Two cards, two inspirations...

I have two cards to share today: one I made on Friday for a retirement party we attended, and another I created on Saturday for Amy’s Woodblock Wednesday Challenge.

First up is the retirement card. It was made for a woman who had worked with my husband for nearly 30 years. She is heading to Vietnam for a holiday, with a friend,  in a few weeks, so that became the inspiration for the design.

I used Pingwing to find a beach scene, printed it onto an A2 card, and then trimmed it down with a Gina K Master Layout die. I had recently purchased a jandals die, which was perfect for the theme, so I cut the jandals from gold glitter card from Altenew and some black card. To finish, I created the sentiment on my laptop using Word.

My next card came about on Saturday while I was doing a bit of tidying up. As I sorted through some of my woodblock stamps, I realised I was still in time to join Amy’s Woodblock Wednesday Challenge.

For this card, I used a Penny Black stamp called Gossamer. It is such a pretty image, and I came up with the idea to ink blend around the flower, then paint the flower in a lighter tone of the same colour.

I stamped the image and die cut it with a Pinkfresh Studio Folk Edge die. After masking the flower, I added Distress Ink in Tumbled Glass and Broken China, blending the colour all around the image. I then used a light wash of Tumbled Glass as paint, with a little Mowed Lawn for the leaves and flower centres.

The sentiment is from a Penny Black photopolymer set, Je T’aime Paris, and I finished the card with a little die cut butterfly from Monte’s Craft Supplies Layered Butterflies die. 

I'm entering this into the Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Anything Goes - optional Things with Wings. 

I was really pleased with how this one came together — it turned out just as I had imagined. Thanks so much for stopping by to see today’s cards.

Woodblock Wednesday - January 2026

 I started this card yesterday but had to wait for the Glossy Accents to dry. 

I have used two Hero Arts woodblock stamps (retired) from 2009 and 2010 - Raindrop Background and Dogwood.   I have quite a few Hero Arts woodblock stamps as when I first started stamping they were my go to company.  Woodblock stamps were what you mostly purchased.

I started by stamping the Raindrop background in Catherine Pooler Eucalyptus ink and then stamped the Dogwood in a combination of the Eucalyptus and Green Tea.  I used Prismacolor pencils to add colour.  Then stamped in with CP Sweet Sixteen ink and again used some pencils before fussy cutting and piecing over the green flowers,   Added the sentiment from an Altenew stamp set (Silk Art) stamped in the Green Tea and fussy cut.  The glossy accents is on the green centres.  

It is always such fun to remember to pull out these stamps 

Card Maker Success Summit - Inspired by Nicki Baxley

 Well the best made plans of mice and men..... My idea to watch more sessions last night were scuttled by the internet doing down last night-  No wifi in the house and no service from the local cell tower... so I had to wait till today to re-watch Nicki Baxley's Easel card session and have a go.   It was a labour of love... made a few mistakes and had to redo my embossed panels a couple of times...but in the end made it!

Nicki's Easel card is a bit different from how I've done them before, but turned out awesome.  Looks like a normal card till it's opened.    I liked her use of green and red card I went with the same colour scheme.  I took an Altenew embossing folder - Beautiful Begonia for my background.   I added some Altenew Vineyard Berry and Berrylicious inks to the edges.  My floral focus is a Hero Arts Vintage Poinsettia stamp and it's matching die. I stamped it with Versafine Onyx Black ink and clear embossed.  I used an idea I saw on a video by Jo Simmons, made my own stencils for adding some ink blending.  Stamped it twice and cut out the whole image and then just the cut out the flower part.  Used that as a mask to ink up the leaves and then used the second negative piece to ink blend the flower before die cutting out the coloured image.  Added some gold pen around the edge and added some Zig Glue and added some gold foil in the centre of the poinsettia.  The stopper is made with a Joy die from Chloes Creative Cards - a freebie from a magazine. I added a little sub-sentiment  from a Kaisercraft stamp set. 

As I used a Woodblock stamp for this card, I'm entering it into the Woodblock Wednesday Challenge...

Will be working on more of the sessions over the next few weeks.  Slowly building up the Christmas cards.  

Woodblock Wednesday - June 2025

 It's been a wet winter's day today, so after doing the housework I spent some time in my craft room... doing some DT work, and do my July swap card for my NZ swap group.  Carol published the challenge early so we could get spend some time this cold weekend doing crafting... 

I also decided to play along at Woodblock Wednesday challenge.

I used 4 woodblock stamps to make this project.   A Hampton Arts Stamp (dated 2001) called Large Negative Plate - stamped with Catherine Pooler It's a Girl ink,  Hero Arts Old French Writing (dated 2002) randomly stamped in Altenew Gray Denim ink, Penny Black Blush (dated 2006) inked in Onyx Black Versafine ink as was the Stampin' Up sentiment from Ward Wood (dated 2006)  I spritzed and splattered some Distress Spritz in Fossilised Amber and Picked Raspberry.  Die cut the panel and the backing pink panel from Altenew's Mix and Match Frames.  

Woodblock Wednesday - March 25

 Finally got all the goodies back into my craft room, changed a few things around, purged some of my endless stash of papers... and had some play time. 

I was ready to make a couple of Easter cards and sitting on top of the box of my woodblock stamps was a delightful Penny Black stamp.  

It's called "Bunny Talk!"  - super cute.  I die cut a panel of Fabriano 160gm paper with a Gina K Master Layout 2 die and then die cut the ribbon scalloped edge die from Master Layout 18 from some gold card.  I cut it down the middle to get the both edges for the panel.  I used a mixture of Inktense Watercolor pencils and Altenew Woodless watercolour pencils to colour the image, together with some ink blending for the sky.  The little sentiment is from a Verve stamp set - Hoppy Easter.   Trimmed some pretty pink dotty paper to fit the card base and added some gold pen around the edge. 

Happy to have been able to get into the craft room to play - and got a bit done.  

Woodblock Wednesday- January 2025

 It's time for Amy's Woodblock Wednesday challenge... Use you woodblock stamps. 

It was a super warm day today... too hot this afternoon for sitting outside so went into the craft room, turned on my little fan, and had fun.  

I got a couple of Hero Art Woodblock stamps and one of their clear stamp and cut sets to make this one. 

I used the Big Postcard stamp and the little Teddy - Bouquet Bear.   I stamped the postcard and added the sweet bear onto it.  I used my Altenew Woodless Watercolour pencils to colour my bear.   Stamp the first part of the sentiment from Hero Arts Hello stamp and cut set.   The hello was cut from some Scrapbook.com holographic card.  It's silver with tiny stars on it.   I fussy cut out the tag and punched out the tag centre and added some black string.  Added it at an angle, to the card base, which had a panel of embossed card (using a Sizzix folder) 

I also finished off a card I started on Thursday - that's another day's post

Thanks for stopping by... just trying to find a cool spot in the house.  It's almost 8.00pm and it's still in the mid 20C with an expected overnight low of 20C.    Summer has certainly finally come to Auckland.                                                                                                                                                

Woodblock Wednesday - August 24

 Just sneaking last minute for Amy's Woodblock Wednesday Challenge at her blog 

I was away in the weekend so just before bed last night I got this CAS card done - Inspired by Justine Hovey. 

I masked off a strip in my card panel and then used some Distress Oxides in Mowed Lawn, Cracked Pistachio and Evergreen Bough.   I then used the Hero Arts Woodblock stamp- Big Pine Bough stamped in Versafine Onyx Black ink.  The sentiment is from Crafter's Choice.  A few Altenew green enamel dots and it's done!

A simple but pretty card.  Justine's YouTube video had lots of tips and tricks for stamping and making quick cards.  

Woodblock Wednesday - June edition

 It's that time of the month again... time for Amy Tsuruta's monthly Woodblock Wednesday challenge.

I love pulling out my old woodblock stamps and making a card.  This month I pulled out two Penny Black stamps and one from a NZ company called Rubbadubbadoo (it is no longer in business)

I started with a panel of white card and using some Altenew Permanent Mist Gray ink, stamped the scripty stamp from Rubbadubbadoo.  It is very subtle in the background corners.  Next I stamped the Penny Black stamp (Day Dream circa 2009) with black ink and clear embossed it.  I then used Altenew inks - Pink Crystal, Mauve and Berryliscious and Olive for the leaves.  The sentiment from Penny Black (...your heart circa 2003) was stamped with black ink.  I used the same pink inks to blend around the edges of the panel.  I added it to a pink card that is the same size of my base.  

I had fun making this one.  Thanks for stopping by 

Woodblock Wednesday - May 2024

 I got this quick card done yesterday but only got around to editing it today.   It's the time of the month for Amy's Woodblock Wednesday Challenge (see here) here)

I had a Hero Arts woodblock stamp sitting on my desk waiting to use with the challenge and noticed my bloggy friend LinLin had used it on her card for the challenge.  Great minds think alike!   

I used some Versamark and Rose Gold embossing powder to make my focal background, A little ink blending and some gold splatters and this quick card was done.  The colouring was done with two Prismacolor pencils.   Hard to get a good photo because of the shiny embossing.  

It's a long weekend here in New Zealand and we are enjoying some time visiting our friends in Mangawhai for the first time in ages.   I've brought my gel press and some Oxide inks and watercolour powders to make some background.  Inky fingers today!

Woodblock Wednesday - April 2024

 Amy's April edition of Woodblock Wednesday has started.    Once a month, she has a challenge to use Woodblock Stamps.  I try and play along each month - to give my Woodblock stamps some love. 

Earlier today I watched Jennifer McGuire and Aaron Leventhal from Hero Arts doing a live FB about the history of stamping - and it inspired me to get out some of my Hero Arts stamps.  I must say the majority of my Woodblock stamps are from Hero Arts.  

The focal image for this one was inspired by Shari Carroll.  I remembered seeing her fussy cut the floral image I used so decided I liked the idea. 

The card started with the background stamping of Hero Arts Designer Woodgrain stamp.  I used Altenew Silver Sage Fresh Dye ink.  I then stamped one of the stamps from the Peeking Posies set with Versafine Onyx Black ink and used Zig Markers to colour it.  I then did the fussy cutting using both my craft knife and tiny scissors.  I cut the dark grey piece and scored it every 1/4" for some texture.  Not the best pic, but my usual editing tool is not working today. 

 

Today is ANZAC Day here in NZ.  It's a public holiday when we take time to think about all those service men and women who fought in wars.  It's a bit of a cooler day, as Autumn is truly here now, so a good day to spend some time in the craft room.   Got this one done, plus a birthday card for Finn (it's not till June 23rd but I wanted to get ahead!)  

Woodblock Wednesday - February 2024

 Hi.  Time to pull out my woodblock stamps for Amy's Woodblock Wednesday challenge for February.  

My card uses a Penny Black stamp - called day-dreams (circa 2009)  and I've paired it with a little sentiment stamp from a NZ company called Montarga. 

This is a combination of new and old products.   Last week I got an order from Scrapbook.com.  It included Penny Black Background Basics Stencils and an Altenew ink set... Sea Shore so I taped my stencil onto some watercolour card and then ink blended the Dew Drops, Aqualicious, Teal Cave and Galactic Stream inks.  Splashed with some water and once it was dried, stamped the Penny Black stamp and the Montarga stamp in Altenew Obsidian ink.  I used some Prismacolor Pencils to add the colours to the PB stamp.  A few iridescent confetti from Nuvo Drops finished the card.  I just realised I used the same stamp last month!   Totally forgot that!  

Entering this one into the Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Anything Goes.  

Amy's Woodblock Wednesday

 It's time for Amy's Woodblock Wednesday Challenge   I love getting out my old woodblock stamps - and yes today's are OLD....

I found a very ancient Stampin' Up set called Fifth Avenue Florals for my sentiment and a 2009 Penny Black stamp called Day Dreams.

I used a Waffle Flower Deckle die to cut out a stencil.  I then taped it to some Hero Arts Vintage Ivory card and used my blender brushes which had Altenew inks on them.   Just used the inks that were left on them to make the soft pastel background.  I stamped the Penny Black stamp over to the left of the card.  I used my Zig Clean Color Brush markers to add a touch of colour.  Stamped the sentiment in the lower riight hand side of the card.  Some little silver gems finished it off.  I matted onto some purple card and added to a white base.

Really pleased with the results.... and believe it or not... this was the first time I've used the sentiment from the Stampin' Up set!  

Poinsettia Christmas - Woodblock Wednesday with Amy

 Time for another Woodblock Wednesday at Amy Tsurata's blog. 

This Hero Arts Poinsettia is an old favourite of mine.  I love how it has a matching die set as well.   Here I've stamped the Poinsettia with some soft grey ink onto some slightly textured card.  I then used metallic paints to add colour.  I die cut the Poinsettia and added to some cream card that I embossed with Gina K's Tapestry background.  The sentiment is a Spellbinder's Hot foiled sentiment. 

It's been a busy weekend with lots of crafting being done and today was free power day so - three loads of washing done and dried in the drier, 2 fruit loaves backed, dishwasher put one, and a roast dinner cooked. .   Only 3 weeks till Christmas now.. Almost all my shopping do.

Peace and Joy - Woodblock Wednesday

 It's time for Amy Tsuruta's Woodblock Wednesday challenge   I still have a big container full of woodblock stamps so it's great to have an excuse to remember to use them.  

Today I'm sharing a CAS Christmas card using two stamps from Hero Arts. 

I started by stamping the background stamp (Wavy Leaf Pattern) with some Lost Shadow Distress Oxide for a very subtle background.  A little Evergreen Bough Oxide ink was blended around the edge. I then stamped the sentiment (Peace & Joy) with Onyx Black Versafine ink and clear embossed it for a lovely shine.  I added some red enamel dots from Altenew and matted onto some red card and then onto a green base.     Love this big sentiment.   Note to self:  Use this one more this year!

Woodblock Wednesday

 It's that time of the month.... time for Amy Tsuruta's Woodblock Wednesday Challenge.  I'm loving pulling out my older stamps and using them. 

Three woodblock stamps for this one.   Can you see where I did some masking on my post card stamp?   I masked the stamp prior to stamping it.  It's an old favourite from Hero Arts.  I added a stamp from a washi strip from 49 and Market.  They are just gorgeous stamps on a washi roll.    The Merry Christmas and poinsettia stamps are both from a now defunct NZ company called Kiwi Spoinsetamping.    I stamped the poinsettia onto a scrap of white and used some cheap watercolour pens to add the colour.  The red is the pen directly onto the card and then I scribbled some onto my mat and used water and a paint brush to add the lighter colour.    

Thanks for stopping by.  It's going to be a full on weekend as I'd the Stress Free Card Summit.   So I'm going to have a head full of ideas - just hope I find some time to watch all the video's and get some cards made.