STAMPlorations Inspiration #73

Happy last day of the month, everyone!  It's time again for an Inspiration post over at STAMPlorations.  There are some lovely cards by the DT for your perusal.  Here's what I made....

I started off by stamping my branches (one is from the Christmas Bell Medley set and the other is from the Frames and Flowers set) in Tea Dye Distress ink.  Then I stamped the small flower (Frames and Flowers set) in Abandoned Coral and Picked Raspberry Distress ink.  I stamped the small leaf (Frames and Flowers set) in Bamboo Leaves Memento ink.  I stamped the butterfly (Frames and Flowers set) in Pool to Navy Ombré ink by Hero Arts.  Then I stamped the sentiment (Big Greetings set) in black ink on a strip of white cardstock and cut one end to create a point. I coloured in the sentiment with my Spectrum Noir marker, BT4.  I attached this to the card with some foam dots.  I don't know if anyone's noticed but I have been making a fair amount of thank you cards lately.  My son's teacher ordered some from me and she just wanted thank you cards. :-). I have one more to share but that will have to wait until later.

Well, I hope you enjoyed your visit today and that you'll go check out everyone else's projects at the main blog. 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

STAMPlorations April Stamp Release Hop!

Hey everyone!  I'm sure some of you have seen that there is a fun blog hop for our April stamp release going on over at STAMPlorations this past week.  Today is the day us Inspiration girls get to show you how we used the four new fabulous stamp sets by Shery, Deepti, Shirley and Becca.

Aren't they fantastic?  So much fun to be had with these stamps.  Here's what I came up with...

 

First up is Shery's set called, Trendy Feathers 2.  I stamped the feathers in a variety of ombre ink.  I stamped the sentiment in black and added a strip of houndstooth washi tape.  Aren't those feathers amazing?!

Second is Shirley's groovy new set called, Groovy Shoes.  I repeatedly stamped the shoes in black ink on my card base.  I'm sure a Misti tool would have come in handy but I managed okay doing it by eye.  I coloured in one shoe with my Spectrum Noir markers.  I added a strip of washi tape and black cardstock I had stamped and embossed the sentiment in white on.

Next is Deepti's gorgeous set called, Smile.  I chose to use the calla lillies and stamped them in brown on kraft cardstock.  I coloured them in with a white pencil crayon and shaded around them with a brown pencil crayon.  I stamped the sentiment (Fond Expressions 2 set) in brown.  Love the look of this technique.  :-)

Lastly, we have Becca's wonderful sentiment set called. Strong Women.  I started off by sponging ink through the Flourishes stencil with ombre ink.  Then I spritzed Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls mist. You can see the shimmer better in the detail picture.  I die cut the word Mom and using the negative die cut as a stencil, sponged green ink on.  Then I stamped the sentiment in black.

I'd like to enter this last card into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Addicted to Stamps and More - Anything Goes
TIME OUT Challenges - Celebration with optional die cutting/fussy cutting.  Not sure if my use of the negative die cut as a stencil counts or not.  :-)
Mod Squad Challenge Blog - Mother's Day


Well, I hope you enjoyed my cards and will go check out the rest at the main blog.  There are prizes to win too!  Here's all the info:

Prizes:

• ONE (1) commenter randomly drawn from all comments left on the STAMP blog and designers' blogs (Days 1 to 5 post) wins the entire release (all 4 stamps)
• ONE (1) commenter randomly drawn from all comments left on the STAMP blog and designers' blogs (Day 5 post) wins a $20 gift certificate to the shop
• FOUR (4) commenters randomly drawn from Designer & Stamp Spotlight posts (Days 1 to 4) each wins a $10 gift certificate to the shop
• ONE (1) commenter randomly drawn from our Facebook page will win a $15 gift certificate for herself and a $15 gift certificate for one friend she tags in her comment

Please note: The stamps are 10% off each until May 6; when bought as a bundle, it's 15% off.  Also, just for our blog followers and April stamp release blog hop participants, from April 25 to May 6: All orders of at least $12 ship free worldwide! Use code STAMPWEEK.

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

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Have an awesome day and thanks for stopping by!

STAMPlorations Inspiration #72

Well, Tuesday has rolled around again.  It's amazing how quickly the week went by!  We've got another fabulous bunch of cards to share over at STAMPlorations for this week's inspiration post.  I finally got my hands on a stamp set I've been dying to have so, of course, I had to use it.  Take a look...

I chose two of the awesome leaf stamps from the Trendy Leaves set, and inked them up with the following Distress inks:  Peacock Feathers, Mustard Seed, Seedless Preserves, Abandoned Coral.  The combination of these colours is a bit unusual but I like it.  I inked them up and then spritzed with some water so they would blend.  Lastly, I stamped the sentiment (Fond Expressions 2 set) in black.  I liked how this turned out so much I made another card but changed the sentiment (Fond Expressions 2 set)and splattered some black ink on it.

So, I hope you enjoyed your visit today and that you'll take a look at the rest of the DT's projects too. Thanks for stopping by!

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

Virginia's View Challenge - she has a link up party going on right now and the theme is Friendship

Mod Squad Challenge Blog - incorporate water either by images of materials.

Inkspirational - Designer's Choice - Vehicle

Happy weekend, everyone!  What are your plans for the next two days?  We are going to be puttering around the house and outside.  Loving the warmer, sunnier weather we are having.  :-). I know something that you could all do!  Play along with the next challenge over at Inkspirational!  It's Designer's Choice this time it is our sweet and talented teammate, Carol's turn.  :-)

And the theme is....Vehicles!  How fun!  I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I got this awesome die set from my fellow Teammate, Marina, for Christmas and I hadn't tried it yet.  It's so awesome I'm not sure why?!  I only used one of the great dies from the set so I'm going to have to break it out again soon.  It's a set of London's (England) skylines and a taxi, a phone booth, a double decker bus, etc.  Too cool.  Check out my card....

I just had to use the double decker bus when I heard what the challenge was going to be!  Isn't it awesome?!  First I stamped a background for it.  I used a older Hero Arts Postage stamp (it's hard to see because of the pale ink but it has Big Ben on it and says London at the top) that I inked up in SSS Sea Glass.  I stamped that twice.  Then, I stamped my splotches (STAMPlorations) in Dove Gray StazOn ink.  I took some watered down black ink and splattered it over top.  I took my sentiment stamp (STAMPlorations), which I had masked off the H before inking, and stamped it in black.  Then I attached my red die cut bus with some foam dots.   I'm quite pleased with how this turned out. Can't wait to try out the skyline dies now. :-)

I hope you pop on over to the blog and check out what the rest of the team made.  It's all so fabulous! I really appreciate your visit and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

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

AAA Cards - anything goes

STAMPlorations Inspiration #71

Hey there!  Guess what?!  It's time for another Inspiration post over at STAMPlorations!  We've got some great card to share with you today.  And as always, if you comment on the main blog you are entered in for randomly drawn prize!  This is what I came up with this week....

I stamped my circle frame (Frames and Flowers set) several times in black.  Then using a mask I stamped my butterflies and dragonflies (Winged Things set).  I coloured them in with my Spectrum Noir markers. I stamped the sentiment (Fond Expressions 2 set) in black and added these little round puffy stickers I had lying around.  It's like they are extra tiny enamel dots!  Really love how this turned out. :-)

So, come on over and be inspired by all the awesome projects the other girls made.  Thanks for visiting and have a fantastic day!

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

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - butterfly beauty
Curtain Call - keep it simple

The Paper Players - CAS with butterflies

STAMPlorations - ARTplorations Stencil Blog Hop - Day 2

DAY 2

Hey everyone!  There's a fun blog hop going on over at STAMPlorations right now!  We are showcasing some new stencils that are in the store.  There are some really fabulous ones too!  I decided on the Stained Glass stencil.  Here's the second card I made....

I placed the stencil on the bottom portion of my card base and sponged my colours on blending them. I used yellow, orange, pink, teal and navy.  I removed the stencil and added a strip of teal glitter tape. I stamped the sentiment (Frames and Flowers set) in black.  This is a simple and easy card to make but it's so bright and fun.  :-)

I hope you enjoyed your visit today!  You should check out what the rest of the team made! You'll find links to all our projects here.  Plus, there's prizes!  Leave comments and/or link up a card with stenciling.  Here's all that info:

• THREE (3) winners will receive their choice of ARTplorations stencil (standard size - 5x7). Winners will be randomly drawn from all comments left on the designers' blogs.
• ONE (1) winner will receive a $15 gift certificate OR her choice of 2 ARTplorations stencils (standard size - 5x7). Winners will be randomly drawn from comments left on the STAMPlorations blog. 

Extra prizes for those who participate in the Flash Stencil Project Linky Party and link up by April 17:

• TWO (2) winners whose projects feature stencils (any brand) will each receive their choice of one (1) ARTplorations stencil (standard size - 5x7)
• ONE (1) winner whose project features an ARTplorations stencil will receive her choice of three (3) ARTplorations stencils (standard size - 5x7) OR a $15 gift certificate to the shop.

Thanks for stopping by!

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

Addicted to Stamps and More - CAS
The Card Concept - "Bright and Fresh"  I was inspired by the bright colours for my CAS card.

Watercolour Stencilling Card Duo

Hey everyone!  Just popping in to share a couple of cards I made recently.  I've had some time to craft this week after putting my son to bed as my husband is taking a gun safety course all this week.  So, I get to make cards.  Going to do that again after this post!   :-)

So, I had this piece of watercolour paper that I had done some watercolour stencilling a while ago and I decided to finally put it to use.  And it turned out to be big enough for two cards!  Take a look....

Using my water brush pen and Spectrum Aqua markers (Bud Green, Teal, Navy, Yellow), I watercoloured through my stencil (The Crafter's Workshop).  I cut the piece in half and then stamped my branch stamps (CAS-ual Fridays) in black Versamark ink in the corner.  Then I stamped the sentiments (STAMPlorations) in black as well.  I added some sequins (Neat and Tangled) in matching colours and mounted the panels on some coloured cardstock.  One on a medium teal and one on a lime green.  I really love how these turned out.

I hope you enjoyed your visit today.  Thanks for dropping by!

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

CAS Mix-up Card Challenge - Stamping + Stencilling + Watercolour and Sequins
AAA Card Challenge - anything goes

  

The Color Throwdown -

 

STAMPlorations - ARTplorations Stencil Blog Hop - Day 1

DAY 1

Hey everyone!  There's a fun blog hop going on over at STAMPlorations the next three days!  We are showcasing some new stencils that are in the store.  There are some really fabulous ones too!  I had a hard time choosing which one to use for my card.  But, I finally decided on the Stained Glass stencil.  Check it out....

 

I took a teal card base and put my stencil over top the whole thing.  Then I sponged white ink all over.  Next I took dark blue ink and sponged in the center of the "star" pattern.  I think it turned out awesome!  It made a perfect background for the floral die cut (Memory Box) which I cut out using a pale blue cardstock.  I made a little banner with the same pale blue paper and stamped the sentiment (Friends and Flowers set) in teal ink.

I hope you enjoyed your visit today!  You should check out what the rest of the team made! You'll find links to all our projects here.  Plus, there's prizes!  Leave comments and/or link up a card with stenciling.  Here's all that info:

• THREE (3) winners will receive their choice of ARTplorations stencil (standard size - 5x7). Winners will be randomly drawn from all comments left on the designers' blogs.
• ONE (1) winner will receive a $15 gift certificate OR her choice of 2 ARTplorations stencils (standard size - 5x7). Winners will be randomly drawn from comments left on the STAMPlorations blog. 

Extra prizes for those who participate in the Flash Stencil Project Linky Party and link up by April 17:

• TWO (2) winners whose projects feature stencils (any brand) will each receive their choice of one (1) ARTplorations stencil (standard size - 5x7)
• ONE (1) winner whose project features an ARTplorations stencil will receive her choice of three (3) ARTplorations stencils (standard size - 5x7) OR a $15 gift certificate to the shop.

Thanks for stopping by!

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

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - April showers bring May flowers (use showers and/or flowers).
AAA Cards - Anything Goes

TIME OUT Challenge - inspiration picture - I was inspired by the geometric patterns, the blue and the flowers.

STAMPlorations Inspiration #70

Morning everyone!  I'm back from our trip to Bangor.  It was fun but it's good to be home.  I got lots of crafty goodies on our trip.  Some of it was organization stuff like the embossing folder holder and some more marker racks for my Spectrum Aqua markers.  Some was fun stuff like a couple of stamps, a bunch of inks pads and a few other fun goodies.  Haven't had much chance to play with a lot of it yet.  Hoping today I'll get a chance. :-)

Anyway, it's time for some inspiration from the Inspiration Team over at STAMPlorations.  There's lots of fabulous projects to check out.  Here's what I made...

I am woefully behind on my Christmas cards this year so I decided to make one for this week's inspiration card.  I used the Christmas Reindeer stencil to create my card. I took the reindeer head part and sponged very lightly a light coloured ink.  This was to get an outline image.  Then using my Spectrum Aqua markers and my water brush pen, I watercoloured some bright colours overtop using the sponged image as a guide.  Once that dried, I added some glitter and washi tape (Recollections).  Then I added a little bow and a silver jingle bell to the deer.  It's a bright and fun card for Christmas, don't you think?

I hope you'll pop on over to the main blog and check out the other awesome cards by the DT.  Remember to leave a comment on the blog for your chance to win a prize too!

Have a fantastic day and thanks for stopping by!

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

Sparkles Christmas Challenge - CAS
AAA Cards - anything goes

Inkspirational Challenge - Word Prompt - Rock

Greetings from Bangor, Maine!  Yep, that's where I am this weekend.  We decided to take a little shopping trip to Bangor.  Just needed to get away.  I get to go to Hobby Lobby!!  :-)  Plus, Target and many other fun stores.  We are heading back home tomorrow.

Anyway, on to the challenge!  It's time for another one over at Inkspirational.  This time we've got a word prompt for you.  It's "Rock".

This time I knew exactly what stamps I wanted to use and the idea for my design came to me quite quickly as well.  Check it out...

I masked off a section of my card base and sponged on the three inks from one of my new ombre ink pads by Recollections.  Then I spritzed some water on to create water droplet marks.  Next, I stamped my guitar image (Inkadinkado) with black Versamark ink.  I stamped the sentiment (Studio G) in black as well.  Love how this turned out and the ombré colours. :-)

I hope you'll all go check out the rest of the team's projects. They are all so amazing!  Plus, we have great GD too.  Hope to see you there!  Have an awesome day and thanks for stopping by!

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

One-Layer Simplicity Challenge - "as you wish" (anything goes)
Mod Squad Challenge Blog - show us your background

STAMPlorations Inspiration #69

Well, it's a sunny day here but cold.  We've dropped below freezing again for a few days but we'll be warming up again soon.  It's nice to see the sun out even if it's chilly.  :-)

So, it's Tuesday and that means it's time for another Inspiration post over at STAMPlorations!  Lately, I've been trying to use coloured card stock as my card base instead of white.  I still use white A LOT but its been fun to try different colours.  For today's card I used a light teal colour.  Take a look...

I stamped my butterflies (Winged Things set) with Versamark ink and embossed them in white.  I did the same for the sentiment (Big Greetings set).  I coloured in a couple of the butterflies and the "note" part of the sentiment using my Spectrum Noir markers.  I filled in a couple of the other butterflies with Wink of Stella.  I used WoS on the sentiment as well.  You can see the sparkle better in the detail photo.  It was a simple card to make but it turned out quite pretty, I think.

Well, I hope you'll all pop on over to the main blog and check out all the fabulous projects the DT has made.  Thanks for visiting and have a lovely day!

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

Less is More - white space that's not white
One-Layer Simplicity Challenge - "as you wish" (anything goes)
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge. - anything goes

Birthday Whale

Hiya!  How's your weekend going?  Mine's been good if a bit gray and rainy weather-wise.  Lately, I've been trying to work in some time to make some cards for fun and challenges that aren't a DT requirement.  I don't always manage it but I did this past week.  I had a NBUS stamp that I wanted to try out.  Check it out....

I stamped my whale (Studio G - the NBUS stamp) in black Versamark ink and then stamped my waves (STAMPlorations - Anchored set) in Dove Gray StazOn ink on watercolour paper.  Then using my Spectrum Aqua markers (Navy and Teal) and my water brush pen I watercoloured the waves in.  Using some of the blue and some Memento Grey Flannel ink I watercoloured the whale. What was strange was when I added the grey, elements of a reddish colour were coming through. Not sure why but in the end I really liked the effect.  I added a touch of blue to the blow hole spray and then stamped the sentiment (STAMPlorations) in black.  That whale is pretty cute isn't it?  I really like how the waves turned out too.

Well, I hope you are all enjoying your weekend and thanks for stopping by today!

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

Mod Squad Challenge Blog - theme is water
Addicted to Stamps and More - make your mark
One-Layer Simplicity Challenge - "as you wish" (anything goes)
TIME OUT Challenge - inspired by words, "A woman is like a tea bag - you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water" by Eleanor Roosevelt.  Was inspired by the word water.

STAMPlorations CASEplorations April

Hey there!  Great news!  No chicken pox for Donovan!  Just some sort of benign bumps.  They are are almost gone now and never even got itchy so probably not even a bug bite of some kind.  Anyway, I'm just glad it wasn't chicken pox.  :-)

Now, onto to today's post!  Its the first of April and you know what that means?  April Fools Day, yes, but also it's the start of a new CASEplorations over at STAMPlorations!  Who are we CASEing this time?  It's the lovely and talented, Donna Mikasa!  Check out the card we got to CASE...

Isn't it just amazing?  I had a good long think about what I wanted to do and after much brainstorming this is what I came up with....

I stamped my feathers (Trendy Feathers set) in Versamark ink and embossed in white on watercolour paper.  Then I watercoloured a rainbow over the feathers fading the colours out.  I splattered some black ink over top.  I stamped sentiment (Balloons and Banners set) on a black strip of cardstock and embossed it in white. Then, I attached it to my card with some foam dots.  I had a blast CASEing Donna's card!  :-)

I hope you'll come on over the to main blog and check out the other DT's CASEs.  Remember, you have a chance at winning a prize if you comment on the main blog.

Thanks for dropping by and I hope you enjoy your weekend!

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

Addicted to Stamp and More - make you mark (I used my Spectrum Aqua markers for the watercolouring)
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - anything goes
Sunday Stamps Weekly Challenge - Rainbow