Inspired By...Starfish Wishes

Hello friends! Welcome back for a new challenge at Inspired By! We've had a break in July but we are beginning again with our weekly challenge.  I am still enjoying summer. Still dreaming of cook-outs, travel and the pool. Don't want it to end.  

This is just the card I pictured making when I saw this darling set from Penny Black. Yes, it is brand-new! I lightly sponged the background. Next, I stamped the sea plants and added color by painting with Distress Inks. A bit of masking helped with the arrangement, and I saved the best for last! I love the star fish. Doesn't he look like he's dancing along? There's sparkle too! Added along the sand with a mousse, and with clear Nuvo Drops for the bubbles. 

We have two options to inspire you.

Hope you will join in! I'm joining the challenges today at NBUS and The Paper Players.

 Be yourself

          Have delight in your craft 

               Make something beautiful!  

Playing with Friends!

 Hi there! 

It's a special kind of sharing on my blog today! You know we stampers love to play in challenges and sometimes in person. One of my favorite blog friends is Michele at I Card Everyone. I so admire her ability to design fabulous cards and then present them with her bit of wit and good humor! 

Today I'm part of her series called Playing with Friends.  She is such a fun friend to have, and gives much sweetness with her blog and many comments of encouragement to others.

We each create using the same supplies or, in this case a theme. BEACH!  It is National World Oceans Day, so we are creating projects around oceans or things to do at the beach. Of course I went with the beach theme, since that is my last name! That certainly makes me qualified, you think?

I have loved the Hello Bluebird stamps Seaside Girls set and I decided this was a good occasion to (order) and use it.  I colored these friends with Copics and used the Ocean Scene die to create a beach scene. Brand new supplies to me.  Inking each panel, I added dots and splatters as needed and assembled them on the card. The middle layer of the ocean is popped up for dimension. 

The sky was lightly inked and stamped with my message for Michele: I'm so lucky to have a friend like you! That message is for you too, dear readers.

I love collecting shells at the beach. It's my favorite thing to do! I can't wait to see which way the waves took Michele for her project, please join me in checking it out HERE.  

I will be linking at NBUS and at The Paper Players Summer Theme Challenge. 

Wishing you a day filled with sunshine and smiles. 

Be yourself.

     Find delight in your craft           
          Make something beautiful! 

Sending Holiday Cheer

 Hello friends, it's a holiday week in the US.  Thanksgiving! I will be cooking the turkey potatoes and gravy and the rest of the meal will be supplied by some of our family. I can't wait! 

I have a card wishing you holiday cheer for today. 

I combined some scraps of papers in my stash (PTI) and made a tag for this cute snowman. I think he looks kind of quirky. He's probable wondering why the owl is on his head? 

He's part of the "O Holy Night" stamp set from The Cat's Pajamas and as it's just the first time I've used it I can enter sweet Darnell's NBUS Challenge!

Coloring was done quickly with Copics. I added a clear glaze to his hat, enamel dots and a couple snowflakes.
The sentiment and die for the tab is from The Greetery. I use these Sentiment Suite Basics sets a ton! 

I am entering the Tag It challenge at TCP Tuesday too!
Signing out for the weekend, wishing all those in the states a very happy Thanksgiving! In the midst of difficulties the things we have to be thankful for mean even more.  

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

The More the Merrier

 Hello stamping friends! The more Christmas cards the merrier, that is! I am here with another one for you today as my pile of completed cards is growing! This idea of stamping many images and having them die cut and ready to go is really working for me. I had quite a few die cut holly leaves with berries leftover after THIS project and when I saw them on my desk the next morning I decided to make them into a wreath.

This is creativity at it's best! I began with a white die cut circle, and drew a light pencil line inside the circle to help me keep the shape as I filled in the die cut leaves and berries.  I added some stamped pine boughs behind the die cuts, and a few dots of different colors of Copics to help the eye see the circle.

 
Choosing to go for the bling, I used the Wink of Stella Shimmer pen on the berries, and added glitter here and there. And of course - sequins to go with the gold embossed sentiment. 

I am adding this to
the sketch at  Sunday Stamps, 

Tic Tac Toe Challenge where I chose the right row down.

and the Card Concept where I went with the Clean and Layered Style.

That's a lot of challenges in one post for me! Thanks for your visit today, and for sticking with me through this long post.

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Supplies used:

Stamps: The Greetery - Sentiment Suite: Christmas and dies, PTI- Seasonal Borders: Winter

Paper: Neenah Solar White, DSP from Rosy Cosy Christmas

Accessories: Sequins, Gold embossing Powder, Diamond Stickles, The Greetery - Nordic Frames Dies

Portrait Pals Pin Up

 Good evening friends! It is rare to find me back at the screen with my second post of the day. Turns out I had to get this card in before the deadline as I'm playing along with the MFT Sketch Challenge.  I had a false start with an idea that just didn't work, but when I pulled out the Portrait Pals stamps from Hello Bluebird things just came together. 

I love the result of these wild things posing in the jungle! I had them all colored and trimmed out so it just became a matter of fitting them in the sketch. I used Copics to color and added white gel pen accents. All are raised with foam behind them for dimension.

The sentiment and DSP are both from MFT (retired.) This greeting will work well whichever way I decide to go when mailing this. Either happy hugs for your special day or happy hugs from all of us or even with a just because theme. 

Since these stamps are brand spankin' new I am also entering at NBUS. You wouldn't believe all the amazing cards over there!

Thanks so much for your visit today. Makes this critter-happy-crafter smile to have you here! Hugs to you!

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Butterflies for a Wonderful Friend

Hello, how are you on this Monday? 

I am glad that it's a new week. A very big event took place this morning. We went to get peaches! I live 20 minutes from the orchards and these peaches are the best I've ever eaten! I don't buy more than a few at a time, since we eat very little sugar we like them best just off the tree! 

On the way we dropped off this thank you card to our friend and neighbor.  Could there be anything cheerier than butterflies in striped rainbow colors? 

I used DSP from Waffle Flower Crafts, and  layered the white die cut panel on top. (Bitty Butterflies Cover Plate from PTI.)

The sweet Fusion Card Challenge inspired me to pull out the die as it fits perfectly with the sketch. I loved the soft sweet pastel cupcakes and used the butterfly elements on my card. Pearls instead of icing swirls? 

The sentiment and die are thanks to Simon Says Stamp "You" stamp set and die. These sentiments are so unique and fill in the gaps left by occasions greetings. This card was easy and quick to make but I think it's special. 

Hope you stay well today and find some brightness or sweet spots in your day. 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Clean and Simple Thanks with Masking

Hello, welcome to a new week at my blog! I am so glad you've come for a visit. The air conditioning is on, and the little fan in my craft room too. Makes me think staying right here is the best place to be on this very very HOT day. Summer has come to my neck of the woods. Today's card began with masking a corner of the card front, and inking just that corner lightly. 

I used post-it tape to mask along the left side and along the bottom of the card front. I stamped then needed to mask the kiosk and the balloons images. Having those dies made it very easy to create a mask! After inking and the reveal, I used Copics to color the store front, canopy and balloons keeping it very simple. I wanted the red and white of the awning and the balloons to stand out.

I added the word thanks and the flowers and milk can as die cuts, thinking it just needed a bit of dimension. Additionally, I used Wink of Stella to add sparkle to the balloons, and clear Nuvo Drops on the milk can to add a metallic shine.

It's Clean and Simple week at The Paper Players and here is the inspiration photo from Joanne.

I wanted to add a metal element to my thank you card, and things went from there, incorporating the red and white stripes and what looked to me like a boardwalk at the beach scene. My creation is a bit of a more literal take on the photo than usual. But it sure helped me to think outside of the box! And I loved using a neglected stamp set to boot.

I hope that you're staying cool where you are! If it stays this hot, I may be doing lots of stamping this week, so come back soon!

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Supplies used:

Stamps: HERO arts - My Monthly Hero Kit from January 2019

WPlus9 - Hand-lettered Thanks stamps and die

Paper: Bristol Smooth

INK: Gina K amalgam black; DOX - Cracked Pistachio, Antique Linen and Tumbled Glass; COPIC markers

Accessories: WOS, Nuvo Drops in Morning Dew, Gina K Masking Magic Sheets

 

Celebrating You today!

Hello fellow crafters, here I am and it's the middle of the week already, don't know how that happens!

I do know there's a card to share, coming right up! 

I saw these colors offered at the challenge at The Paper Players and had some time to think about what I would use. 

At first I thought of Christmas, but ruled that out for now. Opting for my favorites - flowers, I pulled out these pretty tulips from the Greetery set called Budding Beauties Spring. 

 I colored them with several layers of inking to get the shaded effect. The detail is built right into the stamps! I used sponge daubers to apply the layers using Distress Oxide inks in reds and greens. 

I played along with the challenge at The Paper Players.

Supplies from The Greetery will be listed below and if you have any questions I'd be happy to answer in the comments. Thanks so much for your visit today!

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

 

Supplies used:

Stamps: Budding Beauties Spring, Sentiment Suite Birthday and matching dies, Fit to be Tied die

Sunshine and Rainbows

The challenge at The Paper Players is Sunshine and Rainbows. I love that theme! 

I rummaged through my stash and pulled out the perfect frame die. It's retired, I've had it for years! 
I'm really making a point of using a mix of old and new supplies. The frame die includes the hello (positive) and  sunshine (negative.) 
A sheet from JJ Bolton's Rainbow Pad Sampler (Waffle Flower Crafts) provides a colorful backdrop and the stripes in the inlaid word.
All that was left was figuring out what to put inside the frame. I stamped the elephant, and using masking, I created the sky background with Distress Inks. 
I sure hope this card brightens your day!

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Stamps: WPlus9 - Bubble Talk is no longer available!

Bouquet Builder Birthday

I'm writing this at the end of a lovely June day filled with activities and beautiful weather! I had the right amount of energy for getting some chores and errands done, spending lots of time outside and getting in an hour of stamping before dinner. 

Here's what I made! 

I loved coloring those pretty images with Copics and arranging them around the large sentiment. It was stamped in two layers to give detail, and I added a layer of glitter on the shaded area. 
I'm playing along with The Paper Players and Jaydee's Tic Tac Toe which gives some great options.

 I chose the diagonal row of flowers die-cut and embossing. But it also fits with flowers girly and birthday on the top line. 

I will list my supplies below and wish you a great day! I so appreciate you spending a bit of your time with me. 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Supplies used:

Stamps: Bouquet Builder 6 and dies (Waffle Flower); Written in Ribbons Stamp set and dies (The Greetery)

Paper: Neenah Solar White, Half-Half Paper Pads - Unicorn (Waffler Flower); Black

INK: Gina K Amalgam Black, Versamark

Accessories: White embossing powder, Blooms Fill-In Dies (Concord & 9th)

Sweet Sentiments

Hello there friends! Being outside has been so therapeutic as the weather has turned warm here.  My husband and I have been gardening - the veggies are planted and flowers are on the list to plant today. 
I just hope it stays only warm for a while longer before HOT summer hits! 

I can never get enough flowers, can you?  Coloring them on cards is fun too! For day 20 of Spring Card Camp the lesson involved creating and coloring a display of flowers. 

The Bouquet Builders 6  and Sweet Sentiments from Waffle Flower were just waiting to be inked! I used Zigs Real Color Brush markers to add bright hues. 

I'm adding this to the challenge at The Paper Players too! 

Guess what happens tomorrow?  Spring Card Camp 2 begins. Yep, I'm signed up all ready for crafty play time to begin! The thought sure makes me smile.
Thanks so much for your kind visit today. 

 Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Stamps, Markers, Scissors and Glue

Hello again! I'm having a return to the basics for my stamping this week, and today it's stamps markers, scissors and glue and just a bit more. I feel a bit like a hamster on a wheel rattling around in my house but I enjoyed putting this card together and thinking happily of the sweet girl who's first birthday is coming up. 

I started with stamps from Birthday Bears (MFT) which an oldie that's been in my stash since 2015. Instead of using the dies, I did some masking enabling me to position the gift, the hat, and balloons, then cut it out. Colored with Copics. 

One thing about Copics - I used to try and make coloring with them SO COMPLICATED that I stressed out over using them. I'm over that now. Two layers and I'm done, simple. The black and white strip of paper was on my desk, so I glued that on and added some translucent stars. Believe it or not, I don't think I've ever used them. And I think they add just the right bling. 

I'm playing with The Paper Players, who have a theme week: Zoo, and Retro Rubber Challenge whose theme is squares. My square card measures 4.25 x 4.25. 

Enjoy your day! Thanks for your visit. 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Sending You Love with Cuddly Critters

One last post for you this week! I'm featuring the cute rabbit from the Cuddly Critters set (Simon Says Stamp.) 

This card is intended for our grandson who loves to rip off anything dimensional on a card, so I kept this one very simple with only one popped up image. 

The bunny was stamped, colored with Copics, then I masked the critter and sponged pastel inks behind. 

The triangles stencil (Pretty Pink Posh) added a bit of dimension to the card. Key word here: unremovable. I also added some clear drops to the eyes for shine and because it still needed something the stitched ribbon. 

As I am working my way through my stash, I have the goal to make cards that are gender neutral and could be used whatever the occasion. I am also telling myself to keep them simple. Sometimes I actually manage to do that. Today was NOT one of those days. Although simple, I wrestled with every little part of this card! 

Even with two great challenges to help me. 
Inspired By 

and CAS(E) this Sketch. 

It is good therapy for me to keep crafting so I'm being kind to myself in terms of my expectations, LOL! 

Hope you have a great weekend, see you soon! 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Budding Beauties Dressed in Pink

Hello there, welcome back to my blog! 
I'm popping in late on this Thursday afternoon with a card that I contemplated for a day or two but just put together.  I saw the challenge at The Paper Players and wanted to play along, now I'm posting just in the nick of time! 

I couldn't wait to create with the tulips and beautiful cherry blossoms that arrived Monday in my order from The Greetery. Have a look! 

The stamp set is called Budding Beauties, and the images enabled me to heartily embrace pink! I also inked up the new Painterly Stripes background stamp to continue the color combo using WPlus9 inks. These are my very favorite pinks because they are bright and clean, not muddy hues.

 The images come together easily with layers of ink to add detail. In honor of the challenge and the occasion of new stamps, I added  a double bow of my favorite seam binding ribbon in pink, adhering the panel slightly off center. I did the vertical tic-tac-toe row using Pink, Die Cuts, and Ribbon. 

Thanks so much for you visit today! How are you keeping busy in your stay at home time? I will be back tomorrow with another project, see you soon. 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Supplies used:

Stamps: The Greetery - Budding Beauties stamps and dies, WPlus9 -  Basic Labels stamps and die

Paper: Neenah Solar White 80 lob., Basic Black

INK: Versamark, WPlus9 - Shell Pink, Little Piggy, VIP Pink, Mojito, Lime Light, 

Accessories: White Embossing Powder, The Greetery - Postal Frame Dies