Message In A Bottle - Tonic Studios Craft Kit 61 Launch

Happy Thursday!

It's the 20th of the month and time for the latest craft kit by Tonic Studios!  I absolutely loved creating with this Kit.  It has a mixture of papers including vellum, a printed paper pad, die set, stamp set and lots of other products to try!

You can find the Kit:

HERE - if you are based in the UK or Europe

HERE - if you are in the USA

For my first creation I sprayed the vellum with Mica Mist then added embellishment paste to the top and die cut waves - I love the texture and sheen.  I also used the vellum as my background and went over it with a couple of ink pads. I'm a huge fan of sentiments and love the ones in the set - the one I have used is a favourite of mine! 

For my second creation I made good use of the papers from the paper pad and made a scene using the shells and bottle dies.  Can you see how the crab is holding the sentiment like a sign?  It made me smile.

If you fancy having a look at the Kit my links are above at no cost to you.

See you again soon,

Shabneez

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

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

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

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

Pinecone - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

You'll be pleased to hear our first day of home schooling went well - if only every week was a 2 day school week!!!!  

It's the first Friday of the month so an elemental challenge from the Daring Cardmakers.  I've gone all mixed media on this one and thoroughly enjoyed the process too!

My background was a leftover one from brayering paint on my gelli plate and I added layers of stamping to it together with some washi tape.  I stamped and coloured my images with inktense pencils, as they happened to be out on the table, then fussy cut them.

I used distress crayons through a stencil and love the added texture they created.  To finish I added some paste that looks a little like snow.

This is the image from which you need to pick 3 elements.  I chose the colours, pinecone and bird.  You can find lots more inspiration from the rest of the Design Team HERE and I do hope you'll join in.

Have a lovely weekend and see you next week,

Shabneez

Products Used:

Aall & Create Pinecone Stamp

Aall & Create Lotza Dots Stencil

Aall & Create Washi Tape

Distress Oxide Ink Pads

Derwent Inktense Pencils

Distress Crayons - Metallic

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

In The Garden - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

I've been on catch up with housework since I got back from my parents so it was actually very relaxing taking time out to create this card.

This week's Daring Cardmaker's challenge has been chosen by me as I have been spending so much time in the garden that I thought we could all take some inspiration from it.

I've opted for a mixed media creation using a variety of mediums to include distress inks and distress oxide inks for the background and paint for the wellies.  

I paper pieced some of the flowers with book paper and coloured in the rest with colour pencils, adding touches of white paint to the centres.  The sentiment was heat embossed.

Wellies are very useful in the garden - less so in the summer unless it's wet!  I used paint on my wellies and fussy cut them out before stamping and adding the flowers to them.

A little more information on the challenge and you can enter and see more inspiration from the rest of the Design Team HERE.

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

Shabneez

Products Used:

Aall & Create The Great Outdoors Stamp Set

Aall & Create Birthday Blooms Stamp Set

Aall & Create Splattered Numbers Stamp Set

Chameleon Pencils

Distress Oxide Inks

Distress Inks

Paint

Everything else from my stash

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

Wing It! - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

How has your week been?  I've had a very creative one to include some Aboriginal Artwork being completed by my little one!

It's my turn to host the challenge over on the Daring Cardmakers today and my theme is 'Wing It'.  I decided to use dragonflies on my creation.  I made the wings from vellum so they flutter!

I used one of my favourite techniques to begin with - smooshing, using a couple of distress oxide ink pads.  I added glimmer paste through a stencil and then some stamping.

Finally, a little thread and wool to the bottom of my card and some sequins to the dragonflies for added texture.  I really am fond of the sentiment 'With brave wings she flies'.  Sometimes you have to be brave in life - you never know where it may take you!

You can see lots more inspiration from the Design Team HERE and I do hope you'll join in as there are so many possibilities where wings are concerned: angels, fairies, insects, planes etc.

Have a lovely weekend - I hear the sunshine is back next week!

Shabneez

Products Used:

Aall & Create Splattered Numbers Stamp Set

Aall & Create Dragonflies Stamp Set

Time for Tea Designs Say Cheese Stencil

Distress Oxide Ink Pads

Glimmer Paste

Versaclair Ink Pad

Sequins

Everything else from my stash

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