ARTplorations Stencil Blog Hop

Today there is a special treat over at the STAMPlorations blog as we are celebrating the annual ARTplorations Stencil Blog Hop. This year we are showcasing the brand new gorgeous stencils from the talented Sanna Lippert of Papierstau. Please come and hop along with us, pretty much everyone on the STAMPlorations DT are featuring these gorgeous stencils today! And of course, there is a little something in it for you as well. You have the chance to win either a gift certificate to the STAMPlorations store or some of Sanna's yummy stencils. Prizes are randomly drawn from everyone commenting on the ARTplorations Stencil Blog Hop and the participating designer's blog posts. The full list of participating designers can be found over at the ARTplorations Stencil Blog Hop.

For my first card I wanted to let the super fun Evolution stencil shine as the star of the card, so I masked off a rectangle and inked Distress Inks in Twisted Citron, Mustard Seed, Abandoned Coral, Wilted Violet and Mermaid Lagoon. Then I stamped the sentiment from Noteworthy 2. I was going to leave it at that but inspired by the sentiment I doodled a frame around the image and added a few black pearls.

For my second card I die cut a piece of watercolour paper using the medium-sized Crazy Double Running Stitch Nesting die inked three shades of green Distress Ink (Pine Needles, Peeled Paint, Twisted Citron) through the Christmas Tree 1 stencil, moving the stencil for every shade of green I used. I left the die on while I inked to create the white border around the edges. Then I sprinkled different green shades of Brushos onto a scrap piece of Watercolour card, spritzing with water from a Mini Mister. Then I die cut the shape using Christmas Icons - Christmas tree 1. I used the stencil to add some Christmas tree shapes to the die cut in Pine Needles ink, and added some adhesive pearls as decoration. Last, I stamped the Merry Christmas sentiment from Homespun Christmas onto red card, cut a thin strip and added it to the card.

I'm linking up my Christmas card over at AAA Cards where the theme is Christmas and over at Daring Cardmakers where the theme is Trim the Tree.

I'm also linking up the card I made with the Evolution stencil over at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge where Anything Goes this week.

Card: 300 gsm white card, 300 gsm Daler&Rowney watercolour paper, scrap of red card

Stamps: STAMPlorations Homespun Christmas, Noteworthy 2

Stencils: ARTplorations Evolution, Christmas Tree 1

Dies: CUTplorations Crazy Double Running Stitch Nesting die, Christmas Icons - Christmas tree 1

Ink: Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black, Distress Inks Abandoned Coral, Mermaid Lagoon, Mustard Seed, Peeled Paint, Pine Needles, Twisted Citron, Wilted Violet, Brushos

Other: Adhesive pearls 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.

Keep Calm and Freak Out!!

Today I realised that I have exactly one more weekend left to prepare for Christmas. No, I haven't lost my capability to interpret a calendar, but next weekend we are going to Sheffield to my Sister's as my Mum will come and see us before Christmas. I can't wait to see her, and we are planning to take her to Chatsworth Christmas Market. I love Christmas markets, although instead of buying presents I end up buying a lot of yummy delicacies for myself instead! Then the next two weekends we will be in Finland to celebrate the 100th independence day with friends. We will be staying in a log cabin in the mountains, and will spend the week skiing and enjoying the Northern Lights from our heated outdoor pool! Including travel, that will eat up two whole weekends, which means there is only one more left before the big C. 

So I reacted like any sensible human being would to the news of having only one weekend to plan for hosting six people for three days. I freaked out, and started making lists. Well, first I made a list of all the lists I needed. Please tell me I'm not the only one?

In addition to freaking out about lists, I also realised that I don't have nearly enough cards to send to everyone. I've been a very bad card maker this year and completely failed to prepare for the biggest holiday in the card-making calendar. But this year, instead of feeling guilty I will accept that some people will end up with store bought cards. Oh well, we live to see another day. There are people with bigger problems in the world and I should stop being a drama queen.

However, all is not yet lost. I may be able to conjure up a few more cards and therefore spent a small part of today (in between freaking out) to give you four ideas of how you can quickly create last minute cards. I picked my favourite ever big Christmas sentiment - STAMPlorations Typografia Christmas Merry Little Christmas - but you could pick any big sentiment stamp you love (if you are still looking for your one true Christmas sentiment love, you should have a look in the STAMPlorations Typografia range, and even better if you find one you like, use code STAMPGIRLKAROLA at checkout for 20% off!). I then created four different quick and easy backgrounds in warm colours and then heat embossed the gorgeous stamp in copper onto the backgrounds. 

My first background was made using Distress markers. I scribbled various yellow, orange and red marker pens onto a piece of acetate, spritzed generously with water and then smooched against watercolour paper. I dried with a heating tool, die cut using the Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle Nesting Dies and patted with my Embossing Buddy to remove any background static and ensure that the embossing powder would only stick to the stamped image. Then I stamped the sentiment in Versamark and heat embossed with Papermania Copper embossing powder.

My second background was created using Distress ink pads, I used a foam applicator to randomly apply inks, using the rectangle die as a mask. When I was happy with the background, I splattered some water on it before die cutting and heat embossing.

My third background was again created using Distress Markers. I used the markers directly onto watercolour card, colouring an ombre effect with the reds at the bottom, then oranges and yellows at the top. Then I used a very wet brush to blend the colours and dried with a heat tool before die cutting and heat embossing.

I used Brushos for my fourth background. I sprinkled the colour pigments very lightly onto the background and then spritzed generously with water before drying, die cutting and heat embossing. 

It actually didn't take very long to create these four cards, I think the quickest background to create was the first one which only takes the flashest of flashes.

Unfortunately we are way beyond the time when I manage to photograph my cards in daylight so you will have to put up with the bad photos, but hopefully I have been able to inspire you to create some quick cards in case you have been struggling with inspiration to get going with your cards, or realised that your stash isn't large enough yet.

I'm linking up my Brusho card over at CAS Watercolour where the theme is Holiday. I'm also linking up over at Just Add Ink where the challenge is to Just Add R (R for red) and Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge where the theme is Stitch Up (add stitching). Last, but not least I'm linking up with Happy Little Stampers CAS challenge where the optional twist is Christmas.

Card: Stampin' Up Real Red card, Daler&Rowney 300 gsm watercolour paper
Ink: Tsukineko Versamark, Tim Holtz Distress Ink pads and markers Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed, Fossilized Amber, Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Festive Berries, Barn Door
Stamps: STAMPlorations Typografia Christmas Merry Little Christmas
Dies: CUTplorations Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle Nesting Dies

November STAMPlorations CAS Challenge - Mid-Month Inspiration

Weeks are just flying by, I can't believe we are already in mid-November. Have you been playing along with our brown challenge this month? If not, you still have a few weeks to join in on the fun.  If you need some inspiration to get your mojo going, pop over to the see the mid-month reminder for the STAMPlorations November CAS challenge.

For my card, I decided to go for a one layer card with a coffee theme. I used markers in three shades of brown to colour up stamps from What's Brewing and Scribbly Splattery Grunge to create an ombre look. 

Card: 300 gsm white card

Stamps: STAMPlorations What's Brewing, Scribbly Splattery Grunge

Ink and colouring: Stampin' Up Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Early Espresso

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.

STAMPlorations Giving Thanks Blog Hop

I'm super excited to be part of the 3rd annual STAMPlorations Giving Thanks Blog Hop and Wishlist Linky Party. If you are following the hop, you should have arrived here from the wonderful Sarah Platt of Sazzle Dazzle Crafts. You can see all the hop stops in the linky below.

It wouldn't be a linky party without a lot of prizes! There are way too many prizes to list here, but you can find all the info over at STAMPlorations Giving Thanks Blog Hop and Wishlist Linky Party. You can win prizes by commenting and sharing on social media.

There is a bunch of new STAMPlorations products which are showcased along the hop. You can find them all in the New Releases category in the STAMPlorations shop. I got to play with the Words of Gratitude stamp set which has six wonderful sentiments, perfect to use on your cards or other crafting projects.

For my first card, I started by stamping the frame from STAMPlorations Floral Bliss (retired) in Versafine Onyx Black. Then I masked the frame, and stamped plenty of sweet goodies from Sweet Cravings and Sugar Rush, which I coloured with Copics. Then I inked the inside of the frame in a rainbow with Distress Inks and stamped the wonderful sentiment. All in one layer. 

For my second card, I inked yellow, orange and red Distress ink through the Fall Floral Trio stencil. I used the same inks with some more red and some brown thrown in to ink up a scrap piece of card and then die cut the leaves using the Trendy Leaves 2 coordinating dies. For the sentiment, I used a ombre blue piece of card, stamped the frame and sentiment and fussy cut it all. 

For my last, bright, rainbow card, I started by inking Distress ink through the Layered Petals stencil. Then I stamped the sentiment in Versafine Onyx Black, and added some die cut flowers and leaves cut from coloured card using Trendy Spring Blooms Dies. A few small rhinestones completes the card.

If you got inspired to do some shopping, now is a perfect time as Shery is having a Thanksgiving Sale over in the STAMPlorations shop. 

Card: 300 gsm white card, scraps of coloured card, blue ombre card
Stamps: STAMPlorations Words of Gratitude, Sweet Cravings, Sugar Rush, Floral Bliss (retired)
Ink and colouring: Tsukineko Versamark, Tim Holtz Distress Inks, Copics
Stencils: ARTplorations Fall Floral Trio, Layered Petals
Dies: CUTplorations Trendy Leaves 2 coordinating dies, Trendy Spring Blooms Dies
Other: Adhesive rhinestones from my stash

Shining White

When I saw the current inspiration image over at Inspired by All the Little Things, I immediately knew the card I wanted to make. Which was this card, except I thought I had some white glitter card. Which I didn't. So I made my own instead, by inking white card with Versamark and adding holographic glitter embossing powder and then die cutting the background and the Christmas tree. I popped it all up with 3D foam dots. Last, I used some silver glitter card to die cut the sentiment and added some adhesive gems to the tree.

 I'm also linking up with Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge where the theme is Snow White, ABC Christmas Challenge where the theme is W for white and Happy Little Stampers CAS Challenge where Anything goes with an optional twist of Christmas.

It was hard to capture the gorgeous glitter of the tree and the background in the pictures but this gives an idea of the beautiful shimmer. 

Card: White 250 gsm card, silver glitter card

Ink: Tsukineko Versamark

Dies: STAMPlorations Crazy Double Running Stitch Nesting Dies, Christmas Icons - Christmas Tree #1, Lawn Fawn Scripty Merry die

Other: Papermania holographic embossing powder, Stampin' Up adhesive gems

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.

Christmas Wreath Tag

Just popping in quickly to show the tag I made today as I was procrastinating on some work stuff. Crafting truly is the best form of procrastinating, and now I have another tag ready for Christmas. And I got to use my NBUS Lawn Fawn Knit Picky paper and Mini Wreath die, both of which are super adorable.

I'm linking up with a couple of challenges:
House of Cards - holiday and/or colours

Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes, optional twist tags

Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes With dies

Paper: Lawn Fawn Knit Picky paper, scraps of green and red card

Stamps: Lawn Fawn Christmas Unicorn

Ink: Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black

Dies: Lawn Fawn Tag You're It, Mini Wreath, Scripty Merry Christmas Die, Extra Sentiment Banners

Other: Red adhesive pearls from my stash

North and South Pole Tags

I've been working on my stash of Christmas cards, but not really on any gift tags yet. So today, I thought I would change that as I was inspired by the cute bear tag over at Tag You're It challenge and the Clever Gift Packaging Challenge over at Lawn Fawnatics (not sure if tags really count as gift packaging or not, but I saw a few other tags in the gallery so I thought why not!). I'm also linking up with the Christmas Gift Tag challenge over at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge and Anything but a card over at Make My Monday.

I started by die cutting the tags in Neenah Solar white card, and inking the sky with Tim Holtz Distress inks, splattering with water mixed with some Perfect Pearls (which gives the sky a nice, subtle shimmer which I wasn't able to capture in the photos). Then I die cut the mountains in kraft card, and the snowy mountaintops, the snowy hillside and the forest border in white card. Last, I stamped the cute critters, colouring them with Copics and die cutting with the matching dies. After assembling the tags, I added some twine for attaching the tags to the gifts. I will stamp a greeting on the reverse of the tags.

Card: Neenah Solar white, kraft card
Stamps: Lawn Fawn Critters in the Snow and matching dies
Ink and colouring: Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black, Tim Holtz Distress Inks Broken China, Peacock Feathers, Mermaid Lagoon, Copics
Dies: Lawn Fawn Tag You're It, Forest Border, Stitched Mountain Borders, Stitched Hillside Borders
Other: blue and white twine from my stash

November STAMPlorations CAS Challenge - Anything Goes With Brown

Welcome to the November STAMPlorations CAS challenge. November? How can it be November already? Thank you for playing along with our October challenge, it was great to see so much amazing inspiration in the gallery. Make sure to check in over at the STAMPlorations blog in a few day's time to see the lucky winners. Hopefully, you'll be playing along with us again this month. Our optional colour twist this month is brown. 

What else could the colour brown mean than choooocolate! For my card I started by stamping the yummy cake and pie from Sweet Cravings, coloured with Copics and die cut with the matching dies. Then I stamped the Bold Sentiments: Sweet in an ombre pink pattern, attaching the cakes to the background. 

Card: Neenah Solar white card, 300 gsm white card

Stamps: STAMPlorations Sweet Cravings and matching Sweet Cravings Dies, Bold Sentiments: Sweet, Bold Sentiments: Hashtag Authentic

Ink and colouring: Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black, Stampin' Up Pink Pirouette, Blushing Bride, Regal Rose, Strawberry Slush, Melon Mambo, Copics

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.