Revisiting Favourites

for my Spotlight feature over at STAMPlorations ...

Hello Crafty Friends!
It's my turn for a Spotlight Project over at STAMPlorations. It is a sort of a follow on from Monday's Mixed Media Tutorial. I am looking to make an alternative cover for the note pad I am going to use to record my art journal projects with a little help from two of my favourite Stamp Club sets, Bloom Sketches and Mixed Media Grunge, and the Daisy Dance and Foiled Again ARTplorations Stencils.

Here is the finished project:

Anything I tend to pick up a lot or put on a shelf needs to have minimal layers and embellishments to feel robust. My way of dealing with this is to add layers and detail through sponging and stamping hence the use of the two stencils. As you can see one through the other you are getting an incredible depth and the daisies just seem to float.

I really love how the stamped border turned out. The stamps from the Mixed Media Grunge set add detail without stealing the show.

If you want to find out how I made my cover, pop over to the STAMPlorations Blog for a full step by step tutorial.
That's it from me 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

Bloom Sketches, Mixed Media Grunge, Art Is, Art Marks,
   

Bold Sentiments Journey and Create, ARTplorations Stencils Foiled Again and Daisy Dance
   

You're Tough

Hello Crafty Friends!

It's Inspiration Time over at STAMPlorations. This week my treamies and I are showcasing stamps designed for STAMPlorations by Becca under her label 'Big Grins By Becca Cruger'. I decided to work with Reindeer Games and Buttercups And Butterflies. Here it is ...

It's pretty straight forward:

• using the middle die, die-cut a Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle
• stamp and colour the reindeer
• stamp sentiment
• add doodles and doodled flowers including extra message
• add white gel highlights
• layer on matching base card

New for this year, the STAMPlorations Inspiration DT are showcasing stamps from one designer. All the stamps by that designer will be reduced by 10% for that one week apart from one set which will have a 20% discount. No coupon is needed at check out, and you still can apply my personal discount code STAMPGIRLMONIKA -which doesn't expire, by the way- for an extra 20% off all stamps, dies and stencils!

As mentioned earlier, this week we are showcasing stamps designed by my friend Becca under her label 'Big Grins By Becca Cruger. All her sets will be reduced by 10% and the Bunnies 'N Beans set will be 20% off.

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:

Reindeer Games, Buttercups And Butterflies, Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle Nesting Dies
  

My Art Journey Art Journal

Hello Crafty Friends!
I am in line today for a Mixed Media Tutorial over at STAMPlorations.

I had this idea of making my own art journal for a while. The idea is to have something where I can put ideas on canvas and record the materials used and observations made.

The whole book is made from scratch using canvas pieces, card, thick card, sketch paper and a coloured page from Color Blooms, I made a while ago using Brushos and Promarkers. Ribbons, sequins and glitter were pretty extras.

Here are a couple of photos of the finished front cover as a little teaser ...

and some of the inside too ...

There is a slideshow video detailing each one of the steps over on the STAMPlorations Blog or on my YouTube Channel here.

I am entering at:
Craft Stamper Make It Take It - Anything Goes
Mixed Media Monthly challenge #32 - Put a Stencil On It 
613 Avenue Create - Create something that features your favourite technique, mine is constructing my own books. I've made several over the years and this one is the largest so far

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:

ARTplorations Stencils:
Big Bloom Factory, Art Splatters
 
STAMPlorations Stamps:
Big Bloom Factory, Mixed Media Grunge, Mixed Media Elements, Life In Full Color
   
Vignette: Celebrate Artsy, Bold Sentiments Journey and Create, Art Marks, Art Is
    
CUTplorations Dies:
Magical Word Die

Colouring Book:
Color Blooms


*** The personal discount coupon STAMPGIRLMONIKA works on already reduced items too, but can not be combined with any other coupon codes.

January Mixed Media Challenge

... and sprinkling a little fairy dust ...

Hello, Crafty Friends!

Welcome to January 2017 and the start of a new 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 January is ... an Art Journey page ....

I wanted to do a piece of work on canvas trying out a few things, and given that this week the Inspiration Girls were showcasing Shirley's stamps from The Bee's Knees Range, which are still available at a 10% discount apart from World Birthday Cakes at 20% discount until Monday 9th January, I thought I might go for some sprinkling of magic.

I made a little slide show video to take you through my process ...

Well the Art Journey page is based on the idea of an art journal, but I had to give it my own spin. Check back tomorrow for my Mixed Media Tutorial to find out more.

I am entering my little canvas at:
Craft Stamper Make It Take It - Anything Goes
Mixed Media Monthly Challenge #32 - Put A Stencil On It 

I hope you feel inspired to dig into your crafty resourcefulness and create something to enjoy  .... why not link it up with the Mixed Media Challenge over at STAMPlorations. The theme for the Mixed Media Challenge 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.

Ooops, almost forgot to mention the prizes: one winner as chosen by the Mixed Media DT will receive a $10 gift certificate and two Top Picks will receive a $5 gift certificate each, all of course redeemable at the STAMPlorations Shop ... but that's not all ... if there are 25 or more entries one lucky randomly drawn winner will receive two standard sized stencils of their choice.

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: Bubble Dance, Delicate Links
 

STAMPlorations Stamps: Faerie Door, Birds Of Paradise, Folk Flowers, Winged Things
   

CUTplorations Dies: Magical Word Die

*** The personal discount coupon STAMPGIRLMONIKA works on already reduced items too, but can not be combined with any other coupon codes.

CUTplorations January

Hello Crafty Friends!

Over at STAMPlorations they have a new challenge starting ... 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: Smashing Magazine

So what have we got ...

• New Year
• colours - black and gold with a touch of white
• Champagne glass
• holorgaphic texture
• fizz dots

I went with black and gold plus bubbly for a Happy New Year card ...

I spritzed a piece of black card with gold Artiste Spritzing ink and heat embossed the champagne glass  (Part Mates) and 'New Year (Sentiment Builder: Christmas & New Year) using Gold Detail embossing powder. I then inked the inside of the glass with a Versamark marker, added hot glue powder, heated it up and pressed my holographic gold foil into it letting it set for a few seconds before lifting the sheet. To finish I did some inlaid die cutting using the CUTplorations Word Die 'Happy'. Here is a close up of my subtle die cutting ...

Here is a last look at my finished card ...

Pop over to the STAMPlorations Blog to see how my teamies interpreted the photo and to link up your entry too.
New Year ... new prizes for you to win ... the winner as voted by the Inspiration team receives a $10 gift certificate, the two top picks receive a $5 gift certificate each ... and that's not all ... if there are more than 30 entries one randomly drawn winner will receive any 2 Word/Phrase Dies used by the DT.

That would certainly tempt me to play along ... remember to link to the STAMPlorations Blog and to display the challenge photo in your post.

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: Happy Word Die

STAMPlorations Stamps: Sentiment Builder: Christmas & New Year, Party Mates

 

Purrfectly Stylish

Hello Crafty Friends!

Here's to looking forward to another year of crafting fun. It is Inspiration Time over at STAMPlorations, and Shery has mixed things up a little, for your benefit of course!

Each week the STAMPlorations Inspiration DT are showcasing stamps from one designer. All the stamps by that designer will be reduced by 10% for one week apart from one set which will have a 20% discount. No coupon is needed at check out, and you still can apply my personal discount code STAMPGIRLMONIKA -which doesn't expire, by the way- for an extra 20% off all stamps, dies and stencils!

This week we are showcasing stamps designed by my friend Shirley under her label 'The Bee's Knees'. All her sets will be reduced by 10% and the World Birthday Cakes set which I used in my cards here, here, here and here will be 20% off.

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.

... back to today's project ... I used Pets and City Girl with a little help from the Luggage Tags Nesting Dies to continue my funky foam shaker card exploration ....

... and ended up with a yellow and black combo. I applied some Daffodil Delight ink on my crafting mat, spritzed with water and mopped it up with white card. On one bit I stamped 'You're Fabulous' and on the other the city block (London Milan Paris New York). When die-cutting funky foam, be aware that it does stretch, even if you die-cut it at the same time as your frame. This gave me the lovely yellow shadow. The rest is pretty straight forward ... add a 'ly' to the stamped 'purrfect', layer up and finish with a few black flower sequins.

Here is another look ...

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

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

STAMPlorations Stamps: Pets, City Girl
 

CUTplorations Dies: Luggage Tags Nesting Dies