Lavinia stamps August challenge

Good morning, beautiful summer sunshine through the widows this morning. 

Well it  is the 1st of August, the start of the Lavinia stamps creative challenge. 

As always Tracey is being very generous by offering a £40 voucher to spend in the Lavinia online store. 

The winner will be chosen at random so everyone is in with a chance.  

The design team have been busy creating inspirational projects to inspire you. 

The theme for August is Orange and lemon, how appropriate for the beautiful weather, we are having at the moment, yesterday here in London, it reached 38’ in my little garden which is a sun trap. 

The challenge runs from the 1st till the 25th August on  Lavinia stamps website   You will find full terms and conditions for entries here as well.

For my first sample I used the new Jalandhar Stamp. 

I heat embossed with wow yellow embossing powder, onto my background that was made with Spiced marmalade and squeezed lemonade distress oxides, I then used one of the new stencils from Lavinia on the background. I masked off Jalandhar to stamp The sea algae with black memento ink, I also stamped the  Marine-kelp with black Memento then coloured with with polychromo pencils. 

I coloured Jalandhar with Zig watercolour pens, then highlighted with grey alcohol pens and Sukara pens. 

Finally stamped the Bubbles with grey Clair ink once dry highlighted with clear sparkle pen, then used glossy accents to fill in the bubble.

For sample 2, I thought I’d have a go at sharing pictures of steps to make this card. I’ve got some extra time to craft this summer as no holiday, will also be spending most of the summer at home. Would very much appreciate any comments on what would make it better. 

Stamps used for this card were: Zemira, Hanging-lanterns, Flutterbies, Hare from the wild hare set., 

Berry leaves, lavender and Laurel stencil

I started with a background made using the cling film technique, inked card with wild honey and spiced marmalade Distress oxide, then sprayed card and cling film with water, placed cling film on top and left for approx 15 mins before removing cling film. Then using wild honey Distress ink brushed over stencil randomly. 

Next I used a torn piece of copy paper to create a landscape with distress ink. I do like using distress ink over the oxide background. 

Then using versafine onyx black stamped Zemira using stamping platform. Once happy with image dried with a heat gun before highlighting with clear and orange sukara pens. 

Stamped the fluttrbies with spiced marmalade oxide ink. 

Stamped hanging lanterns with spiced marmalade oxide, then highlighted with a clear sukara pen 

Was happy with the brightness behind Zemira, so decided to use a mask and make a sun, 

I used scattered straw ink around mask. 

Finally stamped leaves and lavender using spiced marmalade Distress ink. 

Look forward to seeing all the lovely entries this month. 

Please take care and stay safe. 

Will be back with a mid month reminder on the 12th of August. 

Sweet Poppy stencil creative challenge

Good afternoon, what a beautiful day it is. 

Well tomorrow is the 1st of August, it is the start of the first sweet poppy stencils creative challenge. 

Lucy is being very generous by offering a £40 voucher to spend in the sweet poppy stencils online store. 

The winner will be chose at random so everyone is in with a chance.  

The design team have been busy creating inspirational projects for you. 

The theme for August is Hot summer colours, how appropriate for today’s beautiful weather here in 

London, it reached 38’ in my little garden which is a sun trap. 

The challenge runs from the 1st till the 29th August on the simply sweet poppy stencils Facebook page. 

Here are the rules for entering.

I have made a card especially for the challenge using the Elephants and the Fall, back plate as I just love them. 

Quite a quick card to make, the background was made with distress oxide using the wet wipe technique. I used Distress inks, worn lipstick, squeezed lemonade and spiced marmalade, then used Black Memento ink for the images and ground area. Used a Honey Doo flower stamp on the base of the card. 

Here are some extra cards that I’ve made in the past that could also be used for The hot summer Colours theme.

Lavinia stamps May challenge 2020

Fauna and Flora.

Good morning.
Hope you are all keeping well, safe, and finding things to do during lockdown.
My family are all trying to keep busy. Doing some Keep fit, baking, doodling, cleaning, decorating, sorting cupboards etc and of course a bit of crafting in the evenings.

May has arrived So that means the Lavinia stamps monthly challenge has begun. The theme this month is Flora and Fauna.

For full info please follow the link below.
Lavinia Creative Challenge.

For my first card Sample this month I used the following products:
Aurora
Star blossom
Willow
I used wilted violet, ocean blue, mermaid lagoon and faded jeans distress oxide. Placed colours onto a  glass mat then sprayed with water. Smooched card through ink then dried each layer repeating for each colour. In the background I used Star blossom stencil from sweet poppy stencils designed by Tracey Dutton. I inked through the stencil with faded jeans distress oxide. Stamped images with versafine Clair Nocturne ink. Then highlighted flowers with  blue sparkle pen and other images with clear gel pen.

Products used for this sample:
Fairy orchid set
Single fairy orchid.
Flower flourish.
I also used one of the leaves from the small green man.

I used spiced marmalade, picked raspberry, and warm lipstick distress oxide. Placed colours onto a  glass mat then sprayed with water. Smooched card through ink then dried each layer repeating for each colour. In the background I used  Foilage from sweet poppy stencils designed by Tracey Dutton. I inked through the stencil with spiced marmalade distress oxide. Stamped images with versafine Clair Nocturne ink, coloured flowers with purple sparkle pen mixed with a little water then splashed onto the card. Then highlighted flowers and other images with clear gel pen. Blended black soot  distress ink around edge of card.

Good luck with your entries I look forward to seeing your beautiful creations. 

Take care and stay safe. 

Sweet poppy stencils

Lucy from sweet poppy stencils will be on Hochanda on the 20th April at 5pm. Due to the unusual situation we all find ourselves in Lucy will not be in the studio, so the demos have been recorded! 

So if your looking for inspiration get yourself a cuppa and chill in front of the tv for an hour watching Lucy create samples with her wonderful stencils. 

For this samples I used the Magnolia stencil. For the background I used candied apple, spiced marmalade and black soot, around the edge I used the curly bits from the Twisted vine stencil then highlighted with gold pen. 

For this sample I used the Wheat stencil. First I made the background using Distress oxide wild honey, fossilised amber, squeezed lemonade and gathered twigs. I inked up the stencil with vintage photo distress oxide then used Transparent paste over top.

I the used the stencil on the badges of the card and stamped the Spring verse from the seasons stamp set in versafine Clair acorn ink. 

    For this sample I used the Twisted vine stencil and using white gesso and a little carved pumpkin distress ink inked through the stencil. Cleaned and dried stencil then inked through with twisted citron. Then inked background with crushed olive, mowed lawn, soot black and peeled paint Distress ink. I then inked through the Magnolia stencil with black  memento ink. Finished card with a sentiment stamp and black glitter pen splashes. 

 For this sample I used the Wheat stencil. First I made the background using Distress oxide wild honey, fossilised amber, squeezed lemonade and gathered twigs. I inked up the stencil with the same oxides using a different colour in each corner. Then I cut a square from the centre and stamped the Smile word from the smile stamp set, then mounted onto brown card an replaced using double sided pads. 

 For this sample I used the Wheat stencil. First Sprayed the inked stencil with water then placed over a piece of card, this transferred the ink onto the card leaving the wheat patten in white,then I placed the stencil on the card And inked up using fossilised amber.  I then added some extra colour to the background using Distress oxide wild honey, fossilised amber, squeezed lemonade and gathered twigs. I stamped the edges of the card using the Snowflake From the Noel stamp set. Added a bow made from string. 

Stay safe and enjoy the show.  Happy crafting. 

Lavinia stamps April challenge

Good morning. 

 I hope you are all keeping well and staying safe in these uncertain times. 

I’m finding that each day is merging into the next without even realising it. A big thank you to all those essential workers who are helping us. Thank you to all those who are social distancing. The next few months will be difficult for some so we need to look after each other. 

I love my crafting but my creativity is struggling at the moment, so I watched some of the many demonstrations that are on Facebook at the moment and decided to follow along to a demo from Eileen Godwin, my first two samples are what I produced during the demo. 

The theme for April is: Blue and Silver. 

For full details on entering please follow the link to Lavinia stamps April challenge  challenge 

Card 1

Following along to Eileen’s demo using Stormy sky and rumpled glass oxide 

Stamped Lavinia feather, and Dream word from the Inspire me set with blue belle versafine Clair ink, using a fan brush and silver mica powder mixed with water, tapped over card to give a hint of silver, then highlighted feather with silver pen. 

Card 2

Mermaid lagoon and faded jeans oxide inks used for background.
Stamped Indian Flouish with versamark ink then heat silver sparkle embossing powder. As on card 1 spattered background with silver mica powder then stamped the dream word from the inspire me set then highlighted flourish with blue gel pen.

Card 3

For the background I used stormy sky, mermaid lagoon, faded jeans and tumbled glass oxide ink blended onto smooth card with a blending tool. Then spayed with water and left to dry naturally. 

Stamped Indra with Blue Belle versafine Clair ink then highlighted with silver mica powder mixed with water.  Stamped Mini orbs randomly over background with versamark then using a soft brush rubbed mica silver mica powder over top. Stamped A time to reflect sentiment with blue belle Clair using second generation stamping image randomly over background. Then cut background into 3 and   Mounted onto navy blue linen  and silver mirror card. 

Hope you like my samples for this month, I wish you all well. 

Lavinia March Creative Challenge

Good morning on this wet and windy 1st of March. 

It’s time for a new Lavinia stamps creative challenge, for March the theme is: A forest gathering. 

Your Entry could be chosen at random to win a £40 Voucher to spend in the Lavinia store. 

For full details please visit the creative challenge page. 

Lavinia creative challenge

For my first sample I used the following stamps. 

Maka

Valko

The Wallace family

Three Field mice

Meadow mushroom miniature

Forest scene.

For the background I used Distress Oxide inks Mermaid Lagoon, Fossilized amber, and Faded Denim for the sky, crushed olive,and mowed lawn for the grass area. stamped the animals in versafine clair Nocturne ink and the trees in Fallen leaves versafine clair. highlighted with gel pen. 

 For my second sample I used the following stamps. 

Sacred Tree

Mini leaf 5

Flower flouish

Dancing till dawn
For the background I used crushed olive, mowed lawn, and pine needles distress oxide, for the background, the miniature leaves were stamped with crushed olive Oxide which i also used for the hills.The trees were stamped with fallen leaves versafine clair, and the fairies with Nocturne versafine clair. Then finally stamped the flower flourish with pewter colour box ink.



I look forward to seeing all your lovely creations, and good luck.

Sweet Poppy stencils.

Hello All. 

I’m so happy to tell you that I am now officially on the Sweet Poppy stencils Design team. I feel very honoured to have been asked to join such a wonderful team of designers. 

Sweet Poppy Stencils are back on Hochanda on 21st May @ 11am & 3pm with their fabulous stencils and stamps. Please tune on Tuesday watch Lucy demonstrate some fabulous techniques. 

They also have some wonderful new stamps. 

Broadcasting Live on Sky 673, Freesat channel 817, Freeview channel 85, and streaming in HD online 

www.hochanda.com

Here is a link to the website. 

https://www.sweet-poppy.com/catalog/sweet-poppy-stencil-stamp-dragon-p-1708.html

Sharing some of my samples.

For this sample I have used the Phoenix stencil ,

There was some water colour left on the stencil, so I placed on card 

and spritzed with water. When I noticed the colour spreading onto the card I lifted the stencil.

Cleaned  and dried it, then placed it back onto the dry card and inked through the stencil with 

Archival black ink. 

                                                                                             

For this card I used zig water colour duel tip pens and drew around each part of the stencil with 

the thick end of the pen. Then removed the stencil and spritzed water at it, left it to dry naturally. 

Then inked through stencil with black archival ink. 

This card was made in collaboration with my best friend Tracy Nutton. 

The background was repeated stamping until whole card was covered. 

The eye stamp from the set was coloured with zig water colour pens. The red centre of the eye was coloured 

with sweet poppy stencil mica powder. For the frame I used silver paste sprinkled with red and grey mica powders then heated until it bubbled. Mounted on Black and red card. 

Black tip was stamped in black versafine and embossed with clear embossing powder. 

I then coloured him with zig water colour pens, I scribbled them onto my craft mat then using a little water on a bush I painted the dragon using a gunmetal colour and a beige colour. I stamped the faux skin stamp three times then cut them in 3 different sizes to make the flower. 

Black tip Stencil

   I used navy blue and olive gold mica powders from sweet poppy stencils over silver paste, then heated until paste bubbled. the background was done using the Faux dragon leather back plate, using bundled sage and  crushed olive distress oxide. Words stamped with versafine black onyx ink. 

I used a blue and purple zig pens scribbled onto my craft mat then spritzed with a little water before smooching card onto the colours, drying card in between each colour, coloured the dragon with the same pens, cutting around stamp on the scan and cut, was very happy with the cut was near perfect, then mounted onto card with foam pads. 

I used sparkle pens in blue, green and a little purple onto card then brushed over with a wet paint brush, for the back ground. Dabbed through the castle stencil with archival black ink using a stencil brush. used copper paste through stencil then sprinkled with a little silver mica before heating with heat gun to get the bubbled effect, also used the dragon stencil to make the path to the castle.

Not sure how I made this background, but thought it was fitting for the Phoenix,  

Used translucent paste, then covered in clear mini beads. Once dry placed stencil back in place and with black archival ink coloured the clear beads. was happy with this technique as the phoenix was still translucent and could make out the colours coming though the beads. high-lighted with white pen.  

for my final sample I used the sweet poppy stencil tag die. Using mowed lawn and spiced marmalade oxide inks blended onto my tag, inked through leaf stencil with mowed lawn,  then slashed ink from a green and orange sparkle pen onto the background. Stenciled Dragon with copper paste onto white card, then heated until it bubbled, once dry coloured with zig pens and water, cut out by hand then mounted with foam pads.
Hope you enjoy the shows, look forward to sharing more samples soon.

Lavinia stamps April challenge.

Hi Everyone. April has sprung into action, this year is going so quickly. Come along and join us at Lavinia stamps for the April challenge, theme is buds and blossoms. I have been having a play with some stamps I’ve not used for a while. For full details on entering the challenge pleas visit the Lavinia stamps challenge Here

         For this card I used the following Lavinia  stamps 

  Dandelions
    Trailing-ivy

                                                                       Brave and loved 

For the background I used, spectrum noir Harmony inks, straw bale, oasis and pumice. The images were stamped using versafine Claire. 

The following lavinia stamps were used for this card. 

Dream from the inspire me set

Honeysuckle

For the background I smooched distress oxide squeezed lemonade, worn lipstick and dried marmalade, using each colour separately, onto my craft mat then sprayed with water, I dried with a heat gun in between each colour. 

Stamped the honeysuckle randomly over the card, then coloured petals with sparkle pens. 

The following lavinia stamps were used for this card. 

Lilly

Dancing-fairies

Hare

For this background I taped edge of card with masking tape then blended distress oxide evergreen bough and salty ocean onto the card, then using same colour I inked through a free magazine flower stencil. The Lilly was stamped with Versafine Clair then coloured with sparkle pen. fairy and hare stamped with Versafine Clair 

Lavinia stamps March Challenge.

Welcome March.

Today I am sharing my March samples with you. 

The theme for March is pink purple and blue. I loved working with 

these colours they work really well together.

The DT team have made some wonderful samples to inspire you, 

we are looking forward to seeing your wonderful creations

The prize is an amazing £40 gift voucher to spend in the Lavinia shop,
there are so many wonderful products to chose from, you'll be spoilt for choice. 

For full details on the challenge, please follow the link  below.

 https://laviniastamps.com/lavinia-stamps-monthly-creative-challenge/

Stamps used for sample 1

Sebastian, Indian-flourish, Spanish-moss and Ocean-flowers

The background was made by smooching Sheena stamping card into distress oxide 

pressed onto a craft mat and sprayed with a little water, I did one colour at a time then dried with a heat gun in between, i used the following colours: salty-ocean, broken-china, 

wilted-violet and worn Lipstick. 

Stamped images with Versafine Clair ink, glamorous, monarch and nocturne.

Highlighted Sebastian with a pink sparkle pen, then highlighted areas 

with a clear sparkle pen.  

,

Stamps used for sample 2

spanish-moss, dragonfly-keepers, believe-in-magic and wild-poppies.

The background was made on Sheena stamping card, using sparkle pens, I randomly brushed a blue, purple and pink sparkle pen across the card then brushed over with a wet brush, dried with a heat gun, then flicked water on to card to faux bleach it, before stamping with versafine Clair ink, nocturne, medieval-blue, and monarch. Highlighted card with a yellow and clear sparkle pen.

Stamps used on sample 3. 

Trinity, -buttercups, vine-new and fairy-bugs.

The background was made by smooching Sheena stamping card into distress oxide 

pressed onto a craft mat and sprayed with a little water, I did one colour at a time then dried with a heat gun in between, I used the following colours: 

worn-lipstick and broken-china, 

the images were stamped with vesafine Clair. 

purple-delight , nocturne  and glamorous .

Looking forward to seeing all your wonderful creations.

Lavinia January challenge

Welcome 2019 I would like to wish you all a happy and peaceful new year.
The January challenge theme is...
A story to be told. You can enter the challenge here.
My story for the my first sample is... The magic of transforming into beauty!
Images used for this project:
https://laviniastamps.com/product/aerial
https://laviniastamps.com/product/christopher-caterpillar
https://laviniastamps.com/product/butterflies
https://laviniastamps.com/product/zen-butterfly
https://laviniastamps.com/product/hanging-lanterns
https://laviniastamps.com/product/spotty-toadstool
I used Distress oxide inks for the sky and ground, Blueprint sketch and faded jeans.
Carved pumpkin for the small butterflies, on the large butterfly and hanging lanterns, I used oxides as watercolour using carved pumpkin and squeezed lemonade. The mushrooms were coloured with a watered mixture of fired brick and candied apple oxide.
Highlighted with white pen. Splattered white acrylic paint onto background.
Stamped the images with versafine black onyx.

My next sample is: A story to be told... inside the mermaid cave.
Images for this project:
https://laviniastamps.com/product/guinevere
https://laviniastamps.com/product/alana
https://laviniastamps.com/product/sea-creatures
https://laviniastamps.com/product/sea-bubbles
https://laviniastamps.com/product/shoal-of-fish
I have used oxide inks for this project, I started by drawing a faint pencil line
for me to follow as I was trying to make the outside look like a cave. For the sea I used blueprint sketch, salty ocean and tumbled glass. I then used scattered straw for the sandy area, finally went round edge of card with hickory spoke distress oxide. I then stamped the images with different colour versafine Clair inks. Highlighted with sukura clear gel pen.

I hope you have fun creating your story, I look forward to seeing your samples.
Happy crafting. 

Lavinia stamps July challenge

While you were sleeping.
Good morning all.
July has arrived, the months just seem to be flying by, but I’m looking forward to the summer.
It’s time once again for the new Lavinia stamps challenge, the theme this month is... While you were sleeping.

For full details visit the creative challenge blog. https://laviniastamps.com/lavinia-stamps-monthly-creative-challenge
You could be the lucky winner picked at random to win a £40 voucher to spend in the Lavinia shop.
For my first card I used the following Lavinia Stamps.
https://laviniastamps.com/product/large-path
https://laviniastamps.com/product/hide-and-seek
https://laviniastamps.com/product/vine-new
https://laviniastamps.com/product/trailing-ivy
https://laviniastamps.com/product/woodland-hares-lav409
https://laviniastamps.com/product/fairy-wish
Stamped all the images for this card with Clair versafine nocturnal ink.
Coloured the stone effect background with frayed burlap and pumice stone distress, used as a wash.
I also used shabby shutters distress ink as a wash for the grassy area, the steps were coloured with black soot distress ink also used as a wash. Tea dye distress ink was used on the door, for the reverse of the door I hand drew some lines and a handle with a thin black pen then also coloured with tea dye distress ink.
For the sky on the background behind the door, I used Broken China distress ink. The flowers were cored with pink sparkle pens.
I cut out part of the door so that it would open, then placed a background behind! I also cut a second door frame and decoupaged this!
For the highlights I used a white pen, a glitter pen and on the vine I also used a green glitter pen.




For my next sample, I used the following Lavinia stamps.
https://laviniastamps.com/product/moon-fairy
https://laviniastamps.com/product/stars-1
https://laviniastamps.com/product/star-cluster
https://laviniastamps.com/product/sacred-spells
I used shaded lilac distress ink all over the card then went round edges with seedless preserves. 

Then stamped words with seedless preserves oxide ink. Stamped lmage in centre with versafine Claire nocturne ink. Stamped sars with versafine then heat embossed with silver sparkle embossing powder. Then mat and layered onto black and silver glitter card.