The Stamps of Life - October Kit

It is Kit Kraft Wednesday, that day where I commit to using supplies from one of my monthly kits to create!  This week I pulled out my newest kit from The Stamps of Life (loving this darn kit).  This is the second kit that I've received, and while priced a little higher than some of the other kits out there, it does not disappoint because it comes with more cardstock than some of the other kids I received as well as envelopes.  It also seems to have more embellishments than the typical kits, so I truly believe that you are getting what you pay for!  

So I'm sharing two cards with you today, the first for CAS(E) this Sketch (the sketch is noted further below with the supplies).  

I just loved that floral paper and felt that this sketch could really showcase the pretty pattern.  I realized after that my only stamping was on the inside of the card . . . proving you can make a card without stamping.  

The second card that I'm sharing was created for Seize the Birthday challenge.  The "toppings" challenge this week was to use washi tape, and my kit had the most adorable "hello" washi tape that I wouldn't wait to use. 

 I used a white panel to build upon, and started with a few rows of that awesome washi tape.  I then added a strip of yellow pattern paper and the dot paper below.  I doubled up the "Beautiful" die so it would pop a bit more off the card, and I stamped and then hand cut those white banners. 

Looking forward to creating some additional cards with this kit in the coming days. 

As always, I hope you find some time to create! 

Supplies Used
The Stamps of Life October Card Kit
Memento Ink

Paper Smooches for Kit Kraft Wednesday

Just a quick card today for Kit Kraft Wednesday using paper from a leftover kit, combined with a stamp set from Paper Smooches. 

I was working off an old sketch that was on my table.  I used the kissing technique for this card, which gave the vases some texture.  Love the texture of those Kissable stamps from Paper Smooches. 

Next week hoping to use a new kit that arrived in the mail today . . . wait for it! 

Hope you find some time to create, today, tomorrow or whenever the spirit moves you. 

Supplies Used

Cardstock:  Neenah and Paper Accents*

Pattern Paper:  Studio Calico*

Stamps:  Crystal Clear and Kissables 1 and 2 from Paper Smooches

Ink:  Stampin' Up, Versamark and Ranger Embossing Powder

Ribbon:  Stampin' Up

Other:  Ki Rhinestones

*from Studio Calico Penny Arcade Card Kit

Silent Night for Merry Monday

This week's Merry Monday challenge was to create a card based on "Silent Night".  I pulled stamps and dies from four different collections, so this is one of those cards that shows you can mix and match! 

I see the pink in the picture above, and it throws me off because there is no pink in this card (as the photo below shows).  I realized later . . . it's the reflection in the sequins and in the acetate of my phone's bright pink case!  Hmmm . . . I'll need to work on that. 

The design inside the globe was stamped in Versamark and then embossed in black.  I colored using Ranger Distress Markers and a water brush to paint, move and blend the colors. 

The sequins in the shaker are silver stars and black musical notes. 

Hardest part was stamping that Silent Night stamp twice and getting it straight so it would cover the entire card.  Done!

Hope you find some time to create today.

Supplies Used

Cardstock:  Bazzill and Neenah

Stamps:  Silent Night by Impression Obsession, Snow Days by Close To My Heart, Brushstroke Christmas from Essentials by Ellen

Dies:  Brushstroke Peace from Essentials by Ellen and Snow Globe from A-Muse Studios

Ink:  Versamark, Ranger Embossing Powder, Memento and Tim Holtz Distress Markers

Ribbon:  Stampin' Up

Other:  Pretty Pink Posh Sequins and Musical Note Sequins (vendor unknown)

Cupcake Liner Flower for Paper Smooches

There was photo inspiration (shown further below with my supply list) for this week's Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge.  I was inspired by the flowers and the colors when making my card, and on my table was a box of mini cupcake liners.  And while playing with one, a flower was born. 

I added some stamped flowers, which I fussy-cut.  The leaves and stems were stamped on the background.  

Supplies Used - Paper Smooches Floral

Cardstock:  Neenah and Bazzill

Stamps:  Needle Little Love from Paper Smooches

Dies:  Stitched Dies from Paper Smooches

Ink:  Close To My Heart

Other:  Pretty Pink Posh Sequins and Meri Meri Cupcake Liner

Don We Now Our Ugly Sweaters for Clean & Simple

Today's card was created using a sketch from Clean & Simple.  I was playing with my new watercolors and colored these awesome ugly sweaters!  Nothing says Merry Christmas like those sweaters in the closet that come out once a year.

I am still trying to get the hang of the watercolors . . . keeping them even and getting the same coverage over the large areas, while trying to control keeping color out of areas I don't want it.  The green sweater definitely has a bit of texture! 

One more holiday card complete!

Supplies Used - Ugly Sweater

Cardstock:  Neenah and Strathmore Watercolor

Pattern Paper:  DCWV

Stamps:  Ugly Sweater and Sweater Words from Simon Says Stamp

Ink:  Versafine, Versamark, Ranger Embossing Powders

Other:  Pretty Pink Posh Sequins and Gansai Tambi Watercolors

Holiday Cheer for Kit Kraft Wednesday

I sat down tonight and got busy making a card for Kit Kraft Wednesday.  This week I focused on using my first kit from The Stamps of Life.  The kit came late last month, and I absolutely love all the goodies in the kit.  I told myself . . . do you really need another kit?  Really?  I'm so glad I did.  Cardstock, envelopes, pattern paper, a stamp set, a die, ribbon, tags, bags, washi tape, rhinestones, buttons, pearls . . . LOVE this kit!

So here are a few creations, the first of which used this week's RetroSketch.

The paper I used for this card was one single 6 x 6" piece with the letters on one side and the red/white dots on the other.  The striped banner pieces were actually a border.  I used it all.  I also used one of the tags in the kit and created an inlaid piece using the sentiment die in the kit. 

My next two cards focused on using the washi tape in the kit.  For the first one, I combined it with some other dies from The Stamps of Life.  

Used a little Wink of Stella pen on that ornament, and I'm thinking it needs another coat.  

And the card below is more washi, and a 25 in the window.

I love the script in that Happy Holidays stamp.  

I'm safe from losing my kits again this week . . . use them or lose them! 

Hope you find some time to create from your stash. 

Supplies Used - Merry for Retro Sketch

Cardstock, Pattern Paper, Tag, Ribbon, Die, Stamp and Rhinestones all from The Stamps of Life September Card Kit.

Ink:  Memento and Stampin' Up

Supplies Used - Merry (washi tape)

Cardstock, Ribbon, Washi Tape, Merry Die all from The Stamps of Life September Card Kit.

Die:  September Club set from The Stamps of Life, Ornament Dies 2 Die set from The Stamps of Life

Ink:  Versamark and Ranger Silver Embossing Powder

Other:  Wink of Stella Clear

 

Supplies Used - Happy Holidays (washi tape)

Cardstock, Stamp, Washi Tape and Rhinestones all from The Stamps of Life September Card Kit.

Ink:  Versamark, Ranger White Embossing Powder, and Stampin' Up

One Layer/Color Dare/Photo Inspiration

Three challenges were the inspiration for this card.

First and foremost, a one-layer card for Less is More.  I struggle with one-layer cards, so this was going to be quite a challenge!  I found out later that the real challenge for me is in reading the actual challenge.  It wasn't just a one layer challenge, it was a one layer challenge with "two of something."  This is what happens when you have four hours to create, you take your inspiration from challenges, and you dive into the fun part before actually reading the challenge.  (Well, the personal challenge of a one layer card was awesome for me, so it was a win-win situation). 

Second, a Color Dare from Color My Heart using Close To My Heart Goldrush, Honey, Crystal Blue and Pacifica. 

Third, photo inspiration from my go-to place for inspiration, StampNation.

Here is my card . . .

White cardstock, ink, a stamp set and some rhinestones!  My favorite element of this card is that white border at the bottom.  I masked off the bottom and used the bottom of one of the tree stamps to create the ground.

Fun stuff!  

Supplies Used

Cardstock:  Neenah

Stamps:  Always Grateful from Close To My Heart

Ink:  Close To My Heart

Other:  Ki Rhinestones

Getting Crafty w/Clear Acetate Sheets

I'm showcasing two cards using clear acetate sheets, one as an embellishment, and the other in the form of a shaker box. 

Let's get to that embellishment first.  The sketch challenge from My Favorite Things was my inspiration for the card below (the sketch is noted below with my supply list). 

I wanted my light bulb to be clear, so I used the Die-namics Lightbulb die set and some clear acetate.  The light inside is yellow ink, Versamark and Iridescent Ice embossing powder. 

I love how this card came out, and I hope to make more of these bulbs soon (they were so fun).  

My second card's inspiration came from the Colour Q challenge (the color scheme is noted below with my supply list).   This card was created with a heavy heart, as a friend was just diagnosed with breast cancer.  For this card, I used the acetate for a shaker box. 

 A snow globe w/pink ribbon confetti in place of the snow! 

 I hate that cards like these need to be made at all! 



 

Supplies Used - Light Bulb

Cardstock:  Bazzill, Neenah and POW Silver from American Crafts

Pattern Paper:  Stampin' Up and Little Yellow Bicycle

Stamps:  Watt's Up from My Favorite Things

Dies:  Die-Namics Light Bulb from My Favorite Things

Ink:  Stampin' Up, Versafine, Ranger Clear Embossing Powder and Stampin' Up Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder

Other:  Pretty Pink Posh Sequins and Graffix Acetage Sheet

 

Supplies Used - Fight Like a Girl

Cardstock:  Bazzill and Neenah

Stamps:  Breast Wishes by Pink by Design

Dies:  A-must Studios Snow Globe

Ink:  Versafine and Ranger Clear Embossing Powder

Other:  Pretty Pink Posh Sequins, confetti from Amscan, Some Odd Girl Twine and Graffix Acetate Sheet

Cool Santas for Merry Monday

A little something for the Merry Monday Challenge that won't make the cut (because I missed the deadline due to my own distraction with ink, stamps, etc.), but I still had a lot of fun creating this one. 

The challenge was to create a card using neon colors.  I thought a hip, cool Santa or two would be a good idea, and this is not your typical Christmas card! 

I used a new stamp set from Ellen Hutson to create this card.  I stamped the Santa faces in black Versafine ink and clear embossed.  I used Radiant Neon ink from Tsukineko to stamp and cut out the sun glasses.  I used that same ink with a water brush to pain the Santa hats (proving to myself that you can use a pigment ink to watercolor an image).  Those beards and fuzzy areas . . . Flower Soft.

Ho!  Ho!  Ho!

Supplies Used

Cardstock:  Stampin' Up and Neena

Stamps:  Tis the Season from Essentials by Ellen, Snowflake Greetings from CASual Fridays

Ink:  Radiant Neon Ink from Tsukineko

Other:  Glitter Tape from American Crafts, Flower Soft

Halloween Cards for The Card Concept and The Paper Players

Sharing two more Halloween cards with you all today.  The first is for a challenge for The Card Concept.  I went with Freestyle Collage for this card, which is not my regular style (stepping outside of the box). 

I did all of my stamping on the pattern paper, stamping with Versafine black ink and then clear embossing.  For the mummy, I used a white gel pen between the embossed lines.  I love how he turned out. My sentiment is recessed, and I used a few sequins to add some additional interest, including one to provide the glow of the lantern.  

My second card was created using a set from Simon Says Stamp.  This was my first attempt at creating a background with my Copic Markers.  (Yes, I need some practice there!)  I'm entering this card in The Paper Players challenge for this week, which was to create a Halloween card. 

I love how this card came together in the end.  Love the spider!  Love the sentiment!  Love the washi tape!  

I can't wait to play with more of my Halloween stamps. 

Supplies Used - Happy Hauntings

Cardstock:  Stampin' Up, Neenah

Pattern Paper:  Doodlebug

Stamps:  Close To My Heart Moonlight Workshop

Dies:  Costumed Pets from Simon Says Stamp

Ink:  Stampin' Up, Versafine and Stampin' Up Clear Embossing Powder

Other:  Pretty Pink Posh Sequins and Signo White Gel Pen

Supplies Used - Trick or Treat

Cardstock:  Stampin' Up, Neenah

Pattern Paper:  Doodlebug

Stamps:  Costumed Pets from Simon Says Stamp and All Around Halloween from My Creative Time

Dies:  Costumed Pets from Simon Says Stamp and Just Simply Live from My Creative Time

Ink:  Memento, Stampin' Up and Copic Markers

Other:  Pretty Pink Posh Sequins and Queen & Company Washi Tape

A Latte CAS Sunday for Kit Kraft Wednesday

Using my Simon Says Stamp October Card Kit for Kit Kraft Wednesday.  I love the colors, the papers, the stamps and embellishments.  This kit is AWESOME! 

I decided to use the inspiration card at CAS on Sunday to create my card.  Here is my card . . .
 

Here is the inspiration photo . . .

While my sentiment wasn't cut using letter dies, I used a die so that my sentiment was recessed.  Love that darn pattern paper! 

Hope you find some time to create. 

Supplies Used - Sending You a Latte Thanks

Cardstock:  Neenah*

Pattern Paper:  Basic Grey Grand Bazaar*

Stamps:  What's Brewing*

Dies:  Coffee Cup Die* and Sizzix Labels Fancy #4

Ink:  Ranger Archival, Versamark, Ranger White Embossing Powder, and Stampin' Up Iridescent Ice

Ribbon:  Stampin' Up

*from Simon Says Stamp October Card Kit

Boo Shaker and Spooky Treats Cards

Sharing a few more Halloween cards that I made a few weeks back.  First up is a shaker card made using my new Pretty Pink Posh die and sequins.

I just love the colorful circles blended with the circles in the shaker.  It's circle madness.  

 For my second card, a design using a tag inked up with Distress Ink.  

Love those bold, bright Halloween colors. 
 

Supplies Used - Boo Shaker

Cardstock:  Stampin' Up, Neenah

Pattern Paper:  Doodlebug

Stamps:  All Around Halloween, Treats for my Sweet, and Label Font from My Creative Time

Dies:  Stitched Duos 2 Die from Pretty Pink Posh

Ink:  Memento and Stampin' Up

Ribbon:  Some Odd Girl Bamboo Twine

Other:  Pretty Pink Posh Sequins

Supplies Used - Spooky Treats

Cardstock:  Stampin' Up, Neenah

Pattern Paper:  Doodlebug

Stamps:  Just for You from My Creative Time

Dies:  Just Tags from My Creative Time

Ink:  Versafine, Clear Embossing Powder and Ranger Distress

Ribbon:  Stampin' Up

Other:  Pretty Pink Posh Sequins

Seize the Birthday and Colour Q Challenges

With photo inspiration from my creative place, StampNation, I set to work to mix the photos with some other criteria from other challenges. First up was Seize the Birthday, whose challenge was to use banners or pennants.  I used a few pennants and a few sequins as well.  

Nothing too frilly for this masculine card . . . just lots of white embossing.  

Next up was a challenge from Colour Q.  Here is their color combo . . .

And here is my card . . .

Created this card using my latest Simon Says Stamp Card Kit for October which is AMAZINGLY cute.  I don't know what it is about this kit, but I'm just loving it.  The colors are fabulous.  

I hope you have some time to create this weekend.  It is World Card Making Day! 

Supplies Used - Happy Birthday for Seize the Sketch Banners

Cardstock:  Neenah and Stampin' Up

Stamps:  Impression Obsession Cover-a-card Rain, Simon Says Stamp Handwritten Borders, labels4cutting from The Stamps of Life

Dies:  Sizzix Fancy Labels

Ink:  Versamark and Ranger White Embossing Powder

Other:  Pretty Pink Posh Sequins

Supplies Used - Java Great Day

Cardstock:  Neenah and Simon Says Stamp*

Pattern Paper:  Basic Grey Grand Bazaar*

Stamps:  What's Brewing*

Ink:  Simon Says Stamp*, Stampin' Up, Versamark and Stampin' Up Embossing Powders

Other:  Simon Says Stamp Sequins*

*from Simon Says Stamp October Card Kit

Festival of Trees for Merry Monday

Stripes and dots were the order of business for the Merry Monday challenge this week.  I used an inspiration photo from my favorite, favorite crafty group, StampNation, who is currently having a World Card Making Day Event (annual goodness!).  Let's just say that triangles were the inspiration for my card, and nothing says "triangle" like pine trees waiting to be picked for holiday trees.

I included one dotted tree and one diagonally striped tree in my creation this week.  And apologies in advance for my primitive photograph, as my light box is at home in Connecticut.
 

I have three different dimensions of trees going on in this card . . . recessed, flush and popped.   Hard to see from the photo, but those are red sequin stars on the trees. 

 

Supplies Used - Holiday Cheer

Cardstock:  Stampin' Up and Neenah

Pattern Paper:  Simple Stories

Stamps:  Home for the Holidays from Simon Says Stamp

Dies:  Holidays At Home from Simon Says Stamp

Ink:  Ranger Archival, Stampin' Up, Versamark and Stampin' Up Iridescent Ice

Other:  Sequins from Pretty Pink Posh