Sunday, February 27, 2022

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.

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.



Friday, February 25, 2022

more scraps as a frame

You may remember this Valentine - part of my scrap strip adventure lately. 


Well what was left of the "stripped" card after die cutting that LOVE square became this frame, which then became this card. Heat embossed blooms. Added light watercolor touches and lots of sequins.



I'm heading over to the Altenew February Challenge with my pinks and greens.




Tuesday, February 22, 2022

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?


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! 

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

neutrals for sss etched dragonfly

If you saw my last post, I was having a play with more scraps, tearing them into strips. The scraps were actually the paper I had used when updating my ink swatches by swiping ink onto them (I used to just stamp an image onto the swatch).

Well there was a sheet of all the grays I swatched. Yes, I am addicted to inks. 

So first I made a tag out of gray strips. Then I die cut some dragonflies to populate the gray sky.

I'm really digging the neutrals. What do you think? Thanks for visiting. 

Sunday, February 13, 2022

rainbows and holographic paper

I was having a play with more scraps, this time tearing them into strips. The scraps were actually the paper I had used when updating my ink swatches by swiping ink onto them (I used to just stamp an image onto the swatch).

I also wanted to give a new-to-me die a trial run. (Guess I've been under a rock cuz I only discovered A Pocket Full of Happiness recently.) Oh my goodness Zsoka has some fun and different designs.

So first I had this tag made out of rainbow strips. Then I die cut a rainbow out of (here I come out from under another rock) holographic paper. Just from my dollar store, but boy is this stuff cool.


That holographic effect! Get outta town. This card has more rainbow-y, fun colorful, shimmery, shiny, blingy happy stuff than I can handle!

scraps, enamel heart, clear embossing powder

Hope you're enjoying this Super Bowl, Valentines weekend. Doubly whammy. Sugar high here we come! Thanks for visiting. I'm visiting the gals over at Happy Little Stampers - February AG with Dies.






Friday, February 11, 2022

valentines with scrap strips

I seem to find myself a theme when I make Valentines each year. I'm on a scrap strip adventure right now (avoiding the hard work of moving my craft room as I explained here) so that became my theme for this year.

Scrap strips, scrap cardstock and a glue stick. Made myself some "patterned paper" and then played with it.


Die cut a square of my "PP" with the love die and made cards with the negative and positive pieces. I'm entering the pink one into SSS Monday - Love is in the Air challenge.



Then I rediscovered a flop card die (NBUS) so gave it a run in a card for DD. Used some 6x6 PP from my stash (which could last me 120 years). I'm hooking this Clean and Layered one up over at The Card Concept #168.



Reverse Confetti Lovely Words die

And while I had that heart die in my hand from the flop card heart die, I cut two of them and made this, personalized with the couple's initials. It's actually going to Americans who live in Germany so I'm joining in at Pinspirational February Challenge.

Thursday, February 10, 2022

spotlight on scrap strips

 Howdy friends. I'm over at STAMPlorations hoping to inspire you to give your scrap strip stash a go.