A Cup Of Roses

Hello Crafty Friends!

After a few sunny days, it has been raining today hence I thought I'd do a bit of colouring using the new free digi from STAMPlorations. You can find it here to download.

I made a simple layered card, here it is ...

I coloured the image with alcohol markers and added a bit more detail and shading using coloured pencils.

Keeping it short and sweet today.

hugs
Monika xxx

Feeling Alive

Hello Crafty Friends!

It's Inspiration Time over at STAMPlorations. This week my teamies and I are showcasing stamps and dies designed by STAMPlorations owner Shery under her label 'Shery Russ Designs'.

Feeling like finding your own paradise? Well I might just have the right card to give you some encouragement ...

A simple orange and white colour scheme with a tiny pop of green in the form of a sequin. The unusual layout and the white embossed palm trees add a lot of interest without cluttering the CAS design. The green sequin brings it alive.

As mentioned earlier, this week we are showcasing stamps and dies designed by Shery under her label 'Shery Russ Designs'. All her sets will be reduced by 10% until Monday 4th March, no coupon needed. You can use my personal discount code STAMPGIRLMONIKA at check out to get an added 20% off STAMPlorations,stamps, dies and stencils.

Of course Shery will still draw a winner at random from all the comments left on this month's Inspiration Posts over on the STAMPlorations Blog. Pop over to see what my teamies created and to leave a comment for your entry into their prize draw.

That's it from me for today. Have a lovely week!
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:
Wanderlust Hipster Icons, Wanderlust
 

*** Discount code works on sale items too

Thanks So Much

Hello Crafty Friends!

I have been feeling very honoured to be guest designing this month for CAS Colours & Sketches. Today is my last outing. Thanks again to Patricia, Jeanne, Fiona, Holly, Karen, Samantha, Wei and YoonYoung for asking me.

Their last challenge this month is all about using a sketch, here is my take on it ....

Rather than colouring my image and sentiment, I left them as outlines only to preserve an uncluttered CAS look. There is enough interest in the stamped images and the outline sentiment looks bold without being overbearing.

I'm keeping it short and sweet. If you love the colours and like creating CAS cards, why not join the challenge. You can find all the details on the CAS Colours & Sketches challenge blog here.

Hope to see you there. Have a lovely day!
hugs
Monika xxx

here is what I used:
Bloomful, Big Greetings - STAMPlorations
Verveine and Menthe Izink inks - Craft Stash
black Versafine ink - local craft shop

Choose Happy

Hello Crafty Friends!

Today i'm sharing a quick card I made, here it is ...

I simply sprinkled my base card with brusho powder and spritzed with water. Once dry, I stamped the Zinnias and sentiment. Simples!

Keeping it short and sweet. Enjoy your Sunday evening!
hugs
Monika xxx

here is what I used:
Zinnia Row - STAMPlorations
Choose Happy - STAMPlorations Outlet Store for retiring and over stock products
black Versafine, turquoise and purple brusho powder

Equaliser

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 the next fortnight is Mac Mable, you can check out her fabulous creations on here on Mac Mable's blog.

My DT project for the new challenge is ...

Each challenge, of course, has a different theme. For challenge #105 it's Anything Goes with the optional twist of 'no patterned paper'. Lots of scope there!

#105 Anything Goes with the optional twist of No Patterned Paper

As you can see, I went for a CAS design using the optional twist. It's simple stamping with a bit of colouring and heat embossing. Having a slightly asymmetrical frame, it's wider at the bottom, provides extra interest for the eye.

Fancy creating something for a male person in your life, 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:
Background Blocks Equaliser - Uniko
Birds Of Paradise for my sentiment - STAMPlorations, feel free to use my personal discount code STAMPGIRLMONIKA for a 20% discount on their stamps, dies and stencils
real red, crumb cake and bashful blue Stamp'n'write Markers, crumb cake card - Stampin'Up!
black Versafine and Versamark inks, white embossing powder and black and white card - from my stash

Counting Rainbows

Hello Crafty Friends!

It's Inspiration Time over at STAMPlorations. This week my teamies and I are showcasing stamps by our very own Deepti under her label 'Dee's Artsy Impressions'.

I decided to work with the Kathryn's Rainbow to create this cheerful make. ...

Simply stamped with a few splashes of colour, this card has a little border at the top and bottom and will hopefully brighten someone's life.

As mentioned earlier, this week we are showcasing stamps designed by Deepti under her label 'Dee's Artsy Impressions'. All her sets will be on sale for the week until Monday 25th February at 10% off, no coupon needed, the discount will be automatically applied.

For more inspiration, pop over to the STAMPlorations Blog. pop to see what my teamies created and to leave a comment for your entry into their prize draw.

That's it from me for today. Have a lovely week!
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:
Kathryn's Rainbow


*** Discount code works on sale items too

Something Wonderful

Hello Crafty Friends!

It's my 3rd outing as guest designer for CAS Colours & Sketches.

This time it's all about using a set of colours, here is my take on it ....

These colours were simply saying daffodils to me and a chance to pick up this beautiful daffodil from a set I won last year when Uniko were sponsoring CAS Colours & Sketches. So glad I was able to use it this time.

I'm keeping it short and sweet. If you love the colours and like creating CAS cards, why not join the challenge. You can find all the details on the CAS Colours & Sketches challenge blog here.

Hope to see you there. Have a lovely day!
hugs
Monika xxx

here is what I used:
Spring Botanicals Daffodil  - Uniko
Mixed Media Elements - STAMPlorations
mixed media card - Amazon
So Saffron, Daffodil Delight and Pear Pizzazz Stamp 'n' Write Markers - Stampin'Up!
black Versafine ink - local craft shop

A Cup Of Tea

Hello Crafty Friends!

I've recently re-discovered my love for Oolong tea thanks to the Witches Brew and Nine Leaves Tea Rooms, in Pwllheli and Hoylake respectively.

So, when Shery was looking for volunteers to make projects for her Coffee/Tea Stamps Sale, I had to dig out my Always Tea Time set and make this beauty ...

... a few Bermuda Bay splatters on my base card, a little die-cut doily and a watercoloured tea cup finished off with some matching sequins.

Here is closer look at my card. I used Bermuda Bay and Melon Mambo inks for my watercolouring. The light purple was achieved by adding a little of each to a blend.

For more coffee and tea themed inspiration and for details about STAMPlorations' Coffee/Tea Stamps Sale, simply pop over to their blog here.

I am keeping it short and sweet. Enjoy your day!
hugs
Monika xxx

here is what I used from the STAMPLorations Shop:
Always Tea Time, Bloomdala Bliss Festive Dies
 

here is what else I used:
Bermuda Bay and Melon Mambo Stampin'Up! inks for watercolouring, black Versfine ink, mixed media card, white card, sequins

Cupcake Love

Hello Crafty Friends!

February's TAGplorations Challenge over at STAMPlorations is in full swing and there is still time to play along.

The theme for February is: All About Love

The optional twist is: to use Cupcakes

Well, as you can see, I'm 'playing' the optional twist ...

I used the rose stamp for my background, splattered with red watercolour. The hearts and cupcake were watercoloured and fuzzy cut, the rest are layered die-cuts and a piece of decorative tape.

Have you noticed that the Bloomdala Bliss die-cuts make perfect doilies?

If you love tags, why not give it a go and play along? Your project can be anything as long as it features a tag. You can enter as many projects as you want, but one per blog post please, and you don't have to use STAMPlorations products, yet we'd be thrilled if you would. There is currently a free winter/holiday image to download at STAMPlorations Never ending Anything Goes Challenge here. Please check out the full revised challenge guidelines here on the STAMPlorations Blog.

One lucky winner, voted for by the DT, will win a $15 STAMPlorations gift certificate and 3 randomly picked players will win a $5 STAMPlorations gift certificate each.

Ready for more tagtastic inspiration? Pop over to the STAMPlorations Blog to see the gorgeous projects my teamies created and, of course, to link up your tag project/s too. You can also find additional inspiration in the Challenge Reminder Post here on the STAMPlorations Blog

That's it from me for today. Have a lovely day!

hugs

Monika xx 

here is what I used from the STAMPlorations Shop, you can use my personal discount code STAMPGIRLMONIKA at checkout for a 20% discount on their, stamps, dies and stencils

Boxed Blooms, Sketched: Cupcake, Romantic Expressions #2

  

Stitched Tags Nesting Dies, Uppercase Alphabet Plate Die, Bloomdala Bliss Festive

  

Happy Valentine's

Hello Crafty Friends!

It's Inspiration Time over at STAMPlorations. This week my teamies and I are showcasing stamps by Becca under her label 'Big Grins By Becca Cruger'.

I decided to work with the Funny Kinda Love to make this romantic Valentine's card ...

This was quite straight forward ... the couple was stamped on a die-cut heart and watercoloured, the sentiment simply stamped across.

As mentioned earlier, this week we are showcasing stamps designed by Becca under her label 'Big Grins By Becca Cruger'. All her sets will be on sale at 10% off for the week until Monday 18th February, no coupon needed, the discount is automatically applied.

There is, of course, more inspiration over on the STAMPlorations Blog. Pop over to see what my teamies created and to leave a comment for your entry into their prize draw.

That's it from me for today. Have a lovely week!
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:
Funny Kinda Love

*** Discount code works on sale items too

Happy vaLLAMAntines

Hello Crafty Friends!

Today is my second outing this month guest designing for CAS Colours & Sketches. This time it's about following a sketch.

This is my piece with a somewhat masculine feel ....

... and here is the sketch to follow .....

I used the negative from a die-cut heart to draw my heart before adding doodles to the frame and stamping and watercolouring my Llama.

I'm keeping it short and sweet. If you love the sketch and like creating CAS cards, why not join the challenge. You can find all the details on the CAS Colours & Sketches challenge blog here.

Hope to see you there. Have a lovely day!
hugs
Monika xxx

here is what I used:
Llama Tell You - STAMPlorations
stitched hearts nesting dies, confetti heart, white card - stash
Grenadine Izink ink - Craft Stash
London Fog Memento Ink, black Versafine ink - local craft shop

Still Like You

Hello Crafty Friends!

I thought I'd make a quick Valentine's card.

I decided to only colour the hair of my couple, add a few splatters and add most of my colour through the pink base card frame and red die-cut heart border.

I am entering my card at:
Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers - V is for Valentine 

Time Out Challenges - photo challenge 

That's it from me for now. Enjoy your day!

hugs

Monika xxx

here is what I used:

Funny Kinda Love - STAMPlorations

Melon Mambo and Cherry Cobbler card - Stampin'Up!

brush markers, black Versafine ink, white card and heart border cutting die - from my stash

My Favourite Bot

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 the next fortnight is Goga, you can check out her fabulous creations on here on Goga's blog.

My DT project for the new challenge is ...

Each challenge, of course, has a different theme. For challenge #104 it's Love Your Men. Lots of scope there!

#104 Love Your Men

The idea was one of entwined rings and giving one's heart to the one you love .... and, of course, love makes one glow.

Fancy creating something for a male love in your life, 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:
Little Robots, Mixed Media Grunge - STAMPlorations, feel free to use my personal discount code STAMPGIRLMONIKA for a 20% discount on their stamps, dies and stencils
Hearts and heart circles dies - my stash, they were a gift, not sure where they came from
real red card - Stampin'Up!
black Versafine ink and brushmarkers for watercolouring - from my stash

Banana Love

Hello Crafty Friends!

It's 1st Tuesday in February and the start of a new TAGplorations Challenge over at STAMPlorations.

The theme for February is: All About Love

The optional twist is: to use Cupcakes

Well, as you can see, I'm 'playing' the optional twist with my cupcake shaker and banana love.

Instead of filling the shaker element with sequins, I used tiny punched paper hearts. The background is sponged with a few water splatters and stamped with hearts and sentiment. The cheeky monkeys were stamped and watercoloured on mixed media card and fuzzy cut.

If you love tags, why not give it a go and play along? Your project can be anything as long as it features a tag. You can enter as many projects as you want, but one per blog post please, and you don't have to use STAMPlorations products, yet we'd be thrilled if you would. There is currently a free winter/holiday image to download at STAMPlorations Never ending Anything Goes Challenge here. Please check out the full revised challenge guidelines here on the STAMPlorations Blog.

One lucky winner, voted for by the DT, will win a $15 STAMPlorations gift certificate and 3 randomly picked players will win a $5 STAMPlorations gift certificate each.

Ready for more tagtastic inspiration? Pop over to the STAMPlorations Blog to see the gorgeous projects my teamies created and, of course, to link up your tag project/s too.

That's it from me for today. Have a lovely week.

hugs

Monika xx

here is what I used from the STAMPlorations Shop, you can use my personal discount code STAMPGIRLMONIKA at checkout for a 20% discount on their, stamps, dies and stencils

Chikoo Goes Banana, Cupcake Builder #1, Manila Tags Nesting Dies

  

here is what else I used:

Versamark, Snowflake embossing powder, black Versafine ink, Tempting Turqoise ink, silver and black ribbon, glitter, white and black card, brush markers, snowflake sequins, black fine liner pens