Tuesday 31 January 2017

STAMPlorations January Release Week Day 2


Hello Crafty Friends!

Welcome to Day 2 of the STAMPlorations January Release Blog Hop which today features Fowl Play, a set of 7 adorable chicks and 3 sentiments ....

preview-FowlPlay-TheBeesKnees

I know, you'll be having so much fun with these chicks. As for my part, they were perfect for a slider-shaker card ...


The slider element sits in front of the acetate in a pocket created by attaching the frame on three sides only. You could of course have it sliding out to the side rather than the top.


Otherwise it's a straight forward shaker card with the sentiment stamped inside the shaker element.


As with every Blog Hop leaving comments along the way on all participating blogs increases your chance of winning one of these fabulous prizes:
  • 2 winners of $25 gift certificates randomly drawn from comments left the STAMPlorations Blog and designer blogs links to which can be found here
  • 1 winner of her choice of 1 stamp set from the new release randomly drawn from STAMPlorations' Facebook page
  • 1 winner of her choice of CUTplorations die from the new release randomly drawn from STAMPlorations' Instagram page
To join the fun hop, leave a comment on my blog and pop over to the STAMPlorations Blog for more commenting and all the links to the fabulous projects my teamies created.

Commenting closes on Tuesday 7th February and the winners will be announced in the January's Winners Post on Friday 10th February on the STAMPlorations Blog.

All four stamp sets and three CUTplorations die plates in this release are available at a 5% discount, no coupon needed, from the STAMPlorations Shop until Friday, 10th February. For an added 20% off enter the discount code STAMPGIRLMONIKA at checkout.

That's it from me for now, I shall be back tomorrow with more Blog Hop Inspiration.
See You then ...

hugs
Monika xxx

links to previous days: Day 1

here is what else 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 all their stamps, stencils and dies:
Party TimeGraphic Squares, CUTplorations Dies: ATC/Tag BuilderCrazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle Nesting Dies
SheryRuss_PartyTime-web-preview stmp1041.jpeg preview-atctagbuilder-cutplorationspreview-CrazyDoubleRunningStitches-Rectangle


Wishing You Well

Hello Crafty Friends!

Just sharing the first card I made using the Vignette: Tree Silhouettes with the Just Flow ARTplorations Stencil as my Inspiration Round-up project for STAMPlorations.


As you can see, simply changing the colours and the way the trees are stamped gives this card a completely different feel to the one I posted yesterday as my blog hop project.

The initial idea was to go for a landscape type of colouring hence the green and yellow simply sponged through the stencil. The trees and sentiment are stamped in black Versafine.


Pop over to the STAMPlorations Blog to see what my teamies created for you and to leave a comment for your entry into their prize draw. Whilst there, have a look around, there is always lots to see, learn and fun to be had.

That's it from me for now, I shall be back in an hour with the second helping for the STAMPlorations January Stamp & Die Release Blog Hop.

See you shortly ...
hugs
Monika xxx


here is what else 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 all their stamps, stencils and dies:

Vignette: Tree SilhouettesJust Flow ARTplorations Stencil
stmp1032.jpeg preview-stencil121-JustFlow

Monday 30 January 2017

STAMPlorations January Release Week Day 1


Hello Crafty Friends!

Welcome to Day 1 of the STAMPlorations January Release Blog Hop which today features Noteworthy 2, a set of 9 encouraging sentiments ....




For my DT card I went with the 'choose happy' one and created this bright and cheerful card ...



The trees look a bit like dancing the can-can on this rainbow coloured background sponged using the Just Flow ARTplorations Stencil and turquoise, pink and yellow inks (Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight).


As with every Blog Hop leaving comments along the way on all participating blogs increases your chance of winning one of these fabulous prizes:
  • 2 winners of $25 gift certificates randomly drawn from comments left the STAMPlorations Blog and designer blogs links to which can be found here
  • 1 winner of her choice of 1 stamp set from the new release randomly drawn from STAMPlorations Facebook page
  • 1 winner of her choice of CUTplorations die from the new release randomly drawn from STAMPlorations Instagram page
To join the fun hop, leave a comment on my blog and pop over to the STAMPlorations Blog for more commenting and all the links to the fabulous projects my teamies created.

Commenting closes on Tuesday 7th February and the winners will be announced in the January's Winners Post on Friday 10th February on the STAMPlorations Blog.

All four stamp sets and three CUTplorations die plates in this release are available at a 5% discount, no coupon needed, from the STAMPlorations Shop until Friday, 10th February. For an added 20% off enter the discount code STAMPGIRLMONIKA at checkout.

That's it from me for now, I shall be back tomorrow with more Blog Hop Inspiration.
See You then ...

hugs
Monika xxx


here is what else 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 all their stamps, stencils and dies:

Just Flow ARTplorations StencilVignette: Tree Silhouettes
preview-stencil121-JustFlow stmp1032.jpeg

Thursday 26 January 2017

Feeling Dreamy

Hello Crafty Friends!

Just sharing a couple of cards today, both using Dandelion Dreams by Clearly Besotted. It's a set I bought a couple of years ago always intending to use it. Well, finally it came out to play ...


It's a really easy card to make. I simply sponged Melon Mambo and Tempting Turquoise through my Clarity stencil and stamped the dandelion and sentiment in Elegant Eggplant.

I would like to enter my card at:
Darnell's NBUS #9 - never before used schtuff


Here is a look at the other card I made using the same basic 'ingredients' with softer sponging and using different stamps from the same set ...


That's it from me for now.

Have a lovely day!
hugs
Monika xxx

Tuesday 24 January 2017

Watercolour Rose

Hello Crafty Friends!

It's Inspiration Time over at STAMPlorations. This week my treamies and I are showcasing stamps by STAMPlorations owner Shery under her label 'Shery Russ Designs'.

I decided to work with the Framed Solitary Rose in combination with stamps from the Mixed Media Grunge  and Sentiment Builder Happy plus the Hugs CUTplorations Word Die for an almost one-layer card. Here it is ...


I am still loving my Mixed Media card. I really like the smooth surface as compared to the textured one of watercolour card. Expect to see more of it. 😁

Todays card was again pretty straight forward:
  • fold a piece of A5 Mixed Media card in half
  • stamp the framed rose in black Archival
  • watercolour using inks (Calypso Coral, Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green, Mossy Meadow, Tempting Turquoise) or watercolours
  • stamp and die cut sentiment, add
  • add stamped border detail
  • finish off with sequins
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 STAMPlorations owner Shery under her label 'Shery Russ Designs'. All her sets will be reduced by 10% and the Oh So Grateful Stamps And Coordinating Die 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:
Framed Solitary RoseMixed Media GrungeSentiment Builder HappyHugs CUTplorations Word Die
preview-FramedSolitaryRose MixedMediaElements-preview.jpeg stmp1051.jpeg hugs-worddie

Sunday 22 January 2017

January Stencil Sunday

Hello, Crafty Friends!

Welcome to another Stencil Sunday in December. 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 little canvas


I started off attaching the Life Is Good ARTplorations Mask to a piece of mixed media card, blended with Wilted Violet, Twisted Citron and Abandoned Coral DIs and spritzed with water. I used the same inks to blend the edges of a small flat canvas.

With my mask still on, I stamped the flowers (Floral BlissZinnia LargeSeashell Cosmo LargeDahlia Large) in black Versafine before adding some texture using my coloured inks and stamps from the Scribbly Splattery Grunge set before stamping the butterfly from the same set in black, lightly sponging with Hickory Smoke and outlining 'Life Is Good' with a black fineliner pen.

Next, I removed the mask, tore the edges of my piece of card, attached it to my canvas before adding some Versamark and Shabby Pink Frantage Powder and heat setting it.

I then blended the edges, stamped the partial border (Artsy Border Maker), added a touch of Royal Amethyst and Rose Quartz Treasure Gold and some gold gel pen doodles around the edges.


I cut a length of matching organza ribbon, added some pearls and attached on the reverse of my canvas.


I stamped, watercoloured and fuzzy cut the butterfly (Blossom Like A Butterfly), lightly shaped and attached it in place before adding some sequins to finish.


I am entering my little canvas at:

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 Mask: Life Is Good
preview-stencil125-Lifeisgoodmask
FloralBliss-preview ZinniaLARGE SeashellCosmoLARGE DahliaLARGE

ArtsyBorderMaker-web-preview SheryRuss_Scribbly Splattery Grunge-preview preview-BlossomLikeAButterfly

Tuesday 17 January 2017

Lotus Love

Hello Crafty Friends!

It's Inspiration Time over at STAMPlorations. This week my treamies and I are showcasing stamps by our own Deepti under her label 'Dee's Artsy Impressions'. I decided to work with Lotus Love for a one-layer card. Here it is ...


It's pretty straight forward:
  • fold a piece of A5 Mixed Media card in half
  • stamp lotus, leaves and ripples in black Archival masking as you go along
  • watercolour using inks (Strawberry Slush, Gumball Green, Mossy Meadow, Tempting Turquoise, Pacific Point) or watercolours
  • stamp sentiment to finish
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 Deepti under her label 'Dee's Artsy Impressions'. All her sets will be reduced by 10% and the Kathryn And Christmas 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:

Lotus Love
DAI-LotusLove-preview

Sunday 15 January 2017

CUTplorations January Reminder

Hello Crafty Friends!

There is still time to play over at STAMPlorations. Their January CUTplorations Challenge is in full swing ... 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
  • celebration
  • festive
  • new beginning
I went with black gold and fizz for a Happy Anniversary card ...



I spritzed a piece of white card with gold Artiste Spritzing ink and heat embossed the kissing couple from Funny Kinda Love using Gold Detail embossing powder. I then stamped the word Anniversary from the Sentiment Builder: Happy in black. Next I did some raised inlaid die cutting using the CUTplorations Word Die 'Happy', added a doodled border and layered on a black base card to finish ...


Pop over to the STAMPlorations Blog to see how my teamies interpreted the photo, check ou the prizes and to link up your entry too.

A little birdie told me that STAMPlorations have another TAGplorations event coming up very soon ...

lovetagplorations.png

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: Happy Word Die
happy-worddie
STAMPlorations Stamps used: Sentiment Builder: HappyFunny Kinda Love
stmp1051.jpeg preview-FunnyKindaLove

Wednesday 11 January 2017

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 SketchesMixed Media GrungeArt IsArt Marks,
BloomSketches.jpeg MixedMediaElements-preview.jpeg Shery_Russ-ArtIs-preview preview-SheryRuss_ArtMarks1

Bold Sentiments Journey and Create, ARTplorations Stencils Foiled Again and Daisy Dance
preview-STAMPlorations-Journey preview-STAMPlorations-Journey preview-web-stencil-023-foiledagain.jpeg preview-web-stencil-031-daisydance