Black And White Plus One - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

It's my turn to host the challenge on the Daring Cardmakers this week and I have chosen a black and white plus one other colour theme.  I tend to use black ink the most and white card so I thought it would be fun to add just one other colour.

I printed out and fussy cut digi images which I won from Isabel Cristina who has an etsy shop.  Her designs are wonderful and it was so difficult to make a choice.

Instead of colouring in the images I thought I would stencil over them instead to give a different look and then I added some Nuvo Drops to add a little texture.

You can see more inspiration from the rest of the Design Team HERE and I hope you'll join in.

Have a great weekend,

Shabneez

Products Used:

Isabel Cristina Magnolias Digital Stamp Set

DCWV Vellum Paper

Aall & Create Bricks & Bubble Stencil

Kitsch Flamingo Distress Oxide Ink Pad

Nuvo Crystal Drops

Rain or Shine - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

It's been a while on the blog as I have been dealing with issues surrounding the lack of medical care for my parents.  

A cheerful card on the blog today as we all need some of that sometimes don't we?  I don't think it's a bad thing to follow the rainbow either!!!  The cards is for the weather themed challenge over on the Daring Cardmakers which begins today.

I used products from the Aall & Create range which I like as there is such a variety and they work so well with mixed media creations.  My card began with a mop up from some backgrounds I did recently and as I hate wasting ink I just grab some card and dip into what's left on my glass mat to use another day.  I then added stamping and washi tape to it.

The images were stamped and coloured using a paintbrush and a little water with distress inks.  They are so much more vibrant than distress oxide inks and I had forgotten how much, as I tend to reach for my oxides more.

You can see lots more inspiration from the rest of the Design Team HERE and I hope you'll join in.

See you again soon!

Shabneez

Products Used:

Aall & Create Wishy Washy Washi Tape
Aall & Create Code Die
Aall & Create Follow Rainbows Stamp

Aall & Create Visual Ingredients Stamp 
Distress Inks
Everything else from my stash

A Little Bird Told Me - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

It's been a while I know but life gets in the way of blogging sometimes as I'm sure you all understand.  We began fasting last weekend so the routine in the household is very different as we wake up before sunrise around 4pm to have breakfast then no eating or drinking until sunset, around 8pm.  It helps having the boys off school.

On to this week's Daring Cardmakers Challenge and it's a bird theme.  I went for mixed media with my creation and thoroughly enjoyed the process!

I used a number of Aall & Create stamps to create and background, added washi tape and gesso for texture through a stencil too.

I think the owl is just so cute there and I coloured him in with watercolour pencils.  You can find more inspiration HERE and a link to join in.

Have a wonderful weekend and I'll see you again soon!

Shabneez 

Products Used:

Aall & Create Owl Stamp

Aalll & Create Through The Meadows Stamp Set

Aall & Create Lotsa Dotz Stencil

Aall & Create Washi Tape

Stabilo Watercolour Pencils

Distress Oxide Inks

Gesso

Everything else from my stash

For Ukraine - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

This week the Daring Cardmakers are filling the blog with sunflowers, blue, yellow and hope for Ukraine.  

There are so many craft companies and individuals helping Ukraine either through donations or allowing the use of their images for free.  I have used one of a number of digi images which Marcella Hawley has given for free on her site Power Poppy.

I printed the image on watercolour card and then used my Zig Clean Color pens to colour in the image.  I added some sparkle to the image with the Nuvo Aqua Shimmer pen which you'll be able to see more clearly in the next photo.

I kept my background simple using distress oxide inks through a stencil then adding Nuvo Crackle Mousse in places to add a little texture.

I really hope you'll join in this week and you can see more inspiration from the rest of the DT HERE.

Have a good weekend,

Shabneez

Products Used:

Sending Warm Hugs Digi Image by Poppy Power

Aall & Create Heapza Hexagons Stencil

Zig Clean Color Pens

Nuvo Crackle Mousse

Nuvo Aqua Shimmer Pen

Distress Oxide Ink Pads

Everything else from my stash

In The Nick of Time - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

It's half term and we have been visiting my parents this week which has been wonderful coupled with the celebration of my little one's birthday. 

This week the theme for the Daring Cardmakers challenge is 'time'.  I had such issues trying to find something appropriate until I spotted this stamp set with a clock face!!!

I actually had some time playing last weekend which I have not done in ages.  I made a number of gel pressed backgrounds and used one for my creation this week.  I added paint and stamping to create layers.

I even did a little doodling in the circles!  I truly had a lot of fun creating it.

You can see the rest of the DT's creations HERE and I hope you join in!

Have a great weekend,

Shabneez 

Products Used:

Aall & Create Minutes in Flight Stamp Set

Aall & Create Lotza Dots Stencil

Tim Holtz Ideaology Sentiment Stickers

Distress Oxide Inks

Everything else from my stash

November Elemental Challenge - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy November!

Wow that had to be one of the fastest weeks ever - from Monday to Friday in the blink of an eye!  Think it was partly due to the boys being back at school.  We've had frost in the mornings as it has certainly turned colder.

As it's the first Friday in November it is an the elemental challenge over on the Daring Cardmakers.  I enjoyed creating this one with my inks and stamps.

I coloured in some of the image with my Chameleon pencils just to highlight it and added some gold glitter glue to the berries and some gems to add a touch of bling.

This is the elemental board from which you need to pick 3 elements - colours count as one.  I chose the colours, pinecones and berries.

You can see more inspiration from the Design Team HERE and a link to join in!

Have a lovely weekend and see you next week,

Shabneez

Products Used:

Aall & Create Pinecone Stamp Set by Tracy Evans

Distress Oxide Ink Pads

Trinity Stamps Gems

Everything else from my stash

August Elemental Challenge - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

I am back home after a wonderful break with my parents.  Already put a wash in and along with what feels like a million other chores!

As it's the first Friday in August, the Daring Cardmakers has it's August Elemental Inspirational Challenge and it was my turn to choose the mood board.  I actually wanted to incorporate a typewriter as a few weeks ago I won some Visible Image craft goodies from Stampers Grove and I loved the stamp set with the typewriter.

My background was made using a stencil with distress oxide inks blended through it.  I used a sheet of paper to mask off the bottom and inked it up before stamping on the sentiment.  The typewriter was stamped next and I made a mask then stamped the lettering above it.

This is the mood board from which you have to pick 3 elements or more (colours count as one).  I chose the colours, the typewriter, the circles and the lettering.  You can see more from the DT HERE and I hope you'll join in.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and see you again next week!

Shabneez

Products Used:

Visible Image One Kind Word Stamp Set

Aall & Create Lotza Dots Stencil

Distress Oxide Ink Pads

Everything else from my stash

Gift Tags Galore - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

The boys and I have come to stay with my parents at the moment and it's wonderful!  I am confessing to bringing my laptop to do some work but I only use it during the night once the boys are in bed.

This week tags are on the agenda for the Daring Cardmakers and I've gone all mixed media again for mine!

I have to admit I loved making this.  I just love layering different mediums and seeing the results!  

I paper pieced the mannequin with some book paper which has given it a vintage feel.  Having made this I don't think I want to put it on a gift.  I might just keep it!

Lots of inspiration from the rest of the Design Team can be found HERE and I hope you'll join in.

Have a great weekend,

Shabneez

Products Used:

Aall & Create Stamp #403 Tailoring

Aall & Create Stamp #439 Sewing Kit

Aall & Create Heapz Hexagons

Derwent Inktense Pencils

Distress Oxide Ink Pads

Sizzix Tag Die

Everything else from my stash

It's All In The Background - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

I am pleased to report I had my second vaccine yesterday.  I'm a little worse for wear this morning but nothing compared to the after effects of the first one where I was out of it for a few days.

I set the Daring Cardmakers challenge this week and thought we'd have some fun creating backgrounds that can be the star of our cards.

I used alcohol inks, stamps and stencils with my gel press and had fun creating my background.  I kept the card simple by simply adding a black die cut circle frame, stamped and coloured butterfly and a sentiment.

I hope that you will join in with the challenge as I always love seeing how others interpret the challenges.  More inspiration and link to join can be found HERE.

Have a great weekend and see you next week,

Shabneez

Products Used:

Aall & Create Lotsa Dots Stencil

Aall & Create Stamp Set #45 designed by Tracy Evans

Aall & Create All Measured Up Stamp #235 by Tracy Evans

Tim Holtz Idea-ology Metallic Sentiment Stickers

Ranger Alcohol Inks

Gel Plate

Everything else from my stash

Up The Flag Pole! - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

I'm a little late to the party this week as I am up to my eyes in work.  I can barely see over my desk but I love what I do!!!!  The Daring Cardmakers have a flag themed challenge this week.  Basically you need to take inspiration from a flag that is not from your country.

I will be honest in that I was a little stressed about this challenge but once I got the idea planted in my head by a crafty friend I was away!  I absolutely loved creating the background with my gelli plate and hopefully you can tell by the stars and stripes that I took inspiration from the American flag.

I coloured in my image using my Chameleon pens and added washi tape both as a background for my sentiment and as an embellishment.

You can see more inspiration from my fellow DT HERE and I hope you'll have some fun with us and join in.

I've another work orientated weekend trying to catch up after half term.  I think it'll ease a little after next week is over - at least I hope so!

Have a great weekend and hope the sun shines!
Shabneez

Products Used:

Aall & Create Lil Magic Stamp Set

Aall & Create Washi Tape #6

Gelli Plate

Chameleon Pens

Distress Oxide Inks

Everything else from my stash

May Elemental Challenge - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

I'm pleased to report that both myself and my husband have had our first COVID vaccines - such relief.  Our next ones have been booked, but not until July.

I made a very quick card for the Daring Cardmakers challenge this week using a number of products from Aall & Create.  I love making backgrounds using stamps and stencils so just went with the flow and was inspired by the mood board below.

I stamped and die cut the bee and painted it using my distress oxides before adding some washi tape to finish.

The image below is the mood board from which you need to pick 3 elements - colours count as one.  I chose the colours, the bee, the honeycomb and the white on black writing.

You can see lots more inspiration from the rest of the Design Team HERE and I hope that you'll join in.

Have a wonderful weekend whatever you do,

Shabneez

Products Used:

Aall & Create Little Critters Stamp Set

Aall & Create Lined Hexagons Stamp Set

Aall & Create Lotza Hexagons Stencil

Distress Oxide Inks

Aall & Create Washi Tape

Everything else from my stash

Black, White Plus 1 Colour - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

The boys are still off for Easter so it's lovely to be able to spend time together before they go back to school next week.

I absolutely love the challenge that has been set for the Daring Cardmakers this week.  You have to use black, white and one other colour.  In my case it's orange!

I loved making this card and used a variety of stamps and a stencil to create the background.  The main stamp made it so easy to create.

As an addition I added a couple of vellum butterflies and then used glitter glue on them to give them a little sparkle.

You can see more inspiration from the rest of the DT HERE and I hope you will join in.

I'm off to collect some cricket gear for my son as next term he'll be playing in school.

Have a lovely weekend,

Shabneez

Products Used:

Aall & Create Through The Meadows A4 Stamp Set

Aall & Create Neurons Stencil

Crackling Campfire Distress Oxide Ink Pad

Aall & Create Reverse Squares Stamp Set

Everything else from my stash

March Elemental Challenge - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

As it's the first Friday of the month it's the elemental challenge over on the Daring Cardmakers.  I made my card in half an hour - talk about speed crafting!  I did have the image pre stamped and coloured though.

It has a vintage feel to it and I began by using a mask stencil to create the background then stamped over it and coloured the image using my Chameleon pencils.

I used distress oxide inks to blend across the edges of my card and paper doilies.  I stitched the doilies on to my card through the button so didn't need any glue and added a sentiment to finish.

Here is the mood board from which you need to pick 3 elements - colours count as 1.  I chose the colours, the bird, flowers, twine and buttons.

You can see lots more inspiration from the DT HERE and I hope that you will join in with the challenge.

Have a great weekend!

Shabneez

Products Used:

Aall & Create Pinecone Stamp Set

Chameleon Pencils

Time for Tea Designs Mask Stencil

Distress Oxide Inks

Time for Tea Designs Beautiful Blender Brushes

Dovecraft Mini Doilies

Hunkydory Sentiment

Everything else from my stash

Mixed Media Butterfly - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

Wow this week went fast!  A number interesting meetings but the icing on the cake had to be the fresh pasta with ragu sauce my eldest made.  It was part of his food and nutrition class and tasted delicious!

The Daring Cardmakers begin their elemental challenge as it's the first Friday of the month.  I decided to go down the mixed media route again and used a number of mediums, techniques and products to produce my card.

I began with a sheet of book paper and added layers of inks, pastes and stenciling.  I then added my stamped images which I inked.

Here is the photo with the elements from which you have to pick a minimum of 3 to go on your card.  Colours count as 1.  I chose the book paper, nib, flowers and colours on mine.

You can find a lot more inspiration from my team mates HERE and I hope that you'll join in!

Have a wonderful weekend,

Shabneez

Products Used:

Aall & Create Papaver Poppies

Aall & Create Lotza Triangles Stencil

Aall & Create Lotza Dots Stencil

Aall & Create Nature Elements Stamp Set

Distress Inks

Distress Oxide Inks

Eveything else from my stash

You're So Square - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

How's your week been?  Mine has been most productive so I'm a happy bunny!

This week I'm hosting the latest challenge over on the Daring Cardmakers and have opted for a 'You're So Square' theme.  So basically anything square on your cards - the more the better!

I decided to do a mixed media piece using paint with my gelli plate to create the background then adding extra texture with the use of material, stamps and hand stitching.  I'm sure you can spot lots of squares!

You can find lots more inspiration from my team mates HERE and I hope you'll join in as it's an easy one!

Have a good weekend and the weather is kind to you all,

Shabneez

Products Used:

Aall & Create Reverse Squares Stamp Set
Aall & Create Grungy Alphabet Stamp Set
Aall & Create Hope Stamp Set

Gelli Plate

Brayer

Paint

Ink Pads

Everything else from my stash

Dictionary Day - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

There's an interesting challenge over on the Daring Cardmakers this week as it's Dictionary Day.  I had trouble deciding what to do and then I remembered a stamp set I have that has some really good definitions based on creativity.

The background is one I pulled off a gelli plate as I usually do a few at the same time and I kept it as it was just so pretty.  I added some random background stamping and some washi tape.

I stamped the images and didn't colour them in as I wanted the background to pop.  The focal wording was stamped on black card and heat embossed in white.  I just happened to show it to a friend and she bought it!  I wasn't expecting that at all but it made me very happy.

You can find more inspiration on the challenge from my fellow DT HERE.  I do hope you join in!

Have a lovely weekend,

Shabneez

Products Used:

Aall & Create Splattered Numbers Stamp Set

Aall & Create Paint Your Dreams Stamp Set 

Aall & Create Frame It Stamp Set

Aall & Create Washi Tape #5

Versafine Clair Inkpad - Nocturne

Ranger Dina Wakeley Paints 

Gelli Plate

Brayer

Three Musketeers! - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

It's been a good week with lots of outdoor activities.  No matter how old my boys get we still enjoy going to feed the ducks and swans.  We are lucky to have a nature reserve walking distance from us so visit it often.  I still remember taking the boys in their buggies!!!

Joanne from the Daring Cardmakers has found out that it’s the birthday of author Alexandre Dumas today - The Three Musketeers is probably his most famous work so she'd like to see three of anything on your cards this week.

I recently bought a preloved stamp set and as it had 3 flowers in the vase it was ideal for the challenge!  I smooshed my background with oxide inks and I loved the more muted shades that I got on my second sheet of card.  I usually do a couple to mop up the inks as I hate wasting it.

The flowers and vase were paper pieced and I used paint with my stencil that I dabbed to give more texture.  I love the 'Take time to do enjoy the little things' sentiment which I heat embossed to finish.  I kept this really simple as I felt it didn't need anything more and I wanted the flowers to be my focal point.

You can see lots more inspiration from the DT HERE and I do hope you'll join in!

See you again tomorrow!

Shabneez

Products Used:

Aall & Create Flourishing Vase Stamp Set

Aall & Create Lotsa Dotz Stencil

Distress Oxide Inks 

Acrylic Paint

Everything else from my stash

June Elemental Challenge - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy June!

June already - where is the year going?!  It's little dull and cooler today which is a shock to system after the all the glorious sunshine!  I think the garden will be grateful if it rains though.

The first Friday of the month is the Elemental Challenge over on the Daring Cardmakers.  I've gone a little floral for my take on it using a few new techniques I have learnt over the past few weeks.

This time, I have used acylic paints to create the background using the smooshing technique that I would usually use with my ink pads.  

I've also used sewing for the first time on a card - if you can call it that!!!  A trio of cross stitches.  It's a start, right?!

Below is the June Challenge and you can choose any 3 elements or more from it.  I opted for the colours (which count as one), the flowers, circle, and cross.

You can see lots more inspiration from the rest of the Design Team HERE.  I look forward to seeing your creations!

Have a lovely weekend,

Shabneez

Products Used:

Aall & Create Eclectic Stems Stamp Set

Dylusions White Acrylic Paint

Dylusions London Blue Acrylic Paint

Dylusions Polished Jade Acrylic Paint

Chameleon Pencils

Everything else from my stash

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Make Your Own Background

Creative Artiste's 61st Challenge

Inky Backgrounds - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

How are you? Lots of flags and bunting on our street today to commemorate VE Day.   The boys are waiting for the Red Arrows that are due to fly over but unsure if we'll see them.

Rizwana has set her first challenge this week on the Daring Cardmakers and she's asked to see inky backgrounds.  I absolutely loved making the background for my card and am so pleased with the way it turned out as I hadn't used paint this way before.  I'm always so reliant on inks so thought it about time I used the paints I had stuck in a drawer.

I realised I have so few flower stamps (odd I know) so I treated myself to a set on sale which is designed by Tracy Evans for Aall & Create.  In fact, I have been inspired by her many tutorials on You Tube which I have been following.

I used a brayer with the paints to start off with, added distress oxide around the edges and distress ink through a stencil.  I used a plastic tube to make the circles of ink and lots of spatters in white and metallic gold.  I love a bit of glimmer as you know.

I cut the flower out a couple of times and layered it then added a sequin mix to the centre to finish.  I love the sentiment 'Take Each Day One Step At A Time'.  I think it's a really appropriate sentiment in light of our current situation.

Have a lovely long weekend,

Shabneez

Products Used:

Aall & Create Eclectic Stems by Tracy Evans

Docrafts Artiste Paints 

Distress Oxide Ink Pads

Distress Ink Pads

Craftangles Alphabet Stencil

CrafTangles Sequin Mix

Everything else from my stash