February STAMPlorations CAS Challenge - Anything Goes With Hot Pink

And so we have transitioned from January (was it Dry January? Sugar Free January? General trying to atone for your Holiday sins January?) to the month that will make all us crafters grab our pink paints, pens and watercolours. Bring out the heart stencils and the love sentiments because that's all you will see anywhere in blogland while we celebrate crafting for the most important people in our lives, whether it be our partners, family, friends or most beloved pets.

Anyhow, you have probably already guessed what the optional colour twist for this month's STAMPlorations CAS challenge is. But you don't have to use it if you don't want to. And you don't have to use STAMPlorations products either (although we always love to see you strut your STAMPloratons stuff if you do have it) - as long as you create something CAS you can link it up, and you can link up to 3 cards per challenge. The winner will receive a $10 gift card to the STAMPlorations store and the top picks will each receive a $5 gift card.

If you are inspired to get something for your stash you can always get 20% off your purchase in the STAMPlorations store by using the discount code STAMPGIRLKAROLA. For more information, see the end of this post.

My card today is another very easy way to create a card which looks very intricate. I used the gorgeous new Zen Hearts stencil and painted through it with Distress Inks and a watercolour brush. I used Spun Sugar, Picked Raspberry, Mowed Lawn and Mustard Seed. I love how you never quite know how it will turn out when you remove the stencil as some bits where you used more water will have run on the paper creating a really artsy effect. Then I simply die cut the sentiment using the Always Word Die and stamped the word love using a stamp from Pocket Blooms which is another new set. I added some Ice Stickles to the sentiment and added a few adhesive rhinestones for a finishing touch.

I'm linking up with the following challenges: 

Clean and Simple on Sunday - Hearts

Daring Cardmakers - I want more... simplicity

House of Cards - love theme and/or something pink

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge - The colour of love

NBUS #10 - I haven't had a chance to play along with any of Darnell's recent NBUS challenges, I'm so sorry for that Darnell, I really wanted to play along but this stupid thing called work took up all my time!! Finally had the chance as every stamp, die and stencil in this card is NBUS. If you haven't checked out Darnell's blog you absolutely have to, it always brings a big smile to my face.

Card: 300 gsm Daler&Rowney watercolour paper

Stamps: STAMPlorations Pocket Blooms

Ink and colouring: Tsukineko Versafine Onyx Black, Tim Holtz Distress Ink Spun Sugar, Picked Raspberry, Mowed Lawn and Mustard Seed
Stencil: ARTplorations Zen Hearts
Die: CUTplorations Always Word Die
Other: Ranger Ice Stickles, adhesive rhinestones from my stash

STAMPlorations discount code: If you want to save 20% when shopping at the STAMPlorations store you can use the code STAMPGIRLKAROLA at checkout. The discount applies to all normal priced and discounted stamps, stencils and dies. The code cannot be combined with other discount codes. If you have any questions or problems, just let me know!