Layers .....

Made a layered floral card ....

I started with a white card blank and die-cut a smaller matt from white card. Onto this I stamped a solid background stamp from a layering set in pale mauve, yellow and blue memento inks to act as a shadow to the flowers.

The flowers were stamped in 3 colour shades of Memento ink to form the layers on each of the flowers which were trimmed out. The leaf was stamped in a similar manner. They were then given a coat of gloss acrylic varnish and allowed to dry.

The flowers and leaf were then arranged on foam pads offsetting to allow the stamped shadows to show.

The sentiment and flourish were then stamped in purple Memento ink. I finished the card by matting the stamped panel onto pale mauve card and applying on more foam pads to the card base.

Sid xx

Toadstool .....

I used a white card blank as the base for this card .....

I cut a matt from 300gsm smooth hot press watercolour card and applied some washes of watercolour paints in yellows and greens.... wanted a subtle effect ....

I stamped the mushrooms stamp (AAll & Create) in Versafine sepia ink over the watercolour background. I then stamped the mushrooms section in Versafine Clair acorn ink on white card and trimmed out the mushrooms. These were then coloured with watercolours in muted red and sepia. The mushroom caps were then treated with Glossy Accents and put to one side.

The word 'Toadstool' was also stamped again in Versafine Clair acorn, trimmed out and edged with brown Versamagic chalk ink. I then used some background stamps and used spiced marmalade, lucky clover and fired brick Distress Oxides.

The mushrooms and word were then mounted on foam pads as shown. I added some more stamping of stars (tim Holtz), some punched paper strips (coloured with fired brick Oxide and water), some green self adhesive numbers and letters, a couple of brass brads and a rabbit paperclip.

The whole thing was then matted on black card and applied to the card base to finish.

Sid xx

Monochrome .....

Sharing a simple monochrome card today ......

I started with a 5 x 7 inch black card blank ....... I then cut a  a white matt and a smaller black matt. I embossed the black matt with a spotty embossing folder through the Big Shot.

I then die-cut a number of leafy buds in white card and layered these in a line as shown. I then cut a banner and stamped the sentiment in Versamark ink, heat embossing with white detail embossing powder. This was added on foam pads after applying two black adhesive gems.

The layers were them assembled onto the card base to finish.

Sid xx

Industrial ......

A card made with a science and industry feel .....

I started with a white card-blank. I then cut a matt from white card and stamped the main stamp with Versafine black ink (AAll & Create). I selectively stamped the jet engine and No.4 again and trimmed these out colouring with watercolours and a waterpen.

I then die-cut a circle from white card and coloured this with brayered matte acrylic paint in violet and grey. This was also stamped with the background stamp to act as a spotlight. I have used a white Posca pen to highlight aspects on this.

I then coloured the background with watercolour washes in greens and yellows leaving some white areas. I then added the circle, lining up with the image below and edging in Inktense pencil and a waterbrush. Next I added the other elements on foam pads.

I added a brass brad and some metal eyelets and green Washi tape. The card was highlighted with some glossy accents added to selected elements.

The card was finished with some alpha stamps to add the 'Industrial' word in Versafine black on white card.

Sid xx

Embrace .....

I started this Clean & Simple card with a 5 x 5 inch white card blank....

I then cut a smaller matt in white card and stamped the main image (Squirrels & Frogs) in Versafine black ink.  I then stamped again in blue Versafine ink on pink cardstock and trimmed to paperpiece the girls dress.  This was then stuck in place on the stamped white matt.

I then matted this on pink and black and applied to the card front.  The word was stamped twice in Versafine black on pink & white cards. The border was paperpieced onto the word and trimmed before mounting on foam pads as shown.

The card was finished with three small black sequins .....

Sid xx

Wild .....

Here is a card I made using a watercolour background and Inktense colour pencils .....

I started with an A6 white card blank. I then cut a smaller matt from 300gsm Hot Press smooth watercolour card and scribbled directly with the Inktense pencils spraying with water and blending with my finger whilst wet. When happy I allowed to dry completely.

I then used a variety of stamps from AAll & Create & Tim Holtz to colour the background in Distress Oxides and Archival Inks in various colours, adding some star and black brads and edging with various Versafine Ink colours direct from the pad. This panel was then matted on black card and trimmed.

The Flower (AAll & Create) was stamped in Versafine black ink and trimmed out, coloured with watercolours and treated with Glossy Accents. This was applied on foam pads as shown with the stem over the sentiment (AAll & Create) which was stamped in Versafine black ink on white card and matted on black card.

I then retrieved some gold wire (re-cycled from an Italian wine bottle) and applied around the flower.

The matt was then applied to the card blank to finish .....

Sid xx

You .....

I used a 5 x 5 inch white card blank as the base.

I then cut another matt from white card to 4.5 x 4.5 inches. Onto this I used a set of solid floral stamps (PaperArtsy). I stamped the first one in Versamark ink and treated this with blue Perfect Pearls applied with a brush ... not easy to see the pearlescent effect. I then stamped the other florals in deep lagoon Versafine ink and the leaves with verdant Versafine Clair ink.

I then added some green adhesive pearls in the centres of the flowers. The white matt was then matted again on pale green card and applied to the card front.

I then stamped the 'Just for You' sentiment in Versafine black ink on white card, matted this on more pale green card and applied on foam pads as shown.

Quite Clean & Simple really ....

Sid xx

Travel.....

A multi-media card made recently .....

I started with a 5 x 7 inch white card blank..... cutting a smaller matt from white card which I brayered with a mixture of matte acrylic paints in green and blue. Once dry I stamped with a Travel stamp (AAll & Create) in Versafine black ink. I then brayered red & orange matt acrylic paint onto a die-cut circle of more white card and when dry stamped with the same stamp in more Versafine black ink which was heat embossed with clear embossing powder to add a gloss.

I then worked on the background with some triangle stamps and Distress Oxide in ks in green, blue and red as shown. The finished die-cut circle was stuck in place over the corresponding image on the background, and then edged with Inktense pencil and a waterbrush.

I next added some white paint lines with the edge of an old plastic card along with some black Posca pen highlights in the triangles. I then matted the design onto black card to leave a border and adhered to the card blank. The sentiment was stamped in Versafine black ink on white card, adhered to the background and again edged in Inktense pencil to make the words pop. Finally adding a couple of metal tag embellishments.

The design was inspired by Tracy Evans ......

Sid xx

Moment.....

A Clean & Simple card today ....

I started with a 5 x 5 inch white card blank and cut a matt in white card.

I used a solid background stamp (Whispers) and lightly inked with crushed pistachio Distress oxide ink and dried with a heat gun. I then stamped a swirly centre (Paper Artsy) in salty ocean Distress Oxide again drying with a heat gun.

Next I used a stamp (Dina Wakley) and inked in Archival black stamping as shown onto the squares.

The sentiment (Personal Impressions) was then stamped onto white card with Versafine black ink, trimmed and applied as shown on foam pads.

The matt was then applied to the card blank on foam pads to finish .... loving the simplicity !

Sid xx

Steps .....

A card made in the round. I started with a 6 x 6 inch white card blank. I then die-cut a circle.

The background was made using a stencil, coloured with Distress Oxides and lightly sprayed with water, applying onto the circle (almost like using the stencil as a stamp). I then dried this with a heat gun.

I stamped some flowers (Dyan Reaveley) and coloured these with gold iridescent ink and Distress Oxides which were then trimmed out. I then used stamps from Tim Holtz, Dina Wakley and AAll & Create to stamp with Distress Oxides in pink and yellow and Archival ink in Sepia, adding some lines with a Posca pen.

The flowers were then applied (2 on foam pads) and the sentiment (AAll & Create) was stamped in Versafine black on white card, trimmed out and adhered to the base. The circle was edged in yellow Chalk ink and then Glossy Accents was added to some elements.

The finished design was then stuck in place on the card blank.....

Sid xx

Holly .....

Made a single-layer card for the Less Is More Challenge No.424 .....

I started with an A6 white card blank.

I then used a set of stamps (Stamplorations) and stamped the holly and berry outlines in Versafine black ink. I then infilled these with solid stamps from the same set using Memento inks in Bamboo Leaves and Ladybug.

The sentiment was then stamped in more Versafine black ink to finish .....

Sid xx

Healer ......

Made a 'Time' card ..... and boy doesn't it fly !!

I started with a 6 x 6 inch white card blank. I then cut a smaller matt from white card and used a stencil to add some numbers in shades of brown Distress Ink with a foam applicator. These were heat set.

I then stamped the clock (AAll & Create) in Versafine black ink onto the matt and then stamped again onto more white card before trimming out the spare image. I coloured this with more watered down Distress inks and added some gold pen and Glossy Accents on the clock face.... edging in black ink.

I then added some dots onto the base matt with Versamark ink and heat embossed this with gold embossing powder. Three bronze brads were added with a Crop-A-Dile along with some strips of torn Washi tape. The matt was also edged in more Washi tape. I then cut another matt in brown Kraft card and applied the base matt onto this.

The 'Time Is A Healer' words were stamped and heat embossed with gold embossing powder, trimmed and matted onto Kraft card. The matts were then applied to the card base. Finally adding the clock and words on foam pads to finish.....

Sid xx

Nourish ......

Made a card with a set of AAll & Create stamps......

I started with a 5 x 7 inch white card blank and a pink watercoloured background and used the stamps inked in sepia & red Archival and Versafine black inks. I added some stencilled dots with white acrylic paint and added elements with Posca markers, torn old bookpaper and fineliner.

I layered the main stylised flower on foam pads and chose a ballerina paperdoll coloured with Copic marker on foam pads & grounded on Washi tape and added the words as shown.

The watercolour matt was then edged with gold embossing powder on Versamark ink. I then matted this on orange card before adhering to the card blank to finish ....

Sid xx

Wings.....

This is a self-standing steampunk creation made as an entry into the That's Crafty Creatives Facebook Challenge for July ..... whose theme is 'Steampunk' ......

I started with a piece of printed background paper and applied a couple of strips of Washi tape at the base. I then stamped out a steam engine chimney and a pair of wings (Eco-Green) in Versafine black on white card. These were coloured with watercolours and silver metallic pen and trimmed out.

The gears (Tim Holtz) were die cut from white card, coloured with watercolours and gold metallic pen. I then matted the background onto brown craft card and black card. The chimney was applied on foam pads and the wings positioned as shown. The gears were were applied next on foam pads and centred with black adhesive gems. I then stamped a star (Tim Holtz) in Archival sepia and some numbers in turquoise Archival ink,  adding some blue Stickles glitter glue to the wings.

A few metal elements were added including the 'Family' sentiment.

I finished by dotting around the border with silver pen and added a die-cut stand (Tim Holtz) behind the piece.

Sid xx

Oink .....

Love these new piggy stamps from AAll & Create .....

I started with a 6 x 6 inch white cardblank. I then chose a background paper and trimmed out edging with Amber Chalk ink. This was matted on a die-cut square of re-cycled Kraft packaging after adding some gold Washi tape as a ground for the piggy .....

The quirky piggy was stamped the in Versafine black onto watercolour card and coloured with watercolours, adding detail with a Posca pen and yellow Stickles glitter glue on her beads. She was trimmed out and mounted on foam pads over the Washi strips. The word 'Oink' was stamped on white card in more Verafine black ink, edged with amber Chalk ink and mounted on foam pads. Some black dots were added with a Posca pen. The Market sign was treated with Glossy Accents.

The matts were then added directly to the card front to finish..... reminded me of what a pig might say if it were going to the Market !!!!

Sid xx

Birds .....

A Birdie card made for a Challenge over on Simon Says Stamp Challenge blog - theme of 'Early Birds .....

I started with a 5 x 7 inch white card blank. I then cut a smaller matt from white card and stamped a number of background stamps in Distress Oxide inks.

I then stamped a number of images from a set by Dyan Reaveley in Versafine black ink. These were trimmed out and coloured with Ecoline Brushpens.

The images were arranged over the background and stuck in place (some on foam pads) and grounded on torn Washi tape. Some highlights were added in Glossy Accents on the birds wings and beaks and the flower centres.

The sentiment (Personal Impressions) was stamped on white card in Versafine black nk, trimmed out and matted on pale blue card, attaching as shown on foam pads to finish the card ......

Bright and clean .......

Sid xx

Genuine.....

A 'Genuine Ideas' card .....

I used a 5 x 7 inch whte card base. Started with a green watercolour background on 300gsm smooth HP card. I then stamped this with a background collage stamp and leaves (AAll & Create). The main image n Archival sepia and the leaves in green.

I then decorated the background with gold pen & Posca markers. I then selectively stamped the floral image on whte card with Versafine black ink, trimmed out and coloured with Ecoline Brushmarkers in bright colours as a contrast.

I then selectively added some Bedazzles in blues & greens with Glossy Accents to various elements adding a stem for the flower at the same time. The flower was then mounted as shown on foam pads.

The sentiment (Tim Holtz) was stamped in Versafine black ink, matted on pink card ad added on more foam pads.

I then matted the watercolour background twice....once on re-cycled kraft packaging and then on pink card...edging with violet Versamagic chalk ink and adding to the card base.  Three pink/violet sequins were added to finish....

Sid xx

Love......

Made this decorated tag for a swap over on UK Stampers Forum .....

I cut the tag from white card and cut another base the same size from re-cycled packaging. I used Fired brick Distress ink to colour the tag applied with a foam applicator. and spattered this with water droplets, removing the water with a paper towel to leave a pattern.

I then applied some texture paste with a spatula through a chevron stencil and allowed to dry. I then stamped the heart (AAll & Create) in Versafine black onto the tag front. I have recently seen some toilet paper casting done and thought I would try it out and used the same stamp as the base to do this. Once complete I then trimmed out the cast and coloured with more Fired brick Distress ink and used a black Posca pen to highlight the depressed images as shown. This was then stuck in place over the black stamped image.

I then added some torn Washi tape in pink and black as shown. I stamped a few small numbers in more black Versafine ink.

The tag front was stuck onto the base and the tag edged in black Versamagic chalk ink. I added a black eyelet with the crop-a-dile and threaded this through with some wide gros-grain ribbon tied in a knot.

The sentiment (AAll & Create) was stamped in Versafine black on white card and heat embossed with black embossing powder, trimmed out and matted on black card to leave a fine border. This was then added on foam pads as shown to finish.

Sid xx

Kindness ......

Made a card with a poignant sentiment .....

I started with a 5 x 7 ins white card blank. I then cut a smaller matt from white card and used ink sprays in green, red and yellow, blending before allowing to dry. I then stencilled some hexagons in white acrylic paint.

I used a selection of Tim Holtz stamps and Distress Oxides to apply various numbers elements. I added a checkerboard and used Versamark ink along with some white embossing powder to heat emboss.

I used a bee stamp (Pink Paislee) and stamped onto the background with black Archival ink. I stamped again on white card, coloured with Ecoline Brushpens and trimmed out. I then spattered the background with some Saffron Yellow acrylic paint. I then mounted the trimmed out bee on foam pads over the stamped image. I then added the sentiment and underlined n black Posca marker.

The background was then matted on mustard card and this applied directly to the card blank.

It's easy to be kind ......

Sid xx

Florals .....

Made a watercolour card .... on a 6 x 6 inch white card-blank.....

Would like to enter this into the Simon Says Monday Challenge this week whose theme is 'Play With Paint'

Simple watercolour florals handpainted onto 300gsm hot-pressed watercolour card.

I have simply matted onto black and satin gold cards as a frame. The sentiment was stamped in Versafine black ink onto white card, trimmed and again matted onto black and satin gold.

The watercolour matt was then added to the card blank to finish and the sentiment added on foam pads ....

Sid xx

Tremendous .....

Made a card using AALL & Create stamps throughout ... loving these quirky stamps designed by Janet Klein ......

I started with a 5 x 5 inch white card-blank. I then die-cut a circle with a stitched edge in white card and edged this with pale blue Versamagic chalk ink. I also cut a smaller matt in light blue card which was further matted on black card to form a border.

I then stamped all the images and sentiment in Versafine black ink on white card. I used Ecoline Brushpens and watercolours to colour things. The girl, butterflies and stones were then trimmed out.

I stuck the white circle in place and added some torn Washi tape as a ground. The girl and butterflies were added on foam pads and the rock was stuck directly on the matt.

The sentiment .... which I love ! Was then trimmed, mounted on black card and added on more foam pads.

The blue matt was added to the card blank and three blue sequins added with Glossy Accents to finish.

Sid xx

Bubbles .....

Made a set of ATC's for a swap over on UK Stampers Forum ....... with the theme of 'Circles' .....

I took a piece of white card and coloured with green and blue ink sprays and then cut this into three pieces 2.5 x 3.5 ins as the base for the ATC's.

I then stamped a bubbles stamp in Versafine ink and heat embossed with white embossing powder and black Archival ink. Decorating some with Posca pen to give the circles a bubble-like quality. I then mounted the backgrounds on re-cycled card. They were edged in green pigment ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.

I added a strip of metallic blue Washi tape, stamped the word in Versafine black ink on white card and coloured with a wash of green watercolour before trimming out and matting on black card for definition. These were added over the Washi tape to finish.

If you fancy making and swapping some ATC's, why not join the Forum by clicking the link at the top of this blog post .... it's friendly, fun and free !!!

Sid xx

Create ......

A Multi-Media card ....

 I started with a 5 x 7 inch white card blank .....

I then cut a matt from smooth watercolour card and stamped this with a background stamp (AAll & Create) in Versafine black ink. I then coloured the background with watercolours in violet, pink and yellow letting this air-dry for brightness. I then stamped the whole image again on white card and trimmed out certain elements for further decoration.

I used a variety of Posca pens and a metallic gold pen to colour the background until happy. I then used the sewing machine and  sewed some lines n zig-zag stitch in purple and yellow threads, leaving ends to trail.

I coloured and embellished (Glossy Accents, adhesive gems) the trimmed out elements with more bold watercolour and applied these on foam pads over the original images. The stars were stamped in Versamark and heat embossed with gold embossing powder, trimmed out and stuck in place. I used some purple shiny dots to add colour to the design also.

I then stamped the 'Create' (Marion Emberson) in black Versafine ink on white card, matted on black card and edged in purple Posca before adding on foam pads.  The watercolour matt was then matted again on black card and the panel applied directly onto the card blank to finish.

Sid xx

Tri-colour ......

I started  with a 5 x 7 ins white cardblank......this is my entry into the Less Is More Challenge #423

I then cut a 4.5 x 6.6 ins matt from white card and used a set of grunge stamps (Stampin' Up) to stamp in Memento grey flannel, Archival Vibrant Fuschia, Yellow Colorbox Chalk ink as shown.

The sentiment was then stamped in black Archival and heat embossed with clear detail embossing powder.

I finally added some Glossy Accents to the fuschia inksplats and mounted the matt onto the card blank with foam pads.

Sid xx

Dream ......

We had some Spanish tinned octopus the other day and I liked the tin it came in so I made a little 3D decoration ....love up-cycling and am always happy to re-use waste items..... I would like to enter this into the 'Country View Challenges Blog' Challenge 'Do What Makes You Happy' .....

I cleaned it thoroughly and treated with a couple of coats of white Gesso. I then painted the inside walls with primrose yellow satin acrylic paint and covered the outside walls with some Washi tape.

I found a label stamp and stamped this with Versafine black ink on white card.... using the base of the can to draw around and trim out the image to fit the inside bottom of the can.  I then coloured this with watercolours and stuck in place within the can.

I then added a couple of butterflies and the 'Dream Big' sentiment in Versafine ink on yellow card adding on a card support to lift off the bottom of the tin after treating it with Glossy Accents.

I then added some printed flowers around the rim of the can attached on red-line tape and used some yellow Stickles glitter glue in the centres. I finished with some strings of small yellow adhesive gems.

Was going to add more but decided I wanted it to be uncluttered ....

Really pleased with the finished tin .... very different from it's original use !

Sid xx

Circles .....

I made a set of Artist Trading Coins for a swap over on UK Stampers Forum .....

I die-cut 3 x 2.5 inch circles from white card and 3 from re-cycled packaging. I then coloured the three white card circles with Distress Oxide inks in Seedless Preserve, Antique Linen & Cracked Pistachio. Onto this I stamped some circle stamps (Uniko) in Archival coloured inks in violet and green colours.

I then stamped some small circles in Versamark ink and heat embossed these in white and black embossing powder.

Then I stamped the 'Live, Laugh, Love' (Kaisercraf) circle in black Versafine ink and die-cut these after edging in violet Versamagic chalk ink. These were applied as shown on foam pads and the finished backgrounds glued to the re-cycled card bases before edging in more violet Versamagic chalk ink to finish.

Sid xx

Cute .....

Made a card yesterday .....

I started with a 5 x 5 inch white card blank.....
I then cut a matt from white 300g watercolour card and coloured this with watercolours. I then stamped it with a thread circle in Versafine black. I then used some background stamps and randomly stamped in Archival inks in various colours.  I then stamped in Versamark ink some zig-zags and buttons (Papertrey Ink) and heat embossed these with gold embossing powder.

I then chose a button and threaded this through with some purple glittery ribbon and knotted it before applying the button with hot glue.

The vintage boy (TH Paper Dolls) was then applied sitting in the circle on foam pads and the sentiment (Papertrey Ink) was stamped in Versafine black ink on white card, trimmed and matted on violet card and applied on foam pads. The watercolour matt was then matted on pink and black card which was stuck in place on the front of the card blank to finish ....

Sid xx

Steampunk......

Made this card as my entry into the That's Crafty July Challenge on Facebook whose theme is 'Everything Steampunk' .....

I used a 5 x 7 inch white card blank as the base. I cut a matt from white card and embossed this with a Sizzix embossing folder. I then wiped over the embossed design with a White Linen Distress Oxide ink pad highlighting the raised portions and whilst still wet applied Bronze embossing powder and heated to emboss. I added some brown watercolours to selected parts. This matt was then matted again onto black card to leave a fine border.

I then used a Steampunk background stamp (EcoGreen) to stamp in Versamark ink and heat embossed with black embossing powder.  This was trimmed out and some metallic silver pen and brown watercolours added to the image. I also stamped a train emblem plate (EcoGreen) in Archival Sepia ink and trimmed this out also.

I then added a strip of measuring tape ribbon at the base of the embossed plate and added the other plate on foam pads along with the emblem.

I then added some metal embellishments, a corner, a key, two square brads & the number 13 which was applied with hot glue.  The finished matt was added to the card front and two strips of numbers Washi tape added to finish the card.

Sid xx

Underwear.....

Made this little card today .....  makes me smile !!!

I started with a 3 x 3 inch card blank and stamped directly onto this with a number of background stamps in Distress inks. Wanted the background to compliment the main image to be added later.

I then stamped the girl and crown (Aall & Create) in Versafine black ink and coloured with watercolours as shown.  They were trimmed out and some white Posca pen added to highligh along with some Glossy Accents on the eyes and crown.  She was applied onto the card base on foam pads and the crown added too.

I then stamped the sentiment in Versafine black ink oon white card and trimmed this around and again mounted on foam pads to finish .....

Ladies ....

Made a set of Inchies for a swap over on UK Stampers Forum .......

I punched six 1 x 1 inch squares of re-cycled card as the bases.

I used a pink Distress Oxide background and punched another 6 squares from this and stamped a set of ladies stamps (Crafty Individuals) in Versafine black onto these. They were stuck onto the bases (for strength) and edged with Posca pink pen. a few dots of white Posca was used on the eyes.

I then added a very small flower gem to each with Glossy Accents to finish.

Sid xx

Explore .....

Made this 'In The Round' card .....

I used a 5 x 5 ins card blank and die-cut two circles. The smaller circle was watercoloured as sky and applied on the larger circle on foam pads which was also coloured with blue watercolours and stamped at the base in Archival black.

The tree, sun and butterfly (Doodle Bug Designs) were stamped in Archival black in on white card , coloured with watercolours before die-cutting out. Some Glossy Accents were added to the tee leaves. These were applied as shown.

The matts were attached to the card blank and four corners were stamped in Versafine black ink to finish .....

Sid xx