selection of tree and foliage stamps from Lavinia, Stampin' Up and Card-i-O
Faber Castel Polychromos pencils

Little Snail

 Another of my recently made inky backgrounds used for this card - a light coloured piece made using a gelli plate.  The bellflower vine fronds were stamped first, leaving an area centre bottom for a little group of flowers and foliage complete with a little snail slithering up the stem of the centre flower.  A tiny amount of Stickles was added on and around the snail but this doesn't show to well in the picture.

We've just had thunder and lightning overhead and a torrential hailstorm so indoors is a good place to be at present.

Stamps used - by Lavinia Stamps

Snippets Challenge #431

 I've made a card for my brother as my entry to the Snippets Challenge this time around.  Snippets were used for the boats, rocks and grasses and the odd piece of fencing and scrap of bunting were lying around on my desk so I added them to the mix.  A great two part prize is on offer so why not use up some of your snippets and have a go.  The sea and sand were stamped onto a piece of white card with a sentiment added at the bottom.  Rocks were stamped and fussy cut.  I came across the odd scrap of bunting after the card was made but thought the addition of this might give the whole thing the look of a Summer regatta

Stamps - mix from various sets, mostly retired Stampin' Up.

Happy Post

 Anything craft related which arrives through my letter box is called 'happy post' and earlier this week I received a package from a generous blogging friend who kindly sent me a selection of Christmas bits and pieces which she had stamped and die cut. I think that it's  great when crafters share, whether it be their knowledge and expertise or, indeed, something tangible like this.

I know we are still in June but I have seen the 'C' word being mentioned quite a bit recently so I've done some colouring and put together a Christmas card and will try and remember to make more from time to time so that there isn't a mad rush in December.  This is a side opening 5" x 7" card and I raided my Christmas stash to find a suitable background paper and embossed a piece of white card with a snow effect E/F.  Images were coloured using alcohol pens and then arranged before gluing them down.

Background Paper - Stampin' Up (retired)
Embossing Folder - Falling Snow Stampin' Up (retired)
Images and Sentiment from MFT Happy Pawlidays