The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

This morning I made a quick card for the Hero Arts Flickr Group Scramble challenge (details here). 

The scramble challenge today is to create a card with:

1. ONE OR MORE WHITE FLOWERS
2. SCRIPT (or cursive) style SENTIMENT
3. USING THIS PHOTO for inspiration.

I was not feeling it...and this was my result. I realized that the colors are too bright and the white flowers barely show. What was I thinking? I disliked it so much that I didn't even want to post it!

So here comes the UGLY

 

Despite my complaint, the group urged me to share my quick card. To my surprise, quite a few of them seemed to like it! Perhaps they were just being nice and tried to make me feel less bad about this super bright card (LOL). That definitely was the GOOD!  Hubby jokingly said that I was merely seeking compliments...That rascal...so that was the BAD. Dr. John is going to sleep in the dog house (too bad we don't have one) the basement!!!!

I hope this post makes you smile. There will more exciting posts coming in the next few days! I can't wait to share my projects (that I LOVE) with you.

Thanks for stopping by!

One Stamp---> 7 Ways!

Just popping in to share another card that I made with this Penny Black Stamp

 

 "Botanical Notes"

These are my previous cards made with this stamp set.

An InLinkz Link-up

And here is the latest card! This time, I made it with pattern paper. 

 
I chose to use three different pattern paper (from 6x6 My Mind's Eye paper pad).  Basically, I created a background and added a few design elements (lace, faux stitching and pearl).  The sentiment was stamped and diecut with a partial Label 8 Spellbinders.

There are 7 cards with this one stamp and each one is so different from the other. Hope you are inspired to use a stamp like this one! Believe it or not, I have more to come :)

By the way, if you are curious about the next Virginia's View Challenge, please click here for fun hints! I think you will LOVE next month's theme!

Thanks so much for stopping by! 

Guest Design at StampNation (week 5-last)

 

It's my last week over StampNation as a guest designer (boohoo)! I absolutely had a blast as I enjoy visiting the site daily! Lots of inspirational card ideas and videos in Catherine Pooler's (founder of StampNation) blog. StampNation members have access to over 400 videos, a classroom, fun challenges, gallery, message boards, and more! Do check out Catherine's blog and subscribe to her You Tube videos if you haven't already! For all the details about StampNation, please click here 

 A sneak peek of the DT's inspiration

  my project over StampNation.

I have been having fun over StampNation site and made some lovely stamping friends there! What a bonus to be part of StampNation!

 As I mentioned this before, for those of you who are new to stamping and feel like you can use some inspiration, ideas, lessons on stamping and even encouragement, I highly recommend StampNation. You will be totally immersed in a friendly and encouraging atmosphere (for details, click here) and have lots of fun learning. 

Lastely, I am sharing a video that Catherine posted. This talented teacher is the mastermind behind
StampNation. Her videos are always so fun and easy to watch! 

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Thanks so much for stopping by!

One More Botanical Notes Card

 

Botanical Notes 

Previously, I made these cards with the same stamp. You can see the entire collection at the end of this post. If you would like more details on any specific card, just click on the photo and it will take you right to the post.

Here 's today's card

 It's easy to create a colorful watercolor background and stamp...that's it! I also like the partial stamping (instead of the full reveal of the stamped image). The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink.

I have more cards with the same stamp! Hope you are not tired of this...

Thanks for stopping by!

An InLinkz Link-up

CAS-ual Fridays Stamp Blog Feature

Hello! Today is my day to share a few DT projects with you over CAS-ual Fridays Stamp Blog.
I have made three cards for today's feature.

This is Card #2 

  

For all the tips and details about all of the projects, please visit CAS-ual Fridays Stamp Blog. I would love to read your comment(s) and feedback there.
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Thanks for stopping by!  

Watercolor and Stencil

 Hello! I have been wanting to try playing with watercolors and stencils (yup, both in one card). You may not see the obvious use of stencils here, but if you look carefully, you'll see the small circles in the background....

First I created a colorful background with watercolors and distress inks. After that, I wet the stencil (Heidi Swapp Stencil) with water and let it sit on top of the paper. This proved to be the hardest part...I just had to walk away! After drying, I stamped the design.
I am keeping this post short and sweet :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Another Botanical Notes Card

Botanical Notes
Previously, I shared these cards that I made with this same stamp

 Ding--->But first, I must interrupt the regular programing for a food segment...

 If you are into Molecular Gastronomy, you know that deconstructed dishes may take the foods that are normally combined in the dish, change their forms, and then plate them together in a different way...Very likely there is not a connected recipe for many of these but it is inspiring to see the visual creativity inherent in these recreations...

Well, I took that "deconstructed" principle and applied it to my card.

One thing about working with this type of collage stamp is to alter the image and make it work.

First, I white-embossed both sides of the card stock (instead of stamping the image as it is). The fully white-embossed background gives a lovely and subtle texture! Then I chose to work with the flower and stems and assembled the design.

I hope that this card gives you some ideas and inspiration. Believe it or not, I have two more cards (with the same stamp) to come! Hope you are enjoying this!

Thanks for stopping by!

An InLinkz Link-up

Iron Craft Challenge (Inspiration 4 )

Happy weekend, my friends!

Are you liking my takes on Iron Craft Challenge? Here is part 1, part 2 and part 3, in case you missed seeing it. Chaitali did an interview with my dear friend Laura Bassen and she asked about what our favorite desserts are.... 

Here is the inspiration photo (from the blog followers' answers).

Delicious, aren't they? I love a good Creme Brulee! Yum!

I was inspired by the "sweetness" of the photo, so I did some honeycomb/hexagon stenciling for the background. The stencil I used is from Heidi Swapp's collection.


The caramel on the Creme Brulee prompted me to do some gold-embossing on the image. I also added two stamped butterflies (from Basic Grey's Lucille). The sentiment is from SRM Stickers. A small trip of Japanese Washi Tape was also added to complete the design.

 Lately I have been obsessed with this Penny Black Stamp ...

Botanical Notes (Penny Black)

I will share a few more cards with you using this stamp set. I have already shared this card over StampNation. It's a huge stamping online website full of inspiration , tutorials and forums.
 If you would like more information about StampNation, please click here.

edited: after seeing more of the dessert photos, I made a Chocolate Crepe!

It looks good, right? Trust me, it tasted GREAT, too! :)
Thanks for stopping by!

StampNation Guest Design (Week 4)

It's my turn to share a project over StampNation  as guest designer!

Lots of inspirational card ideas and videos in Catherine Pooler's (founder of StampNation) blog. StampNation members have access to over 400 videos, a classroom, fun challenges, gallery, message boards, and more! Do check out Catherine's blog and subscribe to her You Tube videos if you haven't already! For all the details about StampNation, please click here 

Here is a sample from the StampNation DT


My project this week is based on a sketch.

  Of course, I do not want to end the post without a card! Previously I made an extra card for StampNation Inspiration photo challenge. The stamp is from Penny Black (Botanical Notes). I kept the design fairly simple since the stamp already has beautiful and intricate details. I stamped  the background with two colors and that gives the design more interest. I focused the image on the butterfly. I colored it with copics and added Glossy Accent to give it a shine and highlight.


I have been having fun over StampNation site and made some lovely stamping friends there! What a bonus to be part of StampNation!

 I fell in love with stamping when my son David was a baby. When I got back to stamping in 2008, I was lucky to have a small and intimate group over Hero Arts Flickr. I learned so much from my fellow stamping friends there. Well, the group has grown so much (from 200 members to nearly 5000 members) and with all the changes from Flickr over the years, I really miss the small intimate group that I was used to.

For those of you who are new to stamping and feel like you can use some inspiration, ideas, lessons on stamping and even encouragement, I highly recommend StampNation. You will be totally immersed in a friendly and encouraging atmosphere (for details, click here) and have lots of fun learning.

Thanks so much for stopping by! 

Iron Craft Challenge (Inspiration 3)

I am joining the fun over Iron Craft Challenge (Inspiration 3). Here is Inspiration 1 

and Inspiration 2, in case you missed it. In this challenge, Chaitali asked us what is the most difficult color to work with. For me, it's definitely the color purple! I am an orange color-lover, as you may have noticed!

Here is the inspiration photo provided by Chaitali.

I decided to make a purple butterfly card with Winged Butterfly diecut, embossing paste, stencil (Heidi Swapp Doily) and glitter.

I created a subtle butterfly silhouette with the die cut. I also used a strip of Basic Grey paper to accent the butterfly. 

Also, spring is finally here in my neighborhood...

(scenes from my front/back yard)

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Time Out Challenge #5

 
It's another new theme over Time Out Challenge!

It is 'Inspired by Words' challenge with this phrase...

'Time Flies, Love Lasts'

I decided to focus on the words "time" and "love".
I have some Fancy Pants paper (Trend Setter) and haven't used much of it. In this collection, there are some really fun vintage clock images

 What better way to make this pattern paper shine? I set out to give myself two other challenges:
1. use recycled material  2. make it a masculine theme.

About this card:
Recycled material: create a flap by using textured coffee sleeves (use Spellbinders Label 8).
Faux stitching:  I used this ruler to poke holes and then connected the dots
Gold button: emboss the button twice in gold from Waffle Flower (Notions)
Embellishment: for masculine cards, I try to avoid using ribbons, gems, peals and sequins. For this one, I tore off a piece of tissue paper to add that extra something something...
Sentiment: you don't always have to stamp/emboss the entire sentiment in one color. Here I stamped the sentiment in black and then added a bit of gold embossing in my 2nd step

I hope that you pick up a few small tips from this post. 

Thanks for stopping by!

More Washi Tape Cards!

Yay, I made two more Washi Tape cards! The deadline is tomorrow...so here are my last two entries for the Open Audition Gallery Idol call.

The first card here was a lot of fun to make.

I made a super glittery background (Heidi Swapp Doily stencil, white embossing paste and MS glitter). I created three colorful butterflies with the washi tape and layered them with two more pieces of diecut for more dimensions. The sentiment is from SRM Stickers.

My 2nd card is a bit of a scene card. It is nearly 100% Washi Tape!

I used 6 different Washi Tape to create the hills, road, golf cart and flag!
And notice those "golf balls"? I used Embossing Paste with the Heidie Swapp stencil. As for the "hills"? They were created with a large oval Washi-taped die cut!
The stamp set is from My Guy by Paper Smooches. I think this card is Tee-riffic for ANY guys! I am also entering this card to Paper Smooches Anything Goes Challenge.

You can check out the amazing Gallery Idol entries here.
Well, that's it for me. Thanks so much for stopping by! 

Using Diecut with Washi Tape

Today's post was triggered by the Open Audition of Gallery Idol. I had such an amazing experience last year and made it to the Top 5! Seriously, I don't think I can ever top that! But, I still want to participate just for the fun of it :)

For this open audition, the challenge is to use Washi Tape to create a card. I think Washi Tape is the perfect material for die cutting. It's super pliable without using glue (unlike pattern paper). So I set out to do the following....

1. gather Washi Tape and make diecut (Double Note from CAS-ual Fridays)

2. make a few extra dies and glue them (much like a chipboard)

3. Use Distress Inks and water to create a small area of watercolor background, let dry

4. Stamp the sentiment ( Heart Beat from CAS-ual Fridays)

 5. Use a ruler to line up the notes and pierce holes

6. Hand stitch with silver threads

 Voila!

You can check out all the amazing entries here!
Thanks for stopping by!

StampNation Guest Design over Penny Black Blog!

Happy Saturday!

Today I have a special guest design appearance over Penny Black! It was part of my StampNation
guest design. How cool is that?

Penny Black has an amazing selections of stamps, dies and stencils from detailed flower images, vintage style to graphic and fun and whimsy...I chose this set called “Cupcake Day”!

 You can create any styles to suit the special occasion. In this card “You Make My Heart Smile”, I applied Gelatos with water to create the colorful background and stripes. I also added twines and some hearts ( stenciled with embossing paste)”

The comment feature in this post has been turned off.
Please stop by Penny Black blog to leave me your feedback/comments. StampNation is doing 2 one-month subscriptions Giveaway over PB Blog!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Working with Border Stamps

Just popping in for a fun share today. I love all kinds of stamps, but I find that border stamps are generally the unsung hero amongst all stamps.

Here is an example where I used-Penny Black (Twirls)

It is easy to stamp these two cling stamps in one solid color and make borders...that's what I would do when first seeing this type of stamps. BUT I decided to do something a little different.

Since water-coloring is still so trendy/popular and easy to do, I tried coloring around the images.

1. Stamp the borders all over the background and clear emboss the images

2. Apply Distress Ink with water and color-brush the images (the main reason is to create a coloful background, so you do not need to be an expert in coloring)

3. Stamp sentiment ( My Favorite from Hero Arts) on pattern paper (My Mind's Eyes) and add strings and sequins.

4. Use pop dots for the dimensions

I hope that this card inspire you to try using border stamps more.

 Please stop by tomorrow as I have a guest design post over Penny Black :) 

Thanks for stopping by!

StampNation Guest Design ( Week 3)

Hello! It's another NEW great challenge over StampNation  for me as guest designer!  Lots of inspirational card ideas and videos in Catherine Pooler's (founder of StampNation) blog. StampNation members have access to over 400 videos, a classroom, fun challenges, gallery, message boards, and more! Do check out Catherine's blog and subscribe to her You Tube videos if you haven't already! Here is how you can sign up the
 StampNation Membership  
A sneak peek of my project.

 This one is from is the entire DT
 
I am honored to be part of StampNation. It's so well-organized and informative online Stamp community (click here  for more details).

Here is a card that I share over Virginia's View Challenge.
There are still 3 more days to play the Stitching Challenge! Hope you join the fun!
The comment feature in this post has been turned off.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Multi-Step Stamping

I am popping in with an impromptu post...namely, I had some fun this late morning and came up with a card that requires multiple steps of stamping. 

Case in point...what do you do with a stamp like this one!?

Botanical Notes (Penny Black)

For someone like me(who is coloring-challenged), what is a good way to showcase this ornate stamp without fussing over detailed coloring? 

1. My home-made Stamp Positioner: I am ashamed/embarrassed brave to share my primitive Stamp Positioner here. It is unsightly for sure (usually it's hidden in my drawer), but it totally works AND it's FREE :)

2. Stamp the image with a light shade of color (Hero Art Soft Sand was used here)

3. Add colors to the flower image with Gelatos

4. After blending the colors on the petals (with a slightly wet finger), apply Distress Inks with a Water Brush to color the leaves

5. Use The Faber -Castell Brush Scarlet Red marker to color the butterfly

6. Stamp the butterfly

7. Prepare the surface with Embossing Buddy

8. Apply Embossing Boss Gloss (see here) all over (except the butterfly)

9. After the embossing in gold, apply more Gelatos to add more intense colors (where needed)

  I stamped the sentiment (from Hero Arts) and added twines and a sequin.

 This card requires nothing more. It is so satisfying to be a stamper....this multiple step stamping is really easy to do, just more steps :)

I am entering this to "Take the Challenge with Mou" 
 (use two Farber-Castell products-->Gelatos and Stamper's Big Brush Pen).

Well, thank you for visiting my blog today.
edited: I saw a SERIOUS Position-It (by Cathie Allan) at my local Scrapfest that costs around $40 US! My blog friend Ardyth got one--good for her! I was too cheap to buy one (LOL)!