Welcome to my crafty blog. After sharing some of my older stash over the last couple of days, I’m now back with a brand new set of linocut stamps from Claritystamp. These are not my usual style, but I decided to invest in a set anyway. The stamps are from original linocuts produced by Barbara Gray – that woman is so creative and talented!

I took inspiration for this card from this week’s challenge at CAS Colours & Sketches – I had a great time as a guest on their design team during June, but I now get to play along each week again. This time it’s a double challenge, with colours and sketches – I took the liberty of rotating the sketch for my card.

I started by stamping the rectangle linocut backdrop stamp onto smooth white card, and then added one of the linocut alliums in black Archival. I then added the flower head in ‘spun sugar’ Distress Ink.

I then trimmed the card down around the image before blending Distress Oxides in ‘dried marigold’ and ‘ripe persimmon’ onto it, leaving a little space around the pink flower head.

I had a little trouble cutting the banner to go across the card as none of my dies were long enough. I solved the problem by cutting a matching piece of card to extend the banner underneath the topper, and blended the ‘dried marigold’ and ‘ripe persimmon’ onto both pieces. I stamped the ‘chatter’ lines across them as well (apparently that’s a technical linocutting term!), and heat embossed the sentiment in gold before attaching the banner to the card.

I added a few ‘chatter’ lines to the allium as well, and then sat the topper across the banner to finish.

Thanks for dropping in. I’m really quite taken with these stamps – the backgrounds are fab. This card makes me think of the Arizona desert – the allium looks like a cactus plant against those lovely hot colours. This set will definitely be getting used more over the coming weeks.