Thursday, February 28, 2019

Magical Birthday Wishes

Hello everyone!
I make a lot of monoprints, watercolor panels (mostly for practice), and wrinkled free distress ink backgrounds (also known as smooshed ink!). A lot of times they sit and sit, waiting to be used, or eventually end in the trash. With this card I decided to choose two "backgrounds" that have been waiting a long time in my background envelope. I just could never find the right project for them, but today I wanted to use pink, and these two have that!
They are on different kinds of paper -- the bottom, as you can probably see, has quite a bit of tooth to it, and is a heavier paper, while the top (still watercolor paper) is thinner and smooth. I decided to stamp flowers and sprigs from Trinity Stamps' Winter Botanical on the multicolored, smooth paper, and use the heavier for my heart base.
I stamped my images and sentiments in VersaClair Nocturne ink, and then cut them out with the matching dies to the stamp sets.
My sentiments are from Magical Sentiments. I layered my flowers along the bottom of the card, and on my heart.
I cut apart my sentiments and attached the words with Glue Dots. I popped up my heart, and then gave it a base of white and a matching peachy color.
And it's ready to send! Plus, I have many more cut flowers from that same panel for another card. Hope you will give this a try!



Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Freshly Made Sketches #377

It's Wednesday and time for a new sketch at FreshlyMade Sketches! Narelle is our hostess today, and she has a wonderful sketch for you to try out! The team came up with some beautiful designs and variations, so be sure to check them out HERE.
 

I used the Petite Cup die from Picket Fence Studios for my main focal point. The next step was finding papers (Bo Bunny) to match and complement the cup and style of the card I wanted. The sentiment was stamped in VersaFine Onyx Black, and then popped up with foam tape. The leaf sprigs on the sketch were completed with two paper roses from Wild Orchid Crafts, and I added a few Kaiser Blush pearls for glam.
 

Check out what the rest of the team did - they are so creative! And then come play along with us.
Our challenge is open until 3 PM EST on Monday!


Monday, February 25, 2019

Trinity Stamps and WOW Embossing Collaboration Blog Hop!


Today is a special day - a ton of inspiration from the Trinity Stamps and WOW! Embossing Powder teams in a collaborative blog hop! You are in for a treat!

And of course there are prizes: 6 powders (at the winners choosing) + carry case from WOW! Embossing Powder & Trinity Stamps with an amazing pack of goodies with stamps, dies and embellishments! Read on!

I love the look of white or ivory on gray and I chose Opaque Vanilla White for my embossing powder for this card. I stamped with VersaMark ink, using one of the flowers from the Winter Botanical stamp set, creating a floral background with an opening on the right side. 


After embossing, I added a black or white pearl to the flower centers, and mounted that base on silver mirror paper, and then on Blushing Bride cardstock (Stampin' Up!). 


The sentiment is from a silver glitter alphabet sticker sheet, mounted on two layers of the same cardstocks, cut with a stitched circle die. You could change the sentiment, and this would be a lovely wedding card!


Here is the complete hop list, so you don't miss a thing!

Prize winners will be announced on both Trinity Stamps and WOW! Embossing blogs on March 6th! Be sure to stop by each blog on the hop and leave some love! You have until March 5 to visit each one!

Sunday, February 24, 2019

Help Stop Global Warming!

Have you tried the Life Changing Brushes from Picket Fence Studios? I would never have attempted a background like this before owning these brushes! Read on!

Today I am sharing a fun combination of three PFS products that are so fun. First up - the Martini Glasses Stencil. In a previous life, I would have had a terrible time sponging with my sponge daubers to get in the stems of the glasses. But, with the Life Changing Brushes, it is a piece of cake! I love how evenly the color is distributed across the entire stencil. I used Picked Raspberry Distress Oxide ink.
Next, I cut a Martini Glass die out of black paper, and adhered it to the card base, and then stamped the sentiment from Ways To Say Let's Drink in VersaFine Onyx Black. A fun, easy, clean and simple design to send through the mail!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Freshly Made Sketches #376

It's Wednesday and time for a new sketch at FreshlyMade Sketches! Karren is our hostess today, and she has a wonderful sketch for you to try out! The team came up with some fun designs and variations, so be sure to check them out HERE.
I turned the sketch upside down, so that I had more room on the bottom, and used Wild Heart Gypsy Soul from Picket Fence Studios. I stamped with VersaFine Onyx Black. I scribbled Worn Lipstick and Wild Honey Distress Oxide ink on my craft mat, and then spritzed with water. I lay my Bristol paper stamped with the flowers face down in the ink, and let it take hold for a minute. I dried it with my heat gun, and then repeated two more times, adding some Rose Red ink (SU!) for depth, and Wilted Violet for the feathers.
The sentiment was also stamped in Onyx Black, and then popped up with foam tape. I added a few sequins from Doodlebug for color with the sentiment.
Check out what the rest of the team did - they are so creative! And then come play along with us. Our challenge is open until 3 PM EST on Monday!








Monday, February 18, 2019

Is It Really?!? Yes, it is!

Hello everyone!
Today I am sharing a creation from the February Whimsy Stamps Paper Door Kit - Tabby Tigers! Where are the tigers, you say? Is it really from that kit?? YES, it is! This kit also comes with some very sweet birds, and I wanted to showcase them too!
I stamped the birds in Altenew's Black ink, and then colored in with Copics. I drew some grass, added clouds from a handcut stencil, and some adorable music notes from the kit's stamp set. I also added that very tiny "tweet" for the little bird. It's a perfect addition to go along with the two sentiment banners, also from the kit. I also used the stencil that come with the kit as a textured background to add some movement and interest. Pretty fun to have a stencil that is tiger stripes in one card, and just a fun texture in another!

Here's the tweet news about what comes with this month's kit:
  • BRAND NEW kit debuting on the 10th of each month
  • Each kit is a $50+ retail value for only $29.95 plus shipping
  • EXCLUSIVE 6x6 Whimsy Stamps designer paper pack collections, fun and creative designs on heavy weight paper with a beautiful sheen - 24 double sided sheets
  • TWELVE sheets of 8.5x5.5 heavy weight neutral card stock - in black and white
  • SPECIAL EDITION 4x6 clear stamp set "Tabby Tigers" created exclusively for PAPER DOOR
  • COMPLEMENTING "Tabby Tigers" outline die set to easily cut out the images from the 4 x 6 stamp set, designed exclusively for PAPER DOOR
  • SPECIAL EDITION "Tiger Stripes Stencil" and "So and Too" 4x3 clear stamp set introduced especially for PAPER DOOR
  • PRIVATE access to PDF files with step-by-step instructions for at least 4 different projects
We’ve made PAPER DOOR an easy and affordable way for you to enjoy a monthly card making kit:
NO minimums
NO subscriptions to commit to
NO wait lists to sweat out
NO multi-tier pricing
Each kit is a LIMITED EDITION and individual items may or may not be released at a later date. Supplies are limited so order yours today, and unlock your creativity with Whimsy Stamps PAPER DOOR kits!

Thursday, February 14, 2019

Wow! What a Fabulous February Release from Picket Fence Studios!

Today is one of my favorite days - Valentine's Day AND it's the 14th of the month, which means LOTS of new stampy goodness at Picket Fence Studios! I have so many things to show you that I love from this release, so stay tuned! Today I am sharing two new things on this one adorable card. My images are from a darling new set called Wish We Could Hug. It is full of koala goodness, with three different images and a lot of fun sentiments to go around.
I stamped with Black Hybrid Ink, and then colored in with Copic markers. I decided to contrast their gray cuteness with the Pantone Color of 2019 and used several different shades of coral inks. It's so easy to cut them out with the matching dies too!!
The background is made using the new Random Dots Stencil and Abandoned Coral Distress Oxide ink with the Life Changing Brushes. I added gray Baker's Twine and a little coral rose (Wild Orchid) to embellish, as well as a little Wink of Stella to their flower crowns. Aren't they sweet?

Be sure to check out the entire release at Picket Fence Studios - and I will be back later this week with more new release fun! 

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Freshly Made Sketches #375

(Please scroll down to see my card from the adorable February Paper Door Kit by Whimsy Stamps!)

It's Wednesday and time for a new sketch at FreshlyMade Sketches! Cécile is our hostess today, and has a wonderful sketch for you to try out! The team came up with such fabulous designs, so be sure to check them out HERE.
I decided to go with some tropical heat for my design. The flowers are cut from a monoprint I made with my Gel Press. The middle "panel" is sponged with Memento ink, and has a vellum strip on the left side. The ferns and little flower are also sponged with Memento, then cut. Some brightness for this winter month!
 
You really have to go see what my teamies made - there are some amazing ideas for this sketch! Come play along with us. Our challenge is open until 3 PM EST on Monday!


Stamps: Botanical Blooms (SU!) Paper: GP White, SU! Vellum, Only Orange, Rose Red
Ink: Memento Inks, Liquitex acrylic paints Accessories: Botanical Blooms dies, Kaiser pearls, Gel Press Techniques: sponging, monoprinting

Whimsy Stamps' February Paper Door Kit is Here!

It's time for the February 2019 PAPER DOOR Kit - now available to purchase in the Whimsy Stamps Shop! Just look at what Paper Door is all about this month:

  • BRAND NEW kit debuting on the 10th of each month
  • Each kit is a $50+ retail value for only $29.95 plus shipping
  • EXCLUSIVE 6x6 Whimsy Stamps designer paper pack collections, fun and creative designs on heavy weight paper with a beautiful sheen - 24 double sided sheets
  • TWELVE sheets of 8.5x5.5 heavy weight neutral card stock - in black and white
  • SPECIAL EDITION 4x6 clear stamp set "Tabby Tigers" created exclusively for PAPER DOOR
  • COMPLEMENTING "Tabby Tigers" outline die set to easily cut out the images from the 4 x 6 stamp set, designed exclusively for PAPER DOOR
  • SPECIAL EDITION "Tiger Stripes Stencil" and "So and Too" 4x3 clear stamp set introduced especially for PAPER DOOR
  • PRIVATE access to PDF files with step-by-step instructions for at least 4 different projects
We’ve made PAPER DOOR an easy and affordable way for you to enjoy a monthly card making kit:
NO minimums
NO subscriptions to commit to
NO wait lists to sweat out
NO multi-tier pricing

Today's card uses a sweet tiger, that fabulous stencil, and some of the sentiments in the So and Too stamp set. I colored my tiger with Copic markers, and then cut out with the matching die. The stencil was inked through a masked circle.
I added two patterns of washi tape in my stash for my tiger's base. I think his expression is so cute! Too cute!

Each kit is a LIMITED EDITION and individual items may or may not be released at a later date. Supplies are limited so order yours today, and unlock your creativity with Whimsy Stamps PAPER DOOR kits!
 Thanks for stopping by today!

Thursday, February 7, 2019

Got Foil? I Am Hooked!

This week Whimsy Stamps and ThermOWeb are partnering for a fabulous week of inspiration and prizes!  All week long designers from both teams will be sharing ways to add foils and more to your projects using products from ThermOWeb and Whimsy Stamps.  Read to the end of this post to find out how you can win!  

Don't you love glimmer and glitz on your cards? I know I do. Even a touch makes the recipient feel special! Keep reading to see what sparkle I added using products from ThermOWeb!

For my project today, I am using Whimsy Stamps' Bunny Balloons Clear Stamp Set by Deb Davis - Amped2Stamp. I love the sweet bunnies and the variety of sentiments to go with them. I stamped my images with VersaFine Clair Nocturne (my favorite black ink), and then colored with Copic markers.


I chose Whimsy Stamps' Polka Dot Stencil, and used Deco Foil™ Transfer Gel to apply my Deco Foil™ Transfer Sheets in Rose Gold. It makes for a beautiful design with this stamp set! To keep my stencil in place, I taped it down with the amazing Purple Tape - it's removable and doesn't tear your project! I added some paper hearts sprinkled in with the polka dots to help convey the sentiment message for a love note to a friend! I think the shine from the foil is so pretty!


Would you like to win a $25 gift certificate to Whimsy Stamps?  To enter, leave comments on all of the collaboration posts on the Whimsy blog this week.  One winner will be randomly chosen from all of the blog posts, so the more posts you comment on, the better your chances are of winning!  You have until Monday, February 11th at midnight CST to comment.  The winner will be announced on the Whimsy blog on Tuesday, February 12th. And THANK YOU for the comments you leave me!

ThermOWeb is also offering a gift certificate, so be sure to visit their blog each day this week for more inspiration.  Leave comments on their blog for another chance to win!

Challenges: The Card Concept: #108 Love is In the Air (I was in inspired by the hearts and the title of your challenge for my Clean and Layered card!)


Wednesday, February 6, 2019

Freshly Made Sketches #374

It's Wednesday and time for a new sketch at FreshlyMade Sketches! Jen B. is our hostess today, and has a fun (and challenging) sketch for you to try out! The team came up with such a variety of amazing ideas for inspiration, so be sure to check them out HERE.

Usually I take a few liberties with the sketch, or change the shapes or something, but today I decided to follow it as closely as I could. I happen to LOVE circles {sorry, Jen B, I know you hold the big ones at a distance! :) } and this was really fun to spend some time on.


I decided to make a rainbow of sorts and watercolor various shades of my rainbow (which includes pink more than red, of course!) on watercolor paper. And then I did something rather extraordinary ---- don't faint ---- I got out my CIRCLE PUNCHES! Yes, and I had to dust them off from sitting on the shelf for probably more than a year (I know, Marie Kondo, then why do I have them?? For days like this one: joy!). I have sizes ranging from 2 inches to 1/4 inches, and used all I had so no one felt left out. :)

The most fun was choosing which circles to use, and where to put them so that I had all the colors, as well as most in the sketch! And then I had the most perfect sentiment -- from Kylee Boo by Picket Fence Studios.


You really have to go see what my teamies made - there are some amazing ideas for this sketch! I hope you have a bubbly day!
Come play along with us. Our challenge is open until 3 PM EST on Monday!







Friday, February 1, 2019

Rainbow Card Challenge #2 - One of My Favorites!

Hello, friends! It's February 1 and a new challenge at The Rainbow Card Challenge! I have always enjoyed color, and am excited to share my creations with you each month based on the photo prompt! Can you guess our color for February by looking at my card?
February is Orange Opulence! I happen to LOVE orange. I think it's a bright, happy color, and it makes me smile. That being said, my card has more of a muted, natural orange color today as I used Stampin' Up!'s Pumpkin Pie color. :)

I first embossed the fern from Butterfly Basics (Stampin' Up!) using VersaMark and White EP. Then I created my wash with a brush using PP. I stamped the fern again in PP, as well as the postmark and hive stamps. The butterfly was watercolored using thinner colors, then cut out using the Thinlits die, and then sprayed with Gold Glimmermist. To get a more muted color, I soaked up some of the color as I went with a paper towel. I added a vellum leaf and strips of the Copper paper. 



I hope you will come check out {this new monthly challenge} and play along with us! Be sure to check out what my teamies made too!

Jacqueline | Cohenna | Em | MynnLee Ann | Sue