Beach Vibes

Anyone ready for a trip to the beach?!?  I just returned from the sunny beaches of Cancun, but I would happily go again!  Too bad that little thing called work gets in the way.  

We may not be at the beach, but this weeks TGIF Challenges Inspiration Challenge will have you feeling like you are!

Inspired by one of my many sunrise walks on our vacation, I used shades of Calypso Coral, So Saffron and Pool Party to create a beautiful sunrise sky.  

A few splatters of the same colors for a little added fun.

The Sunkissed palm trees were inked up with Memento, like silhouettes in the early morning light.  Want to know a little secret?  I stamped the palm trees totally crooked!  Since I was too lazy to create the watercolor background again, I trimmed the edges of the paper to make them look a little less crooked, then added the sentiment to balance it all out.  It's always fun to keep on working through your mistakes!

A little extra distressed texture was added to the watercolor panel.  The frayed edges go along with the beach vibe quite nicely.  A bit more texture was added with the Bark 3D embossing folder (which I just remembered is retired...oh well!) and a few bits of Linen Thread.  A few Opal Rounds were the finishing touches.

Be sure to visit the rest of the beaches by checking out what the rest of our fabulous TGIF Challenges Design Team created today, then join along in the fun!

Happy Stamping!

Products Used:

Sunkissed Birthday ~ Monday Montage

 

Welcome to another Monday Montage Blog Hop! I'm happy to be hopping along again after missing our last creative adventure.

As you are reading this post, I am enjoying the sunny beaches of Cancun Mexico with my family, so it only seemed fitting to create something with the beautiful Sunkissed stamp set. 

Inspired by the amazing talented Artisan Tami Hewlett, I cased one of her creations.  I absolutely love the Texture Chic DSP paired up with this stamp set.  The seashell pattern is perfect for a sun-kissed, beach-loving card!

Using the Stamparatus and Stampin' Write Markers, I inked up the palm tree image, then added a little watercolor for a beautiful beach skyline.  The sentiment was heat embossed with gold to bring out the little bits of gold in the DSP.  A few gold Season Sequins and a Pool Party Sheer Ribbon finished things off quite nicely.

I'm off to cherish a week of fun in the sun, ocean and sand with my family!  Check out the rest of my craft friends and their awesome creations by clicking on the next link below.

Happy Stamping!

Products Used:

Coastal {Cabana} Petals

Happy Friday and welcome to an all new TGIF Challenges Color Challenge!

I am all about black and white with a pop of color!  I stared out using the Water Painters to create a background with Coastal Cabana on a piece of Shimmery White, but wasn't totally happy with how it turned out.  I set it aside and decided to go in a different direction with the Hand-Penned Petals stamp set and Penned Flowers dies. After die cutting the outline image of the flowers, I had the perfect use for the background piece I had set aside! I cut out a section of the background using the large flower die to go behind the outline image.  This is why I never throw things away!

I cut a few pieces of the coordinating Beautifully Penned DSP, which you can earn for FREE during Sale-A-Bration when you spend $50 US.  This paper is all black and white patters and SO pretty!  A little flag of Coastal Cabana was tucked in, then all layered on a piece of Basic White, embossed with the new Timeworn Type 3D embossing folder.  Another pop of Coastal Cabana was added behind the Basic White, layered on top of a Basic Black card base.

A simple "Thanks" sentiment, a little bit of black twine, a few rhinestones and a touch of Coastal Cabana splatter tied everything together.  This is a color combination that I will most certainly be using again soon!

I hope you will join along in the fun and share you Color Challenge creations with us!

Happy Stamping!

Amazing Things ~ Monday Montage

Hello and welcome to an all new Monday Montage Blog Hop! Be sure to hop all the way through..you don't want to miss any of the creations from this amazing group of stampers!

Today's card comes to you thanks to this months fun Crafty Carrot Collective Classes.  The focus was on the Hydrangea Haven bundle...a bundle that I didn't like at first sight, but absolutely love now!

This card is a CASE of Susan Wong's project for the month.  I love that she opted for DSP outside of the suite and brought some other colors in.  I always go bright, colorful flowers, but there is something about a white hydrangea that I just love!  I especially love the white against a colorful watercolor background.

I created the background by using the Blending Brushes, blending shades of Just Jade, Granny Apple Green and Coastal Cabana on a piece of water color paper.  A few splatters of Just Jade and drops of water completed the watercolor look with not as much mess.

The details in the Hydrangea Dies are amazing! Being able to pop up the flower petals and add some detailed leaves makes them so life-like!  Did you notice that I mixed Basic White and Very Vanilla?!?!  I used to be SO AFRAID of this, but now I love them together.  

Thanks for hopping along with us!

Like what you see?  Do you want to make this card yourself?  If you live in the United States, I would love to be your Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.  You can shop for all the products you need in my Online Store.  Thanks so much! 

Products Used:

Have a Cool Birthday ~ #TGIFC308

Happy Friday and welcome to an all new TGIF Challenges Inspiration Challenge! I can't wait to see what this weeks challenge inspires you to create

I was inspired by the watercolor wash in the photo.  At first I thought about creating something with flowers, but a couple of popsicles that I had fussy cut a few weeks ago were sitting on my desk and caught my eye.  The images from the Sweet Ice Cream stamp set all have a watercolor look to them, so my inspiration took a different turn.

Using some of the fabulous Blending Brushes, I brushed some Just Jade and Bermuda Bay on a piece of Shimmery White card stock.  I added a few splatters of Bermuda Bay and a couple drops of water for some "bleached out" spots.  This is such a fun way to create a watercolor background without a much mess!

The sweet popsicles were also inked up in Granny Apple Green and Bermuda Bay.  (My son said he bets they would taste like green apple and blue raspberry!) A bold Happy Birthday was stamped in Memento and fussy cut.  I finished it off with a Granny Apple Green, Coastal Cabana and Bermuda Bay "You're So Cool".  A few Coastal Cabana Resin Dots and this card was complete.  (After layering a few more pieces of cardstock, of course!)

What will you be inspired to create today?

Happy Stamping!

Like what you see?  Do you want to make this card yourself?  If you live in the United States, I would love to be your Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.  You can shop for all the products you need in my Online Store.  Thanks so much! 

Products Used:

 

Adventure Awaits ~ #TGIFC290 Sketch Challenge

Adventure awaits...seems kind of fitting for 2020.  I don't know about you, but I am anxiously awaiting the day when we can get back to our big adventures.  Until then...I'll happily create a fun little adventure with this weeks TGIF Challenges Sketch Challenge.

Mountain Air is one of my favorite stamp sets, especially combined with the coordinating Majestic Mountains Dies.  This scene looks like a place I'd like to take an adventure to!

I watercolored the oval with Misty Moonlight and Garden Green, then layered the mountains and trees on top.  I let just a little shadow of Gray Granite mountain peek out behind the oval.

A couple of pine trees were the perfect finishing touch for this adventurous card.  I was happy to give this card to one of our school district's Physical Therapists before he took off on an adventure of his own with a new position.  He will be missed!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Gray Granite, Whisper White, Misty Moonlight, Garden Green

Ink ~ Gray Granite, Misty Moonlight, Garden Green, VersaMark

Stamp Sets ~ Mountain Air, Beautiful World

Other Supplies ~ Majestic Mountains Dies, Layering Ovals Dies, Subtle Embossing Folder, White Embossing Powder

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!  

Happy Stamping!

 

Colorful Cocktails ~ Hand Stamped Sentiments #345

Hello friends!  I can't believe it's already Tuesday!  Between summer break and the craziness of our world, I forget what day it is half the time.  Some days I feel like that is a blessing...

It's a good thing I remember that today was time for an all new Hand Stamped Sentiments Color Challenge.  These colors a pure summer to me!

I was drawn to the Nothing's Better Bundle because of the cute coffee stamps and dies, but these colors were meant to be for cocktails!  

I created a couple of fun layered cocktails using all of the colors...something that is super easy to do with photopolymer stamps.  It's easy to see through them and ink them up perfectly in multiple colors.

I added a sunny Bumble Bee circle behind the cocktails and layered it all on top of a Costal Cabana watercolored background.  There are so many FUN sentiments in the Nothing's Better Than stamp set, but I think "because adulting is hard" sentiment is my favorite.  I mean, let's be honest...adulting HAS been hard in so many ways since March!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Coastal Cabana, Bumble Bee, Magenta Madness, Basic Black, Whisper White, Watercolor

Ink ~ Coastal Cabana, Bumble Bee, Magenta Madness, Memento, VersaMark

Stamp Set ~ Nothing's Better Than

Other Supplies ~ Layering Circle Dies, Love You More Than Dies, 2020-2022 In-Color Enamel Dots

I hope you will join along in our summer fun color challenge this week.  We always love to see what everyone is inspired to create!

Happy Stamping!

Sending Summer Sunshine ~ #tgifc270 Theme Challenge

Summer is here and we are celebrating it at TGIF Challenges this week!  Join us in our Summer Vibes Theme challenge...we can't wait to see what you create!

My family kicked off the first week of summer with some HEAT...100+ degree heat in Zion.  It was an amazing trip and we had so much fun!  I mean, it's ALWAYS fun when I'm with my BFF Wendy!

When I think of summer, I think of cold, juicy pineapple!  I lived off of this fruit when I was pregnant with my youngest...so good.  My favorite stamp in the Cute Fruit stamp set is the pineapple!

I created a bright watercolor background using the cool new Water Painters and Watercolor Paper...it's like a splash of summer!  The cute sentiment comes from this months Box of Sunshine Paper Pumpkin kit.  It was absolutely perfect for this theme challenge!  The rectangle frame was a little too blah, so I added a few splatters with my Mango Melody Stampin' Write Marker.  It's such a fun technique!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Mango Melody, Whisper White, Basic Black, Watercolor Paper

Ink ~ Mango Melody, Garden Green, Versa Mark

Stamp Sets ~ Cute Fruit, Paper Pumpkin Box of Sunshine

Other Supplies ~ Stitched Rectangles, Tasteful Labels, Water Painters

We are on our final stretch home.  We had such a great trip, but it's always good to get back home too!

Happy Stamping!

Mountain View Anniversary

Happy Memorial Day!  Today we honor and celebrate the lives of those who served our country...thank you!

Today also happens to be my parents 45th wedding anniversary!  They have set such an amazing example of what true love really is. 

Our little valley is so beautifully lush and green right now.  As I was driving my son to go fishing with his friend the other day, I was so inspired by all of the beauty of this town we call home.  I just had to come home and recreate it in a card.  It turned out to be the perfect anniversary card for my parents.

I started out by watercoloring the background with Pool Party and Granny Apple Green, letting them bleed in to each other a little.  After letting it dry, I stamped the mountains and trees from Mountain Air in shades of Balmy Blue, Old Olive and Shaded Spruce.  I added a few wild flowers from Healing Hugs and a little pond and deer from Snow Front.  I love it when you can use several different stamp sets!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Whisper White, Basic Black, Watercolor

Ink ~ Pool Party, Granny Apple Green, Old Olive, Balmy Blue, Shaded Spruce, Memento, VersaMark

Stamp Sets ~ Mountain Air, Snow Front, Healing Hugs, Itty Bitty Greetings

Other Supplies ~ White Embossing Powder

I'm pretty sure I share this picture of my parents every year, but they were just so darn cute!   They have been dating since they were in 7th grade!

Happy Stamping!

Lily Pad Friendship ~ HSSIC334

We made it through another Monday...HOORAY!  We're on to Tuesday, and that means it's time for an all new Hand Stamped Sentiments Challenge.  This week we have a pretty Inspiration Challenge for you to play along with!

My visit with my stampin' BFF, Wendy, of Wickedly Wonderful Creations, could not have come at a better time.  We compared stamp sets before she headed my way and brought some of her stamp sets and supplies that I don't have.  I didn't have Lovely Lily Pad or the coordinating Lily Pad dies, but after playing with them, they just might have find their way in to my craft room!

I haven't used any of my Watercolor paper or Aqua Painters in quite some time, so it was fun to dust them off to create this beauty.  I used a combination of Petal Pink, Calypso Coral and Lovely Lipstick for the flower, Granny Apple Green for the lily pad and just a touch of Coastal Cabana for some ripply water.  I decided to go bold with the sentiment, which I embossed in white on Basic Black.  In true Craft-somnia fashion, I added some metallic thread and a little bling...you can never go wrong with a little sparkle.  The fun water-drop die was the perfect finishing touch for the background...even if they took me a bit to cut and weed! 

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Coastal Cabana, Basic Black, Watercolor

Ink ~ VersaMar, Petal Pink, Calypso Coral, Lovely Lipstick, Granny Apple Green, Coastal Cabana

Stamp Set ~ Lovely Lily Pad, So Sentimental

Other Supplies ~ Lily Pad Dies, Rose Metallic Thread, Champagne Rhinestone Basic Jewels, White Embossing Powder, Aqua Painters

Thanks for stopping by today!  Please be sure to join us over at Hand Stamped Sentiments this week and share your inspiration with us.  We love to see what you create!

Happy Stamping!

Hello Friend

Happy Friday stampers! How is it Friday already?!?!  Why is it when you want things to slow down, they speed by at lightening speed?  I am down to my final two weeks of summer break and I'm not quite ready for my carefree days to come to an end.  It's a good thing I love my job and everyone I work with :-)  I have certainly been blessed!

I have SO much to do today...and I am doing everything I can to avoid doing all that I need to do.  I should be getting things ready for our yard sale tomorrow, but stamping sounded like a MUCH better idea!  

I've kind of been on a watercolor background kick...have you noticed? HA!  I made a quick and easy background today by inking up my E Block in a rainbow of colors, spritzing it with water and stamping it right on my paper.  I added a few splatters of color, then topped it off with a colorful HELLO! 

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Whisper White

Ink ~ Flirty Flamingo, Mango Melody, Pineapple Punch, Granny Apple Green, Coastal Cabana

Stamp Sets ~ Lined Alphabet, Apron of Love

This would be a great technique to use for a class...easy to do with a fun end result!

I hope you all have a great weekend!  I have procrastinated long enough...I must get to work and get my yard sale stuff done and {maybe} clean my house!

Happy Stamping!

Watercolor Dahlia

It's Watercolor Wednesday over at Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration and I have a simple card to share with you today.

I started out by watercoloring the entire background then stamped the Definitely Dahlia and heat embossed in white.  I went back in with an Aqua Painter and added a little more color to the dahlia to make it stand out a bit. I colored one of the Expressions Natural Elements with a black Sharpie, added a few pearls and...voila!  A super simple card!

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Mint Macaron, Watercolor Paper

Ink ~ Mint Macaron, Black Sharpie

Stamp Set ~ Definitely Dahlia

Other Supplies ~ Pearl Basic Jewels, Expressions Natural Elements

 

Keeping this post short and sweet as I am swamped with swaps...must.get.them.done!!!!

 

Be sure to check out all of the other amazing watercolor creations from the SSINK girls!!

 

Happy Stamping!



Rainbow of Hearts ~ Monday Montage



Welcome back to Monday Montage!!!  We are back with, once again, a fabulous hop!  Make sure you click on the links below so you don't miss any of the creations...you are sure to love them all!
I've been on a watercolor kick lately and had some fun creating this rainbow of hearts with the new Watercolor Words stamp set.  I kind of made a mess of blending the colors, but I kind of like how it turned out too...messy masterpiece?!?

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Basic Black, Watercolor

Ink ~ Watermelon Wonder, Crushed Curry, Pacific Point, VersaMark

Stamp Sets ~ Watercolor Words

Other Supplies ~ White VersaMark, Silver Metallic Thread, Metallic Sequin Assortment

 

Messy, simple..fun!  That's kind of the story of my life right now too :-)  

Next stop on the hop is Cathy...I can't wait to see what she has for us this week! Or if you want to hop backwards, you can hop on back to the amazing Amy...I just love her style!

  Thanks for hopping along with us today!

Happy Stamping!





Watercolor Wedding Bells

Friday already?!?!  Gotta love a short work week :-)  And you gotta love an all new Friday Mashup Challenge!  Holly has a great sketch...so much room to get creative here!  And if you feel like mashing things up on this fine Friday, add a little watercolor to your creation!

I kept my watercolor really basic today, but I love the softness it added to this pretty card made for a newly engaged friend.

 

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Basic Black, Watercolor

Ink ~ Mint Macaron, Versa Mark

Stamp Set ~ Your Perfect Day

Other Supplies ~ White Embossing Powder, Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Basic Pearl Jewels

 

Thanks for I hope you have a fabulous Friday and an even better weekend!  We are gearing up for a weekend of warm weather and baseball...hello SUMMER!

 

Thanks for stopping by today!

Happy Stamping!