New Years Stampolution

I'm not usually one to make New Years Resolutions, so I'm going to have a New Years Stampolution instead. In 2013, I will be stamping more (and, therefore, posting more) and having more fun! I'm looking forward to lots of wonderful things in 2013, including a cool new challenge blog that will be kicking off later this week and an adorable new cat set that is debuting at Paper Smooches tomorrow. Speaking of PS, I really dig Kim Hughes' designs. They're super-cute and I thought I'd make a card to thank you for coming to my blog this year.

This whale stamp is one of several adorable sea creatures and sweet sentiments from the Surf & Turf stamp set. Love it! The plaid paper is from My Mind's Eye.

Happy New Year & Happy Stamping!

Third in the Series and Fun News

This the the final "Friends with Flair" for 2012, and also the final of the series of three green/teal/yellow butterfly projects using Unity Stamp Company's new Bold Butterfly stamp designed by Donna Downey and the DCWV Café Mediterranean patterned paper stack.

Today's card is simple.  It showcases the versatility of rubber stamps, which are shown layered.  There aren't any tricks to this, as long as you're sure to let the first image dry before you stamp the second.

Although 2012 is ending, I'm excited for 2013 to begin!   I have some exciting stamping news to report:  Cuttin and Stampin is starting a new weekly challenge series and I will be joining the esteemed new Design Team.  On January 4th and 5th we will be kicking off the whole enchilada with a big Celebrate Blog Hop.


The grand prize for the blog hop is a $25 gift certificate for A Muse Studio products.   There will be more details during the hop.

Then, on January 8th, we will be starting our Weekly Challenges.  These could be anything from a sketch to a color scheme or the use of a certain tool or embellishment.  Each crafter can enter up to 3 times per challenge.  Please join us as often as you'd like... these challenges are sure to expand your creativity!   (Personally, I find that challenges also help when my mojo has been misplaced!)

Happy Stamping!

Multi-colored Butterfly

In my last post, I mentioned how much I love the Unity Stamp Company's new Bold Butterfly designed by Donna Downey.  It's SO versatile!!

Here, I inked the stamp in blue and yellow before transferring the image to paper.

TIP:  Ink the lighter color first, so the dark ink doesn't end up ruining the light ink pad.

This card was created using DCWV's Café Mediterranean patterned paper stack, chalk inks from ColorBox, Spellbinders dies, and gem stickers.

Happy Stamping!

Mediterranean Butterfly

I was lucky enough to score some fun stamping time, even though the crop I was planning to attend had been cancelled.  I made a set of three cards using Unity Stamp Company's new Bold Butterfly designed by Donna Downey (I ♥ it!!) and DCWV's Café Mediterranean patterned paper stack that I traded a friend for. The color scheme really speaks to me. The teal and yellows in the stack complement each other perfectly.

Here's what I worked on:

It turns out that this was the third card I worked on during my session.  In designing this card, I used the scrap pieces from some of the stack patterns to assemble the stripes.  Then, after stamping and allowing the ink to dry, I ran the whole panel through a BigShot with a QuicKutz chevron embossing folder.

Happy Stamping!

WCMD - I Made Cards!

Saturday was World Card Making Day, and did I ever make cards!   It was great!   I wrote down several of the challenges from around the Web and had fun making cards to fit challenges.  They ranged from colors to sketches to unusual things like "make a card with five words on it."

So, for a card with five words on it:

These stamps are from Unity Stamp Company.   The patterned paper is from Memory Box.   It's pretty busy, but I like how the tree and sentiment complement it.  Challenge HYCCT1203.

I completed six cards during my marathon WCMD session and saw lots & lots of my friends throughout the day.  I even found some great stamping stuff at a yard sale on my way to stamp!  And delicious Chinese food.  And (if you can believe such a thing) a chocolate-dipped brownie.  It was a perfect day for me.  Thanks to everyone who helped make it so great!

Happy Stamping!  :)

It's World Card Making Day!

One of my favorite days of the year is here... World Card Making Day!   I'll be away from the computer all day playing with ink & rubber, and I hope you will be too.   Here are a few of my most recent creations:

This Mother's Day card features stamps from Hero Arts.   It's for a "celebrations" challenge.

 

I love flip flops!   I even have flip flop earrings.   I was so excited when Unity Stamps came out with this {itty bitty} set!    This card is for a "spray" challenge.

There are lots of fun online happenings today!   Why not give them a try?

• Operation Write Home Blog Hop
• Paper Smooches Challenges
• Moxie Fab World WCMD Contest
• Ellen Hutson WCMD Blog Candy & Sale

Thanks & Happy WCMD!

Happy Fall!

It's September, but the Boise area is still hot -- today's high is in the 90's.  Tomorrow things are supposed to cool down, which means beautiful Autumn leaves are just around the corner.  I kept cool indoors yesterday making cards in the company of good friends.   The cards each represent different seasons.  Since fall is on its way, let's start there.

This is a CAS (clean-and-simple) card.  These stamps are from Unity Stamp Company.  The string is a rustic brown burlap string from May Arts.  The technique was easy!  I just inked the leaves with the gold ink all over, then overlaid the brown ink on top before stamping it on the paper.

Next up is Christmas!   This is a collage made with authentic vintage Christmas-themed postage stamps.   The "Par Avion", triangle post, and Roma postmark stamps are from Oxford Impressions' Travel Journal set.  The other reindeer and other postmark-style stamps are from Darkroom Door's Christmas Reindeer set.  There's not much of it visible, but the holly & berries patterned paper is from Echo Park.

 

And lastly, a Springtime card.  The butterfly and plants stamps are from Unity Stamp Company,   the sentiment is from Hero Arts, and the patterned office-style paper is from Memory Box.

Hope you enjoyed this STAMPtember post!   I have more stamping planned in the near future, along with a trip out-of-state.   Who knows?   Maybe I'll find some fun new stamping stores to visit!

Happy Stamping!

Tiny Hearts

I haven't stamped in a long time.  I finally brought some of my toys out to play with!   Got together with several friends and had a blast stamping and catching up.

It's August, and the stamping magazines are planning Valentine's issues already.  One magazine's theme is "Tiny Hearts", and I created a few cards to fit that theme.   Here are two of them:

 

Stamps used on both cards are from the fabulous Kim Hughes @ Paper Smooches.   BasicGrey "Bittersweet" papers were used on the top card and patterns from a K&Co. 4x6 paper pad were used on the bottom card.


There have been fires not terribly far from here (no danger for us), and it has been very hot and smoky outside.  Lots of time for more indoor activities like paper crafting.

Happy Stamping!