STAMPlorations Inspiration #30 - Roundup

Hey everyone!  It's another Inspiration day over at STAMPlorations!  We have a great bunch of projects to share with you and if you want you can play along too.  You can CASE my card, or any of the other DT's cards, or CASE Tenia's Card from the CASEplorations post.  You can even CASE any of our cards from Inspiration Posts #26 , #27, #28 or #29.  As usual, there's prizes!  So, let me show you my card for today.

(All stamps are by STAMPlorations)

I broke out my Party Mates set (Dee's Artsy Impressions) and chose some fun images.  I taped off the bottom edge first and then stamped my party hat in black (Memento). Then I removed the tape and taped off a narrow strip above and sponged black ink.  I removed the tape and taped off a new section to stamp my cupcake.  I repeated these steps for the party blower and gift stamps. Then, I stamped the sentiment (Party Time set) and the horn.  I coloured in my images using my Spectrum Noir markers.  I decided to only colour in a few on each strip.  Originally, I didn't have the horn but somehow a tiny drop of red ink got on my white space.  I swear, that's the second time that's happened when I coloured with red.  I'm going to have to be more careful.  The horn covered it up and it works pretty well.  :-)

I hope you come on over to the STAMPlorations blog and check out all the other fabulous projects and maybe add your own!

Thanks for stopping by and have an awesome day!

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

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - anything goes

STAMPlorations Inspiration #29

Hi everyone!  It's time again to try and inspire you!  Over at STAMPlorations the Inspiration Design Team has come up with some more fabulous cards to try and entice you to create!  If you want join in you could CASE my card or any of the DT's cards or Tenia's card from the CASEplorations Post.  Or if you'd like you can CASE one of our cards from the Inspiration posts #26, #27 or #28.  Whichever way you'd like to play you can link up your cards and have a chance to win some prizes!  Here's my card...

(All stamps are by STAMPlorations)

Yes, it's Christmas in July!  Your eyes are not seeing things.  Most of you know that I love to make Christmas cards and do so all year long.  So it's not surprising to find a Christmas card post here.  I also love taking non Christmas stamps and making them into a Christmas card.  I was looking at fellow Teamate, Shirley's, stamp set, Party Girl and I thought the dress could be made into a festive Mrs. Claus dress.  So, that's what I did.  Now, I wanted to add a cute little Santa hat on her head so before I stamped her head I masked off a section and then hand drew one on, trying to keep it kind of sketchy to match Shirley's original.  Hope that's okay Shirley!  Once it was all stamped I coloured her in with my Spectrum Noir markers.  I added some textured snow on her dress to mimic a furry trim.  I had originally done a different background but didn't like how it turned out.  So, I fussy cut the girl out to save her and did a different background.  I stamped the lollipop swirl (Part Mates set, Dee's Artsy Impressions) in red and green and added a strip of gold glitter tape.  I stamped the sentiment (Holiday Sketches: Christmas Flower) in black.  I really like how this turned out.

So, if you want to play along and do some CASEing come on over and visit us HERE.

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you have a great day!

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

Addicted to Stamps and More - CAS, clean and simple.

Welcome Baby

Today I have a card to share that I made for my cousin.  She very recently had a baby boy.  His name is Ethan Samuel.  I like it.  From the pictures I've seen he is adorable.  She's the same age I was when I had my son, Donovan.  Now he's 7.  Oh, how time flies!  Anyway, here's my card...

I took a white cardstock panel and embossed it with my interlocking circles folder (Darice).  Then I attached a piece of aqua glitter tape on one side.  Then I cut some ovals out of white and aqua cardstock.  On the white oval I stamped my stork and baby (Inkadinkado) and coloured it in with my Spectrum Noir markers.  Then I attached it to my aqua oval.  I attached this to my embossed panel with some foam dots.  I added a small piece of ribbon to the bottom of the oval.  I then attached the panel to my card base with more foam dots.  I think it turned out quite cute.  Hope she likes it.

Well, I hope you are all enjoying your weekend.  I'm trying to get over a terrible cold.  I have a really bad dry cough that is just no fun.  Thanks for stopping by!

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

CAS-ual Chic - embossing.

STAMPlorations Inspiration #28

It's a great day to bring you some more inspiration from the Inspiration Team over at STAMPlorations!  We've got some fabulous projects to share with you.  And if you'd like to play along too feel free to CASE my card, or one of the other DT's cards from today's post.  Or if you want, CASE Tenia's card from the CASEplorations post or from Inspiration posts #26 or #27.  It's up to you who you CASE.  If you do play along with us you could win a prize!  Anyway, here's my card...

So, I took my chevron stamp (Vignette: Chevron and Arrows set) and stamped repeatedly in red and black Memento ink.  I left a space for my sentiment (Party Time set) which I stamped only part of above and the rest below.  I masked off a narrow strip between my two sections and sponged grey ink.  Makes a great quick and simple masculine card.

I do hope you'll join us and CASE a card.  I look forward to seeing your awesome projects!

Have a lovely day and thanks for visiting!

I'm linking up to the following challenges:

Addicted to CAS - Chevron
Addicted to Stamps and More - CAS

One Layer Christmas Card Challenge #14

Hey everyone!  It's another great day for the start of a new challenge over at One Layer Christmas Card Challenges!  I know that a lot of you think we're crazy for making Christmas cards all year but I have about 26-27 of my Christmas cards made and it's only July!  I'll have all my cards that I need done soon and I won't be rushed or stressed to finish them.  Plus, they are all one layers so no extra postage needed!  That's the beauty of making a few cards a month all year long.  Of course, I LOVE making Christmas cards.  I know some get tired of it but not me.  :-). Yep, I know.  I'm crazy.  :-). Anyway, back to the challenge.  As usual, it's anything goes with an optional twist.  This time the twist is candles.

I don't have too many Christmas candle stamps so I used a great STAMPlorations one I had.  I've always liked the old fashioned almost vintage look of it.  I got creative with it too by using the masking technique.  Take a look...

Once I made my mask I stamped the poinsettias several times in walnut stain Distress ink.  Then I stamped it twice with the candles.  I coloured everything in with my prismacolor pencil crayons.  Then I stamped the sentiment (from the same set) in walnut stain ink.  I think it turned out pretty good.  :-). The masking on this one was kind of tricky and I'm not sure I'd do it again.  :-)

So, we hope you'll all join in on the fun and remember, if you use the twist you're entered in for the prize draw!

Have a fabulous day and thanks for visiting!

I'm going to link up to the following challenges:

Addicted to Stamps and More - holiday
Winter Wonderland Challenge - traditional colours
Jingle Belles - old fashioned/vintage

Best Wishes

Hi!  Just wanted to do a quick post to share a card I made for a couple of challenges.  It's another one layer.  Surprise, surprise.  LOL!  I just can't help it. I love my one layer cards now!  They used to scare me but not anymore.  :-).   Take a look...

So, I masked off a section and sponged spiced marmelade and mustard seed Distress inks and and old pink ink, blending them.  I spritz some water on to create the water droplets.  I stamped my foliage (Fiskars) in black.  I wanted a couple of dragonflies too but I didn't have any that were small enough. But then I received the Lotus stamp set I won from Waffle Flower and there are two small dragonflies  that come with it. Bi used the smaller of the two and it was perfect!  I removed the mask created a narrow strip on one side and sponged black in an ombré look.  Lastly, I stamped the sentiment (SU! Retired) in black.  Love how this turned out.  :-)

Well, that's all for now.  Thanks for dropping by and have a wonderful day!

I'm linking up to the following challenges:

CAS-ology - cue card is "line".
Time Out Challenge - nature with an option twist of animal.

Inkspirational Colour Challenge - Kraft

Morning everyone!  It's another hot one here today.  We are going over to a friends place today to swim in their pool.  My son is super excited.  He's been counting down the days all week.  LOL.  Anyway, we've got a great colour challenge over at Inkspirational starting today.  Anything goes with Kraft.

I love working with kraft paper. It can change the whole look of your card.  I decided to try colouring with my Spectrum Noir markers.  I love how it turned out.  Take a look...

I stamped my flowers and leaves (STAMPlorations, Dee's Artsy Impressions, Blooming Buds set) in black on my kraft cardstock.  Then I coloured them in with my SN markers (DR5, DR7, DG2, DG4). Then I masked off my flowers and stamped portion of a script stamp (Stampabilities. I think this is a discontinued stamp but any script stamp will do) in tea dye Distress ink, stamping off first to create a subtle look.  I sponged some more tea dye ink around my flowers and stamped some of the flowers lightly around the edges.  I sprayed some heirloom gold Perfect Pearls mist and then removed the mask.  I stamped the sentiment (STAMPlorations, Trendy Feathers set) in walnut stain Distress ink.  Then I attached my kraft panel to my white card base.

I hope you'll join in on the fun and make a krafty card!  Come take a look at the other Ink girls projects too.  They are all just wonderful.  We have a fantastic Guest Designer too.  Bobby from Bits & Pieces.  Go check out her awesome card!

Hope you have a lovely day and thanks for stoping by!

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

Craft Stamper Magazine - Make it , Take it challenge - use a stamp.
Virginia's View Challenge - 100% Stamping
Penny Black and More challenge - anything goes with a sentiment

Hello Birthday Girl

Today I have a card to share that I made especially for a birthday bash going on at a fellow STAMPlorations teammate's blog.  She's got a fun challenge going on and I wanted to participate.  This week, Becca, from The Damsel of Distressed Cards  blog is celebrating her birthday!  She has a mood board to draw inspiration from and a list of things she'd like you to use as a guideline.

Guidelines:

>Purple and teal color combos

>Watercolor washes

>Fun, bright, eclectic clean and simple cards 

>Polka Dots

>PUNS!! :)

>Typography

>Distressed, vintage cards full of texture

So, I came up with a card that I think she'll like.  I've shown the inside of the card as well.  Check it out...

I first stamped my maple leaf (Clearly Besotted) using spiced marmalade, broken china, and dusty concord Distress inks that I randomly applied to my stamp and then lightly spritzed with water.  Then I stamped my script stamp (Stampabilities) with walnut stain Distress ink that I spritzed with water and rubbed off a bit here and there.  Next, I sponged a bit of spiced marmalade ink around my leaves.  I then stamped my sentiment (CAS-ual Fridays) in the walnut stain ink.  I tied some twine around my panel then attached it to my card base with foam dots.  The inside sentiment is by STAMPlorations and the leaf was stamped the same way as the others.  It's got the purple and teal colours Becca likes and some typography too.  A little distressed looking too.  :-)

Well, Happy Birthday Becca!  Hope you like the card.  That's all for me today.  Thanks for visiting!

I'm linking up to the following challenges:

Craft Stamper Magazine - make it, take it challenge - use a stamp.
Virginia's View Challenge - 100% Stamped
The Damsel of Distressed Cards- Becca's Birthday Bash
Time Out Challenge - Nature with optional twist of animals.  (No twist this time for me)

Belated Birthday

Hi there!  I'm just popping in to share a card I made recently for my Dad's birthday.  It was late which, unfortunately, seems to be my thing more and more as I get older.  Anyway, I used a CAS-ual Fridays set that I love and bought with my Dad in mind.  You see he's a big computer.....well...geek.  LOL.  He's been into computers right from the beginning.  Our first home computer was called The Pet.  Anyone, else remember those?  They were all one piece and, by today's standard, could do almost nothing!  :-).  They came before the Vic 20's and the Commodore 64's.  We had those too.  Man, it's no wonder I'm a big geek too!  LOL.  Anyway, this set seemed like it was made for my Dad.   Take a look at my card...

The set is called Tech Talk.  It was perfect for my belated card.  I basically stamped a collage of the majority of the stamps from the set using the pool to navy ombré ink pad by Hero Arts.  Then I masked off some narrow strips above and below and sponged the same ink created an ombré look.  Then I stamped my belated sentiment (STAMPlorations) in the same ink.  I really love how it turned out.  So did he.  :-)

Well, that's all for now.  Have a fantastic day and thanks for stopping by!

I'm linking up with the following challenges:

Virginia's View Challenge - 100% Stamped
Cardz 4 Guys - no designer paper

STAMPlorations Inspiration #27

Hi there!  Guess what?!  It's time for another Inspiration post over at STAMPlorations!  And if you would like, you can play along over at the CASEplorations playground too.  CASE Tenia's card or CASE one of our cards from today's post or from Inspiration post #26.  You also have the opportunity to win a prize!  :-). Here's my card...

(All stamps by STAMPlorations, Bloom Sketches stamp set)

I took a black card base and stamped my daisy three times (masking the middle one) and embossed them in white.  I added some colour to them with coloured charcoal pencils and blended a bit to soften the colours.  Then I stamped and embossed my sentiment in white and added a trimmed piece of gold glitter tape.

So, whether you CASE Tenia's card, my card, or one of the other Inspiration DT's cards, we hope you'll play along.

Thanks for dropping by and I hope you have a fabulous day!

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

CAS on Sunday - embossing
Addicted to Stamps and More - make your mark

STAMPlorations Inspiration #26

Hey everyone!  It's time for an other Inspiration post over at STAMPlorations!  We are hoping to inspire you to create along with us.  And if you would like you can play along over at the CASEplorations playground too.  CASE Tenia's card or CASE one of our cards from today's post.  You have the opportunity to win a prize!  Hope to see you there!

Today's card features the lovely stamp set designed by teammate, Deepti.  Oh, how I love this set!  I only used this set for my card.  Take a look...

(All stamps by STAMPlorations, Dee's Artsy Impressions, Blooming Buds stamp set)

I have to note here that my design was inspired by THIS card I saw on Pinterest.  I first stamped my flowers and leaves on a strip of vellum and embossed in white.  I coloured the flowers on the back of the vellum with my Spectrum Noir markers (DG2, DG4, LV1, LV2) before attaching the vellum to my card base I stamped a few leaves in mellow moss ink (retired SU!) so they would show through the vellum.  Once the vellum was attached I adhered two strips of white cardstock over top and stamped my sentiment in grey flannel Memento ink.

So, whether you CASE Tenia's card, my card, or one of the other Inspiration DT's cards, we hope you'll play along.

Thanks for dropping by and I hope you have a fabulous day!

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

CAS on Sunday - embossing
Addicted to Stamps and More - "make your mark"

One Layer Christmas Card Challenge #13 - Gift

Hello everyone!  It's another warm day here in New Brunswick.  I'm loving the warmer, sunnier weather.  I could wish for less humidity but I'll take that over the horrible winter we had.  Anyway, it's time for another challenge over at OLCCC!  As usual, the challenge is anything goes but there's always an optional twist.  This time it's "gift".

So, interpret that as you will.  :-)  Remember, if you use the twist you'll be entered in for a prize drawing. Here's my card...

I decided to switch it up a bit again and use coloured cardstock as my card base.  I have a tendency to always use white for my cards.  Not sure why.  This time I chose a nice dark blue.  I stamped my gift boxes (STAMPlorations - Dee's Artsy Impressions) and embossed them in white.  I did the same for the sentiment (Stampabilities).  Then I coloured in parts of the gift boxes with Wink of Stella and a silver metallic marker.  They are so much more glittery in real life.  It's a pretty wick card to make but fun.  Could be done in so many colours too.

Well, I hope you'll take a moment to come over to the OLCCC blog and check out what the other DT girls have created.  As always, they have outdone themselves.

Have an amazing day and thanks for stopping by for a visit!

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

Winter Wonderland - All that Glitters
Jingle Belles - "Silver Belles". Use silver or bells or both.
The Glory of Christmas Challenge - gifts

Inkspirational Challenge - Designer's Choice - Grunge

It's time for another fun challenge over at Inkspirational!  This time it was our lovely and talented team member, Sandie's, choice.  Now you'd think that she would choose CAS or purple (cause that's what she loves) but she's also full of surprises and likes to keep us on our toes.  So, do you wanna know what she chose?  Grunge!

Now this is what she defines grunge as:  Grunge is characterized by distressed, worn-out elements and the use of subtle or earthy colours. Think torn edges, textured backgrounds, 'dirty' appearance, splatters, stains, even hand-drawn lines. That said, grunge doesn't always mean "dirty" or subdued colours. A card can have subtle grunge elements in light or soft ink and yet still look clean and simple. Just think of grunge as the opposite of "polished". 

Well, alright then.  Let's get grungy!  :-). Check out my card...

I decided to break out a new stamp I bought from our Spring trip into Bangor, ME and I got to shop at Hobby Lobby.  This octopus stamp was just too cool to pass up.  It's by Stampabilities.  So first, I stamped and embossed my octopus in white then I sponged mowed lawn and broken china Distress ink around it.  I lightly spritzed it with water so the ink would blend a bit and get those lovely water spots.  Then I splattered some watered down nautical blue Memento ink.  Once that was dry, I took my large and small splatter stamps (Neat and Tangled) and inked them up with grey flannel Memento ink, stamped them off and then lightly spritzed them with water before stamping them.  Then I stamped the sentiment (STAMPlorations) in grey.  I attached my panel to my card base with some foam dots.  I thought the sentiment was hilarious with the octopus and his eight arms.  That would be some hug!   :-)

I hope you'll go over to the blog and see what the Ink girls have created too.  We also have a fabulous Guest Designer, Ashwini from Experiments With Card Making Etc.  She's created not one, but two amazing cards for the challenge.  You definitely need to go take a look.

Well, I hope you having a wonderful weekend and thanks so much for stopping by!

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

Craft Stamper Magazine July Challenge - "Take a Stamp". It's anything goes and you have to use a stamp.Addicted to Stamps and More - anything goes
City Crafter Challenge Blog- Let's Go Nautical
Virginia's View Challenge - 100% Stamped - everything is stamped on my card except the sponged colours and the dark blue splatters. Even the grey splotches are stamps.  :-)

STAMPlorations Birthday Blog Hop - Day 4

Day 4!

With Guest designer: Taheerah Atchia

There's a lot of celebrating going on over at STAMPlorations for its second birthday!  We'd love it if you'd join us too!  The STAMPlorations team has all been busy making fabulous projects to inspire you.  We've been playing with the new party themed sets.  Here's my project for today...

So, for this card I really wanted to used that awesome mask stamp.  It reminded me of my wedding day as we had a masquerade theme and made fun masks for all our guests.  :-). Anyway, I taped off a corner section of my card base and then stamped my mask all over.  Then I masked a narrow strip and created an ombré effect by sponging on black ink.  I coloured my masks using my Spectrum Noir markers and then covered them in Wink of Stella.  You can see some of the glitter in the photo.  Then I stamped the sentiment in black.  I really like the diagonal design and I think I'm going to have to do some more cards like this.  I love that mask stamp and how it took me down memory lane.  :-)

So, if you want to have a chance to win some prizes you can comment along the hop and/or you can link up your birthday/party themed creations over at the blog.

I used the following party themed sets:
Party Time - http://stamplorations.com/partytime/

Party Mates - http://stamplorations.com/partymates/

Commenting and linking close on Monday, July 6. Winners are announced on Tuesday, July 7.

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Check out what the rest of the team made! You'll find links to all birthday blog hop projects here.

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Prizes for commenting on the STAMPlorations blog, STAMPlorations designers blogs, and guest designers blogs:

• 1 winner of $25 gift certificate
• 5 winners of $10 gift certificate

Prizes for linking up a party/celebration/birthday project:

• 3 winners of the party stamp sets (1 winner of Party Mates, 1 winner of Party Time, 1 winner of PartyGirl)
• 1 winner of $25 gift certificate (if STAMPlorations stamps/stencils are used) or $15 gift certificate (if non-STAMPlorations stamps/stencils are used)

***winners are randomly drawn

I do hope you hop along with us and I hope you like what we've created.  Have a fantastic day and thanks for visiting!

STAMPlorations Birthday Blog Hop - Day 3

Day 3!

With Guest designer: KEREN BAKER

There's a lot of celebrating going on over at STAMPlorations for its second birthday!  We'd love it if you'd join us too!  The STAMPlorations team has all been busy making fabulous projects to inspire you.  We've been playing with the new party themed sets.  Here's my project for today...

For this card I wanted some balloons and stars stenciled.  I didn't have any stencils of these and so I made my own by die cutting them.  I then placed my balloon stencil where I wanted it and sponged on teal zeal and elderberry Memento inks.  Then I stamped the pinwheel stamp using the elderberry ink and the swirl lollipop using the teal zeal ink.  Then, using my homemade star stencil I sponged on my stars using mowed lawn Distress ink.  I stamped the sentiment in nautical blue Memento ink.  Another fun one layer card!  :-)

So, if you want to have a chance to win some prizes you can comment along the hop and/or you can link up your birthday/party themed creations over at the blog.

I used the following party themed sets:
Party Time - http://stamplorations.com/partytime/

Party Mates - http://stamplorations.com/partymates/

Commenting and linking close on Monday, July 6. Winners are announced on Tuesday, July 7.

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Check out what the rest of the team made! You'll find links to all birthday blog hop projects here.

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Prizes for commenting on the STAMPlorations blog, STAMPlorations designers blogs, and guest designers blogs:

• 1 winner of $25 gift certificate
• 5 winners of $10 gift certificate

Prizes for linking up a party/celebration/birthday project:

• 3 winners of the party stamp sets (1 winner of Party Mates, 1 winner of Party Time, 1 winner of PartyGirl)
• 1 winner of $25 gift certificate (if STAMPlorations stamps/stencils are used) or $15 gift certificate (if non-STAMPlorations stamps/stencils are used)

***winners are randomly drawn

I do hope you hop along with us and I hope you like what we've created.  Have a fantastic day and thanks for visiting!

STAMPlorations - July CASEplorations

Greetings everyone!  Today is the day to start a new CASEplorations!

And this months CASE is someone we all love and admire!  It's one of our own, Tenia Nelson!  Tenia is an amazing card artist and never fails to inspire.  She's also very supportive, visiting blogs and leaving some love.  :-). This is her awesome card we are CASEing...

Wonderful isn't it?  And as Tenia would say, don't you just LURVE it?!  I'm always in awe of her ability to combine so much colour and funky layers so well.  Her cards are just plain cool.  I'm afraid I'm no good with layers anymore.  I'm addicted to my one (sometimes two) layer cards.  So I attempted to capture the bright colours and fun designs instead.  Here's my CASE...

I loved those colourful circles and that one lone chevron called out to me.  So, I incorporated them and the bright, bold colours into my card.  First I taped off a strip and using the circle Christmas tree stencil  (it's the only circle stencil I had) and sponged on spiced marmelade, mustard yellow, and mowed lawn Distress inks, blending them.  Then I removed the tape and moved it over to protect my circles to stamp my chevron in dusty concord Distress ink.  I removed the tape and then stamped my sentiment in dusty concord too.  I stamped arrow pattern pointing to the sentiment in broken china Distress ink.  Then I stamped two small butterflies in broken china and fussy cut them out. I attached them to the card with some foam dots.  It's a bright and happy card, don't you think?

I used the following STAMPloration stamps sets:

Vignette: Chevron and Arrows

Trendy Butterflies

ARTplorations stencil, Christmas Trees

I hope you'll come over to the CASEplorations Playground and join us in CASEing Tenia's card.  Or if you'd like you could CASE my card or any of the DT girls cards. It's totally up to you.  If you do link up you could win a prize!  Hope to see you there!

Have an amazing day and thanks for stopping by!

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

Addicted to Stamps and More - anything goes
AAA Cards - paste and/or stencils

Virginia's View Challenge - 100% Stamping. I did use a stencil for the circles but other than that the rest is stamped.  :-)