STAMPlorations Inspiration

Hello crafters! For this week's STAMPlorations Inspiration Post I created a super colourful and quick birthday card. I started by using a Gelli print from my UFO box which I created with Distress Oxides and some bubble wrap. Next, I splattered Distress ink on the card base, and attached the Gelli print and a Watercolour ATC Journaling Card to which I attached one of the Birthday Word Art Clear Stickers. Super quick and easy!

Note that I have received some of the stamps and other craft supplies for free as a member of the STAMPlorations Design Team, therefore this blog post has to be identified as an ad. I have been using STAMPlorations products for years before joining the Desing Team at which time I paid for all my STAMPlorations products and I love them as much today as I did then. 

STAMPlorations discount code: If you want to save 20% when shopping at the STAMPlorations store you can use the code STAMPGIRLKAROLA at checkout. The code cannot be combined with other discount codes. And if you use my code you also get to pick a freebie to the value of $7 (for details see the badge below).

Note that as a STAMPlorations affiliate, I get a small commission on any orders you place in the STAMPlorations store using the links in my blog post or my coupon code STAMPGIRLKAROLA. This is at no added cost to you. Thank you for your support to keep my craft addiction going :) 

June STAMPlorations CAS Challenge

 

Hi all and welcome to the last STAMPlorations CAS Challenge of the 2021 Spring season. After the end of July, the DT will take a break over the summer and be back again in October. I have sadly decided to step down from the challenge design team to give me time for other hobbies but I'll still be around in the background, helping Shery with the challenge posts so I'll still see the fantastic work of all of you who participate.

The June CAS Challenge Twist colours are light blue and cream and I thought that would work great for a Christmas card (yes, Christmas is coming...). I started by inking Speckled Egg Distress ink through the Snowflakes Stencil, created texture using the Wonky Stitched Grid Texture Cover Plate Die, and then die-cut the panel using Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle Nesting Dies. For the sentiment, I inked Antique Linen Distress Ink through the Snowflakes Stencil onto cream card and added a sentiment from Simple Christmas Clear Stickers (these stickers have become my go-to for all Christmas Cards as it's a super versatile mix of relatively standard Christmas sentiments which work well for any card).

I hope you feel inspired to play along in the STAMPlorations CAS Challenge!

Stencil: ARTplorations Snowflakes Stencil

Dies: CUTplorations Wonky Stitched Grid Texture Cover Plate Die, Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle Nesting Dies

Stickers: STAMPlorations Simple Christmas Clear Stickers

Ink and colouring: Tim Holtz Distress Ink Speckled Egg and Antique Linen

Note that I have received some of the stamps and other craft supplies for free as a member of the STAMPlorations Design Team, therefore this blog post has to be identified as an ad. I have been using STAMPlorations products for years before joining the Desing Team at which time I paid for all my STAMPlorations products and I love them as much today as I did then. 

STAMPlorations discount code: If you want to save 20% when shopping at the STAMPlorations store you can use the code STAMPGIRLKAROLA at checkout. The code cannot be combined with other discount codes. And if you use my code you also get to pick a freebie to the value of $7 (for details see the badge below).

Note that as a STAMPlorations affiliate, I get a small commission on any orders you place in the STAMPlorations store using the links in my blog post or my coupon code STAMPGIRLKAROLA. This is at no added cost to you. Thank you for your support to keep my craft addiction going :) 

Reminder for May STAMPlorations CAS Challenge

Happy mid-May! This month always speeds so quickly, I hope you have had a chance to enjoy it. I have enjoyed the blossoms in the garden, the slowly (way too slowly, if you ask me) warming weather and seeing my house plants spring back to being their best self and the herbs growing in their pots. 

I created a card for the STAMPlorations mid-month challenge inspiration post for the May CAS challenge. The optional colour twist for May is a fabulous Copper + Gold. I started by inking various shades of yellow, orange and brown Distress inks through the Barley Stencil and splattered some ink on the card for added interest. I then added a sentiment by attaching one of the Just Everyday Greetings Clear Stickers onto copper card. It's a really quick and easy card that packs a lot of punch in no time!

 

Stencil: ARTplorations Barley Stencil

Stickers: STAMPlorations Just Everyday Greetings Clear Stickers

Ink and colouring: Tim Holtz Distress Inks

Note that I have received these crafting supplies and other craft supplies for free as a member of the STAMPlorations Design Team, therefore this blog post has to be identified as an ad. I have been using STAMPlorations products for years before joining the Desing Team at which time I paid for all my STAMPlorations products and I love them as much today as I did then. 

STAMPlorations discount code: If you want to save 20% when shopping at the STAMPlorations store you can use the code STAMPGIRLKAROLA at checkout. The code cannot be combined with other discount codes. And if you use my code you also get to pick a freebie to the value of $7 (for details see the badge below).

Note that as a STAMPlorations affiliate, I get a small commission on any orders you place in the STAMPlorations store using the links in my blog post or my coupon code STAMPGIRLKAROLA. This is at no added cost to you. Thank you for your support to keep my craft addiction going :) 

STAMPlorations Inspiration

It's time for the STAMPlorations Inspiration post for April 2021. I'm once again creating four Christmas cards to celebrate the end of the month, and to build up my Christmas card stash as last year things didn't quite go to plan on the Christmas card front. Don't forget that by leaving a comment on the STAMPlorations Inspiration post you are entered into a monthly draw for a $15 prize code to the STAMPlorations store.

This time I used one of my most used STAMPlorations Christmas stamp sets, Joyful and very conveniently it has four beautiful stamps so perfect for today's set of cards. I have used these stamps so so much, and although the colour of the rubber has changed a bit over the years, they still stamp as great as they did at the beginning. 

I started by picking a range of Distress Inks and masking off random slivers of card fronts, inking to create geometric shapes with three different colours blended together. Next, I left the ink to dry for a while and then used an anti-static tool to make sure the heat embossing powder wouldn't randomly stick all over the inked regions. I stamped the images in Versafine and heat embossed in a gunmetal powder. Last, I sprinkled some Distress Ink I diluted with water across the card front and added a sentiment I created from leftover coloured card and Simple Christmas Clear Stickers. 

Stamps: STAMPlorations Joyful

Stickers: STAMPlorations Simple Christmas Clear Stickers

Ink and colouring: Tsukineko Versafine, Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Ink

Note that I have received some of the stamps and other craft supplies for free as a member of the STAMPlorations Design Team, therefore this blog post has to be identified as an ad. I have been using STAMPlorations products for years before joining the Desing Team at which time I paid for all my STAMPlorations products and I love them as much today as I did then. 

STAMPlorations discount code: If you want to save 20% when shopping at the STAMPlorations store you can use the code STAMPGIRLKAROLA at checkout. The code cannot be combined with other discount codes. And if you use my code you also get to pick a freebie to the value of $7 (for details see the badge below).

Note that as a STAMPlorations affiliate, I get a small commission on any orders you place in the STAMPlorations store using the links in my blog post or my coupon code STAMPGIRLKAROLA. This is at no added cost to you. Thank you for your support to keep my craft addiction going :) 

STAMPlorations Inspiration

 

Happy Tuesday and happy STAMPlorations Inspiration day. My dreams of spring continue on my cards although the weater doesn't really play ball helping the spring to arrive early. This week my dreams are of florals and purple - one of my favourite colours (well, along with pink, and turquoise, and blue, and yellow and green and... you see my dilemma here?).

Today's card is taking advantage of a little "short cut" to make pretty cards in a hurry - the STAMPlorations Clear Stickers. I created the main panel for my card using a sticker from Botanical Backgrounds Clear Stickers simply by attaching the sticker to white card, cutting out along the edges and rounding the corners a bit (Tip! The Distress Ink/Oxide containers have perfectly rounded corners, so I use a pencil to trace the rounded edge of the container and fussy cut along that line). Next, I inked purple Distress Inks through the Senecio 1 Stencil across the left edge of the card, and I used the same inks to stamp the "barcode" stamp from  Llama Tell You for a bit of added interest. Last, I die cut the sentiment (in purple of course) using Everyday Sentiments Die. It really did not take many minutes to make this card, and I think it turned out pretty great! I hope you enjoyed seeing it and all the other beautiful projects from the STAMPlorations DT over on the STAMPlorations blog. Also, don't forget there is a monthly random draw to win a $15 prize code to the STAMPlorations store and you can simply enter by commenting on the STAMPlorations Inspiration Post. Last but not least, see below for a discount code and check out info about the February offer in the STAMPlorations store

Stamps and stickers: STAMPlorations Llama Tell You, Botanical Backgrounds Clear Stickers

Stencil: ARTplorations  Senecio 1 Stencil

Dies: CUTplorations  Everyday Sentiments Die

Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink

STAMPlorations discount code: If you want to save 20% when shopping at the STAMPlorations store you can use the code STAMPGIRLKAROLA at checkout. The code cannot be combined with other discount codes. And if you use my code you also get to pick a freebie to the value of $7 (for details see the badge below).

Note that as a STAMPlorations affiliate, I get a small commission on any orders you place in the STAMPlorations store using the links in my blog post or my coupon code STAMPGIRLKAROLA. This is at no added cost to you. Thank you for your support to keep my craft addiction going :) 

Reminder STAMPlorations December CAS Challenge

 

Halfway through December! I can't believe where the time goes? And halfway through the month means it's time for the STAMPlorations December CAS Challenge reminder! You still have over two weeks to play along with our challenge and our optional colour twist is red and brow.

I was inspired to combine the colour twist with a green Christmas tree. I started by masking off a rectangle on my card front using Rectangles Flexi-Template. I then inked Vintage Photo Distress ink around the edges of the rectangle, fading towards the middle. Next, I added the Christmas Tree 1 Stencil and inked the trees. I stamped Sketchy Yule Trees on white card, coloured with Copics and fussy cut. The sentiment is from Simple Christmas Clear Stickers, I just attached the sticker to some red card and there we go! I have used these stickers so much for my Christmas makes this year, they are super quick and easy. I really can't recommend them enough.

Stamps: Sketchy Yule Trees, 
Stencil: Christmas Tree 1 Stencil, Rectangles Flexi-Template
Other: Simple Christmas Clear Stickers

Ink and colouring: Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black, Vintage Photo Distress Ink, 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 code cannot be combined with other discount codes. And if you use my code you also get to pick a freebie to the value of $7 (for details see the badge below).

Note that as a STAMPlorations affiliate, I get a small commission on any orders you place in the STAMPlorations store using the links in my blog post or my coupon code STAMPGIRLKAROLA. This is at no added cost to you. Thank you for your support to keep my craft addiction going :) 

 

STAMPlorations December CAS Challenge

 

It's December!?!?! This strange, unusual, weird, unexpected year is coming to an end. For most of us, the holidays will not be as they usually are, we may not be able to meet up with all our loved ones and stick to all our traditions. It will be strange but at the same time this too shall pass and signs are that next year our lives will slowly start returning towards what we consider normal. For me, this year has also brought a lot of good things - I have really enjoyed working from home, not having to spend all those hours and hours commuting, and rather use them for things I love, like knitting and crafting. 

Talking of crafting, today is the start of the STAMPlorations December CAS challenge. Probably not a surprise that I have created a Christmas card - this is quite a quick make, so it would work well for mass production if you, like me, find yourself at this time of the year in the situation where you don't have enough Christmas cards available. I started by heat embossing the deer from Yuletide Deer in copper, then inked red Distress ink though the All Swirls Stencil. Next, I used brown Distress ink to pain the deer, and splattered some brown ink across the card front. Last, I added a sentiment from Simple Christmas Clear Stickers on red card and attached it to the card. I really like the Clear Stickers, they are super quick to add a sentiment to your cards. I hope you will feel inspired to play along with our December challenge!

Stamps: STAMPlorations Yuletide Deer

Stencil: ARTplorations All Swirls Stencil

Other: STAMPlorations Simple Christmas Clear Stickers

Ink and colouring: Tsukineko Versamark, Distress Ink

STAMPlorations discount code: If you want to save 20% when shopping at the STAMPlorations store you can use the code STAMPGIRLKAROLA at checkout. The code cannot be combined with other discount codes. And if you use my code you also get to pick a freebie to the value of $7 (for details see the badge below).

Note that as a STAMPlorations affiliate, I get a small commission on any orders you place in the STAMPlorations store using the links in my blog post or my coupon code STAMPGIRLKAROLA. This is at no added cost to you. Thank you for your support to keep my craft addiction going :) 

STAMPlorations Inspiration

 

One month to Christmas! Are you ready? I have ticked a few things off my list - most Christmas presents are done although not yet wrapped, Christmas menus are planned and a few things are ready in the freezer. The first batch of Finnish Christmas pastries has been made and eaten. First gingerbread candle is almost burned out. One thing I definitely don't have enough of is gift tags, so I'll spend some time over the next few weeks creating tags, and I'll be sure to share my tags with you. Today is of course also the day for the STAMPlorations Inspiration post, hop over to the STAMPlorations blog to see what my incredibly talented DT teamies have created, and leave a comment for your chance to win a $15 prize code. 

Today I was inspired by a leftover piece of wrapping paper. It's a very pretty paper (from the exclusive Ikea store, have you ever heard of it?), brown kraft paper with fun white blobs. I started by running the paper throught my die cutting maching with the Wonky Stitched Grid Texture Cover Plate Die to create texture, and then die cut a tag using Stitched Tags Nesting Dies. I used Distress Oxides and stamped Layered Holly all over the tag. Then I used Vintage Photo Distress Ink around the edges of the tag, and inked through the Snowflakes Stencil. Last, I added a sentiment by sticking Simple Christmas Clear Stickers on green and red card and added red ribbon.

Stamps: STAMPlorations Layered Holly
Stencil: ARTplorations Snowflakes Stencil
Dies: CUTplorations Stitched Tags Nesting Dies, Wonky Stitched Grid Texture Cover Plate Die
Other: STAMPlorations Simple Christmas Clear Stickers
Ink and colouring: Distress Oxides, Distress Ink, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black

STAMPlorations discount code: If you want to save 20% when shopping at the STAMPlorations store you can use the code STAMPGIRLKAROLA at checkout. The code cannot be combined with other discount codes. And if you use my code you also get to pick a freebie to the value of $7 (for details see the badge below).

Note that as a STAMPlorations affiliate, I get a small commission on any orders you place in the STAMPlorations store using the links in my blog post or my coupon code STAMPGIRLKAROLA. This is at no added cost to you. Thank you for your support to keep my craft addiction going :) 

This month there are oodles of discounts, for which you can find codes here, including 30% off word/phrase dies, 25% off square stencils and 40% off clear stickers. There is also a Christmas Special Sale.

STAMPlorations Inspiration

 

Welcome to this week's STAMPlorations Inspiration post. I have entered November with hardly any Christmas cards made (I can hear you gasping all the way here...). I'm proud to say I have finished most of my (mainly knitted or crocheted) Christmas presents but cards... not so much this year. Last year was the total opposite - lots of cards, but hardly any presents. Luckily I have made a few cards during the year, but I think from now until Christmas, all my Inspiration projects will be Christmas themed to bulk up the Christmas card stash. 

I thought I would do something a bit different from my usual Christmas card by creating a slimline card. I started by inking brown and red Distress Ink through the Flair Slimline Stencil, I really love this stencil, it's super versatile and will adapt to so many different designs depending on colours and other elements. Here I combined it with the wreath from Joyful and the deer from Yuletide Deer, both heat embossed in copper on kraft card and coloured with Distress ink. Last, I attached a sentiment from Simple Christmas Clear Stickers. I think it turned out quite nice with a rustic feel.

As always, don't forget that by commenting on the STAMPlorations Inspiration post you are entering into a monthly draw for a $15 prize code. And there are so many offers in the STAMPlorations store at the moment, check below for info, including a code which, in addition to a discount will also give you a freebie! 

Stamps: STAMPlorations Yuletide Deer, Joyful

Stencil: ARTplorations Flair Slimline Stencil

Other: Simple Christmas Clear Stickers

Ink and colouring: Tim Holtz Distress Inks Vintage Photo and Festive Berry, Tsukineko Versamark

STAMPlorations discount code: If you want to save 20% when shopping at the STAMPlorations store you can use the code STAMPGIRLKAROLA at checkout. The code cannot be combined with other discount codes. And if you use my code you also get to pick a freebie to the value of $7 (for details see the badge below).

Note that as a STAMPlorations affiliate, I get a small commission on any orders you place in the STAMPlorations store using the links in my blog post or my coupon code STAMPGIRLKAROLA. This is at no added cost to you. Thank you for your support to keep my craft addiction going :) 

This month there are oodles of discounts, for which you can find codes here, including 30% off word/phrase dies, 25% off square stencils and 40% off clear stickers. There is also a Christmas Special Sale and Coffee Lovers Sale.

STAMPlorations Inspiration

, , J

And so we are at the end of August. The summer has been lovely this year, I have to admit I think I have appreciated my home, my garden and the beautiful walks around our village in a completely different way this year because of all the time I have spent at home. Actually, last weekend was the first time I was away overnight from home ever since March! I have to admit, I really don't mind at all. I will have a staycation next week and I'm looking forward to that too. 

Today I'm sharing my last August STAMPlorations Inspiration post, where I have been inspired by the beautiful ARTplorations stencils and Bloom Doodles stamp set. My card today started with inking Distress Ink through Sanna's stunning Abstract Oats stencil. I stamped the flowers from Bloom Doodles, coloured them with Copics and fussy cut them. I arranged the flowers on the card and added a sentiment using the Just Everyday Greetings Clear Stickers. As always, by commenting on the STAMPlorations Inspiration post, you will enter the monthly draw for a $15 gift code to the new STAMPlorations store. 

Stamps: STAMPlorations Bloom Doodles

Stencil: ARTplorations Abstract Oats

Ink and colouring: Distress Inks, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics

Other: STAMPlorations Just Everyday Greetings Clear Stickers 

Don't forget to check out the August offers in the STAMPlorations store as you can get 25% off CUTplorations dies with code CUT25 and 20% off slimline stencils with code SLIMLINE20. For for more offers, visit the STAMPlorations Store Coupons page. For normal priced products, use my code STAMPGIRLKAROLA at checkout for 20% off.

STAMPlorations Inspiration

Happy August, crafty friends! Nature has started to change from the bright summer colours to mature neutrals. The fields around our house are stunning, turning from green to yellow. We are lucky to have so many different walks around the fields here, and we get to admire them as we walk past. This year it's been a such a privilege to be able to just head out for long walks. It seems strange, but I've now been working from home for almost five months and I'm so lucky that we live where we do. 

It's also time for the first STAMPlorations Inspiration post for August. This month I will be creating with stencils and the gorgeous Bloom Doodles stamps. Don't forget that if you comment on the Inspiration post you are in the drawing to win a $15 gift code.

Today's card was inspired by the beautiful fields around our house. I started by inking browns, reds and yellows through Sanna's gorgeous ARTplorations Barley stencil. Then I stamped flowers and leaves from Bloom Doodles which I coloured with matching Copics and fussy cut. I attached one of the Just Everyday Greetings Clear Stickers to brown card to create a super easy sentiment and attached everything to the card base. 

Stamps: STAMPlorations Bloom Doodles

Stencil: ARTplorations Barley

Stickers: CRAFTplorations Just Everyday Greetings Clear Stickers 

Ink and colouring: Tim Holtz Distress Inks, Copics, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black

Don't forget to check out the August offers in the STAMPlorations store as you can get 25% off CUTplorations dies with code CUT25 and 20% off slimline stencils with code SLIMLINE20. For for more offers, visit the STAMPlorations Store Coupons page. For normal priced products, use my code STAMPGIRLKAROLA at checkout for 20% off.

STAMPlorations Inspiration

Happy Monday! It's time for another STAMPlorations Inspiration post. Every week we get together with ladies from the STAMPlorations Inspiration Team to showcase our favourite STAMPlorations products. By commenting on the Inspiration post on the STAMPlorations blog you will enter our random monthly draw for a $10 gift certificate.

This week I felt we all need a few sweets to cheer us up. Well at least to cheer me up! I have to admit I have been self-medicating my work-related stress with too many Candy Kittens. They donate some of the proceeds to the NHS, so eating sweets is a way to contribute, right? 

For my card, I started with the yummy cupcakes from Sweet Kindness which I stamped and watercoloured. I then created two background panels, one by smooshing Distress Oxides which I die cut with Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle Nesting Dies and another one which I created using the yummy Sweet Backgrounds Clear Stickers. I layered everything onto a card base which I splattered with pink Distress Ink. Last, I added a sentiment from Sweet Kindness which I stamped onto a scrap piece of background I created using Distress Oxides. It's a bit more layered than I usually do, but it was fun to create something.

Stamps: STAMPloratinos Sweet Kindness

Dies: CUTplorations Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle Nesting Dies

Stickers: Sweet Backgrounds Clear Stickers

Ink and colouring: Distress Oxides, Distress Inks, Tsukineko Versafine Onyx Black

If you want to take advantage of the 40% Birthday June Sale you can do so by using the code 7YEARS at checkout in the STAMPloratios Store. And if you want 20% off non-discounted products, you can use my discount code STAMPGIRLKAROLA at checkout.

 

Products in the BIRTHDAY MONTH SALE section are 40% off with code 7YEARS

 

***Code can be used up to 7 times per customer. Code cannot be combined with other codes. Expires 6/30.***