A few of my latest cards

It's been a long time since I've had a chance to update my blog ... Here are a few of my latest cards ...

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 ...

Papertrey Make it Monday: Window Chipboard Sentiments

I had a great time making a birthday card for a friend using this week's Make it Monday video and inspiration.

I used the Feather Finery with Fresh ink silver lavender and blush inks.  I added the 'wishes' sentiment using Versafine Lagoon Blue.

I decided a little somthing more was needed so added a Studio Calico background grid stamp using Fresh provincial gray ink.  I die cut the birthday window and added a kraft chipboard sentiment, stacking the card stock up with five layers.

Congratulations to Stephanie for joining Papertrey and thank you for a wonderful first video! <3 p="">

Papertrey Ink: Blog Hop March 2017

How gorgeous is this month's inspiration picture over at Papertrey Ink for their blog hop?  Just love it:

  

prints designed by the talented Victoria Johnson

I used the colours and floral pattern as my inspiration to make some simple backgrounds using lots and lots of inks.  Here are all the inks I used:

Avery Elle: Aquamarine, Mint to Be, Sapphire, Fog
Fresh: Sugar, Blush, Peony, Fuchsia, Provincial Gray, Blue Sage, Steel Blue, Mint, Sicilian Blue, Turquoise, Sky Blue

The first card I made into a Mother's Day card.  I die cut the stamped panel of Pretty Peonies with a stitched rectangle die and foam mounted it to an Enchanted Evening card base.  I added a double edged banner stamped with the Fresh Bouquet sentiment I love so dearly.

Simple and colourful!

I took the second background stamped piece and die cut it the same way.  I also foam mounted it to Enchanted Evening and added a scrap bird die cut I had been holding on to.

I really like this colour combination ... would usually not use all these colours but it's always a great chance to try something new.

Papertrey Create along with us: November 2016

Papertrey Ink invites us all to be inspired by something created during the release and to use that as inspiration:

I loved Laurie Willison's use of vellum on her tags and used that as my jumping off point.

I took some Papertrey Christmas patterned paper and used it as my backdrop.  I stamped Holiday Swoosh sentiments and heat embossed with a fine gold embossing powder.

 I added cream twine and used one vellum stamped overlay (Vellum polka dots) with one patterned piece.  The vellum looks just gorgeous on top of the patterned paper and mutes it a bit.  I really love this effect!  Here's a closer look at the layer below:

How is your tag making going?  Making a dent in the holiday card stash too?  I have a ways to go but will keep on ...

I was so excited that the new blog I found, Muse Christmas Visions, also had vellum as its theme and sponsored the 25 Days of Christmas Tags:

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. :)

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. :)