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!  :)