STAMPlorations Mini Release Blog Hop

Good morning everyone!  It's an exciting day today!  Some of us STAMPlorations girls are showcasing two new stamp sets in a mini release blog hop!  One set is called Bunnies 'n Beans, designed by our pun master, Becca!  The second is Always Tea Time, designed by our incredibly talented leader, Shery!  Both sets are fantastic!  Take a look...

Amazing, aren't they?!  What is also amazing is we are timing our hop with the Spring Coffee Lovers blog hop over at the Coffee Loving Cardmakers blog, where STAMPlorations is a sponsor!  How fun!  Now, I got to play with Becca's adorable coffee bunny set and this is what I came up with...

For this first card I started off by randomly stamping the coffee pot in Grey Flannel Memento ink that I spritzed with water first. I did the same with the flowers but I used my Spectrum Aqua markers (Navy, Teal, Bud Green) to colour directly onto the stamp instead.  I took a small square panel and stamped the sentiment in black Versafine ink and matted it in green. I attached my sentiment panel with some foam dots.

I'm linking this first card up with the following challenges:

Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop - create a card with a coffee/tea/hot chocolate theme.
The Challenge (Always Playing With Paper) - this is where my colour scheme came from.

Now for the second card, I stamped my bunnies and coffee pot in black Memento ink and coloured them with my Spectrum Noir markers.  Then I stamped the sentiment. This bunny stamp is so cute!

I'm linking this second card up to the following challenges:

Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop - create a card with a coffee/tea/hot chocolate theme.
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - cute and cuddly


Just a few things to remember....

Comment on the main blog and along the hop to be entered to win one of theses two sets!  Commenting closes on Friday, March 25, 11:59 pm, Pacific Daylight time. Winners will be announce on March 27th.  While the sets are not currently on sale in the SHOP, we do have a coupon for 15% off everything in the store.  Just use the code SPRINGCLBH.  It's good until March 25th.

I hope you enjoy the hop and your visit here!  Have a spectacular day!

STAMPlorations Inspiration #66

Hey everyone!  How's your week going so far?  My son is back at school again after March Break so peace has descended on our house once again.  LOL.  It's not that bad, really.  He was a little bit bored since my husband had to work so we didn't go any where.  But, we did go to Chapters to get a bunch of new books for him and he and I baked chocolate chip cookies. Plus, there were board games and video games played as well.  So, all in all, it was a good, if quiet, March Break.

So, now it's time for another STAMPlorations Inspiration post. Once again, the DT has come up with some awesome projects. I strongly encourage you to check them out. Here's what I came up with...

(All stamps by STAMPlorations)

I decided to try something a little different with my Spectrum Aqua markers.  Instead of watercolouring on white paper I tried it on coloured cardstock.  Specifically, dark teal.  I stamped my daisy (Bloom Sketches set), masking as I went along, and my leaves (Blooming Buds set) and embossed it all in white. I did the same for the sentiment (Party Time set). Then I took my Navy Spectrum Aqua marker and put some ink down on an acrylic block and used a water brush pen to shade in the daisies.  It's rather subtle but I think it looks cool.  Now, the problem using regular cardstock is it tends to buckle badly when watercolouring. So I had to put some heavy books on top while it was drying to flatten it out.

Well, I hope you'll pop by the main blog and check out the other great projects that are there.  Have an awesome week and thanks for stopping by!

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

CAS Mix Up Card Challenge - stamping, watercolouring, and wet/heat embossing
Craft Stamper Magazine, Take it Make it Challenge (March) - use a stamp, anything goes

Inkspirational Colour Challenge - Pink And Grey

Happy weekend, everyone!  It's supposed to be a fairly nice weekend in Jemseg, NB.  Above 0 degrees C and some sunshine.  Makes up for the snow that fell Thursday night.  Now we haven't have much in the way of snow in the past few weeks so we really can't complain but I find it hard to see that white stuff at this time of year. I just want Spring to be here!

Anyway, it's that time again for a new challenge over at Inkspirational!  It's a colour challenge this time.  We want to see pink and grey!

I wasn't sure what to do at first but then I started looking through my stencils discovering many I'd never used yet. I ran across a lovely one that gave me an idea.  Check it out...

I took my birch tree stencil (The Crafter'sWorkshop) and sponged on Victorian Velvet Distress ink and Grey Flannel Memento ink blending it together on my white cardstock panel.  I removed my stencil and splattered white acrylic paint overtop.  I attached some silver glitter tape on my card base so it would show above and below my panel once attached. I stamped my sentiment (STAMPlorations) in the Grey Flannel.  I loved how this turned out so much I created a second card but made it a one layer instead. Take a look...

I sponged the same inks over my stencil and splatter the white paint as well. I masked off a narrow strip which I sponged the Victorian Velvet Distress ink to create a narrow border.  I removed the mask and stamped the sentiment (STAMPlorations) in the Grey Flannel.

Thanks so much for dropping by for a visit!  Have an awesome weekend!

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

Addicted to Stamps and More - CAS

A Merry Wreath

Hey everyone!  Just popping in to share another Christmas card I made.  This is a pretty easy card to make and could be done in different colours too.  Take a look...

I first stamped my wreath (Penny Black) on my kraft card base and embossed it in white.  I die cut the Merry Christmas (Paper Smooches) from metallic gold paper (hard to see the shimmer in the photo) and adhered it to my card.  Lastly, I added some burgundy pearls to the wreath.  I love the simplicity of this card.

I hope you enjoyed your visit and I hope you have a lovely day!

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

Addicted to Stamps and More - CAS
Darnell's NBUS Challenge - the Merry Christmas die was NBUS
ABC Christmas Challenge - E is for embossing
AAA Cards - embossing

STAMPlorations Inspiration #65

It's Tuesday and you know what that means?!  It's Inspiration time over at STAMPlorations!  We've got some fabulous cards for you and hopefully they will inspire you to create something awesome! And don't forget if you comment on the main blog post you'll be entered in for a prize draw.  Check out my card for this week...

 (All stamps by STAMPlorations)

So, I started off by inking up some heart stamps (Anchored set) with my Bud Green Spectrum Aqua marker then stamping on some watercolour paper creating my shamrocks.  Then I took my water brush and went over where I inked, adding in more green for shading.  I added the stems and details with the fine tip and went over with my water brush as well.  Using my Meadow Spectrum Aqua marker I inked up my script stamp (Mixed Media Elements set) and wiped off around the edges to soften.  Then stamped along one edge.  I repeated this a few times.  I did the same thing but used Golden Glitz Delicata ink.  I splattered some gold acrylic paint next.  I sponged on some Mowed Lawn Distress ink fading it out along the one edge and corner.  Lastly, I stamped the sentiment (Fond Expressions 2 set) in black Versafine ink.  So, if you want to make a shamrock but don't have a stamp for one use some heart stamps!  :-)

Thanks for stopping by for a visit and I hope you have an awesome day!

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

Craft Stamper Magazine Take it, Make it March Challenge - use a stamp, anything goes
CAS Mix Up Card Challenge, March - stamping, watercolour, collage stamping, gold paint splatters, sponging ink

Stamping Smiles Designs Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge - I used green, gold and inspiration photo

Fusion Card Challenge - I used just the inspiration photo

STAMPlorations CASEplorations March

Holy Moly, it's March already!  Where does the time go?  It seems like just yesterday we were ringing in the new year.  Now we are starting off a new month and I'm going to be turning a year older.  Sigh.  Sometimes it hits me that I'm in my forties and I think, how the heck did that happen!?! Well, I have a couple of weeks before I hit 41 (the 19th).  I think I'll just pretend to be 29 for a while. LOL.

Anyway, it's time for another CASEplorations over at STAMPlorations!  We are CASEing a truly inspiring card artist this month. Her card is just gorgeous.  It's non other than Betsy Veldman!  Take a look at her amazing card...

Isn't it just lovely?  I actually knew what stamp I wanted to use right away for my CASE.  I haven't used it yet (I guess that makes it NBUS) and it was about time I did.  Check it out...

(All stamps by STAMPlorations)

I was inspired by Betsy's flowers, watercolouring and colours.  My layout came from the current challenge at CASE This Sketch.  First I created a mask of my rose (Blossom Overture set) and used it to stamp my trio of roses.  I coloured them in with my Spectrum Aqua markers (Teal, Navy, Bud Green, Yellow) using my water brush.  I let the colours bleed on purpose.  Then I die cut the happy and sponged on Mustard Seed Distress ink on it creating an ombré look.  I attached it to my card and then stamped the birthday (Vignette: Chevron and Arrows set) in black.  This card makes me think of my Mom since her favourite flower is a yellow rose. She had them as her wedding flower.  :-)

Well, I hope you've enjoyed your visit today and I encourage you to check out the other DT projects too.  Have a wonderful day!

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

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - anything goes
Darnell's NBUS #6 Challenge
CASE This Sketch -

STAMPlorations Inspiration #64

Happy March 1st!  We are back again with another Inspiration post over at STAMPlorations!  Come on over and see all the lovely cards!  And remember, if you're comment on the main blog you entered in for the prize draw.  Here's my card for today...

(All stamps/stencils by STAMPlorations)

This is a nice quick and simple card that can be reproduced easily, if you wanted.  I stamped my sentiment (Fond Expressions 2 set) in black first so I could arrange my other stamps around it.  Then I stamped my flowers, leaves and butterflies (Frames and Flowers set) in the following ink colours:  Mowed Lawn Distress ink, New Sprout Memento ink, Mustard Seed Distress ink, Picked Strawberry Distress ink, Peacock Feathers Distress ink, Spiced Marmalade Distress ink and Dusty Concord Distress ink.  I think it's a bright and happy card, don't you?  :-)

Well, I hope you check out the other wonderful projects by the DT.  As always, a bunch of beautiful cards.

Have a fantastic day and thanks for stopping by!

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

CAS on Sunday - one layer card
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - anything goes