STAMPlorations new release - layered stars

Hi there peeps! Before we get to the 13th birthday celebrations over at STAMPlorations, there's a new release from Shirley B. debuting over at the STAMPlorations shop.  Today we're introducing Layered Stars.

Hope you'll forgive me that I didn't even use this set as a "layered" stamp, it was so much fun to use as... well, you'll see.

First off I inked up a distress ink BG (a la Robin C.) and heat embossed the sketchy stars, outline and solid, randomly all over it. Don't ya love it?

Layered Stars stamp

Distress Inks - Festive Berries, Carved Pumpkin, Mustard Seed, Mowed Lawn, Prize Ribbon

 platinum embossing powder, sequins

For my next card I went with more white space, but still lots of random stars. I heat embossed a few for more interest.

Layered Stars stamp

 circle die, embossing powder

That's it for today. Check out all the DT's creations over at the STAMP blog. Leave comments all around (at the STAMP blog and on the design team blogs) and you might be the lucky winner of one of Shirley's new stamp sets. Winner will be announced 6/29 on the STAMP blog.

This is such a fun set. Thanks for coming by today!  

STAMPlorations spring fling

Spring is in the air! Gotta love it. And gotta love how the newest ATCs over at STAMPlorations help celebrate that spring has finally arrived.

Join us for a hop and linky party with the chance to win some prizes!

I could not resist pairing Shirley B.'s tiny houses with this ATC.

Houses stamp

Whimsical Homes ATC

New Day clear stickers

distress ink, washi

Used an old technique to create the watercolored row of houses. Anytime you have a fairly symmetric stamp shape you can use the reverse (flat side) of it to stamp your color layer and then use the outline side of the stamp to stamp the crisp image. Added a spritz of water to the inked reverse side gives you the desired watercolor effect.

Other than that, the ATC is the dreamy star of the show. Added a sticker sentiment and a thin washi strip and called it good.

Get creative and be a part of the linky party. Or hop around and leave comments to win. Join us, won’t you?

a favorite design for those tough sympathy cards

Death is a part of life. I get it. But sometimes it totally sucks.

There's an older product that I find myself using to create a sympathy card for those situations where a person is taken from this earth. Way. Too. Soon.

MFT You mean the World to me die

As a sentiment I usually create something along the lines of "it's hard to imagine a world without..."

You could use any world image you have. I enjoy inking up the die cut pieces for this one.

Thanks for visiting. Hope your day is a good one.

 

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. 

 

die cut a card edge flap

Saw a cool technique over at Scrapbook.com which inspired me to give it a try.

I'm not a huge interactive card fan, but this level of interactivity I can handle. Turns your sentiment into a tri-fold card flap holder. (There must be a better name for this!)

One graduation and one get well version.

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!

  

forgotten but not gone (1)

Continuing with my summer programming even though it's September ;) I've got a few cards to share this month that seem to have been forgotten in my photo file. Oops.

Let's start with purple, shall we?

A closeup of that golden die cut cuz it's just so pretty combined with the splatters of gold ink.

STAMPlorations coffee stamp and sentiment die

Distress Inks

Simon Says Stamp Picked Just for You watercolor cards

Zig watercolor brushes

sewing machine, pearls

Happy weekend! 

letting my scraps inspire me

Continuing with my summer programming...

Still on a roll using up scraps , I let the scraps inspire my card design for these cards.

This first one... pretty funny. Those darn raffia strips were another too-fun-to-toss-but-constantly-being-moved-from-left-to-right-and-back. The lantern halves were leftover pieces from a rainbow die cut many moons ago. I was finally inspired to combine the two, just needed a stenciled BG to pull them together.

STAMPlorations stencil

Studio Calico sentiment die

MFT Magical Rainbow die (negative pieces)

More die cut scrap next. Why not put it over some scrap paper from an inking session and then dress it up a little with washi and Nuvo drops?!?

Ellen Hutson Many Thanks die

Nuvo drops, washi

Another piece of scrap paper from an ink smooshing session ended up peeking out of the slats of a cover plate die cut and topped with a stylistic bloom from my scrap bowl.

MFT Dienamics Stripes cover die

Happy weekend! Have you had a go at your scrap pile yet?

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!

STAMPlorations new release - some snark

Welcome peeps! There's a new release in town. Over at the STAMPlorations shop. And with a new line of snarky stamps from our own Chris Dring. Today we're introducing Some Snark (the set on the right).

I've paired Chris' snarky sentiments with some of STAMPlorations paper goods (ATC). The vibe couldn't be more perfect.

Some Snark stamp

Retro Fashionistas ATC

watercolors, Copic markers, white embossing powder, pearls

Actually have a friend who loves to "moon" people, so this card's headed her way :)

For my next card I recycled plastic packaging to make a fun shaker. Put an inked BG in it along with several heat embossed snarky sentiments cuz they're just all so good (and lots of sequins). I attached the shaker to a cardbase and adhered a B/W ATC to the front with my main sentiment.

Some Snark stamp

Retro Fashionistas ATC

Strung Lights stencil

Distress Inks, recycled packaging, sequins, white embossing powder

That's it for today. Be sure to check out all the DT's creations over at the STAMP blog. Leave comments all around and you might be the lucky winner of one of Chris' new stamp sets.

Thanks for stopping by.  

STAMPlorations new release - hot mess

Welcome peeps! There's a new release in town. Over at the STAMPlorations shop. And with a new line of snarky stamps from our own Chris Dring. Today we're introducing Hot Mess (the set on the left).

I've paired Chris' snarky sentiments with some of STAMPlorations paper goods (ATC). The vibe couldn't be more perfect.

Hot Mess stamp

Retro Fashionistas ATC

Art Border #3 die

watercolors, Copic markers, white embossing powder,pearls

Do you not love that sentiment? They're all great. A watercolored swatch, a Copic colored lady to match, a few pearls and a snarky sentiment. Oh, and a bit of die cut interest on the cream cardbase.

How about this next one. "I don't have mood swings. Darling, I own the playground." Just look at her admiring herself in the mirror.

Hot Mess stamp

Retro Fashionistas ATC

Spellbinders Rebel Rose die

Copics, PP, silver embossing powder

Layout's a bit different - PP mat and a fancy die cut to back the ATC - but the lady and the sentiment say it all.

So, that's it for today. Be sure to check out all the DT's creations over at the STAMP blog. And leave comments all around and you might win one of Chris' new stamp sets.

Hope you're having a nice day. 

the world needs more kindness

A little escapism from the craziness of this world in my craft room led to this play with distress inks and brushes. I was totally inspired by Robin W. who was a teacher in the recent Card Maker Success Summit.

Honey Bee Kindness stamp and die

Distress Inks- Candied Apple, Carved Pumpkin, Mustard Seed, Mowed Lawn, Prize Ribbon

I love the result. Water spots and white ink splatters added interest to the BG and the sentiment couldn't be more appropriate. Can we all just try to be a little nicer?

I'm joining the nice folks at SSS Wednesday - AG,  Papercraft Challenge #79 - AG and Happy Little Stampers AG with Dies February Challenge.

STAMPlorations inspiration #357

Hello friends. Back for another Tuesday inspiration post from the STAMPlorations inspiration gals. I've got another kinda groovy project for you today. Think this would work for a guy?

Almost Shattered stencil

What's up ephemera tiles

I inked three colors through the stencil from left to right, removed the stencil and added the ink that was left on the brushes over the white areas to tone them down a little. Also inked around the outside edges (remember when we used to do that ALL the time?!?)

Kept two ephemera tiles together as the "sentiment" on this card to compliment the horizontal orientation.

As always, 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 should ever inspire you to order something from the store, if you use my STAMPGIRLMARIA discount code you receive an additional 20% off your order.  Appreciate your visit! 

STAMPlorations inspiration #355

Hello friends. It's time for another Tuesday inspiration post from the STAMPlorations inspiration team girls. I've got a groovy stencil project for you today.

Wavy Dots stencil

What's up ephemera tiles

No your eyes aren't playing tricks on you. I inked the stencil once with pink then rotated it slightly and inked again with yellow. The stencil design lends itself to movement. I gave it a lot of movement!

For added interest I die cut a circle out of the ephemera tile sentiment and raised it with foam tape.

As always, 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 should ever inspire you to order something from the store, if you use my STAMPGIRLMARIA discount code you receive an additional 20% off your order.  Appreciate your visit!

I'm taking this card over to Happy Little Stampers February AG with Stencils.

STAMPlorations cas cards challenge december

Welcome to the STAMPlorations December CAS Cards challenge!

As always the challenge is to create any CAS card, with an optional color twist - this month the twist is metallic plus one color.

On the slim chance that you haven't started your Christmas cards yet, here's a super easy design for you.

Comfort and Joy stickers

Merry Go Round stencil

gold embossing paste, Festive Berries distress ink 

CAS card tip: Extend your image off the edge for more interest. Include 3 or 5 of something to please the eye (I've used four pinwheels + one good sized sentiment).

I'm looking forward to 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 I ever inspire you to do some shopping ;)  Thanks for stopping over today. See you in the gallery. 

STAMPlorations inspiration #335

Welcome to another Tuesday inspiration post from the STAMPlorations inspiration team girls. 

 

I'm going for the heavy-loaded version today. Actually, I just took a look at my massive PP stash. Pulled out some fall-ish paper and let myself be inspired.

Art Flowers 1 stencil

Thanks die

 distress ink, gold embossing powder, fibers

I chose the olive green PP, chose Peeled Paint DI and stenciled some of Sanna's flowers over the PP. I adhered the PP to my cardbase and noticed the "iris bloom" on the strip I cut off. Decided that would look cool popped up on that vine and voila! The half heat embossed stacked die cut is a looker. The fibers behind it... let's just call it a flash of genius. Honestly, I tripped over the bucket I was saving the pieces in. (tee hee hee)

As always, 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 should ever inspire you to order something from the store, I'd appreciate it if you used my STAMPGIRLMARIA discount code for an additional 20% off your order.     

STAMPlorations inspiration #332

Back with one more summer Tuesday inspiration post from the STAMPlorations inspiration team girls. Adios August! 

 

Today's card uses the inlaid die cut technique on a heat embossed panel.

Art Marks 2 stamp

Perched Bird die

Hello die

 Forest Moss, Peacock Feathers, Fossilized Amber distress inks

green embossing powder

First I randomly stamped a panel with art marks and green heat embossed them. Then I die cut the bird from the panel, inked him and inlaid him back into the panel on my cardbase. A die cut "hello" finished off my card. Do you like the result? Or do those heat embossed images on the bird bother you like they do me?

As always, 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 should ever inspire you to order something from the store, I'd appreciate it if you used my STAMPGIRLMARIA discount code for an additional 20% off your order.   

STAMPlorations inspiration #331

Time for another summer Tuesday inspiration post from the STAMPlorations inspiration team girls.

 

Today's card uses the inlaid die cut technique. And some hot ink colors.

Blossom Spray 6 stamp

So Loved stamp

Flutter Zen 1 die

Flutter Zen 2 die

 Mustard Seed, Carved Pumpkin, Picked Raspberry distress inks

gold and white embossing powder

First I gold heat embossed the floral spray all over an A2 panel. Then I die cut the butterflies from the panel, inked them and inlaid them back into the panel on my cardbase. A heat embossed sentiment on a black circle finished up the card. Voila!

As always, 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 should ever inspire you to order something from the store, I'd appreciate it if you used my STAMPGIRLMARIA discount code for an additional 20% off your order.  

STAMPlorations inspiration #323

Welcome to another Tuesday inspiration post from the STAMPlorations inspiration team girls. 

I'm still playing with some Decotime Twinmarkers alcohol markers I picked up at the local "dollar store" and practicing my coloring. I colored another digi image today. I love this one. And since I'm always in need of a belated birthday card...

Bloomdala Coffee Cup to Go digi stamp

Oh Frap die

Stained Glass stencil

alcohol markers, Distress Ink

I colored and fussy cut the image. Die cut and stacked the sentiment. Before adhering the cup to my card I sponged some Antique Linen DI through a stencil onto my cardbase.

As always, 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 should ever inspire you to order something from the store, I'd appreciate it if you used my STAMPGIRLMARIA discount code for an additional 20% off your order. 

new paper goods - ephemera tiles

Hi friends. Dropping in today to share something new with you. There's a new kid on the block over at STAMPlorations and it's pretty exciting.

Meet "paper goods" - card fronts, colorables and ephemera. Shery has a wide variety of designs from florals to coffee to graphic. Today I've had a play with some graphic ephemera tiles.

There are six tiles (1.75 in) to a sheet of 120 lb paper, and six sheets to a package. For my first card I used a sheet as is.

What's Up Ephemera

Art Edges die

Skinny Sentiments die

Patches stencil

PP, distress inks, sewing machine

I stenciled around the edges of my cardbase since the sheet is a bit smaller, added the B/W edge die up top, stitched the sheet onto the card and topped it off with a die cut sentiment.

I used the sheet as is for my second card, but can you tell what I did differently?

What's Up Ephemera

Art Marks 2 stamp

I used a circle die to cut the messages and then turned the sheet vertically and adhered it to my cardbase to which I'd added a couple black art marks to pick up on the style of the tiles. And then for fun, I popped the circles up on foam tape and adhered them haphazardly on the colored squares. No risk, no fun ;)

My last card is CAS. Yep.

What's Up Ephemera

Tags 1 die

 Art Border 3 die (coming soon)

Heidi Swapp black color shine spray, PP, washi, enamel star

I used a tag die to cut two tiles from a sheet as well as from PP. Used a coming-to-the-store-soon border die to spice up the bottom of the card front. And keeping with the splatter style I added a strip of washi along the bottom edge. Adhered the tags and voila!

Keep watching the STAMP blog for more sneaks of these fun, new, paper goods. I'll be back with some of the graphic card fronts soon.

I'm going over to the gallery at:

Crafting Happiness - AG with option tag

Just Us Girls - #588