Let's brighten things up!

Wow, we had a bumper bunch of floral entries for last month's challenge at Stamping Sensations! It was a real delight to view them all. Hopefully we will have a similarly copious crop for our June challenge, the theme for which is

* * * * * MAKE IT COLOURFUL * * * * *

This should be a nice, easy challenge! We want to see lots of colour in your projects. However, please remember our challenge rules. We are a stamping challenge, so the main element of your design must be stamped, and must reflect the theme. (We prefer hand stamping, but hand coloured digital images are acceptable). Your entry should contain a link to Stamping Sensations Challenge. The full list of rules can be found here. Sadly we had to discount several entries last month which did not adhere to our rules, such a shame as it meant they were not eligible for our prizes or top 3 spots.

This month we have a return visit from our wonderful sponsors Visible Image, who have generously offered a fab voucher for our lucky winner to spend in their online shop. They have the most amazing stamps and stencils, so please do check that your entry qualifies to be in with a chance of winning.

All stamps and stencils on my card are by Visible Image.

I began the design with only the vaguest of ideas as to how it would proceed. First I stamped the flower, stem, butterflies and sentiments and embossed them with clear embossing powder. During my most recent craft room tidy up I rediscovered my Twinkling H2Os. Couldn't remember the last time I used them. I had forgotten how bright and pretty they are! I decided they would be perfect for colouring the elements of my design. Unfortunately their beautiful sheen doesn't really show up in the photo. 

It turned into a bit of a back to front card, as I did the background last! With the embossing protecting the main elements, I was able to paint the background with Brushos, which I then overstamped (the yellow dots) and stencilled (the purple blobs along the bottom, which are part of the Butterfly Ink stencil). Finally I sponged pigment ink around the edges to pull it all together. The finished card is nothing like I had originally envisaged, but I quite like it, and it is certainly colourful!

Just for once

I don't do cute. It just doesn't appeal much to me. Most of my work is likely to be nature-inspired, or tending towards "arty", but when I found this Sarah Kay stamp at a show the other day I had to make an exception. Until she got married & changed her surname, my daughter was Sarah K! When she was young she collected all the Sarah Kay stickers. We still have the album. I just had to buy the stamp as it reminded me so much of her childhood.



I painted the picture with Twinkling H2Os & stamped the base card with a flourish from the "Choko" Japanese Doll set by Craftwork Cards. The frame was cut with my Nestabilities and I embellished the card with some sheer ribbon and a few Prima flowers.

Hmmm. Maybe cute is growing on me......