International Art and Soul Challenge 126

 The theme for this fortnight has been set by my team mate Debbie, and she wants to see your creations on the theme of: All About Love/Hearts.

I started with a stamp from Clarity. It's one of their seasonal wreaths, and the Autumn one is this heart-shaped one. I added some extra leaves from the same set, and a sentiment which is also from Clarity. I added colour to the stamped image using Promarkers, and the the edges using Distress Ink.

A simple card for my oh who prefers things which are on the simple side.

I do hope you can join us this time.

International Art and Soul Challenge 125

 I've chosen the theme for this fortnight, and I want you to Get Inky! It doesn't matter how you use the ink - stamping, stencilling, water-based techniques - but there has to be ink (preferably mainly ink) on your creation.

I started with a few stencils from a variety of manufacturers and Distress Ink in Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, and Shabby Shutters. I blended the colours in patches through the stencils. Then, I cut the result using a Tonic die, and stuck the squares in place on some brown card.

Next, I used a Stamps by Chloe die from a recent Creative Stamping magazine and cut the butterfly three times from card inked in the three Distress shades. I layered it as you see, adding a sticky gold dot to the centre point.

Finally, I stamped a John Lockwood/Creative Expressions sentiment in Versafine Clair ink in Acorn. I shaded the background with Distress Ink, and added a little detail to the flowers with glitter gel pens. 

And that's it. It's intended for a friend whose 97th birthday is coming up soon.

I'm looking forward to seeing your inky creations, and if you add a photo of your inky hands to your post, I'll know I'm not alone in always having interestingly coloured hands after a crafting session!

International Heart and Soul Challenge 124

 It's a new year! I hope you all had a lovely Festive Season and that 2022 is very kind to all of us.

The challenge for this fortnight is to make something that isn't a card. Apart from that, the choice is yours. In fact, I feel a bit of a cheat compared to my team-mates who have made some amazing things, but right now, (mid-December) I don't have time to do anything I don't urgently need, so I went for some Christmas tags.

I started with 2 sheets of A4 Hobbycraft smooth card. Using Distress Oxide ink in Speckled Egg, Broken China and Hickory Smoke, I 'smooshed' the damp card to create a pale background. When the sheets were dry, I went to work. I used Distress Ink in Blueprint Sketch, Broken China, Evergreen Bough, Pine Needles, and Festive Berries which I applied lightly with blending brushes.

Then, with a stencil from Stamperia, I applied some Crafter's Companion metallic ink in Silver and Pewter. Then, I stamped both sheets randomly with snowflakes (from the most recent edition of Creative Stamping Magazine, and a Lavinia text stamp using mainly Versafine Clair ink, although for a few I used some Blueprint Sketch),.

Then, I cut sections of both sheets using part of a Tonic die set. I then finished each piece by edging with a suitable ink, before sticking the result to more white card cut using the same die set.

To complete, I added some silver cord, and they're ready to write and apply to gifts.

I do hope you can join us this time!