STAMPlorations Christmas Release - Day 4

Ho. Ho. HO. 

Meerrrrrryyyy Christmas.

Oh  you think it's not Christmas, yet? Well you, good friends, are sadly mistaken. Because if you look at the sheer amount of green and red and glitter happening on my craft table right about meow,  you'd know that Christmas is indeed a'comin'. 

Up on the STAMPlorations blog, we're helping to give you a gentle reminder that now is the time to start on those much procrastinated Christmas cards. We're enabling you with some pretty awesome holiday stamps and die cuts to get your creative brains a'workin'. 

Today, we're celebrating two new stamp sets - Homespun Christmas and Winter Chill - designed by our fearless leader, Shery Russ.  

From the second I laid eyes on Homespun Christmas, I was in love. The artful sentiments and the peaceful little scenes had me dreaming of sugarplums and all that jazz. 

The scene was so pretty and serene, that I just HAD to keep my designs running in the same vein. So this card is SUPER CAS compared to my normal mixed media everything. 

I watercolored my scene, using a healthy does of glittery white watercolors to add some sparkle. I added some acetate and some shimmery sequins to make this into a wintry shaker. A simple sentiment completed my look. 

I'm going to play along in the following challenges:
The Merry Christmas Challenge - Sparkle
Tuesday Throwdown - Anything Goes

Make sure you head on over the STAMPlorations blog because you're not going to want to miss this week-long party. Just look at all these prizes!!

Prizes:

**Winners will be randomly drawn from all comments left on the STAMP blog and participating designers blogs

- THREE (3) winners of a $10 gift certificate to the store

- ONE (1) winner of her choice of 1 stamp set and 1 CUTplorations die from the new release

- ONE (1) winner of a $25 gift certificate to the store

**Extra prizes:

- TWO (2) winners of their choice of 1 CUTplorations die from the new release -- drawn from our Facebook page (for commenting, sharing, and tagging a friend)

- ONE (1) winner of her choice of 1 stamp set from the new release -- drawn from our Instagram post (commenting, liking, tagging a friend)

So what are you waiting for? Get to hopping already!  

Oh and double PPPSSSSTTT: You can get 20% off any stamp set in the STAMP shop by using code STAMPGIRLBECCA at checkout. Happy shopping! 

Coffee Loving Cardmakers Blog Hop Day 1

It's the most fantastic day of the season!!! No, I'm not talking about the  first day of Spring... I'm talking about the first day of the Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop!!!

Since the theme is Spring, I decided to go with something bright and cheery and sparkly and new < if those things don't epitomize Spring, I don't know what does.

Super Sponsor STAMPlorations has a TON of new coffee sets released just in time for the Hop. You can see them all in the entire section they have dedicated to coffee/tea in their shop. AND anyone who reads my blog can use STAMPGIRLBECCA as a discount code to receive an additional 20% off! Woop! 

I used Tag O'Coffee CUTplorations dies to create my cute little frozen mocha latte. I watercolored it in and added some gel pen over the top to give it additional accents. 

Then I tried something new! I've been hoarding this coordinating stash of paper for a long time, and I decided to try to make a DOUBLE shaker! Ummmmm definitely will be trying this again because it turned out so adorably!

With all the stars surrounding that coffee cup, I immediately thought of super powers, so I used a sentiment from the Coffee Happy stamp set to complete my look. 

Taaadaaaaa! Now get hopping you caffeinated peeps! Head on over to the Coffee Loving Cardmaker's blog for all the fun and tons of prizes from AMAZING super sponsors!

Check out all these generous prizes you could win by participating in the hop!

WHOA!

a2z Scrapbooking :: $25 a2z Scrapbooking Gift code to the store + Digital Kit of Winner’s Choice★
A Creative Journey with Melissa ::  (Four) $20.00 store credit/gift card ★
A Jillian Vance Design ::  $20 Store Credit 
Altenew  ::  $25 Gift Card
Art Impressions ::  Talk Much stamp set
Avery Elle :: $20 Avery Elle Gift Certificate
Butterfly Reflections Ink ::  $25 Store Credit
Caffeinated Papercuts ::  $10 Gift Card★
CAS-ual Fridays Stamps ::  $25 Store Gift Certificate + Stamp Set of Winner’s Choice★
Clear and Simple Stamps :: (Three) Ten Dollar Clear and Simple Stamps store Gift Certificates★
Close to My Heart – Chris Franco :: Tea-rrific Stamp Set
Concord & 9th :: $25 Concord & 9th Gift Certificate
Craftin Desert Divas  ::  $25 Craftin Desert Divas Gift Certificate + (Two) – 2×3 stamp sets★
Create a Smile ::  25€ discount code
Dare 2b Artzy ::  $20 Gift Certificate + 1 Stamp Set and 1 Ink of Winner’s Choice★
DeNami Design :: $20 Online Gift Certificate
Dina Kowal Creative ::   (Three) Coffee Themed Art Pendants★
DL Art  :: Prize 1- Coffee house bundle #1 Prize 2. Coffee bundle #2 , Prize 3. Coffee house bundle #3 and FLASH PRIZE pumpkin spice/latte bundle  ★
Doodlebugs ::  Coffee/Spring Themed Prize Package + Neat & Tangled Big Bold Brew Stamp Set★
Drive by Crafts  ::  $20 Store Gift Card
Flora and Fauna  ::  Clear Stamp Set of the Winner’s Choice – value $15.00
Fun Stampers Journey – Kerry Urbatch – Founding Coach #401 ::  $25 Gift Certificate-USA only-or-RG product for International Winner
Gerda Steiner Designs  ::  $20 Gift Certificate
Gina K Designs ::  $50 Super Sponsor + (Five) –  $10 Gift Certificates for flash prizes★
Gina Marie Designs ::  $20 Gift Certificate
Hero Arts  ::  $25 Hero Arts Gift Code
Impress Rubber Stamps ::  Winner’s choice of 10 Fresh Ink ink pads, value 60.00
Jaded Blossom  ::  $25 Gift Certificate + Winner’s Choice of Stamp Set★
Jane’s Doodles ::  $50 Gift Certificate
Jess Crafts Digitals ::  (two) – $10 Gift Certificates★
JessicaLynnOriginal.com   :: $20 Jessica Lynn Original Gift Certificate + Free Digi
Joy Clair Stamps  ::  $25 Gift Certificate
KaDoodle Bug Designs  ::  (two) $10 Gift Certificates★
Kat Scrappiness  ::  $25 Gift Card + Five packs of Kat Scrappiness Sequins to first winner, 1 Free Kat Scrappiness die (of their choice) to second winner★
Krumspring Stamps  ::  $25 Gift Certificate + $15 Gift Certificate★
Latina Crafter ::  (Two) – $25 Latina Crafter Store Gift Card★
Lawn Fawn  ::  $20 Gift Card
Lil’ Inker Designs ::  $35 Gift Certificate + Latte Love Stamps & Dies★
Limited Runs Stamps  ::  (Two) – $10 Gift Certificates + Free digi for all★
Neat & Tangled :: $25 Gift Code
Newton’s Nook :: $25 Newton’s Nook Store Gift Card
Not 2 Shabby  ::  (Two) $25 Gift Certificate★
Our Daily Bread Designs  ::  $25 Website Gift Certificate
Paper Sweeties ::  $25 gift certificate + (One) Stamp and Die Set of Winner’s Choice★
Pink & Main :: $25 Pink & Main Store Gift Card
Poppy Stamps  ::  (Two) $25 Gift Certificate for dies★
Pretty Pink Posh ::  $25 Gift Certificate + Pretty Pink Posh Prize Package★
Reverse Confetti ::  (Two) $25 Gift Certificate★
Right at Home ::  $20 Gift Certificate
Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L® :: Two Prizes worth $25 ★
Simply Charming Everyday  ::  The Matching Bunkie Bag + Winners choice of Misti Zip Bag or Mini Misti Zip Pouch in the Spring Coffee Print★
Stamp’ Up – Kathy Schweinfurth ::  Stampin Up Basket of Wishes Photopolymer set
STAMPlorations ::$20 Gift Certificate + (1) Tag O’Coffee CUTplorations die set; (1) 4×4 stamp set (winner’s choice – Rise & Grind, Brew-tiful Day, or Bloomin’ Spring Coffee Basket)★
SugarPea Designs ::  $25 SugarPea Designs Store Gift Card
Sweet Stamp Shop  ::  Coffee Delight Washi Set
The Cat’s Pajamas  ::  $25 Gift Certificate + (Two) $15 Store Vouchers★
The Cutting Cafe  ::  Sunny Yellow Color Kit
The Heart Desires :: $20 Gift Certificate + $10 Gift Certificate★
The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store  ::  $25 Gift Certificate
The Ton :: (Three) $10 The Ton Store Gift Cards★
Uniko Studios ::  £15 eGift Certificate + (Two) in stock Clear Stamp Sets of Winners Choice★
Unity Stamps  ::  Coffee/Tea Themed Prize Package that includes 10 Unity stamps
Verve ::  $25 Gift Certificate
Waffle Flower   ::  $25 Gift Certificate
Whimsy Stamps  ::  $25 Gift Code
Winnie & Walter :: Two – $25 Winnie & Walter Store Gift Cards (coupon code) ★
Your Next Stamp ::  $25 Gift Code + Special Product Release Giveaway★

Giving Thanks Blog Hop

Hold on to your turkeys, ladies and gentlemen, because this is one BIG hop and linky party with some BIG prizes.

STAMPlorations is hosting its annual Giving Thanks blog hop and featuring 38 designers - 15 of whom have been sponsored by STAMPlorations in the past year.

Prior to showing off my card, I'm going to get a little misty eyed and talk about Shery Russ, the owner of STAMPlorations. When we talk about things (or in this case people) to be thankful for, Shery tops the list. She was the one who gave me my first ever design team assignment from an official company. She's given me the opportunity to design stamps (a dream I never even knew I had until she asked) and she's sponsored causes that are so important to me (The Hop to Stop Domestic Violence).

I'm also SOOOO thankful for my STAMPteamies, who are constantly inspiring me with their creativity, uplifting me with their comments, and being all-around badass people. (pardon my French).

Ok - I know you've got some hopping to do, so that's my reverie.

Now here's my card.

I made this sweet shaker using the brand new Be Thankful Bundle (stamps and coordinating die cuts). 

I watercolored my apple basket and turned the card into an adorable little shaker with some fall leaves and shimmery sequins.

I'm going to link this card to the Dragonfly Dreams Autumnal Colors challenge and Fashionable Stamping Autumn or Winter challenge.



I love the brand new bundle sets being released for this hop. Each bundle includes a stencil, die cut, and harvesty stamp set.

And just because Shery is thankful for YOU, her customers, she's giving you all a 35% off discount in the STAMPstore.

Go wild and get to shopping!!

But before that - get to hopping and/or link up to the linky party below- because for all the hoppers and linkers there are 

>>>9 BIG PRIZES<<< 

up for grabs.

Water Shaker Card

I made this totally adorable water shaker card. 
It's a little tricky to make, but totally razzle-dazzle in the end! 

It uses a combination of glitter, Distress Ink Re-inkers, and water inside the bag. 

If you want the full details of how to make it, check out my Spotlight post up at the STAMPlorations blog today. 

I was inspired by a few different challenges floating around in the blogosphere: 

CAS-ual Fridays is having a Shake-off (Shaker Card Theme)
The Paper Girls have a Splish Splash challenge
Pile it On has a Sparkle Challenge
Sparkle & Sprinkle - ATG using Glitter, Flocking or Embossing Powder

Thanks for popping by!

Mother's Day Cards

Can you believe that Mother's Day is just around the corner?! It seems like it sprang up so quickly this year! I'm pretty excited because I learned yesterday that I was accepted into a juried local arts show. I hesitated to apply because my cards might not be considered "art" in the strictest terms, but I know how much hard work and sweat goes into each 4x6 inch piece and -gosh dangit- *I* think it's art! :) So when I got the acceptance letter I danced a little happy dance and felt validated. 

But then I thought... "Self, you're gonna need a whole bunch of cards."

And since it's right before Mother's Day, I thought I'd focus on those! 

 

My first card was a wee little shaker card that is heavily inspired by both RetroSketches current sketch & one of Keren's cards from the Winnie & Walter Rerun challenge (I don't have the Precious set, but I gave it a go with what I DO have.) 

I loved the way those gems and sequins peeked out from the shaker and I did my best to emulate it. 
I used the In a Word: Love Cutaway from Winnie & Walter and filled it with  Pretty Pink Posh's Springtime Sequins Mix. I wanted to define the cutout a little more so I added some faux stitching with a Fossilized Amber Distress Marker.

I have to say that making Clean & Simple cards is a bit of a traumatic affair for me. My anxiety levels are at all time highs because I keep thinking that I'm going to leave a smudge in all the white space (as I did on my FIRST attempt at this card... sigh). 


So what did I do?! I made ANOTHER Clean and Simple card. haha! 

This one was inspired by the current challenge over at Viva La Verve Sketches & Simon Says Stamp Monday - Show us your Metal - 

I embossed some of the artsy flowers from Verve's Button Best stamp set and followed it up with a sentiment from the same set. To finish off the look, I used some enamel dots. 

OOOOOoooo shiny! 

I can tell you that this one was a bear to photograph! 

Thank you for popping by my blog! If you enjoyed these creations, be sure to give them a Pin! 

A Vintage Shaker Card - Crafty Gals Corner Guest Designing

First of all - MERRY CHRISTMAS! Or whatever holiday it is that you're celebrating this month. I can't believe that it's sooooo close to happening.

I'm heading out for a 5 1/2 hour car ride and can't wait to see my little nieces and nephews, my siblings, and my parents!!

But first - my design for Crafty Gals Corner this week. I've been guest designing with them all month and the great thing is that it's Anything Goes all month long so you can post whatever you want!

I was working with a silhouetted digi image - Silhouette Butterfly Flowers - from Bugaboo. I've wanted to try out printing on vellum and decided to make a little shaker card. 

The glitter in the shaker is very subtle when it's all put together, since it's behind heavy weight vellum. 

Here's how it's made: 

First - I used a Spellbinders die and painted over a gold metallic paper with some silver Perfect Pearls to give it a patina finish. 

Next, since I wanted my shaker to be mostly flat, I positioned a bunch of sequins/chunky glitter together in a pile on a piece of off-white paper. 

Lastly - glue all the way around the edges, ensuring a tight seal to make sure none of your shaker bits escape. 

Here's what it looks like all put together with the rest of the stuff I decided to add to the card! I added a sentiment from Verve's Big Wish set - which is filled with awesome birthday sentiments.

Isn't it vintagey and gorgeous?! I just adore the glimmers of metallic and the subtlety of the shaker bits behind the vellum. Proof that when you just glue a whole bunch of flowers on things, it all works out. 

Really - that should be my life's motto: Having a rough day? Just glue a bunch of flowers on it. Boyfriend being mean? Just glue a bunch of flowers on him. That new recipe didn't turn out? Just glue a bunch of flowers on it. 

Bugaboo Stamps

Make sure you all visit Crafty Gals Corner to enter the challenge. Bugaboo has graciously decided they are going to give away 7 images to the winner!

I'm also sending this over to the following challenges:

Seize the Birthday - ATG with option of red and white

 Mixed Media Monthly - Silver and Gold

Digi Galore - Monochrome with a hint of color

Thanks for stopping by!

Coffee, Anyone? A Winter Coffee Card

Crafty Gals Corner asked me to be a guest designer for the month of December and I was pleased as punch! CGC was actually one of my first Design Teams ever and I'm so pleased to be frolicking around in bloggyland with them again!

This week, we are being sponsored by Faery Ink and when I was browsing through their digi stamps I came across Bella Sweet Tea, which is this warm and cozy girl drinking a mug of joe (or cocoa or tea depending on your imagination). 

Here she is all colored up with Spectrum Noir markers. 

I colored her on some glittery Copic paper that I got from Paper Temptress so she shimmers just a little bit. By the by, just as an aside about the Copic paper - I got a sampler pack because I wanted to try it out and I honestly can't believe how much of a difference using Copic paper makes. I was having pretty big issues with my markers bleeding outside the lines using regular heavy weight cardstock, but now I can even color in small areas and not be worried about bleed. End rant. 


To me, the image seemed juuuuust prissy enough to pair it with the sentiment from my Caffeinated Christmas stamp set that pokes fun at high-maintenance coffee orderers. 

As you can see (maybe), I added a big bow and made the center cutout into a flat shaker with lots of rock glitter. 

Here's an up-close and personal shot of all that glitter! 

Speaking of glitter, I wanted to make certain to use some  because we are playing the fiddles for sweet Virginia Lu. She's run such a classy, amazing, inspiring challenge for the past while, but the last one is her swan song. She's shutting it down her famous Virginia's View Challenge for the time being. 

So here's to you Virginia! Thanks for all you do for the world of cardmaking! 

Make sure you head on over and play along with the talented gang up at Crafty Gals Corner! It's Anything Goes and Faery Ink is supplying a very generous prize this week. 

I'm also going to play along at:

City Crafter - All about Winter (no Christmas) 

Tuesday Throwdown - Snowflakes 

Thanks for popping by! Hope you all are having a very Merry December! 

 

Eclectic Ellapu Challenge - Balloons, Banners or Bows

Holy schmoly! Is it November already? Where has the year gone?! I dunno, but I've had a very busy weekend in my craft room catching up on Design Team stuffs. 

Once such card, I'm super excited to share because I had tons of tons of fun making it. 

I recently received the Simon Says Stamp July Stamp Set - Sailing and finally got the chance to ink it up. 

I knew I wanted to do a shaker card, but I didn't know that I'd spend the next two hours on the project... But that's how ideas work, isn't?

Here's how I made my shaker and frame: 

The green square was cut out of foam because that's honestly the EASIEST way to make a shaker ever. Just make a cutout with foam and a frame that will cover it! It will keep all your shaker bits in and it's much easier than trying to use double-sided tape and line everything up with no gaps. 

The tan square was actually a piece of cardboard that I cut to the dimensions I needed. And here's where the two hours part comes in: I decided to wrap it in red twine. I don't know why... the twine was staring at me saying "Use me" and my brain was like "ok then" and two hours later I was scratching my head trying to figure out HOW I had managed to ever make yarn crosses like that in Sunday school as a toddler. It was HARD! 

On the plus side though, it turned out uber cute!

Since the theme of the challenge over at Eclectic Ellapu is 

>>Banners, Balloons, or Bows<<

I incorporated a sweet little banner in the upper corner. My shaker has a ship, waves, and a little bit of blue frantage. All of the papers are from the same Simon Says Stamp kit. 

I'm gonna send this fella over to play in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp - Work it Wednesday - Thank you card
Just Add Ink - W is for (Water in my case) 

Pony CASEpress and Mum's the Word

Although I grew up on a small hobby farm with all manner of animals, my parents never let me have a horse because they were too expensive and you couldn't eat them. :)

Stay with me.

I'm happy now to be a part of the Pony CASEpress over at Mynn Kitchen's place, because now I sort of have a horse... right? My cards are galloping all over the globe. What is the Pony CASEpress? I'm glad you asked.

If you sign up to participate in the PC, you'll be put in line. When your turn comes, you're given a photo of the card you're to CASE and then you send said card on to the next person on the list. It's a never ending chain of happy mail!

I was CASEing this awesome card from the fantastic Karen Bourke:

Aren't those layers and layers of gorgeousness just amazing?!

While staring at this picture, I was struck with the idea to use some of the vintage music sheets that were given to me by my bloggy friend, Betty Keefe.

Betty, being a girl after my own heart, collects random things to use in her craft-making and when we visited earlier this month, she gave me a pile of vintage papers to use in my craft making.

Here is my resulting creation. I layered up bits of the sheet music and embossed a bird (from a Hampton Art stamp and stencil set) and colored it in with some blue shades of Spectrum Noir Markers.

I'm going to enter it into these great challenges:
Through the Craft Room Door - ATG
Addicted to Stamps - Girly but not pink

I almost kept this for myself because I liked it so much, but it went over the pond to Karen and now I get to expectantly await my creation. :) Anyone can sign up for the Pony CASEpress - so feel free to check it out!

I'm going to share a second card with you today because I don't want to miss out on the Curtain Call Challenge. I fell in love with the inspiration image!

My aunt and I were crafting together and she had this great Stamping Up mum set that just reminded me soooo much of the inspiration image. I just had to ink it up!

I've told you all about the oatmeal lids I've been hoarding.. erm... I mean saving. I made a shaker out of them with a winter card, but I decided to do it here, too! I used some Verve sequins and paired some sparkles with the vibrant pinks and oranges. It was hard to get a clear shot through the lid - oh well!

This card is actually going to my admin assistant because tomorrow is National Administrative Assistant's Day here in the U.S.

I'm also sending it over to the following challenges:
Virginia's View - Layers and Dimension
613 Avenue Create - ATG with Diamonds (clear bling)
Just Add Ink - Sequins