November Theme & Photo Prompt Reminder

Hi Crafty Friends!

Just a quick reminder that there is still time to play along at STAMPlorations November Challenges. Here is my reminder DT project for their Theme & Photo Prompt challenge ...

As you can see the inspiration for my one-layer card came from both the theme and the photo prompt. To start I stamped the circular shapes using stamps from the Artsy Tribal Doodles set. To add contrast, I then used a shape from the Triangles Flexi-Template to help me doodle the border before finishing off with a sentiment from the Birds Of Paradise set.

As for the Theme & Photo Prompt Challenge prizes:
One winner of a $20 gift code will be picked by one member of our DT.
Plus 3 randomly drawn winners will each receive a $7 gift code.

In order to be considered for a prize, make sure you've followed the rules here.

Here are the affiliate links of the STAMPlorations products I used in today's project: 

Artsy Tribal Doodles, Birds Of Paradise, Triangles Flexi-Template

  

Should you feel like browsing in STAMPlorations online shop, check out their latest offer below.

Using my personal discount code STAMPGIRLMONIKA at checkout for a 20% discount on your order makes you qualify to pick a free product from their store up to the value of $7.
I've got to be honest, if you use the code and/or the link to the STAMPlorations Shop I provide in my posts for your purchases, I will get a little reward, at no extra cost to you of course.

For more challenge inspiration and to link up your projects, pop over to the STAMPlorations Blog.

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

hugs

Monika ❤

A Roaming Birthday

Hello Crafty Friends!

It's Tuesday and this means it's Inspiration Time over at STAMPlorations.  I thought I'd share another birthday card, this time one with a more masculine feel ...

The Arrow Which Way stencil felt like a good background to use with the walking boots and my general born to roam theme. I sponged it in Tempting Turquoise before adding the background stamping in Pacific point and a little black Versafine using stamps from the Mixed Media Grunge and Born To Roam sets.

The boots were watercoloured and fuzzy cut.

If you feel like bagging yourself a bargain and take advantage of STAMPlorations' Birthday Month Sale check out the graphic at the end of this post. All items in this section will be 40% off when using code 7YEARS at check out.

Should you find yourself placing an order of anything not included in the Birthday Month Sale, feel free to use my personal discount code STAMPGIRLMONIKA at checkout for a 20% discount on your order. Please note that my discount code can not be combined with any other coupon code, but you can use it as often as you wish. I've got to be honest, if you use the code I will get a little reward.
You can check out all of STAMPlorations' current promotions here.

That's it from me for today. Pop over to the STAMPlorations Blog to check out my teamies' beautiful makes.

Hope you're having a lovely week!

hugs
Monika xxx


here is what I used from

- STAMPlorations Shop:

Walking Boots, Born To Roam, Mixed Media Grunge, Arrow Which Way Stencil
   

this is the graphic for STAMPlorations current sales

Beautiful Hibiscus

Hello Crafty Friends!

It's Tuesday and this means it's Inspiration Time over at STAMPlorations.  I was working with the Heartfelt Hibiscus to create today's card ...

... which was coloured with my favourite metallic pencils. I then simply added some gold splatters, a stamped and die-cut sentiment and a couple of sequins to finish.

If you feel like bagging yourself a bargain and take advantage of STAMPlorations' Springtime Sale check out the graphic at the end of this post.
You can check out all of STAMPlorations' current promotions here.

That's it from me for today. Pop over to the STAMPlorations Blog to check out my teamies' beautiful makes.

Hope you're having a lovely week!

hugs
Monika xxx


here is what I used from

- STAMPlorations Shop:

Heartfelt Hibiscus, Birds Of Paradise, Birthday Word Die
  

this is the graphic for STAMPlorations current sales

TMR 30th October - Pirates

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 Nancy, you can check out her fabulous creations on here on Nancy's blog.

My DT project for the new challenge is ...

Each challenge, of course, has a different theme. As you can see, the theme for challenge #123 is Pirates. Lots of scope there!

#123 Pirates

i did not have a pirate stamp in my possession, and crafting on a budget, I didn't really want to buy one. This little cutie was free from makebreaks.com which was rather welcome. I coloured it using my metallic pencils.

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 else I used:
Wanderlust (palm tree island), Birds Of Paradise (sentiment), Mixed Media Elements (script) - STAMPlorations, feel free to use my personal discount code STAMPGIRLMONIKA for a 20% discount on their stamps, dies and stencils
Metallic Colouring Pencils - Aldi, special buy from a few weeks ago
Early Espresso Stamp 'N Write Marker - Stampin'Up!
black Versafine ink, cutting die, cream and white card - from my stash

TMR 26th June

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 Andreja, you can check out her fabulous creations on here on Andreja's blog.

My DT project for the new challenge is ...

Each challenge, of course, has a different theme. For challenge #114 it is to include Multiple Layers. Lots of scope there!

#114 Multiple Layers

I am normally not one for using lots of layers, but I managed a base card with three layers. For the background I used a stencil print, layered a strip of matching paper behind my topper and stamped the bird over the two layers.

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:
Bird stamp - The Works
Birds Of Paradise for my sentiment, Mixed Media Grunge for the dotty border, Cornflower Stencil - STAMPlorations, feel free to use my personal discount code STAMPGIRLMONIKA for a 20% discount on their stamps, dies and stencils
Turquoise Brusho Powder, Cyan Liquarel liquid watercolour, Cire Izink ink, black Versafine ink, Slate Grey Prism Ink, die-cut topper white card - from my stash

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

Happy Bird-day

Hello Crafty Friends!

Happy New Year to you all! May it be a joyous, prosperous, healthy and magical one ... and of course, a crafty one too.

We are back over at STAMPlorations showcasing makes for the Inspiration Posts. Here is my DT piece ...

I fancied using some loose watercolouring with this sketchy puffin. I used markers, scribbled them on an acrylic block and picked the colour up with a damp/wet brush.

The sentiment, Birds of Paradise, and the little dots, Folk Flowers, are simply stamped.

I am keeping it short and sweet today. For more inspiration, pop over to the STAMPlorations Blog to see the beautiful projects my teamies created and whilst there you can leave a comment for your chance to win a gift certificate redeemable at their store.

Enjoy the start to the new year!
hugs
Monika xxx

here is what I used from the STAMPlorations Shop:
Small Birds, Birds Of Paradise, Folk Flowers
  
For a 20% discount on their stamps, dies and stencils, feel free to use my personal discount code STAMPGIRLMONIKA at checkout.

Dragonfly Duet

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 pieces, I went for CAS designs and gave holographic card a bit of a make-over ....

Both cards are pretty self-explanatory. A bit of die-cutting and layering dies for the dragonfly and frame plus a silver embossed sentiment for the first ....

and a layered nesting die with splatters background combined with an inlaid die-cut dragonfly and stamped sentiment for my second card. I love the bit of rainbow shimmer on the wings.

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:
Dragonfly Layering Dies, Birds Of Paradise, Pierced Curly Frames/Tags Nesting Dies
  
*** Discount code works on sale items too

Happy Bird-day

Hello Crafty Friends!

It's Inspiration Time over at STAMPlorations. This week my teamies and I are showcasing stamps by our very own Shirley under her label 'The Bee's Knees'.

I decided to work with the Birds Of Paradise set and the Bracket Labels/Tags Nesting Dies to create this fun CAS card ...

A little bit of stamping, masking and die-cutting can go a long way. I decided to cut the apertures first to help with the positioning of the birds. There is a bit of dimension from the apertures and the frames which I quite like. Adding extra dimension by popping the topper on 3D foam didn't look right to me.

I could have kept the birds b&w, but I decided to add a bit of colour to one of them to give my card a different flow.

As mentioned earlier, this week we are showcasing stamps designed by our very own Shirley under her label 'The Bee's Knees'. To mix it up a little, all stamps, stencils and dies - except from the Retiring category- are reduced by 10% this week in the STAMPlorations Shop, no coupon needed. Using my personal discount code STAMPGIRLMONIKA at checkout will give you an added 20% off taking the total discount to 30%. I would love for you to take advantage of this great offer.

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:
Birds Of Paradise, Brackets Labels/Tags Nesting Dies (I used the two smallest dies in my project)

 

*** Discount code works on sale items too

March Stencil Sunday

Hello, Crafty Friends!

Welcome to another Stencil Sunday in March. May I take the opportunity to remind you of the current Mixed Media Challenge over at STAMPlorations. As you know Anything Mixed Media Goes as long as it is not a card and you use at least one stencil.

My DT contribution for this Stencil Sunday are ... 3 love themed ATCs

I played with Brushos and ARTplorations Stencils, Hearts All Over and Zen Hearts, to make my ATCs. I wanted them to be bright and cheerful for a love themed swap I was planning on entering. 

I simply placed the stencils on my precut pieces of watercolour card, sprinkled with Brushos, spritzed with water, removed the stencils and allowed to dry.

Let's look at them in more detail. First up is the lovestruck Dino ...

I used the Hearts All Over background, stamped the script from the Mixed Media Elements sets inked up in red and yellow (Real Red, Daffodil Delight) all over and added a border from the same set in Chocolate Chip as grounding.
Next I stamped Dino from the Dino Things set on Mixed Media card, watercoloured and fuzzy cut it before attaching it in place.
To finish off, I stamped the sentiment from the same set, added a little punched heart and some doodles.

Next up are the Love Birds ...

Using the second of my Hearts All Over backgrounds, I stamped the script again, this time in Melon Mambo partially wiped off.
The birds from the Birds Of Paradise set were stamped on Mixed Media card, watercoloured with inks (Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo) and fuzzy cut.
To bring it all together, I doodled a border, stamped my sentiment, added a die-cut mesh heart, attached the birds, added two small punched hearts, added the white highlights and finished off with a bit of sparkly eyeliner and glossy accents on the birds' wings.

Last but not least the 'Love The Journey' ATC ...

For this one, I used the Zen Hearts background and added some doodles with a sparkly Gelly Roll Sakura Pen and a red marker pen before adding a little shading with grey Gelato.

To finish, I stamped my sentiment from the Trendy Butterflies set and added a little punched heart.

Here is another look at all three ...

I am entering my ATCs at:

UK Stampers Forum FB Group - March ATC Swap, theme: Love

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 always Anything Mixed Media Goes except 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) at check out for a 20% discount on their stamps, stencils and dies:

ARTplorations Stencils: Hearts All Over, Zen Hearts

 

STAMPlorations Stamps: 

Mixed Media Elements, Dino Things, Birds Of Paradise, Trendy Butterflies

   
*** Discount code works on sale items too