Birthday Dahlia

Hello there, today I have a card to share using the beautiful Artistic Dahlia stamp from Hero Arts. I have used this a couple of times in the past and really enjoyed colouring it, so this time I thought I would use watercolours with it.

 

I started off by stamping the Artistic Dahlia stamp with Versamark Ink on to watercolour paper. I applied white embossing powder and heat set. I then water coloured the image using Daniel Smith watercolour paints. I went with more of a loose look for this image and I really like how it came out. I set the image aside to dry and once dry, die cut it with the coordinating dies.

 

 

I took a panel of white cardstock and ran this through my die cutting machine with the Pop Pattern Stencil and embossed it. This was added flat to the card base with ATG. The flower was then added on top with thin foam tape. I took the 'happy birthday' sentiment from the Birthday Hugs and Kisses stamp set and stamped this on to black cardstock with Versamark Ink. I applied white embossing powder and heat set. This was cut in to a strip and also added to the card with thin foam tape. To finish off, I added a few Ice Cube Jewels.

 

SUPPLIES:

Here are the links to what I have used on the card. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. Products marked with an asterisk (*) were kindly sent to me to use.
 

 

I usually shy away from this look of watercolour and go for more of a blended look, I really enjoy it though and it was fun to experiment with different colours and shades of watercolour. Thank you so much for visiting me today. I hope you have a great day!

Magical Mandala

Hello there, today I have a card to share using the Magical Mandala die from MFT. It is so pretty and I thought it would be perfect cut from an alcohol ink background.

 

I started off by taking an A2 card base and embossing an A2 Stitched Rectangle Stax die on to the front panel. I really like doing this as it gives interest without adding more layers. I then took the left over Yupo piece that I made for this card and cut the Magical Mandala from it. This was added to the card with Multi Medium Matte glue.

 

 

I took the 'happy birthday' sentiment from the Bitty Bears set and stamped this using Versamark Ink on to black cardstock. I applied white embossing powder and heat set. This was cut in to a banner using a die from the Hearts In A Row Vertical die set. The banner was a little longer than I needed it, so I cut it a second time to make the banner shorter. This was added to the card using foam tape. To finish off, I added Iridescent Jewels around the mandala.

 

SUPPLIES:

Here are the links to what I have used on the card. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. Products marked with an asterisk (*) were kindly sent to me to use.
 

 

Sadly, the photo does the card no justice at all. It is much prettier in real life! I think this design would work quite nicely for square cards too and I love that I could use up some of the alcohol ink background I already had. Thank you so much for visiting me today, I hope you are well and have an excellent day!

Birthday Fly With Me

Hello there, today I have a card to share that I made for my friend Niki for her birthday. I used the super cute Mama Elephant Fly With Me set, along with an alcohol ink background made with Copic refills.

 

I first created the alcohol ink background. I took a piece of Yupo paper and applied Copic Refills in B0000, B00 and BG11. I dropped dots on to the paper and then spritzed air on to it using the spritzer tool. I set the piece aside to dry before stamping the sentiment on to it using Versamark Ink. The sentiment is from the ME Blogging Buddies set. I applied white detail embossing powder and heat set. I then placed an acrylic block over it for a few minutes to help prevent any warping of the Yupo paper. This was then adhered to the front of an A2 white card base with tape runner.

 

 

I took a panel of white cardstock and die cut the cloud die from the ME Cloud Nine die set in to the middle. This created a window piece so that you can see the alcohol ink background behind. The panel was added to the card with foam tape.

 

 

I stamped one of the elephants from the ME Fly With Me set on to white cardstock using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink. I coloured him using Copic Markers (the colours used are listed below) and then cut out with the coordinating dies. He was placed on the card with a combination of foam tape and tape runner. I added shimmer pen to the balloon, followed by a coating of Nuvo Crystal Glaze. To finish off, I added a few Iridescent Jewels from Lucy's Cards.

 

SUPPLIES:

Here are the links to what I have used on the card. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. Products marked with an asterisk (*) were kindly sent to me to use.
 

 

COPIC MARKERS: Elephant - W7, W5, W3, W2, W1, W0, R00, R000. Balloon - V17, V15, V12.

 

These elephants are adorable and I am hoping to use them again soon. Thank you so much for visiting me today. I hope you have a lovely day and a fabulous weekend!

Very Happy Birthday

Hello there, today I have a card to share using the Reverse Confetti Lift Me Up set. I actually stamped this image ages ago for one of the 30 Day Colouring Challenges. I recently checked the box that I have some images in, from the challenges, and found the giraffe and the cupcakes so thought I would finally get them on a card.

 

The giraffe and cupcakes were stamped on to white cardstock using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink. I then coloured them using Copic Markers (I am so sorry but since it was a while ago, I sadly cannot remember the colours that I used). They were then cut out with the coordinating dies.

 

 

I took a 5.5" x 4.25" panel of cardstock and stamped the sentiment from the Clearly Besotted Scrumptious Birthday Sentiments set on to it using Memento Tuxedo Black ink. Using  a mini score board and a bone folder, I scored lines in to the cardstock, avoiding the sentiment area. This panel was then added to a white A2 card base with ATG. The giraffe and cupcakes were added on top with foam tape. To finish off, I added Crystal Glaze to the spots of the giraffe.

 

SUPPLIES:

Here are the links to what I have used on the card. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. Products marked with an asterisk (*) were kindly sent to me to use.
 

 

Do you have lots of images that you have coloured and never added on to cards? I don't do it that often but have done in the past for the colouring challenge. I must have another look through the box to se what else I can use. Thank you so much for popping by to see me today. I hope you have a fabulous day!

Spring Tulips

Hello there, today I have a card to share using the Spring Tulips stamp set from Clearly Besotted. This set was released in March but I never got a chance to use it then, so thought I would now. It is so pretty!

I started off by die cutting a panel of watercolour cardstock using the second largest of the MFT A2 Stitched Rectangle Dies. I then took the tulips in a row stamp and stamped this three times to cover the bottom of the panel. I stamped it using Versamark Ink and then applied white embossing powder. This was then heat set. I applied a wash of water over the panel and then smooshed various shades of Distress Ink on to a craft mat. I picked them up with water and applied them to the panel with a brush. I then splattered the panel a little with a solution of Perfect Pearls and water. This gives a nice subtle shimmer. I then set aside to dry.

 

Once dry, I adhered the panel on to a white A2 card base with foam tape. The sentiment, from the Tiny Type set, was stamped on to black cardstock using Versamark Ink. I applied white embossing powder and heat set. This was cut in to a strip and added to the card with thin foam tape. To finish off, I added a few Sparkling Clear sequins.

SUPPLIES:

Here are the links to what I have used on the card. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. Products marked with an asterisk (*) were kindly sent to me to use.
 

I kept debating on how to colour this image, I am glad that I went with a wash of colour in the end, though. I think the colours give a nice spring look. Thank you so much for visiting me today. I hope you have a lovely day and a great week.

VIDEO | Mixed Media Background with Distress Resist Spray

Hello there, today I have a card to share using various different media to create an interesting background. I used Distress Resist Spray and as you will see, it didn't quite turn out as I expected!

I started off my card by die cutting a panel of watercolour paper using the rectangle die from the Crafti Potential A2 Stitched Rectangles - Fleur de Lis die set. I then decided to create my own stencil. I die cut a piece of Yupo paper using the Petal Trellis Die from The Christina Collection available at CraftStash, which they kindly sent me to play with. I love creating stencils from Yupo as they are hard-wearing and can be cleaned with water without damaging them.

I placed the panel and the stencil inside a cardboard box and sprayed the piece with Distress Resist Spray. This stuff will stick to anything (you cannot wash it off) so spraying inside a cardboard box is ideal. After spraying, I cleaned the nozzle with a baby wipe (which Tim Holtz advises to do) and placed my stencil in a tub of water to clean. You need to add the stencil to water straight away, otherwise you will not get the spray off!

Taking some Tonic Aqua Flow Pens, I added colour to the panel as well as some Nuvo Embellishment Mousse. I had hoped the Resist Spray would resist the water based Aqua Flow Pens but it didn't. It actually seeped in to it to create darker areas. Oh well! I do like how the background come out none the less. I then dried it with a heat tool (the Distress Resist Spray is heat stable). The panel was added to a white A2 card base with foam sheet and double sided tape.

I took a butterfly from The Christina Collection Layered Butterflies Die Set, which was also kindly sent to me from CraftStash, and die cut this from vellum and from white cardstock. I layered these together with Multi Medium Matte glue and then added it on to the card, again with MMM. The sentiment, from the Clearly Besotted Tiny Type set was stamped with black ink on to white cardstock and cut in to a strip. This was added to the card with thin foam tape. To finish off, I added a few Iridescent Jewels.

VIDEO:

 Here is a look at how I made the card:

SUPPLIES:

Here are the links to what I have used on the card and in the video. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. Products marked with an asterisk (*) were kindly sent to me to use.

 

Have you tried the Distress Resist Spray? Have you had better results than me? I am really looking forward to trying it again with some other Distress products. Thank you so much for popping by to see me today. I really do appreciate it. I hope you have a great day and a fabulous weekend!

Get Well Wishes

Hello there, today I am over on the Hero Arts Blog sharing a card using the Wishing Well Stamp set. This set is so pretty and can be used for lots of occasions but I went for a get well card today.

 

 

SUPPLIES:

Here are the links to what I have used on the card. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. Products marked with an asterisk (*) were kindly sent to me to use.
 

 

COPIC MARKERS: Well: W8, W7, W5, W3, W1, V17, V15, V12, B91. Flowers - V17, V15, V12, R85, R83, YG17, YG03, YG01. Butterfly - V17, V15, V12. Sky - B00, B000, B000, C00, 0. Grass - G46, G43, G40.

 

As you can see, I decided to create a little scene with the wishing well. For the details on how I created the card, please head over to the blog post. Thanks so much for stopping by to see me today, have a great day!

Spring Flowers

Hello there, today I have a card to share using the new Woodgrain Block die from Simon Says Stamp. It is part of their new Fluttering By release which is available to purchase today. It is such a great die and can be used for lots of different designs and cards. I decided to pair it with some of the new items that I picked up in my latest order from them.

 

I started off by die cutting the Woodgrain Block twice from white cardstock. They are 5.5" across so fit perfectly on an A2 card. I took a white A2 top folding card and cut the bottom off the front panel. I then added a panel of acetate so that it overlaps the front card base piece. I adhered the Woodgrain Block die cut on top. This sandwiches the acetate so that it cannot be seen from the front or the back. I did the same thing with the bottom piece. This created a nice window piece on my card front.

 

 

I took some of the images from the Even More Spring Flowers set and stamped these with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink on to white cardstock. I coloured them with Copic Markers and fussy cut them out with scissors (although I do believe there is a coordinating die set). These were added to the card with a combination of tape runner and foam tape. I then cut similar images to cover up the inside back of the card, where it shows through the acetate.

 

 

I added Stick It adhesive sheet to the back of three pieces of black cardstock and then die cut the Big Thanks die from it. The three die cuts were stacked on top of each other and then added on top of the acetate piece. To finish off, I added a scattering of Lucy's Ice Cube Jewels around the flowers, as well as a little Aqua Shimmer pen to the centre of the flower.

 

SUPPLIES:

Here are the links to what I have used on the card. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. Products marked with an asterisk (*) were kindly sent to me to use.
 

 

Do check out the new release, it is wonderful! And a big thank you to Simon Says Stamp for sending me the die to play with. Thanks so much for stopping by to see me today, I really do appreciate it. I hope you have a great day!

VIDEO | Alcohol Ink Storage & Organisation

Hello there, today I have a little video showing how I store and organise my alcohol inks. Over the last two years, I have fallen in love with these babies! Considering I am not usually one for getting inky, I have really enjoyed using these. As with me, I always need to find a storage solution for anything new I get. I was so happy that Ranger and Tim Holtz brought out their Alcohol ink Storage Tins recently. Up until now, I have had them in a plastic box, which served it's purpose but these are so much neater.

 

I love that I can put them in colour order in the tins and that they are just neat and tidy. As I show in the video, I added a little dot of colour to the top of the bottles. This is mainly so that I know which lid goes with which alcohol ink, as when playing, I don't always put them back on straight away and get them mixed up occasionally. I added a little of the ink colour to a piece of Yupo then used a standard UK hole punch to cut the circle piece. This was added on top of the bottle lid with Multi Medium Matte.

 

 

In the video, I also show my alcohol ink swatches. I find these really helpful when choosing what colours to use. I made these using a blank download from Jennifer McGuire but she has now made some specifically for the Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks which you download from this blog post here. Here is the video showing everything:

 

I also share in the video, how I am storing my tools. I have them in a little pencil box. I mentioned in the video, that I purchased the box from a local DIY store but I was mistaken, sorry. I purchased it from a local Supermarket (Tesco). I love that I can fit all the tools I use into one box.

 

SUPPLIES:

Here are the links to what I shared in the video. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. Products marked with an asterisk (*) were kindly sent to me to use.
 

 

I hope that this may have helped some of you decide if the tins are for you or not and how you may want to store your alcohol ink, if you have them. Thank you so much for visiting me today, I hope you have a great day!

Happy New Home

Hello there, today I have a very clean and simple card to share using two newer sets from Hero Arts - Nesting House Infinity Dies and House Stamp & Cut.

 

I started off by taking a 5.5" x 4.25" panel of Decorative Woodgrain cardstock. I stamped the 'happy new home' sentiment on to it from the House Stamp & Cut set using Intense Black Ink. I used the Mini MISTI for this because of the texture of the cardstock but it stamped perfectly first time. It looks a little wobbly in the photos but it is a lot clearer in real-life. The panel was then adhered to a white A2 card base with tape runner.

 

 

I took the second smallest house die from the Nesting House Infinity Dies, along with the window piece and cut this twice - once from kraft paper and another from white cardstock. I adhered the kraft paper to the cardstock piece for extra stability. This was added to the card base with thin foam tape. To finish off, I added a Light Blue Gemstone to one of the window openings.

 

SUPPLIES:

Here are the links to what I have used on the card. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. Products marked with an asterisk (*) were kindly sent to me to use.
 

 

I have made a few cards with this design in the past and I really like the simplicity of it. I love this die set as there are a few different window pieces so you can customise the house as you wish.  Thank you so much for visiting me today. I hope you have a wonderful day!

VIDEO | Simon Says Stamp Haul #19

Hello there, today I have another haul to share with you. I apologise for having two so close together but my order from Simon Says Stamp just came in, so I wanted to share with you what I purchased and then hopefully, I can start using some of it soon!

 

 

I hadn't made an order from SSS for about six months so I saved up and made a bit of a larger order. I find that it works better with postage this way, being international. Here is a look at everything I got:

 

 

SUPPLIES:

Here are the links to what I shared in the video. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store.
 

 

Thank you so much for popping in to see me today, I hope you have a great rest of the weekend!

Happy Birthday To You

Hello there, today I have a card to share that I made for my dad for his birthday last week. I have been having so much fun playing with alcohol inks lately, that I went with another alcohol ink background. This time though, I decided to add some foil on it, having seen Jess do it a little while ago and liked to the look.

 

I started off by creating my alcohol ink background. I took a piece of Yupo paper and added drops of various blue inks on to it, using a spritzer tool to blow air on to it, to move them around as I went. I used Eggplant, Indigo, Aquamarine, Stonewashed and Sail Boat Blue. I then added on some Alcohol Ink Blending Solution to blend some of the areas and add drops to create some interest. While the piece was still a little wet in some areas, I placed over a sheet of Therm O Web Silver Foil and with a brayer, lightly went over it, pushing the foil in to the ink. I removed the foil sheet and set aside.

 

 

I took some white cardstock and added Stick It adhesive to the back. I then took the MFT Happy Birthday To You die and cut this from the cardstock three times. The letters were then stacked up to create thicker pieces. I took the alcohol ink background and using a soft brush, brushed off any excess foil. I then die cut this using the second largest of the MFT A2 Stitched Rectangle Dies.

 

 

Using the negative piece from the die cut Happy Birthday To You wording for placement, I adhered the letters down on to the background piece. Once adhered, I added the whole panel on a white A2 card base with foam sheet and DST.

 

SUPPLIES:

Here are the links to what I have used on the card. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. Products marked with an asterisk (*) were kindly sent to me to use.
 

 

I think the silver foil goes really nicely with the blue alcohol inks. I am looking forward to trying it again with different colours of foil. Thanks so much for visiting me today, I hope you have a wonderful weekend!