May 31, 2016

STAMPlorations Inspiration #78

Hi there!  Tuesday has rolled around once again and that means another Inspiration post over at STAMPlorations.  Come on over and check out the fabulous projects the DT has to share with you. And don't forget to comment on the main blog for a chance to win a prize!  Anyway, here's my card.....


I stamped my watering can (Friends and Flowers set) in black Memento ink and coloured it with my Spectrum Noir markers.  I added two strips of washi tape (Recollections) underneath.  Then I stamped the sentiment (Friends and Flowers set) underneath the washi tape.

Well, I hope you'll come on over to the main blog and check out all the wonderful DT projects.  Have a lovely day and thanks for visiting!

I'd like to link up to the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - anything goes
TIME OUT Challenges - inspired by words, "may all your weeds be wild flowers"  I was inspired by the word "flowers".
Addicted to CAS - code word is Petals
CAS-ology - CAS 

May 30, 2016

Vellum Butterfly

Hello!  I haven't posted for a little while. I'm ahead (for the most part) on my DT commitments I've been busy with other things. Yard work, my garden, and painting the Star Wars mural in my son's room.  It's a big Death Star in space with some tie fighters and X-wings.  I'm working on the the Death Star right now.  It's taking a while. But it's looking pretty cool so far.  I'll share pictures once it's all done. :-)

Anyway, I've got a card to share today so I can link up to some challenges. Take a look....


I started off by stamping my chevron (STAMPlorations) in pool to navy ombré ink (Hero Arts) and did a stamping off technique.  Then I stamped the sentiment (STAMPlorations) in black.  I die cut a butterfly (Simon Says Stamp) from vellum, added a small rhinestone and attached it to the card.  I really like how the chevron pattern turned out.

Well, I hope you enjoyed your visit!  Have an awesome day!

I'd like to link up to the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - make a wish
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - anything goes
Stamping Smiles Designs, Tic Tac Toe Challenge - I used Chevron/Ombré/Vellum

AAA Cards - 2nd Birthday Bash

May 24, 2016

STAMPlorations Inspiration #77

Hey everyone!  It's Tuesday and that means it's Inspiration day over at STAMPlorations!  As usual we've got an amazing variety of projects to share.  This week I decided to make a Christmas card with a new stamp set I got recently.  Check it out...


I stamped my framed poinsettia (Framed Christmas: Peace Love Joy set) in black Memento ink and then created a mask to cover it.  I stamped my branches, holly and berries (Christmas Bell Medley set) around my framed poinsettia.  Then I coloured everything in with my Spectrum Noir markers.  (The branches were stamped with Tea Dye Distress ink and the berries with Blazing Red StazOn).  I added a bit of gold with a gold Pentel marker around the frame of the poinsettia as well as the center part of the poinsettia.  Lastly, I stamped the sentiment in black.  I'm quite pleased with the results. :-)

Well, I hope you'll come on down to the main blog and check out everyone else's awesome projects.  Have a fantastic day and thanks for stopping by!

I'd like to link up to the following challenge:

Jingle Belles - banish the holiday blues (don't use blue)


May 21, 2016

Inkspirational - Inspiration Photo Challenge

Happy Saturday everyone!  It's a beautiful day here and is going to be a warm one. 24 degrees Celcius!  It was a bit rainy yesterday so sunshine is very welcome.  In Canada it's the Victoria Day long weekend and usually the one where people start camping and put their gardens in.  It almost always rains so we skip the camping. LOL!  We are thinking of going to get a few bedding plants though. :-).

Anyway, it time again for another challenge over at Inkspirational. It's a photo inspiration challenge and it's an awesome one!


Aren't those colours amazing?!  That's what inspired me for this birthday card I made for a friend.  Take a look....






I stamped my foliage (CAS-ual Fridays) in Picked Raspberry, Peacock Feathers and Seedless Preserves Distress inks along the bottom of my card.  Using the same ink colours I inked up my butterfly (STAMPlorations) carefully blending the colours. I added a bit of sparkle to the butterfly with my Wink of Stella pen.  Then I stamped the sentiment (CAS-ual Fridays) in black.  It's so bright and bold!  I love it!  :-)

Well, I hope you pop on over to the blog and checkout the rest of the DT projects and our fabulous Guest Designer.  There's some seriously amazing projects!  Thanks for dropping by and have an awesome day!

I'd like to link up to the following challenges:

Addicted to Stamps and More - CAS
Mod Squad Challenge Blog - one layer birthday

May 20, 2016

Lovely Lotus

Good Morning!  Just dropping in really quick to share a card I made.  I've been playing with my Spectrum Aqua markers again.  I really love those markers!  :-). Anyway, I wanted to link up my card with a few challenges before time ran out.  Here's my card....


I stamped my lotus flowers and leaf (Waffle Flower, Lotus set) on watercolour paper in grey StazOn ink.  Then I watercoloured them with my SA markers (Rose Pink and Moss) and my water brush pen.  I fussy cut them out and set them aside.  I took my white card base and masked of a side portion and took my flourish stencil (STAMPlorations) and sponged on Tea Dye Distress ink.  I then covered that portion and on the remaining part, sponged on Broken China Distress ink fading it out.  I then attached my leaf and lotus flowers.  Lastly, I stamped my dragonfly and sentiment (Waffle Flower, Lotus set) in grey StazOn ink.  I really like how my lotus flowers turned out.

Well, that's all for today!  Thanks for visiting!

I'd like to link up to the following challenges:

Waffle Flower Challenge for May - inspiration picture/colours


Addicted to Stamps and More - CAS
CASology - cue card is Stencil

May 19, 2016

Birthday Flowers

Hey everyone!  Today I have a card to share that I made in honor of my sweet friend and fellow DT teamie, Sandie (of London Days).  It was her birthday on the 16th and there's a Linky party going on at Kylie is Addicted to Stamps and a special challenge at TIME OUT Challenges.  I had already made and mailed off a card to Sandie but I wanted to participate so I came up with this card....




First, I stamped my flowers (Clearly Besotted) and then masked them off.  Using my flourish stencil (STAMPlorations), I sponged silver Delicata ink (you can see the shimmer better in the detail picture) lightly fading it out.  I removed the mask and coloured in my flowers with my Soectrum Noir markers (LV1, LV2, LV3, DG2, DG4 & the Blender).  Then I stamped the Happy (STAMPlorations) in black Versafine ink and the Birthday (STAMPlorations) in Seedless Preserves Distress ink.  Hope you had a fabulous birthday Sandie!!

Well, I hope you enjoyed your visit today and I hope you'll come back soon!  Thanks for stopping by!

I'd like to link up to the following challenges:

Mod Squad Challenge Blog - one layer birthday
Spectrum Noir's Monthly Challenge for May - Flowers
Addicted to Stamps and More - CAS
CASology - cue card is Stencil
TIME OUT Challenges - Sandie's special birthday challenge - CAS with optional twist of purple
Muse - CASEing Tracy's awesome card below.  I went with the design layout and flowers.

May 17, 2016

STAMPlorations Inspiration #76

Happy Tuesday everyone!  What's so great about Tuesday, you ask?  Well, it's time for another Inspiration post over at STAMPlorations, of course!  Today I combined 3 different stamp sets and played a bit with my Spectrum Aqua markers. Check it out....


First, I stamped the Happy Birthday (Big Greetings set) in black Versafine ink.  Then I created a mask for the happy part.  Next, I stamped my stitched circles (Frames and Flowers set) and then my flowers and leaves (Folk Flowers set) in the black Versafine ink as well.  I removed the mask and using my Spectrum Aqua watercolour markers (Blossom and Charcoal) and my water brush pen I coloured in the happy part and the flowers.  Lastly, I added some black enamel dots.

I hope you've been inspired to create today!  Take a trip over to the main blog and see what the other DT members made too.  Don't forget to leave a comment there for a chance to win a prize.  Have a fantastic day and thanks for stopping by!

I'd like to link up to the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Flowers
Spectrum Noir's Monthly Challenge for May - Flowers
TIME OUT Challenges - CASEing Kay Miller's card.  I loved the soft colours and the flowers.


May 10, 2016

Rainbow Birthday

Hey everyone!  Just popping in to share a card I made the other day.  It's a fun rainbow coloured birthday card!  Check it out....


I stamped the floral pattern (CAS-ual Fridays: Wallflower set) on the diagonal repeatedly in black.  Then I coloured them in with my Spectrum Noir markers in rainbow colours.  I added a narrow black sticker that I happened to have a bunch of to create my edge.  Then I stamped the sentiment (CAS-ual Fridays: CAS-ual Comfort set) in black.  I love how this turned out. :-)

Well, I hope you have a wonderful day and thanks so much for stopping by!

I'd like to link up to the following challenges:

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge - birthday girl


Pinterest Inspired Challenge - I was inspired by the rainbow colours in the picture below


STAMPlorations Inspiration #75

Good morning!  It's Tuesday and you know what that means!?  It's time for an Inspiration post over at STAMPlorations!  As usual, the DT has made some amazing projects to inspire you.  I've got some talented Teamies for sure!  This is what I came up with this week....




So how did I make my plaid butterflies?  Well, let me tell you!  :-)  First, I stamped my sentiment.  The happy (Sentiment Builders: Happy set) was stamped in Spiced Marmalade Distress ink and the birthday (Party Time set) in black Versafine ink.  Then I stamped my butterflies (Winged Things set) in black.  I created some masks that showed only the butterflies like this....


I used the butterfly masks themselves later.  Once the surrounding area was protected I stamped my distressed line stamp (Mixed Media Elements set) in Spiced Marmalade, Mustard Seed, and Seedless Preserves Distress ink in a plaid pattern. I repeated this for each butterfly.  Then I used the butterfly masks to protect them from the black splatters I added.  Lastly, I added some rhinestones for a little sparkle.  I just love my plaid butterflies.  I think I need to try this plaid technique on something else too.  It's too much fun!

Well, I hope my card inspired you to create today.  Make sure to pop by the main blog for more inspiration by the rest of the DT too.  Have an awesome day!

I'd like to link up to the following challenges:

Addicted to CAS - code word is Plaid
Craft Stamper Magazine, Take it, Make it Challenge for May - anything goes 

May 07, 2016

Silent Night

Hey there!  It's a gorgeous day here today.  Sunny and a high of 18 degrees (Celcius).  My boys are going fishing today and I'm going to go play in my craft room. :-).  I've been on a bit of a Christmas card making binge lately. Probably because I'm so behind in my Christmas cards this year. I like to make them ahead of time so I don't get overwhelmed at Christmas. Plus, my Mom usually orders some too.  So, today I've got a couple of Christmas cards to share. My husband surprised me with a cool new stamp he got me when he made an order through Amazon.  He complains I've got too much craft stuff but he gets me more himself!  Go figure?!  LOL. He just likes to make me happy.  :-). Anyway, this stamp is super cool and not one I'd seen before.  It's by Stampendous.  Here's what I made...


This first card I stamped the trees and embossed them in white. Then using the ink from my pool to navy ombré ink pad (Hero Arts) I sponged on my colours. Once done, I trimmed my label down to fit my card base and added some strips of silver glitter tape.  I love the look of this quite a bit.  It's cool that the stamp has a built in sentiment too.

I'd like to link up the first card to the following challenges:

ABC Christmas Challenge - I is for ink
CAS Mix-Up Challenge - Stamping + Heat Embossing + Sponging/Resist/Ombre


Here's the second card I made....




This time I took some watercolour paper and did an ombré wash using my Spectrum Aqua markers (Orchid and Navy) and a wide water brush pen.  I spritzed some water on after it dried to create water droplets and once that dried stamped my trees in black Versafine ink.  I then splattered some white acrylic paint over top.  I trimmed it down to fit my card base and added some silver glitter tape again.  I also added a snowflake edge die cut (Darice) that I glittered up with my Wink of Stella pen.  I think I like how this one turned out the best.  :-)

I'd like to link up the second card to the following challenges:

Merry Monday Christmas Challenge - ombré and glitter


Crafter Stamper Magazine - Take it, Make it Challenge - anything goes


Well, I hope you enjoyed your little visit today. Thanks for stopping by!

Inkspirational Challenge - Mint and Navy

It's a lovely Saturday to start a new challenge over at Inkspirational!  We've got a colour challenge this time for you.  Mint and Navy.


It's not a colour combo I'd use very often but it is rather good together.  Today I have something extra special for you. My Ink Teamies wanted me to do a tutorial on how I do the masking technique so I decided I'd share it with you all as well.  :-)  Here we go.....


Once I've decided on my main image and design idea  I create a mask by stamping my butterfly (Stampendous) on a thin piece of paper.  (In this case I used computer paper. I like to use post-it notes when I can as they are thin and have a built in sticky back that is low tack so as not to wreck your card underneath.  However, you are limited by size).  I fussy cut my butterfly out and set it aside.



Next, I stamped my butterfly in black Memento ink on my card base.



Then I added some Zig glue to my mask.  If you let this dry before sticking it down it is removable.



I stick my mask over my image and I'm ready to start playing with my background.



I stamped my script stamp (STAMPlorations) in black that I've faded out and spritzed with water several times.



Then I splatter Navy Memento ink and Peacock Feathers Distress ink.  (I thought the Peacock Feathers was a bit more green than it actually was).



Then I remove the mask.



I coloured in my butterfly with my Spectrum Noir markers and add the sentiment (STAMPlorations) in black.




Voila!  It's done!  I'm loving this colour combo and my big butterfly looks pretty good.

I hope you've enjoyed you visit today and maybe learned something new too!  Have a fabulous day!

I'd like to link up to the following challenges:

Craft Stamper Magazine - Take it, Make it Challenge for May - anything goes
Addicted to Stamps and More - make your mark
CAS-ual Fridays - birthday girl



May 03, 2016

STAMPlorations Inspiration #74

It's Tuesday and it's time for another Inspiration post over at STAMPlorations!  As usual, we've got an awesome variety of projects to share.  This is mine....


I decided to try the stamping over white pigment ink technique on black cardstock this time.  So, I took my oak leaf stamp (Trendy Leaves set) stamped it first with white pigment ink then went over it with a variety of Distress ink colours.  The colours aren't as vibrant over the white as the StazOn ink is but still very nice. I stamped my sentiment (Smile set) in versamark ink and embossed it in white.  I've done this technique on kraft and now black cardstock but I think I want to test it out on other colours too.  :-)

Well, make sure to pop on by the main blog and see all the other lovely cards by the DT.  And remember, if you leave a comment there you are entered in for the prize draw!

Have a great day and thanks for visiting!


May 02, 2016

Pretty Snowflakes

Hey everyone!  Just popping in to share another Christmas card. I wanted to play along with a few challenges, in paticular, Muse: Christmas Visions, as one of my STAMPlorations Teamies, Suchi, is the muse this week.  This is her card...


Awesome, right?  And here's my card....


I was inspired by the awesome sponging Suchi did in the one corner of her card and my two larger snowflakes are like the two skate wreaths she had in her card.  So, what I did was stamp my snowflakes (Hero Arts) and my little dots (STAMPlorations) and embossed them in white.  Then I took Picked Raspberry and Seedless Preserves Distress ink and sponged over top.  I spritzed water over top to create water droplets which kind of remind me of bokeh, don't you think?  Lastly, I stamped the sentiment (STAMPlorations) in black.  I love the non-traditional colours of this card. :-)

Well, thanks for stopping by for a visit!  Have a fantastic day!

I'd like to link up to the following challenges:

52 (Christmas) Card Throwdown - pick a previous theme.  I chose challenge #4 Snowflakes April 2012.
ABC Christmas Challenge - I is for Ink


May 01, 2016

STAMPlorations CASEplorations May

Hey there, CASEplorations fans!  It's May 1st and that means we are CASEing a new card artist! Hard to believe that its May already.  Where does the time go?  Anyway, this month we have another amazing card maker, and all round wonderful person, to CASE.  It's our very own STAMPlorations leader, Shery!  We are CASEing such a great card and it's appropriate with Mother's Day fast approaching.  Check it out....


Awesome, isn't it?  I had to channel my inner Shery to create my card and I enjoyed every minute!  This is what I came up with...

(All stamps by STAMPlorations)

I took my sunflower stamp (Bloom Sketches set) and stamped it first with Mustard Seed Distress ink then Victorian Velvet Distress ink.  I spritzed some water over top to make the ink bleed a bit, although it's hard to tell in the photo.  I stamped the sentiment (Sentiment Builders: Happy set) in black Versamark ink.  Lastly, I used my round corner punch on the bottom corners of the card.  A fun one layer card just like Shery's. :-)

I hope you'll pop on over to the blog and see what the other DT ladies have come up with too.  Outstanding projects, once again!

Have a fabulous day and thanks for dropping by!

I'd like to link up to the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - anything goes
Addicted to Stamps and More - anything goes

Holiday Washi

Oh my.  I'm soooo behind on my Christmas cards this year!  I only have a dozen made!  Pretty sure I had twice that at this time last year.  So last night before bed I sat down a made a Christmas card.  It was pretty simple to make but I like the look. I may make some more using different colours. :-).  Check it out....


Lots and lots of washi tape!  Most of my washi/glitter tape is either by Recollections, Scotch or Darice.  I actually really love washi tape but sometimes I forget about having it. LOL.  Anyway, I attached my washi tape to my card on a diagonal, alternating my designs.  Then I stamped my sentiment (STAMPlorations) in black.  Lastly, I added a couple of small strips which I cut into a arrow point.  Simple but fun, I think. 

Well, I'm glad you all stopped by for a visit and I hope you all have a lovely day!

I'd like to link up to the following challenges:

Jingles Belles - washi tape
52 (Christmas) Card Throwdown - pick a previous theme. I chose August 2013 challenge #20 -Holly. I used holly washi tape.
Addicted to CAS - code word is plaid. I used some plaid washi tape.