Monster Birthday

Hello Crafty Friends!

It is Wednesday and time for a new challenger over at The Male Room challenge blog where the bi-weekly challenge is all about making projects for the men in our lives.

My DT project for the new challenge is a somewhat grungy monster card ...

Each challenge, of course, has a different theme. For challenge #87 we are looking for projects with the theme 'Little Boys". Lots of scope there!

#87 - 6th June - Little Boys

I thought that boys surely must like monsters, and monsters always need a bit of grunge, at least in my books. A bit of stamping, sponging, watercolouring using inks, spritzing and fuzzy cutting was all I needed to create a monster base to attach my die-cut '6' to.

Fancy creating your 'Little Boys' inspired make, pop over to The Male Room for more inspiration and to link up your masculine makes.

That's it from me for today
Have a lovely day!
hugs
Monika xxx

here is what I used:
Stencil - Clarity Stamps

Sahara Sand and Basic Gray inks, Basic Gray Stamp'n'Write Marker - Stampin'Up!

Mer Du Sud, Ocean, Verveine, Menthe, Aurore, Miel and Cire IZINK inks - Craft Stash
Canson Mixed Media Card - Amazon
black Versafine ink - stash

from STAMPlorations .... they have lots of special offers this month as they're celebrating their 5th birthday:
Big Monsters, Little Monsters, Numbers Plate Die
  
remember to apply my personal discount code STAMPGIRLMONIKA (not case sensitive) at check out for a 20% discount on STAMPlorations stamps ***, stencils and dies:
*** Discount code works on sale items too

5th Birthday Bash @ STAMPlorations

Hello Crafty Friends!

STAMPlorations turns 5 this month, and they are celebrating BIG STYLE all month long! Check out the graphic below for details ....

Their Inspiration Team, which I am lucky to be a member of, is kicking off the celebrations with the first of many projects for you to CASE showcasing some new release stamps and dies. Please be aware that under CASE-ing we understand 'taking inspiration from' as explained in this post here.

With no further ado, here are my 6 projects ....

First up an almost white on white shaker card using Birthday Wishes Phrase Die and Happy Everything stamp set in combination with the Pierced Curly Frames/Tags Nesting Dies.
The alcohol marker coloured cupcake adds interest and dimension and picks up on some of the colours from my holographic silver disks in the shaker.

Next up is another shaker card using the Birthday Bash stamp set and the Make A Wish Phrase Die. This time I went for a brush marker coloured image and silver spritzes on the white card.

This time I used the Make A Wish Phrase Die with the large candle from Kathryn's Big Wishes, a previous STAMP Birthday Celebration set, and a little help from the Mixed Media Grunge set.
The rays from the candle were created using simple sponging as explained in my tutorial here on the STAMPlorations Blog.

My next card uses both the Happy Everything and Birthday Bash sets with the 'left over' spritzed circle from m 'make a wish' shaker card. The butterfly is silver embossed on vellum and fuzzy cut.

This card was made for my sister-in-law's 70th last month. Again I used the Happy Everything and Birthday Bash sets, this time in combination with the Numbers Plate Die for some faux inlaid die cutting.

Who can resist a good cupcake to finish off a beautiful day? I treated myself to some new inks and did some quick blending trials on different types of card. This one reminded me on the beautiful aroma coming off a freshly baked cake. It had to be used with this beautiful sentiment from the Happy Everything set and that yummy cupcake from the Birthday Bash set with a little help from the Mixed Media Grunge of course.

So how can you play along and join the celebrations?

• For the Wish List Linky, you simply create a wish list in the STAMPlorations Shop and link it up here on the STAMPlorations Blog where all the steps are explained in detail

• comment on the designers blogs. Today's links can be found here plus starting tomorrow we STAMPgirls, one at a time, share three of our favourite makes plus one or two new makes for you to CASE. Please check them out too, they can always be found on the STAMPlortaions Blog Home Page.

• For the CASE-ing of projects, you can link up your CASEd makes here on the STAMPlorations Blog. Please note, this is link is different to the one for the wish list linky. 

Commenting and linking up to both the Wish List and the CASE-ing parties closes on Tuesday 3rd July and the winners will be announced on Tuesday 10th July.

For prizes and special promotions during STAMPlorations Birthday Celebrations check out their blog here. Shery has planned so much for you to enjoy during June in the STAMPlorations Shop, here are just a few examples:

• Freebie Days: every Wednesday to Sunday all orders (no minimum required) qualify for one free 3x5 stamp set or one free word/phrase die up to $10 value. Items must be in stock.
• 50% off Flash Sale: every Monday until Tuesday 23.59 Pacific, selected items will be placed into the flash sale category where they will be on sale at 50% off, no coupon needed.
• $5 Birthday Bash Surprise Bags: each bag contains a 'handmade with love' stamp ($3 value) plus 2 or 3 previous released products, a combination of dies and/or 3x5, 2/6, 4/4, 4x6 stamps; the total MSRP value of each bag is a t least $20. Only whilst stock lasts.

I shall leave you with a close-up of my projects as an inspiration for you to CASE ....

That's it from me for today, pop over to STAMPlorations to join in and enjoy the party!

Have a lovely day!
hugs
Monika xxx


Here is what I used from the STAMPlorations Shop, remember to apply my personal discount code STAMPGIRLMONIKA (not case sensitive) at check out for a 20% discount on their stamps ***, stencils and dies:

from the new release:
Birthday Wishes, Happy Everything, Birthday Bash, Make A Wish
   

in combination with:
Pierced Curly Frames/Tags Nesting Dies, Kathryn's Big Wishes, Mixed Media Grunge, Numbers Plate Die
   
*** Discount code works on sale items too

Butterfly Stamps

Hello Crafty Friends!

It's Tuesday, and that means it's Inspiration Time over at STAMPlorations. This month we are following their 'Things With Wings' theme to celebrate Spring with a Blog Hop & Linky Party across all their challenges links to which can be found here.

For my DT piece, I dug out the Gone Postal set again and combined it with the Happy Everything Die from this week's new release ....

Just a bit of stamping, masking, marker colouring and die-cutting ....

As I mentioned earlier, STAMPlorations are celebrating Spring and all of their wing-themed products are on sale at 15% off - no coupon needed. You can increase this discount to 35% by using my personal discount code STAMPGIRLMONIKA (worth 20% off) at checkout.

That's it from me for today. Allow your creativity to take flight ....

hugs
Monika xxx


here is what I used from the STAMPlorations Shop, remember to apply my personal discount code STAMPGIRLMONIKA (not case sensitive) at check out for a 20% discount on their stamps ***, stencils and dies:
Gone Postal, Happy Everything Die
 
*** Discount code works on sale items too

Planting A Garden

Hello Crafty Friends!

It is Wednesday and time for a new challenger over at The Male Room challenge blog where the bi-weekly challenge is all about making projects for the men in our lives. Our guest designer for this challenge is Julie B, you can check out her fabulous makes on her blog here

My DT project for the new challenge is again a CAS card ...

Each challenge, of course, has a different theme. For challenge #86 we are looking for projects with a gardening theme. Lots of scope there!

#86 - 23rd May - Gardening

Well, I must admit, I haven't got many gardening themed stamps. I was going to go for a shed, but then it didn't stamp properly. Hmmm, what to do ... I rooted through some stamps and found this lovely sentiment, just perfect for the challenge. I simply added some stamped flowers and grass, both of which can be found in a garden, and finished off with Washi tape and a couple of sequins, keeping the colours quite neutral apart from the green.

Fancy creating your gardening inspired make, pop over to The Male Room for more inspiration and to link up your masculine makes.

That's it from me for today
Have a lovely day!
hugs
Monika xxx

here is what I used:
Stamps - Get Stamping Magazine

Wild Wasabi ink, Early Espresso card, Washi Tape - Stampin'Up!

Sequins - Poundland
cream card, black Versafine ink - stash

from STAMPlorations:
Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle Nesting Dies

remember to apply my personal discount code STAMPGIRLMONIKA (not case sensitive) at check out for a 20% discount on STAMPlorations stamps ***, stencils and dies:
*** Discount code works on sale items too

Every Hope & Every Dream

Hello Crafty Friends!

It's Tuesday, and that means it's Inspiration Time over at STAMPlorations. This month we are following their 'Things With Wings' theme to celebrate Spring with a Blog Hop & Linky Party across all their challenges links to which can be found here.

For my DT piece, I went a bit wild with feathers and hearts ....

The original idea was to use the feathers to create wings for the heart, but it didn't work out the way I wanted it to. You can see what became of my original attempt in my Mixed Media Tutorial here on the STAMPlorations Blog.

I ended up changing the sentiment and simply randomly stamping the feathers instead. Add to it a bit of colour, splatters, sequins and doodles, and the card is finished.

As I mentioned earlier, STAMPlorations are celebrating Spring and all of their wing-themed products are on sale at 15% off - no coupon needed. You can increase this discount to 35% by using my personal discount code STAMPGIRLMONIKA (worth 20% off) at checkout.

That's it from me for today. Allow your creativity to take flight ....

hugs
Monika xxx


here is what I used from the STAMPlorations Shop, remember to apply my personal discount code STAMPGIRLMONIKA (not case sensitive) at check out for a 20% discount on their stamps ***, stencils and dies:
Trendy Feathers, Romantic Expressions 2
 
*** Discount code works on sale items too

May Stencil Sunday Project

Hello, Crafty Friends!

Welcome to May's Stencil Sunday over at STAMPlorations. May I take the opportunity to remind you of their current Mixed Media Challenge. As you know this month their theme is Things With Wings. Your make can be anything apart from a card and you use at least one stencil.

My DT contribution for this Stencil Sunday is this bold tag ...

... a bold watercolour background with a pasted flower, little leaves, doodles and a white embossed sentiment ... and a popping black sparkling butterfly.

I hope you feel inspired to create something different, maybe even do some up-cycling or re-purposing .... why not link it up with the Mixed Media Challenge over at STAMPlorations. The theme is Things With Wings, please no cards which means projects such as tags, ATCs, canvases, layouts, art journal pages etc,are perfect for entering, and you must have used at least one stencil (any brand) in your project. The challenge will close at the end of the month. You can find the full challenge details plus more Mixed Media inspiration here on the STAMPlorations Blog.

That's it from me for today. I shall be back soon with another project to share.

Have a lovely day!

hugs
Monika xxx

here is what I used from the STAMPlorations Shop, remember to apply my personal discount code STAMPGIRLMONIKA (not case sensitive, can be used more than once) at check out for a 20% discount on their stamps, stencils and dies:

ARTplorations Stencils:
Leaves 1, A Bloom And Three Buds
 

STAMPlorations Stamps: 

Trendy Butterflies 2

CUTplorations Dies
ATC/Gift Card Envelope Die, Flutter Zen 2 Layering Dies
 

*** Discount code works on sale items too

Tossing Confetti

Hello Crafty Friends!

It's Tuesday, and that means it's Inspiration Time over at STAMPlorations. This month we are following their 'Things With Wings' theme to celebrate Spring with a Blog Hop & Linky Party across all their challenges links to which can be found here.

For my DT piece, I went for CAS design, featuring wings of course ....

It's a one-layer card, the bird, Tweet Love, and balloon, Power Of Words, are simply stamped and coloured with alcohol markers. I extended the balloon string with a black fine liner pen, added a white highlight to the balloon and finished off with some yellow stamping, Mixed Media Grunge.

As I mentioned earlier, STAMPlorations are celebrating Spring and all of their wing-themed products are on sale at 15% off - no coupon needed. You can increase this discount to 35% by using my personal discount code STAMPGIRLMONIKA (worth 20% off) at checkout.

That's it from me for today. Allow your creativity to take flight ....

hugs
Monika xxx


here is what I used from the STAMPlorations Shop, remember to apply my personal discount code STAMPGIRLMONIKA (not case sensitive) at check out for a 20% discount on their stamps ***, stencils and dies:
Power Of Words, Tweet Love, Mixed Media Grunge
  
*** Discount code works on sale items too