The joy of interference ink and irresistible rub-ons.

 After a busy four-day work week, finding time to get creative felt like a real treat. Several new crafting supplies had been sitting patiently, waiting for their turn on the desk, and yesterday,  with some help with the housework from hubby, I finally had the chance to spend the afternoon crafting.

I managed to complete three cards during my crafting session, although only one can be shared at the moment. One card is part of a swap and must remain under wraps until it reaches its recipient, while another is being saved for an upcoming post.

That leaves today's featured card—a design inspired by a recent Make ’N’ Take session with Philippa from Scrapbook Central.

The inspiration began with a small tag project that introduced me to two fascinating products: the 49th & Market Irresistible Rub-Ons and Lisa Horton’s Cloud 9 Interference Ink. What makes this ink particularly special is its ability to shift colours depending on the cardstock beneath it. Applied to white cardstock, it creates one effect; on black cardstock, it transforms into something entirely different.

Although I purchased some Irresistible Rub-Ons around 18 months ago, they had remained untouched in my stash. This project was the perfect opportunity to finally give them a try. I started with a white cardstock panel and applied one of the rub-on designs. Over this, I blended Mermaid Lagoon Shimmer interference ink—a gorgeous combination of teal and purple. The result on the white background was a stunning teal shimmer that immediately caught the light.

For the focal point, I die-cut a delicate dragonfly from rice paper and added colour using the same ink. To create depth and definition, I used a micro blending brush with Versafine Clair Nocturne ink, adding soft black shading around the edges and across the body of the dragonfly.

While waiting for the black ink to dry, I decided the card needed a little extra texture. One of my recent purchases, Altenew’s Alhambra Mosaic Cover Die, seemed like the perfect addition. I die-cut the intricate design from white cardstock, trimmed it slightly, and adhered it to a card base.                                                   

Once the dragonfly was dry, I applied more interference ink using a pouncing technique. This is where the real magic happened—the black areas shifted to a rich purple, while the teal tones intensified, creating a beautiful iridescent effect.

To finish the card, I added a pre-printed sentiment and blended the same interference ink over it to tie everything together.

Then this afternoon had another crafting session dedicated to future projects. I also spent some time cutting and folding card bases, a simple bit of preparation that always makes future crafting sessions more productive.

And now it is time to settle down and watch some rugby, with New Zealand taking on Italy. 

As there is some items being used for the first time in this card, I'm entering it into Darnell's NBUS challenge. 

Christmas in July with Sweet Stampin’ Challenge

I must confess: I completely forgot to make my card for the latest Sweet Stampin’ Challenge theme — Christmas in July!

To make things a little more interesting, I was away all weekend too, which meant I only had this afternoon to pull together something quick and easy. I had headed down to Tauranga, about a three-and-a-bit-hour drive south, for the Craft and Create event. I managed a quick half-hour visit on Friday after arriving, then went back on Sunday for another few hours.

Let’s just say I spent far too much — but came home with some amazing goodies, so I’m not complaining!

For this card, I used some gorgeous AALL & Create washi tape called Purry Christmas Surprise. I added the tape to white card -   cut it into strips and layered them together to create a panel. It is such a fun and easy product to work with, and it made the card come together really quickly.
Once the panel was finished, I trimmed it down and matted it with red card before adding it to a white panel and then onto the card base. To finish, I stamped a Rosie’s Studio sentiment from the Hearth and Home stamp set.

I hope you’ll come and join us at Sweet Stampin’ Challenge with your own Christmas projects. 

A Sparkly Unicorn Card for a Very Special Three-Year-Old

 My littlest granddaughter turned three on the 1st of July, and she had us all smiling in the lead-up to the big day. When we asked her when her birthday was, she confidently replied, “One of July and I’ll be three, but I’m only two now.” Such a character!

For her birthday card, I knew a unicorn would be just right. I found some sweet inspiration on Pinterest, chose a cute image, and printed it ready to turn into something magical.

I die cut the unicorn using a decorative frame, then added a little ink blending in soft greens and blues to give the background some colour. The sentiment came from a Gina K set, and I finished the card with a glittery die cut number three. Of course, no unicorn card would be complete without shimmer, so I added plenty of sparkle pen to make it extra special.

The birthday girl loved it, which is always the best part. We took the card over on Sunday along with her present—a little tea set—which was also very much approved of.

June Anything Goes with Die Cut Divas

It’s the end of June, which means it’s time to share my cards for the Die Cut Divas June challenge. This month, our theme is Anything Goes, so there was plenty of room to play, experiment, and have fun with colour and texture. I made two cards for the challenge, and the first one will be featured on our blog post

For my first card, I started with two experimental panels I had made using some inexpensive acrylic sprays I picked up last Friday. The colours turned out beautifully bright and vibrant. After spraying the panels, I added a spritz of Sparkle Spray for a little extra shimmer.

I used an older Kaisercraft die to cut layered flowers from the pink and blue panel, then cut the leaves from the green and yellow panel. Once the flowers were layered together, I finished each one with a pearl centre.

For the background, I used a leafy stencil with green ink, then ran it through the die-cutting machine with a tan mat to emboss the design. It created such lovely texture and made the perfect base for the flowers and leaves. I finished the card with a hot-foiled sentiment.

 

My bonus card was made a week or so ago. I embossed two panels, one red and one white, together using one of my many embossing folders. To bring out the detail on the red panel, I lightly highlighted the embossing with white ink.

I found a small birthday sentiment that fitted perfectly into the clear strip across the card. To finish, I added a Montie’s Craft Supplies layered butterfly, cut from white card and covered with a Gold Sparkle pen for a touch of shine.

I’m also looking forward to the weekend, as I’m heading south to Tauranga, about a three-hour drive, for the Craft and Create Show on Friday and Saturday. I’ll drive down on Friday, spend some time with my sister-in-law and her family, visit the show on Saturday, and then head home on Sunday.

An extra bonus will be getting to meet my newest great-nephew. It will also be my first time driving that far on my own, so it feels like a bit of an adventure!

Craft Roulette #325 - Diamond Flip Fold Tartan Christmas Card

I had some time today to get creative and make a card for Craft Roulette #325. After watching the replay yesterday afternoon, I did a quick search for Flip Fold card ideas and found plenty of inspiration for different card bases.

For my project, I decided to try a Diamond Flip Fold card. This was my first time making this style of card, and I followed a helpful YouTube tutorial to guide me through the process: 

I found some free tartan patterned images on Pinterest and printed a full A4 page, then cut the paper into panels for the card. The tartan pattern worked beautifully with the flip fold design and gave the card a cosy, festive feel.

For the front diamond, I used a sentiment from Rosie’s Studio – Hearth & Home. The inner sentiment is from Catherine Pooler Designs – Wonderful Time of the Year, and the word “TIME” also fits my Element parameter. To finish the card, I added a tartan bow cut with the Poppy Stamp Grosgrain Bow die, along with some little tartan dot embellishments that I die cut.

I really enjoyed making this card. Since it was my first time trying a flip fold design, I was pleased to find it much easier than I expected. It’s a card style I’d be happy to make again!

Mixed Media Butterflies for Die Cut Divas

 Hello crafty friends! Today I’m sharing my sample card for Die Cut Divas, where our June challenge theme is Anything Goes. Although we don’t have an official sponsor this month, we do still have a prize: one of our Divas won a $25 gift card to Whimsy Stamps and has generously chosen to pass it on. The gift card will be awarded by random draw from eligible June entries.

For my card, I created a mixed media background and paired it with layered butterfly die cuts. The butterflies were cut using Montie’s Craft Supplies Layered Butterflies from a piece of bubble watercolour card that had not quite worked out. Happily, it turned out to be perfect for these little cuties. I added Silver Lining Lunar Paste over the smaller layered pieces to give them a lovely shimmer and extra dimension.

To create the main panel, I first primed the surface with clear gesso, which gave the card a beautiful “tooth” and made it ideal for adding layers. I then “watercoloured” some Altenew Leaves by colouring directly over the stamp with watercolour brushes, spritzing it with water, and stamping the image onto the panel.

Once the leaves had dried, I used a Dina Wakley mini stencil to add brick details with Catherine Pooler brown ink. I also stamped randomly with a Hero Arts scripty stamp to build up more texture and interest in the background. After everything was completely dry, I added the butterflies and the sentiment strips, which I printed on my computer.

To finish the card, I added splatters of white Dina Wakley acrylic paint. I love how the soft watercolour, stenciled texture, script stamping, and shimmery butterflies all came together for a layered mixed media look.

I hope you’ll come and join us for our June Challenge - Anything Goes. Just remember to include a die cut and/or embossing folder on your project, of course! 

Stencil It - Simon Says Stamp Flickr group challenge.

There’s nothing quite like happy mail to spark a burst of creativity! Today, my new supplies from Simon Says Stamp arrived.  I had won a gift voucher and was pleased to get these. Once I had received the notification that they were there, I decided to finish work early so I could head home and make something.

Simon Says Stamp runs a monthly challenge on their Flickr group page, and June’s theme is “Stencil It.” It was the perfect excuse to put my new goodies straight to use.

I started with the Simon Says Stamp A2 Nested Stitched Rectangles, using one of the dies to cut a panel for my card. For the background, I pulled out Tim Holtz Doily stencil and did some soft ink blending with the leftover ink on my blending brush. The result was a subtle, pretty background that added just the right amount of interest without overpowering the focal image.

For the main image, I used another new arrival: the Simon Says Stamp Iceland Poppies die. This one-piece die cuts petals for two flowers, along with two stems and two flower centres. I cut everything from white cardstock, then used the remaining ink on my pinky-red, yellow, green, and brown blending brushes to add colour. Once the pieces were blended, I layered the flowers together and added them to the panel.

To finish the card, I stamped a sentiment from the Simon Says Stamp Handwritten Sentiments stamp set and die cut it with the smallest of the nested rectangles. For a little extra oomph, I blended a touch of soft pink ink over the sentiment while it was still in the die.

I’m also adding this card to Darnell’s NBUS challenge, as both dies are getting their very first outing.

On a personal note, today is my youngest grandson’s third birthday. I had a quick video call with him this afternoon while he was enjoying time at Perth Zoo, which was lovely. His birthday card still hasn’t made its way to him, even though I posted it nearly two and a half weeks ago. Hopefully it arrives soon!

Christmas Kickstart - Snow Days

Over the weekend, I managed to sneak a few happy hours in my craft room and create a card for the Christmas Kickstart Challenge theme, Snow Days. I started with one card, but once it was finished, it felt more wintry than Christmassy. So, using the same snowflake embossing folder, I had another go and came up with this festive version.

For the Christmas card, I started with a square panel and ran it through with an old freebie snowflake embossing folder. It may be from years ago, but it still creates such lovely, deep impressions and makes a beautiful snowy background.

Penny Black’s Snowy stamp and die felt like the perfect focal point. I stamped and die cut the image, coloured it, and then added Kindyglitz glitter glue to the pompom and hat for a little festive sparkle. To finish, I added a small red die-cut sentiment from a Sizzix die set.

This the first card I made using the same embossing folder, along with the stamp that originally came with it. I stamped the image first in blue ink, clear embossed it, and then added the embossed snowflake background.

To bring in some extra shimmer, I added sparkle pen details and white Nuvo Drops, then finished the design with a blue snowflake die from Scrapbook.com coloured with sparkle pen. I really liked how this one turned out, even if it felt more like a winter card than a Christmas one.