Goodbye 2021

A second year to chalk up to experience! Instead of Covid, Brexit and other tribulations we endured in 2021, this is what I will try to remember it for:

 

To maximise the video, click on the 3 vertical dots at the bottom of the slide show screen to open the Options menu and choose "Enter full screen! (To exit press Esc).

 See you all next year!

 Craftyfield   

Merry Catmas!

After weeks of Christmas cards posts, it's finally time to wish you all a very

Happy Christmas!

from me and all my Snarky cats, gathered below for your viewing pleasure...

Craftyfield 

Catty carollers

Rounding up our Country View Challenge inspiration posts, here's another Snarky Christmas Cats card. 

No apologies as I did warn you...

First I made several masks for this cat image from the stamp set (CMS 416 - Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous), then I stamped the cat repeatedly in black (foreground) and grey, and coloured them with pencils. I added the music score behind them (a freebie from a magazine).

As I am writing this there is no sentiment stamped on the card but I wanted the freedom to use this card as a Christmas, New year or even a December Birthday card if required. 

**********

You still have a week to enter our Country View Challenge and only 2 shopping days till x-mas, so do get on with it! Who knows you might win one of 2 lovely £20 vouchers to spend on crafty stuff... now wouldn't that be the best Christmas present?!

Happy Christmas!!!

I am entering the We Love Stamping and Paperbabe challenges.

Snarky Cat Christmas 11

The excitement is palpable... 
only dented by the Covid restrictions in place and possibly those to come! 

So, whatever happens.... "Don't get your tinsel in a tangle"!

 My Snarky cat has a point... 

The cat, sentiment and snowflakes are all from the Snarky  Christmas Cats set (CMS416) from Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous. I stamped the cat in a Versafine Clair Pinecone and Shady lane (the green knit), the sentiment in  Versafine black and the Snowflakes with a Kaleidacolor in Blue Breeze.

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield     I am entering the SSS Monday, We Love Stamping, 

                                                          Stamping Sensations, Paperbabe and Allsorts challenges

Stencils and foils double the fun

Today I am featuring on the STAMPlorations blog with a Mixed Media tutorial. Just in time for Christmas, I chose a technique full of shine.

And best of all it's a two-fer!!!

For the most reflective, metallic, shine, foils are the best. Today I am using Hot foils, which require the use of a laminator. (I think it is possible to use an iron but I  wouldn't risk it!)

Supplies:

Winter Flowers ARTplorations stencil

CUT-plorations Stitched Snow Hills

Stitched Spring Landscape 

Jingle All The Way Phrase Die - CUTplorations 

Tag O'Coffee

Gel medium (thick)

Hot Foils 

I made this card with the "positive" motif of the stencil:

 

The foil gives a mirror like finish which is difficult to photograph,

 so here's a picture showing the shine:

Then there is the "negative" which I used to make those tags to match:

And a picture without the sun reflection:

 

If you want details on the technique(s) I used , hop to the STAMPlorations blog to follow my tutorial.

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield  I am entering the Addicted to Stamps, SSS Wednesday 

                                                          and River of creativity challenges. 

2 Gnomes and A Bauble

I would say it's another departure from my normal style, but, seeing last months' posts,

 I have to question if it's a passing fad, brought on by opportunity (read new stamps...),

 or a change of personal style. I need to think about that! 

All this to explain another "cute" card with gnome. Sorry.😳

Stamps and papers, including the one I used for the matching envelope, are from Creative Stamping magazine (Issue 102) featuring designs by Polkadoodles.

I stamped the image with Archival ink in grey (the bauble and stars in yellow) and coloured it with pencils.

The sentiment is stamped with Kaleidacolor in Autumn Leaves to create the gradated look..

The die I used to cut the mats is from a set by Julie Hickey Designs Layers frames banners rectangle die set (JHD-CUT-1003).

I hope the kids like it....

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield   I am entering the We Love To Create, Polkadoodles, Lost Coast Designs challenges.

Snarky Cat Christmas 9

Is the Christmas dinner ordered? 

No, not me, on account that I wasn't supposed to be home... and now it too late to order a proper bird or one of these fancy things that only requires to be shoved into the oven.

At least my Snarky cat won't be missing out... 

he's sitting on his dinner supplies and no one will take it away from him!!!

As for previous cards, the cat and sentiment are from the Snarky  Christmas Cats set (CMS416) from Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous. The cat, stamped in Versafine Clair Pinecone, the top sentiment in  Shady Lane and the bottom one in Memento Rhubarb Stalk.


Until next time... meow! (yes one or two more Snarkies on the way...)

 Craftyfield     I am entering the Paperbabe, We Love Stamping, and Stamping Sensations challenges

Gnome-azing Christmas

Leaving aside my Snarky Cats to rest for a bit, today is a Gnome day! 

Yes I am doing cute... and classic red & green Christmas...

What a weird year this turns out to be!!!

Stamps and papers, including the one I used for the matching envelope, are from Creative Stamping magazine (Issue 102) featuring designs by Polkadoodles.

I stamped the image with Archival ink in grey, coloured it with pencils  and fussy cut it. The sentiment is stamped with Versafine Clair in Shady Lane.

The die I used to cut the mat is from a set by Julie Hickey Designs Layers frames banners rectangle die set (JHD-CUT-1003)

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield   I am entering the We Love To Create, Polkadoodles, Stamping Sensations, Lost Coast Designs, SSS Wednesday, River of creativity and Uniko challenges

Three cats and a bird

Are you ready with all your Christmas cards yet? Well our Country View Challenge should help you with both inspiration and enticement.... 

As you guessed our theme this month is simply Christmas.

For those who follow my blog you will know I have been working on a series with the Snarky Christmas Cats stamp set (CMS 416) from Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous so here's another one (full disclosure my 2nd inspiration post is ALSO a Snarky cat... you have been warned!).

For this card I created masks for the cats and stamped them in a rough Christmas tree shape. I added colour with pencils and stamped the sentiment from the same set.

It does look like none of them are sitting comfortably...

Over to you now, have a look at what the DT made on the Country View Challenge blog and link up your project to the challenge for the chance to win a £20 voucher for the Country View Craft shop.

Thanks for coming by,
I am entering the SSS Wednesday, Allsorts, Addicted to Stamps, Paperbabe, Uniko challenges.

Snarky Cat Christmas 7

How are you doing with those Christmas cards? Still in progress? Well, here's some more Snarky Christmas cats to give you inspiration.... In fact this one has gift ideas too!!!

As for previous cards, the cat and sentiment are from the Snarky  Christmas Cats set (CMS416) from Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous. The tree, stamped in Versafine Clair Shady Lane is from a set by Katzelkraft (retired I think).

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield   I am entering the Paperbabe, Addicted to stamps,  SSS Wednesday,  Allsorts, Uniko, Stamping Sensations and We Love Stamping challenges

Door sign

Welcome to my second inspiration post for our Christmas gifting challenge at our Country View Challenge this month, chosen by Miriam. 

Admittedly, I made this one for myself but... changing the words and motifs and you can make one fitting for anyone! 

 

For the base choose from MDF, mountboard, light weight wood, and you can even use a shaped substrate like Hearts or Tags. Anything goes...

I decided to leave my wood bare because I like it and it brings a bit of nature inside. I punched holes and added page reinforcers (I have die for that).

The background paper is from the Bella collection by 13@Arts.

The "Atelier des arts" is a Decorative Chip from the Door set (Collection Atelier des Arts by Stamperia ) which I embossed with Wow! EP in Pomegranate.

The 3D rose I created with hot glue and a Prima mould (My Sweet). I used glue just because I wanted to try out the mould and I had my glue gun at hand. [proper moulding material, such as  paper clay, would be a better choice. The lighter the better as it makes it easier to affix the sign without damaging the door/wall surface]. 

I coloured the motif with metallic powders in pink, green and silver (don't ask), only time will tell if it will last on the glue.... If not there's always acrylic paint! The shine looks good though...

There you have it door signs as a personalised gift...

Hope this will inspire you to enter our challenge, only one week left to be in with a chance to win a lovely £20 voucher.

Thanks for coming by,
I am entering the Allsorts, River of creativity, and Creative Artiste challenges.

Snarky cat Christmas 6

Time for another Snarky cat.... This one is definitely the Scrooge of the feline world...

All stamps are from the Snarky Christmas Cats stamp set (CMS 416) from Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous, inked with Versafine Clair (Pinecone and Shady Lane). A few details were picked out with coloured pencils.

Fast and easy card perfect for mass making!

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield       I am entering the Allsorts, Paperbabe, We Love Stamping and  Stamping Sensations challenges. 

Maximize the embossing

For my second Mixed Media tutorial on the STAMPlorations blog, I am elevating the stencilling with the Embossed Textured paste technique.

This give a more dimensional effect to the stencilling as if embossing with powders multiple times, like this: 

Supplies:

Senecio 1 - ARTplorations Stencil - Sanna Lippert Designs

Texture paste (mine is Grunge Paste from Paper Artsy)

Embossing powder (mine is Wow! in Perissa, a mix of silver, gold, and copper red )

Thankful & Blessed - Dee's Artsy Impressions

A look at the beautiful shine....

Once you've mastered the technique nothing stops you from combining it with others... for instance adding powders in an ombre design like I did on this card:

Supplies:

Abstract April Showers - ARTplorations Stencil - Sanna Lippert Designs

Texture paste (Grunge paste as before)

Embossing powders: Wow! Vintage Peacock, Seaglass, Blue Pearl and Frantage Aged Aqua (Stampendous).

Let It Snow Phrase Die - CUTplorations

Basic A2 Panels Nesting Dies

Just for you... the shine look!

Do check out my step by step on the STAMPlorations blog.  I will be back next month for a new technique...

Thanks for coming by,
I am entering the SSS Monday, SSS Wednesday, Allsorts,  challenges.

        

Snarky Cats Christmas 5

More Christmas snarks...

Here's an accident waiting to happen...

As before, the cats and sentiments are from the Snarky Christmas Cats stamp set (CMS 416) from Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous stamped in Memento Black and coloured with pencils.

I created a snowy slope for the cats to glide (and stand) on with Distress ink and a mask made of torn paper.

Mmm...it's going to hurt!!! 

Thanks for coming by,
I am entering the SSS Monday, Paperbabe, Stamping Sensations, We Love Stamping challenges.

More coasters

Some organised people have all their Christmas gifts bought and wrapped by now, having used the whole year to scour the shops for that perfect present....  Well, not me and certainly not this year!

However, WHAT do you buy for the person that has everything? How about a crafty gift made by you and and for that special person? Christmas gifting is the theme of our Country View Challenge this month, chosen by Miriam and I hope you will get ideas from our DT. 

 

My first idea is coasters, I have been creating a few, each time in pairs, and this is my latest offering:

My base is recycled coasters but your can find fresh ones with a holder here.I created the background with Cosmic shimmer matt acrylic paints, this took several layers as I changed my mind... including adding some copper paint here and there. 

My choice of image is from 2 Visible Image sets: the spiral clock from Ahead Of Our Time and the shattered clock and matching background from the Somewhere In Time.

Once dry I stamped my motif with Cosmic shimmer Flake and glitter Glue using a piece of Distress foam and applied my flakes. You can find similar colours to the one I used with these mixes: Silver Dream, Warm Sunrise both from Cosmic Shimmer. Now being the control freak that I am I don't just dump the flakes haphazardly on the image... noooo I try and place a gold flake here a copper flake there etc... but you don't have to do that! 

Once all the image is covered I start removing the excess with my fingers , then with a dedicated sponge (it looks a bit like wire wool but made of plastic thread).

For the shattered clock I first stamped the background stamp with black to enhance the contrast with the foil.

I added a bit of darker colour around the coasters with a Pitt brush pen.

Now these will join the other pairs to get their hard core varnish so they can be used for hot or cold drinks.

And of course let's look at the SHINE.... 

Over to you now, have a look at what the DT made on the Country View Challenge blog and link up your project to the challenge for the chance to win a £20 voucher for the Country View Craft shop. Just remember that cards do not qualify for this challenge. 

Thanks for coming by,

I am entering the Paperbabe, SSS Wednesday challenges.

Snarky Cat Christmas 4

4th in my Snarky Christmas Cats line-up this CAS card.

Maybe he feels like Scrooge, maybe he's been swaddled too tight... 

but he certainly doesn't look too happy to see the baubles!

The cat and sentiment are from the Snarky Christmas Cats stamp set (CMS 416) from Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous stamped in black Versafine and Memento Rhubarb Stalk.

The baubles are from the Studio Light Stamp And Die Set - No.17, I stamped them in Memento 

London Fog and coloured with red pencil. 

I hope he brings a smile to your face nonetheless...

Meow, meow I will be back!!!
I am entering the SSS Wednesday, Addicted to stamps, Allsorts, Casology and Paperbabe  challenges.

CAS card with elephants

A quick post for a quick card!

I used this lovely stamp  from Creative Stamping magazine #57 (May 2018) to make this CAS card.

If you like the stamp,  the original red rubber by Crafty Individuals is still available (CI-390).

The background has been created with Distress inks and one of the stamps from Andy Skinner's ASCRS06-Toxic set (Stampendous).

The sentiment (also from the Creative Stamping set)  is usually applied to Birthdays but it seems fitting for this mother and baby image (and my current state of mind), since no matter that your offspring can legally drive, vote, drink and have left home, they are still your babies..

Thanks for coming by,
I am entering the Uniko,  River of Creativity, Paperbabe, Stamping Sensations, challenges.

Amp up your stencils!

This Autumn I am starting a Mixed Media feature on the STAMPlorations blog.

I have chosen 4 different techniques that will add oomph/zing to your stencilling. First up the "bump" technique which gives a shadow or highlight impression as in the background of this card:

It is normally used with acrylic paints, since the technique needs the medium used to be opaque.

Supplies:
Flowers 2 - ARTplorations
Basic A2 Panels Nesting Dies
Flutter Zen 1 Layering Dies
Everyday Sentiments

For those who prefer inks I tested an alternative on this card:

Supplies:
Peeking Dahlias - ARTplorations
Everyday Sentiments

Do check out my step by step on the STAMPlorations! blog

Thanks for coming by,
I am entering the SSS Monday challenges.