The Card Grotto: August 2018

31 August 2018

Clearly Besotted Teasers | Birthday Wishes

Hello there and welcome to day four of the Clearly Besotted Teasers for the September 2018 release. The new products go live tomorrow at 8pm BST, so not too long to wait now! For my last teaser today, I am using the new Wishful Thinking set. It is such a pretty set filled with dandelions, branches and fabulous sentiments.

I started off my card by creating the background. I thought the dandelions would look good using the alcohol ink lift technique that Jennifer McGuire shares here. I took a panel that I had made previously with alcohol inks. This was one that I had made by smooshing yupo paper in to the leftover alcohol inks that were on my craft mat, so it is one without too much interest.

I took various dandelion stamps from the Wishful Thinking set and stamped these on to the panel using the Alcohol Ink Lift Ink Pad. I then buffed away any excess with a dry cloth. It gives a wonderful effect! The panel was then cut down and added flat to a white A2 card base with tape runner.

I die cut letters using the Altenew Fine Alphabet set and cut these twice from white cardstock and once from SSS glitter cardstock. These were stacked up and added to the card with liquid glue. I then took the sentiment from the set and stamped this on to white cardstock with black ink. I cut it in to a strip and added it to the card with thin foam tape.

SUPPLIES:

Here are the links to what I have used on the card. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. Products marked with an asterisk (*) were kindly sent to me to use.

It's a very simple card but I really like how the background came out with the alcohol ink lift technique. For more inspiration using the new release, please head over to my teamies Stephanie, Keren and Lisa. Thank you so much for stopping by today, see you tomorrow for release day! Have a great day!

30 August 2018

Clearly Besotted Teasers | Make A Splash!

Hello there and welcome to day three of the September 2018 Clearly Besotted Teasers. I hope you are enjoying the peeks so far. The new products release on the 1st September. Today I am using the super cute Rainy Day Play stamp set. Yes, the hippos are back! :)

I started off by stamping one of the hippos and the splash marks from the Rainy Day Play set on to white cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink. I wanted to have the hippo be in a rain storm, so I decided to get inspiration from this card by Sandy Allnock. I also used background elements from this card by Elaine Hughes.

All of the colouring was done with Copic Markers (the colours I used are listed below the supplies section) and then I used the colourless blender to create some rain drops, as well as a fine 05 point white gel pen. The image was cut out with a circle die. I took an A2 white card base and embossed a slightly larger circle die on to the front. The image panel was then added on top with foam tape. The sentiment was stamped on to black cardstock with Versamark Ink and white heat embossed. This was added to the card with more foam tape.

SUPPLIES:

COPIC MARKERS: Hippo - W7, W5, W3, W2, W1. Umbrella and wellies - Y38, Y17, Y15, Y13, Y11. Bushes - YG63, YG61, G20, YG01, YG00. Ground - C2, C1, C0, BV000, Y0000, B000. Sky - B45, B41, B21, B00, B000, BV01, BV0000, 0.

I am in love with these hippos! For more inspiration using the new release, please head over to see what my teamies Stephanie, Keren and Lisa have been up to. Thank you so much for visiting me today, I really do appreciate it. See you tomorrow for day four :) Have a great day!

29 August 2018

Clearly Besotted Teasers | Hello, Foxy!

Hello there and welcome to day two of the September 2018 Clearly Besotted Teasers. Today I am using the adorable new Woodland Plushies set, along with the new Brushed Sentiments Plus set.

I started off by stamping the fox, flower and toadstools/mushrooms from the Woodland Plushies stamp set on to white cardstock with black ink. I coloured them with Copic Markers (the colours I used are listed below the supplies section) and fussy cut out (but there will be dies available). These were then set aside. I took an MFT Stitched Dome Stax die and cut this from white cardstock. I then stamped the tree stamp from the Scene It stamp set on top. The panel was then coloured using Copic Markers, using the MFT Mini Cloud Border for the sky.

I cut a border for the dome using two of the Stitched Dome dies and using foam tape, added this to the background panel. I then added the fox, toadstools and flower on to it using foam tape. I took a panel of white cardstock and die cut this using the Hero Arts Woodgrain Texture Fancy Die. This panel was added to a white card base with tape runner. I then added the dome scene piece on top, with more tape runner.

I took the 'hello' from the Brushed Sentiments Plus set and stamped this on to back cardstock with Versamark Ink. I applied white embossing powder and heat set. This was cut in to a strip and added to the card with more foam tape. To finish off, I added white highlights with a gel pen to the images.

SUPPLIES:

COPIC MARKERS: Fox - E19, E08, E13, E51. Flower - V17, V15, V12, YG17, YG25, YG01, Y17, Y13, Y11. Toadstools/mushrooms - E57, E55, E53, R89, R37, R29, R27, R24, E50. Grass - YG17, YG25, YG03, YG01. Trees - YG17, YG03, YG01, E57, E55. Sky - B00, B000, B0000, 0.

This set is absolutely adorable! I just used the fox today but there are lots of other woodland critters in it. For more inspiration using the new release, please head over to see my teamies Stephanie, Keren and Lisa. Thank you so much for stopping by to see me today, see you tomorrow for day three. Have a great day!

28 August 2018

Clearly Besotted Teasers | Spooktacular Day

Hello there and welcome to the start of the Clearly Besotted Teasers for the September release. From now until release day on the 1st September, we are sharing teasers with you using the new release. My card today uses two new Halloween sets - Whoo To You and Spooky Spirits.

I started off by stamping one of the owls from the Whoo To You stamp set on to white cardstock using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink. I coloured him using Copic Markers (the colours I used are listed below the supplies section) and fussy cut out (but there will be dies available) and set aside. I took a sheet of mask paper and die cut a circle from it, this was then added to the front of an A2 white card base.

I took Dusty Concord Distress Ink and blended this in to the circle using an ink blending tool, adding darker colour at the bottom. With the mask still in place, I took the Into The Woods Again stamp and stamped this on to the circle with Versafine Onyx Black ink. The mask was then removed. I adhered the owl on top with foam tape. I took the sentiment from the Spooky Spirits set and stamped this on to black cardstock with Versamark Ink. I applied white embossing powder and heat set. This was added to the card with more foam tape. To finish off, I added a few raindrops around the sentiment.

SUPPLIES:

COPIC MARKERS: Owl - W7, W5, W3, W2, W1, W0, Y26. Hat - C10, C7, C5, V17, V15, V12, Y26. Broom - E59, E57, E55, E53.

Halloween cards are so fun to make and these are little sets, so really affordable too. For more inspiration using the new release, please head over to see my teamies Stephanie, Keren and Lisa. Thank you so much for visiting me today, I hope you will join me tomorrow for my next teaser. Have a great day!

27 August 2018

Rubeena's Crafting Anniversary Blog Hop Day One + Giveaway

Hello there, I am delighted to be taking part in Rubeena's Anniversary Blog Hop today. It is a two day hop with lots of guests and over $1,000 in sponsored prizes to be won! We are celebrating it being four years since Rubeena started cardmaking but also crafting in general. This is a wonderful industry and community and I am so happy to be part of it. More details on the hop below. If for some reason, you do not already know Rubeena. Do go and follow her, not only is she a wonderful kind woman, she is an amazing card maker too.

Three of my favourite companies are sponsoring the hop - Clearly Besotted, Hero Arts and Simon Says Stamp, so I wanted to use products from all three companies on my card today.

I started off by stamping the floral image from the Clearly Besotted On Your Day set on to white cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I then coloured the image using Polychromos pencils (the colouring was inspired by Jenny, the amazing owner of CB. The colours I used are listed below the supplies section). The image was then fussy cut out and set aside.

I took a panel of white cardstock and die cut the new Hero Arts Woodgrain Texture Fancy Die from it. This die is wonderful! I love the woodgrain texture. This was added to a white card base that is 5.15" x 3.75" (I wanted a smaller size card so that the image could hang off the side but still fit in an A2 envelope). The image was added on with tape runner.

I took the SSS Big Friend Die and cut the word die layer from black cardstock (I added Stick It to the back before die cutting) and the outline/bubble from vellum. These were layered up and added to the card with liquid glue. I stamped a sentiment from the Clearly Besotted Tiny Type set on to black cardstock with Versamark Ink. I applied white embossing powder and heat set. This was then added to the card with foam tape. To finish off, I added a few Lucy's Ice Cube Jewels.

SUPPLIES:

POLYCHROMOS: Flowers - 249, 138, 160, 134, Caran d'Ache Luminance 001. Leaves - 267, 168, 112, 171, Caran d'Ache Luminance 001.

BLOG HOP:

For the hop, you should have arrived here from the amazing Lisa Tilson. The next stop on the hop is the fabulous Erum Tasneem. To start the hop from the beginning, please head over to Rubeena's Blog.

GIVEAWAY:

There are tons of prizes to be won during this two day hop. Sponsors are giving away the following:

Studio Katia - $50 gift card

Hello Bluebird - $50 gift card

Altenew - $50 gift card

Pinkfresh Studio - $30 gift card

Gina K. Designs - $50 gift card

Clearly Besotted - £25 gift card

Simon Says Stamp - $25 gift card

Spellbinders - card kit (worth $55)

Jennifer McGuire - $50 Simon Says Stamp gift card

Winnie & Walter, LLC - $40 gift card

Mama Elephant - $25 gift card

Hero Arts - $25 gift card

Nichol Spohr LLC - Custom sewn rainbow pencil case filled with brand new Spellbinder dies

Danielle Flynn - $25 Simon Says Stamp gift card

Picket Fence Studios - four $25 gift cards

Ellen Hutson - two $25 gift cards

Pretty Pink Posh - two $30 gift cards

The Stamp Market - July 2018 Release (estimated $100 value)

Indigojade Art Shop - $50 gift card to Art Prints & Gifts shop

Flora & Fauna - a 4x6" stamp set

Waffle Flower - $25 gift card

Power Poppy - $50 gift card.

All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning one of these fabulous prizes is to leave a comment during the hop. The winners will be randomly selected from all of the comments left on all of the blogs in the hop. The winners will be announced by Rubenna on Wednesday September 5th. For full details on the giveaway, please visit Rubeens's Blog. Good luck!

Thanks so much for stopping by to see me today, I hope you have a great day!

22 August 2018

Hero Arts Season of Wonder Release Blog Hop

Hello there and welcome to the Hero Arts Season of Wonder Blog Hop! We are celebrating the release of the new Season of Wonder catalogue and all the wonderful new products in it. It is such a fabulous release including stamps, dies, stencils, paints, sprays and much more! If you are following in the hop, you should have arrived here from the amazing Nichol, but if you get lost along the way, I have the full list of participants linked below.

For my card today I am combing a new stamp set with a new Fancy Die. I started off by die cutting the Snowflake and Ornament Fancy Die. This die is great because if you can either cut the whole ornament as one (with the snowflakes being inside the ornament), or cut the ornament layer off and cut the inside piece on it's own, which is what I did. I partially cut the ornament from a panel of white cardstock and cut along the bottom with a craft knife to create a shape that looks like a snow globe.

I took a panel of watercolour paper and blended Distress Inks on to it using an ink blending tool, having darker colour at the bottom. I then spritzed this with shimmer spray (The new Frost Shimmer Spray would work perfectly for this but I do not have it yet). The panel was added to the front of an A2 white card base and the snowflake piece added on top with foam tape.

I took the scarf image from the Polar Greetings stamp set and stamped this on to white cardstock with Intense Black Ink. I masked this off and then stamped the polar bear on top. I removed the mask so that it looks like the bear is wearing the scarf. I coloured the image with Copic Markers and fussy cut out with scissors. He was added to the bottom of the snowflake aperture with tape runner and foam tape. I took the sentiment from the set and stamped this on to blue cardstock with Versamark Ink. I applied Detail White Embossing Powder and heat set. The sentiments were then cut using a craft knife and ruler and added to the card with foam tape and tape runner.

SUPPLIES:

COPIC MARKERS: E40, W1, W0, W00, V17, V15, V12, B04, B00, B000.

BLOG HOP:

Here is the full list of participants in the hop:

GIVEAWAY:

Hero Arts are giving away two $50 shopping sprees to the Hero Arts online store, randomly drawn from all of the comments left across all of the blogs in the hop. Entries close on Sunday 26th August at 11.59 hrs EST. Good luck!

Thank you so much for visiting me today, next on the hop is the fabulous Megan. Have a great day!

17 August 2018

Using Small Images to Create a Focal Point

Hello there, I am over on the Hero Arts Blog today sharing a card made using the Cowboy Life stamp set. I often feel that I forget to use the smaller images in a set, so for this card I decided to create a little grouping of them as a focal point.

SUPPLIES:

For more details on how I made the card, please head over to the blog post. Thank you so much for visiting me today, I really do appreciate it. I hope you have a great day!

7 August 2018

It's Always Tea Time!

Hello there, I am over on the Hero Arts Blog today sharing a card using the new Tea Time set that was released yesterday as an add-on to the My Monthly Hero Kit. It is a wonderful tea party/afternoon tea themed set and it is so fun to create your own cake stand with yummy treats on it!

SUPPLIES:

As you can see, I did a lot of masking on this card. I really anted to create a one layer scene and I find masking is the best way to do this. It adds a lot of depth to the scene. For more details on how I made the card, please head over to the blog post. Thanks so much for stopping by today. Have a great day!

6 August 2018

Hero Arts August 2018 My Monthly Hero Kt Blog Hop + Giveaway

Hello there, today we are celebrating the launch of the August 2018 My Monthly Hero Kit from Hero Arts. The theme of the main kit, as well as the optional add-ons, is coffee and tea. I know a lot of you love coffee and tea, so this kit is for you! If you are following on from the hop, you should have arrived here from the amazing Lydia but if you get lost along the way, the full list of participants is below.

My card today uses the window fancy die from the main kit. As soon as I saw this die, I fell in love with it. I love these type of dies and the possibility they have with them - you can create a silhouette look, you can colour them to be the scene itself, I just really like them. I started off by cutting the frame from a panel of white cardstock.

I then went ahead and created the background. I used a combination of different blue sprays, as well as the Hero Arts Iridescent White and a sparkle spray to give it lots of shine. I thought it kind of looked like you were looking out of the café window on to a sparkly sky.

The background panel was added flat to an A2 white card base with tape runner. I then added the window piece on top with foam tape. I took the sentiment from the Spill The Tea set (which is an optional add-on this month) and heat embossed that on to black cardstock. This was cut out and added to the card with more foam tape. To finish off, I die cut a little heart from white cardstock (using the Sun Showers dies) and coloured it using red Copic Markers. I added this to the sign and then coated it with the Crystal Clear Lacquer Pen that you get in the kit.

SUPPLIES:

THE KIT:

The August 2018 My Monthly Hero Kit contains a 6" x 8" clear stamp set, 1 Window Fancy Die, 11 coordinating Frame Cuts, Crystal Clear Lacquer Pen, White Puff Embossing Powder and two sheets of coffee and tea hand dyed decorative paper. All of this is worth $77 but you can get it for an amazing $34.99 (approximately £28 depending on exchange rate).

The kits are limited edition and often sell out quickly. You can subscribe to them so that you never miss a kit! There are also some fabulous add-on products this month. These are not limited edition and can be purchased from your favourite Hero Arts retailer as well as added to your cart when purchasing the main kit. Here is a look at them:

BLOG HOP:

Here is the full list of participants in the hop:

Michelle Short - you are here!

Nichol Spohr

Wanda Guess

Yana Smakula

GIVEAWAY:

Hero Arts are giving away one kit to one lucky blog hop reader - selected from all the comments left across all the stops in the hop. The more you comment, the more chance there is to win! One comment per blog. The giveaway closes Sunday, August 12th at 11.59pm EST. The winner will be announced the following week on the Hero Arts blog. Good luck!

Next on the hop is the amazing Nichol. Thanks so much for stopping by to see me today. I hope you have a great time on the rest of the hop!

4 August 2018

August 2018 MMH | Latte Love

Hello there, I am over on the Hero Arts blog today sharing a look at the August 2018 My Monthly Hero Kit. It is perfect for all you tea and coffee lovers out there! It releases on Monday and all weekend long, the Creative Team are sharing peeks of it with you.

For this card, I am using the main kit along with two add-ons this month. The beautiful Floral Doily Bold Prints and the fabulous new shade of liquid watercolour - Cocoa! Head over to the post to see how I made the card and for a chance to win a kit. Thanks for stopping by today, have a great rest of the day!

1 August 2018

VIDEO | Clearly Besotted August 2018 Release Preview

Hello there, today is THE day! The new products from Clearly Besotted release today at 8pm BST/3pm EDT. It is such a great release! There are sets to colour, sets to layer, cute, elegant and beautiful. Something for everyone!

You can purchase the products from Clearly Besotted (UK based, ships almost worldwide) and Simon Says Stamp (US based, ships worldwide). Links to the individual sets are below. Here is a look at all of the sets up close and a reminder of the cards that I have made:

SUPPLIES:

Here are the links to what I have shared in the video. Affiliate links are used on some products. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my link, I receive a small commission with no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support when using these links. Please click on the logo below the product to shop at your favourite store. Products marked with an asterisk (*) were kindly sent to me to use.

What sets have caught your eye? I would love to hear! Thank you so much for stopping by to see me today. Have a great day and happy shopping! :)

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