STAMPlorations inspiration #205

Welcome to another Tuesday inspiration from the STAMPlorations inspiration team where the team members feature stamps from one of our talented stamp designers.

Today we're showcasing Shery Russ stamps. Shery's designs are 10% off this week (with an extra 20% off when you use my discount code STAMPGIRLMARIA).

So this month I've challenged myself to incorporate stamps, dies and stencils on CAS cards. I'm also shooting for monochromatic. Well I didn't achieve the CAS today, but the rest. May I introduce my card? Think maybe I was on a caffeine high?!?

 STAMPlorations Tag O Coffee die

STAMPlorations Framed Coffee Word Art stamp

STAMPlorations Set of 5 Coffee Phrase die

STAMPlorations Art Splatters stencil

embossing paste

distress ink

I started by stamping the Word Art stamp four times on my cardbase. Then I added some embossing paste through three splatters with the stencil. I added some distress ink around those splatters to better define them, wiping most of it off the dried paste with a baby wipe. 

I die cut the coffee mug/steam four times from a background I'd created with shaving cream. Added a bit of shadow to them with a W3 Copic before adhering them with foam adhesive. Then I die cut and adhered the sentiment. A hot mess, eh?

For more inspiration with this versatile coffee die set, see this card.

You could win yourself a $10 GC to the store by leaving a comment on the February inspiration posts. Check out today's post here. So happy you stopped by :) Hope you've enjoyed this month's series where I incorporated stamps, dies and stencils on my designs.

spotlight on coloring by using up your stash of backgrounds

Greetings! Things are kinda quiet around here. I'm lost in a mess in my craft room. Decided to konmari it. Well, basically, get rid of crap. I'll let you know how it goes.

In the meantime... I had some more fun with the new Stamp Club set, Bloomful, this time using up some of my stash of backgrounds to "color" the image. I'd love you to take a look at my tutorial for this card over at the STAMPlorations blog. Maybe I'll inspire you to have a go at your stash ;)

STAMPlorations inspiration #204

Back for a Tuesday inspiration from the STAMPlorations inspiration team where the team members feature stamps from one of our talented stamp designers.

We're showcasing Dee's Artsy Impressions stamps. Dee's stamps are 10% off automatically this week (with an extra 20% off when you use my discount code STAMPGIRLMARIA).

This month, I 'm creating CAS cards incorporating stamps, dies and stencils!

 STAMPlorations Tweet Love die

STAMPlorations Power of Words stamp

STAMPlorations Oh My Stars mini stencil
embossing paste

distress inks
washi tape

These sentiment stamps are perfect for extreme CAS creations, but I decided to use this "confetti" one together with some stars spraying out of the ellie's trunk. The ellie was die cut from an ink smooshed background. Using a makeup brush I applied a light dusting of distress ink to my cardbase before stenciling the stars with embossing paste. A washi strip grounded the little ellie. Fun!

I've used these tweeties here and here too. 

You could win yourself a $10 GC to the store by leaving a comment on the February inspiration posts. Check out today's post for more inspiration here. Appreciate that you stopped by :)

heart shaped card again

When I was making a heart-shaped card for the February challenge over at STAMPlorations CUTplorations, I actually made two cuz I had some many little die cut blooms to play with. You'll find instructions for the card in this post.

Here's the second. Same. But different.

STAMPlorations Trendy Spring Blooms die

STAMPlorations 5 Love Words die

Sizzix Heart die

I actually die cut leftovers from this card, so had some navy blue elements too. I decided to use a navy die cut sentiment to tie in.

Here's the February inspiration. If you haven't joined in yet I hope you will.

image source: Magrikie

STAMPlorations inspiration #203

Back for a Tuesday inspiration from the STAMPlorations inspiration team where the team members feature stamps from one of our talented stamp designers.

We're showcasing Big Grins by Becca stamps. Becca's stamps are 10% off automatically this week (with an extra 20% off when you use my discount code STAMPGIRLMARIA).

This month, I 'm creating CAS cards incorporating stamps, dies and stencils!

 STAMPlorations Buttercups and Butterflies stamp and die

STAMPlorations Broken Glass stencil

embossing paste

distress ink

I thought the die of the buttercups would work stand alone, so stamped a couple more on my cardbase. Brushed on a light layer of Mowed Lawn and then stenciled the embossing paste on. I chose the Broken Glass stencil cuz I thought it underscored the sentiment, and supported the idea of plants working to break through tough ground. Die cut one buttercup from a previously watercolored background and sketchily stamped the outline onto it. This bright green sure makes me ready for spring!

I've used this set here too if you'd like more inspiration.

You could win yourself a $10 GC to the store by leaving a comment on the February inspiration posts. Check out today's post for more inspiration here. Thanks for coming by :)

I'm joining the fun at:
Craft Stamper - Take it Make it February
Snippets Playground - #345 (thrilled to be putting a dent in my artsy backgrounds pile)
CAS Mix Up Card - February

journal journey - dylusional

Howdy and happy Monday, peeps! I'm back again with another page of my newly started art journal (check out the link if you want the back story)!!!

As I mentioned in that post, as the creative journey would have it, I opened my prepped "journal" up  at a double orange spread, loving the swirly effect I'd created, and wondering how the heck I'd done it. That sparked an idea for my first page about not remembering how I'd prepped the orange pages!

I was thinking Dylusions cuz I think I'd used the spray ink for the BG. And you might have caught in my social media that I had the honor of shaking Dyan Reaveley's hand last month at Creativeworld in Frankfurt (as in I just walked up to her - she was on her way to grab some lunch - and said "May I shake your hand?" to which she responded "Yes. Why?" to which I responded "Cuz you're my girl crush, I love to watch your videos" at which point we continued to chat about her time at Creativation in Phoenix and her soon-to-be-born grandson...) Still cannot how believe how cool that was!

So... Why not create my second art journal page as an ode to Dyan and a way to remember that encounter?

 Dylusions spray ink

Dylusions Around the Edge stamp

MFT Bold alpha die

The Stamp Market Hexagon Hello stamp

STAMPlorations soon-to-be-released Bloomdala Bliss stamp

STAMPlorations Oh My Stars mini stencil

Studio Calico gold star rub ons

Sharpies

white acrylic paint

white paint pen

Stamped some of Dyan's border stamps. Actually the page had that outline of a heart (with some texture paste waste I suppose?!?) on it already so I made a mask and stamped multiple images from a soon-to-be-released STAMPlorations set into the heart. Used a Sharpie to doodle the "dyan" in the heart and for the journaling and die cuts for the "ode 2". Used gold CS for "ode" to pick up on the texture paste  and then later added some gold star rub ons too.

Though I'd started with the blank orange page, I had to add some Bubblegum Pink down the right side cuz that's my fave Dylusions color. Stamped some white acrylic paint circles. I nearly squealed later when I realized there were 7 and the word "dylusional" which had come into my mind had 7 letters! How perfect!

Upper left I also stenciled some cascading white stars and stamped some black ones.

I chose three sentiments that support my love for Dyan and her free spirit and stamped them in random spots - thank you, welcome the unexpected and the best... good energy is contagious!

I'm gonna say it again, peeps... it is SO MUCH FUN to just go with the flow! Start with an idea, any idea, and then just let it lead you.

Do you have a favorite art journal/mixed media artist? I'd love to hear who.

I'm hooking up at:
More Mixed Media Challenge - AG Feb
STAMPlorations Mixed Media Challenge - Use a Stencil
We Love 2 Create - AG Mixed Media
Creative Artiste - AG Mixed Media
Craft Stamper - Take it Make it February

journal journey - but i don't

Howdy peeps! I'm so excited! I've got something new and different for you today. I've started an art journal!!!

Rewind. Actually, a few years ago I started an art journal. As in, bought a cheap photo album that had heavy paper pages. And created one page (ahem, I guess I was not happy with hubby on that day!) As in, I remember this "you OR me" page but it was so long ago I don't even remember that I'd prepped all the pages in the album or exactly how I'd prepped them. I'm looking at them now and thinking, "how'd I do that? that's cool!"

Fast forward. I recently treated myself to Alisa B.'s Grateful Journal online course. Haven't actually started it yet (yep, that's me - a million ideas but lacking on the follow through), but had this itching to start getting a bit messy and definitely want to focus on what I'm grateful for.

So I remembered this photo album and dug it out. Was going to ease into things by prepping some pages (have you watched Maremi break a blank page?), but lo and behold, they're already prepped! Goodness. That means I have to actually sit down and create something.

Well, as the creative journey would have it, I stared at a double orange spread, loving the swirly effect I'd created, and wondering how the heck I'd done it. And voila! It sparked an idea. I started my first second page!

Dylusions spray ink

Dylusions Around the Edge stamp

Dylusions Love Struck Lucy stamp

Sharpies

STAMPlorations Oh My Stars mini stencil

acrylic paints

gel pen

Yep I'd love to remember how I created that orange background. "BUT I DON'T."

Thinking the bold orange was probably a Dylusions ink spray I started thinking Dylusions. Which made me grab a couple stamp sets I own. Had to use Dyan's signature leaves and that befuddled chica. A fun border stamp along the top and bottom too.

You guys... it is SO MUCH FUN to just go with the flow! Have an idea and run with it.

Then I pulled out some acrylic paint and made some circles with plastic bottle caps and corks. Stencilled some stars. Colored in some elements with Sharpies. Added some fun a-la-Dyan journaling. Even added three glitter tatoos left from DD's younger days up top!

As for just going with the flow... Make a mistake? Fix it. Somehow. Or don't ;) For example, I had a real issue with the "BUT I DON'T" in those stamped circles. I wrote the words first with a black Sharpie. To help them show up more I tried adding white dots to the letters. But had troubles with my white pens.´- seems I always do :( So then I doodled petals around them And attached them to strings the chica is holding like balloons. But they still weren't "popping" and geez, they are supposed to be my page title! What to do? So I found a white paint pen and doodled another ring of petals. And retraced the letters with white (now they kinda look blue?!?) And finally took some of the blue acrylic paint and a skinny paintbrush and added blue to the petals. Na. Good enough!

I would love to hear if you journal. How often? What format? Or are you thinking about trying it but haven't taken that first step yet?

I'm going to try hooking up at:
More Mixed Media Challenge - AG Feb
Simon Says Stamp Monda Challenge - Add some Red (I colored with a red Sharpie)
STAMPlorations Mixed Media Challenge - Use a Stencil
We Love 2 Create - AG Mixed Media
Creative Artiste - AG Mixed Media
Craft Stamper - Take it Make it Feb

another twofer fer the flower challenge

Remember this card? It's Ericka's DT card for the current Flower Challenge where the theme is 

It knocked my socks off so I'd already pulled stuff out of my Mt NBUS and made two cards. Today I'm posting two more.

I went back into my pile and looked for flowers. I found a The Stamp Market flower stamp set with matching dies and although it took me forever with layered stamping and then die cutting, this happened. BTW, those leaves are gray...

   Cover plate die from Action Deutschland

The Stamp Market Beautiful Blooms stamp and die

Inkystamp Alles im Rahmen stamp

Altenew inks

And because I had also stamped a couple extra blooms, I turned them into another card using the whimsical Charming stamp from Penny Black. Yay for making multiples!

 Penny Black Charming stamp

The Stamp Market Beautiful Blooms stamp and die

Inkystamp Alles im Rahmen stamp

Altenew inks

Hope you liked this twofer too ;)

I'm heading over to:
Casology - Bouquet

Happy Little Stampers - AG with Dies February

Papercraft Challenge - Something New (my die and stamp!)
Penny Black and More - Anything Goes with option of tags
Penny Black Saturday - AG with flower option

twofer fer the flower challenge

OK. Have you seen this card? Knocked my socks off. It's Ericka's DT card for the current Flower Challenge where the theme is 

I need that challenge every day to even keep up with my NBUS! So I went into the pile and looked for flowers. And found this new die from my dollar store. And the Penny Black sketchy flowers. Then I went to my stash of backgrounds looking for something with reddish pinks and blues to die cut cuz I needed a nod to Ericka. And this happened.

  Flower Frame die from Action Deutschland

Penny Black Charming stamp

Inkystamp Winzige Gruesse stamp

acrylic paint Gelli print

And because that die created a pretty little rectangular piece leftover, I turned it into a spotlight card.

Hope you liked my twofer.

I'm heading over to:
Papercraft Challenge - Something New (my die and stamp!)
Penny Black and More - Anything Goes with option of tags
Stamping Sensations - All things Bright and Beautiful (blooms of course)
Watercooler Wednesday - AG Feminine

spotlight on a bloomful rainbow

Hi peeps! I had some fun with the new Stamp Club set, Bloomful, and you can check out my tutorial for this card over at the STAMPlorations blog.

I'm so happy to be taking this one-layer happy card over to:
30 Day Coloring Challenge 

AAA Card Challenges - One Layer

Addicted to Stamps and More - Make your Mark (I used colored pencils)

Happy Little Stampers - CAS Challenge - Friends (What better than a flowery rainbow to encourage your BFF to just go for it!)

STAMPlorations inspiration #202

Welcome to a Tuesday inspiration from the STAMPlorations inspiration team where the team members feature stamps from one of our talented stamp designers.

Today we're showcasing The Bee's Knees stamps. All stamps in this category are automatically 10% off this week and you get an extra 20% off if you use my discount code STAMPGIRLMARIA when you order.

So this month I've challenged myself to incorporate stamps, dies and stencils on CAS cards. I'm also shooting for monochromatic, but you'll see that I didn't succeed with today's - just had to get some contrast in there... Meet my card.

STAMPlorations Birds of Paradise die
STAMPlorations Birds of Paradise stamp
STAMPlorations Just Squares stencil
alcohol inks
gilding flakes
embossing paste
white embossing powser

I wanted to use up some of the backgrounds I've created and decided to die cut this funny guy from an alcohol inked/gilded piece of yupo. I decided on a vertical orientation. Applied a light dusting of Tumbled Glass distress ink, a couple rows of wonky squares of embossing paste and then the bird. A heat embossed sentiment completed the CAS-yet-artsy design.

For more inspiration with this fabulous set, see this card.

You could win yourself a $10 GC to the store by leaving a comment on the February inspiration posts. Check out today's post here. So happy you stopped by :)

I'm stopping by at:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Anything Goes
CAS Mix Up - February

Basteltraum - Die/Stencil

CUTplorations february

One down, eleven to go! Welcome to February and to a new challenge over at STAMPlorations CUTplorations! Here's the inspiration for February. How could I not go with a heart, right?

image source: Magrikie

I hope there is something in this photo to inspire you. I could not help but go totally literal with my creation. (You'll see that several of the DT also chose a literal interpretation ;) But it was a great way to use up some of those gelli plate or inked pieces in my stash! 

STAMPlorations Trendy Spring Blooms die
STAMPlorations Hello Sunshine die
Sizzix Heart die

I started by die cutting the heart twice for my shaped card. Then I die cut a bunch of blooms. Took my heart and my pile of blooms and had fun arranging them on the heart. I let them overlap each other for additional dimension.  I used spray adhesive and trimmed the overhang off with scissors.

TIP: Trace around your shaped die with a pencil onto white CS. Adhere the blooms and then die cut the shape. This would yield a perfectly clean edge and press the blooms onto the white CS. I didn't do this cuz I first thought I'd leave some of the die cuts hanging over the edges. But I ended up not liking the look!

I hope you'll join us for some die cutting fun over at the CUTplorations challenge.  Create a project based on the inspiration using at least one die cut and at least one STAMPlorations product. Your project might be chosen as the winner of a $15 GC to the shop. Check out how the CUTplorations DT was inspired by this month's photo here.

And don't forget about my STAMPlorations discount code STAMPGIRLMARIA for 20% off should you find yourself shopping;)  Speaking of which, have you seen the new Bloomdala series??? Thanks for coming by. See you in the gallery.

I'm headed to the gallery at:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Anything Goes
Die Cut Divas - Love is in the Air
Challenge up your Life - Love

Bastel Traum - Die/Stencil
Allsorts - Love

rico design neon meets hand lettering

First off, I am not a hand letterer and don't claim to be. It's so much harder than it looks.

But at Creativeworld in Frankfurt last weekend I was totally smitten with the Rico Design booth and their use of neon coral. And I discovered their neon watercolor palette. So I came home and ordered it. And played with it.

In the booth there was a sample - someone had painted some words with the neon coral. So after perusing hand lettering on instagram, I gave it my best and came up with this set of cards. (I used the stamp set to drive my choice of words to hand letter.)

Rico Design Neon Watercolors

Altenew Label Love stamp

waterbrush

black Sharpie

white paint pen

Copic C3 marker

washi

I apologize for the grayness of the photos. It's cloudy here today and I didn't want to brighten the photos too much. I tried to keep the neon as true to life as possible for you, but the coral (oh that coral!) and the orange are 10x better IRL ;)

These watercolors are so cool. Truly neon. And if you don't use too much water, really opaque.

Thanks for coming by again today. Hope you enjoyed my post. I'm joining the Anything Goes fun at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge and the Anything Goes Challenge at ATSAM.