Every Morning

Hi All,

January is coming to an end, and over at STAMPlorations they are rounding up the month with a last batch of inspiration ... of course there'll be more to come in February ...

What better way to give the New Beginning set another outing with this simple CAS design ...

I sponged my background on a pierced rectangle die-cut, stamped the sunrise image and added some subtle detail using my trusted Clear Star Sakura Gelly Roll pen. You can see it better in the photo graph below. To finish, I embossed my sentiment in Early Espresso and layered on a linen effect base card.

Pop over to the STAMPloration Blog for more amazing pieces of card-art, leaving a comment and having a good nose around.

That's it from me for today, back again tomorrow for the CASEplorations Challenge.

Have a lovely day!
hugs
Monika xxx

here is the set I used in today's card, link is in the above text

More Butterfly Arcs

Hi All,

back again with another piece of inspiration for you following on from my last two posts using the Winged Things set from STAMPlorations. I did tell you I really liked the arc hence another card using it ....

I blended my background using Melon Mambo and Daffodil Delight inks. stamped the butterflies first in DD and then again in MM before adding my sentiment from the Big Greetings set in black. Once layered on my base card, I finished off by doodling a white border and adding some gems to the butterflies.

I am entering my card at:
Craft Stamper - Anything Goes with a stamp

I had initially intended to make another project to add to my post, but life had different ideas. It thought that it would be best for me to catch yet another bad cold, which I normally don't get. It is the second since Christmas. Wondering why someone thought I was in need of all this rest ... Hoping to add a few pieces to the Round Up post on Sunday. In the meantime pop over to the STAMPlorations Blog for their Inspiration Post to see and admire the brilliant creativity of my Teamies there. Also don't forget to leave a comment and have a thorough look around whilst you're there ... lots to be seen, enjoyed and learnt.

Have a lovely week!
hugs
Monika xxx

here are the sets I used in today's project, links are in the above text
 

Tidying And Finishing Unfinished Projects

Hi All,

Last week I had a go at tidying up my work space. It had gone quite messy under heaps of crafting stash, papers and projects in progress. It is astonishing what one can find ... hence today's post is dedicated to finishing some of the projects I started a while ago.

I shall also give you a little tour of my room at the end. This will be a very picture heavy post ...

First up is another make using my Jofy Mini 33  by PaperArtsy ...

... this time I stamped it twice, coloured, doodled a border, layered on my base card, added a sentiment (Graphic Pentagons by STAMPlorations) and finished off with a sequin. My other card using this Jofy stamp can be found here.

I am entering the above card at:
Addicted to Stamps and More - Make your Mark, I used Promarkers and a fine liner pen

Next up is a card I started off in a workshop last year ...

... where I got my base card a little messy. I rescued it by stamping the splashes (Mixed Media Elements by STAMPlorations), added my sentiment (Chevron and Arrows by STAMPlorations) and a few sequins to finish. Sadly I can't remember the make of the original stamped image.

Next up is another project started at the same workshop with Lindsay Mason ...

... where we made a background using alcohol inks, for the stamping I used my own stamps. The horse is from the Revolution set by Visible Image, not sure about the flourish and flower stamps.

Next us is a box with notelets I made ...

The flower was cut with my Sizzix Eclips before it broke about a year ago. It is still not fixed, but I'm living in hope. To create the box I used anew toy of mine, my 1-2-3 Punch Board by We R Memory Keepers to which I upgraded from my envelope punch board before Christmas.

Here is another box I made for notelets ....

... using a circle with heart border die cut (Sue Wilson) and some butterflies (Sizzix/Stampin'Up!).

Now last, but not least ... my crafting space where I make my projects, record my videos and write my blog posts ....

As you can see, it is quite a small desk which has to take my laptop too and the webcam, conveniently fitted to the shelf above.

Most of my stash lives in this shelving unit and cupboard, some papers and thin cutting dies in the little unit below...

... whilst some of my stamps, punches, inks, embossing powders live in this corner here ...

... the massage table conveniently converts into additional work space for my guillotine, gelli plate etc when not in use for its intended purpose. Envelopes and finished cards can easily be stored underneath in boxes too.

... and as this is a multi functional room, this is what it looks like when I'm not allowed to craft ... when guests have taken over my inner sanctum ...

That's it from me for now. Have a lovely weekend!

hugs
Monika xxx


Here is what I used from STAMPlorations, links are in the above text
  

Just A Note

Hi All,

after I spent the best part of last week tidying, re-arranging, sorting out and organizing my work space, more about this in my post here, I thought it might be an idea to enter one of the cards into the Craft Stamper Take It Make It Challenge - Anything Goes with a Stamp.

I made the topper a while ago using my Jofy Mini 33 stamp by PaperArtsy and decided to add a stamped background using the Mixed Media Elements set by STAMPlorations. Add a little sentiment (Graphic Pentagons by STAMPlorations), a touch of glitter to the blooms and you're done.

Enjoy and have a lovely weekend!
hugs
Monika xxx

Butterfly Arc Revisited

Hi All,

Here is another card for your Inspiration over at STAMPlorations using the butterflies from the Winged Things set which I arranged in an arc. As soon as I saw the set I wanted to make something using vellum with glitter ...

Let's start with the background ... I used the left over silver metallic acrylic paint from my card here and roughly painted it down the center on a piece of white card. Once dry I blended Milled Lavender all over it rubbing the excess from over the paint off with a piece of kitchen roll. I then stamped my butterflies using matching archival ink and stamped them again on vellum and fuzzy cut. I stamped my sentiment from the Bold Sentiments Discover set in black archival, distressed the edges and layered it to my base card before attaching my vellum butterflies with a little glue and finishing off with liberally applying glitter glue all over them. I love this technique, it makes the vellum crinkle and adds some lovely dimension. Here is a little close-up ...

You can also see the random brushstrokes of the metallic paint adding some subtle interest. The acrylic paint acts as a form of resist when used with dye inks and the two complement each other well.

I am entering my card at:
Craft Stamper - Anything Goes with a stamp

Pop over to the STAMPlorations Blog to see the fabulous projects my Teamies created. There is always such a variety for you to take inspiration from.

That's it from me for today. Off to finish clearing the craft room, having guest staying overnight ...

Have a lovely day!
hugs
Monika xxx

Here is what I used, links are in the above text:
 

CASEplorations Reminder

Hi All,

Today's project is a little reminder that it is still time to join us in the CASEplorations Playground. This year Shery has given it a proper challenge status, yay! This means the Playground will like in past be open for a whole month, the winner of the best CASE as voted for by the team gets a $15 gift certificate and two Top Picks will each receive a $5 gift certificate, full rules can be found here on the STAMPlorations Blog.

What is the CASE inspiration for January 2016, you might be asking. Well, it is a card by the fabulous Laura Bassen of Doublestick Heaven ...

Laura posted a tutorial on how she made her card here on her blog. There is lots of inspiration to take from her card, such as using texture paste, colour scheme of pastel rainbow colours, the Leaf Prints ARTplorations stencil, the Hashtag Authentic stamp set, twine ...

Here is what I picked:

• texture without the paste, I used stamping through my stencil instead
• ARTplorations Leaf Print stencil
• multiple colours seamlessly blending into each other for which I used Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry and Pistachio Pudding
• fine strands of twine which I turned into a squiggly die-cut vellum heart as I am no good at looping twine and fixing it to a card
• subtle sparklies in the form of sequins

Finally, here it is, my reminder take on Laura's card ...

I attached my Leaf Prints stencil to a piece of Centura Pearl card, sponged my background, picked up my honeycomb stamp from the Mixed Media Grunge set and stamped it through the stencil using Crushed Curry ink. Here is a little close-up where you can see the subtle flecks of yellow on the leaves ...

Next I stamped my sentiment from the Big Greetings set, coloured it using Tinge Alcohol Markers, die cut the vellum heart and layered as seen before finishing off with a few sequins.

I am entering my card at:
Time Out Challenges - Birthday with optional twist of sponging, sponged background on mine
Addicted to Stamps and More - Anything Goes

That's it from me for today. There is still time to join STAMPlorations January Stamp Release Blog Hop. Commenting closes 19th January.

As for the CASEplorations Playground, it is open until the end of the month with a new challenge starting in February. So there is still plenty of time to get your creative juices going.

That's it from me for today.

Have a lovey weekend!
hugs
Monika xxx


here is what I used in today's project, links are in the above text:

  

heart die from Tim Holtz Scribbles and Splat - Sizzix

STAMPlorations Blog Hop

Hi All!

Welcome to Day 5 of the STAMPlorations January Stamp Release Blog Hop. Today My Teamies and I are showcasing all of the sets with each of us having made 4 cards, one for each set.

Let's start with Becca's Big Grins Reindeer Games. Reindeer are not just for Christmas, right?! Rudolph has to have some fun the rest of the year too ...

I've gone for a folksy look for this belated birthday card and added some flowers from the Folk Flowers set using the reverse side of the flower head stamps to add some colour. The rest is straight forward stamping with a white embossed sentiment plus Promarker colouring and some doodles for the border. I rather like this unconventional colour scheme, it would make a great card for the man in your life. The mischievous part of me feels like adding 'or so you thought...:-D' on the inside.

I am entering my Reindeer card at:

613 Avenue Create - Birthday ... Happy 3rd Birthday to all of the team at 613 Avenue

Time Out Challenges - Birthday with optional twist of sponging

Cardz 4 Guyz - Happy Birthday ... Happy 2nd Birthday to all of the team at Cardz4Guyz 

Next up is Deepti's Dee's Artsy Impressions New Beginning ...

I blended Crushed Curry and Melon Mambo for my background and added some random stamping in Basic Grey using two of the sentiments from Dee's set. Once dry I randomly dabbed Champagne and Frost White All Purpose Ink (Tsukineko) all over hence the shine and sparkle shimmer. Next I stamped the sunrise image on a piece of acetate using Archival ink and coloured it on the reverse using Peel-Off Markers. I then edged my pieces using my gold Tinge Alcohol Marker and attached my acetate image to my background with a couple of star eyelets before layering on my base card and finishing off with a sentiment strip (Vignette Tree Silhouettes) and some sequins.

I am entering my card at:

Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes

Addicted to Stamps and More - Anything Goes

Mixed Media Card Challenge - Beginnings with Sequins, it's in the background (with the new day comes new strength and new thoughts; even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise) plus wishing you well could be for your new adventure, new job etc

Next up is Shirley's The Bee's Knees Winged Things ...

I chose to work with the butterflies of the set and arranged them in an arc before stamping them using Jet Black Archival ink on my already sponged background (Soft Sky and Lost Lagoon). I then coloured them using silver metallic acrylic ink from the pound shop which gives a translucent finish and adds a lovely shimmer to the wings. I finished off with a sentiment from the New Beginning set.

I am entering my butterfly card at:

The Sisters of Craft - Anything Goes

Crafty Calendar - Something New, 5 out of the 6 stamps were never used before plus it's my first time of colouring an image with acrylics on a card.

Next up is a card inspired by this week's theme over at Less is More using Shery's Shery Russ Designs Big Greetings ...

... which I simply combined with a flourish from the Distressed Floral Swirls set to create my one-layer card stamped in black Crushed Curry and a hint of Melon Mambo on linen effect card and finished off with a couple of clear gems.

I am entering my one-layer card at:

Less is More - One Layer Card featuring a flourish or two as in my case.

As with every Blog Hop leaving a comment will give you a chance to win one of the fab prizes below. Commenting closes on January 19. Winners will be announced on January 21.
Check out what the rest of the team made! You'll find links to all our projects here.

Prizes:

ONE (1) commenter randomly drawn from all comments left on the STAMPolrations blog and designers' blogs (January 15/Day 5 post) wins a $25 gift certificate to the shop
TWO (2) commenters randomly drawn from all comments left on the STAMPlorations blog and designers' blogs each win a $15 gift certificate to the shop
FOUR (4) commenters randomly drawn from Designer & Stamp Spotlight posts (Days 1 to 4) win the stamp set featured for that day

That's it from me for today. Pop over to the STAMPlorations Blog for all the links you need to participate.

I shall be back again tomorrow with another project. Until then ...

have a lovely day!

hugs

Monika xxx

What I used in today's projects, links are in the above text

      

Feeling Inspired

Hi All!

Thanks for popping by. You might have noticed my new blog header which I made following a tutorial by my friend and STAMPlorations Teamie Becca. It's a fab tutorial and very easy to follow.

For today's inspiration post over at STAMPlorations, I'm sharing a card which was inspired by this month's CASEplorations project featuring a card by Laura Bassen. You can find all the details about January CASEplorations here.

I used a similar background to my last card but not as shaded. However I did try to add some sponged texture by simply dabbing the ink with a worn baby wipe after I had done my initial sponging using Basic Grey ink and the ARTPlorations Old Rose Prints stencil. Next I stamped the HAPPY from the Big Greetings set and coloured it in rainbow colours. I then did some 2nd generation stamping on a separate strip and over stamped it with 'birthday'. I picked up one of my scribble die cuts and layered everything as seen finishing off with a few sequins.

Here is a close-up of my topper ... 

Pop over to the STAMPlorations Blog to find the amazing projects my teamies created, and, if you leave a comment there, you'll be entered in a monthly random prize draw too (Prize: $10 Gift Certificate)

Before I go, a quick reminder ... The Stamp Release Blog Hop is in full swing too ... click here to join

That's it from me for now, back again soon.

Have a lovely day!

hugs

Monika xxx

here is what I used:

 

Tim Holtz Scribbles and Splat dies - Sizzix

A New Day

Hi All,

Can you believe it, we're almost one week into 2016 already!

For today's inspiration post over at STAMPlorations, I'm sharing a card which was inspired by this month's CASEplorations project featuring a card by Laura Bassen. You can find all the details about January CASEplorations here.

Right, back to my card ... this is where I want to take the opportunity to give you a sneak preview of two of the stamp sets due for release next week with our usual Blog Hop, Winged Things and New Beginning ...

I used Basic Grey and shaded my sponging through the Old Rose Prints ARTplorations Stencil to be darker at the bottom going lighter towards the top edge. Next I stamped my sentiment from the New Beginning set in black, stamped, coloured and fuzzy cut my butterfly from the Winged Things set, added a die cut heart and layered it all up before finishing off with a few silver hearts.

Pop over to the STAMPlorations Blog to find the amazing projects my teamies created, and, if you leave a comment there, you'll be entered in a monthly random prize draw too (Prize: $10 Gift Certificate)

Before I go, a quick reminder ... Blog Hop next week ...

... and a couple of more cards ... just for fun ...

entering at:
Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes - with HLS stamps
Happy Little Stampers CASE - Kylie's card to CASE 

... and another one for a challenge ...

entering at:
Less is More - neutrals

That's it from me for today, back soon.

Have a lovely day!

hugs
Monika xxx

Here is what I used from STAMPlorations, links to the sets are in the above text.

  

everything else I used:
Scribbles and Splat Tim Holtz dies - Sizzix
Butterfly Birthday stamp set - Happy Little Stampers