STAMPlorations 13th birthday - day 2

Welcome back to the STAMPlorations 13th Birthday Celebration! Don`t forget to visit the STAMPlorations blog to see all of today's gorgeous team projects AND to leave a comment letting us know which of the new featured products is your absolute favorite. You might just win it!  

More sweets on the agenda for day 2 of the celebrations. I had some fun with the Big Cupcakes and Big Birthday Cake Colorables. Colorables are printed onto heavy cardstock and already cut out for you. You just add the color. They held up great to loads of water for my projects. You can check out all the designs in the pack in the store.

I pulled out some water-based markers and scribbling them onto an acrylic block watercolored with yellow, pink and blue tones. Don`t you love how when they mix you also get some orange, green and purple tones?

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also used Hello and co and Make Marks 5 stencils

For the birthday cake I created a stenciled background and then stamped a frame for the cake using these great sentiment stamps.

also used Bubble Dance stencil

and Sweet Cravings stamp

There´s soooo much going on with this birthday celebration. Please head over to the STAMP blog to leave a comment for your chance to win. And FREE US SHIPPING on all orders $25 or more - wowzers, what a deal! I`d love to know if you`ve been inspired to pick up any of these new products and what you plan to do with them. You can use my STAMPGIRLMARIA discount code for 20% off if you`re placing an order. Thanks for celebrating with us. CU tomorrow with more.

easy peasy milestone birthday card

First off - Happy Memorial Day weekend to my US peeps.

OK, this one was easy. Like real easy. Needed an 80th bday card. Absolutely LOVE the Boho Landscapes card fronts. Just pulled out a couple dies and voila!

Boho Landscapes card front

Ellen Hutson Essential Rectangles die

MFT number die

washi

There. Easy peasy. Did I mention that this set of card fronts is absolutely my fave? 

Don't forget about my STAMPlorations discount code STAMPGIRLMARIA for 20% off should I have convinced you to do some shopping ;) 

Speaking of shopping...  take a look at the Spring Cleaning Sale going on now. And instead of the monthly challenges, STAMPlorations is going back to the Never-ending Anything Goes using STAMP products as the focal point. Check out the deets here.

STAMPlorations anything goes april reminder

Joining in on the fun over at STAMPlorations monthly Anything Goes challenge over at the STAMPlorations blog? There's still time.

Anything goes. I went coffee. Again.

Tag o Coffee die

Retro People ATC

All you need is Coffee stamp

Coffee Tiles ephemera

I used the Coffee Tiles from the Paper Goods section of the store and die cut latte cups from them (even with shiny black straws!) and used them to add interest to the retro ATC gal. I thought the snarky sentiment fit perfectly with the telephone theme.

Check out the card creations this month! There will be prizes ;) a $25 prize code for a chosen card using STAMP products and two $10 prize codes chosen randomly from the entries (need not feature a STAMP product.) Please be sure to read all the challenge rules here.

Don't forget about my STAMPlorations discount code STAMPGIRLMARIA for 20% off should I ever inspire you to do some shopping ;)  See you over at the gallery.

introducing collage papers - analog grunge cards

There's another new kid in town over at the STAMPlorations shop and if you're a CAS cardmaker, you might be wondering if it's for you. Basically, it's patterned paper and who doesn't love patterned paper?  It also might stretch your creative muscles ;)

There's an amazing pre-order deal being offered right now so please go check it out. But then come back to see my makes using one batch, Analog Grunge, of the new papers!

My first love being cardmaking, I had to consider how to use this great paper (it's 70# quality). Some of the images lend themselves nicely to being fussy cut and used like ephemera. But I was feeling "torn into strips," especially because the motif is grungy.

So I considered which larger size die I could use as focal image on my card and settled on a bird. So I stamped some feathers and art marks on the collage paper before tearing it into strips and glueing the strips onto some scrap cardstock. 

Then I die cut the bird, backed it with a black shadow and decided to place it atop what was actually leftover after diecutting the bird from the scrap I had glued the strips onto. Kind of a hot mess but I think it works. Especially as a masculine belated birthday card.

Analog Grunge collage paper

Feathery stamp

Perched bird die

Double running stitch rectangle die

For my next card I contemplated what else to do with torn strips and remembered this fun card I'd made years ago. I thought Shirley's City Girl would work well with a nice taffeta skirt. I alternated torn book pages stamped with polka dots in between the collage paper strips. Did some coloring to make her top match her skirt. Cuz stylish ;)

Analog Grunge collage paper

City Girl stamp

So if the pattern on these collage papers speaks to you, in addition to using them as an easy card front or background for a stamped/die cut image, you can make them work for you in other ways as well. I'll be back with more ideas soon.

Be sure to stop by the STAMPlorations blog regularly to see what the other DT girls are making with the new collage papers - in addition to grungy there are botanical, coffee, travel, and bold texture themed papers.

And should you find yourself making a purchase from the STAMPlorations store, you can use my code STAMPGIRLMARIA for 20% off. Have a fabulous day.

STAMPlorations anything goes february reminder

Stopping by with a quick reminder to join in over at STAMPlorations monthly Anything Goes challenge over at the STAMPlorations blog. 

Today's card warms my CAS-loving heart. What do you think?

Perched Bird die

World Birthday Cakes stamp

Design Blox stencil

Distress Inks

Die cut the bird from watercolor paper, watercolored it letting red, yellow and blue do the work of creating the oranges and greens. I stacked it on a couple layers of scrap cardstock for stability and dimension and adhered it to a cardfront I'd gussied up with some graphic images using the stencil. A classic sentiment in an unexpected location finished off my card.

CAS card tip: Rainbow + lotsa black and white = winner design every time.

I'm looking forward to your seeing your card creations this month! There will be prizes ;) a $25 prize code for a chosen card using STAMP products and even a $10 prize code chosen randomly from the entries (need not feature a STAMP product.) Please be sure to read all the challenge rules here.

BTW, check out Shery's blog post about the new collage papers in the store. Can't wait to give this new product a try. How about you?

Don't forget about my STAMPlorations discount code STAMPGIRLMARIA for 20% off should I ever inspire you to do some shopping ;)  See you over at the gallery. 

 

STAMPlorations anything goes challenge february

Well hello again STAMP friends! It's time for another monthly Anything Goes challenge - the 6th of every month over at the STAMPlorations blog. Did you join the fun in January? Here's my card for February.

I actually used some Christmas product for this card. I saw the die cut with the bloom and just felt like rainbow-ing it. 

Just Caffeinate clear stickers

Just Squares stencil

alcohol markers, embossing paste, Nuvo drops

Colored an image and added Nuvo drops to the berries, added some transparent paste through a stencil to the cardbase, added a sticker sentiment and voila!

CAS card tip: Think a black background is too dark? Try using a stencil to add paste or black ink to add interest to your black for your CAS design.

I'm looking forward to your seeing your card creations this month! There will be prizes ;) Please be sure to check out all the challenge rules here.

And don't forget about my STAMPlorations discount code STAMPGIRLMARIA for 20% off should I ever inspire you to do some shopping ;)  See you over at the gallery. 

 

TP roll hearts galore

Hi there peeps! 

I was very inspired by a card Tiffany S. made recently and it actually moved me to hit my craft room and play.

Just grab some inks or watercolors, some water and a TP roll! First blue like Tiffany's, then neon rainbow.

The Stamp Market heart and hey dies, Tim Holtz words, SSS love phrases and you die,

mirror cardstock, embossing powder, Rico neon watercolors,

Provo Crafts thanks die, washi

That's it. Thanks for looking.   

and still more milestone cards

Needed a 50th wedding anniversary card. Happened to know what the bride's outfit was going to look like so I modeled their card on it using a wonderful stamp set, Beautiful Blooms Builder from The Stamp Market and some Altenew inks ...

And I needed a 60th birthday card so did some gold heat embossing with Stamplorations Healing Herbs stamp on pretty patterned papers and voila!

 

Thanks for coming by today. 

a CASE in blue

 Hi there peeps! 

I was very inspired by a card Andrea M. made recently and it actually moved me to hit my craft room and CASE it.

Loved her color combo so I stuck with it. Perused my dies for something that would give that fall feel, but keep my life simple. Chose a bit bigger pattern for my BG but it sure looks a lot like hers. Love it.

Because I loved the design so much I decided to put a twist on it and go a bit masculine. Same colors. Different motif. Feathers this time. And an embossed plus clock BG to go with the happy birthday, time passing theme.

Inkystamp sentiment stamp,

Penny Black Berries and Leaves die,

embossing powder, twine

Lifestyle Crafts feather die,

A Pocket Full of Happiness cover plate

That's it for today. Thanks for looking.  

more milestone cards

Seems like some of the only cards I actually sit down and create lately are for lovely ladies turning 70, 80 and 90.

 STAMPlorations Gift Builder 1 die

STAMPlorations Celebrate die

STAMPlorations Peony number 2 stencil

MFT numbers die

Papertrey hello die

Thanks for stopping by today.

STAMPlorations and gelli prints

Hi there peeps! 

I was very inspired by a technique (a la Susanne R.) which uses up those gelli prints we all have hanging around our craft rooms. Don't ya love it?

Paired it with a black heat-embossed-on-white fussy cut floral bloom.

Paired it with a white heat-embossed-on-black fussy cut floral bloom.

Art Marks stamp,

Dee's Flora stamps,

gelli prints, embossing powder

That's it for today. Thanks for looking.  

golden stamptober

Yep you read that right. I missed Stamptember when it was live but I'm here to share three makes with the Circle Sayings stamp set from Simon Says Stamp Stamptember release in what at least in Germany is a golden October. 

Well they had me at circles. Geometric makes me happy. 

Here's the first.

SSS Circle Sayings stamp

MFT Dienamics circle die

 inks, white embossing powder, pearls

But add an organic touch and my new Pigment Craft luscious autumn colors... be still my happy heart. Look what happens when you use the reverse of the stamp to get those organic circles. A fall birthday card for a guy.

SSS Circle Sayings stamp

Pigment Craft inks

clear embossing powder and washi tape

So I'd been watching some scrapbooking videos and saw this one from Shimelle.  Do you ever try to transfer a scrapbooking layout to a card? I loved her approach to stacks of PP. I gave it a try and topped my stack with a circle die cut, inked and heat embossed with a Circle Sayings sentiment.

SSS Circle Sayings stamp

The Stamp Market Framed Floral stamp

patterned paper, white embossing powder, Pigment Craft Eucalyptus ink

Quite the different approaches. Do you have a favorite? Thanks for coming by. I'm enjoying being back playing with my supplies. I'm hooking up at the SSS Wednesday Challenge where it's about Washi and also the Stamptember Gallery where you can get your fill of Autumn card inspiration!

forgotten but not gone (4)

I've been sharing cards this month that seem to have been forgotten in my photo file. Oops.

Today I'm sharing two Autumn-y creations in case you're in the mood...

First a wine-themed birthday card. It's harvest time ya know? Gave the wine a Merlot-y inked tone and added a mist of perfect pearls for fun. See the sparkle in the closeup?

Spellbinders Wine Country die

Klartext sentiment stamp

And then lovely falling leaves (a bit early I know). I love to make these pocket shakers (idea from Kristina W.) using recycled cellophane packaging. First stamp (and heat emboss) your images on vellum.

Add your fillers and stitch up the pocket. See how I added a sentiment?

You've got yourself an attractive, interactive card.

STAMPlorations stamps

vellum, embossing powder, sequins, sewing machine

Enjoy your weekend!

  

using scraps for occasion cards

Continuing with my summer programming.

So I was still on a roll using up scraps for cards. Sometimes I get sick of moving piles of scraps from left to right and back again, ya know? I decided to just trim some PP strips into little banners and adorn the side of a card with them. For DD's birthday card this year.

STAMPlorations rose stencil, bird die, number plate die

The cardbase had the negative image of the rose stencil already on it (after inking through a stencil I usually spritz the stencil with water and stamp it off on scrap paper. Sometimes onto a cardbase like here) so I went with pinks and even found the bird in my scraps. Just cut the numbers I needed.

Simon Says Stamp Faberge Egg die

Distress Oxides and The Stamp Market inks

This intricate Easter egg die and the ink blended egg had been in my scrap bowl for so long. So I stamped a cardbase with some delicate blooms and voila! 

Happy weekend! Maybe you'll find time to give your scraps a go!

commissioned birthday cards

And today's summer programming, more commissioned birthday cards. 

Requested for a brother whose car is his pride and joy. I made three to choose from...

TAWS car stamp

Artemio cityscape stamp

Winnie and Walter sentiment stamp

Right at Home Holidays are on the Way die

washi tape

Renke die

Inkystamp sentiment

alcohol ink background, embossing powder

And for a butcher ;)

Neat and Tangled Hot Dog stamp

Inkadinkado sentiment

Have a great week!

commissioned milestone birthday cards

Next up in my summer programming - commissioned milestone birthday cards. 

Can you guess the recipient of this first card? A teacher! How'd I do?

Action Deutschland banner dies

Simply Graphic frame dies

Memory Box number dies

embossing pen to write sentiment

white embossing powder

star sequins

And this one was a challenge.  A Covid theme for a gal turning 40. Had to get creative with clip art and a hole punch!

Memory Box alpha dies

MFT number die

Have a great day!