digging negative space

I've been looking at the "Negative Space" 2018 trend for my STAMPlorations spotlight posts this month. When I saw this design from Lydia E. I had to CASE it, concentrating on the negative space to pop the positives to the forefront.

 Altenew Floral Fantasy stamp set

Hero Arts All Occasion Messages set

Altenew inks

I decided to create two versions, one for the January Altenew challenge using those spring colors.

And a sympathy card keeping things monochromatic. I like the heat embossed sentiment topped with vellum.

 Altenew Floral Fantasy stamp set

Karten Kunst sentiment set

Altenew inks

I'm taking this card to Danipeuss Kartenchallenge # 60 Anything Goes as well as The Artistic Stamper Anything Goes.  And to Penny Black and More where the January theme is Something New - which this stamp set was to me for Christmas!

spotlight on negative space

I'm working with another 2018 trend for my spotlight project over at STAMPlorations - check it out!

I'm playing at Challenge up your Life where the theme is a good one - Embossing Folder! Pull 'em out and have some fun. I'm also sending this to Danipeuss Kartenchallenge #60 - Alles Erlaubt (AG)

STAMPlorations inspiration #158

It's time again  for a Tuesday inspiration from the STAMPlorations inspiration team where the team members feature stamps from one of our talented stamp designers.

Today we're using Becca's Big Grins stamps.Her stamps are 15% off this week  - with an extra 20% off when you use my discount code STAMPGIRLMARIA !!!

Like I mentioned last week, this time each year I like to take a look at the trends they're predicting. In my surfing I discovered "Urban Tribe". So this month I'm creating my inspiration post projects using this image from my Pinterest inspiration board. See that image top right?

image source

I love the big sketched heart in Funny Kinda Love. I stamped it on black CS and using a flower stem stamp I repeatedly stamped lines with Distress Oxides. Gave it a spritz of water, let it dry and then stamped some more lines. I love the chalky/neon result.

Added some stamped hearts and some die cut from the scraps. Some scattered sequins were the finishing touch to this congratulations card.

If you're looking for more inspiration for Valentines Day ... I had more fun with this set in this post ...

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

I'm playing at:
Sweet Stampers - Anything Goes
Stempelkueche - #85 Anything Goes

AAA Cards - Start of Something New - I think an engagement card qualifies

another sympathy card

Another favorite sympathy card design today.

bird and branch

sentiment

Yesterday's card reflected both sadness and hope, but today's has more of a sad tone to it I think. The sentiment says it all.

The stormy sky was created with torn scrap paper masks and Distress Inks.

I'm joining in at:
Sweet Stampers - Anything Goes
Stempelkueche - #85 Anything Goes

a sympathy card

Revisited one of my favorite sympathy card designs today.

bird and branch

sentiment

I hate having to make them, but I think this sympathy card reflects both sadness (the single bird in the bush) as well as hope for the future - as in, "the sun sets, but the sun also rises" - with the acrylic-block-ink-smooshed morning sky.

The sentiment says it all.

I'm joining in at:
Simon Says Wenesday - Something New (as in a new day)
Stempelkueche - #85 Anything Goes
Inkspirational - Stamping Only
Shopping our Stash - Watercolor

STAMPlorations inspiration #157

Welcome to a new year of STAMPlorations inspiration posts, friends! Hope your holidays were joyful and your 2018 is off to a fabulous start!

It's time for a Tuesday inspiration from the STAMPlorations inspiration team where the team members feature stamps from one of our talented stamp designers.

Today we're using Shirley's The Bees Knees stamps. Shirley's stamps are 15% off this week (with an extra 20% off when you use my discount code STAMPGIRLMARIA).

Each year at this time I like to take a look at what they're predicting for trends for the coming year. In my surfing I discovered "Urban Tribe" - geometric but cool colors. So this month I'm creating my inspiration post projects using this image from my Pinterest inspiration board. See that image top and center? She inspired today's card.

image source

Pulled out Faerie Door and dressed up the neighborhood with some circles punched from PP in a nod to the somewhat circular shapes of the patterns on my inspiration image. Added a masked sun, some dress coloring with Prismacolor pencils (got them for free with a Blitsy order recently!) and a little B/W doodling on the house. The photo doesn't pick it up, but three of the circles have gold foil patterns which really add to the fun!

If you're looking for more inspiration ... I had more fun with this set in this post ...

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

I'm joining the fun at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Anything Goes and the Anything Goes January challenge at The Artistic Stamper with this card.

CUTplorations january

Well hi, hello and a happy new year to you, friends! Nothing like having a challenge go live on the first Monday of the month which also happens to be Jan 1, 2018! Wow. Good morning! Hope you joyfully rung in the new and are ready to jump back into creating.

Here's our inspiration photo for the January CUTplorations challenge over at STAMPlorations. Speaking of fresh and new...

image source: Jørn Allan Pedersen

Hello die, Stitched Winter Landscape die

Can you say "literal"? When I saw that sky I had to do some ink smooshing with Distress Inks - a whole range of purple, pink and yellow/orange. And a good dose of Perfect Pearls mist too, see in the closeup? Popped the bottom section of the die cut area up on black craft foam for a fun shadow effect.

Hope you'll find time to join us for some die cutting fun this month over at the CUTplorations challenge. Just make a project based on our inspiration using at least one die cut. Be sure to use at least one STAMPlorations product too and hook up to the gallery. Your project might be chosen as a winner. You can see how the CUTplorations DT was inspired by this month's photo here.

And don't forget about my STAMPlorations discount code for 20% off in the sidebar should you feel the need to welcome 2018 with a crafty goodies purchase ;) Here's to a new year of happy crafting!

I'm joining the Anything Goes fun at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday and the Something New challenge at Simon Says Stamp Monday. And I'm playing with the gals at Mixed Media Monthly Challenge where it's time to Ring in the New. Here's to a brand-spanking new year friends!!!