A Shaped Card

Hello there,

I've been so busy that I haven't blogged for two weeks - how rude!

I have a DT project for the new challenge at Cardz 4 Guyz today and this week Cyndi has chosen the theme

'A SHAPED CARD'

Here's what I came up with using an old set of stamps ...

These are all individual little stamps that you can use to make your own scene. So a little bit of masking involved and some colouring with my alcohol pens. Hope you like it.

Hugz, Jan xx

Happy 3rd Birthday!

Hello everyone,

Well, I'm a day late - but better late than never, I say!

I have my DT project for the new challenge at Cardz 4 Guyz which went live yesterday as they celebrate their third birthday. So, a massive well done to my crafty friend Caz for creating and running this fab blog - in the past I struggled to make cards for men, but being a part of this design team has definitely broadened my thinking.

Here's what I made using one of my LOTV stamps and my new AquaBlend pencils ...

This one is for my Dad, who celebrates his birthday on Friday 13th this year! 

I used an 8"x 8" white scalloped card blank and added design paper from my stash. I used the 'Checkerplate' embossing folder from Sara's Signature Collection 'Just for Men' and embossed a piece of grey cardstock, then highlighted the embossed areas with silver gilding wax.

The main image is 'My Best Friend' by LOTV and I coloured it with my new AquaBlend pencils by Spectrum Noir - not bad for a first attempt!

Embellishments include some grey organza ribbon, a couple of buttons and some brads to finish off.

Hugz, Jan xx

V for Violet

Hello again,

Two days in a row! I have my next DT project today for the new theme at the Alphabet Challenge and this time Amy has chosen 'VIOLET' for the letter 'V'. So, here's what I made ...

This one is actually for a friend's 40th birthday later in the month (look at me getting organised!) but she doesn't use Blogger so won't see it here.

It's a 6" x 6" cream scalloped card blank covered with papers from my stash which have been distressed and inked around the edges.

The larger purple heart is cut with my Stampin' Up Bloomin' Heart die and then I have layered a second one which is cut from cream cardstock and has a little lilac one on top.

Embellishment include a piece of vintage lace, a stamped LOTV sentiment, some die-cut flowers and a piece of tied twine, along with some adhesive pearls/gems. Hope she likes it.

Hugz, Jan xx

Artist Trading Cards

Good morning to you all,

Well, I started the New Year with a horrible cold, but am feeling much better now and I'm not going to let it get me down!

I am back today with my first DT project for the year and have thoroughly enjoyed getting inky for the new challenge at Cardz 4 Galz today.  My teamie Aly has chose the theme

'ARTIST TRADING CARDS' 

(ATCs)

Now, it's absolutely ages since I made any ATCs and I really enjoyed myself - here's what I came up with for a little inspiration ...

Artist Trading Cards are little miniature pieces of art that measure 2.5" x 3.5" - I decided to make a set of three (sometimes referred to as 'Triptych' - a picture on three panels).

So I cut a piece of white Neenah cardstock slightly smaller than 2.5" x 7.5" (as I wanted to mount each piece on black when I finished).

Using my blending tool I added a light covering of distress ink in Antique Linen and Worn Lipstick, then used a flower stencil and inked through using the same colours to create my background. I over-stamped using a silhouette stamp set from Sheena Douglass with a Black Memento inkpad, then cut my design into 3 equal pieces before mounting them on the black.

Why not pop over and check out some of the fabulous examples from the rest of the team.

Hugz, Jan xx

Happy New Year!

Well, that's the end of another year and I'm not sure where it went either!

I just wanted to catch up with you all before everyone returns to work next week. As many of you know it's been a roller coaster of a year for me, what with losing my mum early on in the year, my husband taking medical retirement, taking a leap of faith with redundancy from a job I'd held for fourteen years, then another door opening in my craft world where I can now be happy. Yep, definitely a roller coaster of a ride!

So, as we begin 2017 I've had to make a few changes here in blogland. After much soul searching, I have decided to close my challenge blog at Fantasy Stampers due to my extra work commitments.

As many of you will remember, Fantasy Stampers was my baby - I designed the blog and created the challenge back in January 2014, so this would be our 3rd anniversary.  This hasn't been an easy decision, but I was finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with all my blog commitments and the blog I run at the Alphabet Challenge is much more popular, so I will be keeping this one running.

So, all there is left to say is a massive 'Thank You' to my fabulous design team (who I hasten to add are all now settled in at the Alphabet Challenge) - I couldn't have done it without you. A big 'Thank You' to all the Guest Designers who joined us on our journey, and last but not least, all of you guys for joining in and playing along with the challenge to make it the success it was. I have thoroughly enjoyed the journey and although there won't be any new challenges in the new year, I have only retired it for the time being (whose to say I can't resurrect it in the future when I have more time)!

So, I would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year and let's hope that 2017 has some interesting things to bring.

Big hugz, Jan xx