Power Poppy March Challenge

Hello! I can't believe it is already the last day of March.  I am *just in time* for the deadline of Power Poppy's monthly challenge.  The challenge was a sketch plus the requirement that there be a window with something peeking out.

This is my interpretation of the sketch. 

I stamped onto watercolor paper and the colored and blended out with watercolor pencils and a waterbrush.  I then die cut my window with a bird die.  Doing the die cutting first would have been easier!  I inked with distress inks around the edge and then finished everything off with some pretty patterned paper. 

I really liked the blue sponging and the blue in the paper - it did wonders to liven this card up!

Supplies: Power Poppy Sunny Harvest Stamp set, Versafine Onyx Black ink, Derwent Watercolor pencils, My Mind's Eye Bluebell 6x6 patterned paper pack, Ranger Watercolor paper, Gina K Designs Bird Die

I would love to submit this project to this challenge:

Power Poppy Peek-A-Boo Sketch

Clean and Simple Card with Black

Thank you so much for coming by my blog.

I have been thinking about Clean and Simple cards, which is a style I use often, and wondering if I could get a truly clean and simple look using a black card base.  This is what I came up with.

(Click images to enlarge.)

I colored the image in with gel pens, mostly to challenge myself and see if I could. I was surprised that you could do some blending with them.  I used glue dots to adhere the fussy-cut image, using two layers of them for the buds to give that part of the image more dimension.

I also used the same stamps to complete the inside of the card.  This was fun!

Supplies: I Brake for Stamps Bubble Wrap, Lattice and Flowers Sheet, Gina K Designs Applemint Cardstock and Ink, Gina K Black Onyx cardstock, Versamark ink and Recollections White embossing powder.

I would love to participate in the following challenge:

SimonSaysStamp Wednesday - Anything Goes!

Stately Sunflower Thank You Card

Welcome and I hope you are doing well today!

:)

Today I have a fun card to share!  I did more coloring with chalks onto textured paper.  It is so fun and easy to do.  If you still have some chalks lying around, I hope you will try it. I did a very similar card here.

(Click on photos to enlarge.)

I do like to fussy cut these out since you cannot really stay in the lines when using chalk.  

The white panel was done by using a die, but not cutting with the die, instead using the sandwich for embossing.  

Supplies: Gina K Designs Stately Flowers 5, GKD Dark Chocolate ink, Kraft, white, textured and yellow cardstock from my stash, Spellbinders Lattice Rectangles, Pebbles Chalks

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Christmas Joy - Easy Christmas card

Hello and Happy Monday!

Today I have as easy Christmas card idea to share!  Sadly, the photo does not do the sparkle embossing powder any justice.  Sparkle Embossing Powder is my most used embossing powder!  The jar is actually half empty.

I also used generation stamping with the snowflakes after noticing they were too bold stamped first generation.

Supplies: Recollections Christmas Noel stamp set, Versafine Magestic Blue ink, Recollections Sparkle Embossing powder, GKD In the Navy cardstock

I would love to participate in the following challenges:

Merry Monday: Christmas Carols (Of course my carol is Joy to the World)

Rudolph Days March Challenge

Thanks so much for reading and for your kind comments!

So Many Reaons to be Thankful

Update (3/29/16): I was so pleased and excited that this card was chosen as the "Queen of Clean" for Freshly Made Sketchs #229!  Thanks so much!

Thanks for coming by today.  I hope you had a happy Easter!  

I am nearly out of Thank You cards, so I think many cards I will be making in the near future are going to have that sentiment.  I used my score board to emboss lines on the left hand side of the card panel.

Supplies: Gina K Designs You're My Favorite and Mega Squares (retired) stamp sets, Versafine Smokey Grey ink, Avery Elle Ocean Mist, Lemon Grass, Celery pigment inks, textured paper, Gina K Designs Ocean Mist cardstock.

I would like to participate in the following challenge:
Freshly Made Sketches #229
ModSquad Springtime

Using Patterned Paper Up (or trying to...)

Thank you so much for stopping by.  I have not had nearly as much time to craft in the last week as I would like to, but I do have two cards to share today.

I was trying to use a lot of patterned paper!  I have noticed that there is a lot less of this being used right now,  but I don't always go with the trends, so I like to use it still!   Plus, I have so much!  :)

The second card would have looked perfectly fine with no stamping, but I am a stamper at heart and could not bear not to add some!

I also used the same stamp set for these, along with some pre-printed toner sheets to do foiling.  I used my rather old laminator and it seemed to work just fine.  

Supplies: Gina K Designs Birthday Blessings stamp set and die set, Hero Arts Navy ink, Gina K Designs Foiling Elements (from Made With Love StampTV Kit), Pebbles Family Ties paper pad, My Mind's Eye Summer Fresh paper pad, Spellbinders circle dies, Die Namics Pierced Square dies, Heidi Swapp foil in Holographic and Blue

Quick and Easy Easter Card

It is about time to send out those Easter cards!  I made "just one more" this morning, it is so quick and easy!

I used some rather old stamps in my stash and just quickly arranged them and added a touch of color with my Tombow markers.  

Supplies: Hero Arts CL051 April Stamp set, Versfine onyx black ink, Tombow water based markers, American Crafts Everyday paper pad, American Crafts bakers twine

I would love to play in the following challenge:

SimonSaysStamp Wednesday: Cute and Cuddly

Thanks so much for visiting my blog!

Clean & Simple with Rubber Stamp Tapestry

Hello!  I hope you are doing well. :)

Today I have another card to share using the same little peg stamps I used just the other day.  I started wondering if A) I would be able to use them in a more clean and simple way, and B) Could I follow a sketch?

I really had to hold back because it is really just so easy to keep stamping and stamping.  Here's just another view (it is hard to post just one photo...)

When I have a little time, I want to make a set of these in different colors to send as a gift.

Supplies: Rubber Stamp Tapestry Cherry Blossom stamp set, Thank You stamp from Anita's stamps, Avery Elle Pigment Inks, Versafine Onyx black ink, Liquid Pearls

I would love to participate in this challenge:

Retro Sketches #206 

Thanks so much for stopping now by.  I enjoy reading each and every comment and always try to go back and visit your blogs too.  Have a great day!

Easter Flowers Cards - Minimal Coloring

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Today I have two cards to share, both Easter cards that use the same sketch.  Neither card uses much coloring at all and I finished both just this morning.  I like how they each are the same, but a little different style.

You have already seen me use this stamp for other Easter cards here using chalks and here using Oil Pastels.  I stamped the daffodil in black ink, and then paper pieced the flowers.  I used just one green marker to color in the stems and a yellow to accent the flowers.

Supplies: I Brake for Stamps March Daffodil, Versafine Onyx Black Ink, Echo Park Victoria Garden paper pad, Fiskars edge punch, sentiment is from a Canadian Maple stamp I got from the craft store ages ago.

I stamped the Lily of the Valley multiple times in two colors of green ink to get a patterned paper.  I also distressed the edge with green ink.  

Supplies: Our Daily Bread Lily of the Valley, Avery Elle Lemongrass, Truffle and Jungle inkpads, Bundled Sage Distress ink, Echo Park Victoria Garden paper pad, Hero Arts CL051 Sentiment, Fiskars edge punch

Thanks again for your visit!   I would love to hear from you in the comments!

Cherry Blossom card with Rubber Stamp Tapestry peg stamps

Hi there and thanks for stopping by!

I recently made a purchase from an older stamp company, Rubber Stamp Tapestry, but I have been playing around with them so much they are a new favorite for me.  Their peg stamp sets looked so fun and easy to work with.  

I really enjoyed making this card. You get to stamp so much, use lot of colors, and it was fun to create my frame and some matching patterned paper for a mat.  I think this design is timeless and classy.

I think you will be seeing more cards from me using these tiny stamps.  What I am most looking forward to is using these when my friends (who are stamping beginners) come over to make cards, since I know they will be able to get great results with these.  

Supplies: Rubber Stamp Tapestry Cherry Blossom, Thank You from Anita's Stamps, Avery Elle pigment inks, GKD Jelly Bean Green cardstock, other cardstock from my stash

I would love to participate in the following challenge:

Right At Home: National Craft Month Celebration

Rainbow Ellie Card (Avery Elle)

Happy Pi Day and welcome to my blog!  Thanks for coming by!

I have had this idea of making a rainbow kids' card for a while, and a variety of challenges helped pull it all together today.  Rainbow, Animals and Stars!  I thought that Clean and Simple was the way to go, considering the glitter I wanted to use (even though it is so difficult to photograph!)

(Click on photos to enlarge to better quality)

I adhered the glitter ribbon to a strip of cardstock and then trimmed the edges.  The Elephant and star balloon were paper pieced, one with patterned paper and one with just another that I colored with chalks.  

The repeated sentiment is so cute, and it happened by mistake. I wasn't happy with how straight the first stamping was, so I added the two second-generation stamping to even it out.  Some evidence that mistakes can be opportunities!

Supplies: Avery Elle Ellie Stamp set, Versafine Onyx Black ink, Pebbles Chalk, My Mind's Eye Hootenanny Paper, American Crafts glitter ribbon

I would love to participate in the following challenges:

SimonSaysStamp Monday Challenge - Use some Lucky Stars

A Blog Named Hero - Rainbow

I really appreciate your visit!

Cute as a Button Christmas Card!

Let's take a little break from Spring to make a dent in the needed Christmas cards!  I thought it would be so fun to combine some challenges today.  Christmas cards, buttons, green and a sketch!  

Here is what I came up with...

It is another easy card with simple stamping plus a bit of whimsy.  

Supplies:  Recollections Christmas stamp set, Cardmaking & Papercraft Sew Pretty stamp set (button), Inkadinkado sentiment stamp (background stamp with just a portion used for the sentiment), Hero Arts Red Royal ink, Versafine Onyx Black ink, Colorbox Fluid Chalk ink Olive Pastel, Crate Paper Peppermint 6x6 paper pack, bakers twine, Gina K Designs Jelly Bean Green cardstock

I would love to participate in the following challenges:

Merry Monday: Buttons

SimonSaysStamp Wednesday Challenge - Bit o Green

Freshly Made Sketches#227

Thank you so much for stopping by!  I hope you will come again soon!

Textured Daffodil Card

Welcome and thanks for coming to visit my blog!

Today I want to share a card I made for Easter since the time to send out these cards is approaching quickly!

I have been wanting to use some textured paper on a card, so that is what I stamped on today and afterwards colored with chalks.  I fussy cut out the image.  I stamped the Easter sentiment on the inside. 

If you like this stamp, you may be interested in this card where I used the same stamp, but with oil pastels.

Supplies: I Brake For Stamps March Daffodil, Gina K Designs Dark Chocolate Ink, Pebbles Chalks Brights,  Tim Holtz/Sizzix Embossing Folder, Gina K Designs Jelly Bean Green cardstock

I would like to enter this into the following challenge:
SimonSaysStamp Wednesday Challenge - Bit o Green

Gina K Heart Blooms + "Card Try-Outs"

Thanks so much for stopping by my little stamping blog!  

I want to share this pretty card today.  If you asked me how long it took to make, I could truthfully say it took 5 minutes, or I could say an hour. 

I stamped my flower repeatedly on the colored cardstock using Prima Watersoluble Oil Pastels.  This allowed me to get this pretty watercolory look!  I colored on the stamp first, then applied a little water with a waterbrush before stamping.  In the past, I have just sprayed the stamp with water, but since I am stamping on plain cardstock, I felt I needed the extra control over the water. 

Of course, the reason why this took only 5 minutes to make is because I played around first and did some stamping and card "try-outs."** You can see that in my mock-up,  I played with the arrangement and even did some different colors of ink for the sentiment and cut them out and tried them out in place to see which I liked best.  

**I don't know if this is how other people make their cards, but I thought I would just sortof show part of my process here.  My stamping friend, Daniel, posted a long time ago (I think when TwoPeas still existed with it's great stamping board) about stamp try-outs and I still think about it and use this idea.

Supplies: Gina K Designs Heart Blooms stamp set duo, Prima Watersoluble Oil Pastel yellow-green, Gina K Designs Jelly Bean Green cardstock, Versamark ink, Recollections White detail embossing powder, Vellum, Gina K Designs Made With Love stamp set (for the sentiment), Avery Elle Mermaid Ink

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

ModSquad Challenge Blog: It IS Easy Being Green

StampTV Hit That Easy Button (One Layer Card)

March CAS Mix Up

Gina K Designs Folk Filigree - Easy Stamped Card

Happy Wednesday, hope you are doing well!  It is sunny and warm today and I saw that I have one white crocus blooming.  I need to replant some crocuses and snowdrops since the moles, or some creature in nature, has eaten most of them up, but what I have is cheerful!

I have been stamping quite a bit this week and have one project to share.  Sometimes, I really like to use small stamps to create a project because I feel like it is taking me back to stamping roots, where you just have stamps and ink and a folded card. 

Simple and fun!

  I really just do enjoy stamping, so I don't even mind that I had to practice a layout or two before doing the final card.  Imperfect score lines were quickly done on a scoring board with a bone folder.

A tip, I did get some very small smudges of ink where they shouldn't be.  After it had all dried (since these are pigment inks) I took my Prismacolor Magic Rub white eraser over it and, by golly, it actually took up the extra ink!  I was very pleased.

Have a wonderful day!

Supplies: Gina K Designs Folk Filigree stamp set, Avery Elle Inkpads in Sugar Plum, Vino, Celery and Daisy

Pretty Bird Card

ETA (3/9/16):
I was so pleased that the ModSquad Challenge blog picked my card as one of the "Top 3" for the Feature a Creature challenge.  Thank you!

Hello and welcome to my blog!

I originally was going to do this card in much bolder shades, but after I colored the bird with the blue and pink distress inks, it started going in a much softer direction.  The bird still seemed to be sortof just hanging out there after I added him to the ribbon, so I adhered a few old buttons underneath to ground him to the card.  

Do your cards ever go as planned?  I think mine go off in some other direction more often than not...  Maybe I will make the bold colored card in the near future, we will see!

Supplies:  Gina K Designs Winter Wings stamp set, Hero Arts Navy ink, Distress inks in Broken China, Chipped Sapphire and Worn Lipstick to color with Dove Blender pen, Bristol Vellum paper, Purple Onion Designs Damask background stamp, Avery Elle Kraft Ink, Fibers from a Michaels Recollections set, buttons from my stash.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Freshly Made Sketches #226

ModSquad Challenge Blog: Feature a Creature

Masculine Train Card

When I need a masculine card, I have found that I often reach for some patterned paper to get me started.  In this case, I also knew I wanted to use this train stamp.  To put those both together, I then used a sketch.

The other thing I was thinking about when I was making this card was trying to get a sense of space and movement with the train image.  I did that by using generation stamping. I stamped the train first on the circle I popped up, and then again underneath on the patterned paper.  I used distress inks to age all of the pieces.

I did stamp on the inside of my card, and it didn't turn out perfectly (and surely it would have been easy to just leave this out) but I figure this is really no big deal since I will be writing over this portion.

Supplies: Technique Tuesday All Aboard Stamp set, Archival Ink Jet Black, My Mind's Eye Handsome 6x6 paper pad, Distress Inks Tea Dye, Frayed Burlap, Pumice Stone, Sentiments are Gina K Design but I do not know which sets

I would like to enter this card into the following challenge:
NBUS Challenge #6
My Never Before Used Stuff is the sentiment stamps.  I won them in a prize grab bag and they hadn't seen ink yet!

Thank you so much for stopping by! I would love it if you took the time to follow my blog or leave a comment!

Clean and Simple with Watercolor Joseph's Coat Technique

Hello and thanks for stopping in!

I had this piece of watercoloring (photo below: I created this with yellow, magenta and cyan watercolor markers, then blended) that I had rejected for another project, but as I am trying to keep my small crafting space cleaner this year, I thought I should try to use it.  I decided on using a silhouette floral stamp for an embossed resist with clear embossing powder, and then applied black over top.  This is basically like what is called the Joseph's Coat technique.  

I used Black Soot Distress ink, and it worked quite well on the watercolor paper panel.  I think it is quite fun to see how different the background looks when you do this technique, it looks less vibrant, maybe, but still very pretty.

Supplies:  Purple Onion Design Flowers Cluster stamp, Versamark Ink, Recollections clear detail embossing powder, watercolor paper, Distress Ink Black Soot, Gina K Designs Assorted Greetings (there is a verse stamped inside the card too), Versafine Onyx Black ink, Spellbinders A2 Matting Basics dies

I would like to submit this project to the following challenges:

Clean and Simple Mix Up March Challenge

Spring Colors

Hello!  Today I want to share a card that took a long time to come together and yet turned out so simple!  I probably was overthinking it...

I started with a panel that I watercolored and then used heat embossing to create my flowers.  Although it took me a while to come up with an arrangement that I liked, it turned out very clean and simple, with spring colors and texture in the white background.  

The butterfly was fun to heat emboss on light green vellum.  I really think it is pretty!

Supplies: Gina K Designs Better With You, Made With Love, Massive Messages stamp sets, Versamark ink, Cuttlebug Decorative Tile embossing folder, Gina K Designs Applemint cardstock, Gina K Designs Applemint ink, Tombow Markers, Watercolor cardstock, My Favorite Things Pierced square Die-Namics,  Recollections Pastel vellum, Recollections White embossing powder.

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

SimonSaysStamp Wednesday Challenge - Touchy Feely

ModSquad Challenge - Use a Creature

Stamping with Watercolor Paint

Hello, there and thanks for stopping by!

Today I want to share a card I made with a stamping technique I tried for the first time.  I saw the Frugal Crafter use pan watercolor paints to stamp with in this blog post, and I was so skeptical about it that I had to try it myself!

The technique is to take a damp (not very wet at all) brush and pick up a lot of color from your paints and brush it right on your rubber stamp.  Since my stamp was so big and I was afraid the paint had started to dry, I went ahead and spritzed it just one time with water, and then I put the watercolor paper OVER the stamp and pressed it in.

My analysis on this technique:
This is not nearly as easy to do as using your watercolor markers or watersoluble oil pastels on your stamps.  In fact, I tried 4 or 5 stamps before I found this one that worked really well with the technique.  However, it is a really lovely look! I love these blues and since I do not have ink pads in the same colors, it was totally worth the effort for me!

The die cut is actually vellum layered over a piece of turquoise cardstock to get the softer color.

Supplies:
Purple Onion Designs Damask background stamp
Mama Elephant Cup Of Wishes stamp set
Versafine Majestic Blue ink
Koi WaterColors Pocket Field Sketch Box (watercolor paints)
Watercolor paper
Sizzix embossing folder
Vellum and cardstock from my stash

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:
SimonSaysStamp Monday Challenge: Take a Leap Into the Unknown