A New Ink on Life

Made with Love

Okay so I will warn you now, this post will not have any stamping involved :) Rather it will feature the three most amazing creations that I had a part in. Not sure what has gotten in to me tonight, maybe it is the impending "milestone" (according to my husband:) birthday that I am fast approaching or the fact that today I watched my almost 4 year old go into swimming lessons by herself and be independant, listen and try something new without fear or hesitation. It could also be that I spent all of last weekend at a soccer tournament with my son as he poured his heart and soul into those games, scoring several times but most importantly having several assists, being a good team player and never quitting. Or it could be watching my once little girl turn into an amazingly beautiful person on both the inside and out. The kindness that shines from her heart is amazing and true.

Sometimes I just need to remind myself how amazing these perfect, wonderful beings my children are, amongst all the bad days of bickering, not listening and frustration. I am blessed and I just needed to share that tonight. Promise I will be back with more crafty things but I really just wanted you to all see my greatest work:)

 
 
 

 

 

 


 Have a wonderful night I am off to kiss my kids while they sleep :)
 
 

Easter Blossoms-The Heat is On SR#65

 This week at Stampin' Royalty we are challenging you to pull out your big guns-Heat Guns that is! Time to do a little Heat Embossing:) Like I mentioned a few days ago, I rarely use my Heat tool any more now that I have my Big Shot for dry embossing, but there is just so much you can do with heat embossing that you just can't with embossing folders so I have been having a lot of fun lately using my embossing powders again.

This card is pretty clean in a vintage-y shabby chic sort of way. (Okay so really not sure if that is even a style but I don't know how else to explain this card :) Gasp, I only used three main colours Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouette and River Rock. Both the Blossom image and the sillouette of the little girl have been stamped with Versamark then covered in Clear Embosing Powder. I used some Soft Suede Ink to sponge on the card base and the tag.
   
I also used my Cutter Kit to rough up the edges of the tag image just a little and crumpled the paper a bit.
 
Supplies used: Baja Breeze, River Rock, Soft Suede, and Pink Pirouette Card stock. First Edition DSP, Heat tool and Clear Embossing Powder, Versamark, Soft Suede Ink, Bitty Punch Pack, Pearls, Curly Label Punch, Dotted Ribbon Border Punch, Victoria Crochet Trim, Vintage Trinkets and Cutter Kit.

Have a great day,

Try Stampin' on Tuesday-Elements of Style

So today is my second week as part of the DT at Try Stampin' on Tuesday and CherylAnne has again come up with a great go to sketch (although I will admit I did take just a little creative license with this one :) We would love to have you join us this week.

 

 As I had already mentioned, I did change it up a bit from the sketch, but that is what is so great about sketch challenges-they give you a starting point :) I seemed to be a little obsessed with Wild Wasabi and Daffodil Delight latey but I just can't help it they scream spring to me! I also did a little watercolouring on this card using my Stampin' Write markers and Aqua Painter. However I decided to emboss the image first before watercolouring. I have seen a lot of people do this lately and with such beautiful results. So I stamped the image in Basic Black Craft ink then used Black Embossing Powder.
 Now my results were by no means perfect, but not too bad for a first time try?
Supplies used: Natural Ivory, Wild Wasabi Textured and Daffodil Delight card stock. Watercolour Paper. Basic Black Craft Ink and Black Embossing Powder. Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight and Cherry Cobbler Markers. Aqua Painter, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Vanilla Hodgepodge, 1" Circle Punch, Eyelet Border Punch, Pearl Jewels, and Ticket Corner Punch.
 
Have a great day,

Baroque Motifs Blooming

Wow I have been on a little bit of a card making roll lately! This past week I have made atleast 2 cards everyday :) I know that may not sound like a lot but some weeks I am lucky if I get the time or the inspiration for that matter, to even get 2 done in a full week, lol. For this card I was inspired by the current "Blooming Blossoms Challenge" at Hand Stamped Sentiments. I was so excited to actually play with the Baroque Motif stamp set as I have been pining over it forever. I also pulled out my Heat Gun and did a little heat embossing :), which I haven't done in forever and decided to play along with the current PPA challenge.

 I used my Chocolate Chip and Rose Red Craft pads then covered then with Clear Embossing Powder and melted it with my Heat Tool. I just love watching the powder turn-that probably sounds silly but I promise it is fun :) I know it is hard to tell by the photo but the embssing really adds a soft elegance.The card is very Clean and Simple but I just had to add some yummy Wide Striped Ribbon in Early Espresso. I really can not get enough of that ribbon! The flowers were created by using one of the punches from the Itty Bitty Punch Shapes pack. And this card just screamed for Pearl Jewels. I think this would make a beautiful wedding or even Mother's Day card.

 Supplies used: Naturals Ivory and Pink Pirouette Card stock. Chocolate Chip and Rose Red Craft Ink pads. Wide Striped Grosgrain Ribbon in Early Espresso, Itty Bitty Flower Punch from the punch pack, Clear Embossing Powder, Mini Glue Dots and Pearl Jewels.

 

Have a great weekend,

 

 

Engraved Greetings Thank You

Well I am surviving all the kids being at home for spring break and I even had one of my daughter's friends sleep over last night. 11 year old girls are so funny together, the giggles are still so cute but they also try so hard to be grown up-sigh, don't know what I am going to do when the teenage years hit!

Well it is Wednesday and time for another challenge at Stampin' Royalty and this week Sandra has created a fun sketch for you to try. Be sure to check out all the great samples by the design team for some added inspiration.

 
 

Don' you just LOVE the beautiful NEW DSP that I used? Bet you are wondering what it is called and where can you get some, right?! Well because I am a demonstrator I get to get my hands on fun, new product before it is released, just one of the many perks :) But the best part is Stampin' Up! is letting everyone get this beautiful Paisly Petals Designer Series Paper before it is actually released in the upcoming Idea Book and Catalogue in July. The promotion starts on April 1st so be sure to check back and see how you can get yours. 

Supplies Used: Not Quite Navy, Bravo Burgundy, Whisper White and Peach Parfait card stock. Pasily Petals Designer Series Paper. Engraved Greeeting Stamp set (got it for FREE as a Sale-a-bration choice, hurry time is running out). Eary Espresso Ink. Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Early Espresso Buttons and Linen Thread.

 Have a great day :)

Bold Blossom-Try Stampin' on Tuesday #7

Well, I am excited to announce that my blogger friend CherylAnn started a new challenge blog a few weeks ago and last week she asked if I would like to join the design team :) Of course I love a great challenge so "yes" was my only option when responding. Be sure to check ou the Design Teams samples for this week's Try Stampin' on Tuesday Challenge. CheryAnn is also offering a little Contest. If the site reaches a certain number of followers by March 31st so be sure to sign up to follow so you don't miss any of the challenges :)

Here is the sketch:

 

And my card: 

 
Okay so pretty clean and simple sketch right? Easy peasy right? HA! I stared at the sketch for 3 days and then finally it all clicked, lol. Guess that's why they call it a challenge :) Oh and to top it all of I could not get a good picture of it, it actually looks really clean and crisp in person. I choose a bit of an odd colour combo for this card but I think it works. I used Daffodil Delight, Wild Wasabi, Rich Razzleberry and Marina Mist.

Supplies Used: Bold Blossom Stamp Set. Rich Razzlebery, Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist and Whisper White card stock. Wild Wasabi DSP. Rich Razzleberry, Early Espresso and Wild Wasabi Ink. Perfect Poplka dots Impressions Folder, Big Shot, Birds and Blossoms Scallop Circle Sizzlet, Marina Mist 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Brights Glimmer Brads, Decorative Label Punch and Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch.

Have a great day and "see" you tomorrow :)

 

Inkspired with Mojo to Throwdown some Colour and Play with Paper

Hehehehe, love my clever title? You are probably thinking what the....? But it is just pertaining to some fun challenges I decide to play along with today. My kids are on Spring Break right now so I got a little stamping time today while they entertained (and fought with) each other :)

The first card I created is for both the Keesh's Inkspiration Colour Challenge and also the fabulous Clean and Simple Sketch Challenge at The Paper Players.

  

I just love the combintion of these colours with the this layout. The card came together quickly and the sketch really helped me with keeping things simple. Which I now think I am getting better at, lol :)
 
Supplie used: Butterfly Prints and So Happy for You (get your FREE with Sale a bration) stamp sets. Whisper white, Regal Rose, daffodil Delight and Early Espresso Card stock. Nursery Suite DSP. Regal Rose, Early Espresso, Whisper White and Daffodil Delight Ink Pads. Rhinestone Jewels and Whisper White Organza Ribbon.

For my second card I used the great Mojo Monday sketch and the challenging combo from Color Throwdown.

 
  



And as you can see in typical "me" fashion I made two very different cards even though they were stamped at the same time! This card has a lot of layers and I sponged everything on it :) I also used one of my favourite tools-The Cutter Kit. It perfectly destresses the edges of your paper.

Supplies used: Strength and Hope (a new Sneak Peek stamp set from the upcoming Summer Mini) and Tiny Tags stamp sets. Perfect Plum, Early Espresso, Wild Wasabi and Elegant eggplant card stock. Watercolour paper. Perfect Plum, More Mustard, Elegant Eggplant and Early Espresson Ink Pads. More Mustard DSP. The Cutter Kit, Big Shot, Fun Flowers Die, Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Folder, Antique Brads, Vintage Trinkets (safety pin) and Jewlery Tag Punch.

Have a wonderful day and be sure to check back tomorrow for some "news",

Four Frames and Fabulous Phrases

So this weekend is filled with another round of non-stop soccer but at least I got to make a card for it :) My husband asked me if I would make a card for the "team mom" as he and the other coach wanted to give her a little something for helping them stay organized all season. It was just going to be from the coaches so he said I could make whatever I wanted-I was the "expert",HAHA :) So with that sort of pressure I decided I would need a little inspiration and what better place to find it then from a few great challenge blogs. I ended using the perfect sketch over at Try Stampin' On Tuesday and some great Springy inspiration from Hand Stamped Sentiments.

For the card I pulled out a stamp set and Designer Series paper that have, well for lack of a better word, been neglected. I have barely used the the Friends Never Fade stamp set and Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper since I bought them last year, but today I was inspired to do so. I love the bright cheery colour combo of Wild Wasabi, Peach Parfait, and Daffodil Delight. I also used the new Sneak Peek set Four Frames that will be available to purchase next month before it goes live in the new Catalogue come July 1st. (trust me this set is a must have and coordinates perfectly with the Decorative Label Punch.) 
   
The words from Fabulous Phrases work so perfectly inside the frame. I also created a big bow with my favourite Wide Striped Ribbon in Certainly Celery and finished the card of with a strip of scallops and some pearls.

Have a great weekend,

Birthday Bash Card Class

Just a quick post today.On Wednesday I shared one of the samples from my upcoming card class so today I thought I would share with you the rest. Because we are making 10 cards total; 2 of each of the 5 designs, I really tried to keep them simple but still have a wide variety of styles.

 If you live in my area I would love to have you come join me for this fun class. I will be hoding it on Friday March 25th and Monday March 28th at 7:30pm. Please contact me for further details and to reserve your spot.

Have a great day,

Word Play-Wish Big SR# 63

It is Wednesday and you know what that means-another great Challenge at Stampin' Royalty! With all my computer problems I was unable to participate last week, so I am glad to be back this week with the fun challenge TEXTURIZE!!!! Let's do some dry embossing. Pull out those Big Shots or embossing stylus and show us how you do it. The Design Team have came up with some fabulous samples so be sure to check them out, and I know everyone loves to add texture to their projects, so I can't wait to see yours :)

 I find myself challenged two ways when creating a card: #1 I don't do Clean and Simple very well (I am working on it :) and #2 I find it hard to create Masculine themed cards, so I decided to try both lol! This is actually one of the cards that we will be doing at my upcoming Birthday Card Bash Class. I am also a self admitted Big Shot and Impression Folders junkie so I had no problem with this challenge!

The base of the card is Basic Gray then I layered on a piece of Baja Breeze that was dry embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder. Then strips of DSP are used to create "candles", I used patterns from Elegant Soiree and The Regals Stack (Night of Navy) and also used a small part of the 3/4" Circle Punch along the top. To create the "flames" I stamped one of the petal images from the Build a Blossom set in Peach Parfait on So Saffron Card stock. Then I punched it out with the matching Blossoms Petals Punch. The sentiment is from Word Play (an awesome set!) nad was stamped using Basic Gray Ink on Very Vanilla, punched out with the 1 3/4" Circle then layered on to a piece of Soft Suede. To add just a touch more interest (really can not do "simple" well :) I used the Cog Punch, some Twill Tape and a 5/16 Neutrals Jumbo Brad in Silver. Simple enough-don't you think?!

Have a great day,