Live Gently

Happy new year!

I'm starting off 2025 with joining in the Color Throwdown challenge, and what a challenge it is! 

It was lovely to be getting inky and playing again and I just could not go past using a birdie die, one of my most favourite tools.

I used a circle punch to create a mask for the moon and blended two shades of grey and some black ink for my background, adding a touch of shadowing to the moon afterwards with ink leftover on the brush. My branch was die cut from black, the bird from white and coloured with inks, again in two tones of grey, black, and a touch of cream. These were mounted with dimension, as was the back panel, and the finishing touch was a sentiment sticker.

Materials used:

• card - white, black
• distress inks - lost shadow, hickory smoke, black soot, antique linen
• dies - layered chickadee (Simon Says Stamp), branch
• other - 35mm circle punch, moon mask (Tim Holtz), blending brushes, Dimensionals, craft foam, Small Talk sticker (TH)

Thanks for dropping by.

Cheers

Kerry

Always Believe - Just Add Ink Challenge #733

Howdy! It's not my week to create for Just Add Ink challenges, but with this choose two combo, how could I possibly resist? Plus, it was yours truly who suggested it in the first place, lol!

I had plenty of ideas for this but in the end went with a stamp set I've had for three years and never used. GASP! I know, I know! Mind boggling! I'm so glad I did though 'cos it was lots of fun inking and colouring. Here tis:

I masked off my moon and did the background first, using oxide inks on watercolour paper then adding water splatters and the moon detail. Once that was all dry I stamped Santa and his sleigh, colouring it with distress watercolour pencils - these are pigment, so they show up over ink. Because the pigment tends to obscure lines, I stamped again over the top once all the colours were dry. I embossed the 'magic swirl' in gold and added gold to the edges as well, co-ordinating with a gold on black sentiment sticker.

Materials used:

• stamps - Stamptember 2021 (Tim Holtz)
• distress oxide inks - wilted violet, villainous potion, black soot
• other Tim Holtz products - moon mask, distress watercolour pencils, Holiday Talk metallic sticker
• other - aqua painter, blending brushes, gold embossing powder, heat tool, stitched rectangle die, Big Shot, Dimensionals, craft foam, kraft heavystock card, watercolour card, Versamark ink

We'd love you to join in our challenge and create, so grab your Santa supplies. This challenge runs for two weeks and there won't be voting as normal, it's completely for fun! 

As always, there's more samples to inspire you over on the Just Add Ink blog. 

This will probably be my last post before Christmas, so I just want to wish you all a happy and safe holiday season. Thank you for your support during the year, it means a lot.

Cheers!

Kerry

Not a Card - Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge

Welcome! Once again I'm joining in with the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge team for some creative fun.

This week we are being challenged to make something that is NOT A CARD. 

For my project I made tags (inspired by Alison Bomber) using Tim Holtz Moon Mask Stencils and distress inks together with Tiny Text and Winter Watercolor 2 stamp sets. 

Do head over to the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge blog to see what the design team have come up with to inspire you.

Simon Says Stamp are generously giving away a $25 voucher to shop at the Simon Says Stamp Store - all you have to do is take out your crafting supplies, make something following this week's prompt, and link up at the bottom of the Challenge Blog post. You can join up to 5 times, giving you 5 chances to win! All winners are chosen randomly, so everyone has an equal chance.

Feel free to leave me some comment love and thanks for stopping by! I hope to see you back next Monday.

Cheers

Kerry

Trick or Treat - Just Add Ink challenge #717

 

Tina suggested this sketch for the new challenge over at Just Add Ink and while it's not unusual for me to play along on my non-rostered week, it is definitely unusual for me to do so when it's a sketch, lol. Sketches are often the most challenging themes for me but this one sparked an idea for a card, perhaps because I'd been using the die for other projects and had it on the table in front of me. 

I've been seeing a fair bit of pink for Halloween this year and love it as much as I love the more traditional Halloween colours. To me, it adds charm and whimsy.  

I blended three shades of pink oxide inks on my background, masking the moon after the first and lightest shade had gone on. As the regular distress inks are a bit more vivid than the oxides, I also sponged a little of that at the top to darken up my edges. Then I sponged grey and black for the ground using a stencil and stamped 'Happy Halloween' in repeat across the page. For a bit of shimmer and sparkle, I sprayed Distress Spritz over everything and cut two layers of the trick or treaters die. 

Materials used:

• dies - Halloween Night (Tim Holtz)
• distress oxide inks - spun sugar, kitsch flamingo, picked raspberry, hickory smoke, black soot
• other - moon mask (Tim Holtz), blending brushes, Sidekick, picked raspberry Distress Spritz, craft foam, Happy Halloween stamp, drifts and hills stencil (My Favorite Things), picked raspberry distress ink

Do check out what my team mates created with this sketch to inspire you by following this link to the Just Add Ink blog, and thanks for stopping by.

Cheers

Kerry

Comfort & Joy

I've been doing a bit of a clean up in my craft room and came across I card I made quite some time ago. At the time I couldn't decide whether or not I liked it, but today I decided yes I do, lol. I think I was experimenting with slightly non-traditional Christmas colours.

After so long I can't remember exactly what I used, but I'll try to give details as close as I can! There's a layer of something over the whole panel that gives it that soft, muted look and it's driving me crazy that I can't recall what I used! I THINK it was clear rock candy glitter, though it's not really glittery - but perhaps that's a 'been stashed away for ages' thing, lol. 

Materials used:

• stamps - Winter Watercolor 2 (Tim Holtz), Christmas Classics (Stampin' Up)
• other - stitched rectangle die, Big Shot, moon mask (Tim Holtz), blending brushes, MISTI, abandoned coral distress oxide ink, craft foam, Versamark ink, clear rock candy glitter (Tim Holtz), lost lagoon (retired) SU ink and cardstock

Hope you like it too! Thanks for dropping in.

Cheers

Kerry

Trick or Treat

Still got my mind on Halloween, lol - perhaps it's the anticipation of the excuse to have lollies around the house! 🍭🍬🍫 No matter the motivation, I had a ton of fun with this slimline card. Purples again with touches of orange, green and black - the perfect Halloween combo. 

I drew the faces on the pumpkin baskets with a marker and love the touch of whimsy they add. 

Materials used:

• stamps - Tree Branch (Lavinia)
• card - old olive, basic black, watercolour
• distress oxide inks - dusty concord, villainous potion, black soot, ripe persimmon, crackling campfire
• Tim Holtz dies - Halloween Night, Bold Text Halloween
• other - moon masks (Tim Holtz), blending brushes, MISTI, Big Shot, black marker, craft foam, sponge dauber, Versafine Clair nocturne ink

Entering in the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge to use your favourite technique, which is ink blending (especially with distress oxide inks) and the Two Old Bats Halloween challenge which has a great inspiration board. Thanks for dropping by.

Cheers

Kerry

JAI#656 - Just Add Inspiration

Welcome! It's not my week over at Just Add Ink Challenges, but I simply couldn't resist this stunning image and the idea it sparked it my head, so I'm joining in with a card for you.

I began with stamping the fairy image using black ink and clear embossing powder, then sponged on the peach ink and added my moon mask. More ink blending with blue and purple, followed by stamping the trailing leaves in black, blue and purple. Love the touch of sparkle? Holographic glitter for the win! 😁 This stuff is gorgeous but photos don't do it justice, unfortunately. 

Materials used:

• stamps - Rue, Leaf Creeper (both Lavinia)
• card - basic white
• distress inks - saltwater taffy, prize ribbon, villainous potion
• other - blending tool, blending brushes, moon mask (Tim Holtz), MISTI, clear embossing powder, heat tool, craft foam, StarBrights holographic glitter (Lavinia), sponge dauber, Versafine Clair nocturne and twilight inks

I hope you'll pop over to the JAI blog to see more samples to inspire you to create. Thanks for stopping by.

Cheers

Kerry

Down to the Wire

Browsing around tonight I saw the current Freshly Made Sketches challenge and an idea for a card immediately popped into my head - so what could I do but create? Here's the challenge:

And here's my entry. 

Materials used:

• card - basic white, copper clay (SU)
• dies - Layered Songbird (SSS), Tropical Leaf Bunch (SSS), branch (stash)
• SU inks - pretty peacock, calypso coral, copper clay, early espresso
• distress inks - uncharted mariner, twisted citron, mowed lawn
• other - blending brushes, moon mask (Tim Holtz), Big Shot, Dimensionals, craft foam, Wordies Sentiment Sheets - Everyday (Creative Expressions), rhinestone, basic grey marker, C5 Copic marker, water spritzer, distressing tool

Thanks for dropping by.

Cheers

Kerry

Pipin and the Fairy

In the mood for playing, I got out some inks and Lavinia stamps and ended up with this card:

I stamped Pipin the rabbit and the fairy first (using permanent ink) to ascertain placement for my ground and moon. The moon mask went down and I tore some scrap paper for the ground before beginning my blending with distress oxide inks. Once all the inking was done and dry, I stamped the images again and added some holographic glitter to the 'magic' sprinkles. As I was assembling the card I decided it needed something more, so I whisked out a stencil and without re-inking my blending brush, added a touch of interest and texture which I think finishes the card off perfectly. It was quick and easy and so much fun and I am loving these colours together!

Materials used:

• Lavinia stamps - Stars 1 mini, Pipin mini, The Fairy Foragers, Silhouette Foliage
• card - Multifarious smooth (Lavinia), basic black and basic white (SU)
• distress oxide inks - dusty concord, saltwater taffy, villainous potion
• other - moon mask (Tim Holtz), Versafine Clair nocturne ink, Quickie glue pen, holographic glitter (Lavinia), blending brushes, sponge dauber, MISTI, scrap paper, Pods stencil (Lavinia), craft foam

Thanks for calling in.

Cheers

Kerry 

The Card Concept challenge #191

It's the second challenge of the month with The Card Concept so we have two mood boards for you to draw inspiration from, named Signs of Spring and Butterfly Blues.

  

My inspiration came from the flower and butterfly in option b and colours from both palettes (namely navy, yellow and turquoise).

I began by ink blending my background beginning with salvaged patina, ensuring it was lighter towards the middle. Then I placed my first moon mask and added chipped sapphire blending followed by night of navy. With the moon mask still in place, I added a little extra ink around the outside then blended on the second layer of the mask. After stamping the main images (fairy, flowers and butterfly) I used a wet waterbrush to remove some of the oxide ink from inside petals and wings, then coloured them using Copic markers. The next step was the foliage at the bottom which used first, second and third generation stamping to create depth. Lastly I added hints of white gel pen and some shimmer to all the wings.

Materials used:

• Lavinia stamps - willow, slender mushrooms mini, fairy bugs, Mae
• card - basic white, Bermuda bay
• Copics - Y02, Y11, BG11, BG32
• distress oxide inks - black soot, salvaged patina, chipped sapphire
• other - night of navy ink (SU), clear embossing powder, heat tool, MISTI, waterbrush, moon mask (Tim Holtz), blending brushes, craft foam, stitched rectangle die (Paper Rose), Big Shot, white gel pen, clear Wink of Stella, distress micro glaze

Do check out how the challenge graphics inspired my fellow team mates by heading over to The Card Concept blog, and thanks for calling in.

Cheers

Kerry 

JAI#637 - Just Add a Sketch

At Just Add Ink this week we have a sketch to challenge you.

When you've gone to the effort to hand make a card for someone, it's often nice to stamp a little on the envelope as well. But you can take that a step further and make the envelope an integral part of the art you create. Did you know mail/envelope art is a thing? (Give it a Pinterest search, you'll be amazed.) So when this sketch immediately made me think of the back of an envelope, I couldn't get the idea of envelope art out of my head - and you know what happens then, lol. It lingers and pesters and won't go away until I sit down at my craft desk to see if my idea will actually work...

Here's the back of my envelope (made from watercolour paper).

I continued the design to the inside section too (well, only the bit that shows, lol).

And here's the front.

I used stamps for the trees on the back but a die for the front, as I did the sun/moon higher up and the die is a bit taller. The whole thing has been sprayed with fixative so nothing can happen to smudge the inks. I added an area for the addressee's details so I wouldn't have to use a special marker (to write over the fixative) but now I think I need to brush up on my calligraphy skills so the name and address will look as good as the rest!

Materials used:

• stamps - Treeline (Tim Holtz), Birds (Lavinia Stamps)
• card - watercolour, basic black
• distress oxide inks - scattered straw, dried marigold, ripe persimmon
• other - corner rounder punch, Stamparatus, blending brushes, distress micro glaze, moon mask (TH), black soot archival ink, Treeline die (TH), workable fixative spray

Do head on over to the JAI blog to see what my fellow team mates did with this sketch, and thanks for stopping by.

Cheers

Kerry

Moonlight Mischief

Today's card is for the following challenge:

Having gotten some ideas from watching the Tim Holtz Halloween YouTube over the weekend, plus having a new die set just burning a hole in my craft desk waiting to be used 😉, I was only too happy to play with distress goodies to create a spooky, sparkly background.

It's a dull, wet day here so it's very difficult to catch the sparkle on camera, lol. 

I masked the area for the moon then sprayed the background with distress spray stains. Once they'd been dried off I spritzed with water to get the ink to 'wick' into the moon area. Love the spooky effect this gives. The final touch for the moon was moonscaping using the second part of the mask. Next I added some sparkle to the sky with two mica sprays, then set about making my roof and that adorably sassy cat from new die set Mischevious (and it couldn't be more appropriately named!). 

Materials used:

• card - watercolour, basic black (SU), Metallic Jewels kraft stock (Tim Holtz)
• Tim Holtz dies - Mischevious, Village Collection
• Distress spray stains - wilted violet, uncharted mariner, villainous potion, iced spruce, hickory smoke, black soot
• Distress mica stains - flickering candle, hocus pocus
• other - black soot distress archival ink, sponge dauber, blending brush, Sidekick, water spritzer, heat tool, moon mask (Tim Holtz), picket fence distress crayon, computer and printer

So much fun! Thanks for calling in.

Cheers

Kerry

JAI #616 - Just Add a Sketch

Hello and welcome. This week at Just Add Ink we have a sketch for you to play with. 

And here's my card:

I've taken a little artistic licence and in lieu of the sentiment across the circle, I've used the tree branch as my horizontal element - well, horizontal-ish, lol.

Materials used:

• card - basic black, black watercolour
• distress oxide inks - dried marigold, ripe persimmon, crackling campfire, pumice stone, picket fence
• dies - layering circles (SU), branch (Impression Obsession), birds (stash)
• other - craft foam, heat tool, blending brushes, moon mask (Tim Holtz), Big Shot

There's plenty more samples to inspire you over on the JAI blog so do pop over for a look. As always, we'd love you to create your own Just Add... for our gallery.

Thanks for stopping by.

Cheers

Kerry

JAI #594 - Just Add Masking

Welcome! Are you ready for another challenge? At Just Add Ink this week we're asking you to

There are so many ways to use this versatile technique and we can't wait to see what you come up with. 

My project is one of those where you get the germ of an idea and it stays in your mind, persistent and inexorable, until finally, for the sake of your sanity, you just have to sit down and try it, lol. I'm sure I'm not alone in this, right? Right?

Here's my monochromatic landscape.

I used bought stencils/masks for the hills and moon but made my own for the trees by cutting a die from some stencil film.

Materials used:

• stamps - Tiny Text (Tim Holtz)
• card - very vanilla
• distress oxide ink - frayed burlap
• stencils/masks - drifts & hills stencils (regular and slimline) by MFT; moon mask by Tim Holtz
• other - blending tool, Treeline die (Tim Holtz), stencil film, picket fence distress paint, paintbrush, stitched rectangle die, Big Shot Switch, masking tape, craft foam

I do hope you'll visit the Just Add Ink blog to check out the samples my fellow team mates have made for you, and hopefully be inspired to have a go yourself. 

Thanks for calling in.

Cheers

Kerry

Neutral Palette

The colours for this week's Color Throwdown challenge intrigued me and once an idea came to mind, of course I couldn't rest until I sat at my craft table to see if it would work. 

They described these as black, grey, cream and kraft. Here's my card:

Materials used:

• stamps - Christmastime 2, Treeline (Tim Holtz)
• card - watercolour, very vanilla, crumb cake
• distress inks - hickory smoke, black soot, tea dye
• SU ink - smoky slate
• other - Versamark ink, vintage pearl embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, moon mask (Tim Holtz), blending brush, foam sponging tool, Stamparatus, slimline nesting rectangle die, Big Shot

I began with masking the moon while I sponged the sky with two shades of grey then added the moon detail with beige/kraft ink and a touch of grey. Stamping the trees came next, then more sponging around the edges with black and the final detail was stamping and embossing the sentiment. 

Colour challenges are always fun, especially when they push you to try combinations you wouldn't usually use.

Thanks for calling in.

Cheers

Kerry