12 Days of Christmas Treat box

Today I am showing  my second inspiration piece for our Country View Challenge. 

Initially my idea was to create an advent calendar with 24 boxes but I realised the finished article would be too big and as I could only gift the calendar after the 20th of December it was a bit meaningless. So instead, I figured a "12 days of Christmas box" would be an adequate replacement. 

I used Graphic 45 papers to make 12 match boxes and covered 2 sturdy pieces of cardboard to serve as top and base for the box tower.

Before assembing the boxes I added a brad through an eyelet to create a draw knob and die-cut numbers from 1 to 12. 

Finally I glued a first layer of boxes on the base, alternating the position, which create a square shape, with an empty square in the middle. Then I stuck the other layers on top and added the top cardboard to finish.

 I am planning to fill each box with an array of treats, mixing the traditional chocolates with dried fruits all wrapped in tissue paper.

Your turn now to create something on the theme "Christmas" in our Country View Challenge. You could win a £ 20 voucher if you link your project...

 Plus there is still 4 more days of Advent offers at the Country View shop!

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield   I am entering the Allsorts challenge

Tri-fold card for Christmas

Welcome to the 1st of December and our new Country View Challenge! 

An easy one for you... the theme is "Christmas". You can enter any projects with any supplies on this theme, as long as you follow ALL the rules! 

I made the Z fold type card shape using an old die (Presscut) but it is an easy one to make with 4 scored lines and 2 cuts out of an A4 piece of card. It has the advantage of offering lots of surface for decorating... 

For the front I stamped trees and snowflakes in black ink and the big tree and baubles in coloured ink with the Bottle Brush Trees Paperbabe Stamp set, on white card. 

On the sides I added white card stock with velvet effect stickers from my underused crafting supplies. 

A merry Christmas die-cut serves as the sentiment.

On the reverse , I simply added patterned papers and a piece of white card for the message.

And the beauty of the shape is that, when folded, it fits a standard envelope!

There you have it, something that will stand out on the mantelpiece...

I hope I have inspired you to enter the Country View Challenge blog, if not have a look at my fellow teamies projects and don't forget if you link your project you are in with the chance to win a £20 voucher for the Country View Craft shop!

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield   I am entering the Paperbabe and SSS Wednesday challenge

Tag-a-thon 2022 edition

Welcome to my second inspiration post for our Country View Challenge, hosted this month by Jo.  The theme is Tags and with Christmas fast approaching I decided to revive my "Tag-a-thon" crafting sessions. 

They are easy enough to make with scraps of paper, abandoned stamped images, die-cuts etc... and are useful for the gifting season.

I did 3 tags on around paper, stamping and die-cutting so that every type of crafter can find inspiration. 

 

For the papers, Graphic 45 is fabulous for that Vintage feel. I also rate highly the Stamperia collections, both brands being stocked by Susan. 

Here I used an old collection, Christmas Emporium of which I got 2 pads (don't ask...)

For the stamped tags, I pulled out the Snarky Cats (Tim Holtz) I had so much fun with last year! 

I stamped in grey ink and coloured the cats with pencils.

To finish, I added a bit of sparkle with tiny gold stars confetti.

I am entering these tags in the Allsorts, We Love Stamping, Stamping Sensations and Paperbabe challenges.

For the die-cut tags I selected pieces already cut (Memory Box, magazine freebie) and added washi tape, leaves, dew drops, gems and/or stars to embellish. 

These tags also join the Allsorts challenge.

With 9 new tags in my stock I should sail through Christmas...

To make the tag shapes I used both out of the box die (STAMPlorations Tag O'Coffee) and partial die-cutting with tag shapes and rectangles in order to get the size I needed.

You stil have plenty of time to create 1 or several tags for the Country View Challenge blog! Don't forget there is the chance to win a £20 voucher for the Country View Craft shop.

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield   

Adorable Girl Tag

This month we have an easy challenge theme for our Country View Challenge, chosen by Jo, which is Tags. Any tags as long as they are not part of another project such as card, journal page etc.. 

Here is my first inspiration make: 

First I applied several layers of Distress and Distress Oxide inks, drying the tag between layers. 

I added stamping in white ink with a script from my own collection and in Merlot (Lavinia Inkpad) with Rubber  Dance Wild flowers.

A bit of paper and real lace, a piece of string, some hearts and dew drops enhance the main image from a sheet by Crafty Individuals.

Finally I used the Shine like a star sticker sentiment from STAMPlorations to finish

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,

 Craftyfield   I am entering the SSS Wednesday and Paperbabe,  challenges

Halloween tag

Having illustrated the Harvest theme last time, I am taking up the challenge of making something on the Halloween theme for our Country View Challenge, hosted this month by Miriam. 

I first stamped the moon (Lavinia ) and masked it before creating the background with layer upon layer of Distress and Distress Oxide inks (including sprays). 

I added inks with Distress foam to darken the sides and distressed the edges . 

Next I stamped the birds and the branches (both stamps by Crafty Individuals). 

The cat is stamped (freebie from a magazine) and fussy cut, I hand drew the pumpkin, coloured it with pencils and fussy cut it before gluing down. 

I made a broom with a toothpick and a die-cut shape from a very old Spellbinders set and a bit of string.

Finally the sentiment is die-cut with the Tim Holtz/Sizzix Alphanumeric Script set (662228). 

*******
Over to you now, you have 2 weeks to link up your Halloween or Harvest project to the Country View Challenge blogfor the chance to win a £20 voucher for the Country View Craft shop.

*******

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield     I am entering the SSS Wednesday, We Love Stamping, Paperbabe, 

 Lost Coast Designs, and Stamping Sensations challenges

Grapes

The change in temperature has been brutal and I do feel a twinge of regret thinking about these scorching sunny days of summer, but Autumn is here and with it, harvests and of course Halloween. 

"Halloween or Harvest" is our theme this month at Country View Challenge, hosted this month by Miriam. 

My first make celebrates the grape harvest which will be turned into wine. Soon enough we will be able to drink the new wine, still a bit fizzy and not entirely "adult", popularised by the Beaujolais Nouveau.

To create this page I used a stencil set (French Vine by Crafters' Companion) which turned out to be a mistake... I thought it was 6"x6" but in fact was a large 8"x8",  too big for cards and so it languished untouched in my stash, until now.

The set comprises 3 stencils allowing an increasing level of detail to be applied each time with darker inks. The stencil does all the work except for the addition of coloured pencil around the grapes, 

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,

 Craftyfield    I am entering the SSS Wednesday challenge

Mellow Fruitfulness

Welcome to my second inspiration post for our Country View Challenge! The lovely Debs has chosen the theme  "Season of Mists and mellow fruitfulness" and thinking about fruits and harvests I decided to make this this journal page: 

I stamped and masked the pears (Perfect Pear by Rubber Dance) with coloured inks, and over stamped with the screen stamp (Mixed Media Marks #1) also from Rubber Dance, which I embossed in white EP.

For colours,  I used brushos on the background and watercolours for the pears.

The sentiment is from the stamp set by Katzelkraft stamp (KTZ 135).

Time for you to create something for our Country View Challenge for the chance
to win a £20 voucher for the Country View Craft shop, only 2 weeks to go so hop to it!

Thanks for coming by,

Craftyfield      I am entering the Paperbabe, We  Love Stamping challenge

New season

It starting to feel a lot like Autumn.... Gone the scorching heat and place to crisp mornings, turning leaves and harvests. In tune with the season the lovely Debs has chosen the theme for our Country View Challenge to be "Season of Mists and mellow fruitfulness". 
This poetic theme immediately evoked the orange tinted sunsets of September and I created this scene: 

On glossy cardstock, I stamped the Moon (431)and the Honeysuckle Cottage (687) and masked the moon. 

I applied dye inks in an ombre style from red(ish) to green(ish) with a brush. 

All the other elements were stamped on top with Black Memento ink: 
Berry Leaves (577)

Mini Forest Mushrooms (564)

Tree Scene

I hope I have inspired you to enter our Country View Challenge. Don't forget there is a £20 voucher for the Country View Craft shop to win if you link up your projects! 

Just make sure you follow the theme AND the rules.

For more inspiration do check what the DT made on the Country View Challenge blog

Thanks for coming by,
Craftyfield     I am entering the SSS Monday, SSS Wednesday, Paperbabe and Stamping Sensations challenges

Personalised gift

For my second inspiration make for our Country View Challenge, where the theme chosen by the lovely Monika is Birthday (card or gift), I made a keyring tag and a box to present it with. 

The box is actually quite small, 7x5x2 cms (approximately 2"x2"3/4x3/4"), just big enough for the gift. 

This is a matchbox style made out of sturdy cardstock and decorated with scraps of paper. 

You can find a matchox die by Tim Holtz here. 

Enough with the box, if you came from the Country View Challenges blog you will be on tenterhooks to see what is inside!!!  so there you are: 

I have used thin pieces of leather, offcuts of the materials used for the hardcovers of books as "standard leather" and some thick pleather would require steel rules dies to be cut properly.  

Or you could fake it with embossed cardstock, Tim Holtz has designed a fabulous 3D folder this year... 

  

Since I was using thin dies my tag needs a core of a flexible but tough material and I used a bit of my Grunge Paper (Ideology), sadly retired, for my first die-cut. 

I then die-cut 2 more of the tag shape from the thin leather (for the front and back of the Grunge Paper tag) and die-cut the initials from one of them.  

Then I die cut just the letters from a contrasting piece of leather.

The only thing left to do is assemble the layers, add an eyelet and the keyring mechanism (mine was recycled).

You can vary the shapes, circles, hearts, birds and more are all suitable..., decorate the back as well as the front (reverse the colours for example), change the materials stiffened (or painted) fabric would also work... let your imagination run wild!  

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,

 Craftyfield    I am entering the Allsorts challenge.

Happy Birthday

Will August be another scorcher?! 

To keep cool, staying indoors and crafting was certainly a good option... and the perfect opportunity to craft some Birthday cards in advance. 
The lovely Monika has chosen Birthday as the theme for this month's Country View Challenge, and you can enter either cards or gifts for the chance to win.  

Today I am showing you the card and later on in the month you will see the gift... 

I cut my base card from an A4 piece of sturdy card and cut and score into a stepper card. 

The panels are decorated with scraps of paper and glitter card and die-cut butterflies. 

The sentiment is a die-cut from STAMPlorations (Everyday sentiments). 

For the focal image, I stamped the Joggles cling Rubber stamp Quirky Bird #3 first and masked it, then stamped some texture (Peeled Paint from Prima/Finnabair) and stencilled a sort of wall behind it with the Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous Layering Mini Stencil Set #28 MTHS028. I coloured the bird with pencils. 

Now you may wonder what this sorry bird has to do with Birthdays? This was in the news recently: "People who are middle-aged or older and can't balance on one leg for 10 seconds are more likely to die in the next seven years than those who can do it, according to a study out this week" 

So obviously there will be a snarky comment inside the card... I'm working on it!

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,

 Craftyfield   I am entering the SSS Wednesday, Addicted to stamps, Allsorts and                                                                             Paperbabe challenges

Travel the world

I hope you are inspired by our Country View Challenge, which I have the pleasure of hosting this month. If not, here is my second make, a Vintage style tag: 

Supplies:

Greyboard

Piece of patterned paper

Ranger Texture Paste Transparent Matte

Stencil: Carabelle Studio Trame Tissus et chiffres

DecoArt Mixed media paints

Sizzix Thinlits Adventure words 660224

Cosmic shimmer ultra thick embossing powder in Tropic Red

Stamperia Artic Antartic 8x8 pad (map of the world)

I cut my tag out of greyboard and glued a piece of patterned paper, sealing it with the Texture Paste.

Raw umber and yellow ochre paint were added here in there, then texture paste mixed with acrylic colours was stencilled.

I stamped "Carte Postale" from a Crafty Individual stamp, added bits from my UFO box alongside the Stamperia Map of the World.

Finally the Thinlits Adventure words were embossed with the Tropic Red powder and glued on the tag.  

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 make sure you follow the them and the rules!

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield   I am entering the SSS Wednesday and Paperbabe challenges

Travelling undercover

And finally the summer months have arrived, the kids (young and old) will be on holiday and it is time to TRAVEL! Yes Travel is the theme I chose for our Country View Challenge this month. 

And having done quite a bit of that recently, an essential item for globe trotting is...

Well it's hidden here: 

Ok I will give you a clue... 

This is a passport holder, it will protect the document and look different too! 

It's a fairly simple project to make, I used half of an A4 Stamperia Stone Paper and half of an A4 rice paper. I used DecoArt Americana Decou-Page Sealer/Glue Matte 8OZ to bond one to the other and embossed the whole with the Sizzix 3-D Embossing Folder - Quilted by Tim Holtz (665734). 

I highlighted the embossing with Walnut Distress ink although it doesn't show much on the photos.

I used the sewing machine to attach the "border" and added colour to the inside with Distress inks.

Several layers of varnish (matte) on top will ensure durability. 

To hold the passport in place, whilst allowing for easy removal, (some customs people don't like them!) I just added an ordinary rubber band but feel free to use something with more pizazz! 

So I am ready to travel, how about you? And where will you go? Do share with us by entering your project 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,

 Craftyfield   I am entering the SSS Wednesday challenge

In the stars

This is a post I didn't think I would be able to write following a family bereavement, but, serendipity played its hand and here is a second inspiration make for our Country View Challenge. 

As I thought about the theme, it seemed fitting. Souls are often referred as stars in the sky and I took it as a sign. 

I used a Paper Artsy star stamp (JM06), the Art Marks and Noteworthy 2 stamps sets, both by STAMPlorations, to create the sentiment. All were stamped and embossed with white EP. 

For added colour I applied some Versamark with a sponge on top of the stars and added mica powders, in different colours. Here's the shine shot: 

Do enter the Country View Challenge with a starry make of your own for the chance to win a £ 20 voucher to the online shop but be quick there is only a week left...  

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield   I am entering the challenge

The moon, stars and Honeysuckle cottage

My lovely team mate Sue at the  Challenge has chosen Stars as the theme for our June Country View  Challenge. Daunting but such a good idea! Here's my take on this theme: 

The Moon and the Honeysuckle cottage were stamped and masked first, before I created the background sky, hills and grass with brayers and brushes using Distress inks. 

I stamped the path, trees and the Dandelions to finish. I lighten the stones on the path with a brush and water. 

Finally I stencilled the stars, a Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Mini Stencil Set #43, with thick Gesso. 

With hindsight I wonder if the placement is the best. my idea was stars around the cottage as if it was magic (with Lavinia we ARE in a magic world!) but in terms of composition I'm not so sure....

Anyway, it's up 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.

Also... I heard they are some special Jubilee bargains to be had... 

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield   

Cats aren't just for Christmas

For my previous inspiration make for the May  Country View Challenge, on the theme of Cats & Dogs, I used a very old set bought in Lakeland when they sold crafts items (I still rue the day they stopped!). But now I was in a quandary... what else could I possibly use for the theme?!
Well... Snarky Christmas cat to the rescue!

The background of the tag is a Gelli printed paper with layers of DecoArt Mixed Media fluid acrylics.

I stencilled some bricks (Tim Holtz Mini Stencil Set #43) on the right with a mixture of Cosmic Shimmer Multi-Tex, glue and Distress Oxide re-inker in Salvaged Patina. On the left I used the Tim Holtz Mini Stencil Set #28.

I stamped and paper pieced the cat from the Snarky Cat Christmas set (CMS416) without its distinctive Christmas hat and the ribbon knot on the box.
The sentiment is from the Snarky Cat Halloween set (CMS407) layered onto some of the AALL & Create Washi Tape #13 - Fasteners, which I also added below right.

And of course the dog from a Paper Dolls pack! Not sure this particular canine is that menacing but, the scene still made me smile...

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,

 Craftyfield    I am entering the Paperbabe, Allsorts ans SSS Monday challenges

Cats at play

Today I have an inspiration make for our new Country View Challenge, hosted by Rachel 

who chose Cats and/or dogs as the theme. 

I was a bit worried about what to do as I don't have pets related stash but I had forgotten

 a very old Lakeland set and decided to give it a bit of love... 

The background is Distressed inks with added stamping (Kaisercraft texture clear stamps: Perfume and Botanical) and stencilling (Imagination Crafts MA-24). 
I stamped all the images in the set in Versafine black ink. 

There is no reference on the Lakeland set but I think I saw the very same images in a set by Artemio, also many moons ago. 
Finally I added my journaling, a reverse pun on the proverb, as I was thinking if the cats did their job and the mice have gone away they have earned some play time! 
And yes, in the name of artistic license, I took liberties with the grammar... ! 

Over to you now, you have plenty of time to make something with Cats and/or Dogs and link up your project to the Country View Challenge blog for the chance to win a £20 voucher for the Country View Craft shop.

Thanks for coming by,
 Craftyfield     I am entering the Paperbabe and SSS Wednesday challenges

Thursday Throwback - Stencils and powders

Welcome to my second Thursday Throwback posts on the STAMPlorations blog. 
Here are my takes on Shirley's card. 

Card 1 supplies;  Flutter Zen 1 Layering Dies and ARTplorations stencil Senecio 1 

Card 2: same as before: Flutter Zen 1 Layering Dies and ARTplorations stencil Senecio 1 

Card 3: Beyond the Trees – ARTplorations Slimline stencil and For the Birds Dies - CUTplorations. 

Do hop onto the STAMPlorations blog for the full details.

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield   

Spring Bunny

Welcome to my second inspiration piece for our Country View Challenge on the 

Theme of "Spring is coming! 

I stamped the bunny from the AALL & Create Stamp Set In the Wild (#529) with water based markers and my trusty stamping platform. There is so many stamps in the set I haven't even used all them yet, and I love this slightly grunged up but realistic look of the images. [Yes this is my stamp set of the moment!]

I coloured the flowers and leaves with watercolour but the bunny's colours are just stamping. I should add that some of the details of the image has been lost because of the texture of the paper.

The background is stencilled in Distress inks with one of the stencil from the Stampers Anonymous/Tim Holtz Mini Layering Stencil set #35.

As was mulling over how to finish and mat my card, I had to use my sewing machine for some repairs and decided I should take the opportunity to sew a border.

The sentiment is stamped on a die-cut tag (Impression Obsession IO Flags Die Set DIE015-F)

You still have 2 weeks to link up your project to the challenge for the chance to win a £20 voucher for the Country View Craft shop, so hop on over to the Country View Challenge blog for more inspiration and details on how to enter.

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield      I am entering the Paperbabe, Stamping Sensations, 

                                                           We love stamping, challenges

Sweet Robin Tag

With a bit of crafting time just for me I made this tag with some of my favourite stamps by Crafty Individuals, the Sweet Robin Redbreast (CI-456) in particular hasn't seen much action lately and so I was eager to give it some air time! 

I built up the background colours with several colours of dye inks sprayed with water: 

I then used Just the ticket border stamp (CI-498) and Inky Script Background (CI-436) to add interest before applying gel medium with the Stampers Anonymous/Tim Holtz Mini Layering Stencil Set #10 (MST010). 

On top of the gel I spread embossing powder in Midnight Sapphire, a dark Blue EP mixed with fine mica. Below a close-up of the shine:

I stamped the bird (CI-456) on the tag and on a separate piece of card and popped the fussy cut bird on foam pads.

I think a yellow beak or orange breast would have helped the bird stand out more, but I wanted to follow an analogous colour scheme (3 adjacent colours on the colour wheel) so this wasn't an option!  

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield      I am entering the following challenges: Allsorts, River of creativity,                                                             Stamping Sensations , SSS Wednesday and Lost Coast Designs (I                                                                hope my  Sweet robin tag with Stencilled Swirls qualifies...)                                                                            challenges 

Spring is here

Spring has sprung! Quite literally in the case of my make today, which is my inspiration piece for our Country View Challenge, hosted this month by Corrie. Yes, you might have guessed already our theme is Spring. 

I first used Gelatos for the background and applied Distress Oxides inks in similar colours through the Stamperia Wallpaper Fantasy (KSTDG03)12x12 stencil on top.

The focal image is a stamp from the AALL & Create Stamp Set #529 - In the Wild by Bipasha BK. I stamped it in black Versafine, removed as much colour as I could with a brush and water from the petals and re-coloured with a yellow pencil.

The sentiment has been cut with the 662228 Alpha set and Sizzix Thinlits Die Set - Adventure Words Script by Tim Holtz (660224). I cut the lower case e from the enjoy word and substituted the capital E from the Alpha set.

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 Addicted to stamps, SSS Wednesday and Paperbabe challenges.

Burst of flowers

More flowers coming this way... 

Our Country View Challenge theme this month is Mother's Day and is hosted by Evelyn.
This is what I made for my second inspiration make: a box card full of flowers.
fun way to offer a bouquet from far away...

I won't tell you the ins and outs of the box card construction... there are plenty of tutorials on the web. My own method relied on partial die cutting and although it worked, I wouldn't recommend it! 

In my defence this is my first.... 

The box is decorated with papers from the Studio Light Memories of Summer pad. 

The die-cut flowers inside were made with Sizzix/Tim Holtz die set and an unidentified freebie die from a magazine. I also added a butterfly on a strip of acetate for that flight effect.

You now have less than 2 weeks to link up your project to the challenge for the chance to win a £20 voucher for the Country View Craft shop, so hop on over to the Country View Challenge blog for more inspiration and details on how to enter.

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield  I am entering the Allsorts, Addicted to Stamps,  SSS Monday and SSS Wednesday Challenges

Creative use of dies

Today is my first of 4 Thursday Throwback posts which will pop up on the STAMPlorations blog once a month. 

My crafting is usually stamp based but this Thursday I chose this die-cut based creation by Maureen that had me fascinated.  

You can check the original post here. 

First I created a camera with my favourite designer papers and used it as a topper on a card front: 

I used  the ATC Tag builder die set and the Tag O'Coffee to cut my pieces and the sentiment is from the Fond Expressions 2 stamp set. 

Next, I made an attempt at making the camera as realistic as I could, taking inspiration from my own camera's colours. 

I used the ATC Tag Builder , the Tag O'Coffee set and Liquid Glass (DecoArt).

Another view showing the dimensional lens:

And for fun I tried my own die-cut recipe for a boat... naive but still recognisable:

Dies are from the ATC Tag Builder, Tag O'Coffee, Stitched Snow Hills and Basic A2 Panels Nesting Dies sets. The background is Distress Inks with clouds made with Gesso and the Clouds stencil.

You can find out the details for all 3 makes on the STAMPlorations blog. Come back in 4 weeks for my next Throwback Thursday!

Thanks for coming by,
I am entering the SSS Wednesday challenge and Addicted to Stamps challenge.