Ribbon and Lace

I'm still getting inky and loving it.
Today I have another few posts to share with you, first up is a card I've created with a pretty soft feminine background.

I've created the background by sponging and stencilling with Distress inks, and then stamping, and adding some lace and velvet ribbon.
I've then stamped the main image from Crafty Individuals on a similar background, cut it out and attached onto the background with foam tape, to give a bit of dimension.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

Crafty Individuals: Lace, buttons, bits and Bobs

Allsorts: Ribbon and lace

Craft Stamper Magazine Challenge: Take it, Make it

Thank you for your kind comments, I'm so happy to be creating.

Vision Board

Today, I'd like to share with you how I created my vision board for 2016.  This will be the 3rd year that I've created one, after my friend Karen Boyes introduced me to the idea.  I love focusing your wishes and actively manifesting your desires for the upcoming year.
I've found by putting the finished board up in my studio, I reflect on the board through the year, and it helps me refocus my dreams and goals throughout the year.

Today, I have created my 2016 Vision Board, conciously with the New Moon - to help me release and make way for the new. I've taken inspiration from another friend Hali Karla, to start a new moon art practice- check it out and join in. I intend to use the prompts as a place to bring me back to art journalling or creating at least once a month. Her prompt for this month is Dedication, I'm not going to share my dedication with you,  other than to say I'm commiting to Life in 2016.
Hali is so inspiring, I think its gonna be great.

So to my 2016 Vision Board.
I thought I'd share with you my process, to hopefully inspire you to create your own.
(note this is a photo loaded post).

Here's my blank A3 size of paper, go as big as you dare!

Blank A3 Paper

 Next, I've gone through magazines, calendars etc, and taken out quotes, words and pictures that call to me and my heart, that I want to use or might want to use aand cut them out, I like to round all the edges.

My clippings

Next I glue down my main images, I like to put them slightly on angles and not think abaout it too much- just going with the flow.

Then I cover up the main images with scrap paper and spray some Dylusions inks, but you could use paints, crayons or fill more of the blank space anyway you fancy.

Background done

Then I start adding the smaller clippings, I like to layer them and again go with the flow, not thinking too hard about placement. I do tend to group the clippings together though. So One corner for family, one for health and so on.

Taking Shape

Next, I start adding more specific personal goals or wishes in pen, I also start filling the gaps with stamps and stencilling.

I keep tweeking and adding depth to the background until I'm happy.

Here's the finished board up on the wall in my studio.

Finished Vision Board 2016

If you are inspired to create your own, let me know, cause I'd love to see it, and if you do - Have Fun!
Don't forget to check out The New Moon Art Practice with Hali too.

Have a great day.

Steampunk guy cards

One of my other loves... Steampunk, I'm needing some go to masculine cards for my stash, I started these with a couple of ATC's then popped the ATC's onto background and created cards.

These 2 cards are texture loaded, I created both backgrounds, with Distress Inks, stencilling, stamping and acrylic paint, I also added dry embossing to give extra industrial feel and texture.

The final touch on both of the ATC's is a layer of Mod Podge- my easy go to extra texture layer- it gives an easy glossy appearance and just adds that extra factor.
These 2 cards are probably my Favourite make of today.

I'm entering these cards over at Sandee's Steampunk Challenge- Anything Goes ;-)
and my 2nd entry over at Fashionable Stamping Challenges:- Create your own Background.

From the Heart

It's great to come back to the blogging world, and not only find my old favs are still creating and setting challenges but also some new challenges and blog too.
I'm enjoying catching up.

Here's a new challenge to me- The Card Concept  their's is a pretty cool challenge - with inspiration of all different card styles and an inspiration photo.

I was inspired by the Heart and the red and the white- I've gone for the Mixed Media theme-
Here's the inspiration photo.

The background created with Distress inks, stamping, acrylic gold paint and some glitter.
The heart was created n the same way, but with Mod Podge added to give it more texture. I also added the resin butterfly and bling, for extra texture.


I also used the latest Mojo Monday Sketch- #429, as I'm still finding my feet again.

I'm pretty happy with how this early Valentine's card has turned out- never too early for love.

I really enjoyed getting inky and combining these 2 challenges x

Shiny ATC's

So good to my new years resolution, I've been creating up at storm- here's the first of today's 3 posts!
One of my first loves has always been art in miniature and ATC's can be just that- so to warm up my Mojo today- I created 2 quick ATC's with the Dina Wakley stamps that had been gathering dust for months... without seeing any ink... I know tragic.

I'm entering  this over at Wicked Wednesday ATC challenge = my fav ATC challenge, their current them is Make it Sparkle ;-)
lots of shine on here with glitter mixed in with the Mod Podge as well as some glitter pen use on the ladies.

The background was created with Distress Inks and stencils, and then after stamping I added Mod Podge layer - and some glitter- followed by some words and a wood arrow.

I'm also entering over at Allsorts Challenge- theme What's New? - New stamps :-)

As always thank you for your comments - I love hearing from you.

Christmas Tags

Here are some quick easy Christmas Gift tags I made for some homemade gifts I created- candles and bath bombs etc.

As its summer here in New Zealand- while I wanted the tags to be obviously Christmasy - I didn't want yo use traditional colours- so I opted for pinks and purples.
Tag created easily, with simple sponging, asking and stamping, using Distress inks, and stamps from Stampin Up!
Once the gifts were wrapped in the pink cellophane the tags with some gold bells really rocked a summer christmas look I think.

I'm entering this over at the Craft Stamper Magazine challenge- Christmas .

Bird challenge card

So this year I'm planning on more creating and back to more blogging - I've missed it so- so into the studio today - wanting to rebuild a good card stash and I've come up with the one layer simple stencilled, sponged and stamped card featuring a bird from an uninked stamp set from Close to your heart.

I've then added detail by colouring the bird with pencil and silver ink.
Hope you like.

I'm entering this over at Twofers Challenge - Birds.
And fashionable Stamping Challenges- Create your own background.

Here's to a creative and arty 2016!