TinkerCards Designs

Friday, 28 August 2026

Perfect Pairs - Serene Winter part 1

Hi Crafty Friends!

I'm really loving the Perfect Pairs products which STAMPlorations have recently released. Perfect Pairs are made up of stamps and coordinating Ephemera Cuts. They are perfect for beginners and experienced card makers/papercrafters alike.

Today I'm showcasing the Serene Winter set on a couple of cards you can easily make yourself, just a little bit of masking and ink blending skills are needed.

Have a look ...

I wanted to enhance the natural vintage-y look the Serene Winter Ephemera made me think of. A cream base card lightly blended with old paper Distress ink was a good start.

I then masked a narrow strip at the bottom of my card and repeat stamped the 'Winter' stamp from the set in Glamour Versafine Clair ink down the left hand side of my card.

Two of the ephemera cuts were layered and the 'Winter Wishes' sentiment stamped in Roasted Coffee Prism ink.

Card Candi dots, something I haven't used in ages, highlight the natural look and a sprinkle of glitter on the roof and twig of the ephemera cuts finishes the card off.

The background in my next card uses simple repeat stamping of the 'Winter' stamp rotating the stamp as you go along. Added interest and variation comes from the unevenly masked off border with sloping lines rather than ones in parallel with the card edges.

Coordinating ephemera pieces were clustered to highlight the social aspect of the sentiment. A solitray cup would have looked a little forlorn.

I picked on the red beads to bring warmth into my design by using red card for the embossed sentiment and red card candi as a finishing touch.

Rounding up today's post:

Old paper Distress ink softens the cream of my base card while at the same time enhancing the green found in the pine needles of the bird house and the twig thus creating balance with the red background stamping.

A pop of colour can really add warmth to an otherwise tone-on-tone card.

Last, but not least, picking out some older treasures as embellishments, which I did with the Card Candi, can add a cold finishing statement to your card.

That's it from me for today. I shall soon be back with part 2 of the Perfect Pairs - Serene Winter showcase.

Wishing you a lovely weekend.

Hugs

Monika 💕

Here is what I used:

Just a little reminder: I am on the STAMPlorations DT Team. Please be aware that the following links are affiliated links which means should you use them to make a purchase I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you.

- from the STAMPlorations Shop

Perfect Pairs - Serene Winter, stamps and coordinating ephemers cuts

Feel free to check out STAMPlorations Subscription offers for stencils, paper goods and stickers.

In addition please d check out STAMPlorations Freebie of the Month which will automatically be shipped with any order of $25 and over.

- from my stash

cream card

Cherry Cobbler card stock by Stampin'UP!

old paper Distress Ink

Glamour Versafine Clair ink

Roasted Coffee and Butterscotch Prism inks by Hunkydory

Clear Versamark ink

white embossing powder

Card Candi by Craftwork Cards

glue

glitter
3D foam pads

Monday, 17 August 2026

Perfect Pairs - Party & Wishes part 2

Hi Crafty Friends!

Welcome to part 2 of the Perfect Pairs - Party & Wishes showcase. Today I'm combining the Perfect Pairs stamps and coordinating ephemera cuts with a couple of very versatile ARTplorations Stencils, also by STAMPlorations.

Check out what I did ...

My first card uses 3 of the ephemera cuts layered for a big impact on a simply stencilled background using the Dots All Over stencil. The white embossed sentiment, using the 'Celebrate' of the Celebrate Big sentiment stamp only, and sequin finish the card of perfectly.

The second card uses my all time favourite Confetti #1 Slimline Stencil as celebratory background for the candles ephemera cut. Stars and dots are perfect for party confetti. The sentiment was stamped across layers, something I explained in a previous post here, and the card finished off with the addition of some sequins.

Rounding up today's post...

Layering the Party & Wishes Ephemera Cuts makes for a statement focal point.

Relatively neutral stencils such as the Dots All Over and Confetti #1 stencils I used are perfect for adding interest to the background without overpowering your focal image. In addition they can be used all year round, whatever the season.

You don't always have to use the whole of a sentiment stamp. Sometimes a little bit is all that is needed.

Wishing you a lovely weekend.

Hugs

Monika 💕

Here is what I used:

- from the STAMPlorations Shop

Perfect Pairs - Party & Wishes, stamps and coordinating ephemers cuts

Dots All Over Stencil

Confetti 1 Slimline Stencil

Feel free to check out STAMPlorations Subscription offers for stencils, paper goods and stickers.

In addition please d check out STAMPlorations Freebie of the Month which will automatically be shipped with any order of $25 and over.

- from my stash

white card

Elegant Eggplant ink by Stampin'UP!

Rose and Grenadine Izink inks

Clear Versamark ink

white embossing powder

offcut of matching red card

sequins

Friday, 14 August 2026

Perfect Pairs - Party & Wishes part 1

Hi Crafty Friends!

STAMPlorations have recently released their Perfect Pairs products consisting of stamps and coordinating Ephemera Cuts. These are perfect for beginners and experienced card makers/papercrafters alike.

Today I'm showcasing the Party & Wishes set on a couple of cards you can easily make yourself. Have a look ...

My first card uses the arty coloured balloons ephemera with just the 'Celebrate Big' sentiment from the two stamp set. The shape of the balloons reminded me of a hot air balloon (I probably watched 'UP', the film, once too often. 😀) hence I decided to turn the sentiment into the basket by white embossing it on kraft card stock.

A doodled line and sequins finished my card off.

For my second card I wanted to do something a little different. Celebrations often involve party hats, confetti and streamers. This was the vibe I wanted to capture.

I randomly stamped the texture stamp for the background using masking as I went along. Splatters and sequins turned into confetti. Party hats and sentiment were strategically placed to create extra movement and an a joyous atmosphere.

Both cards were really quick to make.

Rounding up today's post:

You don't always need lots of supplies to make beautiful cards of different styles. A few carefully selected pieces such as the Perfect Pairs - Party & Wishes set provide the perfect basis for you to add your own personality no matter what your style and bits in your crafting space.

That's it from me for today. I shall soon be back with part 2 of the Perfect Pairs - Party & Wishes showcase.

Wishing you a lovely weekend.

Hugs

Monika 💕

Here is what I used:

- from the STAMPlorations Shop

Perfect Pairs - Party & Wishes, stamps and coordinating ephemers cuts

Feel free to check out STAMPlorations Subscription offers for stencils, paper goods and stickers.

In addition please d check out STAMPlorations Freebie of the Month which will automatically be shipped with any order of $25 and over.

- from my stash

white card

Crumb Cake card stock, Elegant Eggplant ink by Stampin'UP!

Clear Versamark ink

white embossing powder

fine liner pen

Plum Memento ink

Gold Spritzing ink by Heidi Swapp

sequins

Monday, 10 August 2026

Simple Expressions - colourful and retro

Hi Crafty Friends!

Welcome back to my 2nd instalment showcasing STAMPlorations new Simple Expressions - FOCUS stamp set.

Today's offering is rather colourful with a distinct sense of times-gone-by. Let's have a look ...

The jars in the image reminded me of making jams, chutneys and generally preserving food which seems to have had a revival in recent years hence the sentiment of 'Focus on the good life'. It is also a nod to the British sitcom The Good Life taking a humorous look at the challenges of self sufficiency in suburbia.

The sentiment was made up using the Simple Expressions - FOCUS set in combination with the word 'LIFE' from the Bold Sentiments - Journey set. (I could have handwritten the word 'LIFE', but it wouldn't have looked anywhere near as good. 😀)

The background is partially stamped and ink blended using the solid 'FOCUS' stamp and partially stencilled using the Square Lots Square Stencil as a nod to garden trellis and home grown food.

To create the layered look, I simply used low tack masking tape to mask off the area I wasn't working on.

This card started off with the pencil coloured ATC and wanting to have a background that wouldn't drown out the softer colouring. While searching through bit of orange card for the best shade to use, I came across this almost square piece which ended up being my background. I rather liked the somewhat irregular frame in combination with the layering I had in mind.

It always pays to play around with what you already got as it opens up different opportunities as you can see in my next card.

This one has a different shape, a more regular frame and bolder colouring of the image. The bolder coloured image can hold its own against the background stamping. I think the combination of both looks rather striking.

I've been stamping across layers again for today's cards, a technique described in my previous post here.

Summing up today's post:

Masking can be used to create faux layers to add interest/layers without adding bulk to your projects.

Stamping across layers can add interest to either background or sentiments.

Changing the shape and/or colouring medium used can easily transform one idea into different looking cards.

You can use bits of stamps you already have in your stash for custom sentiments. The Simple Expressions - FOCUS sentiment would work well with words such as 'times', 'in life', 'in others', 'days', 'memories', 'possibilities' to name a few. I'm sure you can think of more.

That's it from me for today. I shall be back later this week with some new makes. Until then ...

Hugs

Monika 💕

Here is what I used:

- from the STAMPlorations Shop

Simple Expressions - Focus

Retro People ATC

Bold Sentiments - Journey

Blossom Sprays 3

Bold Sentiments - Believe (retired) for the '& SHINE'

Square Lots Square Stencil

Feel free to check out STAMPlorations Subscription offers for stencils, paper goods and stickers.

In addition please d check out STAMPlorations Freebie of the Month which will automatically be shipped with any order of $25 and over.

- from my stash

white card

Confetti White, Melon Mambo and orange card (sorry, can't remember the exact shade), Coastal Cabana ink by Stampin'UP!

colouring pencils, unbranded

alcohol markers, unbranded

onyx black Versafine ink

Roasted Coffee Prism ink

The Izink ink

sequins

Friday, 7 August 2026

Simple Expressions - stylish in black & white

Hi Crafty Friends!

STAMPlorations have some new kids on the block ... a selection of Simple Expressions stamps.

Today I'm showcasing the one called 'FOCUS' in combination with some the Retro Peoples ATCs in timeless Black & White.

These stylish cards are super quick to make and use minimal supplies. Let's have a look ...

My first card uses the solid stamp from the set with the idea being to put the word 'FOCUS' centre stage. This was achieved by stamping it once only in solid black with the repeat stamping being done with an old, very well used ink pad of the same Versafine onyx black to achieve the more grey and slightly out of focus look.

TIP!: In case you haven't one of those well used ink pads, you can achieve the same/similar look by inking your stamp up as normal and then stamp first on scrap paper/card before stamping on your base card.

The fully black 'FOCUS' was stamped using my MISTI on my base card first. I left the stamp in place on the lid and moved my base card along for the light coloured stamping. I then edged the ATC using my old and very well used ink pad and adhered the ATC in place before stamping the word 'FOCUS' again with my newer ink pad.

TIP!: For a stamped image to overlap layers without showing a line around the layers, it is best to use a stamping tool such as MISTI to leave the stamp in place after the first stamping and stamp the image again on each layer as they're being added to you card. This guarantees a seamless transition across the layers.

Next up is a duo of cards based on the same idea. One has embossed lines, the other one has lines added using the edge of a ruler.

This card only uses 3 elements, the ATC, a sentiment (both edged in black) and the 3 embossed lines.

Embossed lines are a great way of adding a little texture structure to your cards without detracting from your focal point. On my square card they act like an anchor for both the focal image and the sentiment.

The embossed lines were made using my Hougie Board (which I've had for ages) and scoring tool. Of course, you can use whichever scoring board and tool you have.

Should you not yet have one of these, using a ruler to 'draw' lines with a bone folder down the inside of your card front will give a similar effect.

The next set of lines were stamped/drawn using the inked up edge of a ruler. To keep the lines straight while pulling the first ruler's edge along, I used a second ruler to align the first ruler's edge against otherwise I would have managed to get all over the place 😅.

Sometimes the simplest things can have a great effect.

Summing up today's post ...

The Simple Expressions - FOCUS stamp set is perfect for creating stylish and versatile cards. As a sentiment the FOCUS set leaves room for you to personalise the message (more about this in my next post) which comes into its own when a card is sent for encouragement and as a sort of pick-me-up pep talk one.

You can easily create your own custom card making kit by combining the Simple Expressions - FOCUS set with card fronts, ATCs, Collage Papers, Pocket Backdrops or Ephemera Cut-Out Sheets. More details can be found by following the link below to the stamp set.

That's it from me for today. I shall be back soon with the second instalment Simple Expressions - colourful and retro.

See you then.

Hugs

Monika 💕

Here is what I used:

- from the STAMPlorations Shop

Simple Expressions - Focus