Feathered Heartfelt Thanks

I've been having a bit of a clear out of the craft room - selling some stamps and punches I no longer used (and in some cases had never used at all...).  I made some thank you cards to go with the stamps. I had some backgrounds from when I started practicing with Distress Oxides which weren't good enough to use as backgrounds but felt like I didn't want them to go to waste so I stamped some feathers and heat embossed them in white. I will have to say fussy cutting 18 feathers wasn't the best of ideas - in hindsight I should have picked a stamp with a matching die. But I love these gorgeous feathers, so it was worth the fuss(y cutting).

After I had all my feathers embossed and cut, I die cut a square mask to ink through to create the backgrounds. I used different combinations of Oxides and splattered some water to create those gorgeous water splatters. Then I added some of my new washi tape before attaching the feathers and stamping the sentiment in Versafine black.

I'm linking up with Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge where the theme is Birds of a Feather and Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge where the theme is Add a Sentiment. I'm also linking up with CAS(E) This Sketch.

Card: 350 gsm white card, 

Stamps: Trendy Feathers 2, Fond Expressions 2
Ink: Tsukineko Versafine Onyx Black, Versamark, Distress Oxides Fossilised Amber, Broken China, Cracked Pistachio, Wilted Violet, Worn Lipstick
Other: Papermania Seafoam white embossing powder, Washi tape 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. 

Distress Oxide Watercoloured Flowers

When I saw the new STAMPlorations Blossom Sprays #1 stamp I knew it would be perfect for watercolouring. And with all the Distress Oxides out on my craft desk after a few days of very intensive crafting, I thought why not use those. Although the selection of colours so far is quite limited (but yes, I did see the big reveal of the new colours the other day and oooh me oh my, me wants them all!!) you can still get quite a few colours by mixing them up. My favourites were the mix of Fossilized Amber with Cracked Pistachio, and Worn Lipstick with Fossilized Amber. 

Anyhow,  I started by stamping the flower stamp in Antique Linen Distress Ink onto watercolour paper and then watercolouring with the Distress Inks. I die cut the flowers using the Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle die. I added a strip of my new super-cute cherry blossom washi tape to a white card base, and added the watercoloured image to the card. Last, I added a few strips of the washi tape onto a scrap piece of white card and die cut the sentiment using the Hugs word die. I also cut the sentiment in black card and layered these for contrast. I just love the chalky look of the Distress Oxides when used to watercolour, and the way they layer or blend depending on whether you add more colour to a wet or semi-dry base. So much fun!

I'm linking up my card over at CAS on Friday where the theme is Flowers, The Challenge (inspiration words below, I went for Flowers, Bright and Watercolour), Make My Monday where the theme is Summer Brights and Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge where Anything Goes this week. 

Card: 300 gsm white card, 350 gsm Daler&Rowney watercolour paper, scrap of black card
Stamps: STAMPlorations Blossom Sprays #1 Dee's Artsy Impressions
Dies: CUTplorations Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle Nesting Dies, Hugs Word Die
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink Anique Linen, Distress Oxides Fossilized Amber, Worn Lipstick, Cracked Pistachio, Fired Brick, Broken China, Faded Jeans, Wilted Violet
Other: Washi tape from my stash

Don't forget today is the last day of the STAMPlorations 4th Birthday Hop and Wishlist Linky Party with lots of opportunities to win great prizes. Also, don't forget you can get 20% off when shopping at the STAMPlorations store by using the code STAMPGIRLKAROLA at checkout. The discount applies to all normal priced and discounted stamps, stencils and dies. Together with the 15% birthday discount (which is applied automatically without any code) that adds up to a whopping 35% off your order!

Spritzed Snowflakes

Two blog posts in two days! I'm clearly trying to overcompensate for my absence, but also I want to make the deadline for this week's ColourQ which is imminent.

I was inspired by the sketch over at CAS(E) This Sketch and the colours over at ColourQ. I was also inspired by the current theme over at CAS Mixup which is Stamp+spray+your choice, but then I realised when I had finished the card that I hadn't actually used any stamping at all! Oh well, at least I got inspired to pick up my spritzer and have some fun, which is the main thing. I actually had so much fun I couldn't resist creating another card with the same theme but slightly different, using the positive die cuts instead of using die cuts as masks as I did for the first card. I also got out my very neglected stash of washi tape which was fun, I can't remember the last time I used washi tape on a card (I only seem to use it to stick my dies to any stamped images when die cutting). I'm also linking up with Happy Little Stampers CAS challenge where the theme is masking (first card), HLS Christmas challenge where the theme is snowflakes (second card) and HLS Anything Goes with Dies (second card). Last but not least I'm playing along with Time Out where the theme is Holiday and the optional twist is no stamping and with Crimbo Crackers where the theme is Blue Christmas.

Card: White 300 gsm linen textured card, silver grey card from my stash, scrap of black card, turquoise shimmer paper, 300 gsm watercolour paper
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink Salty Ocean
Dies: Lawn Fawn Stitched Snowflakes, Merry Christmas Border die, Stitched Rectangle die
Other: Perfect Pearls blue powder, washi tape from my stash

What diet?

It's very easy to feel creative when work is over for the week, and to top it all up there is a whole week of annual leave to look forward to. On Monday I jet off with Sis for a few days away in Cyprus. As the weather over here is showing no signs of summer, I'm happy to get away somewhere sunny and warm for a while. Of course, that means a whole week away from my crafty stash so today I'm crafting enough for a week! 

I am continuing to play with my new STAMPlorations goodies, this time I inked up the Sugar Rush set. My inspiration for today's card was the gorgeous sketch over at Viva la Verve. I was also inspired by the Daring Cardmakers challenge where the theme is bokeh and The Friday Mashup where the theme is to use stencils. I used stencils for the bokeh effect. I'm also linking up over at the STAMPlorations June challenge which is stamps and washi as well as the STAMPlorations Anything Goes for anything using STAMPlorations stamps.

I started by stamping the yummy looking Sundae and colouring using Copics. I also added some Glossy Accents to the sundae glass bowl to make it look a bit more like glass but it doesn't show very well on the photo. For the background, I inked using Tim Holtz Distress inks in Spun Sugar, Picked Raspberry, Cracked Pistachio, Mowed Lawn and Seedless Preserves. Then I used white craft ink and a Tim Holtz stencil along with a stencil I made using a circular die. I die cut the background using a Lawn Fawn stitched rectangle stencil. Last, I stamped a sentiment from the Sugar Rush set and attached the panel to some linen pattered white cardstock and added some washi for a finishing touch.

Card: 300 gsm white linen card, Hobbycraft 160 gsm card
Stamps: STAMPlorations Sugar Rush
Ink: Tsukineko Staz-on Jet Black, Tim Holtz distress ink Spun Sugar, Picked Raspberry, Cracked Pistachio, Mowed Lawn and Seedless Preserves
Other: Lawn Fawn Stitched Rectangle Die, Tim Holtz Bubble stencil, washi tape from my stash

Make a Wish in Watercolour

The Lawn Fawn Critters Ever After is one of my favourite stamp sets, if not the favourite stamp set ever. It's the first Lawn Fawn set I bough and really sparked my love for their gorgeous stamps and handy matching dies. If I had the money, I would buy every single stamp set they have ever released. 

This card was first and foremost inspired by the lovely video by Nichol on the Lawn Fawn blog about the watercolour look. I have been planning to try it out for quite a while already, but this video finally gave me the kick to actually do it. I was also inspired by the challenge over at CAS-ual Fridays which this week is watercolour. The layout of this card was based on the great sketch over at CAS(E) this Sketch and several of the great DT cards that used Washi tape to create the background. Finally a good chance to use up my Washi tape, yay!! I am also linking up with the current Lawnscaping challenge (number 99!!!), where the theme is Clean and Simple. Can't wait what they come up with to celebrate the 100th challenge soon... I'm also linking up at Clear It Out where Anything Goes.

I started by cutting out the journaling card form watercolour paper, and stamped the images in Antique Linen. I then painted the image using a watercolour brush and ink from the markers that I scribbled onto my craft mat. For the sentiment I used a scrap of leftover cardstock that I created for another card using Tim Holtz distress paints, stamped the sentiment in Versamark and heat embossed in gold. Last, I created the background using some craft card and Washi tape.

Card: kraft card, Daler&Rowney 300 gsm Aquafine paper
Stamps: Lawn Fawn Critters Ever After
Ink: Tsukineko Versamark, Tim Holtz Distress Ink Antique Linen, Distress markers
Other: Lawn Fawn Stitched Journaling die, washi tape from my stash, gold embossing powder 

Happy 90th Grandma!

This is a very special card, as it's for my Grandma's 90th birthday. It seems so incredible that someone has seen nine decades of life on this planet. And to think how different life was when she was born. She doesn't know what the Internet is, and it took a lot to get her to use a mobile phone. I wonder what things our grandchildren will use and take for granted that seem completely alien to us?

Today's card is inspired by the great NBUS challenge over at Darnell's blog. NBUS you ask? Never Before Used Schtuff of course! You know all that schtuff that you just had to have, but then never got around to using. This challenge is created for you to get these things out of your cupboards and into use. For this card, I used a NBUS DSP that I ordered a while ago. I also used my NBUS Gingham garden washi tape that I have had for ages. I have bought several rolls of washi tape, but hardly used any of it at all, I clearly am not a washi person. I don't quite know what to do with it. I am also linking up at CASology where the theme is NBUS as well. I was also inspired by this week's RetroSketch, as usual I love their amazing sketch. Last but not least I'm linking up over at Clear It Out where the theme this week is to use something pink from your stash. 

I stamped and washi taped inside the card as well.

Card: Coloured 240 gsm kraft card baby pink, Hobbycraft 160 gsm white 
Stamps: Stampin' Up Bloom With Hope
Ink: Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black, Stampin' Up Melon Mambo, Pistachio Pudding
Paper: Stampin' Up Venetian Romance DSP
Colouring: E34, E39, R20, R43, RV29, Y13, Y15, Y19, YG11, YG13
Other: Stampin' Up Gingham Garden washi tape, Tim Holtz Inside Out Alphabet die

Happy 100th CAS(E) This Sketch

There's a celebration going on over at CAS(E) This Sketch. It's their 100th sketch, and I had no idea what to do with the sketch. Then I thought of my unused stash of Washi tape and thought it just might work. Then a tag, a bit more Washi, some heat embossing and a few gems for a splash of colour. 

Card: Leonardo Stationery 300 gsm white card, silver grey card from my stock

Stamps: Paper Smooches Sentiment Sampler

Ink: Tsukineko Versamark 

Other: Washi tape from my stash, Papermania Seafoam White embossing powder, Papermania adhesive gems, Stampin' Up Scalloped Tag Topper

A different Christmas card

I'm very bad at using DSPs. I hoard them, I love to look at them, but I feel like I should save them for a "special occasion". How cooky is that? So when I saw that the current CASEing the Catty challenge was to make a Christmas card inspired by the Stampin' Up Autumn-Winter cattie, I knew the lovely All Is Calm speciality DSP was the way to go. The reason for this is that the only stamp set I have from the Holiday cattie is the ever so lovely White Christmas, but as I have already used it quite a bit (for example here and here) I thought something different was in order. I did use the lovely "Merry Christmas" banner from that stamp set though, and paper pieced it despite swearing before that I would never do it again.

I was inspired by the colours and the "feeling" of the picture on page 32, but unlike my other makes for this challenge, this isn't a direct CASE, I was just using the picture for inspiration. I do love the Endless Wishes stamp set with the snowflakes, but I haven't been able to justify buying it as I already have another snowflake stamp set. At first I thought I didn't like the very stylised snowflakes, but the more I see it used, the more I want it. 

Stampin' Up Autumn-Winter Catalogue page 32

I was also inspired by the last Viva La Verve sketch for the month (that is for last month of course, still trying to get to grips with November). I'm also participating in The Christmas Card Challenge where the theme this week is No Embellishments and Sweet Stampin Christmas where the theme is Snowflakes.

Card: Leonardo Stationery 300 gsm White card, Stampin' Up Basic Grey card
Paper: Stampin' Up All Is Calm speciality DSP
Stamp: Stampin' Up White Christmas
Ink: Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black
Other: Stampin' Up All is Calm Designer Washi Tape

Steampunk-ish

Today's card was inspired by the current Snarky Stampers challenge which is "S is for Steampunk". Not sure if this is quite hard core steampunk, but it's steampunk-ish enough to qualify I would think. 

After my decision yesterday night to start an art journal, I wanted to get my Distress Paints out in anticipation of my mixed media journal that hopefully will arrive in the next few days. I'm so eager to get going, I can't wait to be making a complete mess and ending up with who knows what monstrosities. But it's a new way of being creative. And you know that feeling when you have a new idea and you just want to get going but have to wait and you are afraid the inspiration will go away and by the time you have all the stuff you need you have already moved onto something new... 

I haven't had much success with the Distress paint metallic colours, I just haven't been able to make them look like I wanted. As it so happened, my new watercolour paper pad arrived today, so I thought I would die cut the cogs from the heavy watercolour paper, spritz the paper until soaked and then use the paints onto the wet surface. And that really worked for me, I love the look. I used my heat gun to dry the cogs until almost dry, then sprinkled some matching embossing powder and heat set. Not too much of it, but just a little for that subtle texture and shine. I also wanted to try out my new washi tape that arrived today (the first washi tape I have ever bought). I used the colours in the washi tape as my inspiration for the cogs and the background. I created the card background by stamping the Gorgeous Grunge stamps using clear embossing powder and sprinkling with a mix of copper, silver and gold embossing powder and heat set before using a foam applicator and Distress inks in Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain to create a leathery look. You can't quite see it in the picture, but the embossing powder has a nice subtle shine giving the card a bit of texture and depth. I couldn't resist stamping a slightly snarky sentiment inside the card. 

Card: Craft UK kraft card, Hobbycraft 160 gsm white card, Daler & Rowney 300 gsm Aquafine watercolour paper
Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain, Pumice Stone and embossing ink
Stamps: Stampin' Up Gorgeous Grunge, Paper Smooches Sentiment Sampler, Hobbycraft typewriter alphabet clear stamps
Other: Tim Holtz alterations Gadget Gears die, Papermania Silver and Copper embossing powder, golden embossing powder from my stash that is so worn I can't tell what make it is, washi tape I ordered off ebay, Tim Holtz Distress paints in Antiqued Bronze, Brushed Pewter and Tarnished Brass, gold paper from my stash