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406pcs Phrase Word Stickers for Journaling & Scrapbooking from Aliexpress

 One of my favourite little AliExpress finds lately has to be these 406pcs Phrase Word Stickers for Journaling & Scrapbooking at only £2.31.

 

 

I used a few of them on my latest ATC project and they worked perfectly with the smaller format. Sometimes full sentiments can completely overpower an Artist Trading Card, but these tiny phrases add just enough personality without stealing the spotlight from the background or focal image.

The set includes a lovely mix of vintage-style quotes, labels, and short phrases in different fonts and colours, making them ideal for junk journals, collage work, layered cards, tags, planners, and mixed media projects. They are especially useful when you need those final little “finishing touch” details that make a project feel complete.

What I personally love most is the size. They tuck beautifully into clusters and layered embellishments without making the design feel crowded. Perfect for ATCs where every millimetre counts.

✨ Great for:
• ATCs and mini cards
• Junk journals
• Layered collage work
• Planner decorating
• Vintage and shabby chic projects
• Quick sentiments without stamping

💷 Price paid: £2.14 on AliExpress

Disclaimer:
All products featured on this blog are purchased by me unless otherwise stated. I am not sponsored by any company, brand, or seller mentioned in my posts, and I do not receive commission, rewards, or any financial benefit if you choose to purchase through the links I share.

I simply enjoy sharing the products, tools, and crafty finds that I personally use and love in my own projects.

Framed Florals & Gentle Words

 

There is something so satisfying about finally gluing all the little elements down after a creative session like this. The desk looks like a paper tornado swept through it, tiny flowers are stuck to your sleeves, and somewhere under a pile of scraps is the glue lid you just had a second ago. Crafting chaos at its finest.

For this ATC set I combined elements from Die Cutting Essentials Issue 79 and Simply Cards & Papercraft Issue 219, mixing soft layered backgrounds with bold black geometric frames for contrast. I really enjoyed the balance between the delicate florals and the sharper modern frame shapes. It gives the cards a slightly contemporary feel while still keeping that warm mixed media softness I love.

The backgrounds were created using Distress Inks blended onto smooth cardstock before adding texture with a black script stamp. I kept the stamping fairly loose and imperfect because I wanted the backgrounds to feel aged and artistic rather than overly polished. The soft peachy tones mixed with the darker script create that lovely worn-paper look that almost reminds me of old journal pages found in an attic somewhere beneath a pile of forgotten letters and dried flowers.

The black frames were die cut from plain black cardstock and layered over white decorative die cut pieces to help everything stand out more clearly. I love how the black frames anchor the design and stop the softer colours from floating away visually. They almost work like little windows into each tiny floral scene.

The flowers and leaves were stamped from the included free stamp sets and coloured before being carefully fussy cut by hand. The bright oranges and pinks against the muted background make the florals feel alive and cheerful without becoming overpowering. Tiny pops of green foliage help pull everything together and add movement across the cards.

For the sentiments, I used a sentiment strip pack from AliExpress. I will add the link below for anyone interested because these little phrase strips are incredibly useful for ATCs, journaling, tags, and collage projects. I especially liked the gentle uplifting feel of the sentiments in this set:

• collect beautiful moments
• choose to see the good
• remember to play

Small reminders tucked into tiny artworks. Like paper fortune cookies for the soul.

 Supplies Used

• Die Cutting Essentials #79
• Simply Cards & Papercraft #219
• Distress Inks
• Black script stamp
• Black cardstock for frames
• White decorative die cuts
• Free floral stamp sets
• Alcohol markers for colouring (Spectrum Noir)
• Sentiment strips from AliExpress (406pcs Phrase Word Stickers from Aliexpress)
• Detail scissors for fussy cutting
• Glue adhesive of choice (B6000 Super Glue from AliExpress)

This set felt very relaxed and therapeutic to make. No pressure for perfection, just layering pieces until the composition felt balanced and pleasing to the eye. Sometimes those are the most enjoyable projects of all. Tiny pockets of creativity stitched together with ink, glue, and a little patience. ✂️🖤

Disclaimer:
All products featured on this blog are purchased by me unless otherwise stated. I am not sponsored by any company, brand, or seller mentioned in my posts, and I do not receive commission, rewards, or any financial benefit if you choose to purchase through the links I share.

I simply enjoy sharing the products, tools, and crafty finds that I personally use and love in my own projects.

Playtime ATCs

Tiny Adventures in Mixed Media 

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about this little set.
The kind of nostalgia that smells faintly of grass stains, scraped knees, warm afternoons, and “home before the streetlights come on.”

For these ATCs I pulled out the very last of my retired Woodware stamp sets designed by the incredibly whimsical Francoise Read called Playtime. I had almost forgotten I still owned it until my recent shed clear-out, and finding it again felt a bit like opening an old toybox from another version of myself.

This set became a celebration of playful chaos, layered texture, and childhood freedom.

 

The Backgrounds

The backgrounds were created using my usual mixed media stash and layering process, building colour slowly until the cards felt textured and lived-in rather than overly polished.

I worked mainly with:

• mustard yellows
• teal greens
• touches of turquoise
• distressed earthy browns

The combination gives the cards a slightly grungy playground feel while still keeping them bright and cheerful.

For texture I used:

• gold embossing powder
• black texture stamping
• layered paint and ink splatters

The gold embossing catches the light beautifully in real life and adds that slightly messy, magical sparkle I always seem to gravitate towards lately.

The Images

The little characters were coloured using my Spectrum Noir alcohol markers again. I kept the colouring intentionally simple and graphic because the backgrounds already contain a lot of movement and texture.

Sometimes detailed colouring competes with busy mixed media backgrounds.
This time I wanted the images to stay bold, clean, and playful.

The black outlines help anchor everything against the layered backgrounds, while the pops of orange and blue keep the eye moving across the set.

I also added:

• minimal white splatter
• tiny shadowing around some elements
• soft dimensional layering

Just enough to create interest without overwhelming the cards.

My Favourite Details

A few things I especially love in this set:

✨ The tiny scooter and backpack
✨ The oversized bicycle wheels
✨ The little dog chasing the football
✨ The gold texture peeking through the layers
✨ The feeling that each ATC captures a tiny frozen moment

Together they feel like pages from a child’s summer diary.

Creative Reflections

Looking back at older work while starting to create again has been emotional in ways I did not expect.

I stopped crafting for quite a while because my mental health simply was not in a good place. Creativity becomes very difficult when your mind feels heavy all the time. But lately, sitting quietly with ink, stamps, texture paste, and messy backgrounds has started to feel calming again instead of exhausting.

Not perfect.
Not pressured.
Just… enjoyable.

And honestly? That matters more to me right now than making “perfect” art.

This little set feels like a reminder that creativity does not always need to be deep or dramatic. Sometimes it can simply be playful.

Supplies Used

Stamp Set:
Woodware “Playtime” by Francoise Read (retired)

Colouring Medium:
Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers

Texture & Background Elements:

• Gold embossing powder
• Tiny texture stamps
• White splatter
• Mixed media layered backgrounds

Three tiny cards.

One playful little story.

And perhaps a small step back toward myself again. 🎨✨

Garden Babies ATCs

Mixed Media Artist Trading Cards using retired Woodware stamps by Jaqueline Ross

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about revisiting retired stamp sets. They carry a certain kind of magic, like favourite books with softened corners or a song you forgot you loved until the first note starts playing again.

For this set, I pulled out the adorable Garden Babies stamps by Jacqueline Ross for Woodware and built a dreamy mixed media background around them using gel printing, acrylic paint, embossing paste, and layered stamping.

The finished cards feel soft and whimsical, almost like tiny snapshots from a hidden fairy garden.

 

Creating the Backgrounds

The backgrounds started with gel printing and acrylic paints, layered in soft pastel shades of aqua, lavender, blush pink, and hints of white. I wanted the colours to feel airy and playful while still having enough contrast for the focal images to stand out.

Once the paint layers were dry, I added extra texture using:

• Embossing paste
• A stencil for raised dimensional detail
• Script stamping for added definition and movement

For the script detail, I used Versafine Clair Onyx Black, stamping lightly in random areas to create visual texture without overwhelming the softer colour palette.

The combination of printed layers, embossed circles, script fragments, and splattered detail created that perfectly imperfect mixed media look that I love so much.

 

Embossed Circle Details

The textured circles behind the focal images were created separately to help frame the little Garden Babies and add extra dimension.

I stamped the circles using:

• Versafine embossing ink
• WOW Detailed White Embossing Powder

After heat embossing, each circle was carefully cut out by hand using 7.6mm detail scissors from Amazon. 

The crisp white embossing against the soft backgrounds adds a beautiful contrast and almost gives the impression of bubbles, moonlight, or floating garden spores drifting through the scene.

Colouring the Images

The Garden Babies images were stamped using:

• Memento Dye Ink – Tuxedo Black

I specifically chose Memento because it works beautifully with alcohol markers and does not smudge during colouring.

The images were coloured using:

• Crafter’s Companion Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers

I kept the colouring bright and cheerful with fresh greens, buttery yellows, and soft skin tones to preserve the playful personality of the stamps.

The black outlines from the Memento ink stay wonderfully crisp, even with layered blending.

Assembly & Adhesive

For assembly, I used:

• B6000 Super Glue from AliExpress

This glue has honestly become one of my favourite crafting discoveries.

It has:

• A fine precision tip
• Strong holding power
• Minimal visibility behind vellum
• Excellent versatility for mixed media projects

I especially love it for adhering:

• Vellum
• Gems
• Paper embellishments
• Glass
• Wood
• Plastic elements

And because a little goes a long way, it’s also incredibly budget friendly and come in various sizes.  

Buy the 15ml for just £1.48 and try it for yourself.

Final Thoughts

I think this set perfectly captures why I still adore mixed media ATCs so much.

They are small enough to experiment freely, but detailed enough to tell tiny visual stories.

Each card in this collection feels like a different little garden moment:

• sitting quietly in a flower,
• peeking through leaves,
• or drifting peacefully on the breeze.

Soft layers, raised textures, embossed details, and cheerful little characters all working together to create something playful and comforting.

Exactly the kind of crafting that makes me forget the world for a while. 🌸🫧

 

Lighting My Creative Space

Reviewing My New LED Craft Desk Lamp

One of the biggest problems with crafting in the evening is lighting.

Poor lighting affects:

• ink blending
• colour matching
• detail work
• photography
• eye strain

So alongside my new craft desk, I decided to invest in an adjustable LED desk lamp that would give me bright, even lighting without taking up valuable workspace.

 

Why I Chose This Lamp

The main thing that attracted me to this lamp was the clamp design.

Because it attaches directly to the desk:

• no base takes up workspace
• more room is left for projects
• it keeps the setup looking cleaner and less cluttered

For a smaller craft desk, that makes a huge difference.

Features

This lamp includes:

✔ 10 brightness settings
✔ Multiple light temperatures
✔ Natural daylight mode
✔ Flexible adjustable arm
✔ 45-minute timer auto shut-off
✔ USB connection with UK plug adapter included
✔ Energy-saving LED lighting
✔ Eye protection settings
✔ After-sales support email included (uk-desk-lamp@outlook.com)

First Impressions

The lamp feels lightweight but practical, and the adjustable arm moves smoothly without feeling loose.

The wide light bar gives a much more even spread of light across the desk compared to traditional lamps.

That is especially useful for:

• card making
• colouring
• mixed media work
• detail stamping
• evening journaling

I also think it will improve my product photography and blog photos because the light coverage is much softer and more balanced.

Crafting Performance

The natural daylight setting is probably my favourite feature so far.

It makes:

• distress ink colours easier to judge
• tiny details easier to see
• shadows less harsh during photos

The brightness settings also mean I can:

• use stronger light during detailed work
• switch to softer lighting during relaxed evening crafting

I can already tell this will become one of those tools I use constantly without even thinking about it.

Unexpected Bonus

I originally bought this mainly for crafting, but I honestly think it would also work brilliantly as:

• a reading light
• journaling lamp
• office desk light
• study light

Especially because the softer settings feel much gentler at night.

Final Thoughts

For £14.44 including delivery from Amazon, I think this was an excellent purchase for a compact craft space.

It gives:

• strong lighting
• flexible positioning
• space-saving design
• better photography conditions
• more comfortable evening crafting

Without dominating the desk itself.

Disclaimer:
All products featured on this blog are purchased by me unless otherwise stated. I am not sponsored by any company, brand, or seller mentioned in my posts, and I do not receive commission, rewards, or any financial benefit if you choose to purchase through the links I share.

I simply enjoy sharing the products, tools, and crafty finds that I personally use and love in my own projects.

 

Creating My New Craft Space

 Reviewing the Vida Designs Mason Desk

After spending some time away from crafting due to my mental health, one of the first things I wanted to do was create a small dedicated space that felt calm, organised, and inspiring again.

My new white craft desk from B&Q was the first step in rebuilding that little creative corner.

I purchased the fully white version to match the rest of the furniture in my room, and at £49.99 including delivery, it felt like a very reasonable option for a compact craft setup.

I also spotted the same desk on Amazon for around £57.99 with free delivery.

First Impressions

The desk arrived well packaged, with all parts protected properly, and delivery went smoothly without any damage.

Juliet built the desk for me, and overall assembly seemed straightforward. The only real issue was that the drawer sections did not have pre-drilled holes for the drawer runners, which made that part slightly more awkward than expected.

Other than that, everything lined up well and the finished desk feels surprisingly sturdy for the price.

Why I Chose This Desk

One of the biggest reasons I chose this desk was the storage layout.

The open shelving section is perfect for:

• my Sizzix Big Shot
• dies and accessories
• embossing folders
• frequently used tools

The drawers will help keep the “creative chaos goblin energy” under control a little better. 😄

My current plan is:

Top Drawer

Daily essentials:

• scissors
• blending tools
• stamps
• acrylic blocks

Middle Drawer

Texture and mixed media products:

• embossing powders
• texture paste
• collage medium
• Mod Podge
• glues

Bottom Drawer

Overflow storage and bulkier supplies.

Workspace Size & Practicality

At 120cm wide, the desk gives me enough working space for:

• a distress ink rack
• craft lamp
• cutting mat
• current project area

The shelving side also stops the desk from feeling visually heavy, which helps keep the room feeling softer and more open.

Future Additions

To protect the surface, I have already ordered:

• a grey desk cover from Temu 
• a Anti-Slip, Heat-Resistant PVC Surface for the main working area

I wanted something practical without losing the clean white aesthetic.

Final Thoughts

For under £50, I honestly think this is a great starter or small-room craft desk.

It probably would not suit someone with a massive craft room or industrial-level stash storage, but for:

• card makers
• journal artists
• ATC creators
• small-space crafters
• beginner mixed media artists

…it offers a surprisingly functional setup for the price.

Most importantly, it feels like a fresh creative beginning for me, and sometimes that matters just as much as the furniture itself.

Quick Review Summary

Likes

✔ Clean white design
✔ Compact but functional
✔ Great price point
✔ Useful shelves and drawers
✔ Perfect for smaller craft rooms
✔ Good delivery and packaging

Dislikes

✘ No pre-drilled drawer runner holes
✘ Drawers are not very deep for large supplies

Would I Recommend It?

Yes. Especially for smaller creative spaces or anyone restarting their craft area on a budget.

Disclaimer:
All products featured on this blog are purchased by me unless otherwise stated. I am not sponsored by any company, brand, or seller mentioned in my posts, and I do not receive commission, rewards, or any financial benefit if you choose to purchase through the links I share.

I simply enjoy sharing the products, tools, and crafty finds that I personally use and love in my own projects.

 

When Colour Found Me Again: A Look Through My Art Journal

There was a time when this journal closed… not because I ran out of ideas, but because life became heavier than creativity.

This collection sits right at that edge.

Every page you see here was created just before I stepped away. Looking back now, I can see it clearly… this wasn’t just art. It was me trying to find my way back to myself, one layer at a time.

A Beginning in Texture and Play

It started simply. Backgrounds built with colour, movement, and curiosity.

Blues melting into pinks. Soft purples clashing gently with bold marks. Texture paste scattered like thoughts that hadn’t quite formed yet.

There was no pressure to be perfect here. Just the need to start.

Finding My Voice in Small Pieces

The  ATCs came next. Small, contained, but full of intention.

These little cards taught me something important. Even in a tiny space, balance matters. A focal point. A quiet area. A moment to breathe.

They were controlled… but still playful.

When the Pages Became Heavier

As I moved deeper into the journal, the layers grew thicker.

More stamping. More texture. More colour.

Almost like I was trying to fill every inch… as if leaving space meant leaving room for thoughts I wasn’t ready to sit with.

Some pages became beautifully chaotic. Others felt overwhelming. But all of them were honest.

Stories, Faces, and Fragments of Emotion

The character pages are some of my favourites.

Soft girls with big eyes. Strong expressions. Quiet confidence.

They don’t just sit on the page… they hold it.

Looking at them now, I realise they reflect different parts of me:

• playful
• guarded
• hopeful
• tired

Each one placed carefully, sometimes grounded, sometimes floating… just like I felt at the time. 

Moments of Calm

Not every page was loud.

Some were softer. Simpler.

A single flower. A gentle sentiment. Light colour and open space.

At the time, I thought these were my “weakest” pages.

Now I see them differently.

They were the moments where I stopped pushing… and just allowed something to exist without overworking it.

Experimentation Without Rules

There are pages here that break every rule:

• bold colour clashes
• heavy textures
• unexpected combinations

And I love them for that.

They remind me that creativity isn’t always neat. Sometimes it’s loud, messy, and unapologetic.

Sometimes it’s just about trying something… without needing it to work.

A Pause, Not an Ending

Eventually, I stopped.

Not because I didn’t love it.
Not because I ran out of ideas.
But because my mental health needed my attention more than my journal did.

And that’s okay.

This journal holds that pause. It captures the moment just before everything went quiet.

Coming Back, Gently

Looking through these pages now feels different.

I don’t see mistakes.
I don’t see “too much” or “not enough.”

I see:

• growth
• exploration
• resilience

And most importantly… I see that the creativity never really left.

It was just waiting.

Moving Forward

As I return to creating again, I’m bringing a few things with me:

• more intention
• more balance
• and a little more kindness toward myself

Because art doesn’t need to be perfect to matter.

It just needs to be real. 

If you’ve ever stepped away from something you love…
consider this your reminder:

You’re allowed to come back.

Slowly. Quietly. Without pressure.

The page will still be there… waiting for you.

 

Held Together by Small Things

There is something quietly powerful about working with the same materials and letting them speak in different ways.

This set of ATCs began exactly like the previous ones — 300gsm white cardstock, cut down to size, no pressure, no expectations… just a willingness to see what would happen.

The backgrounds were built in soft layers using Distress Inks in Prize Ribbon, Wilted Violet and Picked Raspberry, blending and moving colour until it felt right rather than perfect. I used stencils to introduce pattern and movement, allowing some areas to stay light and others to build intensity. The aim was not control, but balance — something expressive, a little chaotic, but still gentle.

To add dimension, I worked with texture paste through a stencil, creating small clusters rather than covering the surface. These raised areas catch the light in a way that shifts as you move the card, adding another quiet layer of interest.

 

The Focal Point

The butterflies were stamped onto white cardstock using VersaFine Clair in Nocturne, then die cut and layered for depth. I chose to keep them monochrome, allowing the detail of the stamping to do the work rather than introducing more colour.

At first, I tried them in plain white… but something felt disconnected. The stamped detail changed everything. Suddenly, they belonged to the background instead of sitting on top of it.

Each butterfly was paired with a small metal key — simple, slightly imperfect, and completely unplanned when I started. But once placed, they stayed.

There is something about that combination that feels… right.

The Details That Hold It Together

The sentiments were created using simple black label strips:

• BEST FRIEND
• SMILE
• INSPIRE

Short. Direct. Almost understated.

They don’t overpower the design — they anchor it.

The Finished Set

 Each card shares the same foundation, but none of them feel identical. That is something I am learning to appreciate — letting variation happen instead of forcing uniformity.

A Quiet Thought

This set ended up feeling like more than just a technique exercise.

Soft backgrounds. Structured keys. Delicate wings.

Messy. Controlled. Fragile. Strong.

Held together by small things.

So far, I created a card and three different ATC sets, each with its own mood and voice. And for the first time in a while, it didn’t feel rushed or overwhelming.

Just… steady.

And that is enough.

— Bon 

A Little Throwback – Instant Camera Cards 📸

 While I’ve been deep in inks, layers, and storytelling this week, I found myself looking back at a set of cards I made just before I stopped crafting for a while… and I realised something:

They still make me smile.

So I thought they deserved a place here too.

📸 The Cards

These are a set of 4x4 cards built around the cutest instant camera frame dies from The Stamps of Life.

Each card follows a simple, bold structure:

• A coloured cardstock base
• A Polaroid-style frame (from AliExpress)
• Patterned background papers to match
• And of course… the camera focal point

The cameras themselves were die-cut in different colours to coordinate with each card, then layered onto black cardstock to give them that strong outline and make them really stand out. A little highlight on the lens brings them to life—like they’re ready to snap a moment at any second.

 🎨 Colour & Style

These cards are all about colour and fun.

Bright greens, soft blues, warm peach, lilac, and bold pink… each one has its own personality, but they all sit together nicely as a set.

Compared to my more recent work, these are much cleaner and more graphic—less layered, less moody, and definitely more playful. And there’s something really lovely about that simplicity.

✏️ Sentiments

The sentiments also come from the same Stamps of Life set and tie in perfectly with the camera theme:

• “Life is like a camera”
• “Focus on today and you’ll be ok”
• “Take another shot!”

Simple, uplifting, and just the right amount of cheeky.

🎥 Watch the Original Feature

If you’d like to see these cards in action and how they were originally created, you can watch the feature video here:

🖤 Final Thoughts

Looking back at these, I can see how much my style has evolved… but I can also see the beginnings of what I still love today:

• strong focal points
• thoughtful colour choices
• and a desire to make something that feels good

Sometimes it’s nice to revisit where you were… and realise it was never a bad place to begin with.

More new creations coming soon…

These cards even had a small feature in a magazine a few years ago. 

 
Bon 🖤

Sunflower Series – Holding on to Light 🌻

 

Some days call for drama and depth…
and some days quietly ask for warmth, softness, and a little hope.

Today was the latter.

After the intensity of my recent dark romance pieces, I felt drawn to something lighter—something that still tells a story, but with sunlight instead of shadow. And so this little sunflower trio was born.

🌿 The Process

As always, I started with 300gsm white cardstock, cut down to ATC size—my favourite little canvas.

The images were stamped onto white card using VersaFine Clair in Nocturne, giving me those crisp, rich outlines I love working with using using stamps from the Papercraft Society Box 22 by Ruth Mackie-McCartan.  From there, I coloured everything using my Spectrum Noir alcohol markers:

• BG2 & BG7
• AG4 & LG4
• CT2 & CT4
• IB1

I kept the colouring fairly natural and soft, letting the yellows stay bright but not overpowering, and adding gentle depth into the greens so the leaves didn’t get lost.

🌾 Backgrounds

For the backgrounds, I stayed deliberately muted and warm:

• Antique Linen
• Tea Dye
• Old Paper

Blended softly to create that slightly vintage, sun-washed feel.

I wanted the backgrounds to feel like late afternoon light—textured, warm, but never competing with the focal images. A few stamped details were added to give interest, but always with a light hand so the sunflowers could remain the stars.

🐝 The Story in Three Cards

Each ATC carries its own little message:

• “Keep a little sunshine”
  A soft, almost nostalgic piece with bees captured inside a jar—like holding onto small moments of light.
• “In a world of roses, be a sunflower”
  The bold centrepiece. A reminder to stand out, turn towards the light, and be unapologetically yourself.
• “Still reaching for the sun”
  A quieter ending. Gentle strength. Growth, even when it’s not loud or perfect.

Together, they form a simple story:

hold onto the light, choose your own path, and keep growing.

🌻 Final Thoughts

What I loved most about this set was the balance.

Not too busy.
Not too bold.
Just enough detail to support the feeling without overwhelming it.

After working with darker tones and heavier emotion, this felt like a breath of fresh air—proof that crafting doesn’t always have to shout to be meaningful.

Sometimes… it just needs to glow quietly.

More to come soon…
Bon 🖤

Dark romance… in ink and shadow

 Some colour palettes don’t ask politely.

They pull you in.

After working with softer tones, I found myself drawn back to something deeper… richer… a little more emotional.

This set of ATCs leans into that space.

Not bright reds or obvious romance… but something quieter, more layered. The kind of feeling that sits underneath the surface.

The palette

Everything in this set was created using Distress inks on white 300gsm cardstock.

The colours:

• Tattered Rose
• Tea Dye
• Aged Mahogany
• Victorian Velvet
• Black Soot

Soft warmth first… then depth… and finally that touch of black to pull everything inward.

The backgrounds

I built each background slowly, layering colour and texture until it felt like it had a history of its own.

Subtle stamping using VersaFine Clair in Nocturne added detail without overpowering the surface. The florals, script and marks are not meant to stand alone… but to become part of the paper itself.

Once the layers were in place, I added Black Soot around the edges.

Not to darken everything… but to frame it.
To give the pieces a sense of containment.

 The hearts

For the focal elements, I used heart-shaped dies from the Papercraft Society Box 29 by Christina Griffith at Card Making Magic.

Each heart was cut from the same white cardstock and then inked to match the palette, allowing them to sit naturally within the background rather than on top of it.

To lift them slightly, I added a soft shadow using a Spectrum Noir alcohol marker (BG2).

Just enough to give dimension… without breaking the mood.

The result

Each card carries its own feeling:

• One feels guarded… intricate, almost protective
• One feels open… centred and steady
• One feels fragmented… a little more expressive, a little less controlled

Together, they form a set that feels connected, but not identical.

 

 What I’m noticing

I’m starting to trust when to stop.

Not every space needs filling.
Not every layer needs explaining.

Sometimes the most important part of a piece is what’s left unsaid.

This set feels different.

More intentional.
More restrained.
A little darker… but in a way that feels calm rather than heavy.

A reminder to myself:

Not all romance is light.

Some of it lives quietly in shadow. 🖤

A quiet moment in blue…

Some projects don’t arrive with noise or urgency.

They come softly… almost like a pause.

After the richness of my last set, I found myself wanting something lighter.
Something that felt like air rather than earth.

So this time, I reached for a gentler palette:

• Tumbled Glass
• Shaded Lilac
• Squeezed Lemonade

Soft blues, muted violet, and just a touch of yellow warmth.

The background

I used the smooth blending technique to build the base, letting the colours drift into each other rather than forcing them to meet.

No harsh edges.
No strong contrast.

Just a quiet wash of colour that felt almost like sky… or the kind of light that sits in a room on a slow afternoon.

Once that was in place, I added subtle texture using stamps from the Papercraft Society Box 8 by Bee Crafty.

Not to take over… just to give the background a little history.

 

The butterfly

I knew quite early on that this piece didn’t need more colour.

It needed space.

So instead of adding another focal image, I chose a large, intricate butterfly die from Crafter’s Companion and cut it in plain white.

No colouring.
No embellishment.

Just shape.

Placed gently off to the side, it allows the background to show through, almost as if the butterfly is made of light rather than paper.

 

The inside

I kept the inside simple.

“You are loved beyond measure.”

Nothing complicated. Nothing layered.

Just words that needed room to be felt.

The butterfly detail continues softly inside, tying everything together without overwhelming the message.

 

What this piece taught me

Not everything needs more.

More colour.
More layers.
More detail.

Sometimes the most powerful choice is to stop.

To let the paper breathe.
To let the design rest.

This card feels different to my previous work.

Quieter.
Softer.
More deliberate.

And I think that’s exactly what I needed.

A small reminder to myself:

Light has its own kind of strength. 🖤

Hello world… Bon is back

It has been a long time since I last sat down to create something with my hands.

Not because I didn’t want to… but because somewhere along the way, crafting became less about creating and more about collecting. The joy got buried under “just one more thing”, and before I knew it, I had everything I needed… and nothing to show for it.

So this time, I’m doing it differently.

No new supplies.
No chasing the next best thing.
Just me, what I already have… and a quiet decision to begin again.

The starting point

I found an old favourite in the shed: “In the Jungle” by Francoise Read.
A retired Woodware stamp set that still makes me smile.

There is something about it… playful, a little quirky, full of personality.

It felt like the right place to start. 

The process

I began with three simple ATC backgrounds using my gelli plate and Distress inks.

No pre-made papers.
No shortcuts.

Just layers of colour, texture, and small stamped details built slowly until the backgrounds felt like they had a story of their own. 

From there, I stamped and coloured the images using Caran d’Ache crayons, blending them gently with a water brush before fussy cutting each piece.

 

Each card developed in its own way:

• One became about movement and story, with the frog reaching upward.
• One settled into balance and grounding, finding its place through small adjustments.
• And the final piece… found its rhythm almost naturally, with the dragonfly floating above and the sentiment unfolding below.

 

What I learned (again)

The biggest lesson wasn’t technical.

It was this:

Sometimes less really is more.
Sometimes stopping before it feels “finished” is exactly what it needs.
And sometimes the smallest changes make the biggest difference.

Most importantly… I remembered how it feels to create something instead of just thinking about it.

Moving forward

This is not about perfection.

It’s about consistency.
About using what I have.
About letting the process lead instead of the pressure.

Three small cards might not seem like much.

But for me, they are something far bigger:

A quiet return.

Hello world…
Bon is back. 🖤