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:

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

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

Monochrome and Timeless - take 2

Hi Crafty Friends!

Just sharing a 2nd take on a card I shared a couple of weeks ago ...

I simply used the stencil a second time to use the ink which was left on the stencil itself. I simply sprayed the stencil with a little water and used it to print the trees on my piece of card.

The florals and quote were stamped in the same way as for my previous card.

Here are both next to each other...

 

That's it from me for now. Wishing you a lovely day.

hugs
Monika 💕

Here is what I used:

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

Be Strong 

Blossom Sprays 4

Beyond the Trees Slimline Stencil

Please check out STAMPlorations fantastic offer. Now is the time to stock up on those stamps, dies and stencils you always wanted

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

- from my stash:

white base card

sequins

Elegant Eggplant ink by Stampin'Up!

Love Filled Home

Hi Crafty Friends!

Just sharing a little card I made for a friend who recently moved house. Have a look ...

I picked one of the Whimsical Homes ATCs as my focal point. For the background I reached for my favourite non-black ink which is ... Elegant Eggplant, an almost black dark purple, which complemented the colours of my chosen topper rather well.

The Blossom Sprays 4 was stamped long both sides before adding some texture with the Circles All Over Texture Cover Plate Die. my sentiment was made up using stamps from the Sentiment Builder: Christmas & New Year set which was retired some time ago.

I layered it all up and finished off with a couple of sequins.

I am entering my card at

Allsorts Challenge 850 - Anything Goes

That's it from me for today. Back soon...

Hugs

Monika 💕

Here is what I used:

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

Whimsical Homes ATC 

Blossom Sprays 4

Circles All Over Texture Cover Plate Die

Sentiment Builders: Christmas & New Year - no longer available

Please check out STAMPlorations fantastic offer. Now is the time to stock up on those stamps, dies and stencils you always wanted

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

- from my stash:

Elegant Eggplant ink and card by Stampin'Up!

white card

sequins

Monochrome and Timeless

Hi Crafty Friends!

Back with another card today, simply because I want to play along at a couple of challenges.

This is a card for these topsy-turvy times we live in. Have a look ...

Recently I was scrolling through STAMPlorations Typographia stamps when this one, called Be Strong, really hit a nerve. This is for times when one just feels as if there is one thing after another without getting a breather and time to recharge. The last few years have definitely been somewhat like this an it's still ongoing.

Well, anyway, I finally turned it into a card being inspired by the Monochromatic Theme for the soon ending challenge over at Allsorts.

I used my favourite in, Elegant Eggplant by Stampin'Up!, to lightly stencil the trees before roughly inking and stamping the florals. The sentiment was fully inked. These simple variations in intensity add layers and depth.

I am entering my card at:

Allsorts Challenge 849 - Monochromatic or Anything Goes

Word Power May 2026 Challenge - Anything Goes with sentiment as focus

Just Us Girls Challenge 823 - Word Week 'Flowers'

That's it from me for today. Back tomorrow with another make...

hugs
Monika 💕

Here is what I used:

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

Be Strong 

Blossom Sprays 4

Beyond the Trees Slimline Stencil

Please check out STAMPlorations fantastic offer. Now is the time to stock up on those stamps, dies and stencils you always wanted

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

Toothy Smile

Hi Crafty Friends!

Sorry, I've been a little quiet in the last week ... reason being that I'm working on a larger project which has been taking up a lot of time. I'll share bits of it soon.

For now I'm sending you a little smile with another monster card ...

Easy stamped background and splatters topped with a watercoloured and fuzzy-cut monster and finished off with a stamped sentiment and a couple of sequins.

I'm playing along at:

Creative Inspiration Challenge 36 - Anything Goes

Allsorts Challenge 844 - Ribbon and Bows or Anything Goes, opting for anything goes

That's it from me for today.

hugs

Monika 💕

Here is what I used:

- from the STAMPlorations Shop:

I am on the STAMPlorations DT Team. The links are for your convenience and are not affiliated links.

However, you're welcome to use my unique discount code STAMPGIRLMONIKA at the STAMPlorations Shop at checkout for a 20% discount on any item apart from the subscription offers.

Little Monsters

Art Marks 3

Chikoo Goes Bananas

- from my stash:

card used for my base card - by Stampin'UP!

envelope and white card

sequins

black fineliner pens

inks: black Versafine ink; twisted citron Distress Ink and kitsch flamingo Distress Oxide

shimmery watercolours - B&M

glue

glitter

on a different note...

Feel free to check out STAMPlorations Freebie of the Month which this month (March 2026) is an amazing word die which will automatically be shipped with any order of $25 and over.

Monster Hugs

Hi Crafty Friends!

Today's monster just loved grunge ... think of someone covered in mud wanting to give you a hug or something similar ...

I used the Oval Flexi-Template and the Radial stencil in combination with Rosee and Grenadine inks to blend my background before adding the background script in Grenadine, the florals in Rich Cocoa. the grounding brush stroke in black Versafine and the splatters in Reglisse.

The monster was coloured in squeezed lemonade and twisted citron Distress Inks

Doodles, sentiment and sequins finished off my card.

That's it from me for today. Hopefully my card made you smile.

hugs

Monika 💕

Here is what I used:

- from the STAMPlorations Shop:

I am on the STAMPlorations DT Team. The links are for your convenience and are not affiliated links.

However, you're welcome to use my unique discount code STAMPGIRLMONIKA at the STAMPlorations Shop at checkout for a 20% discount on any item apart from the subscription offers.

Little Monsters

Art Marks 3

Best Mum Ever

- from STAMPlorations but currently not available for purchase

Radial Slimline stencil

Ovals Flexi-Template

- from my stash:

card used for my base card - by Stampin'UP!

envelope and mixed media card

sequins

black fineliner pens

inks: black Versafine ink; twisted citron and squeezed lemonade Distress Inks; Reglisse, The, Rosee and Grenadine Izink inks; Rich Cocoa Memento ink

glue

on a different note...

Bloom  Border #1 by Shery Russ Designs is February's Freebie Of The Month stamp which means you'll get it free with an order of $25 and over. Find out the details here.