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. 🖤

Papercraft Society (May) - Bee Crafty Art journal Signature

I used to make cards for the free magazine cover gift  every month but due to demands at home took some time out and i feel that I can now get back to this as it is school holiday and I am saving some time travelling between home, work and school.  I will include my Papercraft Society Boxes in my first art journal.

I will be starting with my Papercraft Society Box 8 which was the Bee Crafty Mixed Media box.

Papercraft Society May Box Reveal - Bee Crafty Mixed Media

Bev, Sam and Julie from Bee Crafty are known for their clever use of stamps, contrasting colours and amazing tag designs.
Inside the box you will find:

• 11 piece die set
• Element stamp set featuring 16 stamps
• Background stamp set featuring 9 stamps
• 2 x stencils
• 3 x inkpads
• 8 sheets of patterned paper (4 designs - 2 of each)
• 6 sheets of 2-sided co-ordinated coloured cardstock (3 colours - 2 of each)
• 2 sheets of kraft card
• Embossing paste
• Palette knife
• Inspiration Booklet packed with project ideas.

With every box you also get a password for some inspirational videos over on a dedicated subscribers page on Craftstash.

 

Art journalling

During the long lockdown across the world I realised that I make a lot of cards that never really go to anyone and just take up precious crafting space. I donated these to charities through the years but never felt like they really got appreciated so I decided to start doing "artsy" projects just for me. This was the start of my mixed media and art journaling journey. I already had all the products I needed, well nearly everything (can a true crafter ever have everything or enough stash). I made an album that measure 15 x 15 cm (5.9 inches square) and bound it using my We R Memory Keepers Cinch.  I used mixed media paper cut to size.

Page one was a very simple page done by tracing a Studiolight stencil with a black fine tip pen and then colouring in.  I used a Tonic Glitter marker to colour the background.

Here I used a but out from the Karen Joan's first Missees collecting and some zig zag doodling with a white pen.  I enjoyed creating this floral arrangement using some stamps and some Art by Marlene dies in black to make the flowers pop.  Unfortunately I can not remember what stamp set I used for the vase and flowers.

A Studiolight butterfly stamp designed by Lou Withers and cut the edges with art by the Art by Marlene's DIY  Tag Journal kit.

I used lots of stencils and pastes on some of my pages, I was not to comfortable with the whole mixed media thing to start of by now really enjoy experimenting and 

Paperbabe art journal page

Song for Crafters - with special guest, Lindsay, The Fr...

So Beautifully Organised boxes Review

I have had my eye on these for a while but could not convince myself the kit was worth £14.99 and so I waited.  When I was chosen to review these I was really happy as I already have a few similar kit from other suppliers. I will start todays post with this disclosure

The products were provided for review purposes; however the brand has no control over the content and I was not paid to review them. My opinions are honest and based on my first-hand experience with the product. 

OK! So here’s how the So Beautifully Organised Stationery Kit - Traveller's Delight are described on the Craftstash website:

It’s time to get out and explore! The Traveller's box provides all you need for planning your adventures and keeping organised on your travels. If you’re a list maker you’ll love this month’s notebook and lush folder. Be the envy of your friends at the check-in desk with your cool & handy luggage tag. Enjoy your adventures in a beautifully organised way and don’t forget your toothbrush!

Includes:

• Adventure planning notebook
• Journal cover with storage pocket
• Luggage tag with customisable reverse
• A5 storage envelope
• Greeting's card & envelope
• 3 bulldog clips
• Postcard
• 2 sheets of luxury gift-wrap

And here’s how the So Beautifully Organised Stationery Kit - Time For Tea are described on the Craftstash website:

 

The Time for Tea box for So Beautifully Organised is a stationery lover's dream! With a quintessentially English feel, this box is themed around the traditional afternoon tea including hand-drawn illustrations of china plates, cups & saucers and teapots. This box is bursting with items to help get your life on track, including:

• 60-sheet weekly meal planner
• 3 gorgeous magnets to make sure you never forget what's on the menu today
• 40-sheet notepad with a pocket for handy storage
• 2 sheets of luxury gift-wrap
• "There's always time for tea!" greetings card
• Enamel teacup keyring
• 6 china plate themed stickers

The video best shows it all,I am new to videos so bare with me while I learn to improve.

The boxes have been reduced to £8.99 from £14.99 so be sure to check it out on the Craftstash website.

Here are my take on the  kits

• They are very well presented and packaged.  Great labelling on the packaging so you can see the colours and designs at a glance.
• I wish there were more kits not only 4, it might have been more successful of it was available at more retailers and not as a subscription.
• The quality of the items are good
• OK price point at £8.99.

I have to admit that I am considering ordering the other two set as well.

CONS:

• Not widely distributed
• Only 4 kits available
• No add-ons to match these kits available
• Book not standard traveller’s notebook size

PROS:

• Great colour combinations
• Great starter kits
• Good quality

Overall, it’s a great product and if you are looking for a lovely little gift for a teacher, teenager or friends they will be very well received and won't need a lot of wrapping.

 For more inspiration and  information do join Craftworld.

Thank you to Craftworld and Practical Publishing for providing me with these kits.

Product Review Team Reveal

 

The Product!

So Beautifully Organised Box Kit Travellers Delight and Time for Tea

 

 I have been selected to be one of five reviewers on CraftWorld to review the new Travellers Delight and Time for Tea So Beautifully Organised box kit. How exciting, can not wait to received my Box to start playing!

Here is a short video I made during the unwrapping of these lovely kits:

 

 

Do you have a question about this product? Leave a comment here with any suggestions that you would like this week's review team to investigate!

 

 

 

Perfect gift set cutting dies

In June 2020 AlinaCraft Store released this Planner Gate Fold Notebook Storage Gift Box die set.  

Well it is actually 4 set combined into one to make the projects below:

Make your own Planner

Make a pretty Gift box  for your Planner

Make a Z Fold Album

Make a Pocket Holder for your planner

Make sure to follow to subcribe to Alina's YouTube channel for regular monthly release videos and also follow her shop in AliExpress for many original designs.

I really enjoyed using these as I have been gifting Travelers notebooks for about 2 years now, but has aways found packaging and presenting them a bit boring.  The 6 hole planner page is the perfect size for my filofax planner as well so no more paying a fortune for boring pages.

For the Gate Fold folder box you will need to cut the dies below out of study card and the dies in the next foto out of patterned paper. I choose to use Sweet Dream by Creative Sensations for my projects.

I decided to upccle for my projects and cut my bases out of Amazon packaging envelopes that I then covered with white Gesso, before adding my patterned paper.

Here is the dies I used for the folder

 




 And the completed project

Art Journalling

I love card making but end up with a whole full of cards that end up being donated to charities around me, and even though I like the though of this going for a great cause I feel the need to know that my hard work is appreciated.

So I decided to create an art journal instead of individual cards.  I invested in the second set of Elizabeth Craft Designs Art journalling dies and stamps. You can find inrpiration on the ECD Planners & Journaling facebook page as well on the Elizabeth Craft Designs blog.

This collection was designed by Charlene Van Der Vorst and Ilse Kleijer. 

Ilse made a flip through video that you can view on Youtube.

There is so much inspiration for this collection out there be sure to follow both designers as well is Elizabeth Craft Designs on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and Pinterest.

I can not wait for it to be delivered as shipping in the UK only started yesterday.

An Introduction to Spectrum Noir Ink Range

There are so many types of inks around and Crafters Companion recently brought out their own range of Spectrum Noir ink products:

Ink Pads
Finesse
Harmony
Watermark
Storage

Spectrum Noir Ink Pads:

Introduction

Finesse

Harmony

Watermark

Glitter Inks:

Introduction

String Pull Technique

Stamping

ground Techniques

Background Techniques

 Glycerin and Stencils

 

Metallic Inks:

Introduction

String Pull Technique

Stamping on Black Card

ground Techniques

Painting on Glass

MDF box Project