New Release Life is Sweeter

 

Happy Tuesday fellow crafters! Today we have replaced the usual STAMPlorations Inspiration post with something extra special. We continue the new release introduction, which we began yesterday with Shirley's fun Super Hero (check it out here if you missed it). And today we are showing you Deepti's new stamp set Life is Sweeter - hop over to the STAMPlorations blog to see all the gorgeous projects the DT has created using this set. This is such a lovely stamp set to use if you want to send some love to friends and family who seem to be so very far away right now. Just a little note to cheer them up, and with the lovely stamps, it's really easy to create quick and easy cards, like the ones I have created here today.

For my first card, I used Distress Markers to colour directly on the stamps. Before stamping onto watercolour card, I spritzed the coloured stamp with a bit of water. I started by stamping the peach, masked it, stamped the pear, masked it too and then stamped the pineapple. Last, I added a sentiment and splattered some of the inks I used to colour the stamps.  

For my second card, I started by masking my card front using the Rectangles Flexi-Template and inked Cracked Pistachio and Spun Sugar Distress Ink in the bottom right and top left corners, fading as I went along. Next, I used Tim Holtz Distress Markes to colour the stamps, spritzed them wiht water and stamped then onto my card. I added a sentiment from the same set as a finishing touch. 

And of course, it wouldn't be a new stamp release without a chance to win some great prizes. Winners will be randomly drawn from all comments left on the STAMPlorationa blog and designers' blogs (including mine!). One randomly drawn commenter will win a $25 prize code to the STAMPlorations store, and one randomly drawn commenter will win a stamp set of their choice from the new release. You have until March 17th to leave a comment, and the winners will be announced on March 19th.

Stamps: STAMPlorations Life is Sweeter 

Stencils: ARTplorations Rectangles Flexi-Template

Ink and colouring: Distress Inks, Distress Markers, 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 :) 

STAMPlorations Inspiration

 

Hi all, happy Tuesday! How is your February coming along? I feel there is definitely a bit more light now which helps in the mornings, and soon I hope there will be enough light in the afternoon as well so it doesn't feel like it's dark before the working day ends. I am already dreaming of spring but I think we have a cold front to deal with so I'm worried that my poor little daffodils which are already venturing out in the garden will freeze. Let's hope they make it and soon there will be pops of yellow in the flower beds.

My card for today's STAMPlorations Inspiration Post most certainly reflects my dreams of spring. I love the faux watercolour technique and I used the beautiful Blossom Sprays 1 stamps with Tim Holtz Distress Markers for this card. I used the markers to colour the stamp, then spritzed it generously with water before stamping onto watercolour paper for that lovely bleeding colours look. Then I just added a heat embossed sentiment from For the Birds for this simple almost-one-layer card. I hope you will have a chance to craft at some point this week. 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: STAMPlorations Blossom Sprays 1, For the Birds

Ink and colouring: Tim Holtz Distress Markers, 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 :) 

STAMPlorations Inspiration

 

For today's STAMPlorations Inspiration post I got to play with one of my absolute favourite stamps sets, Beautiful You by the talented Dee of Dees Artsy Impressions. It's been sold out almost all the time, so I was super happy that I was able to get my hands on this stamp set! I made a card with it for the STAMPlorations November CAS challenge the other day and could not get enough so here we go, another card with the same stamp set but a really different vibe.

I coloured the stamps using Distress Markers in beautiful autumn colours, spritzed with water and stamped onto my card, using bolder colours in the front and lighter colours in the back. Then I splattered some ink to create more interest and added a bit of Vintage Photo around the edges of the card before adding a die-cut sentiment using Everyday Sentiments Dies. I love the way it turned out! I hope you feel inspired to create something today, and don't forget that by commenting on the STAMPlorations Inspiration post you are entered into a draw for a $15 prize code to the STAMPlorations store.

Stamps: STAMPlorations Beautiful You

Dies: CUTplorations Everyday Sentiments Dies

Ink: Tim Holtz Distress markers, Vintage Photo 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

It's Tuesday and that means another instalment of the STAMPlorations Inspiration Post. It's starting to look a lot like autumn out there, so this week I was inspired by all the leaves which are starting to turn into those warm autumn colours. 

I used Distress markers in various hues of yellows, oranges, reds and browns to colour the beautiful leaves from Trendy Leaves, spritzed them with water and stamped around the edges of a watercolour paper card front. I also diluted a bit of ink with water and splattered on the card. I created the sentiment by colouring a scrap of watercolour paper with the markers and blended with water before die cutting using the Hello word die.

I'm linking up over at Make My Monday where the theme is Autumn and Crafty Gals Corner where the theme is Fall Colours.

Stamps: STAMPlorations Trendy Leaves

Dies: CUTplorations Hello word die

Ink and colouring: Distress markers

Fiery Birthday Mandala

Do you remember when you first started making cards and thought it would be such a great way to save money? Never having to buy any cards at Clintons ever again for a full two or three pounds? Before you realised that when you divide the thousands of pounds you have spent on craft stash by the number of cards you have made, you get a figure somewhere in the neighbourhood of £60 (purely fictional example, don't ask me where those numbers come from...)? Don't worry, we have all been there! This is a safe space where we can all admit we have a problem. And encourage each other to never get better!!

But sometimes it's great when you find exactly what you need in your stash to create just the card you need, not having to buy anything new and able to create just the card you imagined. It almost brings back that warm and fuzzy dream of saving money by making your own cards! 

I needed a birthday card for a colleague and I didn't have anything I deemed suitable in my stash (it's the same feeling as having a cupboard full of clothes but nothing to wear...). Quick and easy enough for a weeknight craft session. I think it turned out quite nice. I hope my colleague will like it too. I even made an envelope to match. The stamping is done using the faux watercolour technique. I coloured the Simon Says Stamp Elizabeth Background stamp with Distress Markers, spritzed with water and stamped. I added some splatters to the card, and used a sentiment die from Lawn Fawn.

I'm linking up with 
CAS on Friday - use die cut words
Fusion card challenge - I was inspired by the red and yellow colours and the wrought iron  handrail on the house, which I think looks a bit like the black die-cut letters
Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge - Stamp It
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge - Stamp It
Crafting Happiness - Birthday
Inkspirational - Crop (I took this to mean cropped off the edge of the card)

Stamps: Simon Says Stamp Elizabeth Background Hey Love
Dies: Lawn Fawn Happy Birthday Line Border die
Colouring: Tim Holtz Distress markers Squeezed Lemonade, Fossilized Amber, Ripe Persimmon, Festive Berries

Cupcake Inspiration Challenge #447

It's time for another Cupcake Inspirations Challenge, and STAMPlorations is the sponsor this time, so I'm excited to be one of the STAMPlorations designers guesting over at CIC. The theme is Food and Drink, my favourite! I could not resist inking up the delicious ice cream cone from STAMPlorations Sweet Cravings using Distress Markers. I stamped a sentiment from the same set in black and added Washi tape.

Stamps: STAMPlorations Sweet Cravings

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

Colourful Swallowtail

The current challenge over at CAS Watercolour is Colourful Butterflies. My absolute favourite butterfly stamp is this old Swallowtail stamp from Stampin' Up which I feel I can use over and over and over, and constantly find new ways of using it. This time I decided to use the faux watercolour technique. 

I coloured the stamp with Tim Holtz Distress markers and spritzed it with water before stamping onto watercolour paper. The first time, I didn't quite manage to place the stamp as I wanted it, so I used that first attempt for my tag, die cutting it with Stitched Tags Nesting Dies. I heat embossed a sentiment in white using STAMPlorations Trendy Butterflies 2 to the tag. 

My second attempt at stamping the swallowtail turned out better as I was patient enough to ensure even pressure all across the stamp and really pressing it into the paper before removing it. I added a sentiment using STAMPlorations Happy Birthday and splattered some ink onto the white space for added interest.

I'm also linking up the card over at Cardz4Galz where the theme is Wings, Seize the Birthday where the theme is Butterflies and Stamping Sensations where the theme is Things with Wings.

Stamps: Stampin' Up Swallowtail, STAMPlorations Trendy Butterflies 2, Happy Birthday

Ink and colouring: Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine, Tim Holtz Distress Markers

Dies: CUTplorations Stitched Tags Nesting Dies

STAMPlorations Christmas in July

I'm very excited to be here today for the kick-off of our Christmas in July sale and giveaway over at STAMPlorations. And, to be honest, it's the kick-off for Christmas crafting for me this year. I really love to see all the Christmas inspiration all over blogland this time of year as it finally got me inspired to start with my Christmas crafting. The inspiration and talent in the crafting community never cease to amaze me. If I ever feel like I'm in a creative slump, all I need to do is go on Pinterest or Instagram and I'm showered with the most amazing art, so thank you all for that!

For my first card, I used the Sketchy Yule Trees, stamping directly onto white card and colouring the trees with Distress Markers. Next, I stamped the Merry Little Christmas typografia stamp in Versamark onto vellum, and heat embossed in gold (currently this stamp is out of stock, but there are plenty of other Christmas typografia stamps in stock in the STAMPlorations store). I added a few drops of glue on the vellum under the sentiment to attach it to the card panel. If you want more inspiration for these stamp sets, check out here, here, and here.

I used the same layout for my next card, this time using the super cute snowman from Winter Chill for the background and the  Build A Snowman Typografia Christmas. I stamped the sentiment in black onto vellum and heat embossed in holographic embossing powder which gives it a great shimmer. For other ideas using these stamps, see here and here.

I created one more card using a Christmas typografia stamp, this time I combined the Jingle All the Way typografia stamp with the cute bells from Jingle Bells. I started by stamping the bells in Versamark, then I sprinkled gold and copper embossing powder to create a two-tone effect which you can see in the close-up image. I inked up the sentiment using Distress Markers, spritzed very lightly with water and stamped onto vellum. As I often manage to smudge ink when stamping on vellum, I quickly heat embossed the sentiment in clear powder, before cutting the vellum with the smallest die from Crazy Double Running Stitch Nested dies. 

For my last two cards, I was inspired by the beautifully geometric Yuletide Deer stamp set. I restricted my colour palette to bright red, black and grey against crisp white card. I started by stamping the deers in Tim Holtz Festive Berries. Then I used a black watercolour marker to colour only the word Christmas from Merry Little Christmas (although you may want to make your life a bit easier and just use a stamp which you can ink up the normal way). I then used the "merry" stamp from Joyful to complete the sentiment, inking it up once with black ink and stamping three times without inking it up in between. I then used a stamp from Mixed Media Elements to create some interest around the edge. I completed the grungy look by splattering some diluted black ink on the card front before matting it onto red or grey card and attaching to a white card base.

A few links to some other cards made using the same stamp set here and here.

I hope you have been inspired to create some Christmas cards of your own. If you want to add to your Christmas crafty stash, you can find Christmas stamps reduced over in the STAMPlorations store and there is even a giveaway!

I'm linking up my first deer card over at Crafty Card Challenge, Tales from the Craft Room, Shopping Our Stash (Happy 400th challenge!!) and Crafty Gals Corner. All of the challenges have a Christmas in July theme.  

Stamps: STAMPlorations Sketchy Yule Trees, Merry Little Christmas Typografia Christmas, Build A Snowman Typografia Christmas, Winter Chill, Jingle All the Way Typografia Christmas, Jingle Bells, Yuletide Deer, Mixed Media Elements 
Dies: Crazy Double Running Stitch Nested dies
Ink: Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark, Tim Holtz Distress Inks and markers

Save the Drama for Your Llama

My craft room desk is so overflowing with stuff (no, it's not a mess, it's the embodiment of the creative process!!) things get lost in the archaeological depths of piles growing higher and higher. Today, I found this fun stamp set my partner got me for my birthday (which was in late May, so that's how old the stuff in that pile was... *cough, splutter*). 

Anyhow, I couldn't resist having a play with the cute little critters as soon as I re-discovered them. I started by stamping the llama onto watercolour card, watercoloured him with Distress Inks and fussy cut him. I stamped a few cactuses for the background and added a bit of colour to the ground and sky, before die cutting the scene with a STAMPlorations die. I added the llama using 3D foam dots. Last, I stamped the funny sentiment onto a scrap piece of blue card and attached the cute scene onto light yellow Stampin' Up card. 

I'm linking up over at Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers where the theme is J is for Joke (although I guess this is more of a pun than a joke, maybe the Sisterhood won't mind?) and 2 Crafty Critter Crazies where anything goes with a critter.

June STAMPlorations challenges - Mid-Month Reminder

The summer is rushing away in a hurry, how can we already be halfway through June? The silver lining is that we are only halfway thorough June, so there is still two more weeks to play along with the STAMPlorations challenges. Together with my fellow DT members, we were so inspired by the current challenges that we wanted to share some more projects with you over on the STAMPlorations blog. Hope you will join us if you haven't already!

I was super inspired by one of the CAS challenge entries from May, by the super talented Jane. She had used the faux watercolour technique for her beautiful card, and I immediately went into my craft room to create a card. I coloured the beautiful Blossom Sprays #3 stamp using Distress Markers, spritzed with water and stamped on watercolour card. I then lightly sprayed the stamped image to blend the inks just a little bit more. The colouring of the stamps can be a bit fiddly, but I absolutely love the look, so it's definitely worth the time. For a high impact sentiment, I heat embossed a Thank You from For the Birds in white on black card.

Stamps: STAMPlorations Blossom Sprays #3, For the Birds

Ink and colouring: Tim Holtz Distress Markers, 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 discount applies to all normal priced and discounted stamps, stencils and dies. The code cannot be combined with other discount codes.

Last but not least don't forget the 6th Birthday Summer Sale in the STAMPlorations store.

CLICK HERE to see all 250+ qualifying products!

Faux Watercolour Florals

Just a quick post today as I've spent most of the day doing meal-prep for next week. I just can't get around to cook anything sensible during the week. Either it's meal prep on Sunday or I only eat utter rubbish all week. Lunch salads are already prepped, as are quinoa-olive-feta-tomato-chestnut stuffed peppers. Now I just need to think of something for the other half.

Today's card is inspired by the adorable rainbow birdies over at Fusion. I was also inspired by the sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches and the Nature theme over at Time Out.

I used the beautiful STAMPlorations Blossom Sprays #1, coloured the stamp with pastel colours of Tim Holtz Distress Markers, spritzed with water and stamped on watercolour paper. I cut the panel using Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle Nesting Dies. I added strips of Lawn Fawn patterned paper and attached it onto a cardstock that I had inked up with Spun Sugar Distress Ink. The sentiment is from Lawn Fawn Party Animal.

Stamps: STAMPlorations Blossom Sprays #1, Lawn Fawn Party Animal

Dies: CUTplorations Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle Nesting Dies

Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Markers, Spun Sugar 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 discount applies to all normal priced and discounted stamps, stencils and dies. The code cannot be combined with other discount codes.

Happy Mother's Day for the MIL

It's been a while since UK Mother's day (which is in March, not May like the rest of the world), and I made this card for my MIL but haven't gotten around to sharing it on the blog yet. A while ago I ordered the Lawn Fawn Penelope's Blossoms stamp set and immediately put it to good use by colouring it with Distress markers. Apart of the stamp colouring which does take a while, it was a super quick card to put together. 

I started by colouring and stamping the big blossom stamp from Penelope's blossom using pink, purple and two different green Distress markers. I misted the stamp very lightly with water before stamping. Then I stamped the "mother's day" from Lawn Fawn Happy Everything in Versamark and heat embossed in gold. Last, I die cut the banner and "Happy" using Lawn Fawn dies and added a few sequins for effect.

I'm linking up with the following challenges:
House of Cards - add sequins
Make My Monday - May Flowers
Time Out - Flowers (I didn't use the optional twist of kissing)
Just Us Girls - Mother
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge - Hint of Pink

Card: 250 gsm Daler&Rowney watercolour paper, scrap of pink card, scrap of gold mirri card
Stamps: Lawn Fawn Penelope's Blossoms, HAppy Everything
Dies: Lawn Fawn Everyday Banners, Big Scripty Words
Ink: Tsukineko Versamark, Tim Holtz Distress Markers Mowed Lawn, Twisted Citron, Spun Sugar, Seedless Preserves
Other: sequins from my stash, gold embossing powder

Watercolour Autumn Leaves

It looks like the sun is shining for a change and the leaves outside have definitely turned all colours of fall. Which, along with the inspiration image over at Inspired By All The Little Things got me thinking of my still unused new set of STAMPlorations Trendy Leaves 2 and getting them all inky with Tim Holtz Distress Inks and a water spritzer. Which is exactly what I did. Throw in a CUTplorations die and a sketch from CAS(E) This Sketch and you have a card. A quick, slightly messy, colourful and very thankful card. I'm also linking up with CAS Watercolour where the theme is Autumn.

I used my Distress Ink markers to colour the stamps and spritz lightly before stamping onto watercolour paper. I created masks to be able to overlap the stamps. I also watercoloured a scrap piece of watercolour paper and die cut the sentiment. 

Card: 300 gsm Daler&Rowney watercolour paper
Ink: Tsukineko Versafine Onyx Black, Tim Holtz Disteress Markers in various yellows, oranges, reds and browns
Stamps: STAMPlorations Trendy Leaves 2, Be Thankful (coming soon!)
Dies: CUTplorations Thankful Word Die (coming soon!)

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice

Pumpkins aren't really a big thing for me, and neither is pumpkin spice. It's clearly an American thing. I can't say I really care for a Pumpkin Spice Latte. Or pumpkin pie for that matter. But when I saw the gorgeous free digi-stamp over at STAMPlorations I knew I had to play along with the pumpkin theme for a day, perfect for the ongoing Fall Coffee Lovers Blog Hop! I can't believe all the gorgeous fall coffee cards. And there is extra prizes to win on the STAMPlorations Fall Coffee Blog Hop page as well!! Which is were you can pick up the free digi if you get inspired to create a card. 

I was also inspired by the image over at Just Us Girls, the colours over at Color Throwdown and the sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches for my card. I printed the digi stamp on watercolour paper and coloured with Tim Holtz Distress markers and a waterbrush. I used Lawn Fawn patterned paper for the background and printed the sentiment onto orange card which I then die cut with a Lawn Fawn banner die. The font is a free one called Vintage Typewriter which I really love!

Card: White 200 gsm card, 300 gsm Daler&Rowney Aquafine watercolour paper, scrap of orange paper

Stamps: STAMPlorations A Pumpkin and 3 Lattes, Coffee Happy

Ink and colouring: Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black, Tim Holtz Distress Inks Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Wilted Violet, Seedless Preserves, Dusty Concord, Ground Espresso

Paper: Lawn Fawn Let's Polka in the Dark, Perfectly Plaid Fall

Other: Lawn Fawn Everyday Sentiment Banner