Flower Whale with The Rabbit Hole Designs

 Hey crafty friends, I am here to share a card with you today featuring the Flower Whale stamp set from The Rabbit Hole Designs.  I think this is one of my all-time favorite stamp sets!  Whimsical, yet classy.  I love it!

Merry Christmas Sentiments with Artful Angel

As we get closer and closer to Christmas, we start pulling out or essential holiday crafting suuplies.  This is one stamp set that is an absolute must for cardmakers!  I created two cards to share with you today using the Big Christmas Stamp Set from Artful Angel.  

For this first one, I stamped the sentiment onto white cardstock using Distress Ink and splattered with both the Distress Ink and some gold watercolor.  I layered it over some Christmas-y patterned paper and added some Holiday brads and a red lace bow.

For this second card, I stamped the sentiments in different fonts, with both Distress Ink Oxide and Memento Black Ink.  I also stamped the Christmas sentiment on some separate white cardstock with Memento Black Ink and added some dimensional adhesive.  I splattered both pieces with some gold watercolor and added some bright gold rick rack and some bling to finish it off.

Two fairly simple cards to add to my Christmas card stash.  I will see you again soon with more inspiration using some of the other stampsets from this month's new release at Artful Angel.  Have a great day!

Such a Blessing with Joy Clair Designs

 Hello my crafty peeps!  It's my turn on the Joy Clair Designs blog today to share a slimline card I created using the Such a Blessing digital stamp set from the brand new collection "Gather Together" from Joy Clair Designs.

Such a gorgeous new collection, Gather Together includes 4 digital stamp sets that include Thanksgiving, Christmas and even a floral set!

I colored this image with my Copic Markers and popped it up on dimensional adhesive.  I added some Tim Holtz tissue paper to my background and also added some distress inks to the edges.  I added the sentiment as a tag to some twine, and lastly put on some glittery bling to bring it all together.  A great card to brighten anyone's day!

I will see you again soon my friends, but in the meantime...go and checkout the Gather Together Collection over at Joy Clair Designs! 

Sweet Sentiment August Sketch Challenge

It's time for a new Sketch Challenge over at Sweet Sentiment!  This month I have created a mixed media tag with a fun Stamping Bella image :)

#ArtLove 52 Week 3: Focus

It's time for the word for week 3 of the #ArtLove52 art journal challenge! This week's word is FOCUS.

Fun Friendly Challenge with Jammie Clark :)

Hello everyone, Jammie and I are back with our fun and friendly challenge :)  We have decided to do this every month, and so far it's been a blast!

Next month, for a twist, we are each going to pick a challenge to enter our projects in :)  We'll see how that goes, and if we like it, well...we just may keep doing that!  We've also come up with a name to encompass what we do every month...but that's a SUPER secret SECRET for another day...muwahahahahahahaha. (yes, that's my evil laugh lol)

So, without further adieu...here is my card for September....can you tell what the element is that Jammie and I have both used?  You can view her project here on her blog :)

I had a ton of fun creating this card.  And I used a few different techniques to create the background (well, and foreground for that matter lol).  The very first layer is Distress Inks in Faded Jeans and Frayed Burlap.  The second layer is an embossing folder that I sprayed with water and applied just with a little pressure from my hands.  The water moved and removed some of the distress inks, leaving a visible image in the colors. 

The third layer is the flourish stamp from the Stampin' Up Creative Elements set and it is stamped with Staz On ink.  Then the fourth layer (phew! I'm running out of breath!) is Recollections Signature Series watercolor markers and well, water of course.  I used the blue to paint the flower shapes in the flourish stamp and the brown to do the leaf shapes.  I used a lot of water and then blotted them out so that it gives a bleached out look, while still adding color to the area. 

The next step was to outline the flower shapes with a black marker.  I wanted them to stand out a little bit more.  And lastly, the white gel pen added some strategically placed highlights and the white dots in the background.

Thanks for stopping by, and don't forget to go and visit Jammie's blog as well :)

See you soon!

Sweet as Honey

I have been having more fun with watercolors!

I have created this card for you today using a background that I previously made using my Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolors. I created some texture on the background using the honey comb stamp and Pumice Stone Distress Ink and Fossilized Amber with the Flourish stamp from the "Cherish" set.  I used the Honey Bee "Cherish" stamp set sentiments to create the two rows of sentiments and added some of the little bee and mini honey comb stamps in there too.  Then I stamped the flowers and watercolored them using Fossilized Amber and Vintage Photo Distress Inks.  I fussy cut the flowers out and layered them with dimensional adhesive so they stuck out from the page.

This is such a versatile stamp set, you can do just about anything with it!

Come back soon for more fun watercolor inspiration :)

Tic Tac Toe Challenge at Fire Fly Crafts!

It's time for a new theme challenge at Firefly Crafts!  This month's challenge is a Tic Tac Toe, and here is the chart :)

I chose to create a card using the elements from the diagonal line: flowers, orange and shape!

To create this card, I first made the card base by measuring one inch up from the middle and cutting the banner shape.  I did the same to the patterned paper ( Echo Park "Simple Life").  Then I used a die to cut the smaller banner from watercolor paper and painted the background using Distress Ink in "Carved Pumpkin" with the 'smooshing' technique.  Then I stamped the flowers from the Avery Elle "Petals and Stems" stamp set using Distress Ink in "Black Soot".  The sentiment is also from the same stamp set.  I added the Wild Orchid Crafts 10mm roses in Orange and Ivory, and also added some bling from my stash .

You can find all of the linked products in the Firefly Crafts online shop.  We will be having two challenges per month from now on...the first Wednesday of the month will be our new "Anything Goes" challenge and the third Wednesday of every month will be our themed challenge :)  Lots of chances to join in and win a prize!  See you soon my friends and fireflies!

Purple and Dragonflies with Sweet Stamps ;)

Hello everyone!  I have a 'Thinking of You' card today using some Piccolo Accents from Sweet Stamps, along with some fun enamel powder and a cool technique :)

I created this card by first spraying the negative from the Dragonflies Accents package on white card stock with some purple ink spray.  This is a great way to get more use from your chipboard/cardboard embellishments :)  Use the negative pieces as a stencil!  Then I distressed the edges with Wilted Violet Distress Ink.  I added a layer of vellum over top because the purple was a little loud for what I wanted to do with it.  I used some Enchanted Aubergine enamel powder to emboss the dragonflies and glued them on the vellum.  Then I stamped the sentiment from the Framed Handwritten Words clear stamp set.

I really like the softness that the vellum adds to a card like this, it's just the right amount of softness to give a misty air.

You can find all of the l;inked products in the Sweet Stamps online shop :)  See you soon for more Sweet Stamps inspiration! 

PS  If you haven't read the Sweet Stamps blog lately, please take note:  We will be holding only one challenge a month for the rest of the summer.  The Anything but a Card challenge will start again in October :)

Thinking of You Firefly Crafts Inspiration :)

OK, so you all know how much I love watercolor cards right?  And you know that I'm still learning right? lol...but I do enjoy it so much!  So, I have another watercolor card for you today!

I created this card using a watercolor background that I had previously painted using my Kuretake Gansaii Tambi watercolors.  Then I used the "Cherish" stamp set from Honey Bee Stamps to stamp the first layer of the flowers and leaves with Twisted Citron (leaves) and Mermaid Lagoon (Flowers) Distress Inks, then I shaded the leaves with Peeled Paint.  I heat embossed the second layers of both the flowers and the leaves with some Champagne embossing powder and used a sentiment from the Avery Elle "Petals and Stems" stamp set.

You can find all of the linked products in the Firefly Crafts online store, and make sure you stop in there and say hi to Debbie, owner!  You will love her :)

Bird on a Flowering Branch Thinking of You with Sweet Stamps

I have a Thinking of You card today for Sweet Stamps.  Funny how the events in your life (or of those around you) influence the kinds of cards you make.  My boyfriend's family is saying a final good bye to a loved one this week, and this will be the card I send to his mother.

I used distress inks in Fossilized Amber, Twisted Citron and Peeled Paint to create the background with the Moroccan Tile 5 x 7 stencil.  Then I stamped and heat embossed the Bird on a Flowering Branch rubber stamp and the sentiment from the Framed Handwritten Words clear stamp set onto a piece of vellum to tone down the background.  I added some black card stock strips to make sure it fit with the black card base, and then finally some bright green sequins.

This stamp was perfect for this kind of card.  It is detailed enough to not have to do anything else with it, and not too detailed that it all melted together.  I really like how this card turned out, and I know the family will appreciate it as well.

You can find all of the linked products in the Sweet Stamps online store.  Come and join in the two monthly challenges for a chance to win some prizes...you know you want to!  See you soon!

I love Butterflies and Sunshine :)

I have a sweet project to share with you today for Quick Creations and Noelle Martin.  I have used a CC Designs stamp called Butterfly Lucy, that I've had my eyes on for a while.  I cannot resist butterflies, and this little darling caught my attention and wouldn't let me go :)

I have colored her using my Prismacolor Premiere Pencils in the following colors on Arches 140lb Hot Press water color paper:

Hair:  PC914, 942, 1034, 943
Skin:  PC927, 939, 1029
Butterfly:  PC904, 903, 1100, 993, 994, 995
Dress:  PC989, 1005, 911
Boots:  PC904, 903, 1100

I used the 6 x 6 paper from Doodlebug called Hello Sunshine to make this card, and to cut the die shapes, I used the Spellbinders Floral Ovals, Sizzix Decorative Accent and Label and the Wild Rose Studio Butterfly Lace Dies.  I used Tim Holtz Distrtess Ink in Antique Linen to give some depth to the edges and also to create a slight shadow around the image.

I used some Ranger Glossy Accents to highlight the word Hello and finished off this project by adding some adhesive pearls from Recollections.

I love to color on hot press water color paper with my pencils.  The amount of tooth is perfect for pencils, the colors blend so beautifully.

If you are looking for great supplies for your crafty habit (and we all know its more than just a hobby! LOL) then you need to go and visit Noelle at Quick Creations.  Great customer service and fast shipping, she has what you need.  Noelle also offers some pre-order options on some of your favorite stamp brands :)

You can find Quick Creations on Facebook, on Pinterest, and on Instagram :)  Noelle is also having a Fall sale in her shop, right now!  The sale ends October 16, so you best  go and check it out!

Christmas Cards with The Paper Nest Dolls

Christmas is coming soon!  Are you getting ready yet?  Have you bought any gifts?  Have you been making your Christmas cards?  Well, myself, I have about 3 Christmas cards made, lol, and zero gifts purchased.  Don't worry, I still have time :P

For my Paper Nest Dolls inspiration project this month, I chose to create with one of Christine's Christmas images, that were released in July.  This is Elf Ellie with Gifts, isn't she cute!

This is also my first character colored with pencil crayons and oms :)  I used my Lyra Rembrandt Polycolors in the following colors:

Hat:  27, 33
Hair:  87, 82, 75, 76
Skin:  29, 32, 31, 30, 90
Shirt/Skirt:  74, 73
Leggings:  97, 96, 27, 33
Belt/Shoes:  82, 76, 75
Gifts:  27, 33, 74, 73, 97, 96

I completed this project using a Close to My Heart sentiment stamp, paper from the My Mind's Eye Vintage Christmas 12 x 12 paper pad, and some burgundy twine from Spritz.  I also used Aged Mahogany and Peeled Paint Distress Inks from Ranger.

This was a fun new technique for me, and I do intend to do more of this, however, I will be trying it with my Prismacolor Pencils instead of the Lyras.  Even though the Lyras are creamy and oil based, I don't have all that many, and I like the color choices I have with my Prismacolor Premiere Pencils.

You can find this and the other July Christmas releases, as well as a whole host of sweet PND rubber stamps in the online shop :)  And don't forget to come and join us for the monthly challenge over on The Paper Nest Dolls Challenge Blog!

See you soon!

The Paper Nest Dolls with Quick Creations

I am back with a fun and fall-colored Paper Nest Dolls image called "Flower Friend" for Quick Creations :)  Not only do I love the feeling of fall, I also love the colors.  And I colored this cutie pie in fall colors just because I love them...good reason right? LOL!

I colored her using my Copic markers and Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor Pencils in the following colors:

Hair:  YR24
87, 76, 75
Skin:  E000
32, 31, 30, 90
Dress:  YR02
09, 15, 17, 90
Flower:  BG10
61, 53, 58

To finish this project off I also used Tim Holtz Distress Inks in Peeled Paint and Spiced Marmalade, Echo Park Summer Bliss 6 x 6 paper, a Hero Arts Stamp for the sentiment, Art Co hanger clip, Piccolo pop-up flower chipboard piece, Heidi Swapp wooden cuts, and paper flowers from Recollections.

You can find some of these items in the shop at Quick Creations, including this cute stamp, and many others from The Paper Nest Dolls.  Noelle is also having a fall sale right now until October 16th so don't forget to go and check it out!

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 :)

Something Magical with Quick Creations

Something magical is here for Quick Creations.  I used the Whimsy Fairy Die for this project, along with paper from the 6 x 6 Kaisercraft Enchanted Garden paper pad, Lala Land Fancy Butterfly Die, Wild Rose Studio Butterfly Lace Die, the CC Designs Make a Card #5 Die, and Tim Holtz Distress Ink Mini in Iced Spruce.



A fun and fancy card :)  You can find all of these products in the Quick Creations online shop.  Don't forget there is a Fall sale going on right now :)

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!