Monogram

Less Is More Challenge #446 begins today. We are challenged to make a One Layer Card with a Monogram.

We have a fabulous Guest Designer joining us for this challenge, the immensely talented Joanne James of The Crafty Owl. Joanne was our overall April winner. Do yourself a favor and take a stroll through her blog. You are sure to be inspired.

This was a tough one, until I remembered my Just Rite Monogram stamper products that I bought a gazillion years ago. There are all kinds of frames, and individual alphabets in several fonts and sizes... I had a ball putting them together. I am not a fancy monogram person, but I did get a big kick out of making these cards. The "technology" is so old. I was not able to use my MISTI to make sure I got a good impression. I did have to try several times before I was happy with the impressions, but I am happy with the way they turned out in the end. Both of the monogrammed images on my cards are heat embossed - the first with Rose Gold EP, and the second with Queen's Gold. I framed out the first by embossing with MFT's square peek-a-boo die and the second with a Spellbinders Hemstitch Circle Die. I inked around the second with Speckled Egg Distress Oxide Ink.

Please head over to the Less Is More Blog and see what the Design Team has created for your inspiration. I hope you'll play along with us to share your creations. Remember to keep your design Clean And Simple. See challenge guidelines on the Less Is More Blog.

Celebrating Summer

I am a teacher on summer break, and I am filled with gratitude for that! It has been a long, hard year of teaching during a pandemic and all of the challenges associated with that, and I am doing the happy dance in a big way. This card is a celebration of all things Summer - beach, BBQ, ice cream, fireworks, time to craft, etc.

To create my card, I used A Colorful Life Designs Sun and Surf Stencil with distress Oxide Inks, and the Hello Summer die set from Neat & Tangled (retired) with a vellum background. The word is stacked three times with white card stock, and the top die cut in done with mirror black card stock. It shines beautifully and really stands out. 

The inside is stamped with a sentiment from Neat & Tangled Hello Summer Stamp Set (retired) and reads:

WARM OCEAN BREEZE

SUNSHINE 

FIREFLIES & FIREWORKS

ICE CREAM CONES

BARBEQUES & BEACH DAYS

FLIP FLOPS AND FUN TIMES

I'm playing at:

Tic Tac Toe Challenge #119: 

Beach, Stencil, Yellow.

Try It On Tuesday - Here Comes Summer

Krafty Chicks Challenge #565 - All Occasions

The Sisterhood Of Crafters - Anything Goes

Watercooler Wednesday #318 - All About Occasions

Double D Challenges - Signs Of Summer

Sorry. Can't. Olympics.

It's time for a new challenge at Festive Friday where every challenge is an inspiration list based on a selected holiday/festivity from the traditional to the unusual. Challenge projects must include at least three items from the festivity inspiration list.

Since the Inspiration List is a mix of elements related to the festivity, the creator has the choice to make something for that festivity, or to ignore the festivity all together and create something just using three (or more) elements selected.

Today's festivities are in celebration of the Summer Olympics, which take place from Friday, Jul 23rd to August 8th in Tokyo. The challenge runs from  June 24 - July 5.

I like to create a card for our challenge that goes with the celebration theme. In my house, Track & Field events are the priority. My husband and one of my sons have been watching the trials closely. Interruptions are not welcome during these events! 

 To create my Olympics-themed themed card, I knew I wanted to use the iconic colored rings. I made them with Stampin' Up circle punches and Spellbinders Circle Nestabilities, adding a gold layer to fancy them up a bit. I had so much trouble getting them connected and placed properly, which seems ridiculous, but it took me forever and two photo sessions to get them right! 

Once I finished with the design, I found it very hard to come up with a good sentiment. I went through my insanely overflowing stash and saw nothing that fit the theme. I thought, "let the games begin" but then I  found this tee shirt on ETSY, and BINGO! It had the perfect sentiment for my card on It. I am really stretching my interpretation of the "encouragement" item on the inspo list. This one is for all of those  people who hole in when it is time for the Olympics, and do not wish to be disturbed or bothered with anything else when they are on TV. So this is an "encouragement" to leave Olympic lovers alone when the Olympics are on. 😂😂😂

HERE is the link to Funny Tee Shirts on ETSY where I found the sentiment that I printed from my computer and die cut with a sentiment strip die from Pink & Main.

Come play with us! Remember that your project does not have to go with the challenge  theme. You can just use 3 or more items from the Inspo List for your creation! 

For more inspiration, be sure to visit the rest of the Festive Friday Challenge Design team.

Beth McCullough   

Sharon Hashimoto Burkert

Melanie Hungerford

Helen Jennings

Melva Peters

Judy Rozema 

STAMPlorations Throwback Thursday - June 2021 - Inspired by Quick Card Fronts and ATC Ephemera

Hello and Happy Thursday! I am thrilled to be here today as Guest Designer for Throwback Thursday at STAMPlorations. Throwback Thursday is a sharing of 3 new projects inspired by a previous STAMPlorations project made by either the featured designer or another STAMPlorations designer. Every month, one lucky crafter is drawn from all of the comments left on the Throwback Thursday post, as well as from the featured designer's blog, to win a $15.00 gift code to use at the STAMPlorations Store.

My Throwback inspiration is a gorgeous card created by STAMPlorations owner, designer and artist extraordinaire Shery Russ, using Spring Florals A2 Card Fronts and Powerful Women ATC - Ephemera

I don't know about you, but this month has been moving at lightning speed for me. I recently received some samples of STAMPlorations new Paper Goods Products in a STAMPlorations order and I loved them. So for my first Throwback Thursday set of projects, I was inspired to show the gorgeous creations that can be made with these products in very little time. The card fronts are stunning, and they combine beautifully with so many STAMPlorations products. I also chose to feature Powerful Women ATC - Ephemera.

Here is what I came up with:

Project 1:

I cut down and adhered the floral card front to reveal 1/8 inch of a white card base. I trimmed one of the Ephemera Powerful Women ATCs, matted it with burgundy card stock, adhered it to the cover, and my card was complete.

Project 2:

I used a sage card base and mat this time. I made the mat for the ATC a bit bigger to make it stand out more. I popped up the ATC with fun foam. Another beautiful make in record time.

Project 3:

For this card, I adhered another of the beautiful Spring Florals card fronts to a 110# white card base and topped it with a Bloomtangled #2 Die cut. I lightly stenciled the Ephemera ATC with Tattered Rose DO ink using STAMPlorations Old Rose Prints mini stencil to add some interest and compliment the floral design on the card front. I then dragged the edges of the ATC over a VersaMark ink pad, and dipped them in SSS Rose Gold embossing powder to highlight the edges and provide some contrast. 

I popped the ATC up with fun foam, adhered to the card and my project was complete.

Use code: STAMPGIRLSTEPHANIE to save 20% off your order at STAMPlorations with unlimited uses per customer.

For a chance to win one of several $15.00 prize codes offered on the STAMPlorations blog every month, please leave a comment on my blog and also on the Throwback Thursday post on the STAMPlorations blog HERE.

Thanks for stopping by!

A Kazillion Thanks

Time Out Challenge 190 begins today, It is a photo challenge with the inspiration being the very cool photo below.

Here's a closeup:

I love those bright stripes and the juxtaposition of the plants in the picture. I feel like I have seen this place in Jamaica or Mexico. I'm imagining beyond this little building is blue Caribbean water. Maybe some cerveza inside??

Our uber-talented and incredibly witty Guest Designer for this challenge is Cornelia Wenokor of Stempel Spas. Cornelia's work is always fabulous and often makes me crack up right out loud. Please treat yourself to a visit to her blog for some awesome inspiration and a few giggles. You will be so glad you did.

The challenge runs from Thursday, June 17th to Wednesday, June 30th. Our wonderful sponsor is Uniko Stamps. Challenge winner will receive one in-stock stamp set of their choice.

To create my card, I used the Water Color Stripes stencil from A Colorful Life Designs with a variety of inks to mimic the stripes. The flower pot is from Altenew's Be Strong stamps and dies. It was stamped, colored with Copics and die cut, the greenery is from Pinkfresh Studio Curvy Leaves standalone die set. I adhered the pot and leaves to a Spellbinders Hemstitched Circle die, backed it with a circle cut from terracotta colored card stock, popped it up and placed it on the card front. To complete my card, I die cut one of the sentiments from CZ Design Gratitude Reverse Sentiment Strips with Pink and Main Sentiment Strips, and popped it up with foam tape.

Please hop on over to the Time Out Challenge Blog to see the wonderful creations that Cornelia and the Time Out Design Team came up with to inspire you. Come play with us!

I'm also playing at:

Watercooler Wednesday #318 - All about Occasions

Celebrate New Beginnings

Less Is More Challenge #445 begins today. We are challenged to make a Clean and Simple card that features the colors pale blue and yellow.

I love this color combination, and immediately know that I wanted to use this floral image. I channeled my inner Izzy Scrap, and decided to make my card square. I stamped and clear embossed the floral image, colored it with Zigs, and die cut it. I lightly stenciled the left side of the card, stamped and clear embossed the sentiment, and popped the die cut floral piece with foam tape. I will use it as a retirement card for a dear friend who is starting a new chapter. I wish her every happiness, good health  and great adventures.

Please head over to the Less Is More Blog and see what the Design Team has created for your inspiration. I hope you'll play along with us to share your creations. Remember to keep your design Clean And Simple. See challenge guidelines on the Less Is More Blog.

Supplies:
Stamps ~ Pinkfresh Studio Heart & Soul; Pinkfresh Studio - Mt Favorite Things To Say
Ink ~ VersaFine Onyx Black; Catherine Pooler It's A Boy

Accessories ~ Pinkfresh Studio Heart & Soul Die; Funky Fossil Knitted Background Stencil; Wow clear embossing powder

I am also playing at:

CAS On Friday #207 - Flowers

Little Red Wagon #605 - Make It CAS

The Flower Challenge #57 - CAS

As You Like It - Show Us Your Style: CAS or Fully Fancy and Why

My favorite style is CAS, but I have grown into it. I used to love lots of layers and embellishments, but now I appreciate the "less is more" mentality. It's a big challenge to me to make a big artistic statement with a clean and simple design.

Happy Father's Day

It's time for a new challenge at Festive Friday where every challenge is an inspiration list based on a selected holiday/festivity from the traditional to the unusual. Challenge projects must include at least three items from the festivity inspiration list.

Since the Inspiration List is a mix of elements related to the festivity, the creator has the choice to make something for that festivity, or to ignore the festivity all together and create something using just the three (or more) elements selected.

Today's festivities are in celebration of Father's Day, which falls on June 20th this year. The challenge runs from  June 11 - June 21.

I like to create a card for our challenge that goes with the celebration theme. To create my Father's Day themed card, I came up with a design, and I completed it using Paper Smooches Frame 3 Die, Papertrey Ink's Block Alphabet and Simple Circles Border Dies, Stampin Up 3 Heart Punch and some patterned paper from Carta Bella's 6x6 Yacht Club Collection. The final touch was a gray adhesive backed pearl on the heart, and my card was finished. I used heart, blue, and boat from the Inspo List.

For more inspiration, be sure to visit the rest of the Festive Friday Challenge Design team.

Ann Schach

Beth McCullough   

Sharon Hashimoto Burkert

Melanie Hungerford

Helen Jennings

Melva Peters

Judy Rozema

I'm also playing at:

Watercooler Wednesday #317 - All Things Masculine

Inspired By #178 - Dad's Meal

Sweet Spring Wishes

It's time for a new challenge at Time Out. Challenge #189  is is an IBW (Inspired By Words) challenge. We have until June 20 until spring is officially here, and until June 16th to complete the challenge..

We are generously sponsored by Alex Syberia Designs. Alex has a shop filled with gorgeous digital images and sentiments. She also has a line of stamps, stencils and more. Challenge winner will receive a $15.00 gift voucher to her ETSY STORE. 

To create my card, I took my inspiration from a magnolia tree that is on the property of the house where I grew up. This magnolia was planted by my grandfather some 65+ years ago. The house has been sold, but the tree remains. That tree is magnificent when in bloom. Every spring we would enjoy its grandeur and pray that a late frost would not come and destroy the flowers.

t used Simon Says Stamp Magnolia 3D EF. I brushed color on it in pinks, greens and browns and ran it through the Big Shot. I used the debossed side and added a little more color. I added a die cut sentiment from STAMPlorations and my card was complete. My beautiful mother died this past September. She loved that tree. Magnolias always put me in mind of her.

Please hop on over to the Time Out Challenge Blog to see the wonderful creations that the Design Team came up with to inspire you. Come play with us!

I'm also playing at:

The Sisterhood Of Crafters - Flowers As The Focus