Autumn Vibes #4

A project for Country View Crafts 

October Challenge Autumn Vibes #4

Take Six Stamps   

and make 7 panels - this is 4/7

There are 6 more of these panels for you to refer to as individuals in a series. 

Here is the link to the first panel where the vital information is. It refers to the colours and process steps for all the panels 1-7

http://www.bumblebeesandbutterflies.com/2026/10/autumn-vibes-2.html

Process steps

Stamp individual stamps on all pages first.

Dip and dry each page using distress spray stains.

Use black permanent pen to add more details - particularly the small flowers.

Use stain, gesso and Dr PH Martin's white ink/gesso to hand paint the flowers.

Used my own swatches and box palettes to add as embellishments.

xx

Supplies

Stamps - -Tim Holtz - Classics #3 SCF003, Correspondence CMS225, Flower Jar CMS297, Botanic Collage CMS447, Victorian, CMS300.

Katie Pertiet - Chronicle Remnants

Alison Bomber - Poppy Edition EAB37

Dies - Tim Holtz - Specimen 665930

Distress spray stains - walnut stain, vintage photo, stormy sky

Distress inks - stormy sky, Chipped Sapphire

Decoart - white gesso

VersaFine Clair ink - Nocturne, Pinecone

Ranger Archival ink - Coffee

Idea - ology - Transparent Moths, Postmarked Sticker Book, Remnant Rubs

49 & Market - Crafty Garden Essentials Rub On Transfers

Autumn Vibes #3

A project for Country View Crafts 

October Challenge Autumn Vibes #3

Take Six Stamps

and make 7 panels - this is 3/7

There are 6 more of these panels for you to refer to as individuals in a series. 

Here is the link to the first panel where the vital information is. It refers to the colours and process steps for all the panels 1-7

http://www.bumblebeesandbutterflies.com/2026/10/autumn-vibes-2.html

Process steps

Stamp individual stamps on all pages first.

Dip and dry each page using distress spray stains.

Use black permanent pen to add more details - particularly the small flowers.

Use stain, gesso and Dr PH Martin's white ink/gesso to hand paint the flowers.

Used my own swatches and box palettes to add as embellishments.

                                  

xx

Supplies

Stamps - -Tim Holtz - Classics #3 SCF003, Correspondence CMS225, Flower Jar CMS297, Botanic Collage CMS447, Victorian, CMS300.

Katie Pertiet - Chronicle Remnants

Alison Bomber - Poppy Edition EAB37

Dies - Tim Holtz - Specimen 665930

Distress spray stains - walnut stain, vintage photo, stormy sky

Distress inks - stormy sky, Chipped Sapphire

Decoart - white gesso

VersaFine Clair ink - Nocturne, Pinecone

Ranger Archival ink - Coffee

Idea - ology - Transparent Moths, Postmarked Sticker Book, Remnant Rubs

49 & Market - Crafty Garden Essentials Rub On Transfers

Autumn Vibes #2

 A project for Country View Crafts 

October Challenge Autumn Vibes #2

Take Six Stamps

and make 7 panels - this is 2/7

There are 6 more of these panels for you to refer to as individuals in a series. 

Here is the link to the first panel where the vital information is. It refers to the colours and process steps for all the panels 1-7

http://www.bumblebeesandbutterflies.com/2026/10/autumn-vibes-2.html

So continuing with my chosen palette of stormy sky, chipped sapphire, walnut stain and vintage photo I brought together another design. They've come out rather bright on this close up but they are deeper irl.

Process steps

Stamp individual stamps on all pages first.

Dip and dry each page using distress spray stains.

Use black permanent pen to add more details - particularly the small flowers.

Use stain, gesso and Dr PH Martin's white ink/gesso to hand paint the flowers.

Used my own swatches and box palettes to add as embellishments.

Please visit #7 for the sketchbook photo.

xx

Supplies

Stamps - -Tim Holtz - Classics #3 SCF003, Correspondence CMS225, Flower Jar CMS297, Botanic Collage CMS447, Victorian, CMS300.

Katie Pertiet - Chronicle Remnants

Alison Bomber - Poppy Edition EAB37

Dies - Tim Holtz - Specimen 665930

Distress spray stains - walnut stain, vintage photo, stormy sky

Distress inks - stormy sky, Chipped Sapphire

Decoart - white gesso

VersaFine Clair ink - Nocturne, Pinecone

Ranger Archival ink - Coffee

Idea - ology - Transparent Moths, Postmarked Sticker Book, Remnant Rubs

49 & Market - Crafty Garden Essentials Rub On Transfers

Autumn Vibes October #1

 A project for Country View Crafts 

October Challenge Autumn Vibes #1

Take Six Stamps

(and make 7 panels - this is 1/7)

The endless days of our amazing summer heatwaves are officially behind us, and the autumn shift has begun. You can feel it in the crisp morning air and see it as the daylight draws in. As plants slow down and their sap begins to drop, nature is trading its vibrant greens for the rich, warm colours of a new season. It’s time to welcome cooler mornings, cozy layers, and the beautiful transition of autumn. 

My chosen colours for these panels is —Stormy Sky, Chipped Sapphire, Walnut Stain, and Vintage Photo— these perfectly capture this shifting season. It brings to mind a beautiful day spent outdoors under clear blue skies, where the last flowers of the season still echo the warmth of our long, hot summer. Before the deep autumn fully takes over, our parks and gardens are alive with these exact tones: the lingering brights of summer mixed with the new, rusty edges and prominent veins of changing leaves.

To build the backgrounds, I gathered six stamps from various sets, three Distress Spray Stains, and my trusty black Uni-ball permanent pens. I used the pens to add extra depth and detail, extending the stamped lines and patterns, and even hand-drawing some of the flower heads myself. Once I was happy with the overall look, I began painting the flowers using a mix of the stains and gesso. To finish the panels, I created tiny box palettes and custom swatch labels using just the brown and blue stains to tie the theme together.

To finish them off, I added a few arty embellishments and inked the edges of each panel for a beautiful, framed look. It is truly amazing how creative you can be with just a small selection of materials! 

I’d love for you to follow along as all seven panels come to life.

 In my final post on October 19th, I will share the pages of my sketchbook, where they all come together beautifully to showcase the stunning colours of autumn.

Process steps

Stamp individual stamps on all pages first.

Dip and dry each page using distress spray stains.

Use black permanent pen to add more details - particularly the small flowers.

Use stain, gesso and Dr PH Martin's white ink/gesso to hand paint the flowers.

I used my own designed swatches and box palettes to add as embellishments.

xx

Supplies

Stamps - -Tim Holtz - Classics #3 SCF003, Correspondence CMS225, Flower Jar CMS297, Botanic Collage CMS447, Victorian, CMS300.

https://www.countryviewcrafts.co.uk/tim-holtz-collection-193-c.asp

Katie Pertiet - Chronicle Remnants

https://www.countryviewcrafts.co.uk/arden-creative-studio-1792-c.asp

Alison Bomber - Poppy Edition EAB37

https://www.countryviewcrafts.co.uk/alison-bomber-by-paperartsy-1731-c.asp

Dies - Tim Holtz - Specimen 665930

https://www.countryviewcrafts.co.uk/tim-holtz-by-sizzix-152-c.asp

Distress spray stains - walnut stain, vintage photo, stormy sky

https://www.countryviewcrafts.co.uk/spray-stains-696-c.asp

Distress inks - stormy sky, Chipped Sapphire

https://www.countryviewcrafts.co.uk/distress-ink--re-inkers-103-c.asp

Dina Wakely- white gesso

https://www.countryviewcrafts.co.uk/dina-wakley-media-heavy-body-acrylic-paint-1oz---white--gesso-138601-p.asp

VersaFine Clair ink - Nocturne, Pinecone

https://www.countryviewcrafts.co.uk/versafine-clair-ink-pads-and-re-inkers-1311-c.asp

Ranger Archival ink - Coffee

https://www.countryviewcrafts.co.uk/ranger-archival-inks-108-c.asp

Idea - ology - Transparent Moths, Postmarked Sticker Book, Remnant Rubs

https://www.countryviewcrafts.co.uk/idea-ology-102-c.asp

49 & Market - Crafty Garden Essentials Rub On Transfers

https://www.countryviewcrafts.co.uk/49-and-market-1673-c.asp

Autumnal Hydrangea - Alison Bomber

 Painty layers, stamping and painting.

Process Steps

Apply tape to the edges of the watercolour

Take 300 gms Langton watercolour card, apply tape around the edges, give three coats of random paint layers - I had chosen Vintage Lace, Slate, Snowflake and dried each layer. Over the top I dabbled all three as watery colours, drying between each one making sure I finished with snowflake and even added two layers of this colour.

When fully dry I blended ground espresso and vintage photo distress inks using the a blender, direct to surface using the pad, kitchen roll and a soft cloth. It helped me get a mottled effect.

When dry I stamped a hydrangea in dark brown permanent ink and dried the image. Because I loved the autumnal effects of the Hydrangea a lot I stamped the image on masking paper to cover the card one and then experimented with the three neutral colours of the paints to lighten the background to help it hydrangea pop. Once added I could see that some of the petals needed some extra colour too, so I added brown shed to the mix to add more depth.

A5 Sketchbook background

Squidge each of these colours on the craft mat and spritz with water.

Dip, drip and dry the sketchbook page to achieve a mottled, splattered, distressed background.

Keep it fairly simple so that the hydrangea pops when displayed on the page.

 

xx

Supplies

Fresco Finish paints -  Slate, Vintage Lace, Snowflake, Brown Shed

Distress INks - Ground Espresso, Vintage Photo. Antique Linen, Stormy Sky, Iced Spruce,Pumice Stone, Hickory Smoke

Versafine Claire ink - Pinecone, 

Stamps - Alison Bomber - Hydrangea Edition, 

Tim Holtz Number Strips, Curator snippets

Birthday Card - Alison Bomber stamps

 A simple birthday card for a dear friend - Nikki Acton, using another dear friend - Alison Bomber's Hydrangea stamps.

Background - wet stamping and dip and dry.

Hydrangea one large and three smaller of the stamps coloured with distress inks and fussy cut. Edged with Broken China, Rustic Wilderness and Ground Espresso.

Detailed using black uni pin permanent pen. white posca pen, blue posca pen. Rubon leaf and butterfly transfers. Also added artsy swatches made by dipping vellum into inks, drying and cutting into little rectangular shapes.

xx

Supplies

Stamps - PaperArtsy - Alison Bomber Hydrangea Edition AB057

DIs - Tumbled Glass. Chipped Sapphire, Broken China, Twisted Citron, Peeled Paint, Ground Espresso

DOxides - Speckled Egg

Arden - Katie Pertiet Rubon transfers - Garden Chronicle, 

Layer by Layer #2

A project for Country View Crafts 

September Challenge Layer by Layer  Part 2 

Green Lady

A second project for my theme this month and I enjoyed keeping it simple using Katie Pertiet rub-ons and stamps with Tim Holtz ephemera.

1. Dip page into puddle of shabby shutters and peeled paint DIs and dry.

2. Use small jelly plate, smoosh on rustic wilderness Doxide, spritz with water and dab onto green background and around edges. - Dry.

3. Take small stamps and watering can ink, stamp 3 lightly in three ares.

4. Play with where small collage will be added. 

5. Add some transfers.

6. Adhere collage pieces including the photo as the focal point.

7. One last stamp in black to fill a gap or help create cohesion.

xx

Supplies

Green Lady

DIs - Shabby shutters, peeled paint

DOxides - Rustic Wilderness, Walnut Stain

Transfers - Arden Katie P - Garden Chronicles

Stamps - Katie P - Garden Chronicles

Tim Holtz - Collage Strips

Tim Holtz - Photobooth

Ranger - Watering Can Archival Ink, Black Archival Ink

Field Notes

Creating new projects A5 size

Over the weekend, I spent some quality time with friends just chilling, chatting, and crafting. During our catch-up, I managed to visit the Country View Crafts shop and added a few more stamps to my Katie Pertiet collection. I don't normally buy clear stamps, but I absolutely love her sketchy images and rub-ons!

 

This week, I pulled a new design project together. I've called it "Field Notes" because I mixed in some Tim Holtz stamps of the same name, blending their ephemera and stamps to complete the look. To bring it all together, I even started a brand new A5 sketchbook to play in. 

---

Process Steps

Use small gelli plate and watery Ground Espresso ink to daub light splodges onto page or card for the background.

Make puddle of watery brown ink more deeper in colour and splatter over the page.

Put together the panels, I have used card distressed with blue and brown layers of distress inks for one.

I took some vellum, dipped into the same brown ink and dried it for the back layer. For the third panel I tore some handmade paper I have bought and stamped one of Katie's flowers, dipped in the lightly coloured puddles of distress ink and edged with the same brown DI.

Next I stamped and made ephemera  to add and fussy cut the stamped butterfly then painted using the watercolor pencils.

Sew the blue and stamped panels together and create your collage. 

The little brown button is just punched card and holes made with a Japanese punch.

Create the border at the bottom with some jute trim, a word anda jute bow.

Splatter lightly with Ground Espresso.

Stamp lightly random text/ledger on flower panel.

Splatter with white paint, ink or gesso.

xx

Supplies

Katie Pertiet - Stamps - Chartered Adventures, Field Notes Meadow, Chronicle Remnants

Tim Holtz - Stamps - Classics #17, Field Notes  CMS396

Miscellaneous stamp fillers - Wendy Vecchi, 

Distress Inks - Ground Espresso, Stormy Sky, Chipped Sapphire

Permanent ink - Versa Fine Claire - Pinecone

Tim Holtz Watercolor Pencils - Blueprint Sketch, Unchartered Mariner, Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans. Left to right on watercolour swatches. 

Identification Check - Mixed Media panel

Mixed media art panel.

There is something incredibly liberating about working in a smaller format. Recently, I’ve found myself drawn more and more to smaller scales, which led me to pick up a brand-new A5 mixed media paper pad. I am absolutely loving it so far!

For me, the beauty of the A5 and A6 sizes lies in their versatility. It gives me the perfect playground to explore stamping in two distinct ways:

• Creating Mini Panels: I love stamping and layering on a separate sheet, cutting out small focus panels, and then adding them to the sketchbook or card bases. It feels like creating miniature, curated pieces of art.
• Straight in the Pad: There is a unique comfort in working directly onto the pages of a sketchbook. It removes the pressure of creating a "perfect" finished piece and turns the process into pure, unfiltered experimentation.

  
  

  Because I want to throw a variety of mediums at these pages—from crisp stamping inks and watercolours to distress oxides and acrylic washes — having dedicated mixed media paper is a game-changer. The heavier weight means the pages can handle wet techniques without instantly warping, giving me the freedom to layer to my heart's content.

  
  

  Going smaller has completely jump-started my creativity, and I can't wait to share the first few completed pages and panels with you all very soon. I'm so enjoying getting smaller projects made more quickly. It is very gratifying.

  
  

  Here is my first.

The background for the panel was made during a crafty few days away last weekend using Katie Pertiet stamps then dipped and dried and also hand painted. (See colours below). I used a mixture of Katie Pertiet stamps and Tim Holtz stamps and ephemera to create the collage. The three tiny swatches were from a left overs box.

To build the background for this A5 page, I decided to play with the distress inks using a small Gelli plate. I started by dipping the plate directly into some watery inks — sticking to the same colour palette as above for consistency. Once that initial layer was completely dry, I lightly sponged a thin layer of gesso across the page to soften the colours and add some chalky texture. After another quick dry, I took a classic text stamp and used the leftover watery ink pool to stamp random script across the background. The result is a beautifully muted base that is perfectly primed for a focal image.

The focal image is a rub-on from one of Katie's sets. These are so versatile and great to work with.

The snippets were stamped onto card that had been dipped, dripped and dried using green distress inks. They were already in a box ready to be used.

To finish off the panel, I added it to a couple of shabby paper layers to frame the entire piece, bringing the small-scale composition together perfectly. It has green and white twine tied round it and is now safely in my sketchbook where it will be joined with other designs and layouts.

xx

Supplies

Katie Pertiet stamps - My Flowers

Katie Pertiet rub-on transfer - Garden Chronicles

Tim Holt stamps - snippets - Curator CMS493, Tidbits CMS488, Field Notes CMS396

Distress Inks - Peeled Paint, Ground Espresso, Unchartered Mariner.

D'Oxides Crushed Olive, Peeled Paint