A Clean and Simple Card for Sweet Stamps

I have created a clean and simple card for you today for Sweet Stamps.  Remember the shaker card I showed you last week?  Well with this week's card, I used the negatives from the die cut flowers to create more flowers!

I created this card using the negative cuts from the Pretty Petals and Betty's Bloom dies as well as a sentiment from the Framed Handwritten Words stamp set.

You can find all of the linked products in the Sweet Stamps online shop :)

Come and visit the challenge blog soon for the next Anything but a Card challenge, it starts on June 19!

Some Mirabelle Decoupage Inspiration with Quick Creations

Hello everyone.  I have a different form of inspiration for you today for Noelle at Quick Creations.  It may not be new to you, but it is new to me :)  This is a decoupage set from Santoro's Mirabelle Collection.  The set includes six layers of an image, which you can then glue onto whatever base you choose.  I chose to do a card, go figure :)

I layered all six of these layers using dimensional adhesives to give it a very 3 dimensional look.  To finish it off I added some paper from the Mirabelle 2 paper collection also by Santoro/Trimcraft, and some lace from Crafty Ribbons.

You can find this kit in Noelle Martin's online shop at Quick Creations.  And don't forget to come and join us for the Monthly challenge over on the Quick Creations blog for a chance to win some prizes and have some fun :)

See you next time!

Some Sweet Stamps Inspiration with Piccolos!

Hello everyone, I am here for Sweet Stamps today with an inspiration post using a fun technique with Piccolos!

I created this fun card using Piccolos as stamps :)  First I created the color on the cardstock using Mermaid Lagoon Distress Inks.  Then I used two different Piccolo shapes to stamp images into the color.  The first stamping was created with water, to remove the color of the back ground.  The second stamping was created using Tattered Angels Iridescent Gold, to create more texture and sparkle (who doesn't love a bit of sparkle :).  Then I sprayed water droplets and lifted up more color, and then I sprayed the gold droplets.

I dry embossed the top part of the card panel using an embossing folder, and computer generated the sentiment.

Lastly, I colored the Piccolos, some using Mermaid Lagoon Distress Ink and some using the Tattered Angels.  Then I heat embossed them with Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel, twice each. This gives them beautiful shine and dimension, adding to the 3d effect that they themselves create.

The Piccolos I have used for this project are:
A165 Flower Tops
A166 Flower Flourishes
LA123 Pop-Up Flower

You can find all of these in the Sweet Stamps online shop.

Come and join us on the First Sunday of every month for the Anything Goes Challenge, and every third Sunday of the month for the Anything But A Card Challenge!  Lots of fun and prizes to be had!

Gorjuss Lady Bird Feature and Inspiration with Quick Creations :)

A while back I goofed and colored the wrong Gorjuss image, lol, so I had to scramble and color up the right one, well today you get to see the goofed Gorjuss project hahaha.  This is my November inspiration for Quick Creations and Noelle Martin.

This is Ladybird from Santoro/Docraft's Gorjuss collection.

I completed this project using Gorjuss Ruby paper, a Cheery Lynn Die, CC Designs Vine Die and a sentiment from Tim Holtz.  This Gorjuss stamp and many others are available in Noelle Martin's online shop at Quick Creations.

I love the Gorjuss stamps, they are so sweet and versatile; you can make any kind of card with them.

Come and join us over at the Quick Creations challenge blog every month for a challenge!  This month's challenge is Anything Goes!  Have fun and I hope to see you there!

Happy Holidays Tree Dress Avery with Paper Nest Dolls

Hello everyone, it's starting to get pretty chilly up here in the great white north, lol.  Christmas is coming soon!  Have you started?  You know...have you started making your Christmas cards yet...lol...Well, I guess I have haha, and here is one for you :)

This is Tree Dress Avery from The Paper Nest Dolls, and she is such a sweet image.  I love the tree skirt.  Very original and cute.

I colored her using my Copics and Prismacolor Premiere Pencils in the following colors:

Hair:  E13
PC946, 948, 935
Skin:  E000
PC927, 939, 1029
Dress:  BG10
PC1021, 1006, 907
Star:  Y21
PC916, 942, 1034
Bow:  R22
PC923, 925, 937
Balls:  Y21, R22, YG03
PC916, 942, 1034, 923, 925, 937, 911, 908
Holly:  YG03
PC911, 908
Shoes:  E13
PC946, 948, 935

To finish this project i used paper from the Wild Rose Studio Festive Wisihes collection, a die from Noor Design, some ribbon from my stash and a sentiment from CC Designs:  Amy R "Happy Christmas".

You can find this sweet rubber stamp image in the online store at The Paper Nest Dolls, and in digital stamp form at the Paper Nest Dolls Digi Shop.

Come and join us the first Monday of every month for our monthly Anything Goes Challenge, I promise you'll have some fun and maybe even win some prizes!  See you soon!

Male-Themed Inspiration for Crafty Ribbons

I have been so focused on the pretty things lol, maybe I am part crow...oh...look...SHINY! LOL!  I went to a Farmer's Market with my cards a couple weeks ago, where I sold every single one of my little boy themed cards (5 lol) within the first hour.  I think I really need to focus on some male-themed cards!

So, for my inspiration post for Crafty Ribbons this week, I did exactly that!

I like to create three cards in a bit of a set, even if they don't stay in a set, lol, it allows me to play a little more with more than one color, or play around with a new technique.  All three of these were created using Tim Holtz Tag Stencils and Distress Inks.

This first card, uses the woodgrain stencil from Tim Holtz, and to complete it I used the Vintage Butterflies Script Ribbon, and the Vintage Butterflies English Latte Ribbon.  I also finished each of these cards with Handmade Ribbon :)

This second card was finished using the Vintage Butterflies Keys Creme Ribbon and some 35mm Satin Ribbon in New Turq.  I also used the clock stencil from Tim Holtz.

And for this last card, I used some Vintage Butterflies Keys Latte Ribbon and some 35 mm Satin Ribbon in Cypress.  Also this card shows two stencils from Tim Holtz, the burlap and the bubble stencils.

Come and join us on the inspiration blog so see tons of inspiration using Crafty Ribbons ribbon, lace and buttons, and if you are looking for some ribbon, come and visit the Ribbon Emporium!

And don't forget to come and join the challenge!  There is a new one up every other week :)

A New Release for The East Wind :)

Hello everyone, it's new release day over at The East Wind :)  This new image is called Lucy Loo - Hair.  Gee, lol, I wonder why.

I colored this image using my Copics and Prismacolor Premiere Pencils in the following colors:

Hair:  YR24
PC945, 946, 948, 942
Skin:  E000
PC927, 939, 1029
Eyes:  YG03
PC988, 908, 938
Lips:  PC1029, 938

I inked the edges of some of the papers using Vintage Photo and Frayed Burlap Distress Inks from Tim Holtz, and the paper is from my stash.

I am challenging myself to create more Birthday cards for people other than little girls lol.  Hopefully this piece fits into that category.

You can find many more original designs by Unky Lastrange over at The East Wind Etsy shop.  You can find her also at theeastwind.com, on Facebook and on Instagram and Pinterest :)

Crafty Ribbons Inspiration and some bleach painting?

Hahaha, yes, I am back with another set of three cards using another of Jennifer McGuire's wonderful techniques, which didn't work out so well for me this time, lol.  I followed the instructions for the first card, but then had to change the technique a bit to accommodate what I had at hand.  All three cards are completed using gorgeous ribbon from Crafty Ribbons as well!

This technique is called bleach painting, and although I was happy with the results from the first card, I couldn't get my tools to cooperate further, so I had to change tactics for each of the two sequential cards.  This first blue card uses Faded Jeans and Black Soot Distress Inks, a stamp set from Altenew, some 13mm satin ribbon in white from my stash, clear embossing powder and bleach, along with the following beautiful ribbons from Crafty Ribbons:  French Viscose Lace in White, and some Handmade Ribbon in White.

This next purple themed card gave me some trouble, lol.  I couldn't get the bleach to apply properly, so I used an alcohol blending marker.  The blending marker didn't achieve the brightness I was looking for, so I add some Wink of Stella (LOVE Stella!).  This card uses Dusty Concord and Faded jeans Distress Inks, two stamp set from Hero Arts, some sequins from my stash, and the following ribbon from Crafty Ribbons:  Handcrafted Ribbon in White and some 35mm Satin Ribbon in Liberty (which I also made the flower with).

This last orange and red card gave me the most trouble this time around lol.  The blender pen didn't lighten the images at all!  So, I left it alone lol.  This card features Abandoned Coral and Spiced Marmalaide Distress Inks, stamps from hero Arts, sequins from my stash, clear embossing powder and the following ribbons from Crafty Ribbons:  35mm Satin Ribbon in Cardinal, French Viscose Lace in White, and French Handmade Ribbon in Antique White.

These cards are so much fun to make, and the ribbon at Crafty Ribbons website is really enjoyable to work with and add to my projects.  The ribbon finishes them off just beautifully :)  Until next time my friends :)

New feature and a Gorjuss Hello

I have such a hard time deciding which images to pick to do sometimes, lol.  So after talking to Noelle at Quick Creations I decided I would do a new feature here on my blog.  Every month I will choose a different line of stamps to feature.  This month I have chosen Santoro's Gorjuss :)  Each stamp image I feature will be available at Quick Creations, although some may only be available through pre-order.

With that sorted, here is my first in this feature:

This is The Owl, a rubber stamp from Santoro's Gorjuss line, designed by Suzanne Woolcott.  I fell in love with these images last year, after speaking to a friend about what my style of creating actually is.  That was a tough one, trying to figure that out...I want to be all styles lol.  This is also a first for me, coloring on Kraft paper, and I definitely want to try it again, however one thing to keep in mind when coloring on kraft is to pay close attention to how the color of kraft paper changes the color of your medium :)  I will remember this for next time for sure!

I have colored her up using my Prismacolor Premiere Pencils, and paired her with paper from MME Indie Chic - Nutmeg, and MME Lost & Found - Portobello Road 6 x 6 paper pads.

This is such a fun image to color, and really lends itself to any style of card and color.  To purchase this and other Gorjuss dolls, you can visit Quick Creations.  Also don't forget to visit the blog, and join in our challenges!  Happy crafting!

Crafty Ribbons Inspiration and some faux metal techniques....say what??

How is everyone enjoying their summer so far?  I am definitely enjoying mine :)  In fact, I am enjoying it so much that I did up all of August's projects ahead of time and blogged them....because I am spending a couple weeks on the beautiful Manitoulin Island with my mom and dad, sister and kids, and hopefully both of my girls as well.  I can't wait :)

But enough chitter chatter, let's get down to business here....hmmmm, where was I?  Oh YES!  I have some Crafty Ribbons Inspiration for you today, and I have also CASEd some Jennifer McGuire techniques lol.  I love JM and watch every single one of her videos.  So, all inspiration projects from me this month are based on techniques I watched in a couple of Jennifer's newest videos.

For this week, I made a set of three cards, using a faux metal technique and some absolutely GORGEOUS Crafty Ribbons to embellish them.

I like to do these cards in sets of three, not sure why...but I just do lol.  So here is a set of three cards, using the faux metal technique from Jenifer McGuire.  This first blue one, uses Peacock Feathers and Cracked Pistachio Distress Inks, some pearl powder, an embossing folder, flowers from Recollections (plus one I made myself, and the following gorgeousness from Crafty Ribbons:  French Viscose Lace in Antique White, 35mm Satin Ribbon, 9mm Handmade Grosgrain Ribbon in white, and some Sentiment Ribbon .

This pink card uses Spun Sugar and Fired Brick Distress Inks, pearl powder, an embossing folder, Butterfly die cuts, some flowers from my stash and the following beautiful ribbons from Crafty Ribbons:  Sentiment Ribbon, Handmade Ribbon in White, and some Morlaix Cotton Lace in Blush.

And this last one uses Vintage Photo and Antique Linen Distress Inks, an embossing folder, gold pearl powder, and the following pretty ribbon from Crafty Ribbons:  Handmade Ribbon in Cream, Vintage Butterflies Ribbon, Vintage Butterflies Sentiment Ribbon in English Latte, and some French Viscose Lace in Scarlet.

I you are looking for gorgeous ribbons to use on your cards or other projects, look no further.  Come and check out the Crafty Ribbons website and you'll find what you're looking for, and probably more!

Life is Sweeter with Friends with My Whimsical Little World

Hello everyone, I have an inspiration piece for you using an image from My Whimsical Little World, called Marigold.  She is an awesome little beach babe :)

I have colored her using my Copics and Prismacolor Premiere Pencils in the following colors:

Hair:  Y21
PC943, 947
Skin:  E000
PC927, 939 1029
Bikini:  R22
PC1031, 1081

To finish this card, I used paper from the My Mind's Eye Unforgettable 6 x 6 paper pad, some Recollections paper flowers, as well as a stamp from Hero Arts.

You can find this and many other stamps in the My Whimsical Little World online store at Etsy.com.  Don't forget to come and join the fun over at the challenge blog, and come and find us on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram too!  See you there!

It's the Journey with My Whimsical Little World

It's time for our second monthly challenge at My Whimsical Little World!  There are some awesome new images coming this month too :)  And here is Beach Buggy :)

Had a great time with this image, although I have to admit, the tires gave me some trouble :)  I colored this image with my Copics, Prismacolor Markers and Prismacolor Premiere Pencils in the following colors:

Surfboards:  Copics Y21, BG10, RV10
PC942, 1034, 943, 992, 1027, 901
Car:  Y21, RV10,  PB108
PC942, 1034, 943, 993, 1030, 1088, 938
Wheels:  PB108
PC1067, 935, 938

You can find this one and many more fun images just like this one at the MWLW Etsy shop.  And don't forget, today is the start of the new challenge for the month of August.  Come on over and check it out!

A Gorjuss Feature and A Cup of Tea :)

The third installment in my stamps feature, featuring Gorjuss dolls, is called Sweet Tea.  And she is so sweet :)  I stamped her on 140lb hot press water color paper by Arches (another first for me lol).  I really like this paper, it is so smooth compared to cold press.

I colored her up (another first) with my Prima water color pencils.  They are soooo nice!  I will definitely be doing that again!  I really do recommend these pencils, and Noelle sells them in her shop at Quick Creations.  They take the guesswork out of water coloring!

I paired her up with some paper from the DCVW The Garden Tea Party Stack 12 x 12 card stock pad.  I have been finding it much easier to choose my paper before I choose my coloring colors these days.  That way everything matches perfectly!

If you would like to purchase this or any other Gorjuss stamp, please visit the online shop at Quick Creations.  And don't forget to come and join our monthly challenge over on the challenge blog!  You can also find Quick Creations on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest!

My Whimsical Little World Inspiration :)

Hello everyone, it's inspiration time at My Whimsical Little World Challenge Blog.

I have chosen to show this funny character, her name is Little Miss Grumpy :)

Hahaha, I thought she was so cute and has some character and attitude for sure!

I colored her using my Copic markers and Prismacolor Pencils in the following colors:

Skin:  Copics E000
PC927, 939, 1029
Hair:  Copics E13
PC945, 946, 935
Dress:  Copics R20, E53
PC941, 947, 948, 1052, 911, 908, 930, 1029
Shoes:  Copics E13
PC945, 946, 935

I completed this card using paper from the Cosmo Cricket Tea for Two 6 x 6 paper pad, and some colorful sequins.  A clean and simple card that gets the 'grumpy' message across, lol!

Please come and visit ut over at the My Whimsical Little World Challenge Blog, where the challenge theme is always Anything Goes and always starts on the first day of the month.  You can find more MWLW images at the Etsy shop, where I'm sure more than one of these cute characters just might happen to 'fall' into your shopping cart :)

Howdy Folks!

Howdy Folks!  I have an awesome image to showcase this week for Paola, from My Whimsical Little World.  This cowgirl image was just begging for some sepia tones.  Similar to the Graduation Girl image I did three weeks ago, this time I used only sepia and cream to complete this project :)

I colored this image with only two Prismacolor Premiere Pencils:  PC948 (Sepia) and PC(!$ (Cream).  This is such an awesome way to practice light source, as there are only two colors, and they totally absolutely depend solely on your light source direction.  I used paper from MME's Lost & Found - Union Square 6 x 6 paper pad, and created the sentiment by die cutting the word howdy twice.  Once with patterned paper and then once with brown cardstock.  I glued the brown down first, then offset the patterned letters to create a deep shadow to the left of every letter.

I also created a lasso out of some thicker tatting thread to add to the character of the card :)

This is a new release image from My Whimsical Little World, and you will find two new releases every Monday!  This image is now available in the Etsy Sgop, MWLW Digi Shop, where you;'ll also find many many more awesome images for any occasion.  Don't forget, next month (July) we will be starting the monthly challenges over on the new challenge blog!  You can also find us on Pinterest and Facebook!

MWLW Happy Birthday Princess!

Another sweet new release from Paola at My Whimsical Little World :)  This time she graces us with a princess image, that's so sweet, any little girl would treasure a project made with her :)  You can find this image in the Etsy shop, as well as so many more!  Come on, I'm sure you'll find something to 'accidentally' fall into your shopping cart ;)

I colored her my Copics and Prismacolor Pencils and Markers, and paired her with some sweet paper from My Mind's Eye 6 x 6 Blush paper pad.  I also used a sketch for this piece from Mojo Monday :)  I think I have fallen in love with sketches :)

Come back every Monday in June to see more new releases from My Whimsical Little World.  However, in July, I will be moving over to the challenge team!  I am so excited to start this journey with Paola!

Some Crafty Ribbon Inspiration For You

It's inspiration time for me over at Crafty Ribbons and I have a trio of cards for you today.  I have had a bit of a rough time the last few months and when I am down, I find it helpful to make someone else's day.  So I decided to make 3 "pick-you-up" cards, using a distress ink and stencil technique that I really enjoy.  I recently got two new Distress colors as well, so of course I had to try those out!

For the 'Smile' card, I used all of my blue distress ink colors and the Tim Holtz stencil.  Paired it with a Close to my Heart stamp and a CC Designs sentiment stamp.  For the lace, I used some white Morlaix Cotton Lace from Crafty Ribbons.

On the "hugs" card, I used abandoned coral and antique linen distress inks with the same stencil as above. The stamp is from penny Black.  The ribbon is white seam binding, also from Crafty Ribbons.

And lastly, I used only abandoned coral on this good thoughts card, along with another Tim Holtz stencil. I also stamped this card, but this time used a Hero Arts stamp.  The orange ribbon is 6mm Tango Grosgrain ribbon from Crafty Ribbons.

I had so much fun making these cards, I couldn't stop at just one :)

Don't forget to come and visit the Ribbon Emporium for all your ribbon needs and wants.  They also have ribbon embroidery kits!  Come back and visit again soon, because I will be trying one of these kits over the summer!

Call me Maybe?

It's new release day at My Whimsical Little World, and you know what that means?  Yes!  A fabulous new digital image!  This fun guy is great for a male themed card, for any occasion!  I have chosen to just say hello, but you really could use this for a birthday or Father's Day as well!

Paola just keeps plugging out the cute images, and this was no exception.  I love that she gives us so many boy images.  It really helps me build up my stash of boy cards!  Thanks Paola!

I have colored this guy with my Prismacolor markers, Prismacolor Pencils and my Copics.  And paired him with some Carta Bella Boy Oh Boy patterned paper from their 6 x 6 paper pad.

I even fussy-cut some of the stars from a scrap and included them as well.  This paper was perfect for this image :)

You can find this image in Paola's Etsy shop, where she sells a bunch of cute images.  Stay tuned every Monday for new releases, and get ready for the new challenge blog coming in July!

June Cupcake from My Whimsical Little World

Every month Paola designs a new cupcake for My Whimsical Little World.  I have fun coloring these up :)  Here is June's cupcake:

I colored this image with my Prismacolor Pencils and my Copics :)

And I paired it with some patterned card stock from a Stampin' Up Prints Pack, and followed a sketch from Mojo Monday :)

You can find this image on the My Whimsical Little World Blog, and don't forget we have a new challenge blog starting up in July!

It's New Release Day for My Whimsical Little World

It's new release day over at My Whimsical Little World.  I have colored up this sweet graduation girl in a faux charcoal technique using Prismacolor Pencils and Odorless Mineral spirits.  What a great technique to learn and try.

With Graduation ceremonies coming up soon, she is the perfect image to play with :)  I really enjoyed this image, and playing with a new technique makes it even more fun :)

I used only Black (935) and White (938) Prismacolor Pencils along with OMS to create this coloring project.  I also used paper from Ki-Modern Elegance 6 x 6 paper pad from Hampton Art, and follow this sketch.

Don't forget!  We will be starting a new Challenge blog in July!  What a great reason to start finding your favorite MWLW images and having them fall into your shopping cart, lol.  You know you want to :P

You can find Paola's fun images here in her etsy shop.  You can also find MWLW on Facebook and on Instagram too, as well as Pinterest :()