Inspired by Stamping - Have a Sweet Day

Hi everyone! How are you today? It is the end of September! Holy guacamole.... Where has the year gone?

Today I am going to share with you a card I have made using one of the New Release sets from Inspired by Stamping. Even though I have used a set called Autumn Blessings, I am going to show you how to really change up your stamping to give your card a whole new look. 

I was going for a Spring / Summer picnic sort of look with this card. What do you think?

I have done a lot of stamping for this card. I used the 'checkerboard' looking stamp from this set to create my 'tablecloth'. I masked off the top and bottom of the card first and once I was finished my repetative stamping, I put score lines to give the stamping more definition.

I stamped my apples and fussy cut them out. The middle apple has an embossed flower (from the same set). 

The sentiment is from the Petite Banners set. They come with co-ordinating dies. I LOVE co-ordinating dies. 

One of the girls from IBS said this would make a great card for a teacher! I tend to agree :)

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges -

Timeout - Stamping with a twist of Apples

Thanks so much for looking xx

Inspired by Stamping - Aster

Hi everyone and thanks so much for popping by. 

Today I would like to share with you a card I have made using the New Release stamp sets Aster and Teeny Tiny Greetings from Inspired by Stamping.

Here is my card -

I started by embossing the flowers with white powder. Using Distress Inks and a cotton bud, I applied the colour. Then I fussy cut it out.

By adding the ink with the cotton buds, I was able to have good control over where I wanted my colour. I could even get a bit more definition by adding more colour in spots where I wanted shading.

The bottom panel looks very dark (nearly black) in my photos but it is a deep shade of purple. 

Isn't the Aster just beautiful!

The sentiment is from the Teeny Tiny Greetings set and was embossed with white powder.

Well, I bet you have been amazed by all the New Release sets you have seen over the last few days. I have been very excited to use them and hope to provide a little inspiration.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges -

Allsorts - Stitching Real or Faux

A Creative Romance - In the Garden

Cute Card Thursday - Dies or Punches

Thanks so much for looking xx

Inspired by Stamping Designer Feature

Happy Saturday everyone. 

We have a new feature over at Inspired by Stamping.

Every Saturday there will be a special newsletter showcasing our Designers. To make sure you don't miss out on anything, you need to head on over to IBS and sign up to receive the newsletter.

Today I am concentrating on using particular images from a set that are pretty much specifically for a certain theme but could be used other ways. Make sense?

Take for example our new release Autumn Blessings set -

This set is just beautiful! It is so perfect for those Thanksgiving cards! In Australia, though, we don't celebrate Thanksgiving but that doesn't mean I love this set any less! With all these beautiful choices, there are many things I can think of to use this set for.

Take Christmas for example. I knew that wreath would be perfect!

Here is a card that I have come up with -

I don't usually photograph my cards turned towards the left but I needed a bit more light for this one. I added stickles to my berries to give them a little more texture.

Can you see how versatile this set is? 

The sentiment is from the Elegant Christmas Sentiments set

I then decided a second card using the wreath would be nice. This time I wanted to use the stamp in a completely different way.

I embossed the wreath and sentiment (also from the Elegant Christmas Sentiments set) with silver powder. On the grey cardstock, I felt this created a very elegant card and something completely different to the first one.

There you go! A couple of ways to get a completely different look with one of the stamps and also a different theme for a specific set. 

Thanks so much for looking xx

Bookmark for my Niece

Just another very quick post from me.

I made this bookmark for my 10 year old niece. She loves reading - isn't that great! 

The photo is a shocker, I am sorry. 

I have used a Tim Holtz tag die, Lavinia stamps and distress inks. I splattered some paint and the end for a bit of texture and then sprayed the whole things with Gloss Sealer.

I would like to enter this into the following challenges

Lavinia Stamps - add ribbon

Just Inspirational Challenge - Bookmarks

I now have an order for two more of these from other nieces. 

Thanks so much for looking xx

Butterfly + Glass Bead Gel

Hi there everyone!

Today I am sharing a card that I have made using something I have had in my stash for a few weeks now but have only just used.

Have you heard of Glass Bead Gel? It is a beautiful white gel (that dries clear) that you can use on all your projects and it has tiny little glass beads throughout. 

My problem was what to use if for and when. I decided to use a number of challenges for inspiration and here is what I came up with -

This a die that I received for my birthday from my wonderful friend Barb. I used distress inks over the die cut and then spread the Glass Bead Gel over the top. I left it overnight to dry and finished it off with my homemade enamel dots. You can see how to make them by clicking HERE.

I used the photo inspiration over at Fusion - the pink car and all that glass made for a perfect lightbulb moment to use my gel. Unfortunately, I have missed the deadline for that challenge :(

Here is a close up of the glass beads -

This card is going down to Canberra for my gorgeous cousin who really isn't very well at the moment. She has been sick for a number of weeks so hopefully she gets a break soon and is able to function properly and even get back to work!

I would like to enter my card into the current challenges at 

Thanks so much for looking xx

Inspired by Stamping - New Release Mix

Hi there everyone. I hope you are all well today. 

I am sharing with you a card that I have made using my IBS goodies and have mixed up a lot of the new release stamps.

Here is my card -

I have used the following new release sets -

Australian Nature I 

Autumn Blessings 

Aster

and combined them with 

Spring Lilacs

Petite Banners

This card is one that I CASED from Pinterest and can be found HERE

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges

Delicious Doodles - Tag It

Eclectic Ellapu - Ladys Birthday

Natalie and Amys Challenge - Things with Wings

Live and Love Crafts - Things with Wings

Thanks so much for looking xx

New Release Week at Inspired by Stamping

It is New Release time over at Inspired by Stamping!!

The whole team is so excited to bring you the new sets that will be available to you. 

Today we are concentrating on the Australian Nature I set. A set very close to my heart as an Aussie girl :)

Firstly I started off by inking up my Cooktown Orchid. These orchids are spectacular! 

I have tried to capture the pretty pink colours by using my Spectrum Noir Markers. I couldn't go past adding a couple of butterflies! I was also a little bit naughty – I have added a sentiment from one of the new releases coming up later in the week – I just couldn't help myself!

Once I had coloured my butterflies, I wanted to create a panel to matt my orchids onto. I also wanted to match the colours in my panel the best I could. 

I cut three panels and then used my markers to colour the edges with blue, green and pink so I could see which one would look the best with my card. I went for the blue :)

This way I could perfectly match my backing panel with my top panel.

I would like to enter my 1st card into the following challenges -

One Stitch at a Time - Anything Goes with a Flower
Glitter and Sparkle Challenge - must use pink

Now onto my next card – for this one I have used the Ulysses Swallowtail butterfly stamp. 

I took a small liberty with the colour of the butterfly. This particular butterfly is usually a brilliant blue in the center and then solid black around the outside. I decided that I would like my butterfly to be completely blue :)

For this card I have used two of the dies from the Fancy Labels 3 set (circle and label). Once I coloured my butterfly and fussy cut it out, I mounted it onto a piece of corrugated cardboard (very Australiana – just like the corrugated tin roofs you will see on a lot of homes) and then onto the second die cut panel. 

I secured some jute string onto my embossed panel and then placed everything right on top. The sentiment is from the Petite Banners set and also has a co-ordinating die in this set. 

There you go, my cards to celebrate the new release here at Inspired by Stamping. You had better stay tuned because you have to see what the girls are coming up with over the next few days. Amazing cards and new stamps for you to feast your eyes on!

Supplies Used

Australian Nature I

Petite Banners

Fancy Labels 3 Dies

I would like to enter my 2nd card into the following challenges -

AAA Cards - Fussy Cut
Stamping Sensations - Things with Wings

Thanks so much for looking xx

Getting to Know You blog hop

Hi there everyone. 

Have you seen this little blog hop going around at the moment? It is a great idea for us to share a little bit about ourselves that we may not know about each other. 

I was tagged for this blog hop by the amazingly talented Cornelia. Cornelia is a member of my DT at Addicted to Stamps and More and also a team mate at STAMPlorations. I was very honoured that Cornelia chose to tag me, so thank you!!!

I also need to tag two people. The name of the game is to tag two other crafters who you admire. 

My first tag is Shana from Stress Free Stamping with Shana who has been with me over at Addicted to Stamps and More and Addicted to CAS for a long while now. Shana has been a Stampin' Up demonstrator since 2006 and lives in the U S of A. This woman loves to craft! She has a wonderful family as well - but we will let her tell you all about that.

My next tag is Marina from My Perfect Life. I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Marina in person when I was in Europe back in April. A group of us got together and met up in London for lunch. Marina is so lovely and has a great sense of humour. It was a privledge to have met her! Marina is a teacher and has two wonderful children... I will let her tell you more about this, though.

Here we go - I hope you have a cup of something or other as it is a long post......

1.What creative projects are you currently working on?

I am always working on a daily basis on something relating to craft and blogging one way or another. I own two challenge blogs - Addicted to Stamps and More (with 20 design team members) and Addicted to CAS (with 12 design team members). Well three, actually. I started a brand new craft forum called Happy Little Stampers. This is designed for members to be able to connect with each other on a whole new level. There are many topics up for discussion (craft and non craft related), there is always a giveaway going on and there is even live chat. There are links to tutorials (we have over 80 now and counting).  I run a monthly sketch challenge that is now also posted on the Happy Little Stampers blog. 

I would love to see more of you join up over at Happy Little Stampers. Come and join in the fun!

This keeps me all very busy! I love having creative outlets for people to find, be inspired and meet new people. 

Then, of course, I have my Design Team commitments with Addicted to Stamps and More, Addicted to CAS, Happy Little Stampers, Inspired by Stamping and STAMPlorations.

It is a privledge to be on the IBS and STAMPlorations teams. The owners are just amazing and the teams are brilliant. 

2.What inspires your designs?

I would have to say that even though I am looking at many, many projects from other crafters each week through my challenge blogs and looking on pinterest etc. I really try and come up with my own designs.

I do see layouts/designs that I try and keep in the memory bank or pin to my boards on pinterest. It is always good to have a reference to something if I am stuck. A lot of the time I get inspiration from cards that are sent to me from other crafters for my birthday or christmas etc. I find having something that I can feel and see how it was put together is really cool. 

At the end of the day, most of the cards I make are my own original design.

3.What method / process (if applicable) do you apply to each of your creative projects, and how long does each project take to complete?

Usually if I have a DT card to make, I will create something that is relevant to something I may need. I may have a birthday or wedding coming up and need something for that. So, in essence I would start with a theme for my card. Next I would choose my stamps. I may get a few sets out and see if they work together. Sometimes I just sit there for ages and scratch my head. If nothing comes to me straight away, I get up and walk out of my craft room and come back later. 

I don't usually use a sketch or colour challenge to help me out but if I am really stuck I will have a look around. 

I have to admit that even though I have so much going on with the blogs and website etc., I am not one of those crafters who go to bed and then wake up in the middle of the night with an idea that has to be dealt with there and then. I love my sleep too much to worry about doing that, lol.  I don't dream about ideas or anything like that. I know, boring huh? I do tend to spend some time in my craft room each day, though.

Depending on what I am making, depends on the time it takes to make something. One card could take me as little as 5 minutes to make. Others may have an image that needs to be coloured with markers or perhaps I am using texture paste or something that needs overnight to dry. It can be a very broad timeframe but usually I would say that it would take me no more than an hour for most of my cards.

4.If you had to describe your 'signature' style, what would it be?

It would have to say Clean and Simple. It does come more natural to me than trying to pile on heaps of layers and flowers etc. I love what people can do with layers - I have seen some beautiful cards out there with piles and piles of bits and bobs on them. But, at the end of the day a heap of white space makes me very happy, lol. Even when I am colouring an image with my markers, I try to keep things CAS. 

I have also ventured more into the Mixed Media side of things. I've bought gesso, texture paste, paints, True Snow, Gloss Gel, Glass Bead Gel, the list goes on. I do find that I even tend to create my mixed media on the CAS side. I would love to keep them a little more separate and just go all out on the mixed media - I'm working on that, lol.

5. What are 3 crafting products/tools you can't live without?

Wow, only 3? This is hard....

I could NOT live without my Big Shot and dies. (Yep that's two but I am keeping them in the one sentence so it's going to count as 1)

I could NOT live without my paper trimmer. I don't buy precut cards. I cut all my cardstock to the size that I want.

I could NOT live without stamps and inks. Yep that's two again but without one you don't have the other, right?

There is a whole craft room of stuff that I couldn't do without and I'm sure there are things in there that I COULD do without (you know those things that don't see the light of day but you had to have them?). 

So, there you go. There may be stuff there you already knew about me and some stuff you didn't know. I'm so glad you stopped by. Don't forget to check out Shana and Marinas posts next week.

xx

ATCAS - Cuddly

Happy Saturday. How are you? 

Ready for a brand new challenge over at Addicted to CAS? Michelle is your hostess for this challenge and here is the code word she has chosen -

My first thought was a teddy bear. We all love snuggling up to a teddy bear, right? Or am I the only one, whoops.... lol

I don't have any teddy bear stamps or anything I could even remotely call cuddly so I had a quick look in my digital stamp folder on the trusty USB. A couple of weeks ago, I won a prize for my CAS Poinsettia which was a DT card for ATSM. The prize was digital stamps from Fred She Said and luck would have it that I had chosen one called Emma the Hugger. It even came with a matching sentiment. Perfect!

Here is my DT card -

Hmmm, hugging a snowman. Could it be considered cuddly? Not really, I suppose, but in the whole essence of Christmas I thought hugging a snowman was completely adorable. Plus Hugs = Cuddles. Good enough for me :)

I have coloured the image with my Spectrum Noir markers -

Emma -

Clothes - DR1, DR2, DR4, DR6, DR7

Scarf - TB3, TB4, TB5

Hair - TN3, TN4, TN6

Boots - IG5, IG6, IG8, IG10

Face - FS8, CR3, CR5

Snowman -

GG1, GG2

Hat - IG5, IG6, IG8, IG10

Scarf/Hat - LG3, LG5, JG1

Arm - TN4

Nose - OR2

I have also added some puffed snow to Emma. It's a snow marker that after you apply it, you heat it with your craft gun and it puffs up like magic. 

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges -

ABC Christmas Card Challenges - S for Something Festive

Sparkles Christmas Challenge - Snowmen

Fussy and Fancy Friday - Main Colour Red

Thanks so much for looking xx

Inspired by Stamping Monthly Challenge

Hi everyone! I hope you are well! 

This is my second post for today as I am going to share a card with you that I have made using the inspiration over at IBS for the monthly challenge. There are three inspiration photos you can choose from. You can use one or you combine them together. 

I decided to use the sketch and here is my DT card -

I have used the Spring Lilacs set teamed up with the Petite Banners.

I stamped my Lilacs onto my cardstock and then coloured with my Spectrum Noir markers.

HB3, LV1, LV2

LG3, LG5, JG1

This image was larger than my die, so I used partial die cutting so the leaf was hanging off the side.

The sentiment is from the Petiite Banners set which have co-ordinating dies - Fancy Lables 3

The enamel dots are homemade! You can find out how to make them by clicking HERE

Here is the sketch that I used for my inspiration

I hope you have time to play along this month. One randomly selected winners will receive a $30 discount code from the Inspired by Stamping Store! Pop on over to the blog to see the other inspiration photos you can choose from.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges -

613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes

Pile it On - Anything Goes + add flowers (optional)

Thanks so much for looking xx

ATSM #113 - Holiday

Hi there and welcome! I hope you enjoy my card today which has been made especially for the new challenge over at Addicted to Stamps and More - Holiday theme.

You can choose ANY holiday you want. I have chosen Christmas because I really need to make more so using the Holiday challenge is a bonus. 

I have used an image from our terrific sponsor over at Eureka Stamps - Santa on Skis. 

Here is my DT card -

Isn't this Santa just the cutest. Because it is stinking hot here at Christmas, I always have fun making snow scenes. I'd love to see a White Christmas one day - it's on my bucket list. 

I have coloured him with my Spectrum Noir markers - here is the list in case you would like to give it a go.

Santa clothing - DR1, DR2, DR4, DR6, DR7

Santas white areas - GG1, GG2

Face - FS8, CR3, CR5

Background - IB1, IB2, IB3, BT8

Can you see the snow that I have added? I bought a tub of 'True Snow' a few weeks ago and this is the first time I have used it. Pretty cool! Here is a close up for you -

The little tag is from the SU Snow Pals set. I've never used the tag stamp before. The sentiment is from SU Petite Pairs set.

With all these new things that I haven't used before, I would like to link my card up to Darnells NBUS Challenge #2 where I have chosen option #1 to create a Christmas card.

I would also like to link up to these wonderful challenges -

Paper Creators Crafts - Early Christmas
Southern Girls Challenge - Winter Blues
613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes


Thanks so much for looking xx

Happy Birthday Bev!

Hi there everyone!

Today is a very special day for a very special lady out there in blog land. It is Bevs birthday! Bev is the owner of the Happy Dance blog - what a cool name! 

I have to say that I don't know Bev, but since I have been asked by Darnell and Ardyth to join in the linky party for this lovely lady, how could I say no?

So, I did a bit of 'Bev Stalking'. 

From what I could tell, Bev is a lover of CAS. A woman after my own heart. Who doesn't love a good CAS card? All that white space...... ahhhhhhh..... whoops, I digress......

More stalking found that Bev loves the simple things in life. Having 8 children and 20 grandchildren, she is obviously a family person. Just from having a look around, Bev chooses to celebrate life (with a happy dance here and there) and it certainly shows in her cardmaking.

Onto my card -

I wanted to use bright and happy colours for Bev. I started off knowing that I had to use my new Lil' Inker Stitched Balloon dies. Aren't they so cute!! I used some of the left over stars to embellish the card too. I hand drew the balloon strings and the sentiment is from Paper Smooches.

Obviously I wanted to keep my card pretty CAS just for Bev. 

There you go! Happy Birthday Bev! I hope you have a wonderful day and enjoy the cards that everyone has prepared for you. Enjoy!!!

If you would like to join in the linky party, just click HERE to take you to the post!

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges -

ABC Challenge - Tic Tac Toe (I chose Dies / Sentiment / Stitching (real or faux)
Cuttlebug Mania - Anything Die Cut goes
Die Cut Divas - New Things

Thanks so much for looking xx

STAMPlorations Sketch #20

Welcome! 

Today I am sharing my DT card for the new STAMPlorations Sketch Challenge. 

Here is the sketch -

and here is my card -

I have used three sets of stamps here - Vignette: Celebrate Artsy , Artful Flutters and Bloom Sketches: Daisy 2

This was so quick and easy. The only time consuming part was fussy cutting the butterflies. They are so worth it, though!

We have a wonderful guest designer for this challenge - Darnell. Here is a little about her

Hello! My name is Darnell Knauss (pronounced Ka-nouse). My blog is (djkardkreations.com). I started this hobby in 2002 after attending my first Stampin' Up! party and I have never looked back. After ten years making cards for family and friends inside the disgusting garage, we had the backyard relandscaped and I became the envied occupant of my sweet crafty Playhouse. I am having the time of my life sharing my cards, playing with words, and making friends with delightful people from all over the world who provide me with endless inspiration! 

Don't forget to pop on over and check out her card!

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges -

Butterfly Challenge

Inkspirational - Flight

Stamping Sensations - Things with Wings

Thanks so much for looking xx

Baby Blog Hop for Grace

Hello, friends! Today some of the Inspired By Stamping design team members are sharing some very special cards for our teammate, Grace! Grace is has a new little baby boy and we decided to hop and celebrate with her! If you arrived here from Kendras blog, you're on the right track! If you haven't and would like to hop with us, please start at the Inspired By Stamping blog and start from there!

Here is my card for Grace

Congratulations, Grace! 

I have created another shaker card. Using the Fancy Label Dies 1 I have created my frame. The back panel was flicked with alcohol ink and then stamped with Welcome Little Angel from the Big Notes III set. I filled the frame with sequins and stars. I also used the Spring Lilacs paper to die cut the little stars.

I hope you enjoy all the cards made for your special little bundle of joy, Grace!

Your next hop stop is Leahs blog! 

 Thanks for taking some time to hop with us--please leave some love with Grace on her blog, In Her Shoes, as well! Happy hopping, friends!

IBS - Monthly Challenge Inspiration

Hi there everyone. Have you seen the monthly challenge over at Inspired by Stamping? It will be ending on the 15th of September so you still have time to get your entry in and have the chance to win a $30 discount code to the store!

Here is the inspiration provided on the challenge blog - you can choose from the sketch, colours or theme

I decided to combine the colour and theme inspiration. Here is my card -

My background was creating using a Chevron Stencil and sponging ink over the panel. I immediately grabbed the Fancy Labels 2 stamp set as one of the frames comes complete with Chevrons! I used the co-ordinating dies for this one – Fancy Labels 2 Dies.

I love how well we can co-ordinate our IBS stamps. I stamped the sentiment from the new Friends Forever set and then die cut it using a small die from the Fancy Labels 2 set. I popped it up with some foam tape for interest.

You can see in the photo below just how well these dies line up with their stamps.

The finishing touch was bakers twine wrapped around the panel and tied off in a bow.

The completed panel has been popped up with foam tape.

Here is a recap of the IBS supplies I have used for this card -

Friends Forever

Fancy Labels 2

Fancy Labels 2 Dies

Thanks so much for looking xx 

STAMPlorations September Stamp Release Blog Hop

It's stamp release month at STAMPlorations! The other STAMPlorations girls and I are sharing projects we created featuring the new stamps. Visit and leave a comment on all the stops on the hop for a chance to win.

THREE (3) lucky hoppers randomly drawn from the designers' blogs will each win a stamp set of their choice from the new release and ONE (1) lucky hopper randomly drawn from the STAMPlorations blog will win a $25 gift certificate to use towards products in the STAMPlorations shop. You have until Monday, September 15, 11:55 p.m. PDT (GMT -700) to comment here and on my fellow designers' posts for a chance to win. Winners will be announced on the STAMPlorations blog on Thursday, September 18.

You should have arrived here from Deepti - if you have become lost, it's ok. Just find the links below and start at the beginning.

Here is my card -

I started this panel off by laying ink pads directly onto an acrylic block, misting it with water and then pressing it onto my cardstock.

While the panel was still a little damp, I stamped down the left hand side with the Vignette: Christmas Block so it had the same watercoloured look. 

Next I grabbed the bell from the Holiday Sketches: Christmas Bells set. I pressed red, green and yellow ink onto the stamp and then misted it with water before stamping it. 

I let the panel dry overnight. The next morning I came back to it and really didn't like it to be honest. I started on something else and didn't have much luck. I picked up everything to throw it in the bin. I looked at this panel again and thought I actually quite like it, I just needed to do something else. Does that happen to you?

So, I grabbed my Star stencil (which you can purchase from STAMPlorations), inked over one corner and then inked up the edges of the panel. 

I ended up really liking the finished result. Happy little accident - love them!

*** The stops in the hop*** 

STAMPlorations Blog

Cornelia | Debra | Deepti | Kylie | Maria | Monika | Nonni | Shery | Shirley | Vicki

Now you are off to see Maria!

Thanks so much for stopping by xx