Stencil Shading - Tubby Craft DT

Happy Monday!

We have another week of half term (lucky us) and we're off to see my parents which makes us all very happy!

In my latest Tubby Craft DT box I received a variety of stencils and I picked one to showcase today using my distress inks.

For my first card I used distress inks diagonally across the stencil and blended the colours.  Then I heat embossed the sentiment and made a banner before sticking it across the side of the card.

For my second card I started off with the lightest ink colour and covered the who of the stencil then I added colours on specific parts of the stencil.  I went over parts of the image with irridescent glitter glue and added die cut borders to either side to finish.

I hope you have a great week and hope to see you again later in the week.

Shabneez 

Products Used:

Tubby Craft Stencil TS01

Tubby Craft Bright Days Stamp Set

Tim Holtz Distress Inks

Dovecraft Glitter Glue

Sizzix Border Die

Ranger White Embossing Powder

Versamark Ink Pad

Make It Spooky! - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

Half term is in full swing and we are having a lot of fun.  We have a couple of things booked for this afternoon but I am in the office for a couple of hours this morning before we head out.

It's my turn to host the Daring Cardmakers challenge and being as it's nearing Halloween I have gone with a spooky theme or if you have nothing Halloween related in your stash then how about using Halloween colours?

My distress inks came out again as I can't stop playing with them and once I created a spooky background I used a stencil to add a few stars.  The rest of my card is all die cuts and I arranged them to make a scene.

I thought the bats were rather cute and to add a little fun I didn't stick their wings down to make them look as thought they were flying.  You can see more inspiration from the Design Team HERE and I hope you'll join in.

If you happen to be in Watford this weekend I will be demonstrating at The Range there this Sunday from 11am and I'll be in Romford next Sunday.  

Have a wonderful weekend,

Shabneez

Products Used:

Sizzix Halloween Die Set

Sweet Dixie Halloween Word Die Set

Tim Holtz Distress Inks

CrafTangles Stars Stencil 

Everything else from my stash

Back To Black - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

I've had a good week and am all set for half term - I can't wait as we've some fun stuff planned.  Just hope it stays dry.......

The Daring Cardmakers are hosting a very interesting challenge this week.  Svenja has asked us to use black as a main colour or as a distinctive element on our creations.

This was a tough one for me and I had to have a big think.  Then I got the idea in my head that I wanted to go for a silhouette coupled with the use of distress inks.  I don't hink I will ever tire of playing with distress ink combinations and the magic that happens when you add water.  I went on to heat emboss the stamped image to give a beautiful glossy effect.

After die cutting an aperture to frame my creation, I used an embossing folder to add texture.  I think it works well, don't you?  You can see a lot more inspiration from the rest of the Design Team HERE and I hope you'll join in!

My Trimcraft Christmas demos are continuing and I am going to be at The Range in St Albans this Sunday so please come and say hello if you're around.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Shabneez

Products Used:
Tim Holtz Distress Inks
Stampin Up Embossing Folder
Ranger Black Embossing Powder
Versamark Ink Pad
Sweet Dixie Fairy Mushrooms Stamp Set
Everything else from my stash

Autumn! - DCM October Elemental Challenge

Happy October!

I do love this time of year, the changing colours on the trees and it all just feels so much cosier even though it's getting colder outside of course!  This leads me on to the latest Daring Cardmakers challenge which has a very autumnal feel to it.

I think I've managed autumn on a card here - ha!   I inked the background papers, die cut a wreath and leaves on which I blended distress inks.  I added a spray of water on the leaves to get the desired effect.

To finish, I added twine and nuvo drops together with a sentiment.  

In order to join in with this challenge all you have to do is to pick at least 3 elements from the photo above.  I chose the colours, leaves and wood for my creation. 

Have a great weekend and if you are anywhere near Aylesbury I will be at The Range there from 11am on Sunday with another Trimcraft Christmas Demo.

Shabneez

Products Used:

Sizzix Pretty Wreath Die

Dovecraft Leaf Die

Tim Holtz Distress Inks in Aged Mahogany, Tumbled Glass, Wild Homey and Brushed Corduroy

Tonic Nuvo Crystal Drops in Pale Gold

First Edition Sweet Nothings Paper Pad

Everything else from my stash

CrafTangles February Challenge Inspiration - Just You & Me

Happy Tuesday!

Have you had a good start to the week?  I've been very productive so far and I'm hoping it'll continue as I really want a day off in the week to meet up with a friend.  It's rather an exciting day as my eldest is going to the O2 Arena tonight with his school to take part in the Young Voices 2019 which should be really good.

The CrafTangles February Challenge has begun and it's theme is 'Love is in the Air'.  For my inspirational post I used the the CrafTangles Just You & Me stamp set and the Chit Chat Stencil.

 I coloured the main characters on the stamp set using my Chameleon Pens and Colour Tops.  Don't you think they make a cute couple?!

I have to admit the stencil is a favourite of mine as it is so quirky and fun.  I created an ombre effect through the stencil for the background using my distress inks.  There is a full tutorial over on the CrafTangles blog HERE with further information on the challenge HERE.

Hope to see you again soon!

Shabneez 

Products Used:

CrafTangles Just You & Me Stamp Set

CrafTangles Chit Chat Stencil

Chameleon Pens and Colour Tops

CrafTangles Ivory Hearts

Ranger Distress Inks in Abandoned Coral, Worn Lipstick and Spun Sugar

Everything else from my stash

Quick & Easy Christmas Cards - CrafTangles DT

Happy Sunday!

I'm up on the CrafTangles blog for my last post of the year.  Just in case you've not completed your cards there's still time - ha!  I actually finished and delivered the last of my cards to neighbours yesterday.

Amongst my last CrafTangles DT package I got a wonderful set of papers which I've used for my last set of Christmas cards.

The variety in the paper pad is a great as there's something for everyone.  For my first card I die cut the circles from one of the papers and made a diagonal split card using the circles for toppers.  I added a sentiment with the CrafTangles Holiday stamp set.

Next up I used a kraft card base that worked really well with the paper I chose.  I cut another one of the papers and stamped an additional sentiment in the centre. 

For my final card the paper gave me the inspiration for the rest of the card. I used distress inks to stamp the sentiment an ombre fashion.

Before I go I just wanted to thank you all for reading my blog posts.  I've enjoyed reading each and every comment and appreciate your support.

Have a wonderful Christmas and see you in the New Year!

Shabneez

Products Used:

CrafTangles Merry Christmas Paper Pad

CrafTangles Happy Holidays Stamp Set

CrafTangles Cardstock

Distress Inks

Everything else from my stash

Using Stencils to Create Christmas Card Toppers - CrafTangles DT

Happy Weekend!

I'm so very glad the weekend is here although I'm actually teaching for most of the day today.  I'm up on the CrafTangles blog with a post on making your own Christmas toppers for cards.

I had a bit of a production line going and to begin with I die cut some shapes and made all the toppers using images from a stencil together with distress inks.

For all the cards I used the Trimcraft First Edition Jolly Holidays papers as backgrounds.  It's definitely one of my favourite paper pads this winter.

So for my first card I gave the Christmas tree and ombre effect and added washi tape, lime green card and a sentiment to finish.

For my next card I used the fun candy cane image and created 3 toppers adding a sentiment to finish.

My final card uses the deer image which I inked in milled lavender and weathered wood distress inks.  I really liked the subtle effect it gave to the topper.

I finished off with a sentiment and co-ordinating papers.

There's more of an in depth tutorial HERE if you want to know more about how I created these cards.

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

Shabneez

Products Used:

First Edition Jolly Holidays Paper Pad

CrafTangles Christmas Elements Stencil

CrafTangles Christmas Ornaments Stamp Set

CrafTangles Seasons Greetings Stamp Set

Ranger Distress Inks in Abandoned Coral, Peacock Feathers, Weathered Wood, Milled Lavender, Mowed Lawn and Twisted Citron

Everything else from my stash

Winter Flowers and Foliage - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

Well, I made it - in the nick of time!  You know, I really commend those bloggers who blog daily like Linda, Holley and Annie who I follow - I couldn't do it as it is so time consuming.

The Daring Cardmakers are still in festive mode and would like to see winter flowers and foliage on your cards this week.  After yesterday's blog post I had an idea in my head but it didn't quite turn out the way I intended it to.  In other words I'm not happy but I didn't have time to do anything different!

My idea was to make a one layer card and use alternative colours on traditional flowers.  I managed to succeed in that because I used pink and turquoise for the poinsettia and foliage.  I used distress inks to paint the heat embossed image.  

It was the background I had the issues with as it came out different to what was in my head and part of me wishes I hadn't bothered with it!  Oh well, I might try again another day.

I actually used the stamp in a different way - off the page.  I got the idea from Joanne who stamped a bauble in the similar way in last week's DCM challenge (thank you Joanne!).  My stamp didn't cover the width of my card and looked a little odd in my opinion so I masked what I had stamped and rotated the stamp so I could add another poinsettia and a little more foliage.

So there we have it, bet the my teamies didn't have as much trouble as I did!  Lots of wonderful  inspiration from them can be found HERE.  I do hope you'll join in with the Challenge!

Enjoy your weekend,

Shabneez

Products Used:

Distress Inks

CraftTangles Holly Jolly Stamp set

CrafTangles Christmas Ornaments Stamp set

Ranger Embossing Powder

Versamark Watermark Ink Pad

CrafTangles October Blog Hop 2018 - Eid Cards

Happy Tuesday,

It's the CrafTangles October Blog Hop and I hope you'll join in as there are only 3 blogs to hop plus a British blogger won one of the prizes last month.  As they say, you have to be in it to win it!

We were tasked with using a range of new stamps and stencils to include the Hindu festival of Diwali, the Muslim festival of Eid together with the Warli tribes and Faces of India.

I chose to concentrate on the Eid stamps and stencils.  Actually the next Eid isn't for another 8 months but at least I'm ahead of my cardmaking for a change!  It's like starting Christmas cards in July........

There are actually very few companies that I know of which have produced Eid stamps and stencils so I was most excited about getting these!

For my first card I used glimmer paste through a stencil on top of a distress ink blended background.  I heat embossed the sentiment and added bling to finish.

Next up I used distress inks again for the topper background creating a sunset.  I used black gesso through a stencil for the card base and distress inked the edges.  Finally, I heat embossed the stamped image finishing with some star gems.

My final card is a more modern one - I loved creating the background on this one by using distress inks through a stencil and a simple gold heat embossed Eid sentiment was all it took to finish.

Below are the blogs you need to comment on for the October hop and you can find more information HERE:

1. Paru Mahtani

2. ME! You are HERE.

3. Deepti Stephens

Good luck!

Shabneez 

Products Used:

Tim Holtz Distress Inks

Ranger Embossing Powders

Everything else from my stash

1 Stamp 3 Ways - CrafTangles DT

Happy Monday!

How was your weekend?  I had a hectic weekend, teaching on Saturday and then my Trimcraft Christmas demo on Sunday which was really good - lots of crafters, both new and advanced.  I think I need another day off but it's Monday so no rest for the wicked!

I'm up on the CrafTangles blog today using one stamp 3 ways.  This is something I enjoy doing as it makes me think of different ways to use a product.

It's only now that I look at what I made that I realise how you can't tell I've used the same stamp due to the way I've used it!

For my first card I've used the stamp through a balloon stencil.  I thought it was an unusual way of using the stamp and works well.  The background is smooshed and I've added bows and twine to embellish.

Next up is a mixed media creation using the stamp as a background.  I've distressed a paper pad using ink then stamped over to create the background.  I used black gesso through a stencil and some art wax to add shimmer.  It picks up the texture of the gesso so well.  To finish I added a die cut circle and sentiment.

My final card uses the stamp as a border.  I do love the background on this one - a very fresh and modern card!  I've added a fussy cut stamped cake and sentiment too.

So there you have it - 1 stamp used in 3 ways!  A more indepth tutorial for all the cards is on the CrafTangles blog HERE.

Have a great week and see you on Friday!
Shabneez

Products Used:
CrafTangles Old Newspaper Stamp
CrafTangles Ombre Watercolor Paper Pad
Tim Holtz Distress Inks
CrafTangles Beehive Stencil
CrafTangles Flourish Stencil
Versafine Black Ink Pad
CrafTangles Black Gesso
CrafTangles Art Wax
CrafTangles Balloon Stencil
CrafTangles Birthday Girl Stamp Set
Everything else from my stash

October Elemental Challenge - Daring Cardmakers DT

Happy Friday!

What a week it's been!  I've had a great week working with Pinkfresh Studio products and then celebrating our wedding anniversary.  I was treated to a delicious Thai lunch and a make your own tiramisu for dessert!

So, it's the first Friday of the month and an elemental challenge over on the Daring Cardmakers.  I fell in love with the images and colours Dawn chose for this one.  I had an idea in my head and then just played around with it once I had decided on what elements to use.

For the leaves I smooshed a background using various autumnal colours of distress inks then I die cut them out.

I made the pumpkin using 3 ovals that I die cut and inked then overlapped together.   I've seen the pumpkins made with more ovals so you can play and see what works best for you.

Below you'll see the beautiful board that Dawn has chosen.  I love all the colours and elements and when you join in you simply have to choose 3 elements.  I have chosen the leaves, colours and the pumpkin. 

I do hope that you will join in and I look forward to seeing your creations.  You can see more inspiration HERE.

I am on my travels again this weekend and will be at The Range in Romford on Sunday from 11am with some Trimcraft Christmas demos.

See you next week!

Shabneez

Products Used:

Dovecraft Leaf Mini Dies

Tim Holtz Distress Inks

Sizzix Stitched Oval Dies by Tim Holtz

AC Moore Paper Pad

Clearly Besotted Stamp Set

I would like to enter this card into the Double 'D' Challenges

1 Stencil 3 Ways - CrafTangles DT

Happy Monday!

How was your weekend?  I certainly heard a lot of cheers from the neighbourhood on Sunday afternoon when England scored all those goals!

I'm up on the CraftTangles blog HERE with cards using the CrafTangles Rainbows and Clouds stencil. 

As you can see I've managed to create cards using limited supplies - stencils, distress inks and card!

For this first card I went all out using the largest rainbow on the stencil with distress inks.  I then sprayed on water and left to dry.  For the stars I used distress oxides as I prefered the chalky effect they gave.  I finished with a sentiment.

Next up I used a soft grey for the clouds and the raindrops stencil to create a border.

For the final card I actually had a little girl in mind who I'm sure will love this card.  I used the smaller of the two rainbows on the stencil and added clouds and stars before matting and layering.

Stencils don't have to be used just for backgrounds - they can just as easily be used as focal points for cards as well.

See you again later on this week,
Shabneez

Products Used:
CrafTangles Rainbows & Clouds Stencil
CrafTangles Raindrops Stencil
CrafTangles Cardstock
Hero Arts Stamp & Die Set
Everything else from my stash

Bokeh Background Creation - Daring Cardmakers

Happy Friday!

May already!  I've had a wonderfully creative week - tried some new products, attempted a new technique which I used in this post and made someone very happy with a first birthday card I made.

The first Friday of the month is an elemental challenge on the Daring Cardmakers.  The elements inspired me to have a go at creating a Bokeh background.  Bokeh is basically a blurred effect produced by a lens in photography.

I began by creating the ombre background using distress inks then once I was happy I inked through a stencil I made using my trusty Fiskars circle punch with chalk ink to make a Bokeh background.  This is a technique I've wanted to try for such a long time as I've been inspired by other people's creations.

To finish I die cut a branch and added a sentiment as I wanted the background to be the focal point of my card.

Below is the elemental board chosen by Ruth where I got my inspiration from.  You can see the colours, in particular the ombre pinks which I used together with the circles and a branch from the tree.

I hope you'll play along with this challenge and take a look at the inspiration from the rest of the Design Team HERE.

Here's hoping for a little sunshine over the Bank Holiday weekend.

See you next week,

Shabneez 

Products Used:

Tim Holtz Distress Inks

Marianne Designs Die

Clearly Besotted Sentiment Stamp

Fiskars Medium Circle punch

Everything else from my stash

Creating Cards for Children with CrafTangles Products

Happy Wednesday!

The sun is out even though it's chilly and I've just done a quick shop.  I've got my to do list ready to go through after I've sorted this blog post.  Having a quick coffee before I begin!

I'm up on the CrafTangles blog today with a trio of cards I made with children in mind, although there is nothing stopping me from giving them to an adult! Haha!

For the first card I've created a rainbow background using a star stencil and distress inks.  I've then stamped and fussy cut the image of the girl with an umbrella and added a sentiment.

Next up, I concentrated on the background for this one by using distress inks with the stencil and a spritz of water.  Im pleased with how the waves came out.

I then framed the scene using circle nesting dies to create a frame.  I added stamped and die cut images, finishing with sequins to embellish.

Finally, a card using one of my all time favourite stamp and die sets.  I decided I wanted to make the background the focus so I used my distress inks again but I wanted the number 5 to stand out as it was for a 5 year old so inked all those in red.

I stamped the image but decide against colouring to keep the main focus on the background.  I think it works don't you?

All being well I shall be back on Friday with another blog post.

Enjoy the rest of the week,
Shabneez

Products Used:
CrafTangles Cardstock
CrafTangles Girl in the Rain Stamp
CrafTangles Starry Night Stencil
CrafTangles Sand and Sea Stamp
CrafTangles Nature Stencil
CrafTangles Superkid Stamp & Die Set
CrafTangles CrafTangles Jumbled Numbers Stencil
Ranger Distress Inks
Kuretake Zig Clean Color Brush Pens
Everything else from my stash