So Pawsome

Hello Crafty Friends!

Today I'm sharing a one-layer card made for the CatLoversHop2018. I had intended to join last year, but life had other plans. Here's to Pawsomeness!

Simply stamped and masked with a little splash of colour, thought it would be a purrfect card for the times you don't fancy colouring in. The idea was to highlight the felines using colourful frames instead.

I am entering my card at:
CatLoversHop2018


Addicted To Stamps And More - CAS


Craft Stamper Make It Take It - Anything Goes

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

here is what I used:
Purrfectly Pawsome, Frames And Flowers
 
Both stamp sets are by STAMPlorations, should you wish to purchase any of their products, feel free to use my personal discount code STAMPGIRLMONIKA at checkout for a 20% discount on their stamps, dies and stencils.

Thanks

Hello Crafty Friends!

Well, I am back with an Inspiration project for STAMPlorations.

Today Blossom Sprays #1 came out to play for an almost one-layer card  ....

I still had ths die-cut thanks left from a while ago, when I cut it out of a panel stamped with stamps from the Frames And Flowers set. I felt it was quite bold in its own way and needed something delicate and subtle for the background.

Throughout September STAMPlorations are having 15% off on all stamps, stencils and dies in their on-line store on Tuesdays only, no coupon needed. This offer can be combined with my personal discount code STAMPGIRLMONIKA to give you an added 20% off taking the total discount to 35%, just saying ....


That's it from me for today. Pop over to the STAMPlorations Blog for more card making/crafting inspiration from my teamies. 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:
Blossom Sprays #1, Frames And Flowers, Thanks Word Die
  
*** Discount code works on sale items too

Spring & Faith Reminder

Hello Crafty Friends!

I thought it might be time for a little reminder that there is still time to play along at the March Challenge over at STAMPlorations, To keep your creative juices flowing, I made a tag using some of the same background I made for the ATCs from my post here ...

As you probably guessed, the challenge theme at STAMPlorations for this month is 'Spring And Faith'. You may remember that STAMPlorations currently have only one challenge to give Shery time to settle into a new routine having recently given birth to their second daughter Winter.

Here are the simple rules for the challenge:

• You may create any type of project -- cards (any style), mixed media, tags, layout, etc -- as long as it follows their theme

• STAMPlorations product is not required though they’d love to see it

• You may enter as many times as you want – as long as each project has its own blog post

• You must display the challenge graphic below + link back to the challenge page to qualify for the prizes

• You must comment on the entry before yours in the gallery – lets spread the love

• For an extra chance, comment on the challenge post and the designers’ blog posts throughout the month

Prizes:

• TWO (2) winners of a $25 gift certificate - randomly drawn from all entries

• ONE (1) winner of a $25 gift certificate - randomly drawn from all comments left on the designers' blogs throughout the month

Shery is offering a generous 10% (no coupon code needed) off all stamps, stencils, and dies in the store from Feb through April. Using my personal discount code STAMPGIRLMONIKA at checkout will give you an added 20% off taking the total discount to 30%.

You can see more clearly the Brusho print from the original background, I turned it into a feature. It looks a little like a signpost.

I masked it off before sponging the hills, and the Christmas Trees became arrows creating movement and direction to go with the stamped sentiment ...

... and I had to add an inlaid die-cut one as well. 😁

Some pearls and twine finished the tag off.

I am entering my tag at:
UK Stampers Forum Facebook Group March Decorated Tag Swap - Anything Goes

Fancy creating your own Spring and/or Faith themed make, why not link it up over at STAMPlorations? I look forward to seeing you there.

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:

Faith Expressions, Frames And Flowers, Senecio 1 Stencil, Christmas Tree 1 Stencil

   

Manila Tags Nesting Dies, Relax Die

 

*** Discount code works on sale items too

CUTplorations March

Hello Crafty Friends!

Over at STAMPlorations they have a new challenge ... The CUTplorations Challenge ... It's a monthly challenge requiring you to use die(s) and take inspiration from the monthly changing photo which for this month is ...

image source: Stylecaster

So what have we got ...

• the words Garden Party
• flowers
• dresses
• women
• casual elegance

I pretty much took my inspiration from the dress on the right to make this thank you card ...

Well, we all do want to say Thanks after having been to a party.

I die cut the small Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle Nesting Dies, sponged with Crisp Cantaloupe and randomly stamped with roses and leaves from the Frames And Flowers set in Crisp Cantaloupe Cherry Cobbler and Baked Brown Sugar.

I stamped part of my sentiment, Sentiment Builders: Thank You, and added the other part as a layered die-cut Thanks from ivory pearlescent card.. To finish off and for added elegance simple pearls fitted the bill perfectly.

What do you think?

Pop over to the STAMPlorations Blog to see how my teamies interpreted the photo and to link up your entry too. There are prizes for the winner ($10 gift certificate) and the two runner-ups ($5gift certificate each) as voted by the DT plus, if there are 30 or more entries, one randomly drawn winner can choose any 2 of the CUTplorations Word/Phrase Dies the DT used in their projects. That's well worth creating for, what do you think?

That's it from me for now.
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:


CUTplorations Dies used: Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle Nesting Dies, Thanks Word Die
 
STAMPlorations Stamps used: Sentiment Builder: Thank You, Frames And Flowers
 
*** Discount code works on sale items too

ARTplorations December Stencil Blog Hop Day 5

Hello Crafty Friends!

The Stencil Party is in full swing over at STAMPlorations. I am back today with a CAS card using the ARTplorations Just Squares Stencil in combination with the Faith Expressions and Frames And Flowers stamp sets.

I sponged two rows of squares in yellow, added my sentiment and two little leaves in black, layered on my black base card and finished off with matching sequins.

The Just Squares Stencil in this combination makes me think of breaking the perceived mountain down into little pieces of rock which are easier to handle. Sometimes taking the first step starts off the breaking down process.

Here is another look at my finished card ...

And here is a sneak peek of another project I am sharing a little later today, it also uses stencils and can be found here once published.

Back to the Stencil Hop over at STAMPlorations. Shery is not only throwing a Blog Hop ... she is also throwing a LINKY Party! All the details including prize info and special offers can be found here on the STAMPlorations Blog. There is also oodles of inspiration available to get your creative juices flowing.

As long as it is not a card, you could link your stencil make up with the current Mixed Media Challenge here for even more chances of winning.

That's it from me for today. I shall be back again soon.

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:

Just Squares ARTplorations Stencil, Faith Expressions, Frames And Flowers
  

Have Yourself

Hello Crafty Friends!

It's Inspiration Time over at STAMPlorations. I thought I'd share a Christmas card made with non-Christmas stamps, apart from the sentiment that is, as a way of keeping up my own yearly challenge.
Here it is ....

I used stamps from the Frames And Flowers and Party Mates sets to stamp my tree before adding a sentiment from the Christmas Reindeer set to finish.
So how did I stamp the tree ... I started off with almost fully inking the reverse side of one of the cupcakes (Party Mates) to stamp the pot. I then used generational stamping to stamp the leaves (Frames And Flowers) in a tree shape. Next I used the circular swirl (Party Mates) first on the reverse and the the actual swirl to stamp the baubles, I then added the small flowers, hearts and dots (all from the Frames And Flowers set) before adding some Stickles and Perfect Pearls dots as garland. All the stamping was done using pigment ink.

Here is another look at the finished card ...

That's it from me for today. Pop over to the STAMPlorations Blog for more inspiration and to leave a comment for your entry in their prize draw.
I shall be back soon with more makes to share.

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:

Frames And Flowers, Party Mates, Christmas Reindeer
  

Happy Eli

Hello Crafty Friends!

Just a quick post from me today to share my DT project for the Inspiration Round-Up Post over at STAMPlorations. It is a card I started off a few weeks ago, but then it came to a stop until I picked it up the other day to add the little elephant and hearts ... here it is ....

I started the card off with one of my brusho makes, I had placed the Just Squares ARTplorations Stencil on a piece of watercolour card, sprinkled it with turquoise brusho and spritzed with water. Once dry I stamped some blooms from the Big Bloom Factory set in Tempting Turquoise and added the sentiment from the Bloom Happy set. That's where I got stuck and left it. when I picked it up again the other day, I had stamped and die-cut the little eli from a piece of black brusho coloured card, placed it on my half finished card and liked it. Before attaching little eli, I stamped the two black hearts from the Frames And Flowers set and created a light shadow using blue chalks.

Here is another look at the finished card ...

That's it from me. Hope you feel inspired to pick up one of your started projects and finish it in unexpected ways.

Pop over to the STAMPlorations Blog for more inspiration and to leave a comment for your entry in their prize draw.

I shall be back on Sunday with a great up-cycling idea.
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:

STAMPlorations Stamps: Tweet Love, Bloom Happy, Big Bloom Factory, Frames And Flowers
   

CUTplorations Dies: Tweet Love Coordinating Dies


ARTplorations Stencils: Just Squares

Spring Coffee Lovers Hop

... and Special Stamp Release at STAMPlorations!

Hi All,

It's double celebration time today ... Firstly, STAMPlorations have a special stamp release of caffeinated goodness ... cute, elegant and cheeky ... here they are ...

 

... just in time for the second celebration ...

... more about this later.
To give you some ideas, I channeled my inner Queen, dug out the doilies and, working with the Always Teatime set, came up with the following inspiration ...

For my first card, I spritzed a pale pink base card with some pink and gold spritzing ink and attached my paper doily as seen. Next I enlisted the help of one of my watercolour brush stroke practicing cards and gold embossed one of the cups from the Always Teatime set before stamping the rising aroma from the Vignette: Eat Drink Be Merry set in fuchsia StazOn. I stamped a cheeky sentiment from the Literary Caffeine-ations and added another one from the Vignette: Eat Drink Be Merry set before finishing off with some sequins.

Next up is one with a more Spring like feel ...

I used another one of my brush stroke practicing pieces for the golden rays of hope emanating from the teacup. I stamped (in Tangerine Tango on cream card) and fuzzy cut the teacup (Always Teatime), stamped my sentiment (Always Teatime), added some leaves (Frames and Flowers), layered up, doodled a partial border, stamped the butterflies in Tangerine Tango (Frames and Flowers) and finished off by adding some sequins.

Next up is the card, I made first ...

I stamped mt teacup and sentiment, both from the Always Teatime set, on a piece of splattered watercolour background and added a little more colour to the flowers on the cup before distressing the edges and leaving to dry. I then embossed a piece of raspberry coloured card with a lace pattern. As I didn't want the pattern to be too dominant, I run the card through my machine again simply sandwiched between the cutting plates to flatten the embossing for a more subtle effect. I then layered everything up, doodled a white border and added some sequins and clear gems to finish.

That's my inspiration for today. Commenting on the STAMPlorations Special Stamp Release Hop finishes on Good Friday, 25th March at 11.59pm Pacific Daylight Time. Until the hop closes there is also ... wait for this .... a 15% discount on everything in the STAMPlorations shop, just enter coupon code SPRINGCLBH at check out. Two winners will be drawn at random and announced on Easter Sunday 27th March. The full rules and more inspirations from some of my teamies can be found on the STAMPlorations Blog.

I would also like to link my second card up with ...

• Addicted to Stamps and More - Photo Inspiration   
• Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop - Spring   

That's it from me for today. Happy Hopping!

hugs
Monika xxx

here is what I used:
Always Teatime, Vignette: Eat Drink Be Merry, Literary Caffeine-ations, Frames and Flowers