Sunday, 1 April 2018

Lilacs and ladies



It's time for our  new challenges at Stamping Sensations and Penny Black and More where our themes are 'One for the Girls' and 'Black and White plus one'. As always there are wonderful prizes to be won at both. 

The inspiration for my first SS creation came from something I found on Pinterest. I created three panels using just the top section of an oval die to give the arched shape. Each panel has been stamped with a selection of stamps from Penny Black (Italy) New York (Art Impressions) and a stencil for Paris, I must be slipping as I don't seem to have a Parisian stamp. The middle lady is from a really old Hero Arts set and the other two equally old and wood mounted which give no indication of the make.

I coloured the outer two with pencils and paper pieced the middle one as she is a silhouette image, added some soft stenciling around the top of each section, computer generated the labels and ties all three sections together with seam binding.


Two Penny Black shares both using stamps from the new Sweet Spring collection which is available in the UK from Crafts U Love.  Penny Blacks brushstroke stamps have always been my favourite range so I was really torn when it came to selecting which ones to buy as there are some real beauties in the new releases, but decisions had to be made and here are two of those I went for.

The one above is called Blossom Branch. I started by masking the edges of a piece of Bristol Vellum card and used stencils with Wilted Violet and Black Soot DI's to build up the background, along with a really old polka dot PB stamp. Then stamped the focal image inking direct to stamp with the same colour Distress Markers and spritzed with water before stamping. Next I removed the masking tape and added the sentiment which is also from one of the new sets available and a few gems.


This one is called simply 'Lilacs' and there is a bit of artistic licence going on as I've not seen a lilac this colour, but having made it without really navigating my head I decided to use it as I rather liked the contrast of colours. It was created in exactly the same way as the above card although I didn't mask the edges. Finally I added a few black sequins.


And a late make as a second SS piece using Lavinia stamps to create a scene, the background is Distress inks and the sentiment Stamp Addicts.

I hope you all have a lovely Easter weekend.

46 comments:

Craftyfield said...

Great triptych idea and lovely association of ladies and cities. The Penny Black images never fail, like you I love the brushstroke stamps (don't possess any yet though!). The Lavinia scene is once again perfect... the pastel background is so smooth! xx

KarinsArtScrap said...

what beautiful cards you have made again Brenda
Gr Karin

kiwimeskreations said...

Another bevy of beauties Brenda - Love your cards, especially the trio of ladies.
Blessings
Maxine

ellyscard creatief said...

Again beautiful cards Brenda.

Sally H said...

Four stunning creations, Brenda! I love them all, but the brushstroke stamps just win it for me. you have inked them perfectly, especially the first one. stunning work xxx

Marlies said...

Gorgeous creations Brenda. The Panel is stylish and elegant with the ladies. Lovely flower stamps and the Lavina scene is beautiful! Happy Easter. Marlies x

Viv said...

Awesomeness personified as usual Brenda. Loving them all especially the Fairy but now I also need those new PB stamps! x

Wendy L said...

Beautiful cards Brenda,
Have a good Easter, xxx

Marja Sch said...

What a wonderful cards. Wishing you a happy easter greetings Marja

cuilliesocks said...

Hello Brenda, what a beautiful array of cards. Your Ladies card is fabulous, great images and and colours. I love how you've introduced the fashion cities too.
As ever your floral cards are gorgeous, and so is your fairy card, Kate x

crafty-stamper said...

All beautiful cards Brenda love the fashion stamps and gorgeous floral stamps-I really like the masked off edge effect really frames it cleanly
Carol x

Fikreta said...

Those are so nice cards!
Happy Easter! 🐇🐣

Ellibelle said...

Such wonderful cards Brenda, loving the new Penny Black florals as well and can't wait to ink up the ones I got! What a great shape for the first card and the stencil works just as well as the city stamps! And my favorite one this time has to be the Lavinia card with the beautiful scene and the subtle colors on the background.
Hope you have a good Easter holiday. Sorry it's so cold over there too, I actually woke up to -4 degrees on my weather app!!! I sure hope it'll warm up a bit later on!

Dora said...

You show lots a beautiful creations. Great use of stamps. Beautiful, Brenda!
Have a nice easter day's.

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Such a stylish card is the first one!! Brilliant and really feminine! :) Love so much the shape and the bow to keep together the concertina folding! Gorgeous stamps and stencils, too!
The second and third cards looks so lovely with the stamps spritzed with water and the delicate backgrounds! I have tried this technique with a background, but I have surely to improve my skills!
The last one is just in my soul chords, it's my fav... LOVE all your Lavinia stamp scenes with their amazing backgrounds, and this one isn't an exception! Amazing colours and sentiment!!
Have yourself a very Happy Easter!
Hugs

KandA said...

What a wonderful selection of cards Brenda. I agree with you about the PB brushstroke stamps and that Blossom Branch is beautiful (yet another for my wishlist!) and I love the Lavinia fairy card (even more for my wishlist!) Happy easter xx

Leanne Harris said...

Fabulous makes as always Brenda, super makes for PB and I have (as you know) a soft spot for anything Lavinia! Happy Easter to you Brenda xxxx

Joan said...

A wonderful display of cards Brenda, love the trio of ladies ( I think the first lady is a Hero stamp also ) and the PB brushstroke stamped cards are beautiful, feeling tempted ! love the Lavinia stamped cards, who could not love those fairies

Joan

Mervi said...

Gorgeous cards, The Lilacs stamp is something I have to look from shops!
And the fairy card is stunning one again;-))m

Debbie said...

Beautiful cards as always dearie. Love them all. The ladies one is stunning too. Happy Easter. Hugs x

ALI said...

Hope you are doing OK Brenda, a beautiful selection of cards as aways, just love all the inkiness.

Berina RGA said...

Such lovely cards Brenda! Beautiful work as always! I love the first one. So pretty.

Kathleen said...

Four brilliant cards, four gorgeous images and four gorgeous designs.

Kath x

Sandma's Handmade Cards said...

Another wonderful ollection of cards Brenda and I absolutely adore the last one. So much lovely stamping and the colours that you’ve used are just perfect, I love it. Crafty hugs, Sandra x

Gerrina said...

A wonderful collection! Great how you made the arches by using an oval die! And enjoyed seeing all the flowers, but think my favorite is the Lavina card; great scene for the fairy! Hope you have a good Eastermonday! Hugs, Gerrina

Mrs A. said...

A great selection of cards. I do have to own up though to not being quite as restrained as you over the new set of penny black stamps .
Hugs Mrs A.

Mrs A. said...

Just given myself a heart in the mouth moment as whilst I remember ordering them and receiving them I couldn't for the life of me think what I had done with them. Frantic turn upside down of the craft room and I did find them eventually. Phew!!
Hugs Mrs A.

MaryH said...

Hi Brenda just saw your comment over at Culliesocks, so was able to quick jump over to enjoy your quartet of beautiful cards. Brilliant idea to use the oval shape to create the triptych in #1's lovely ladies, and also the paper piecing on the silhouette. Loved the subtle backgrounds on the lovely floral cards, and I think the pinkish lilac is lovely! Always love the Lavinia stamps on your cards too.Saw that you were entering the hospital, and wanted to wish you well, for a smoothe recovery from the visit. Big hugs & hope the week goes good for you. TFS

susiestacey said...

Stunners Brenda, love your lilac - you could be on a moneymaker with that colour with the right breeding x

Crafting Queen said...

STunning creations!!! HOpe you had a great Easter. Hugs Anesha

Tracy said...

Your first creation is really elegant, I love your blossom branch and the purple stands out beautifully with the black and white. Gorgeous Lilacs and your Lavinia card too.
Happy crafting
Tracy x

Linby said...

Beautiful cards as always. I do love the fashion one of course! You need to get the new PB Paris stamp!

Liz said...

Wonderful cards, Brenda. My favourite is the first one, such a beautiful and unusual design. xx

CdeBaca Crafts Gallery said...

Amazing cards! Lovely work!

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Gorgeous collection of cards B and if I get my act together I’ve a card for lavender Stamping challenge ... If being the key!
Praying muchly for all to go width with your he,hat issues dear B. Big prayer hugs and many mercies from above for you too.
Thanks for sharing your inspiration and for popping over too!
Shaz in Oz.x

{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

Craftychris said...

Ooh all these are beautiful! The first one is so cool with the fashionable ladies and the card design is brilliant! The two Penny Black cards are just gorgeous - lovely stamps and fab colours. The last one is magical! Take care! Hugs xxxxxxx

Caro´s kreative Welt said...

Oh wow, these are such great cards. I like all.
Hugs Carola

Sarah said...

These are all fantastic Brenda but the screen style with those stylish ladies is my absolute favourite. Dare I say it, but we saw the sun for ten minutes today!! It was slightly warmer too but I resisted the temptation to turn Surprise out naked for fear of the mud monster that would be waiting to come in!! She hasn't even started to lose her winter coat yet either, such a strange season!! Fingers crossed for your hospital visit xx

Anonymous said...

these are all beautiful brenda! the first one is so elegant and i love the shaped design. i love the soft stencilling on the next two and the lovely background colouring in the fairy scene. i have the best luck blending with the CE sponges on cold pressed watercolour paper but i hope they work as well for you whatever your paper choice is.

Pink Panoply said...

Gorgeous panoply of cards, Brenda! I love your soft palette of black, white and pink on the panels with the fashionable ladies. You've colored them beautifully and the cityscapes in the background are perfect. What a great idea for some of my older Hero Arts lady stamps. Hmmm...I feel a CASE coming on:)

Carole Pollard said...

Splendid cards as always loving that Never Stop Making Wishes its beautiful Love and hugs Crrole x

Donna Ellis said...

Beautiful cards, Brenda. You always match the best sentiments to your pretty creations, and these are all melt my heart sweet. Beautifully colored! xx

Janis Lewis said...

Your projects are all amazing.

Babs said...

Gorgeous selection of cards Brenda very inspirational as always. Hope all goes well for you this coming week.
Hugs Babs x

Merry said...

Oh wow,amazing cards. Love those middle two flowers and the back ground of each card.

Barb said...

Four absolutely beautiful stamps Brenda. The first is my favourite and I love the way you have made and joined together the panels. A very unusual card. Barbxx