In Black And White

Happy Sunday crafters!

Well this is turning out to be a very grey day....  

a good time for another Black and white theme card! 

The stamp is Crafty Individuals "Of The Sea" (CI-559) simply stamped in black Versafine, and the die I used to cut the card is AALL & Create #78 - Die-Cutting Die Set - Roadway Vistas die set.
It is hard for me to refrain from colours but a detailed stamp like this looks good on its own! 

Thanks for coming by,
 Craftyfield   I am entering the Addicted to Stamps,  Stamping Sensations, 

                                                        and We Love Stamping challenges

Black & White

Hello crafters, 

today a quick post and an unusual colour scheme for this card as I road test my new dies:

 

I first stamped the Crafty Individual "The Village Inn and Church" (CI-474) with black Versafine.

The other elements, including the mat, are die-cut: the trees and "fence" are from the AALL & Create #78 set (Roadway Vistas). Once die-cut, I applied black ink on top of the embossed areas to show off the details.

The base card and the black mat are die-cut with the AALL & Create  #77 die set (Climbing Woods). 

Note: I suspect the names of these 2 die sets have been mistakenly swapped but that is the way they show up in all craft websites.

It feels quite odd to create in stark black and white and I might try the same design with colours too!  

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield   I am entering the Simon Says Stamp Monday, Stamping Sensations,                                                            and We Love Stamping challenges

Snowy window

Hello crafters, 

Another Christmas themed make today. Last month I was excited to find out I could make a realistic looking window with the help of dies and I thought it would be great to make ones with snow...

I first applied a specialty paper top left with gold. 

On the right hand side I stuck down a paper with vegetal inclusions which I had stamped on with 'Vintage Ads Background (CI-461).

On the bottom left I stamped the 'Just the Ticket Border' (CI-498) 

Behind the window are paper dolls and the Crafty Individuals 'Large Christmas Tree' (CI-462).

All stamps are Crafty Individuals.

The window have has "snow" applied, a mix of thick gel medium and flocking powder,

Finally I added collaged elements, a stamp from Graphic 45 and ephemera from Tim Holtz/Idea-ology Ephemera Pack (TH94396).

Apologies for the reflection in the window! A closer look at what is happening inside...

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield   I am entering the We Love To Create, Creative Artiste,

                                                      Stamping Sensations and We Love Stamping  challenges

Spooky trees

Hello crafters, 
It seems all crafting energies focused on Halloween... 

As I don't have many choices in my stash, I used non themed stamps and tried to give my scene a spooky vibe. Hope it worked!

The background is Distress Inks and the stamps are from CI-259 'Four Tree Landscapes' and CI-450 'Listen to the Trees' stamped in Versafine black. Interestingly, I had never noticed that one of the tree exist in both sets but flipped horizontally (trees either side of the moon).

All Halloween colours present, including the green supposed to give a spooky feel to the moon.

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield   I am entering the Allsorts, Stamping Sensations, We Love Stamping

                                                        and Lost Coast Design  challenges

Autumnal shaped card

Hello crafters, 

Recently I have seen a lot of Hexagonal cards and as they do look impressive and different, I decided to have a go myself.

I followed the instructions from this video by a British crafters, it's not particularly difficult, as long as you can measure and cut your mats accurately (or you have dies to do the job!).

The papers I used are from Crafty Individuals (Weekend in Seville) and so is the "Counting Toadstool" stamp (CI-574) that I have fussy cut partially and coloured with pencils. 

I added some die-cut and punched leaves and voila...

I hope you like this one and do tell if you knew of this shape card and have made some yourselves.
Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield   I am entering the Simon Says Stamp Monday, Allsorts,
                                                      We Love Stamping, SnarkyStampers, Addicted to Stamps challenges

Vintage vibe and glitter

Hello crafters, 
I have been in a Vintage mood lately and decided on a Mixed Media play for a door sign.

I used Distress Oxides sprays as well as Prima Blooms sprays to add a bit of lustre to the background.
I added some stamping with Versafine inks not realising that they would not dry on top of the Prima sprays... Having smudged some of the stamping, I had to use clear EP to preserve the stamping. The stamp I used is Crafty Individuals 'Just the Ticket Border' (CI-498).

For my focal point, I die-cut a doily with a prima die and embossed it with a mix of Peacock and Seaglass Wow! powders which have glitter in them.
The large tag is 'Chunky Vintage Typewriter Tag' (CI-455) also from Crafty Individuals, stamped and embossed with black EP.
Embellishments are Ephemera Field Notes Snippets (TH94049) and Tiny Clips (TH94025) both Tim Holtz® Idea-ology™, a paperclip adorned with a button and a piece of washi tape (AALL & Create #13 - Fasteners).
Finally, I added mini brads at the 4 corners the top ones fixing the wire that will be used to hang the sign.

Another photo to (hopefully) show the shine:

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield   I am entering the Allsorts, Stamping Sensations and 

                                                       Addicted to Stamps, challenges

Beach games

Hello crafters, 
Although the British weather yet again disappoints, my thoughts are definitely turned to sunny beaches... 

 

The stamps are all Crafty Individuals: "Sandy Toes & Salty Kisses" (CI-459) and "By the Sea" (CI-454).

I used Versacraft and Brilliance inks to stamp and coloured the image with pencils.

I think the card is crying out for additional details, maybe some stitching or inking all around and some more detailing of sea and sand with pencils but... I chickened out having already spoiled my first attempt!

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield   I am entering the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge 

                                                        We Love Stamping, Stamping Sensations and Allsorts challenges

Wonderful Wild Flowers

Hello crafters, 

It seems summer is here at last and to celebrate I crafted this wild flower meadow.

The focal image has been built up with stamps from the Crafty Individuals set "Wild Flowers" (CI-226), inked with watercolour crayons.

The background sky and grass is also watercolour crayons, shaved over water applied with a brush. 

I then revisited my older supplies and added several layers of papers, some die-cut, one punched and some distressed and/or torn. The many layers is unusual for me and, despite my best efforts, I still didn't incorporate as many as I had planned! It just goes against the grain.

A flower made with punches and patterned vellum and a sentiment die-cut add the finishing touches. 

 

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield   I am entering the Allsorts, Stamping Sensations, 

                                                               We Love Stamping and Addicted to Stamps challenges

Stepper Card and Butterflies

Hello crafters, 

A quick post as I am aiming to enter the Allsorts challenge where the theme is "Show us your folds". Paper construction is not my forte but stepper cards are within my reach, albeit with help from a die...

The die is Step Card by Presscut, the set comes with dies to cut decorative papers for each section as well as the card base and I used some old magazine freebies to decorate the panels.

The stamp in the focal portion of the card is Crafty Individuals "Beautiful Butterflies" (CI-231). I stamped and embossed it, then I applied dye powders, a blue Brusho and Cerise Infusion (Paper Artsy). I should have known better... The strength of the powders overwhelmed the piece so much I had to tame it with Distress Oxides and white pigment ink.

I will add a sentiment, probably die-cut words, when required but I am not sure if I should place it in the middle of the background or at the bottom on the pink card. Suggestions welcome!

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield               I am also entering the SSS Wednesday and 

                                                                   Stamping Sensations challenges

Spring in Paris

Hello crafters,

the temperature in the UK isn't spring like at all so it's no wonder we dream about April in Paris!

I made a journal page using lots of my Paris inspired stamps and added spring colours to liven it up.

The background is Distress Inks, Picked Raspberry, Salty Ocean and a touch of Twisted Citron Distress Oxide applied with an acetate sheet.

The stamps are all Crafty Individuals: Singing Merrily (CI-309) top left, bottom right and in lighter colours here and there. Iconic World Views (CI-228) in the photo frame, Just the Ticket Border (CI-498) and Imagine Child (CI-101).

I also used bits of stamps or stamps sets as fillers if they had a Paris theme.

The photo frame is from the So Spring die set by Studio Light, the Eiffel tower is Marianne Craftables Eiffel Tower CR1220 and "Soir de Paris" has been stamped on a ticket die (Happy Days Ticket Stubs Dies By Xcut XCU503150). The butterfly is cut from leftover background (Impression Obsession IO DIE008-I)

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield   I am entering the Stamping Sensation, We Love Stamping,

                                                       SSS Wednesday challenges

Spring is coming...

And not soon enough! Today I have a Spring inspired card with a floating frame, one of last year discovery for me and now a firm favourite of mine.

The bird is "Sweet Robin Redbreast" by Crafty Individuals (CI-456). I stamped it in grey ink, coloured it in pencils and fussy cut it.

The flowers and leaves are die-cut with Crafters Companion Country Lane Perfect Peony die set, the branch from the Sizzix Thinlits Die Set "Christmas Shadow Box" by Courtney Chilson (663611) and the Spring sentiment, Chocolate Baroque - "Breath of Spring", has been die-cut with a Papertrey ink die set (Memory Clips Die).

I gave a slight hint of sky in the background of my base card with Distress Inks. Then, it was a matter of positioning all the elements and sticking them down with foam pads. You might see the dimension better in this photo:

I will warn you now... another floating frame make will be coming here soon!!!

Thanks for coming by,

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

                                                      Stamping Sensations, SSS Monday

                                                      and the Lost Coast Designs challenges

Love Round

Is it that time already?! Yes, Valentine's day is coming up rather soon so I unearthed all things hearts to make a card for my man.  

The focal image is Crafty Individual "A Walk in the Park" stamp (CI-439) and the sentiment is from the set CI-402 "Just Be My Friend". 

I coloured the couple with pencils and added a background around them with Distress inks. 

I matted my image on glitter cardstock as it was the only red cardstock I happened to have! A bit too bright but it's Valentine and I needed red to balance the pink of the paper (a freebie from a magazine). 

Finally, a small die-cut of entwined hearts finishes the card. 

Is it TOO pink for a man? I do hope he likes it anyway! 

Thanks for coming by, 

 Craftyfield   I am entering the SSS Monday, SSS Wednesday, 

                                                        We Love Stamping and Lost Coast Designs challenges

Bright Birthday

Hello crafters! 

A simple card today for you, because, no matter how hard I tried, I could not come up with a design that would add anything to the image! 

The stamp is Crafty Individuals "Home Sweet Home" (CI-458) inked with the Kaleidacolor "Autumn Leaves" inkpad, on a specialty silk card that takes dye inks superbly. 

Incidentally, I have had this stamp for a while but it is its first outing so I am counting as "new"!

Incredibly easy, no fuss... I only added a mat and sentiment die-cut out of black cardstock to give a bit of contrast with the colourful image. Sometimes, less IS more!

Thanks for coming by, 

 Craftyfield      I am entering the We Love Stamping  and 

                                                           Lost Coast Designs challenges

Last Christmas...

Hello followers and blog readers, 
I just had to squeeze one last Christmas card! 
Actually, this one can be Christmas or New Year and yes, it's another scene I'm afraid... 

All stamps are from Crafty Individuals. 
I stamped the church (I only inked the church itself) from the CI-474 set in Versafine Pinecone and masked it. 

I created the background sky and snowy hills with Distress inks and paper masks and although the impression is grey there is pink and blue in sky! 

I added the trees, the left hand one is from CI-450, the right hand one is from CI-209 and added the sheep from CI-467. 

A bit of pencil work on the church, path and snow as well as a few touches of gel pen for snow on branches and roof to finish. 

It does feel desolate, but a snow laden sky will do that... 
Only one thing left to say... 

Merry Christmas!

Craftyfield x 

I am entering the SSS Monday, Allsorts and Lost Coast Designs challenges

Sledging boy

Me again! Another Christmas card, with a Vintage image but in a CAS and bright style.

 I first stamped the Crafty Individuals Little Snow Baby (CI-240) inking just the boy and sledge with black Versafine. 

Then, after cleaning the stamp still in the stamping platform, I inked the stars and border with embossing ink and used detailed white powder to emboss. 

The embossing resisted the application of Pan Pastel over the top to give me the background colour. 

I layered the image on a piece of shiny blue paper with glints of gold and created a white aperture mat to frame the whole.

I hope you like my card!

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield   I am entering the Allsorts and We Love Stamping challenges

Christmas tags

The Christmas crafting is in full swing and today I am doing tags! These are reserved for special people/gifts because they do take a bit of time to make.

I stamped the Crafty Individuals CI-503 Pinecones tags in Versafine Clair in shady Lane, Pinecone and Versafine Onyx black for the sentiment. A stamping platform is indispensable for this as I inked each area separately with a big inkpad and this what is time consuming!

I then cut along the stamped tag shape.

That's it... but isn't this stamp set gorgeous!

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield   I am entering the Allsorts  and  Stamping Sensations challenges

Frosty Christmas tree

It's been a while since I have made a Christmas card, but the time
is coming up quickly so better be prepared!

I used a spellbinders Nestabilitie die to make a stencil and inked the shape created with Distress inks, for a cold winter day sky effect. Then, I traced around the shape with a gold gel pen for an unobtrusive frame.

The tree, a Crafty Individual stamp (CI-462 "Large Christmas Tree") has been stamped with dark green dye ink.

The sentiment is die-cut out of an alcohol ink scrap (with rose gold metallic) and I added "frost" to the tree and on the snow with Stamperia Glamour - Sparkles in Sparkling White. This is both for texture and shine but is a bit difficult to see in the photos, I tried to capture the shine in this next one:

I matted the focal image on a pearlescent vellum card before adhering the whole to my card base.

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield   I am entering the Allsorts and SSS Wednesday challenge 

Flower and Butterfly

Hello crafters, today I have a one layer card with the look of a matted one. 

I used my favourite inking technique for this collage stamp by Crafty Individuals (CI-521), applying water-based markers to each element in various colours. I then over stamped (using a stamping platform) with embossing ink and embossed the image with clear EP. 

I added watercolour to the left of the image, added a border with a pink gel pen. 

Finally, I created a border with a thin double-sided tape to which I applied gilding flakes.  

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield   I am entering the SSS Monday and Allsorts, challenges

Colourful Boat

To bring a bit of colour to our grey English summer, I inked up this detailed stamp (Crafty Individuals: CI-559 Of the Sea) with a variety of bright inks: 

I added a colourful border with washi tape (AALL & Create Washi Tape #13 - Fasteners) that I enhanced with red and blue alcohol ink markers. 

As a finishing touch I added a small tag I had stamped on glossy cardstock moons ago, also from Crafty Individuals (CI-428 It's a man's world). 

 

Thanks for coming by, 

 Craftyfield   I am entering the Allsorts challenge.

Silhouette stamping

Dear followers and fellow crafters,

I have been trying to use products I haven't used in a while and today I played with alcohol inks and an embossing folder!  

The image is from Crafty Individuals (CI-471 Make a Wish) and the sentiment from CI-449 My Favourite Place.

I layered the matted image on a piece of Core'dinations embossed with the  Sizzix Tim Holtz  Embossing Folder - Lumber (662718) inked with Versafine in Pinecone.

There you have it, a bit of colour to enliven the day!

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield   I am entering the Allsorts challenge