Nesting Dies - Take 1

Hello Crafty Friends!

A project without stamping for you today, hope you like it! The bag was made as a Spotlight Tutorial for STAMPlorations which can be found on their blog here.

I have been playing with Nesting Dies, the Curly Labels/Tags Nesting Dies to be precise, to make a little handbag inspired by one I made a few years ago when crafting with my friend Dianne. It is the first project in a little series using the nesting dies in various ways. Here is the finished bag:

Here are a few more photos of the finished bag:

That's it from me for today. The full step-by-step tutorial can be found here on the STAMPlorations Blog.

Have a lovely Valentine's Day!

hugs

Monika xxx

Here is what I used from the STAMPlorations Shop:

Curly Labels/Tags Nesting Dies, Flutter Zen #1 Layering Dies, Old Rose Prints

If you want to get an extra 20% off the shop prices, please use my personal discount code STAMPGIRLMONIKA at check out. I would really love you using it. Thanks so much!

February Stencil Sunday

Hello, Crafty Friends!

Welcome to another Stencil Sunday in February. 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 is ... a tag

For today's project, I dug out one of those pieces I have been meaning to use for a while ... a piece of card I used to use up left over gold acrylic and red coloured paste from a couple of projects from which I cut a large tag.

The paste at the time was used with the Old Rose Prints ARTplorations Stencil. It was done in a hurry and had smudged a little, and I wondered what it might look like covered up with tissue paper. I picked up some white crumpled tissue paper duly kept from packaging, added some stamping using stamps from the Scribbly Splattery Grunge set and Tempting Turquoise, Crisp Cantaloupe and Basic Grey inks, layered it onto my tag and gave it a thin coat of white gesso.

Next I got out the Ethnic Organic Two stencil, placed it on my tag, sprinkled with A Bit Jaded and Are You Cerise Coloured Stains Infusions, spritzed with water and outlined the pattern in black once dry.

Next I blended with Emerald and Golden Copper Decorating Chalks to bring out more of the rose pattern, added some glittery nail varnish and a piece of dry wall tape as a base for the rose and die-cut sentiment.

All that was left, was to finish off with some glitter glue, fibers and sequins.

The stamping on the tissue paper can't be seen in the finished project as stamping, it has become part of the overall colouring and texture. Interestingly it seemed to disappear and blend fully into the background through adding the dry wall tape despite it being a mesh.

Here is a last look at my finished project.,,

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: Old Rose Prints, Ethnic Organic Two

 

STAMPlorations Stamps: 

Blossom Overture, Scribbly Splattery Grunge

 
CUTplorations Dies:
Luggage Tags Nesting Dies, Hugs Word Die
 

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

December Stencil Hop Day 3

Hi All, welcome to Day 3 of the ARTplorations Stencil Blog Hop where we're celebrating all things stencil.

Here is my project ...

Something a little more CAS today using the Old Rose Prints ARTplorations Stencil with a sentiment from the Vignette Tree Silhouettes STAMPlorations stamp set.

I used a pierced rectangle die cut and sponged it using Crisp Cantaloupe ink to create my base colour before adding the roses with Calypso Coral. I stamped my sentiment, die cut a golden flourish, layered everything as seen and finished off by adding a few sequins.

For oodles of inspiration check out what the rest of the team made! You'll find links to all our projects here.

As with any blog hop simply leaving a comment on participating blogs can win you a prize, you can find all the links here. Commenting closes on Sunday 13th December and the winner will be announced on Tuesday 15th December.

Hold on, that's not all ... there is also a Stencil Linky Party running alongside the hop increasing your chances of winning a prize. It's all explained in the details below ...

*****

Prizes:

FIVE (5) winners will receive their choice of ARTplorations stencil (standard size - 5x7). Winners will be randomly drawn from all comments left on the designers' blogs.
ONE (1) winner will receive a $15 gift certificate OR her choice of 2 ARTplorations stencils (standard size - 5x7). Winners will be randomly drawn from comments left on the STAMPlorations blog.

Extra prizes for those who participate in the Flash Stencil Project Linky Party and link up by December 13:

TWO (2) winners whose projects feature stencils (any brand) will each receive their choice of one (1) ARTplorations stencil (standard size - 5x7)
ONE (1) winner whose project features an ARTplorations stencil will receive her choice of three (3) ARTplorations stencils (standard size - 5x7) OR a $15 gift certificate to the shop.

*****

links to previous days:

Day 1 - Day 2

That's it from me for today, back again tomorrow with more stencil inspirations.

Have a lovely day and enjoy hopping.

Good Luck!

Monika xxx

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

flourish - Britannia dies

Crisp Cantaloupe and Calypso Coral inks - Stampin'Up!

Monochromatic Purple Collage

Hi Everyone!
I am back again for another tutorial over at STAMPlorations. Today I'm going for a monochromatic palette in purple working with the stamp sets Bold Sentiments: Imagine and Mixed Media Elements, our current Stamp Club set, plus the Old Rose Prints ARTplorations Stencil.

Before starting I made myself a little colour swatch on a piece of scrap paper to see how my purples would work together and to decide which ones to use.

This is basically a one-layer card which means I stamped directly on my base card.

I started off by twice stamping the script in Sweet Plum Memento ink having wiped a little ink off along the bottom edge before stamping the second time.

Next I added my splashes in Dusty Concord Distress Ink and stenciled my rose using Dark Orchid Starlights Metallic Paint. Seeing that some of my stamped splashes could make perfect leaves helped in the positioning of the rose.

I then stamped my sentiment in Elegant Eggplant, added some more stamped texture using stamps from the Mixed Media Elements set and sprayed a fine mist using a marker pen and spritzing tool. I then finished off by rounding three corners and adding some extra sparkle in the form of gems and sequins.

Here is a close up of the rose, as you can see the paint is very sparkly which adds lovely interest to the finished project.

TIP!: If you haven't got any ready made paint, you could try adding glitter to acrylic paint which should give you a similar effect.

As always there is a little video where you can craft along. It gives you a little more information on how I create my projects as I go along.

As mentioned in my video, I am linking my card with The Hop To Stop where it's all about raising awareness about Domestic Violence. The aim is to get people talking about DV which in turn may help someone to make the break and walk away. Help is out there.

How the hop works:

Anyone is eligible for a Super Sponsor prize if they link up a *newly created* papercraft project, no back-linking please. Random.org is used to draw for winners.

In order to be eligible you MUST:
>>Comment on the three entries before your linkup in order to be eligible for a prize (be a good bloggy neighbour!) (unless it's a site that requires a login)
>>Display the sponsor graphic!
>>Provide a direct link back to the hop

As you can see STAMPlorations is one of the hop's sponsors, commenting on my post over on their blog will give you another chance of winning a prize.

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

hugs
Monika xxx

here is what I used:
from STAMPloratiuons, links are in the above text
   

Grow Your Wings

... and learn to fly

Hi Everyone! Today I am sharing a little canvas I made for the Spotlight Feature over at the STAMPlorations Blog. I worked with The Bee's Knees' Party Girl, Shery Russ Designs' Eclectic Florals and ARTplorations Stencils Retro Circles and Old Rose Prints. It is the type of project I have been wanting to do for a while now,but never really dared getting even started. One could say that this canvas was inspired by the collective work of our Mixed Media Girls. They inspired me to finally taking up the challenge which, once started, was not that difficult after all.

I recently discovered the joys of using Mod Podge hence I wanted to try using it as a glue and sealant in my project. I think I'm becoming seriously hooked as I've already got a few more canvas projects started ...

... back to today's project, here is how I made it:

Allowing for plenty of drying time between the steps, I begun by sticking some pretty paper on a small canvas using Mod Podge.

TIP!: I used some off-cuts as I was pretty sure that one wouldn't see the join in the end, but it might have been a little easier using a purpose cut piece instead.

Next I created a wash using pink, green and gold acrylic paints...

... before stenciling the Old Rose Prints using gold acrylic paint and a make up sponge.

Next I heat embossed the Retro Circles using Rainbow Crystal embossing powder, which is basically clear embossing powder with glitter.

I then stamped, coloured and fuzzy cut Party Girl, gave her some sliver skeleton leaves as wings and added some die cuts and ribbon. Next I blended some melon mambo ink on a piece of white card before stamping and fuzzy cutting one of the small flowers from the Eclectic Florals set, printed and fuzzy cut my computer generated phrase before adhering and sealing it all into place using Mod Podge.

TIP!: Use the smallest brush you can get away with. The one I used was a little too large for the size of my project and I ended up with a thicker coat of Mod Podge than I would ideally have liked.

Once dry, I finished off with some pearls and doodles in gold (Uni Ball Signo) and clear star (Sakura Gelli Roll) adding some subtle shading, detail and borders. Yes, it's fab! You really can doddle on Mod Podge and it won't wipe off.

Here is another look at the finished project.

I would like to enter my canvas at:
Sisters of Craft - Anything Goes
613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes, optional twist add moon or stars. Well, I didn't go for the twist, but when it comes to the Apollo theme ... she's got wings to fly

Feel free to pop over to the STAMPlorations Blog and leave a comment on my post for your chance to win one of their amazing prizes.

That's it from me for today. Hope you feel inspired to make something different, something you always wanted to try.

Have a lovely day!

hugs
Monika xxx

here is what I used:
stamps and stencils from STAMPlorations, links are in the text
   

gold acrylic paint - Poundland
canvas, rose ribbon, green and pink acrylic paint - The Works
leaf flourish die - Britannia Dies
grass die - Clearly Besotted
ribbon - Fantastic Ribbons
gel pens - craft shop at Burleydam Garden Center
DSP, Mod Podge, gems, Promarkers, Spectrum Noir Markers, silver skeleton leaves and embossing powder from stash