May 2020 12 Kits of Occasions

This month at the 12 Kits of Occasions Blog, Marcia Hill was our hostess and she sent the most adorable kit entitled “April Showers Bring May Flowers!” She challenged us to make our blogs bloom with life and flowers and COLOR!

First, my eyes went right to this adorable Stampingbella “Bundle Girl with a Snowdrop” and the amazing gingham paper!

I colored her with Zig Clean Color and Tombow markers and added a sentiment from Lawn Fawn’s “Hello Friend” set.

I added lots of Stickles and Wink of Stella Stardust pen details, because she reminded me of a sweet little garden fairy! Oh, and some Glossy Accents to her blue galoshes!

Next up is this gorgeous patterned paper with the beautiful tulip bouquet in a Mason jar! It is from a set called “Mandy’s Flowers” by Simon Says Stamp. Again I colored with Zig and Tombow markers. I added a mini paper bow from Mama Elephant, one of the “Simple Little Tags” from Memory Box and a sentiment from WPlus9 Studio.

Last up is this gorgeous silver embossed floral image that Marcia sent. It is called “First Blush” by Penny Black...

I colored the image with Copic markers then cut it out with this “HBD” birthday die from The Stamp Market. I added a Memory Box Branch die cut and a little birdie from a past kit that I colored with Copics, too.

I added lots of Nuvo Glitter Paste in “Moonstone” on the flowers and the bird, and embossed PTI’s Hawaiian Shores” cardstock with Stampin Up’s “Subtle” 3D embossing folder.

Thank you SO much to Marcia for sharing these gorgeous papers, die cuts, and florals with us this month! Made my heart so happy sitting in my crafting room in the sunshine! Thanks to all for stopping by today! ❤️

25 Days of Christmas Tags-Day 7

Today at the 25 Days of Christmas Tags, Tracey is featuring products from Sunny Studio. I chose Leanne West's adorable "Merry Christmouse" tag as my inspiration.

I used Lawn Fawn's limited edition "Snow Bunnies" set created for Simon Says Stamp's Stamptember. I changed the mouse and cheese to bunnies and carrots, with a new punny bunny sentiment to match!

Colored with Zig Clear Color markers and a paint brush, so I'm adding it to Kathy's 30 Day Coloring Challenge at the Daily Marker, too!

Tiny Town

This week at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge blog, the theme was "Art Journaling." I don't have one, and researched a little about them so that I could make a Christmas card inspired by journaling techniques. I love how this card turned out and had so much fun making it!

I decided an art journaling card needed these things...lots of ink, a cool background, acrylic paint,  book prints, collage type sentiments, texture, and some tiny "hand-drawn" looking houses and trees would be good in the mix, too! Check, double check! I used Neat and Tangled's "Warm Winter Scene Cover Plate"die and Hero arts "Star Light" cling stamp for my tiny town...

I used a mix of charcoal gray, red, and pink pigment and oxide inks on the background. I cut the houses and trees from Authentique's "Latest and Greatest" collection and roughed them up with some white acrylic paint snow. Added hills cut with a Lawn Fawn "Stitched Hillside Borders" dies and added white texture paste through Kaisercraft's "Snowy" stencil over the top.

Stamped a typed sentiment from Hello Bluebird's "Christmas is Coming" set in Versamark ink and heat embossed with white powder. Added a few Stardust Stickles and Wink of Stella pen on the moon. Popped up the houses and my winter village journaling style card is complete!

Thanks for stopping by!

Gnome Throwdown

This week at the Color Throwdown was a unique color combination to play with...orange, gray, and cream!

Those funny pumpkin faces made me think of another funny face...on the Gnomes Stencil from Simon Says Stamp!

I inked the gnome with Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Inks using a combination of Carved Pumpkin, Wild Honey, Dried Marigold, Weathered Wood, and Hickory Smoke. The fun forest background is also
a stencil called "Into the Woods" from Hero Arts. I inked it with the same combination of inks.

I added white whisker details with a gel pen and some Wink of Stella pen. There are mini cream colored stars and "Diamond" Stickles. His nose has Glossy Accents and there are tiny Nuvo Drops on his robe and in the forest background. I added one teeny heart to match the sentiment.

The sentiment is from Waltzingmouse Stamps' "Compact Sentiments." I thought it was perfect since his face smile is invisible, ha! Thanks for stopping by!

World Card Making Day with Simon Says Stamp!

It's World Card Making Day, and Simon Says Stamp showcased cards made by designers all aroumd the globe HERE!

They asked what we made today, and I used the new Simon Says Stamp Stamptember "Flora" stencil...

Unfortunately, I have a few sympathy cards to make, but I wanted one for a co-worker that was pretty and not too somber. I didn't think she would mind a little sparkle and pink to remember her mom. I heat embossed a sentiment with white powder from Reverse Confetti's "Tall Blooms."

I inked over the stencil using Tim Holtz Festive Berries Distress Oxide ink and a blending brush. Then, I shaded the flowers with watercolor markers, and added some clear Nuvo Drops for the berries, and Stickles on the bases. Added some Wink of Stella pen to the blooms as an afterthought, and so glad I did. The shimmering flowers are gorgeous, and will hopefully convey warm thoughts, and bring a smile!

Bunny Monday

This week at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, in honor of their Stamptember celebration, the theme was "Stamp It!" I chose the Stamptember set that Lawn Fawn created for Simon Says Stamp called "Snow Bunnies." It's soo cute!

I made a background by brushing Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Inks in Peacock Feathers, Mermaid Lagoon, and Blueprint Sketch. Splattered with water and made some windy swirls with a small wet paintbrush.

Colored the bunnies with Zig Clear Color Markers and a waterbrush. Added lots of little details with Nuvo Drops, Glossy Accents, and the Sakura Stardust and Glaze pens.

A snowy center cut with a Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside Border die, a white heat embossed sentiment from the set, and a teeny tiny glittering star to finish!  Thanks for stopping by today!

Awesome Wednesday

This week at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog, the theme was "Bling it on." I paired the new "Floral Diamond" set from The Stamp Market with some Nuvo "Moonstone" Glimmer Paste for sparkle.

The background was made by heat embossing The Stamp Market's "Fine Lines" background with black powder. The flowers were watercolored with a Paul Rubens pan palette.

It was my first time using it, and it's hard to watercolor like a real artist 😅! So sparkling over the top with the Nuvo Glimmer Paste helped detract from my poor shading abilities! Thanks for stopping by!

Harvest Home Throwdown

It's feeling a bit like fall here, so this week's Color Throwdown colors of navy, coral, mustard, and cream were perfect for a fun harvest card!

I am absolutely in love with everything Betsy Veldman has designed for her new company The Greetery and her fall release was no exception! I coupled Bountiful Wreath with Harvest Home to make a circular card.

I stamped and die cut the wreath, then cut a negative space out of some woodgrain paper from Crate Paper, and circles using Spellbinders Grand Nestabilities. Then I placed the wreath inside the negative space, tucking images from Harvest Home inside. I made a little 3 1/2 square card to attach to the back of the circle like a "kickstand!"

The sentiment is from Bountiful Wreath. Added some Glossy Accents to the coral berries, and some Mustard Nuvo Drops to the wheat. Also adding this card to the Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday Challenge with the week's theme "Stamp It" since all of my images were stamped!

Fresh Picked Wishes

Playing along with Simon Says Stamps' Wednesday Challenge Blog theme of "Anything Goes" with a second entry this week. I made this card for my brother-in-law Vic's 73rd birthday! He loves flowers for his lake house so these images from The Greetery's latest release fit the bill.

I used "Just Mason Around," "Oopsie Daisy," and "Robin and Wren" for my card. Love how realistic these multi-step stamped images look, made me feel like an artist 😊!

Made a light background with Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Inks in Tumbled Glass, Antique Linen, and Tea Dye, then splattered with water. I can't wait to create with these sets some more!

Hugs and Fishes

School's out here for my daughters...and me! I'm already excited about our summer trip to the Jersey Shore to see my sister and her family! The Color Throwdown Challenge colors were perfect for this...

I used The Greetery's new "Katie's Cuties: Feelin' Fan-Sea" creatures for my scene. I was inspired by the striped pillow in the inspiration photo, which made me think of Wanda Guess' striped background here!

 I masked off stripes with purple tape, then brushed Tim Holtz Distress Oxide ink in "Weathered Wood" over the top. Colored my sea cuties with Sakura Zig Clean Color markers and a waterbrush. The sentiment is a combination of "Sending Hugs" from Reverse Confetti, and "and fishes" from PTI's "Salt Air Sentiments." This seemed perfect for a card featuring lots of arms 😁!

Added sea plants using PTI's "Salt Air Flora." Lots of Wink of Stella pen, Stickles, and Nuvo Drops for sparkle. I submitted this to Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday "Anything Goes" Challenge this week, too. Hooray for summer vacation!

Hello, Purple

"Anything Goes" is the theme of the week at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge blog. I chose to use the Petal Patch stamp set and Handwritten Thanks die from The Stamp Market.

I tend to neglect purple when making cards, so this week, I blended a background with Distress Oxide inks in Wilted Violet and Milled Lavender. Stamped and heat embossed the Open Plaid Backgrounder, an oldie from Cornish Heritage Farms.

Die cut the Handwritten Thanks die in white and black glossy paper. Stamped and die cut flowers from Petal Patch, then arranged them around the sentiment. A few Nuvo Drops were added for a bit of shine. Sorry I have neglected you, purple inks, I'll be sure to use you again soon! ❤

May Flowers

Playing long with the Simon Says Stamps' Monday Challenge blog theme of "Use Stencils" this week!

Time for some May Flowers from The Stamp Market using the stamp set with this name!

For my stenciling, I used the Plaid Stencil, also from The Stamp Market, lightly inked with my Spun Sugar Distress Oxide ink. I think my brushes had some yellow ink on them, so some areas had a light tan quality, which I really liked!

Speaking of Distress Oxide inks, I just purchased my first set and they are as fun and fabulous as everyone says! The multi-step set "May Flowers" was inked with a combination of Spun Sugar, Festive Berries, Dried Marigold, Abandoned Coral, Spiced Marmalade, and Squeezed Lemonade, and the leaves in Amuse Studio Lichen ink and Impress Basil Fresh Ink.

The sentiment is from The Stamp Market's A Few Words stamp and cut bundle. A few Glossy Accents on the flower centers and leaves to finish this spring card. These flowers are beautiful, and I highly recommend treating yourself to this stencil and stamp bundle! 😉!

Candy-Colored Flowers Sketch

This week's sketch at Freshly Made Sketches is by Cécile Ribon and it's a perfect one for a pretty Mother's Day card (and "for a Special Lady" which just happened to be the theme this week at Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday Challenge blog).

I used two sweet little stamp sets with coordinating dies from The Stamp Market, Petite Painted Posies and A Few Words sentiment set. They may be small sets but they are so fun to create with!

I stamped a mini floral cluster from the set for the background, then cut cut banners from PTI's gingham paper using Sizzix dies.

Stamped lots of flowers and leaves from Petite Painted Posies using my favorite A Muse Studio inks and Fresh Inks from Impress. Layered them and added Nuvo Drops on the flower centers. Lastly, a little twine wrap and the sweet "hugs" sentiment. A beautiful card for a special lady in my life. 

Happy Mother's Day!

It's a Party!

It's the Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday Challenge Blog's 10th birthday! So, of course their challenge theme this week is "Happy Birthday!" I chose to throw them a little party with these adorable woodland animals from Hello Bluebird's "Moose & Friends" stamp set...

I am so inspired by designers who create beautifully colored scene cards, so lately, I've been practicing my skills. I love all of the designers' creations at Hello Bluebird, and who can resist their adorable animals and images!

I made a background by softly brushing Distress Inks in Tumbled Glass and Twisted Citron, then cut some hills with a Lawn Fawn die, and a banner with an Amuse Studio die. Colored the die cut images with Zig Clean Color Markers and a waterbrush. Added Wink of Stella pen, Stickles, and Nuvo Drop accents. There is a thick layer of Glossy Accents on the "Happy" balloons. Tied them with black sewing thread because I wanted really thin strings.

I just love that moose blowing out the candles (or a teeny party horn included in the stamp set should you choose), the sweet bunny, and the silly, surprised owl who's floating away!

 Happy Birthday to you, SSS Wednesday Challenge! Thanks for all of the inspiration every week!

Spring Mood

This week at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog, there is the sweetest spring mood board that is sure to get your card-making inspiration flowing! 

I chose my Hello Bluebird "Banner Buddies" set for a spring scene...

I made a background using the My Favorite Things "Drifts and Hills" stencil, inking Tumbled Glass Distress Ink with brushes at the top, then inking Cracked Pistachio at the bottom. Afterward, I flicked water droplets mixed with Cracked Pistachio, Twisted Citron, Peacock Feathers, and Peeled Paint inks at the bottom. 

Die cut the banner using the Hello Bluebird "Vertical Banner Die" and stenciled it with The Stamp Market's "Plaid" stencil using Picked Raspberry ink

Stamped and die cut the adorable Banner Buddies animals and colored them with Zig Clean Color Markers and a waterbrush. The sentiment is also from the set. Added a woodgrain post for my banner, and speckles of Nuvo Drops and Glossy Accents here and there. Happy Easter to you all!

Mailbox Blooms

Playing along with the theme of "Beautiful Blooms" this week at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge.  I used Concord & 9th's "Mail Drop" set, coupled with Simon Says Stamp's "Artsy Flower Parts!"

I've never had a mailbox set, and once I saw this one, it made me so happy! The whimsical artsy flowers seemed like a perfect match for a little spring scene. Stamped and die cut the pieces from Arches watercolor paper, then colored them with Zig Clear Color Markers and a waterbrush.

The Mail Drop set comes with many different options for layering and die-cutting. I layered the mailbox with post and the lid piece, cutting a slot from the lid for my little letter. It comes out, and on the back it says,"Sending paper hugs."

Lots of Glossy Accents and Nuvo Drop Accents, with the scene adhered to a Spring Rain cardstock base (Papertrey Ink) like a perfect blue sky! So much fun using these sets together, can't wait for my mailbox and garden to be blooming!