International Art and Soul Challenge 130

 The challenge for this fortnight was set by my team mate Jane, and she wants us to Include a Circle.

While challenge themes are available for us team members online, I tend to write out a shortened version to keep where I craft, and I'd written 'circles' for this one. So, I ended up including lots of circles...

I started with a Clarity stamp - in this case, this large circular base. I bought a set of these a while ago, thinking they'd be useful, but have generally been disappointed. The don't take Distress Ink very well (when applied with a brayer). But, courtesy of applying ink directly from an ink pad and then using a brayer to even it out a bit, I finally got the background. I need to play with these some more.

Next, I stamped one of my favourite images - one of the Lillium stamps from Lavina using Versafine Clair. These stamps are gorgeous, and very, very versatile. I often add some detail to this image, but decided to leave well alone this time. I completed the background with another Lavinia stamp - the mini orb (see what I mean about lots of circles...)!

I edged the outside of the card with a Sharpie pen, and mounted the image on to a white card, and that's it. It's quite a simple card, and I may even add a sentiment when I use it, but it would also work as is.

I do hope you can join us this time.

International Art and Soul Challenge 129

 My team mate Jennie has set the challenge for this fortnight, and she wants to see Easter Chicks or Rabbits.

I had to think about this one, as I don't have any stamps that would work well for this. And then I had a look at my digital stamps and found the perfect one! It's from Phindy, and I know I've had it for many years, and I suspect it was a freebie at the time, but I honestly can't remember.

Isn't it a sweet image? Anyway, I coloured the image with Promarkers, although I added fine detail with some fineliner pens. I added a little shading with pencil, and background colour using Distress Ink. The image and mat were cut using Tonic dies.

The background uses more Distress Ink and a Clarity Stamp stencil. Finally, I added a sentiment with a Woodware stamp and Versafine Clair ink.

I do hope you can join us this time.