Stamp-a-faire 2017 - Day one

Over at Papertrey Ink, the inspiration is flowing from all the amazing artists!

I started out using the colours and inspiration pictures to create some cards for the Take 10 challenge.

 Here is my first choice:

inspiration source: Sunda Studio via Fivestar Branding Agency

I use a lot of turquoise and teal but rarely the yellowy orange shade so thought I would go out of my comfort zone.  That is why I like these kinds of challenges - they really push me!

 I did not love the layout I created for the butterflies but will still post .. I did some ombre stamping of the middle butterfly for a varied look of inking.

But then, after I finished the images I couldn't figure out where to put the sentiment!! Awkward placement perhaps, but ah well ...

Next I took a Soft Stone card base and used the same ink colours for a different look with Bold Bouquet.

 A bit of foam sheet and sentiment and that's it! :)

inspiration source: Sostrene Grene

For this black and white combo, I immediately thought of my PTI patterned paper. I love the linen texture and all the designs!  I popped a striped piece up on a foam sheet and added a Wink of Stella shimmered hello die cut. Super simple but great for a more masculine feel!

I fell in love with this inspiration pic!! I never love my watercolouring attempts but just went with it and let the ink and water move as it wanted to.

inspiration source: Wildfield Paper Co. & Callie Hobbs Photography via StyleMePretty

I took two Strathmore watercolour pieces of paper and used my Zig brush markers for colours and a paintbrush.I added a sentiment to each with some Fresh ink pigment (Provincial Grey).

It's hard to tell but I used Tsukineko Shimmer spritz and then blotted some off to add some water droplet effects.  Love the shimmer it adds!!

(mounted with foam sheet onto Enchanted Evening card base)

I got a perfect impression with the sentiments because I restamped multiple times with my trusty MISTI tool.  Otherwise it would not have been such a saturated sentiment on textured watercolour paper!

(mounted with foam sheet onto Soft Stone card base)

I'm looking forward to the rest of the challenges and will be adding some more cards to my stash as the weekend continues.  I have a packed weekend as it is so won't be able to participate in real time but I'll catch up!  

Happy stamping and hopping!

Papertrey Make it #284:background stamping with sentiment stamps

This week's Make it Monday over at Papertrey Ink is all about repeated sentiments.  I went to town stamping a background for a sympathy card and prepping a baby card as well.

I used a Botanical Silhouettes sentiment for the background, repeatedly stamping with Fresh Ink blue sage.  I added a stamped image from my beloved Lovely Layers set using Fresh Ink Blush three times MISTI stamped and then the edges with Peach.  I love being able to do this with the MISTI!

I will save the Welcome Baby card for when I find out if it's a boy or a girl and the name as I love to personalize baby cards ...

CAS-ual Fridays: Be Thankful

Over on the CAS-ual Fridays blog, it is all about being thankful.

I made a few thank you cards as my stash is getting a little low ...

I stamped Altenew's Painted Flowers in Versafine Onyx Black and clear embossed.  Then I took some pigment inks on my acrylic block and spritzed some gold Perfect Pearls water on to them.  I did some simple messy watercolouring and then stamped Papertrey's Botanical Silhouettes's sentiment in Onyx Black as well.

The sparkle in person of the watercolouring is gorgeous!!  This set is such a pretty one ... a truly great design!

For my next card, I used a Sizzix Flip its die to make a flip card.  I have made my own in the past with a die and some creative cutting but this was on sale and always wanted to try one!

I stamped the sentiment on the front using a favourite Papertrey set (I just love the font!) and some smaller botanical images from the set.

I added a grey panel to the front but other than that, kept it very simple.  The background is stamped in Fresh ink Mint.  Love that shade!!

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In case you are looking for some stamps or dies, I have some on sale:

Papertrey Stamps and dies:
Background Basics: Vines – stamp set ($30 from the vault) --> $15 lowered to $12
Background Basics: Geometrics ($30 from the vault) --> $15 lowered to $12
Embellishments Coordinating dies ($8) --> $4
Stitches and Swirls - stamp set ($48 from the vault) --> $24
Christmas Pointsettia dies ($8) > $5
Damask Designs stamp set ($48 from the vault) > $24
Background Basics: Wrought Iron[/b] ($36 from the valut) > $24
Everyday Button Bits - images only - stamps $10

From other companies:
Tim Holtz - Flights of Fancy $8
Altenew Wild Hibiscus brand new $15 missing top left stamp 

Shipping available to Canada, US and International based on weight:
One sheet (Canada $1, US $2, International $3.50)
Two sheets (Canada $1.50, US $3, International $6)
Payment via Paypal.
All sets have minimal staining, if any, come with labels and are from a smoke free, pet free home. :)

Fusion Card Challenge: Joy

The Fusion card challenge spurred me to create some more holiday cards.  Here's my CAS card using the sentiment and the sketch:

I stamped the Lovely Laurels from Papertrey Ink with Fresh Ink pigment Pear and Tuscan Olive.  I added MFT's Handwritten Sentiment in Merlot and then clear embossed it.

I took WPlus9's Stag die and cut it using copper foil cardstock and mounted it with lots of foam adhesive.  The foil is so shiny and gorgeous in person; trust me!
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In case you are looking for some stamps or dies, I have some on sale:

Papertrey Stamps and dies:
Background Basics: Vines – stamp set ($30 from the vault) --> $15 lowered to $12
Background Basics: Geometrics ($30 from the vault) --> $15 lowered to $12
Embellishments Coordinating dies ($8) --> $4
Stitches and Swirls - stamp set ($48 from the vault) --> $24
Christmas Pointsettia dies ($8) > $5
Damask Designs stamp set ($48 from the vault) > $24
Background Basics: Wrought Iron[/b] ($36 from the valut) > $24
Everyday Button Bits - images only - stamps $10

From other companies:
Tim Holtz - Flights of Fancy $8
Altenew Wild Hibiscus brand new $15 missing top left stamp 

Shipping available to Canada, US and International based on weight:
One sheet (Canada $1, US $2, International $3.50)
Two sheets (Canada $1.50, US $3, International $6)
Payment via Paypal.
All sets have minimal staining, if any, come with labels and are from a smoke free, pet free home. :)

Make it Monday #267 : Assembly line crafting

This week's video from the talented Laurie Willison was all about assembly line crafting.

I cut out a bunch of tags using one of the Tinsel and Tag dies in a few colours and some of the banners as well.

 I used my MISTI to stamp four tags and a bunch of banners all at once.  This makes it go so quickly and you can double or triple stamp and even use different colours for an ombre look.

I used my MISTI to stamp four tags and a bunch of banners all at once.  I used a bunch of sets that I had been itching to use from my last order - Holiday Greens and Holiday Fancy Pants plus Tinsel and Tag sentiments.

And I now understand what all the fuss about Delicata Gold ink is!! It really does look divine on cardstock!  I even stamped 12 kraft envelopes using Holiday Swoosh and Holiday Greens with Fresh Ink Fuschia and Delicata gold.  They are all ready for their labels and stamps!

When I address the tags, I will choose the banner I want to match - I have already put foam adhesive on the back of all of them and am planning to make some chalkboard tags with the black tags I cut.

So how are your holiday creations coming along?  Started yet?  Almost done?
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In case you are looking for some stamps or dies, I have some on sale:

Papertrey Stamps and dies:
Background Basics: Vines – stamp set ($30 from the vault) --> $15 lowered to $12
Background Basics: Geometrics ($30 from the vault) --> $15 lowered to $12
Embellishments Coordinating dies ($8) --> $4
Stitches and Swirls - stamp set ($48 from the vault) --> $24
Christmas Pointsettia dies ($8) > $5
Damask Designs stamp set ($48 from the vault) > $24
Background Basics: Wrought Iron[/b] ($36 from the valut) > $24
Everyday Button Bits - images only - stamps $10

From other companies:
Hero Arts – Friends $5 SOLD
Tim Holtz - Flights of Fancy $8
Altenew Wild Hibiscus brand new $15 missing top left stamp 

Shipping available to Canada, US and International based on weight:
One sheet (Canada $1, US $2, International $3.50)
Two sheets (Canada $1.50, US $3, International $6)
Payment via Paypal.
All sets have minimal staining, if any, come with labels and are from a smoke free, pet free home. :)

PTI September Blog Hop

This month, over at Papertrey Ink, the inspiration picture for the blog hop is a gorgeous one!

                                                                                       photograph from burkatron 

I took the colours, twine and leaves as my inspiration and made the following simple one layer card:

I used a kraft card base and stamped Turning a New Leaf in Fresh ink Tuscan Olive.  I stamped several times with my trusty MISTI.

Then I added some Versamark inked twine and heat embossed in white which is a bit creamy in hue.  I used the set No Strings Attached which is a great set - so versatile!

 I just love heat embossing on kraft card stock!  So effective!

I decided to keep it sentiment free - either I will send it as is or stamp a sentiment when the occasion arises ... we shall see!

Happy blog hopping!  Oh, and in case you are looking for some stamps or dies, I have some on sale:

Papertrey Stamps and dies:
Background Basics: Vines – stamp set ($30 from the vault) --> $15 lowered to $12
Background Basics: Geometrics ($30 from the vault) --> $15 lowered to $12
Embellishments Coordinating dies ($8) --> $4
Stitches and Swirls - stamp set ($48 from the vault) --> $24
Bloomers stamp set and dies $20
Christmas Pointsettia dies ($8) > $5
Modern Basics stamp set ($48 from the vault) > $24
Damask Designs stamp set ($48 from the vault) > $24
Background Basics: Wrought Iron[/b] ($36 from the valut) > $24
Everyday Button Bits - images only - stamps $10


From other companies:
Hero Arts – Friends $5 SOLD
Tim Holtz - Flights of Fancy $8

Shipping available to Canada, US and International based on weight:
One sheet (Canada $1, US $2, International $3.50)
Two sheets (Canada $1.50, US $3, International $6)
Payment via Paypal.
All sets have minimal staining, if any, come with labels and are from a smoke free, pet free home. :)

SAF 2016: Masterpiece Inspirations

Red Poppy, Georgia O'Keefe

I took my inspiration from this gorgeous poppy painting by the talented Georgia O'Keefe.  I white heat embossed Delightful Dahlia stamps on Strathmore cold press watercolour paper.  I mixed some deep reds with my aqua brush and filled in the flowers.

 I die cut the flowers and added green leaves stamped with Avery Elle celery.

 I popped these up on foam tape and added them to a woodgrain card base.

I watercoloured a piece of Strathmore paper die cut with a double ended banner and stamped the Don't Forget to Write sentiment in Versafine Onyx Black.  This was also popped up on foam tape for some dimension.

If you are looking for some gently used stamp sets, take a look here - new ones have been added.
http://cardsbycara.blogspot.ca/2016/05/stamp-set-sale.html

SAF 2016: Drips and splatters

Lizzie Jones showed some awesome techniques for drips and splatters and I had fun with this card, despite me not gravitating towards the 'haphazard' look:

I took a piece of Strathmore cold press watercolour paper which works perfectly for techniques like this - it's nice and thick.

I grabbed my basic set of watercolour paints from Michaels and started flicking in different colours - yellow, orange and red.

I added a black die cut from Don't Forget to Write and a sentiment stamped with Versafine Black Onyx.  As a finishing touch, I glittered the die cut with my Wink of Stella pen in clear.  The panel was foam mounted to an Enchanted Evening card base.  This messy technique was lots of fun!  Thanks, Lizzie, for all the tips!

If you are looking for some stamp sets, take a look here - new ones have been added.
http://cardsbycara.blogspot.ca/2016/05/stamp-set-sale.html

SAF 2016: Colour Blocking

For the next challenge I tackled, Lexi Daly showed us how to do colour blocking.

I used the Take Three die to cut a mask and did some sponging with Avery Elle mimosa, Fresh Ink Cherry and Fresh Ink Pool.

I then added a negative die cut over top with thin cuts of foam tape popped up.  I thought this added a little more drama to the colours.

For the sentiment, I stamped with Wet Paint Alphabet and City Block sentiments in Versafine Black Onyx.

What a fun and easy technique!!

If you are looking for some gently used stamp sets, take a look here - new ones have been added.
http://cardsbycara.blogspot.ca/2016/05/stamp-set-sale.html

Papertrey Ink Blog Hop July 2016

This month's blog hop uses this picture as a jumping off point:

                                                                                 photograph from Classy Clutter
I was really inspired by this gorgeous interior - the colours, the patterns ... really all of it!  I made a bunch of cards using this picture as my inspiration.  Here were the main inks I used - Fresh Ink and Avery Elle pigment inks with great saturation:

 Fresh Turquoise, Avery Elle Aquamarine, Fresh Provincial Gray, Fresh Peach and Fresh Birch.

My first card uses Bloomers and a Hugs die cut.  I fussy cut the smaller blooms but have just now realized I have the dies ... oops!

I added these smaller flowers with foam tape.  Then I sponged a piece of card stock with the Aquamarine colour and cut it using the Hugs die.  I added the die cut with some Tombo Mono Aqua glue.

I put my acrylic block on top for a few minutes to ensure everything was evenly adhered.  I liked this colour combo because it's one I would usually never use.  Great to get out of our comfort zone, right?

The next card uses the triangle pattern on the wall as a jumping off point.  I used some DCWV glitter card stock in gold and the Good Times die in Smokey Shadow.  I added the cover plate cut out to a white 110lb Recollections card base.  Nice and sturdy!

I cut the card stock with the word die three times and stacked them one on top of the other, adhering them with Tombo Mono Aqua glue.

I then added some clear Wink of Stella for shimmer.  I love the detail it adds!

My next card uses the Quatrefoil cover plate which I cut using white card stock.  I adhered it with little dots of Tombo Mono Aqua glue to a soft stone card base.  I then die cut Turning a New Leaf leaves :) with bitty dot vellum.

 I die cut Hawaiian Shores card stock with a Hugs die and stacked 6 of them up one on top of each other with none other than Tombo Mono Aqua glue

I added some clear Wink of Stella for a little something something and that was about it.

I stamped the inside with Turning a New Leaf in Fresh Provincial Gray and a Fillable Frames sentiment in Turquoise.

Still with me?  This next one didn't quite turn out as I had hoped but I will still include it.  I used the Peach ink to stamp an Irresistible Ikat pattern and gold embossed some of the centres with some super fine embossing powder.  

 I then added a Bold Bouquet sentiment using the Turquoise and Aquamarine inks.

My final card also features Bold Bouquet.  I layered the stamping colours and added a sentiment in Birch ink, which reminded me of the colour combo of the pillow, if you zoom in.

 For some texture, I dry embossed using the linen impression plate.  Love this one!!

It adds just the right amount of texture, doesn't it?  This was all stamped on a Soft Stone card base.  I love the colour of this cs - understated but very chic.

Well, thanks for looking at my cards!  Which one was your favourite?  Did you have fun with this month's blog hop?

Check out my sale of stamps and dies - I have added a few new ones to the list.

http://cardsbycara.blogspot.ca/2016/05/stamp-set-sale.html