STAMPlorations Stencil Sunday (April 26, 2020)...Nestled Circles and Tumbled Hearts Rainbow Foiled

Hello,

Welcome to my second Stencil Sunday post where, once again, I'm sharing some simple ways to play with the wonderful array of stencils available at STAMPlorations.

I'm a 'late bloomer' when it comes to many things *grin* and that was made even more clear when I realized what I was missing out in the realm of 'foiling'! Oh my stars! Deco Transfer Gel 2, foiling sheets, a foiling pen, a palette: these have become my new stencil BFFs!

Today, I'm sharing two cards using the first foils that joined my collection: Rainbow. The technique is simple: apply Deco Foil Transfer Gel 2 over the stencil, wait for it to dry, place the foil 'pretty side up' over your panel and run it through either your die-cutting machine OR your laminator. I love that this gel offers the option of a heat/no heat application.

Card #1

Nestled Circles - ARTplorations stencil (these look like rainbows to me)

Power of Words - Dee's Artsy Impressions

Circle die from my stash

To foil the balloon/confetti, I used the toner pen to 'colour' the image,

 then pressed foil onto the surface. 

Shimmery!!

Card #2

Hearts Tumbled - ARTplorations stencil

Pierced Curly Frames/Tags Nesting Dies

Power of Words - Dee's Artsy Impressions

Again, I used the toner pen to add foil to the stars (Rainbow foil) 

and the moon (Shattered Glass foil)

Foiling is a super easy way to breathe shimmer and shine into your stencils. I've used them as straightforward backgrounds here (as is often my way *grin*), but a multitude of different ways to showcase exist. I'll explore various versions down the road; just waiting for a couple few more foils to make their way into my collection!

Before you go:

PRIZES! For a chance to win a $15 gift code to the STAMPlorations store, leave a comment here and on the STAMPlorations blog by May 8. Winners will be announced on May 10.
If any of the products have caught your eye, I invite you to use my discount code - STAMPGIRLCAROLM - when you shop at the STAMPlorations Online Store (some great deals to be had!).

I'll be back in a couple weeks for another Stencil Sunday!  Please: stay safe!

Thank you for dropping by!

Just Us Girls Challenge #533~Photo Week...Thank You for being so Wonderful!

Hello,

Hope your Saturday is off to a sunny, healthy start! This week, our lovely Maria has this pretty, vibrant,lively springtime photo as our prompt from Just Us Girls Challenge #533.  Just looking at this garden of blooms, drifting clouds and flittering butterflies makes me smile!
  

Once again, we're thrilled to have talented, super creative Cornelia Wenokor joining us this week; please wander to her blog for a visit and, afterwards, drop by at my wonderful JUGS team's places: Sue, Angie, Vicki, Ina, Bobby, Nancy, Lisa, Maria and Cécile. If you have a chance to comment, that would be a real treat.

I drew inspiration from the red/black of the poppy on the bottom left and the blue/purple of the smaller daisies to make my layered 'sunflower' cards, using Paper Smooches dies and stamps. I let them be the star-of-the-stage...they're sweet all on their own!

That's it from me!

Looking forward to seeing how the photo inspires you!

Thank you for dropping by!

Uniko Studio Brand Ambassador Inspiration~Inspired by Bev...You're My Super Hero

Hello,

Welcome to my Uniko Brand Ambassador post.  I'll be frank: my creativity is running on empty, even though I'm still making cards. Essentially, I'm defaulting to what I do in missing-mojo situations: drawing inspiration from other designers.  Today, my muse is none other than our sweet Bev!

Currently, the crafting universe is virtually *exploding* with gratitude/thank you cards dedicated to all those who are risking their well-being to keep our world functioning through the pandemic. Be they front line medical personnel, grocery store/warehouse staff, truck drivers...we are surrounded by 'heroes' we want to acknowledge. To that end, I brought out one of my all-time favourite Uniko sets -  Explosion Additions - and pretty much 'cased' Bev's card here, re-visioning it for the current situation...

I followed Bev's recipe for the most part with slight (very very slight *grin*) changes to the original: sentiments stamped on the small Explosion dies and partial stamping, with a small solid explosion image, on The Stamp Market letters. 

I'm happy with my copy-cat version of Bev's card, especially since it really is easy to recreate; something I'll definitely be doing!

Below are a few of my previous 'non-copied' cards made with the Explosions line. I love it!

Hope my card - or should I say, Bev's card - offered you some inspiration of ways to use Explosions to recognize the heroes where you live.

Please: stay safe and keep creating...doing so is good for the soul!


Thank you for dropping by!

Inkspirational Challenge #211~Designer's Choice (Paint Splatters)...You are Awesome/Fabulous

Hello,

Welcome to Inkspirational Challenge #211, where our lovely Nonni has selected Paint Splatters as her Designer's Choice.

I'm 'very' good at making splats and smudges when they're *not* wanted, but doing so *intentionally* is a whole 'nother story! Often, my splatters wind up more as blobs or mists, barely visible.  Lacking 'splatter savvy', I opted for simplicity with this technique. Indeed, I even resisted the urge to use one of my paint splatter stamps...true exercise of restraint!

Recently, I invited the Mermaid stencil and mask from Funky Fossil Designs (her range of stencils is especially awe-mazing!) and used the masks for my cards. The backgrounds are a combination of Salty Ocean and Mermaid Lagoon (of course!), with splatters  using my much-neglected (as in 'never used' to paint anything) Gansai watercolours.  They're a combination of two shades of blue, a purple and white, which are hard to capture in a photo. Sentiments are from Pinkfresh Studio's Lush Greenery; the rays, in the second, from an MFT stencil.

I'm looking forward to showcasing the mermaids in different ways down the road!

My wonderful teammates have interpreted the prompt in most delightful fashions. Please visit and leave them some love, which I know will be deeply appreciated:

Marina, Shauna, Pia, Marlena, Anila, Nonni

Looking forward to seeing you in the gallery!

Thank you for dropping by!

Just Us Girls Challenge #532~Colour Week...Happy Birthday, Party Animal

Hello,

Welcome to Just Us Girls Challenge #532, where our lovely Bobby has selected brown, navy and rust for this week's palette.

Once again, we're thrilled to have talented, super creative Cornelia Wenokor joining us this week; please wander to her blog for a visit and, afterwards, drop by at my wonderful JUGS team's places: Sue, Angie, Vicki, Ina, Bobby, Nancy, Lisa, Maria and Cécile. If you have a chance to comment, that would be a real treat.

To be honest, this isn't a combination I would lean toward so talk about an opportunity to stretch my dendrites in figuring out what to do. Much puzzling later, I remembered my Concord & 9th Furry Friends...brown/rust woodland critters sporting navy birthday hats. Works for me; hope it does for you, too!

That's it from me! Looking forward to seeing how brown, navy and rust inspire YOU!

Thank you for dropping by!

STAMPlorations April 2020 CAS Card Challenge (Reminder Post)~Anything Goes (optional twist: Lemon Yellow)...Amazing, Beautiful

Hello,

Welcome to my reminder post for the STAMPlorations April 2020 CAS Challenge.

I've recently caught on the foiling bandwagon and I'm hooked! I've used Shattered Glass foil with the Faces: Foxy - ARTplorations Stencil and a subtle duo of Bold Sentiments: Hashtag Authentic, stamped with Versamark.

That's it from me; time for you to play along.

• You can find Challenge details here.
• If you decide you 'need' some of the products I - or other designers have used - head over to the STAMPlorations Online Store (always great deals to be had!)
• To receive an additional 20% off your purchases, I invite you to use my discount code: STAMPGIRLCAROLM

Looking forward to seeing your CAS cards in the gallery, with or without the twist!

Thank you for dropping by!

Perfectly CAS April 2020 Challenge~Masking...Thank You Layered Lily

Hello,

Welcome to Perfect CAS Challenge #8~Masking

Once upon a time, I was 'okay' at masking, but over the years, that 'skill' has definitely dwindled! I blame it entirely on a) minimal...okay, no...practice, b) inability to fussy cut masks properly so as not to leave gaps and c) a preference for die cuts that allow for 'faux' masking *grin*.  As you can imagine, this prompt was definitely a challenge for me! After a multitude of attempts, using various images, I finally decided that effort number 878 was worth sharing!

Altenew's Layered Lily (and yes, my fussy cutting 'still' left gaps between the petals and leaves...so please don't look too closely!).

I masked at the most basic level; my teammates, however...ohmystars! Masking marvels! Please be sure to pop by their blogs, leave them some love, then mask-on-over to the gallery with your Perfectly CAS cards!

A friendly reminder: For this challenge, we're asking you to use one-third (aka: the rule of thirds) or less on your card designs, leaving plenty of scrumptious white space (two-thirds of your panel) to draw our eyes to to your focal image. Kylie has included an easy-to-follow explanation on the challenge blog here.
Please: stay safe and healthy!

Thank you for dropping by!

STAMPlorations Stencil Sunday (April 12, 2020): Two Stencil Monochromatic Thanks Cards

Hello,

Happy EASTER!

Welcome to my first Stencil Sunday post! During April, May and June, on the second and fourth Sundays, I have the joy of playing with - and sharing - cards/projects using STAMPlorations' incredible array of stencils!  Talk about fun!

Just a note (or perhaps a disclaimer?): I am a 'CAS' stenciler/stamper, so you'll see 'basic' techniques from me.  I'm also sure that everything I make has been done before and, in many cases, probably stems from something I've seen/want to try in my travels through the crafting blog-verse.  I'll aim to give credit where I can and when I can't, please know:  I'm not 'lifting' your ideas to call them  my own.  I'm just imitating as a form of flattery!

My ultimate goal is to showcase a range of stencils and provide a launching point where your vivid imaginations and abundant creativity can take off!

So, with that as preamble...let's begin!

During these uncertain times, I'm sure many of us are seeking ways to express our appreciation for all those who are doing their best to keep our 'new normal' running as smoothly as possible.  For that reason, I decided on thank you cards; a theme I'm certain to be returning to frequently in the days ahead.

My monochromatic (more ore less) teal cards share the same basic ingredients, which are linked below: two stencils, two 'thanks' dies, two smaller sentiments. I've also used a triangle die (from my stash) for the design and inlaid the stenciled sections within the frame.  Doing so resulted in the first two cards...

I made a third card with the leftover pieces - the outer frame from the previous projects and the white inserts from the panel die - using the same stencils and ink.

Dots All Over - ARTporations Stencil

Square Lots - ARTplorations Stencil

Thank You Coffee (small sentiments) - Shery Russ Designs

Thanks Word Die - CUTplorations

Skinny Sentiments - CUTplorations

Truly simple to make - and a reminder that mixing-and-matching stencils is a ton of fun! Plus, you can often get multiples when you use this kind of technique!

Hope you'll bring your stencils out and give them some LOVE!

Before you go: 

PRIZES! For a chance to win a $15 gift code to the STAMPlorations store, leave a comment here and on the STAMPlorations blog by May 8. Winners will be announced on May 10.
If any of the products have caught your eye, I invite you to use my discount code - STAMPGIRLCAROLM - when you shop at the STAMPlorations Online Store (some great deals to be had!).

I'll be back in a couple weeks for another Stencil Sunday!

Thank you for dropping by!

Just Us Girls Challenge #531~Trend Week: Square...You Make My World Go Round

Hello,

Hope you're continuing to be safe and healthy! Hard to believe that Easter has arrived; with all the goings-on in the world, it just 'snuck up' on us. We'll be staying home, enjoying a little 'family' - my husband, Lily and I - celebration.  We've been advised not to travel, so we're following the rules. I do miss seeing my family, though...as I'm sure many of you miss yours.

Anyway, welcome to Just Us Girls Challenge #531, where our lovely Cecile invites us to create a square card *with* at least one square shape! Squares squared, right!!

Once again, we're thrilled to have talented, super creative Cornelia Wenokor joining us this week; please wander to her blog for a visit and, afterwards, drop by at my wonderful JUGS team's places: Sue, Angie, Vicki, Ina, Bobby, Nancy, Lisa, Maria and Cécile. If you have a chance to comment, that would be a real treat.

I posted a couple of reveal wheel cards a few days ago and, as often I do, I made multiples, especially knowing that this challenge was in the wings! So...here's another entering the stage.  These are easy and fun to make, with the added bonus that making them brings me smiles! Hope they generate a similar response from you!

That's it from me! Looking forward to seeing how SQUARES inspire YOU!

Thank you for dropping by!

Happy Little Stampers April 2020 Anything Goes with Dies Challenge...*HAPPY* Reveal Wheel Cards

Hello,

Hope you're doing well, physically and emotionally! How are you contending with staying home? Me: some reading, some cross-stitch, some Lily walks (later in the day where we're less inclined to encounter people) and plenty of crafting! I haven't yet dabbled with new baking experiments yet - namely cinnamon buns - but...the urge becomes stronger daily! I may have to give in....

Welcome to Happy Little Stampers April 2020 Anything Goes with Dies Challenge.

Bringing you a bit of *Happy* and some sunshine today with a couple of Lawn Fawn reveal wheel cards.  The new Reveal Wheel Circle Sentiments stamps/dies are delightful; the Hello Sunshine Remix papers, cheerful. Adding another pad or three to my down-the-road shopping list!

Isn't that face just the cutest!

Please visit my teammates; their creations are wonderful and, if you have a moment, leave them some love. I know they'll be thrilled!

Looking forward to seeing your Anything Goes with Dies cards/projects in the gallery!

Thank you for dropping by!

Happy Little Stampers April 2020 Christmas Challenge~Anything Goes (optional twist: Festive Animals)...Merry Christmas Deer

Hello,

Welcome to Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge; Anything Goes is always the theme with an optional twist which, this month, is Festive Animals.

Staying home pretty much all the time (I go on our Lily walks, but no shopping. That's my husband's realm) means opportunity to re-visit some of the 'oldies' in my stamps/dies collection. I've made all kinds of discoveries, including this Concord & 9th Furry Friends set. The bonus: the deer and antlers were already stamped from a way-back-when ink-fest! Yayyy!  All that was left to do: add the lights, the wreath, the 'poinsettia' and the sentiment. Done!  Wonder what other bits-and-bobs I'll find as the days go on...

That's it from me; please head over to the blog to see my talented teammates' festive delights.

Looking forward to visiting your Christmas cards in the gallery!

Thank you for dropping by!

Inkspirational Challenge #210~Spring/Easter...Bunnies!

Hello,

Welcome to Inkspirational Challenge #210, where we're celebrating Spring/Easter as our word prompt.  Spring has 'not' yet appeared here; just sayin'...

I decided to create an Easter/Spring scene with MFT's adorable Easter bunnies set.  I started with two bunnies...

 
then this happened...

and this...and several more, which I'm saving for a down-the-road share! They are beyond sweet and, for a novice with copics like me, truly easy to colour.  Have I mentioned how CUTE they are!  ACK!

The sun and background clouds/rays stencils are also from MFT.  So much fun!

My wonderful teammates have interpreted the prompt in most delightful fashions. Please visit and leave them some love, which I know will be deeply appreciated:

Marina, Shauna, Pia, Marlena, Anila, Nonni

Looking forward to seeing you in the gallery!

Thank you for dropping by!