Pink Profusion

Hello inkers,

There's a profusion of pink around blogland this month for obvious reasons so I've taken that as my cue for both these cards. The first is for Lavinia Stamp's Creative Challenge where the theme is 'what brings you to my humble abode?' Lots of Lavinia products on it including Zen Houses coloured with pencils:

 

The second is a very simple card for MFT's sketch challenge featuring some copic coloured cupcakes and an embossed Garden Flourish background.  I've used the pink hues from the Colorful Options mood board and one of my cupcakes features a sparkly heart which is the topping over at Seize the Birthday. 

I'm afraid Valentines Day is a very underwhelming affair in our household - a card and a box of half-price Maltesers is about as romantic as it gets and both myself and the big bloke woke up and forgot it was Valentines Day! 

Happy stamping!

Claire

MFT Colour Challenge

Hello inkers,

Here's a card for MFT's colour challenge using 'You're Super' and the Watercolour Wash stencil:

 

I used my gelli plate to create the background, then sponged some purple ink around the edges to give it some more definition. 

Happy stamping!

Claire

Altenew January Inspiration Challenge

Hello folks!

 

This has been a very slack month for card making but at least I've managed to make a card for Altenew's January Inspiration challenge which is soon to close it's virtual doors:

 

 

I created a background using distress inks (Bundled Sage, Fired Brick and Lost Shadow) with the Grid Stencil on my Gel Press. I cut a large tag using the Terrific Tags Die Set and added a couple of Mini White Splendour Anemones coloured with alchol inks. The sentiment's from the Craft Your Life Project Kit: Fragrant Florals and I added an embossed background using the Majestic Bloom EB.

Here's hoping February's a more productive and inky month!

 Happy stamping!

 Claire

 

Lavinia Stamps for Addicted to CAS

Hello again,

Very quick post as I'm tired and just a little bit grumpy. This one is for Lavinia Stamps Creative Challenge which has a theme of 'blue hues.' Addicted to CAS happens to have 'blue' as their cue word as well:

 

I used an acetate block to create the background with a trio of blue mists that have been sat in my stash for years and amazingly aren't clogged. It was meant to be a one layer but as usual I got more ink over the card than I did anywhere else. I added the little LS butterfly and coloured the blooms and butterfly with Copics. No sentiment - I'll add one when I'm ready to send it!

Happy stamping!

Claire

MFT Colour Challenge

Hello inkers, happy 2025!

It's been a while between cards - Christmas can do that, can't it?  We've had family over from the UK for a few weeks so lots of socialising and very little crafting.

It was hard to get motivated to play with paper again but what better way than by playing along with the brand new colour challenge at MFT.  I've missed their challenges so much in the last few months but they're back, alternating between a colour and a sketch challenge:
 

I also used the latest Freshly Made Sketch from Karren for some inspiration - a great sketch for those MFT 6 x 6 paper scraps I have lying around as I can't bear to throw them out! I have a real lack of birthday cards at the moment so used MFT's Let Your Hair Down.

Happy stamping and here's to a crafty 2025!

Claire

Altenew Ultimate Inspiration Challenge - Year in Review

Hello again,

You know another year has gone by when it's the Ultimate Inspiration Challenge: Year in Review   over at Altenew. I revisited Bridget's April challenge - I'd already used these colours a couple of times for the original challenge so I obviously liked them:

 

 

 

 

 

 

I used the sketch at Freshly Made Sketches for some inspiration - I thought it was perfect for this Psyanka stamp (currently half price so a good reason to buy it). I coloured the first one in full using Copics, then partially coloured the other three. It's quite a detailed design so I thought it would be a bit much with all four coloured. I also added a Fine Frames Cover Die and a teeny tiny diamante in the middle of each flower.

Happy stamping!

Claire

Playing With Lavinia Stamps...Again

Hello inkers,

The heat in Sydney is absolutely blistering today at 38C and the humidity is almost unbearable. So, what better way to cool down but playing along with Lavinia Stamps December Creative Challenge which themed 'snow is falling.'

 

              

 

We had family arrive from the UK last weekend which meant I could put an order in directly from Lavinia Stamps and have them bring it over to me. I loved this tag that Tracey made so I CASEd it using some of my new stamps and tools. I've been hankering after the stencil brushes for ages and they are worth every penny!

The first card isn't just for the LS challenge, I'm also linking over to Addicted to CAS where the theme is 'brrr' and to Time Out's photo inspiration challenge that features lots of snow.  I used a mini Pipin the hare and blended a selection of inks for the background , added some pretty foliage, some sparkle and a scattering of snowflakes using a Posca pen (yet another great tip from the LV videos).

If you're in Australia, hope these cards cool you down!

Happy stamping!

Claire