You are Awesome and A Bit of Paradise....Freshly Made Sketch #285, MUSE Challenge #213

Hello,

Taking a quick break from watching hockey (yes, you read that right; my 'home team' Edmonton Oilers are playing the Anaheim Ducks.  Go Oilers!), to share two cards.  Both were inspired by Freshly Made Sketch #285 (slightly adapted) which may well become my 'go to' layout...love it!

The 'second' phase of inspiration for Card 1, comes from MUSE Challenge #213, where we're drawing inspiration from ultra-talented Kay Miller's gorgeous card here:

Brought out my Your Next Stamp unicorn once again and did my best to mirror the 'subtle' background stamping (Serendipity Stamps, Marble Cells) and bright colours (pinks/purples/coral) from Kay's gem....

After that was done, my eyes landed on my Uniko Paradise set...the first time I've inked up Mr. Toucan.  Didn't do such a great job water-colouring his beak, but...in real life, it looks better...and brighter....

Back to watching the tube....hope you're having a wonderful last day of April!

So glad you dropped by; your visit is both welcomed and deeply appreciated!

Butterfly Thanks and Birthday...Cupcake Inspirations Challenge #405~Spring, Pink, Orchid

Hello,

Hope you're having a lovely Spring weekend on this, the last day of April! Where is the year going! Fingers crossed we've made the turn from 'snow and rain' to 'sunshine and flowers'...fingers crossed!

Speaking of flowers...Welcome to Cupcake Inspirations Challenge #405~Spring, Pink, Orchid. Aren't the tantalizing temptations extra lovely?  So pretty...guaranteed to bring tingles to our sweet tooth and the sugar rush would be epic! Yum!

Source

This week's sponsor is The Frantic Stamper, who are offering the Tropical Leaf Panel Die to our randomly chosen winner.
Please check the Cupcake Inspiration blog for more details.

Oh look....butterflies!  Finally inked up my Concord and 9th Butterfly Beauty set. Swoon!  For this one, I used Distress Inks (huff/putt technique prior to stamping)...

and Memento inks for this one. I need a 'greener' green, me thinks, but it's still pretty in real life...

We're fortunate to have a whole slew of designers sharing Spring, Pink and Orchid creations today: Guest Designers from Frantic Stamper as well as my talented team-mates. After seeing the range, you'll be impressed and filled with ideas to design a card/project of your own to bring to the gallery.  See you there!

Also sharing at:

Seize the Birthday~Anything Goes

So glad you dropped by today; your visit is both welcomed and deeply appreciated!

FUSION Challenge~Musical Butterfly

Hello,

A rainy, dreary day today...guess I'll have to craft *grin* Hopefully, you'll have time to do the same, and if so, I have something inspiring for you: the new FUSION Challenge~Musical Butterfly. Isn't the art print gorgeous?  The sketch, user-friendly?  Possibilities, possibilities...

Those of you who have followed me for a while (for which I am sooooo deeply grateful! Thank you!), know my obsession for butterflies. While I "should" have found the photo easy to replicate, no siree...did not! Why? Because as much as I adore butterflies, water-colouring and I are not on the same wave-length, so that meant finding an alternative way to create the background. Second, I thought I had a musical notes stamp in my collection.  Apparently not!  Still, I decided I'd give replicating the image a go....and here's the hot mess that ensued (I can't believe I'm sharing this...it's totally ewwwww!). No justice done to the image or to the wonderful products I used *hangs head in shame*  The ink splatters (made with stamps) are too big; the butterfly too small (I cut an aperture and then nestled in the die cut) and the script stamps used as I did here are...well, let's say...meh. Big meh!  This one has gone into the re-purpose bin!

Back to the drawing board....with this, below, as a result.  Not super happy with it but at least it's a little less 'dramatic'.  I used a splatter stencil for the background, pairing it with CAS-ual Fridays Big Treble sentiment and die....

A tough challenge for me....but if I can do it YOU sure can!  Please head over to see my team-mates' creations for marvelous inspirations; their cards are gorgeous!

Becca Cruger
Betty J
Carol Mayne (me)
Jeanne Jachna
Karren Johnson
Linda Callahan
Lyndal Higgins 
Michelle Leone

Michelle Lupton
Michelle Williams

Looking forward to seeing your designs in the FUSION gallery!

Thank you for dropping by; your visit is both welcomed and deeply appreciated!

Dragonfly Birthday...STAMPlorations Things with Wings Blog Hop and Linky Party

Hello,

Seems like only yesterday we embarked on STAMPlorations Things with Wings Spring Blog Hop & Linky Party, and here we are, in the blink of an eye, at Week 4!  Hope you've had a chance to play along; still a few more days to go!

If you're expecting yet another butterfly from me...SURPRISE! Nope...this time, I'm bringing you a pretty, shimmery (hard to see) dragonfly (Dragonfly Layering Dies), set atop a stenciled (Dragonfly Waltz) kraft panel (Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle Nesting Dies). The sentiment is from Party Time.

Please head over to STAMPlorations to see another round of awesome inspiration from the rest of the team. 

Things with Wings....that's all you need!  

See you in the gallery!

Also sharing at:

STAMPlorations Anything Goes Challenge and April CAS Card Challenge

Thank you for dropping by; your visit is both welcomed and deeply appreciated!

Just Blossom...Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge #239~CAS, The Heart Desires Challenge #11, STAMPlorations April CAS Card Challenge~Anything Goes (Optional Twist: Pastel)

Hello,

Well, it's snowing again. 'Nuff said about that!

Welcome to Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge #239~Clean and Simple.

For those new to what *Clean and Simple* entails or those needing a refresher (pick me, pick me!), we've provided guidelines for what we're hoping to see - or perhaps, 'not' see -  in your cards/projects. Yes, sometimes it's challenging to hold back on the good stuff - layers, embellishments, patterned backgrounds - but hopefully, this reminder, as well as the DT cards, will offer inspiration.  The adage of 'less is more' holds true here, so let that focal image be the star of the show, the diva on the stage, the solo performer, the 'one and only'....

The spark for my card rests solely on the creative shoulders of ever-so-talented Toni, of Frankie Helps Craft fame; indeed, she "made" me create this card, after I saw her bunny-delight here *grin* which she designed for the current Cards In Envy~Pretty Pastels Card Challenge (my butterfly will be joining the gallery, too):

So easy to create and with a change of paper/sentiment, this simple design could be multi-purposed for an array of occasions! Thank you, Toni, for the idea!

Please visit the other members of the DT to see their creative ventures, then join us with a sampling (or three) of your CAS-iliciousness.  Looking forward to seeing you in the gallery!

Also sharing at:

The Heart Desires Challenge #11~

Cards In Envy~Pretty Pastels Card Challenge

STAMPlorations April CAS Card Challenge~Anything Goes (Optional Twist: Pastel)

Allsorts Challenge #412~I Spy something beginning with *B*

Thank you for dropping by; your visit is both welcomed and deeply appreciated!

Dream, Believe, Imagine...Inkspirational Challenge #133~Designer's Choice: Graffiti

Hello,

First, the exciting news:  We're delighted to tell you that Kylie has re-joined the Inkspirational Design Team! Woot Woot!!!

Second, welcome to our new Inkspirational Challenge #133~Designer's Choice, chosen by Pia , who's currently taking a short break from DT duties.  Her choice: graffiti stamping.

Research required for this one...and depending where I went, 'graffiti' took on different meanings. Finally, I decided to create this (highly inspired by Shery's fantastic card here), which I think 'may' cross the line between graffiti and mixed media!  If so...oops!  Then again, when I see the train cars covered with 'graffiti' - images, words, paint splashes....all sorts of things manifest. Besides, I just plain old loved Shery's card *grin*

Please head over to see what my awesome team-mates have created; I know their graffiti is probably more true to the form than mine:

Shauna
Sandie
Yvonne
Kylie
Nonni
Marina 

So...you know what's next!  Bring your graffiti to the gallery! Looking forward to seeing you there!

Also sharing at:

STAMPlorations Anything Goes Challenge and Things With Wings Linky Party

TIME OUT Challenge #81~Home Sweet Home photo

4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #347~Butterflies

Thank you for dropping by; your visit is both welcomed and deeply appreciated!

BAM, WOW!!...Guest Designer for CASE(E) this Sketch Challenge #218

Hello,

I'm delighted and excited to be guest designing with the DT for CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge #281.

I admit, that center panel, with its straight lines, had me a tad worried, as all I could think of was a blended background that would, inevitably, be crooked.  Then...BAM!  Idea sparked!  In fact, two ideas....

Both cards feature Uniko Studios's Explosion! and Explosion! Additions.  Score lines in the first card reflect the shaded panel, stamped with word images from both sets. I was aiming for Batman colours with this one...until I messed up using a light purple instead of a light blue! Oh well...close....

My second uses the same sets, along with the Background Blocks: Halftone stamp. Colour theme: Superman.

So yes...a slightly 'different' translation of the sketch, but hopefully close enough to offer a wee bit of inspiration.

Thank you soooooo much, Chrissy and the CAS(E) this Sketch team, for inviting me to play alongside you! I had a BLAST making these cards!

Also sharing at:

Creatalicious Challenge #113~Anything Goes

My Time to Craft Challenge #343~No Designer Papers

So delighted you found time to drop by; your visit is both welcomed and deeply appreciated!

Tulips and Butterflies...STAMPlorations Things with Wings Blog Hop and Linky Party (Week 3)

Hello,

Once again, I'm delighted to join Shery and her STAMPlorations team as a guest designer for Week 3 of the STAMPlorations Things with Wings Spring Blog Hop & Linky Party

First things first: a quick question: Have you hopped and/or linked up a winged-themed spring project yet? If not, then catch up on Week 2 here and then head on over to Week 1, where you'll find yet more cards and the link-up details. Inspiration and prizes to be had, so be sure to comment and play along!

Both my cards feature:  my new Tulip Prints ARTploration stencil (so fabulous!) and butterflies from the Flutter Zen 2 Layering Dies. Pretty x two! The sentiment on the first is from Trendy Butterflies 2 and on the second is the Thanks CUTploration. Distress inks on all: Worn Lipstick and Spiced Marmalade Distress Oxides on Card 1, followed by Picked Raspberry, Spiced Maralade and Mustard Seed on Card 2.....

I adore these butterflies! 

Please head over to STAMPlorations to see awesome inspiration from the rest of the team. 

Things with Wings....that's all you need!  

See you in the gallery!

Also sharing at:

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge~Tulip

AAA Cards CAS Challenge #88~Stencil (inspired by Ksenija's lovely card with the stenciled background!)

CAS on Sunday~Use A Stencil

STAMPlorations Anything Goes Challenge

So delighted you found time to drop by; your visit is both welcomed and deeply appreciated!

Oops A Daisy....Serendipity Stamps April Blog Hop #2, Just Us Girls Challenge #389~Peach, Lemon, Pink

Hello, 

The time's just whizzing by; hopefully, Spring has sprung where you are and the 'darling buds of May' are ready to make an appearance in what is but a matter of days! Us? Rain and snow in the forecast...which is typical here for April...and May...sometimes June and July...definitely August *grin*

Enough time-and-weather talk! Welcome to Serendipity Stamps April Blog Hop #2! Once again, my fantastic DT and I are showcasing some fabulous products that, hopefully, will inspire and delight. Your part is easy: by simply hopping along and leaving comments,  you're in the running for s a $20 gift certificate.  Here's the hop list....

 Mary's Blog

Carol Mayne - you are here

Karen Amidon

Miriam Napier

Julie Warner

Vickie Zimmer

Marybeth Lopez

Two cards, both inspired by the pretty spring colours over at  Just Us Girls Challenge #389~Peach, Lemon, Pink

My cards marks the debut of my new Oops A Daisy Cling Stamp Set (such crisp images!), which I paired with the Shadow Rectangle background stamp.  Speaking of background stamps: did you know that Mary has a variety of those in the shop, ranging from the one you see here - long and lean - to a smaller square version, as well as several that cover full panels. I've used several in the past (Summer Flower Pops Background and Marble Cells, to name two).  In the next while, I have plans to play with a few more; hopefully, you'll see as much potential in them as I do.  Anyway, back to this card...

A clean, simple pretty daisy that becomes all the more delightful with the sweet sentiment.  My "Oops a Daisy"carries into the inside with the partner sentiment you see in the card below.....

For this one, the single daisy takes the stage, with supporting roles played by stenciled ink splatters. CAS and easy...and I think the daisy performs its role well!

That's it from me!  Two tasks for you now:

• Please head over to Serendipity Stamps Blog for more how-to-win details as well as for some scoops on sales. 

• Get hopping! Next on the list is wonderfully talented Karen Amidon. Enjoy!

Thank you for dropping in today; your visit brings me joy! 

Have a Magical Day...Cupcake Inspirations Challenge #403~Mythical

Hello and Happy Easter! May your day be filled with an abundance of blessings, as we celebrate the Resurrection.

My husband and I are at home, as this is his first 'real' weekend off in close to three months. Some much needed bike riding on his schedule! Next weekend will see us back to traveling one direction or another (I'm off to see my mom...yayyyyyy! Niece and nephew time totally included!). It's nice to have some 'us' time without any obligations, because come May, the bike races/officiating begin!

Today, we're launching Cupcake Inspirations Challenge #403~Mythical. Look at those darling unicorn cupcakes! I. Can't. Even! So stinkin' adorable!  I want a couple as pets!!!

The lucky winner this week will receive a $25 gift certificate from our generous sponsor: The Greeting Farm

My duo of cards today was inspired both by the cutie-pie...er, cutie-cake...unicorns, as well as the current challenge at Cards in Envy~Fantasy and Floral.  Please welcome my brand new Magical Unicorn from Your Next Stamp...isn't it pretty!!! I've set it atop my STAMPlorations Bloom Factory (so versatile!) stencil, inked in Worn Lipstick Distress Oxide; colouring is with prismas, following the colours from the image.

NOTE;  Honoured and thrilled to be In the Mailbox as Annie's Personal Favorite at Cards in Envy Challenge~Fantasy and Floral THANK YOU!

Smitten as I am with the unicorn, a second card had to be made, this time with the palette from Colour Throwdown #438

This time, the background is Abandoned Coral, and again, the colouring is with prismas....

I believe a certain niece (and quite possibly nephew) will be allllll over these unicorns! And I bet they'll be sporting rainbow manes and tails!

Mythical...all kinds of possibilities, beyond unicorns, as you'll see from my fabulous team-mates. Please leave them some love, then share your dragons, abominable snowmen, fairies, Nessies (and if you're from Canada, Ogopogos), phoenixes,, Pegasus-es, Krakens...and what have you...with us!

See you in the gallery!

Also sharing at:

Your Next Stamp Colour Challenge #62 (yellow, coral and green on the unicorn; abandoned coral for floral stenciled background)

STAMPlorations Anything Goes Challenge

So delighted you found time to drop by; your visit is both welcomed and deeply appreciated!