STAMPlorations inspiration #300

Welcome to another Tuesday inspiration post from the STAMPlorations inspiration team. Just so happens it's the 300th! Is that incredible or what?

Hope your Christmas was lovely, even under the circumstances. Nice of you to take time out of your day to visit my blog.

Well, I had this idea for a card design. "Get rid of 2020." I think I succeeded (and even ended up with a bit of a Grinch-y feel too, which is a win in my book!!)

Gift Builder 1 die

Numbers Plate die

When you see my card for the January CAS Cards Challenge, you'll know where today's card was born ;) I cut apart the negative piece from the die cut numbers and adhered them getting pushed off the bottom of the card by a nice big and sparkly Christmas present. Nuff said!

Because this is our 300th inspiration post, Shery is being extra generous. You could win yourself a $25 prize code to the store by leaving a comment on this month's inspiration posts! Check out today's post over at STAMPlorations.

Should I ever inspire you to order something from the store, I'd really appreciate it if you used my STAMPGIRLMARIA discount code for an additional 20% off your order - at no extra cost to you, just with perks for me ;)

Thanks for stopping over today. Let's get 2020 outta here. Happy New Year!

I'm hooking up at Inspired By cuz they're happy to get rid of 2020 too! And at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday where it's about Sparkle and Shine.

STAMPlorations inspiration #299

Welcome to another Tuesday inspiration post from the STAMPlorations inspiration team

Remember my UTEEd stag from a couple weeks ago (which a few people said looked like chocolate!)? I have another one for you today. He became the center of attention on a simple collage card design. Meet my card.

 Mixed Media Grunge stamp

Two Reindeer die

Numbers Plate die

Altenew inks, UTEE powder

Stamp the flourish in green on cardbase. Adhere UTEEd stag. Die cut numbers from white and striped CS and adhere them offset with dimensional adhesive. The PP strip along the bottom is just for fun.

UTEE embossed die cuts are just so cool! They'd make great ornaments or additions to a garland, especially if you UTEE both sides.

You could win yourself a $15 prize code to the store by leaving a comment on this month's inspiration posts! Check out today's post over at STAMPlorations. And if I ever inspire you to order something from the store, I'd really appreciate it if you used my STAMPGIRLMARIA discount code for an additional 20% off your order - at no extra cost to you, just with perks for me ;)

Thanks for stopping over today. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

CAS cards challenge december reminder

Hello there friends! Time for the mid-month reminder for the STAMPlorations CAS Cards Challenge. Here's the graphic.

As always the challenge is any CAS card, with an optional color twist - this month is red/brown.

I'm sensing a Covid related gravitation to softer colors lately. You may have noticed my red/brown in my first card morphed to red/khaki. Well my next card then morphed into khaki/pink.

Trendy Christmas Trees die
Trendy Christmas Trees stamp

Winter Mug stamp
Altenew inks, UTEE powder

Pretty simple. Stamp deer. Swipe ink pad to ground them. Die cut tree from metallic CS and hit it with two coats of UTEE (ultra thick embossing enamel). Done.

CAS card tip: Add a DIY chipboard element to a simple stamped card. Make the chipboard by die cutting PP or cardstock or whatever to a second layer die cut from thicker CS or scrap cardboard.

For more fun, completely different inspiration with this die check out this post.

I'm enjoying your CAS card creations this month! Your project might be chosen as one of the prize winners. Check out how the 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 doing some Christmas shopping ;)  Thanks for stopping over. See you in the gallery. 

Or at these fun challenges:

Die Cut Divas - Anything Goes

Country View Challenges - Anything Christmas

STAMPlorations inspiration #298

Welcome to another Tuesday inspiration post from the STAMPlorations inspiration team!

I've got another Christmas card for you today. Perhaps you saw my Spotlight over on the STAMP blog? I was having fun with UTEE powder to create my own fun chipboard. Today's card was made using the result of my experiment of UTEE on glitter cardstock.

 Trendy Christmas Trees stamp

Trendy Christmas Trees die

Oh My Stars stencil

washi, UTEE powder, embossing powder

Oh man. Glitter plus super shine! Doesn't get any more Christmassy than that. I chose to pair that sparkly red tree with charcoal CS. Added a bit of stenciling on a masked area of the cardbase and a heat embossed whimsical sentiment. Finished the design off with two strips of shiny washi.

You could win yourself a $15 prize code to the store by leaving a comment on this month's inspiration posts! Check out today's post over at STAMPlorations. And if I ever inspire you to order something from the store, I'd really appreciate it if you used my STAMPGIRLMARIA discount code for an additional 20% off your order - at no extra cost to you, just with perks for me ;)

Thanks for stopping over today. Have a great week.

I'm stopping over at:

Country View Challenges - Anything Christmas

spotlight on DIY chipboard with UTEE

Check out my Spotlight project over at STAMPlorations. I'm having fun making DIY chipboard with super shine thanks to UTEE powder.

simon says stamp - world of love sentiments 2

 

It's time for another release from the talented folks over at Simon Says Stamp and one of the products in the new release is the World of Love Sentiments stamp set. Love this one, both the image and the sentiments.

Similar to yesterday's card, I let the inks do the work for me. Kept this design even simpler, aiming for the feel of a heart balloon on a string. I think it makes for the perfect Valentine.

 SSS World of Love Sentiments stamp

 Altenew Red Sunset inks

Simple if you use a stamp positioner. Ink the stamp with the lightest pink on the bottom and darkest red up top. Stamp. Repeat with the middle tones and stamp. Add another layer of ink as needed. Curve the sentiment to mimic a balloon string and voila!

Check out all the makes with the products from the Love You release in the gallery here. 

I'm adding my card to:

AAA Cards Challenge - Made in Minutes

simon says stamp - world of love sentiments

It's time for another release from the talented folks over at Simon Says Stamp and one of the products in the new release is the World of Love Sentiments stamp set. Gotta love this one, both the image and the sentiments.

Mind you, I had not seen the graphic when I created my projects, but I guess the image of the globe begs to be rainbowed ;)

 SSS World of Love Sentiments stamp

 MFT circle die

Distress Inks - Mustard Seed, Picked Raspberry, Mermaid Lagoon

clear embossing powder

Pretty simple if you use a stamp positioner. I inked up the stamp with yellow in a few areas. Spritzed. Stamped. Repeated with pink and then with blue. Let the inks do their thing and you end up with rainbow!!!

I'm still missing Michigan (it's been a month now) so I gave it a heat embossed red heart :) I die cut the image with a circle die (like the globe) and added the "round" rounded sentiment.

Check out all the makes with the products from the Love You release in the gallery here. And don't miss the upcoming blog hops. I'll be back with another make for you tomorrow.

I'm adding my card to:

Alphabet Challenge - R for Rainbow

SSS Monday Challenge - Favorite Technique (let Distress Inks work their watercolory magic)

AAA Cards Challenge - Made in Minutes (stamp, die cut, heat emboss, done)

STAMPlorations inspiration #297

Welcome to another Tuesday inspiration post from the STAMPlorations inspiration team!

Getting closer to Christmas. Are you finding yourself less stressed this holiday season, "thanks" to Covid? Or is Covid stressing you out? Wonder how we'll look back on 2020 in 20 years?

Enough of that. Here's my card.

 Santa is Here stamp

Two Reindeer die

Altenew inks, embossing powder

Super easy. How I like 'em! Randomly stamped the chimney.  Added a few little stars. Die cut the deer from PP and cardboard and glued them together. A heat embossed sentiment snippet finished things off. The little touches of silver in the PP and sentiment add holiday cheer to my CAS card.

You could win yourself a $15 prize code to the store by leaving a comment on this month's inspiration posts! Check out today's post over at STAMPlorations. And if I ever inspire you to order something from the store, I'd really appreciate it if you used my STAMPGIRLMARIA discount code for an additional 20% off your order - at no extra cost to you, just with perks for me ;)

Thanks for stopping over today. Have a great week.

I'm stopping over at:

Die Cut Divas - Anything Goes

Dies R Us - Christmas

Country View Challenges - Anything Christmas

simon says stamp - detail bohemian plate

It's DIECEMBER, folks, and the talented folks over at Simon Says Stamp have a slew of new dies out to make paper crafting even more fun. I still laugh when I think back to my early days of cardmaking and thinking I could fussy cut whatever I needed and save the investment in a die cutting machine. HA!

One of the products in the new release is the Detail Bohemian Plate and I got to have a play with it. I love the subtle interest these detail plates create for a background.

 SSS Detail Bohemian Plate die

 SSS Poinsettia Parade die

 SSS Wreath Tag die (on sale!)
Altenew ink

Check out all the makes with the products from Diecember in the gallery here. And check out the hops going on today too.

I'm adding my card to:

SSS Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Dies R Us -  Christmas

Divas that Die Cut - Anything Goes

STAMPlorations inspiration #296

Welcome to another Tuesday inspiration post from the STAMPlorations inspiration team!

Looooong time, no see.

Hope you and yours are staying healthy and happy. Here it is December already. In this crazy year. You may have noticed I went missing for a while. I was in the US with my Dad who unfortunately had some health issues and then passed away end of July. He was a great guy and was blessed with 93 pretty good years. As he said to me near the end "if this is the end of the road, it's been a good ride." Ahhh, this thing called life...

I know tons has been happening over at STAMPlorations and in blogland. I'm looking forward to getting caught up.

Meet my inspiration card.

 Winter Mug stamp

Kathryn and Christmas stamp

Two Reindeer die

Art Edges die

Altenew inks, UTEE powder

I taped off the edges of my cardbase. Randomly stamped the tree. Removed the tape. Thought it looked weird. Added negative strips left over from a previous Art Edges die cut down the sides ;) Die cut the stag from cardstock and cardboard and glued them together. Added two coats of UTEE (ultra thick embossing enamel) and voila!

UTEE embossed die cuts are just so cool! They'd even make great ornaments or additions to a garland.

You could win yourself a $15 prize code to the store by leaving a comment on this month's inspiration posts! Check out today's post over at STAMPlorations. And if I ever inspire you to order something from the store, I'd really appreciate it if you used my STAMPGIRLMARIA discount code for an additional 20% off your order - at no extra cost to you, just with perks for me ;)

Thanks for stopping over today. Have a great week.

CAS cards challenge december

Hello there friends! Looooong time, no see.

Hope you and yours are staying healthy and happy. You may have noticed I went missing for a while, I was in the US with my Dad who unfortunately passed away in July. At the ripe old age of 93. I'm sure going to miss him, but as he said "if this is the end of the road, it's been a good ride." It was. We were blessed.

I know tons has been happening over at STAMPlorations (and Blogger!) and I missed it all. I'm hoping to ease back into things starting with the December CAS card challenge.

Here's the December CAS Cards challenge inspiration.

As always the challenge is any CAS card, with an optional color twist - this month is red/brown.

I happen to love the natural look of red and brown at Christmas. I kinda followed the rules with my card ;)...

Christmas Icons - Angel die
Three Kings stamp

Winter Mug stamp
Altenew inks, patterned paper

Pretty simple. Stamp random BG. Die cut angel from PP and cardstock and glue together to make your own chipboard. Heat emboss sentiment. Done.

CAS card tip: Add punch to your CAS design by adding one element of your card with dimensional adhesive.

For more inspiration with this die check out this post.

It's nice to be back. I'm looking forward to perusing blogland and your CAS card creations this month! Your project might be chosen as one of the prize winners. Check out how the 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 doing some Christmas shopping ;)  Thanks for stopping over. See you in the gallery. 

cas cards challenge june reminder

Hello there peeps! It's time to remind you to play along with us at STAMPlorations CAS card challenge for June if you haven't yet.

Here's the June CAS Cards challenge inspiration.

As always the challenge is anything CAS goes with an optional color twist - this month is purple.

I personally love to create with purple. How about with four purples????

Wooded stamp
Sweet Kindness stamp
Altenew inks

So easy, folks. Grab a solid stamp. (or the reverse of a nearly solid stamp like this wood slice stamp) Stamp four of 'em. Stamp and fussy cut a B/W image and adhere it over your stamped "mat".

CAS card tip: After you've stamped, spritz the solid stamped areas 2-3 with a mini mister (from a distance) to soften the ink impressions a little bit.

For more inspiration with this stamp check out this post.

Have you played with us? Your project might be chosen as the winner of a GC to the shop. Check out how the 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 ;)  Thanks for stopping over. See you in the gallery.

cas cards challenge june

Hello there peeps! Hey, wasn't it just May?

Hope you and yours are staying healthy and happy. I’m actually going to be taking a little break the next couple months cuz I’m in the US with my Dad who’s having some health problems. But it's time for a new CAS card challenge at STAMPlorations and I do have a card to share. 

Here's the June CAS Cards challenge inspiration.

As always the challenge is anything CAS goes with an optional color twist - this month is purple.

I know a lot of people have a problem with purple. I happen to love it. Paired with red and fuchsia. Or yellow. Or even green. Anyhoo. Here's my first CAS card for this month using purple.

Clouds stencil
5 Coffee Phrase die
Sweet Kindness stamp
Altenew inks

I knew I wanted to put that adorable little mug from the newly released Sweet Kindness set to use. So I decided to stamp a playful border and top it with a die cut sentiment. I liked the layout of this one from the set of five dies, so I cut and stacked it three times and then used 3 shades of purple ink to color the words. I decided a touch of yellow in the form of a sun was fitting for the sentiment.

CAS card tip: Add punch to your CAS design by using a multi-colored die cut sentiment.

For more inspiration with this stamp check out this post.

I'm looking forward to your CAS card creations this month! Your project might be chosen as the winner of a GC to the shop. Check out how the 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 ;)  Thanks for stopping over. See you in the gallery.

STAMPlorations inspiration #269

Welcome to another Tuesday inspiration post of the month from the STAMPlorations inspiration team!

My theme for my inspiration cards this month is fantasy watercoloring. No pressure about getting the shading right, ya know. Just pick up and place some color. Meet my card.

 Wooded stamp

Gansai Tambi watercolors

Watercolor paper. Stamping. Watercolor dabbing. Voila! I tore the edges and adhered the panel to a kraft cardbase. I think it fits the natural feel of the card. This one too is going to my stash of sympathy cards.

You could win yourself a $10 GC to the store by leaving a comment on this month's inspiration posts! Check out today's post over at STAMPlorations. And if I ever inspire you to order something from the store, I'd really appreciate it if you used my STAMPGIRLMARIA discount code for an additional 20% off your order - at no extra cost to you, just with perks for me ;)

Thanks for stopping over today. Have a great week. I'm stopping by at Addicted to CAS where the theme is "rainbow" since I rainbowed my wood slice ;)

spring summer coffee lovers hop

Know how I've been playing with fantasy watercoloring this month? I kinda carried on with that inspiration for today's projects which are a part of the Spring Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop. STAMPlorations is a sponsor and in addition to the four STAMP prizes being given away on the hop, you could win a prize for leaving a comment over at the STAMP blog today too.

For my first project I used the new set, Sweet Kindness. This set arrived just in time as that floral spray (not coffee related, I know) was perfect for a tag to accompany a birthday present!

 Sweet Kindness stamp

Lowercase Alpha Plate dies
Tag #1 Nesting dies

Gansai Tambi watercolors

Watercolor paper.  Tag die cut. Water. Watercolors. Dabbing and voila! I love how those little half-embossed alphas fit perfectly to personalize the tag for my friend. Here's the tag in action ;)

And then I went all "fantasy watercolor" again. Made this next card with Bloomin Coffee and You.

Bloomin Coffee and You stamp
Just Caffeinate clear stickers

Gansai Tambi watercolors

I printed a digi version of the stamp (cuz my postman hasn't delivered this set to me yet) onto watercolor paper. FYI, my image is larger than the stamp in the set. But if you're interested in digi stamps, this collection of digi stamps has a similar image and many more.

So. Fantasy watercolor. Wet-on-wet technique. I wouldn't call it "sloshed" cuz only Shirley can do that. And it's sure not realistic. It's kinda dabbed. Kinda pushed around. But I stuck to a more limited color palette and even kept the coffee brown!

I fussy cut the image and adhered it to a cream colored cardbase since my watercolor paper is creamy. A sticker sentiment tops off the cup.

Hope you're enjoying the hop with a nice cuppa. Thanks for stopping over today. Have a great week and remember to "Be kind, be calm and be safe."

I'm joining the fun at:
Spring Summer Coffee Lovers Hop
I pulled my colors from ATSAM - Photo Inspiration

STAMPlorations inspiration #268 - new coffee stamps

Welcome to another Tuesday inspiration post of the month from the STAMPlorations inspiration team! Today we have something special for you, an introduction to two new coffee stamp sets available in the store. Just in time for the upcoming Coffee Lovers Blog Hop too!

Know how I've been playing with fantasy watercoloring this month? I kinda carried on with that inspiration for today's projects.

Meet #1. I've used the new set, Sweet Kindness.

 Sweet Kindness stamp
5 Love Words dies
Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle dies

Gansai Tambi watercolors

Watercolor paper. Water. Watercolors. Dabbing and tipping. Voila! Doesn't that graphic image make for a great focal point?

And then #2. Made with Bloomin Coffee and You.

Bloomin Coffee and You stamp
5 Coffee Phrase dies

Gansai Tambi watercolors

Again, watercolor paper. Onto which I printed a digi version of the stamp cuz my postman hasn't delivered this set to me yet. FYI, my tag is actually somewhat larger than the stamp itself. I chose to dab watercolors onto the background, leaving the image uncolored. I did add some grays to the bloom however. I think the die cut sentiment works well over the image.

I hope you are doing well in these crazy Corona times. As the health officer in British Columbia says, "Be kind, be calm and be safe."

You could win yourself a $15 GC to the store OR one of the new sets by leaving a comment on the inspiration girls' posts and over at the STAMP blog! Check out today's post over at STAMPlorations. And if I ever inspire you to order something from the store, I'd really appreciate it if you used my STAMPGIRLMARIA discount code for an additional 20% off your order - at no extra cost to you, just with perks for me ;)

Thanks for stopping over today. Have a great week. I'm stopping over at:
Stamping Sensations - Flowers
Happy Little Stampers - May Watercolor

CAS cards challenge may reminder

Hello peeps! Back with a reminder about this month's CAS card challenge at STAMPlorations. 

Here's the May CAS Cards challenge inspiration.

As always the challenge is anything goes with an optional color twist - this month is baby pink.

Today's card.

STAMPlorations Art Marks 2 stamp
STAMPlorations  New Day clear sticker
Altenew watercolor

I used pink watercolors for my first card this month. To use up the leftovers, I grabbed the Art Marks stamps and stamped with watercolors in a masked off rectangle on my card front. Added a couple orange rings of color too to warm up the pinks.

Then I added a few pops of black and a sticker sentiment and called it good and CAS.

CAS card tip: Mask off an area of the card and go crazy within that area only!

For more inspiration with this stamp set check out this post.

Have you joined us yet? Your project might be chosen as the winner of a GC to the shop. Check out how the 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 ;)  Thanks for stopping over. See you in the gallery.

I'm heading to the gallery at:
ATSAM - CAS

spotlight on stretching your dies

I'm over at the STAMPlorations blog with a tutorial for this card (and another) using stand-alone dies to dry emboss your CAS card background for additional interest. Check it out. And have a nice day!

STAMPlorations inspiration #267

Welcome to May the second Tuesday inspiration post of the month from the STAMPlorations inspiration team!

With my mojo taking a break during these Corona dayz, I decided this month my theme for my inspiration cards was going to be fantasy watercoloring. No pressure about getting the shading right, ya know. Just pick up and place some color. Here's #2.

 Blossom Spray #2 stamp
Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle dies

Gansai Tambi watercolors

Watercolor paper. Stamping. Watercolor dabbing. Voila!

You could win yourself a $10 GC to the store by leaving a comment on this month's inspiration posts! Check out today's post over at STAMPlorations. And if I ever inspire you to order something from the store, I'd really appreciate it if you used my STAMPGIRLMARIA discount code for an additional 20% off your order - at no extra cost to you, just with perks for me ;)

Looking for more inspiration with this beautiful spray of flowers? Check out this post.

Thanks for stopping over today. Have a great week. I'm stopping by at:
Craft Stamper - Take it Make it May
Happy Little Stampers - Watercolor Challenge