SDC282 Blue Only

So, really you guys, this was a tough challenge for me. I am not a huge fan of most shades of blue. I lean more toward teal and green. However, once the project got rolling, it wasn't as hard as I anticipated.

I decided to create a gift box and use our new Flos  stamp from our latest release.  Oh, yes, we had a wonderful release this month! The toughest part of this challenge was not using black  for the stamping, but I like how the flowers turned out.

I used various ink sprays to watercolor my blue flowers.  I used Lindy's teal shaker to color texture paste and stenciled the top. I love how it turned out. I tried to create layers as well without creating too much bulk. 

I hope that you are inspired to think "outside the box" for this week's color challenge. Don't let it leave you feeling blue! Be sure to check out the rest of the design team as there is a lot of inspiration to go around. We have such amazing artists! And, also, join us to win some stamps!

Ingredients:

Flos: Stampotique

Hashtags: Stampotique

Dylusions Ink Spray

Lindy's Ink Spray

Memento Ink

Lindy's Magical Shaker

Heidi Swapp Stencil

Texture Paste

SDC 281 Amazing Backgrounds

Now THIS is my challenge! I love creating backgrounds. It is almost an addiction, so this was a fun challenge to work on. I have had this rainbow background paper for quite sometime waiting for just the right project, and this was it! I used it to create a rainbow pocket letter and I can't wait to surprise its recipient!

In addition to a new challenge, this month we had another AMAZING release and I fell in love with Whookie, so he took center stage for this pocket letter.  I used more rainbow background papers to create his different looks. I also used one of our newest sentiments. I thought it was fitting.

I also played with our television stamp and some older sentiments. Check it out! Whookie is under cover with his mustashio! (a brad I was gifted)Isn't he handsome? And how adorable are his toes? Did you spot the tiny whookie? He is stamped all over the background of a few of the cards. 

And, of course, no pocket letter is complete without some goodies. Brads, Washi and Twine! Those letters are from our Alphabet backround stamp.  Block stamped and each letter cut out to create the words of my choice. Oh, and of course, a sparkly sentiment for the bling!

I hope this inspires you to create an amazing background for our challenge this week! Backgrounds are so fun to create using just about anything in your stash! Be sure to check out the rest of the design team creations and enter for your chance to win stamps! Happy creating!

Ingredients:

Whookie: (Stampotique)

Phrase Cube #3 (Stampotique)

Alpha Background (Stampotique)

Barcode Text #2 (Stampotique)

Quotes #1 (Stampotique)

TV (Stampotique)
Hanging Hearts (Stampotique)
Circles Cube (Stampotique)
Dylusions Ink Spray
Color Box Ink
Bristol Strathmore Paper
Tim Holtz Twine

SDC 276 Stencil It!

This month Stampotique is collaborating with Eileen Hull. We were given some very wonderful die cuts to play with, not the least of which was this wonderful Passport Book cut. I admit, I was a bit perplexed at first as, I have never bound a book in my life. It was for certain a learning curve, but in the end I am pleased with the results.

I decided to create a recipe book/journal. I used one of our new release images from Daniel Torrente at Stampotique. Don't you just love this adorable stove?? It has myriad possibilities.

I used several stencils on this book and I love how each page turned out. The words were created using our Alphabet Background. I stamped the background and then cut each stamped letter out to create each word. I regret that my ink was running low, but I kind of like the distressed look.

For the first two pages I, of course, used stencils, also an envelope and more stamps. I used Tera Callihan's Cupcake Girl from Stampotique and more words from my alpha stamping. I love how the cupcake girl pops off of the stenciled background.

So for this page, of course, more stenciling as well as Stampotique's cupcake (from Terri Richardson). How much more perfect could a cupcake be for a food book? Especially one this scrumptious! See the tab here and the latch and label on the book? Those also came with the journal from Eileen.

I like how happy and cheerful the book is. .Would make me want to cook! And I am not that good of a cook, haha. Just ask my little boy! ;)

Be sure to check out the rest of the design team as well. Lots of beautiful work to be sure! Also, make sure you join our Facebook page in order to see much more inspiration as well as ATC swaps monthly! 

Ingredients:

Whazcookinma: Stampotique

Cupcake Girl: Stampotique

Cupcake: Stampotique

Alphabet Background: Stampotique

Eileen Hull Passport Book Die Cuts

Copic Markers

Dylusions Keyholes Small Stencil

Balzar Designs Mini Numbers Stencil

Faber Castell Arrows Stencil

Heidi Swapp Triangles Stencil

Dina Wakely Acrylic Paint

Lindy's Spray Ink

Color Box Black Ink

Pom Pom Trim (target)

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Word Up Weekend!

So, this week my word up weekend post is a bit more serious. Sympathy cards are not something we like to think about having a need for, but it IS something that is needed. I am, however, still just outside the box enough to not use calm colors I WILL be creating something more calm but not this time.

In the past when someone close to me passed away I really felt like the endless parade of bland cards, while sweet and thoughtful, were just as depressing as the thing I was going through. That is why I used bright colors for this card. While we know that someone you care about passing on is an incredibly sad thing, a bright spot in your day while grieving can mean the world.

So, out came the copics. It took a few tries to get the look I was going for. Too long with no practice! I MUST put that on my list of things to do this year. COLOR with my COPICS more!

In the end, I used one of my Dylusions backgrounds I really loved the purple with the yellow and how it set off the wing circle. Did I mention that this sentiment circle is from our latest May release? The wing AND the sentiment come together. 2 for 1? Yes!!

I figured that the stamps needed to speak for themselves so I tried to keep the card simple over-all. I hope against hope that I will never need to use this card, but if the time does come when this card is needed, I hope that the person receiving it will enjoy the bright spot in their day.

Ingredients:
Sympathy Circle: Stampotique
Dylusions Ink Sprays
Color Box Ink
Copic Markers
Bakers Twine
Adhesive Gems

SDC #270 Text Background

So, as if Stampotique didn't already have a ton of good sentiments and words, they now have this sweet script stamp and I thought it was perfect for this week's challenge theme which just happens to be Text Background!

I know you have seen all of our wonderful new releases for March. This uses two of our newbies. I decided to go with mail art because it just made sense to me with the text background.

I stamped Elaine  onto some label  paper that you would normally put through your printer and heat set the ink (colorbox works awesome for this). I watercolored her and heat set her again and then she was ready to go.

As for the text, I realized I had some fucia embossing powder in my stash so the words got the embossing treatment. I don't think it will be a problem for the mail service....I hope....You can tell I was having some problems as, I didn't realize until too late, that the envelope was not 100% dry yet so the powder wanted to stick where it didn't belong. MY BAD....

I also created a label out of the label paper and distressed it a bit with some doodles and ink.  Viola! Text background! Boom! Be sure to check out our other DT members (left sidebar) because they are even more amazing!! Also be sure to link up your text background projects so we can see!!

Ingredients:

Elaine: Stampotique
Text Background: Stampotique
Hanging Hearts: Stampotique
Dylusions Sprays
Heidi Swapp Color Shine Spray
Color Box Black Ink
Label Paper
Manila Envelope
Acrylic Gesso: Master's Touch

Word Up!!

I am here again to showcase one of our MANY, many sentiments from Stampotique. This week I jumped back in time just a bit to an older release and played with our Happy Camper sentiment along with our Tee Pee. It always makes me smile.

Of course, I used teals, pinks and purples since they are my favorite and they really feel whimsical. I decided to mirror stamp the tee pee and create a spinner card. Lately, I have really enjoyed creating interactive cards so this was just one more that I was inspired to make. I even broke out my cuddle bug and my spellbinders!

Be sure to check out our Facebook group for many more fun sentiment creations this weekend!!

Ingredients:

Tee Pee: Stampotique
Happy Camper Text
Spellbinders Circle Die
Speelbinders Scallop Die
Dylusions Ink Sprays
Colorbox Ink
Colored Pencils
Dove Blender Pen
Adhesive Gems
Sequins
Enamel Dots

Word Up Weekend Ya'LL!

So, even though I may be from the south, when I speak most people think I am from the North. Always makes me giggle. So, there. Some South for Ya'LL Haha.

So this weekend I am back for Word Up Weekend with another fun and interactive ATC. This time, a slide pop up card. When I first started making cards I had an entire notebook filled with card instructions for things like this. It is fun to go back to my roots to create some fun ATCs.

The trouble I had with this one as well as a few others was that the instructions are for gigantic cards! So what's a card maker to do? Scale it down, of course!

Here is what you will need to create this card in ATC size:

2.5 x 3.5 in pieces of card-stock (you will need 2) Base pieces
1 7/8 x 3 in piece of card-stock Pull Slide
1 5/8 x 2 1/8 piece of card-stock Pop Up Front Base
1/2 x 2.0 in piece of card-stock Pop Up Front Image Piece

Take one of your 2 pieces of ATC sized card-stock and mark 3/8 in from all 4 edges. Cut 3 of the 4 sides (2 long and one short) leaving the 4th to be scored. The 4th will be the top of your card.

You will also score 1/4 inch from the bottom cut and 1 1/8 inches from the top score. Your 1/4 inch score will be valley, center will be peak and top will be valley. I have shown all of this in the above photo.

This next piece is the pull tab piece. You will attach the bottom portion of this piece to the bottom score portion of the piece you just cut and scored from the back. Once attached you can pull this tab and the front piece slides and pops up! (see top photo)

This image below is flipped because of how I wrote the numbers so, think upside-down, but the top will be even with the front and the bottom of the pull tab will be attached as shown here. 

These last two pieces will be the portion you attach to the front of the card that, when slid up, will pop up. I have created these to be nesting so that you have a frame.

The piece with this adorable kitty and polka dots is what is created just above. And, of course, lastly attach the two base pieces, only adhering the long sides. Leave the short sides open. Esp the top so that you can pull the tab, creating the pop up slide. Also be sure not to overlap your adhesive with the pull tab.

 I decided to use two sentiments: One on the top portion of the pull tab and one sentiment inside the bottom frame inside when revealed. I loved these two sentiments with the look on this kitten's face. Thought it matched up pretty well and it made me smile.

This is such a fun little card and once I figured out how to downsize it it went fairly quickly.. I have several more ideas so, be sure to check back for new and exciting ATCs!

Ingredients:

Line Up: Stampotique
Phrase Cube: Stampotique (2 of the 4 used)
Dylusions Sprays
Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist
Color Box Black Ink
Strathmore Bristol Smooth Surface

Under The Sea

No, no....this is not a story about a mermaid and a singing crab...this is the story of 2 really fun ATC cards for the latest ATC swap over on the Stampotique FaceBook page.

So, I was talking with another of the design team members about interactive cards so I decided to get started on creating some!!

This month our theme for the ATC swap is, "under the sea".  My first thought was to use our latest mer-creature again but both mer creatures were a bit large for what I was doing, though, now that I think about it....hmmm....I love it when ideas pop into your head at the most random moments.

ANYway....I decided to use a couple of sentiments coupled with our sea creatures. We have so many, but these are the two are the ones I own so these are the guys ready to pee their pants with happiness.

I am really happy with the outcome. I can't wait to create some more and maybe try some other interactive cards.

So the center/outside ATC is one of my favorite Stampotique quotes. Not sure why but it makes me want to giggle. Love the way the squiggle arms and the  bling play with the words of the sentiment.

The second part of the project continues the theme of under the sea as well as peeing your pants. .lol Apparently, we at Stampotique like potty humor...and I approve. If happiness is like peeing then, couldn't YOU just pee your pants? I sure could. Love this seahorse. There are actually more than just this guy. You should check out our shop. 

 And, of course, adorable Octopet fits right in. Also, the squggle arms remind me of sea weed so I keep using it with my sea creatures. Really excited to share these with whomever my partners end up being in the swap. Might even be YOU if you join the swap so head over to FaceBook and join!!

Ingredients:

Octopet: Stampotique
Rudy: Stampotique
Couldn't You Just...: Stampotique
Happiness: Stampotique
Circles Cube: Stampotique
Dylusions Sprays
Colorbox Black Ink
Faber Castell Gelatos
Marvy Watercolor Pen
Tim Holtz Twine

Word Up Weekend!

Back with another Word Up Weekend post! Seriously, have you checked out all of the amazing sentiments and words that Stampotique has on their website?? There is a little of everything from snarky to sweet. So, GO check it out! But not before checking out my card this week.

I have had these wings for awhile and I don't know, I just really loved the idea of them being the background for this birthday card. Maybe not everyone loves sunshine and rainbows on their birthday, you know?

So I used my normal technique and created this bloody, grungy background. Okay, maybe not blood. Side note: Did you know that Heidi Swapp color shine goes bad over time and even if you do get it to come out of the bottle it dries into a sticky blob? I know that now. Guess its time to replace it! Darn...new supplies...

So this Happy Birthday is, obviously, from Stampotique and was perfect paired with these gothic-type wings. Additionally, this stamp comes accompanied by 2 other sentiments. 3 for 1, eh?? Really was satisfied with the outcome here. Topped the card off with some slate gray sequins. (gotta have some bling, guys)

So, NOW you are allowed to go and check out Stampotique's sentiments, words and numbers. Cause, they have those too. .Happy wording!

Ingredients:

3 Greetings, Stampotique
Bat-Like Wings, Stampotique
Dylusions Spray Inks
Faber Castell Gelato
Color Box Black Ink
Paper Studio Sequins
Bristol Smooth Surface Paper

A Little Something Extra

So, back a month or two ago I found these cool gear drink containers at Walmart on clearance. One was a warm beverage tumbler and one was a cold beverage tumbler. They had coloring sheets that slip inside the tumbler. Of course, I wasn't thinking of the coloring sheets....I wanted to create something with the latest Stampotique release....so that is exactly what I did.

What I did not anticipate was how difficult it would be to get a good PHOTO of the tumbler when I was done! Yeesh! Finally, the sun came out and that, of course, did help. So, hang onto your hats, this is going to be a photo heavy post.

So this month we had a new release at Stampotique and I was excited to see that there was a merMAN in the bunch to round out the mer-collection. Of course, I wanted to do an underwater scene like, ASAP....so that is exactly what I did here.

I started with a background using Bristol smooth surface paper and Dylusions ink sprays mixed with Heidi Swapp Color Shine ink sprays to create an underwater look. I used Americana acrylic Paint to create colored bubbles and then stamped circles (from Stampotique) to create even more bubbles. The squiggles are also Stampotique. ;) I loaded up with the stamps on this project!

Then, enter the merpeeps and octo-pet. I water-colored the images using Fabre Castell gelatos. I have had a lot of fun using these for water-coloring recently as they fill the gaps left by my watercolor pencils where I am short on certain colors.

I decided to outline the images more boldly with a permanent black marker to make them pop better. One downfall to creating something with a specific color story is realizing it all blends together.

I love how the images, when put all together created a sense of motion and a sense that they were, indeed, underwater! I was very excited to see this project come together. 

I can say this. Using a thick paper has its drawbacks when you are trying to shove it into a thin space. I had a hard time getting everything to fit since the images created, essentially, a second layer. That being said, once it was in the tumbler it came to life for me all over again.

My son keeps threatening to steal this tumbler from me. He loves the images and he loves that it is so colorful. I have to hide my tumbler from my child, haha!

I am so excited with the way this project turned out. I just have it sitting on the shelf so I can look at it. I have a color beverage tumbler too and cannot wait to get going on a story for it as well, so be sure to check back here soon!

Ingredients:

Smushasha: Stampotique
Snuhubala: Sampotique
Octopet: Stampotique
Circles Cube: Stampotique
Squiggle Arms: Stampotique
Bristol Smooth Surface Paper
Dylusions Ink Sprays
Heidi Swapp Color Shine
Americana Acrylic Paint
Fabre Castell Gelatos
Mod Podge
Cool Gear Tumbler
Clear Snap Black Ink
Ranger Archival Black Ink

Seeing Red SDC267

So, if you had told me a few years ago to only use shades of red I may have cried. Seriously. I work so much with teals, and purples and blues and greens that the idea of going red may have sent me around the bend.

Fast forward to now....and I am totally okay with it. I have turned over a few leaves creatively speaking and now dive into ANY and ALL colors.

So, for this challenge, "seeing red" I was all set to use my go-to Dylusions (which I STILL LOVE, btw) and remembered that I have so many Faber Castell gelatos that I never seem to use anymore. So, I used the mess out of them!!

So to create this little hanging I used some chipboard and treated it with a healthy layer of gesso. I used 3 different shades of red to create a fun watercolor background. Also used texture paste with a fun stencil to add some depth.

All in all I am in love with the outcome of this fun little hanging. And, of course LOVED this funny little  sentiment. Had my son in fits of giggles.

I can't wait to find a place to hang this little guy. Its the perfect thing to cheer you up on a dreary day. We can't wait to see all of the shades of red you all come up with!

Ingredients:

Smile (Stampotique)
Hanging Hearts (Stampotique)
Happiness (Stampotique)
Fabre Castell Gelato
Ranger Gesso
Ranger Archival Black Ink
Dylusions Triangle Stencil
Prima Flower
American Craft Eyelets
Sequins

Word Up Weekend

Its that time again! Word Up Weekend! We recently had a new release at Stampotique and this Brolly was one of the newest stamps! It is so versatile and charming! And, of course, one of my favorite sentiments from Stampotique, "Just Keep On".

Of course, this brolly made me want to get out my blue and teal Dylusions to create a spring rainy  day. I also decided to pop out the front part of the umbrella to add more dimension to the umbrella. Its a sweet little ATC and I almost don't want to share it.

My second project, while it has no sentiment, it another image from our latest release. Her name is, Communitree. I love her organic feel. I feel like she really needed something warmer than brown so I went a bit crazy with the color, but not SO crazy. The feather came from my backyard and I felt that it was perfect for the subject of the image.

I hope I have enticed you to check out our new release. There are so many fun stamps to be had!! Happy weekend!

Ingredients:

Brolly: Stampotique
Communitree: Stampotique
Just Keep On: Stampotique
Hanging Hearts:Stampotique
Dylusions Ink Sprays
Ranger Archival Ink
Bakers Twine
Watercolor Pencils
Adhesive Gems
Feather
Doily, Paper Studio

Word Up Weekend Time!

Its that time again where we showcase some really wonderful sentiments from Stampotique! I seriously love all of our sentiments. Its so wonderful to have images and sentiments that go so well together.

This week I wanted to play with this adorable octopus. I can say that I am not sure what drew me to this sentiment for this project but I got a real kick out of it.

Originally I wanted to use some bold teals and purples and greens here but I LOVE how it turned out pastel. Sometimes mistakes are just "happy little accidents".

Seriously? Every time this man was on TV I went away feeling like I was an artist...and look at me now!! Talking about peeing my pants with excitement ahahaha. .

Hop on over to the FB group and be sure to check out the store! New releases are coming up soon! Which means MORE SENTIMENTS!

Ingredients:

Octopet (Stampotique)
Couldn't You Just...(Stampotique)
Dylusions Ink Spray
Bristol Paper
Marvy Le Pen
Watercolor Pencils