Wednesday, November 29, 2017

ARTplorations Blog Hop Featuring Sanna Lippert Designs



We've got a new designer in our midst at STAMPlorations, and it's our very own Sanna with her line of stencils!  To celebrate the launch we're having a little blog hop, and winners will be randomly drawn from comments left on the STAMPlorations blog and participating designers' blogs.  You could win a $20 gift certificate, or your choice of 3 Sanna Lippert Designs stencils.


For this first card I used Trees1 with Peeled Paint Distress Oxide.  On some separate card I sponged more Peeled Paint, and a bit of Forest Moss DI, then stamped two holly leaves from Layered Holly.  Added some Christmas washi tape and card candi berries, and mounted the whole thing onto dark red card.


This second card uses Senecio1, which is a stencil/mask set.  I placed the masks on my card, sprinkled PaperArtsy Infusions in the gaps, then spritzed with water, dabbing it with kitchen roll before it got too muddy, then removed the masks.  I wanted to add definition to the pretty flower circles, so I drew in all the circles first with a 0.8 fineliner, then drew in the stalks.  I couldn't decide what sentiment to add, but, to be honest, I like it as it is without a sentiment, with the pattern showing in all its glory.

Pop on over to the STAMPlorations blog to see all the gorgeous creations from the team.  You have until Monday 4 December to comment!

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

STAMPlorations Inspiration #154


Time for some STAMPlorations Inspiration, and this week we're highlighting Shery's stamps.  I've used Typografia: Most Wonderful Time, stamped on black with Brilliance Pearlescent Ice Blue, which looks more like silver.  On the base card I sponged Tumbled Glass through the ARTplorations Crisscrossed stencil.  The holly leaves are from Layered Holly.

While the Giving Thanks blog hop is underway you can get 40% off stamps, dies and stencils by using the code BIGTHANKS (coupon can be used only once per customer/shipping address and doesn't apply to New Release and Retiring categories; colouring books or gift certificates).  You can use my code STAMPGIRLSHIRLEY against stamps in the new release category.

Pop on over to the STAMPlorations blog for some more fabulous inspiration using Shery's stamps, and don't forget to leave a comment for your chance to win a $10 gift certificate to the store.

Monday, November 27, 2017

Stellar Christmas Cards


The stars have a aligned for a few cards.  It all started with this card of Michele's:

Michele's card
Those big, bold stripes.  The snowflakes, the sentiment.  That huge star.  When a Sizzix stars die came up for sale, it was meant to be!  It leapt into my basket :)

As luck would have it, the challenge at Less Is More is Let It Shine.


And the challenge at Simon Says Monday Challenge is Star Light, Star Bright.
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So then I made another version inspired by ...


this wooden star at Inspired By All The Little Things:
It's also going into Uniko's Christmas challenge, seeing as I've used their sentiment (the sentiment on the first card is also from Uniko).


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And here's my third stellar creation:


Closing the circle with another nod to Michele's card.

This one's headed for AAA Cards - Christmas


Thursday, November 23, 2017

Seize The Birthday - Monochromatic


It's time for Seize The Birthday, and for this challenge our theme is Monochromatic (or you can just play along with the anything goes birthday theme).


I had this Distress Ink background lying around, which was mainly pinks (there's a bit of yellow in there, but shhhh) so I stamped the girl (Tim Holtz Runway) then sloshed some Pickled Raspberry on her, and added the fabulous 'fabulous' sentiment (STAMPlorations).

Pop on over to the Seize the Birthday blog for some more fabulous inspiration from the team, and our surprise party guest Becca, and play along with us!

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

STAMPlorations Inspiration #153


We've got some more inspiration for you over at STAMPlorations, and today we're focusing on Deepti' stamps. I've used Frames And Flowers to make a Christmas wreath.


I started off by stamping the stitched circle in Mowed Lawn Distress Oxide, then stamped the leaf sprig using the circle as a guide, adding Candied Apple berries in the gaps.  I scored a piece of red card and added a die-cut bow (Shaker Balloons #1 Heart).  The sentiment is from Layered Holly.

While the Giving Thanks blog hop is underway you can get 40% off stamps, dies and stencils by using the code BIGTHANKS (coupon can be used only once per customer/shipping address and doesn't apply to New Release and Retiring categories; colouring books or gift certificates).  You can use my code STAMPGIRLSHIRLEY against stamps in the new release category.

Pop on over to the STAMPlorations blog for some more fabulous inspiration using Dee's stamps, and don't forget to leave a comment for your chance to win a $10 gift certificate to the store.

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

STAMPlorations Inspiration #152


Time for some inspiration for you at STAMPlorations.  This week we're featuring Becca's line of stamps, Big Grins by Becca Cruger.

Because this week is Giving Thanks hop week, all STAMPlorations stamps, stencils, and dies are 40% off with the BIGTHANKS coupon starting 15 November.  (Coupon can be used only once per customer/shipping address; coupon does not apply to products in the New Release and Retiring categories; coloring books; and gift certificates). But you can still use my code STAMPGIRLSHIRLEY an unlimited number of times to purchase stamps in the New Release category.

I made a background with Distress Oxides - they're just so creamy and easy to blend.  Spritzed some water on, then added Stitched Winter Landscape at the bottom.  I stamped my reindeer and watercoloured with Distress Inks before fussy cutting and adhering to the card and adding a sentiment (from Layered Snowman).

Pop on over to the STAMPlorations blog for some more fabulous inspiration from the design team, and don't forget to leave a comment for your chance to win a gift certificate to the store.

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Friday, November 10, 2017

Layered Stamps Spotlight Week - Layered Holly


It's Day 3 of the Layered Stamps launch at STAMPlorations, and today we're shining the spotlight on the Layered Holly set.


Again, these stamps aren't supposed to line up exactly, but to overlap so that you get the graphic artsy look.  You can see that there are four pairs of outline and solid leaf stamps, and the solid/outline berries.  The two smaller solid stamps can work with any of the larger leaves.  Or you can just use all of the images independently.  This set is fantastic for making QACAS (quick and clean and simple) cards, to quote Darnell.

For this first card I've stamped the three larger outline leaves and berries, then watercoloured them with Distress Inks, and layered onto red card.


For the next one, I've inked up the solid images with various Distress Inks and stamped onto mixed media paper.


Then I decided to make a background panel on a card, so I masked off the edges, sponged the centre and stamped the sentiment in Old Paper Distress Ink.  I stamped the outline images on coloured card, cut out and adhered to the card.


And finally, I've inked up the solid stamps with Distress Oxides and stamped them onto kraft card, then overstamped the line images in Versafine Onyx Black and added a sentiment.


If you missed my post last Tuesday, you can see more examples of this set there.

Comment to win

So, what's in it for you?  Comment here, on the main blog and on the other participating designers' blogs for your chance to win one of these prizes:

- ONE (1) winner of a $20 gift certificate to the store
- ONE (1) winner of her choice of Layered Stamp set.

Winners will be announced on Tuesday 14 November.

The layered stamps are 5% off instantly until 30 November but you can get them at an additional 20% off by using my code STAMPGIRLSHIRLEY.

Take It, Make It Reminder And a DT Call


Are you playing along at Craft Stamper Take It, Make It challenge?  All you need is rubber or polymer stamps and you're in!

This is one of the journal pages I made when I was playing with my Jane Davenport stamps and stencils a few weeks ago.  It's stamped in Versafine Onyx Black, then watercoloured, stencilled and sponged with Distress Inks.  I added some pen work with black and white fineliners.

Our sponsor this month is Rubber Dance, who are offering one randomly chosen winner the stamp set of their choice.


Pop on over to the Craft Stamper blog for some more fabulous inspiration from my teamies, and play along for your chance to win.

If your entry is chosen by the design team, it will be published in the magazine along with a profile of you, and you'll get a chance to guest design in a future challenge. Just remember to stick to the rules - you can find them on the blog.


Would you like to join the Craft Stamper Take It, Make It Design Team?  We're a great bunch ;) and the call is open internationally.  Click here to find out all the details.

Thursday, November 09, 2017

Seize The Birthday - Circles


We've got a new challenge for you at Seize the Birthday - Circles.  Or you can just play along with our Anything Goes theme, as long as it's a birthday project.


As I was rummaging through my stash of background bits, I found this piece of gelli print remnant.  I cut it into two pieces, and with the circles prominent, stuck them to a skinnyminny card, perfect for this catwalk model, again another remnant from my stamping bits box.  All it needed was an understated sentiment to finish off.


Pop on over to the Seize The Birthday blog for some fabulous inspiration from our Surprise Party Guest, Becca, and play along with us.

Layered Stamps Spotlight Week - Layered Snowman


It's Day 2 of the Layered Stamps launch at STAMPlorations, and today we're featuring the Layered Snowman set.

Each of the solid circles has a coordinating outline circle - again, they're not meant to align perfectly. There's no further layering, but you can ink just the edges of the solid stamps to get shading.  You can use just the solid, just the outline, or combine sold and outline stamps for different effects.

For my first card, I've stamped the hat, then masked it while I stamped the outline head and body.  I inked up the edge of the solid stamps with Weathered Wood, spritzed, wiped away some of the excess water, then stamped. Once it was dry I trimmed the image.  The background is splash watercolouring, with Posca paint pen snow added when it was dry.  The hill is CUTplorations Stitched Snow Hills.


For this next card I used the different sizes of solid images to make a snow family.  I masked the edges of the card while I sponged in the sky, then added some Posca paint pen snow.


Here's an outline snowman again for a QACAS card.  I did the shading with a Tombow pen.


And last, but not least, the large solid circle makes a great Christmas pud!  I just inked up the stamp with Vintage Photo and Gathered Twigs, then spritzed and stamped.  All the other stamps come from Layered Holly, which you'll see tomorrow.


Comment to win

So, what's in it for you?  Comment here, on the main blog and on the other participating designers' blogs for your chance to win one of these prizes:

- ONE (1) winner of a $20 gift certificate to the store
- ONE (1) winner of her choice of Layered Stamp set.

Winners will be announced on Tuesday 14 November.

The layered stamps are 5% off instantly until 30 November but you can get them at an additional 20% off by using my code STAMPGIRLSHIRLEY.

See you tomorrow with some holly!

Wednesday, November 08, 2017

Rudolph Smile


I think this is my first tag of the season!  Inspired by a couple of reindeer tags created by Michele (I Card Everyone), they reminded me that this version of Rudolph had come to live at my house in October, and I needed to step away from the Layered Holly and Leaves and Snowman for a while to play with him and all my other new purchases.

I started off by stamping the image (PaperArtsy) on white card, colouring with Tombow markers and die cutting into a circle.  I also die cut a luggage tag and phrase (CUTplorations) then added the Stickles on his antlers and proceeded to assemble the tag while the Stickles was still wet.  Not recommended.

When I was looking for some staging props for photographing, I found a case of letter tiles.  They had been randomly packed into the little compartments and it took me ages to find the letters to spell out Happy Christmas.  Needles to say, once I'd photographed the tag I sat there for a good half hour sorting out all the letters and re-packing them alphabetically into the compartments.  OCD, me???

I'm entering this into:

Loll's Twelve Tags of Christmas (my mixed media elements are marker pens, die cuts, hessian ribbons and Stickles)


The Cat's Pajamas Challenge #341 - Tag It

Tracey's 25 Days of Christmas Tags (inspired by Michele's tag on Day 4)

Michele's Tag

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Layered Stamps Spotlight Week - Layered Leaves


It's the official launch of my new Layered Stamps over at STAMPlorations!  We've got three days of goodness for you, starting with Layered Leaves.


These aren't precise layering sets - quite the opposite!  They don't line up and are actually meant to overlap so that you get that sloshy colouring look without wondering if you'll get it right (but don't worry, there is no wrong!).

The top two images work with the large outline; the three small images on the right work together; the bottom three work together, and the remaining three work together.  But you can mix and match in whatever combination you like.


For this first card, I've stamped the largest three outline images, then inked up the corresponding large solid image with Distress Inks, spritzed and stamped.  Then I inked up the corresponding smaller solid image with different colours of Distress ink, spritzed and stamped.  The sentiment comes from Feathery.


You don't have to use every layer.  For this card I stamped the outline images in black on a strip of white card, then overstamped the same image with Distress Inks, offsetting slightly.


On this card I used Distress Stains to ink up the stamps in various colours, stamped them onto mixed media paper then used a wet paintbrush to pull in the colour.  Once it had all dried I watercolored the background with Frayed Burlap and mounted the panel onto black card.


For my final card, I've used all four outline images, then inked up some of the solid images with Distress Inks, spritzing the inked stamp before stamping.  I've mixed and matched the line/solid combinations, then die-cut the xoxo and mounted the panel onto black card.

Comment to win

So, what's in it for you?  Comment here, on the main blog and on the other participating designers' blogs for your chance to win one of these prizes:

- ONE (1) winner of a $20 gift certificate to the store
- ONE (1) winner of her choice of Layered Stamp set.

Winners will be announced on Tuesday 14 November.

The layered stamps are 5% off instantly until 30 November but you can get them at an additional 20% off by using my code STAMPGIRLSHIRLEY.

See you tomorrow with Layered Snowman.

Tuesday, November 07, 2017

STAMPlorations Inspiration #151


Time for some inspiration over at STAMPlorations, and today we're spotlighting my stamps.  From now until 13 November, The Bee's Knees stamps are 15% off (except the new release which is 5% off till 30 November), and if you use my code STAMPGIRLSHIRLEY you'll get another 20% off - go on, treat yourself ;)

For today's card, I've used one of my new sets, Layered Holly, which is being released on Friday.  I inked the solid leaves and berries with Distress Oxides, spritzed and stamped then, using the MISTI, overstamped the outline images a couple of times.

Pop on over to the STAMPlorations blog for some more fabulous inspiration from the team, and leave a comment for a chance to win a gift voucher to the store.

Then pop back tomorrow for the launch of the Layered series, starting with Layered Leaves.


See you tomorrow!

Monday, November 06, 2017

Deck The Halls


I've been playing with my new Layered Holly stamps ahead of their launch later this week.  I've made several cards using different combinations of stamps from the set, and this QACAS card fits the bill for playing along at Merry Monday, Kraft and Red.


Another Christmas card nearer to my total - and if I run out of time nearer to Christmas, I can batch bake a few more of these :-)