Hint of Spring at StampNation

It's hard to believe that my guest design spot at StampNation has come to my final card!

Wait . . . strike that . . . final guest design creation, but not my final card ever, and certainly not my last challenge card at StampNation, because I'll get to participate along with the membership again, which is just as fun.  And I can't wait to see who will be guest designing for the upcoming couple of months.

Here is a sneak peek of my card for this week.

Did you guess that the challenge theme has something to do with this new season that we've just entered into? Indeed it does.

I hope you will check out StampNation.  It's my favorite place for inspiration and craftiness.

It's been a fun and challenging time guest designing.

I hope you find to get all inky!  Cheers.  

Stencil It . . . CAS on Sunday

The challenge at CAS on Sunday was to use a stencil on your project.  I recently learned a lot about stencils in a class that we had a StampNation, so I was up for the challenge. 

I'm a big fan of black and white with a splash of color, and why not include a splash of three colors!  I love clean look of black and white.  And oh . . . that sparkle!

I hope you find some time to create today!  

Stamps:  Whole Shebang (Cas-ual Fridays)

Ink: Black Onyx (Versafine)

Paper:  Basic Black (Stampin' Up), Solar White (Neenah)

Accessories:  Friend Die (CAS-ual Fridays), Stitched Slopes and Hills (Simon Says Stamp), Embossing Paste and Stencil (Dreamweaver), American Crafts Pow Silver Paper; Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (Stampin' Up); Peridot, Fairytale Fuchsia, Blue Lagoon, Sunshine Glow Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh)

Happy Easter - StampNation Challenge Day

Happy Wednesday!

Happy StampNation Challenge Day!

I created this card for StampNation's challenge this week, which was a photo challenge.  Here is a sneak peek of my creation . . .

And yes . . . it's a shaker card.  And if you want to see the full card, along with loads of craftiness, you'll have to check out StampNation.

You know I highly recommend it!  Check it out, because we would love for you to join us.
 

Legendary Card for Challenge Day at StampNation

It is challenge day again at StampNation . . .

 

And this week's challenge was related to Gone With the Wind.  A couple of members were apparently talking about the movie . . . some have seen it and some have not. 

And yes . . . not only did I see it, but I was obsessed with it.  Most inspiring was that green dress that Scarlet created from the draperies!  That was my inspiration for my card, and here is a little sneak peek. 

Click on the link above to check out StampNation.  I promise you will be glad that you did. 

I hope you find some time to create.  


Cheers!

MIX IT UP with Essentials by Ellen and Pretty Pink Posh

This month's Mix it Up Challenge was to mix Essentials by Ellen with Pretty Pink Posh . . . what an awesome combination. 

 I created my card with stamps and dies from Essentials by Ellen and with dies and sequins from Pretty Pink Posh.  And there are lots of layers . . .

Sometimes I make a card that I struggle with, and in the end I just fall in love.  This was one of them.  I love how this one came out.

Supplies Used -  Many Thanks

Stamps:  Bohemian Garden (Essentials by Ellen)

Ink:  Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Real Red, Tangerine Tango (Stampin' Up)

Paper:  Marina Mist (Stampin' Up), Solar White (Neenah), Vellum (Bazzill)

Accessories:  Many Thanks (Essentials by Ellen), Scallop Frame Dies (Pretty Pink Posh); Pumpkin, Marigold, Sparkling Clear Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh)

You Crushed This

I combined two challenges to create today's card . . . .

This is the sketch from My Favorite Things . . .

And it's the color combination from Color Throwdown . . . 

I just love my soda pop bottle!  

I hope you find some time to create today!
 

Supplies Used - You Crushed This

Stamps:  Soda Pop (My Favorite Things)

Ink:  Celery, Papaya, Mimosa (Avery Elle) and Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Paper:  Solar White (Neenah), Tangerine Tango (Stampin' Up), POW Silver (American Crafts), Clear Plastic Sheet (Graffix)

Accessories:  Double Dot Border, Bottlecaps, Soda Pop Bottles (Die-namics from My Favorite Things)

Technique Blog Hop - Inlaid Dies

It is already month three of our year long adventure into different card-making techniques,
folds and paper crafting products. We hope you got the chance to hop with us in January for the emboss resist technique and in February for ink layering. It's not too late to hop and comment. 

If you missed January's hop, you can still hop and comment by starting HERE. 

If you missed February's hop, you can still hop and comment by starting HERE.

This month we will be focusing on inlaid die-cutting and you won't want to miss the awesome cards we've got for you today. We really love feedback so please leave a comment on each of the
blogs in today's hop. Each comment on the 12 hops throughout the year will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Blitsy gift certificate.

Now on with my creations for this hop.  I started out slow and worked up to the more difficult of my four creations.  First up is this easy card that just had an inlaid sentiment in some silver POW paper from American Crafts.  

I will admit there is ease in using Sizzix adhesive sheets, but this was an easy card.  The sentiment on this is "Together, always by your side." 

My second creation looks a little easy, but I struggled a bit.

The inlaid pieces were the panels up top, but also the bottom panels with some space between for the sentiment.  Where did I struggle?  In placing my dies with the correct pattern papers so I got the right sides of those double-sided patterns.  Sounds simple, but I was at a crop with friends, and on Day 3 of the crop, I might have been a little exhausted. 

My third card started out one way, and ended up another.  I had intended to inlay the cage, but I felt it was important to keep dimension with the cage over the birds and the swing. 

So the birds were inlaid using pattern paper . . . the swing with Silver POW paper from American crafts, and than the cage was put over the top of the inlaid pieces.  Decisions, decisions!  But I do love the result on this one.  Those pattern paper bird were adorable. 

And then finally, the toughest of them all.  This one took me two tries.  I'm honest.  

The trouble was in lots and lots of little tiny pieces.  I literally had to throw the whole thing away and start from scratch.  The key for me was to cut from small to large - or at least that worked for me.  This one required some play . . . three dies . . . three colors of paper.  Triumph in the end. 

Have some fun with that one.  You'll ace it!  

Up next is Sharon!  


I most definitely hope you find some time to create today.  And I hope you create using some inlaid dies.  Here is today's line-up in case you get lost along the way

    Theresa  -  http://scrapsbygracie.blogspot.com/

    Lisa  - http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com/

    Jearise  -http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com/

    Kim  - http://katydidcards.com/

    Claudia  - http://www.claudiahenderson.blogspot.com/

    Denise  - http://www.craftconfectionery.com/

    Debbie  - http://pawstoscrap.blogspot.com/

    Sharon  - http://piece-ofheart.blogspot.com/

Supplies Used - Together

Stamps:  February Card Kit Stamp Set (The Stamps of Life)

Ink:  Storm (The Stamps of Life)

Paper:  Marshmallow, Pattern Paper from February Card Kit (The Stamps of Life), and POW Silver (American Crafts)

Accessories:  Ribbon and Flower Jewels (The Stamps of Life February Card Kit)

Supplies Used - Congrats on Your Achievement

Stamps:  Springtime Wishes (Close To My Heart)

Ink:  Hero Arts Black

Paper:  Charlotte (Close To My Heart), Solar White (Neenah)

Accessories:  More Stitched Edges (My Creative Time), Springtime Wishes Dies and Bitty Sparkles (Close To My Heart)

Supplies Used - You Are My Sunshine

Stamps:  birdcage2stamp and February Card Kit Stamp Set (The Stamps of Life)

Ink:  Hero Arts Black

Paper:  February Card Kit Stamp Set. POW Silver (American Crafts) and Marshmallow Cardstock (The Stamps of Life)

Accessories:  Birdcage Dies, Ribbon, Twine, and Flower Jewels (all from The Stamps of Life)

  

Supplies Used - Be Merry

Paper:  Desert Storm (Neenah), White Pines Paper Kit (Close To My Heart)

Accessories:  Holly Jolly Greetings (Stampin' Up), Bitty Sparkles and Stickers (Close To My Heart), Pretty Bold Letter (My Creative Time)

House Mouse for StampNation Challenge

It is challenge day again at StampNation, and if last week's creations were any indication, we are going to see some amazing creations this week too.

So here is a sneak peek of my card for the challenge . . .

I am a huge fan of the "house mouse", and this one is just adorable.  That poor little guy getting a big bandage on what would appear to be a tummy ache.

If you want to see the full card, I highly recommend you check out StampNation.  It is my favorite crafty place.  There's forums, learning, videos, a gallery of member creations, challenges, lessons, events . . . and did I mention the awesome friendship and camaraderie?  AMAZING!

 

Cheers . . . and I hope you find some time to create.  

 

Challenge Day at StampNation

It is challenge day at StampNation . . . my most favorite crafty place ever.

 

And yes, I will repeat myself and say that is the most amazing community of crafty people ever.  Let me give you an example, or two . . .

• When members have personal challenges, such as difficult times or have ill family members, our prayers are abundant for one and other.  This community of crafty people is so truly caring.  

• When I posted recently about how I went out on a limb and went for a job opportunity that was a true long shot and succeeded in getting the job, my "secret sistah" (a group of us all have secret sistah's that we send special cards to throughout the year) didn't skip a beat in noticing and sending a congratulatory card my way.  And it was a beauty!  I have no idea who she is, but her talent is astounding. 

And that's over and above the tutorials, challenges, gallery, lessons, etc.

And here is a sneak peek of my challenge card for this week.  The challenge was black or white.  Man was this a tough one for me.  I typically use both, so I struggled.

I hope you find some time to create, and if you get a chance, check out StampNation.

Cheers!

Hippo Bird Day for Color Throwdown

I got a little on the cute side for Color Throwdown.  I had some fun with this one . . .

I stamped with Versafine and clear embossed, and then used a combination of stamps and a blender pen to fill in the images.

The color combo was inspired by . . .

I hope you find some time to create! 

Supplies Used - Hippo Bird Day

Stamps:  Hippo2Stamp and Solids4Hippo (The Stamps of Life)

Ink:  Black Onyx (Versafine), Cashmere, Pixie, Desert Sand, Sweet Leaf (Close To My Heart), Mint to Be and Orchid (Avery Elle Pigment)

Paper:  Desert Storm (Neenah)

Accessories:  Clear Embossing Powder (Ranger) and Crumb Cake Seam Binding (Stampin' Up)

Merry Mojo Monday

Every once in a while I like to combine the Merry Monday challenge with the Mojo Monday challenge, and when I saw the two this week, I knew exactly where I was going.

The challenge at Merry . . .

The sketch at Mojo . . .

And here is my card . . .

I love this Lil' Inkers Jingle Bell die, and my mind went right to it when I saw these two challenges. 

I hope you found some time to be creative this weekend.  Cheers! 

Supplies Used - Merry Mojo Monday

Stamps: Jolly and Joyful Sentiments (Lil' Inkers)

Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Paper:  Solar White (Neenah), Basic Black (Stampin' Up), POW Silver (American Crafts), Dear Santa (Photo Play)

Accessories:  Jolly Word Die and Jingle Bell Die Sets (Lil' Inkers), Silver Thread (DMC), 1 1/8 Circle Punch (EK Success), Metallic Silver Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh)

Another Wednesday StampNation Challenge Day

Do not make me go on and on about my favorite crafty place . . .

Let me mention again that we have just finished up a few weeks of a technique class using stencils.  I can't tell you enough how awesome all of the cards were for the class.  And the beauty of StampNation is that classes and challenges never end.  So the later you join, the more the benefits.  And joining now at their five year anniversary is like five times the awesomeness.

Here is a sneak peek of this week's challenge card.  The challenge was a background card.  

I chose to stamp my background, but as a member of StampNation.  There were four colors in my creation, but I stamped off to get the lighter fill colors.  I can't wait to see the variety of ways that members chose to participate. 

If you've not checked out StampNation, I highly recommend it.  It is my favorite crafty place. 

Cheers!  Go get crafty! 

Guess What Day Wednesday!

It is StampNation challenge day, which means I have a sneak peek of  a card to share with you today. 

It was a sketch challenge this week at StampNation, and I went with a shaker card. 

So I may have revealed a bit much in my sneak peek . . . but only because StampNation reveals so much . . . it is truly my favorite crafty place.  The membership there is like no other, and the community there is just the ultimate of fabulous. 

Am I over the top?  Yes - because StampNation is over the top awesome! 

So enjoy my shaker sneak peek.  I hope you check out StampNation. 

And I hope you find some time to create. 

Cheers.