SHC - Gone But Not Forgotton ...

.... Morning! I'm here with my weekly Seven Hills Craft blog post. I suggest you grab a coffee (or tea) as this is a long post. In my stash I have stamps from several companies that have sadly closed their doors. However, this week, I'm using some of these stamps as Tara still has some stock of Lil' Inkers and Neat & Tangled on the website - all at bargain prices. Grab them while you can!! One of my favourite Lil' Inker stamp sets is Darling Diamonds - it's small, but so useful. I've made a few cards, and I'll start with a reasonably clean and simple birthday card:

Stamps: Lil' Inker - Darling Diamonds; Concord & 9th - Tiny Tagalongs; Altenew - Just a Number

Inks: Gina K - Soft Stone, Powder Blue, Blue Denim

Accessories: White Card; Copic Marker

I'm submitting this card to Addicted to Stamps and More - ATSM#413 where the theme is Birthdays. I'm too late to submit this to Color Throwdown - CTD#658, but I got the inspiration for the colours from their challenge.

I did all the stamping on this card freehand. However, in order to try to keep reasonably straight lines, I did pencil in a straight line before I stamped the complete line of diamonds. Once stamped, and allowed to dry, I erased the pencil line and winged it as I stamped the rest of the pattern. I finished the front with a simple birthday greeting in blue ink. I cut a piece of white card slightly smaller than the A2 (US size) note card, onto which I stamped a fun greeting and added a few more diamonds.

I used bright yellow and orange inks on my next card:

Stamps: Lil' Inker - Darling Diamonds; Altenew - Hello Hydrangea

Inks: Gina K - Peach Bellini, Sweet Mango, Tangerine Twist, Wild Dandelion, Sweet Corn, Tomato Soup; Versamark

Dies: Lil' Inker - Wonky Squares

Accessories: White Card; SU Card - Tangelo Twist

I'm submitting this card to the Color Hues Challenge - CH#25 - love the colours they've picked.

I randomly stamped the sweet diamond images on the front of an A2 note card. I made the sentiment the focal point of the card. I used the Lil' Inker Wonky Square dies to cut an orange mat layer and a white layer. I used Versamark to stamp more diamonds on the orange layer for a tone-on-tone look. I stamped 'hello' in bright yellow on the white panel. I love the way these dies echo the shape of the darling diamond stamps!! Inside the card, I cut a mat layer of orange card. On the white panel I added a message at the bottom of the card, along with some more diamonds. There's lots of space for my own message.

I got a bit carried away with this set of stamps. It is so easy to build background patterns - and all done freehand too. I'll start with my rainbow card:

Stamps: Lil' Inker - Darling Diamonds, Happy Shiny Sentiments; Altenew - Hello Hydrangea

Inks: Gina K - Bubblegum Pink, Lipstick, Sweet Mango, Wild Dandelion, Lucky Clover, Blue Raspberry, Wild Lilac; Versamark; Versafine Clair - Nocturne

Dies: Gina K - Master Layout 1

Accessories: White Card; GK Card - Black Onyx; White Embossing Powder

I'm submitting this card to Love to Craft Challenge Blog - LTCCB#62 - where it's Anything Goes.

I cut a piece of white card to 4¼" x 5½" and used my t-ruler to draw a light pencil line at ¾". I then stamped the first line of solid diamonds in red ink. Once dry, I erased the pencil line and stamped the rest of the card freehand hand. It's reasonably straight, going slightly wonky towards the bottom of the panel. I used dies to cut a mat layer of black card and the stamped panel. I stamped a fun sentiment on black card with Versamark ink and heat embossed with white powder - it's not perfect, but it'll do!! I trimmed the panel to size and adhered it to the front of the card. I finished the front by adding a sentiment above the panel. Inside the card, I have a mat layer of black card. I kept the white panel very simple, with a sentiment at the bottom and a tiny diamond stamp. Lots of space for my message.

I was having fun making background patterns, so I did a couple more - here's the first:

Stamps: Lil' Inker - Darling Diamonds; Altenew - Halftone Stars

Inks: Gina K - Red Hot, Blue Raspberry, Wild Dandelion; Versafine Clair - Nocturne

Dies: Lil' Inker - Wonky Squares

Accessories: White Card; GK Card - Black Onyx

I used the colours from last week's CAS Colours & Sketches - CASC&S#435 - I'm too late to submit, but then I didn't use the sketch, just the colours!

For this pattern, I drew pencil lines to mark the centre vertically and horizontally. I started stamping in the middle of the card and built the pattern from there. I cut a mat of black card and trimmed the stamped panel to fit on top and adhered it to the note card. I stamped the sentiment on white card, used a wonky square die to cut it out and made the black mat by drawing around the die on some black card and cutting it out. Inside, there's a black mat layer and on the white panel I stamped a birthday greeting and added some bright diamond images.

My last background pattern has a slightly more masculine feel to it:

Stamps: Lil' Inker - Darling Diamonds, Shiny Happy Sentiments; Altenew - Hello Hydrangea

Inks: Gina K - Blue Denim, Tranquil Teal, Faded Brick, Soft Stone; Versamark; Memento - Tuxedo Black

Dies: Gina K - Master Layout 1

Accessories: White Card; GK Card - Black Onyx; White Embossing Powder; Copic Markers

I started stamping the pattern in the centre of the white panel as before, but this time I stamped the ''petal' impressions different colours either side of the black dot, and I only filled in the centre of every other row. This gives a very different pattern. I used dies to trim a black mat and the white panel and adhered them to the notecard. I stamped a sentiment on black card with Versmark ink and heat embossed with white powder and adhered it across the front of the card. Inside, I cut a mat layer of black card and on the white panel stamped greeting in the corner which I coloured with Copic markers.

The inspiration for this next card came from the sentiment:

Stamps: Lil' Inker - Shiny Happy Sentiments; Altenew - Halftone Stars

Inks: Gina K - Key Lime, Jelly Bean Green, Fresh Asparagus, Ocean Mist, Turquoise Sea, Blue Lagoon; Versafine Clair - Nocturne

Accessories: White Card; Copic Markers

I'm submitting this card to Never-Before-Used-Schtuff - NBUS#30. I've had the Halftone Stars for a while, but this is the first time I've used them!!

This is a larger card at 6¼" x 4½". I stamped the sentiment in black ink towards the top of the card and then filled in the front with stars of all different sizes - both solid and halftone. I used greens and teals as they are my husband's favourite colours. I cut a piece of white card slightly smaller than the note card and stamped another of the sentiments from Shiny Happy Sentiments. I think this is just perfect for my hubby! I used a Copic marker to edge the panel and adhered it inside the card.

You'll be pleased to know, that we have come to my last card today - it's a Christmas card:

Stamps: Neat & Tangled - Winter Trees

Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black; Gina K - Stormy Sky, Lemon Drop, Wild Dandelion; Versafine - Onyx Black

Dies: Lil' Inker - Wonky Squares

Accessories: White Card; Copic Markers; Clear Embossing Powder

I'm submitting this card to Merry Little Christmas Challenge Blog - MLCCB#38 where it's always Anything Christmas Goes.

Using my MISTI, I stamped the Christmas trees on white card, removed the panel and coloured with Copic markers. I returned the image to the MISTI, restamped with Versafine ink and heat embossed with clear powder. I used a wonky square die to cut out the image and then added lots of little stars to the sky. I stamped the trees again directly on the front of a square notecard and adhered the stamped image on top. I finished the front by adding a Christmas greeting. Inside I cut a panel of white card slightly smaller than the notecard, stamped a greeting, some more trees and a few more stars.

Well, that was a long post - thanks so much for sticking with me to the end. I'm very sad that both Lil' Inker and Neat & Tangled have shut up shop, but I'm so pleased I have some of their stamps and have been able to show them off here. Don't forget to visit Seven Hills Craft website to see what they - it's all at a great price. See you soon!!

ASM - Anything Goes ....

.... Hello!!!  Hope you're all well.  It's time for our every popular Anything Goes challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More!  There's no specific colour or theme, you can go wild!  I've gone for a rainbow feel:

Stamps: Eureka Stamps Digi - Large Star; Lil Inkers - Shiny Happy; Stampin' Up! - Be the Star
Inks: Archival - Jet Black; Kaleidacolor - Pastel, Luau
Dies: Spellbinders - Postage Stamps (S4-348) #4 & #5
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Rainbow Handmade Paper; Copic Markers; Wink of Stella Brushes - Clear, Green

The main image is a fabulous digi image from Eureka Stamps (our sponsor this week).  I printed the image three times and cut one out with a postage stamp die.  I coloured all three with Copic markers, I added some sparkle to one of the big star images and then fussy cut them to layer.  I also cut out one of the little stars.  I layered the finished square onto a postage stamp of rainbow handmade paper.  Before attaching to the card, I added a sprinkle of little stars at the corner of the card and a simple, bold sentiment too.  On the inside I cut a mat layer of the rainbow paper and on the white panel stamped a multicoloured star and a bold sentiment.  This one has gone into my stash.

Below is a close up of the star to show the sparkle and to show the layers.  I don't often do layered cards as it really adds to the postage, but sometimes, it's just worth it for the effect!!  Hayley used this image a couple of weeks ago - it's such a versatile image and looks quite different on both cards.

Eureka Stamps, our sponsor, will give the winner of this week's challenge three digi images - they have a wonderful selection.

For more inspiration cards - check out what the rest of the team have made for our Anything Goes theme this week.

That's all for now.  Have fun, and I look forward to seeing all your creations.  Bye!

Rainbow scales ....

.... Hi!  Do you remember the book Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister, about a fish with beautiful rainbow coloured scales?  And do you remember the film Splash, starring Daryl Hannah and Tom Hanks? Well my card is based, in part, on both the book and the film.  Here's the card:

Stamps: Rick St Dennis Digi - Sirena; Lil Inkers - Shiny Happy; Stampin' Up! - Sea Street
Inks: SU - Rich Razzleberry, Lost Lagoon, Wisteria Wonder
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU DP - Maritime; Copic Markers; Wink of Stella Brush - Clear, Silver, Blue

Over at Inkspirational - INK#61 they have a word prompt for us - SPLASH.  As soon as I saw the word I was reminded of the film Splash about a mermaid - it was such a fun film!  On Rick St Dennis's Facebook page there is a challenge to use one of his mermaid images, so I'm submitting this one.  I printed off this wonderful mermaid and set about colouring her with Copic markers.  I mentioned the book Rainbow Fish - well the colouring for her tail was inspired by that little fish and his beautiful scales.  I used a number of colours and then blended them all with a very pale aqua pen.  I added some silver scales and a touch of sparkle with my Wink of Stella brushes.  I coloured her hair to co-ordinate with her tail.  To make the card I covered the base with this lovely paper from Stampin' Up! - creating the sea.  I added some little fish and a bold sentiment.  On the inside I cut a mat layer from the design paper and on the white panel, I stamped some more fish and an octopus.  There is no sentiment, just space for a message.

I took a close up photo of her tail so that you can see the shimmer and sparkle, as it doesn't show up in the photo of the whole card.

I'm a very lucky girl!  I got a new computer delivered last week and I've been busy setting it up - you know, transferring photos, documents, etc and adding the programmes that I use.  It's almost done and later this week, I have to dismantle this PC and replace it with the new one.  It has a much bigger memory - good for all the photos - and a lot more RAM too which will make editing so much quicker.

That's all for today. See you soon.