Altenew May Blog Hop Winner

Hello there, sorry I am a day late in posting this, I had a horrible migraine yesterday. Anyway, I am here today to share the winner of the $30 gift certificate from the Altenew May 2018 Blog Hop I took part in at the beginning of the week.

The winner from my blog is:

 

Michele K. Henderson

Congratulations, Michele! Please can you email me using the link on my sidebar. A huge thank you to everyone who took part and left me such lovely comments. I hope you are having a great weekend!

VIDEO | Studio Katia 2nd Anniversary Blog Hop

Hello there, I am delighted to be taking part in Studio Katia's 2nd Birthday Celebration Blog Hop today. They have released a wonderful new collection of stamps, dies, stencils and embellishments. To celebrate both the release and the anniversary, there is a two day hop going on today and tomorrow.  If you are following along in the hop, you should have arrived here from the amazing Rubeena. I have more details on the hop below :)

 

I am using the gorgeous new Lovely Blooms stamp set today, along with the new Birthday Greetings set. I started off by stamping the floral image from the Lovely Blooms set on to TH watercolour paper. I stamped it with Versamark Ink and then applied detail white embossing powder. This was then heat set. The image was coloured using Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens (the colours I used are listed below the supplies section).

 

 

The panel was then die cut using the largest frame from the Dotted Patterns Scallop Frame Die collection. This was added to a white A2 card base with foam sheet and DST. I took one of the sentiments from the Birthday Greeting stamp set and stamped this on to black cardstock with Versamark Ink. I applied the same detail white embossing powder and heat set. This was then cut in to a strip using a craft knife and metal ruler. It was added to the card with clear foam tape. To finish off, I added a sprinkling of clear gems from the new Spring Gems collection, which is a free gift with purchase this month.

VIDEO:

Here is the video showing how I made the card:

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.
 

ZIG CLEAN COLOR REAL BRUSH PENS: Large purple flowers - Light Violet 081, Violet 080. Pink flowers - Pink 025, Carmine Red 022, Geranium Red 029. Small purple flower heads - Lilac 083. Small coral flowers - Pale Pink 028, Pink 025, Yellow 050. Light green leaves - Light Green 041. Darker green leaves - Green 040, Yellow 050. Teal leaf branches - Turquoise Green 042. Outside shadow/colour - Light Blue 036.

BLOG HOP:

 

For the hop, you should have arrived here from the amazingly talented Rubeena. Next in the hop is the super talented Kaja. For more information on the hop and to start from the beginning, please head over to the Studio Katia Blog. Remember that there will be another hop tomorrow with lots more inspiration too.

GIVEAWAY:

Studio Katia are giving away two $100 (CAD) gift certificates to the Studio Katia store on each day of the hop. That is four chances to win! The winners will be chosen from the comments left across all the stops in the hops, so the more you comment, the more chances you have to win. Comments close on Saturday 2nd June 2018 at 11.59pm EST. The winners will be announced on the Studio Katia blog on the 3rd June. Good Luck!

Thank you so much for visiting me today. I hope you have a wonderful time on the rest of the hop!

Sending You Hugs

Hello there, today I have a card to share using the new Tile Pattern Stencil from Hero Arts. It is such a great stencil and although I have only used a small portion of it today, I think it is really pretty. I also think it is a very gender neutral pattern, which is always great!

 

I started off by placing the stencil over some watercolour paper. Using a blending tool, I blended over Distress Oxide Inks in Salty Ocean, Cracked Pistachio and Peacock Feathers. I then added a layer of Frosty Dawn Sparkle Paste, removed the stencil and set aside to dry. Once dry, I die cut this in to a heart using a Nesting Heart Infinity Die and added it flat to a white A2 card base with tape runner.

 

 

I took the Hello Stamp & Cut and cut the hello die three times from black cardstock. I layered these up with liquid glue and added it on top of the heart.

 

 

I then took the sentiment from the set and stamped this on to white cardstock with black ink. This was added to the card with foam tape below the 'hello'.

 

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.
 

 

Such a simple design but I love the sparkle from the paste. Sadly it doesn't show up well in the photos but it is so pretty in real life. Thank you so much fro visiting me today. I hope you have a great day!

MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge | Cheers

Hello there, it's Wednesday so that means it's time for another MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge. I am guesting with My Favorite Things all month long and have really enjoyed making these cards for the sketches. It really pulls you out of your comfort zone, but in a good way! We are on to Sketch 386.

 

I started off my card by creating the background panel. I took a panel of white cardstock and using the new Basic Shapes - Circles stencil, I created circles over the piece with Worn Lipstick and Squeezed Lemonade Distress Oxide Inks. I love this stencil as there are lots of different sized circles on it, so it is really versatile. As you can see, I created a few different sized circles as I wanted it to look kind of like bubbles, to go along with the cocktail theme.

 

 

I then took the new Martini Shaker Window & Frame Die-namics die and cut the centre portion out of the background panel. I also cut a piece of white sparkle paper at the same time to add in to the glass. The panel was adhered flat to a white A2 card base. The frame piece was cut three times from white cardstock and layered up using Multi Medium Matte liquid glue. I placed some of the fun new Frosty Ice Cubes on to the glitter piece and then stuck the shaker pouch over the top using 1/8" scor tape. The glass frame was then added over the top with MMM glue. The sentiment, from the new Spirited Sentiments stamp set, was stamped on to a strip of black cardstock with Versamrk Ink. I applied white embossing powder and heat set, this was added to the card with 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.
 

 

These are such fun sets! Please do head over to the MFT Challenge Blog to see the sketch and for more details on how to enter. There is a lots more inspiration for using the sketch over there too! Thank you so much for visiting me today. I hope you have a great day!

VIDEO | Altenew May 2018 Stamp & Die Release Blog Hop + Giveaway

Hello there, I am delighted to be hopping along with Altenew for their May 2018 stamp & die release today. It is a wonderful release with something for everyone but today, I decided to focus on creating some simple floral cards where the focus is the flowers.

 

My first card uses the new Starry Flowers stamp set. I started off by stamping the larger of the two floral images from the set on to watercolour paper, using Versamark Ink. I applied white embossing powder and heat set. Using an ink blending tool, I applied inks from the Sweet Dreams Ink collection on to the panel.

 

I used all four of the ink colours starting darker at the top and moving to lighter shades at the bottom. I then misted over Iridescent Ink Spray and also added some larger drops for some added interest and shimmer.

 

 

While the panel was drying, I took one of the sentiments from the set and stamped this on to black cardstock with Versamark ink. I applied white embossing powder and then heat set. This was cut in to a strip. I adhered the image panel to a white A2 card base with foam sheet and DST and then added the sentiment on top with clear foam tape.

 

My second card uses the new Fabulous Floral stamp set. This is a wonderful layering set with two flowers and a few different leaves. I started off by stamping one of the flowers on to a 4" x 5.25" panel of white cardstock. I used the Glacier Caves Ink collection and started with the lightest colour at the bottom for the larger layers, moving up to the darker colours for the smaller layers. I also used black for the flower centre.

 

 

The flower was masked off and then the other flower from the set stamped using the same colours, before removing the mask. This makes it look like the first flower is in front of the second. Both flowers were then masked off and the leaves stamped using the Green Fields Ink collection. I used all three shades of green from the set.

 

 

The panel was then adhered to a white A2 card base with foam sheet and DST. I then took a sentiment from the Strawberry stamp set and stamped this on to black cardstock, white heat embossed it and cut it in to a strip. This was added to the card with clear foam tape. To finish off, I added a few Sparkling Clear sequins.

 

 

Since I really like how the flowers looked in the blue, I decided to create a tag as well. I free-hand cut a tag from white cardstock and stamped one of the flowers and leaves in the bottom right hand corner using the same inks. I then stamped a sentiment from the Sentiments and Quotes stamp set in the top left hand corner. To frame the tag, I used the new Fine Frames Rectangles dies. These are thin frames and I think they worked particularly well for this tag, bringing the focus in to the middle.

 

VIDEO:

 

Here is the video showing how I made the cards:

 

 

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.
 

BLOG HOP:

 

 

 

For the hop, you should have arrived here from Laura Jane. The next person on the hop is Erum Tasneem. For the full list of participants, or to start the hop from the beginning please visit the Altenew Card Blog.

 

GIVEAWAY:

 

To celebrate the release, Altenew is giving away a $50 gift certificate to 6 lucky winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or Altenew Scrapbook Blog by Friday 26th May 2018 for a chance to win. The 6 winners will be announced on the Altenew blogs on the 27th May 2018.

 

I am also giving away a $30 gift certificate to the Altenew store to one lucky winner. Please leave a comment on this post by May 25th 2018 at 17.00 hrs BST/ 12.00 EDT. I will announce the winner on May 26th. Good luck!

 

Thank you so much for visiting me today. I hope you have a great time on the rest of the hop and have a fabulous day!  

Birthday Peony

Hello there, today I have a card to share using the new Peonies Stamp Set from Hero Arts. I am in love with all the new florals that they have brought out, perfect for colouring!

 

I started off by stamping the large peony image using black ink on to Fabriano Artistico watercolour paper. I then did a light wash of Daniel Smith Quinacridone Rose watercolour to the petals and Undersea Green to the leaves. Once dry, I coloured the peony with colored pencils. I used mainly Polychromos and then added some white highlights with a Caran d'Ache Luminance white pencil. The colours I used are listed below the supplies section.

 

 

The image panel was then cut down to 5.25" x 4" and added to a Fog card base with ATG. I took the 'happy birthday' sentiment from the Eat Cake All Day Stamp & Cut and stamped this on to black cardstock using Versamark Ink. I applied white embossing powder and heat set. This was then cut in to a strip and added to the card with foam tape. To finish off, I added a few Sparkling Clear sequins.

 

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.
 

 

COLOUR PENCILS: Flower petals - Polychromos 199, 133, 125, 129, Luminance 001 White. Leaves - Polychromos 199, 174, 168, Luminance 001 White.

 

Unfortunately the photos aren't quite doing the colouring justice but I think the watercolour helped to give a base to the colour pencils. Thank you so much for visiting me today. I hope you have a great rest of the weekend!

VIDEO | Card Making Haul - May 2018

Hello there, today I am popping in to share my Card Making Haul for May 2018 (plus a few little bits I bought in April too!). I mainly bought stamps and dies this month, plus a lot of Doodlebug stickers!

 

 

As I share in the video, I don't usually use stickers on my cards but I often add them when wrapping up presents, use them on tags or on envelopes. I also add them in my Filofax sometimes for a bit of fun! Here is everything I got:

 

SUPPLIES:

Here are the links to what I 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.
 

 

I am really looking forward to using it all. Thank you so much for visiting me today. Have a great weekend!

Flowers for Colouring

Hello there, today I am over on the Hero Arts Blog sharing a card made using the new Hero Arts Flowers for Coloring Bold Prints. I tend to go for softer backgrounds, so this time I challenged myself to create a fairly bold one. I loved colouring the flowers with watercolours.

 

 

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.
 

 

For more information on how I made the card, please head over to the blog post. Thank you so much for visiting me today. I hope you have a great rest of the day and a wonderful weekend!

MFT Sketch Challenge | Happy Birthday To Roo

*This is my second post for the day, please see below for my Simon Says Stamp Sending Sunshine post*

 

Hello there, today I am back to share another card with you as a guest designer for My Favorite Things Wednesday Sketch Challenge. We are on sketch 385 and I have to say, this was a bit of a challenge for me! I don't often add so many layers to my card and I did flip the side panel to be on the other side, but in the end, I really like how the card came out!

 

I started out by creating the background piece. I took a panel of white cardstock and using the Cloud Stencil and Broken China Distress Oxide Ink, I added some subtle clouds to the panel. I took a strip of paper from the Black & White Stripes Pattern Paper Pad and added this to the left hand side, along with a thin strip of black cardstock. I took the Grassy Fields dies and die cut these from green cardstock. I then blended a little Mowed Lawn and Twisted Citron Distress Ink on to them to give some depth. These were added to the cloud side of the panel and then the whole panel was added to a 5" x 5" white card base with tape runner.

 

 

I took the kangaroo image from the new Aussie Animals Stamp Set, along with the balloons from the Beary Special Birthday stamp set. These were stamped with black ink on to white cardstock and coloured using Copic Markers. They were then die cut out with the coordinating dies. The balloons were added to the card with tape runner and then the kangaroo added with a combination of tape runner and thin foam tape (to the stop half of his body).

 

 

I took the sentiment from the Aussie Animals set and stamped this on to black cardstock with Versamark Ink. I applied white embossing powder and heat set. This was cut in to strips and added 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.
 

 

COPIC MARKERS: Kangaroo - E47, E44, E43, E42, E41, E40, R12, R00. Balloons - Y17, Y15, Y13, Y11, B04, B02, B00, YG17, YG23, YG03.

 

Do head over to the MFT Challenge Blog to see the sketch and for more inspiration. I hope you will enter. There is a $50 gift certificate to MFT up for grabs! Thank you so much for visiting me to day. I hope you have a great day!

Fancy Floral Thanks

Hello there, today I have a card to share using the wonderful new Center Cut Fancy Flower background stamp from the new Sending Sunshine release from Simon Says Stamp. The new release is out today.

 

For my card, I started off by stamping the background stamp on to a piece of Ranger watercolor paper. I stamped it using Versamark Ink and then applied white embossing powder. This was then heat set. I placed the panel in a box and sprayed on Broken China, Peacock Feathers, Mermaid Lagoon and Chipped Sapphire Distress Spray Stains. I set the piece aside to dry and once dry, wiped off any excess ink from the embossing powder. This was then cut down and added to a 5.25" x 5.25" white card base with tape runner.

 

 

I took the Big Thanks die and cut the bubble piece from vellum and the wording piece from white. I cut the word three times from white and stacked these up with liquid glue before adding on to the vellum piece. This was added to the card with more liquid glue. I took the sentiment from the CZ Design Emphatic stamp set and stamped this on to black 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 clear 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.
 

 

I am really looking forward to using this stamp again for a different technique. Watercolour maybe? Thanks so much for visiting me today. I will be back later with my MFT Sketch Wednesday post.

VIDEO | MFT & Friends Ombre Stencilling

* This is my second post of the day, please see below for my Hero Arts Summer Catalogue Release Hop post*

 

Hello there, today I am delighted to be joining My Favorite Things for the May MFT & Friends. We are sharing more inspiration using the wonderful May release.

 

For my card today, I wanted to use the new Hello, Little One stamp set and Die-namics. It is such a cute set and since I have needed quite a few baby cards recently, I thought it would be great to have another ready to go!

 

 

I started off by creating my tag for my images to sit on. I die cut the new Scallop Cross-Stich Tag Die-Namics die from Bristol Smooth Cardstock. Using an ink blending tool, I blended Picked Raspberry Distress Oxide ink on to the tag in an ombre fashion - having the darker colour at the bottom and lighter at the top. I then placed the Full Of Heart Stencil over the tag and blended ink over this too, to create a nice ombre pattern. I added a piece of black ribbon through the top and added this to an A2 white card base with thin foam tape.

 

 

I took the stork image from the Hello, Little One stamp set and stamped this on to white cardstock with Extreme Black ink. I coloured the image with Copic Markers and die cut out with the coordinating die. The sentiment, from the same set, was stamped on to black cardstock with Versamark Ink. I applied white embossing powder and heat set. This is was cut in to a strip using one of the banner dies from the Hearts In A Row Vertical Die-Namics set. I added both of these to the card with more thin foam tape and then to finish, added a few Sparkling Clear sequins around the sentiment piece.

 

VIDEO:

 

Here is the video showing how I made the card:

 

SUPPLIES:

Here are the links to what I have used on the card and 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.
 

 

Please do head over to the MFT Blog to see what the other participants have created. Thank you so much for visiting me today, have a great day!

Hero Arts Summer 2018 Catalogue Blog Hop + Giveaway

Hello there, today is THE day, the new summer 2018 products from Hero Arts are now available to purchase in the Hero store. You can also purchase them from your favourite Hero Arts retailers too! It is such a great release, full of beautiful flowers, fun wild west/desert themed products, summer products and also lots of fabulous accessories. If you are following along in the hop, you should have arrived here from the fabulous May, but if you get lost along the way, the full list of participants are below.

 

 

My first card uses some of the products that are more on the western theme. I started off by creating my background. I took a panel of white cardstock and die cut the new Desert Sunset Fancy Die from it to create a window. Behind this I added a panel of alcohol ink background. This was created with Lemonade, Honeycomb, Peach Bellini, Valencia and Watermelon TH Alcohol Inks on to Yupo paper.

 

The alcohol ink background was added to the front of an A2 white card base and then the window piece added on top with foam tape. I took the fox image from the new Fennec The Fox stamp set and stamped this on to white cardstock. I coloured him with Copic Markers and then cut him out with the coordinating frame cuts.

 

He was added on to the card with a combination of foam tape and tape runner (so that he is level on the card). I then took the 'hello' sentiment from the same set and stamped this with Versamark Ink on to white cardstock. I applied white embossing powder and heat set. This was fussy cut with scissors and then added to the card with foam tape also.

 

My next card uses the beautiful new Hero Florals Rose Stamp & Cut. This is a design that has already been released as a wood mount stamp but now available in clear. It is slightly smaller in size than the wood mount set. I am delighted that this card was one that I made for the catalogue and it features in it. I started off by taking a panel of Fabriano Artistico Extra White Hot Press Paper and stamping the flower on it twice with Versamark ink (I masked the first before stamping the second). I applied White Detail Embossing powder and then heat set.

 

 

I took the Mulled Wine Liquid Watercolor and a paintbrush with water and water coloured the image, adding a little colour over the edge of the flowers at the top. I added the colour in layers on the flowers (to create depth) and then set aside to dry. Once dry, the panel was added to an A2 card base with tape runner. I then stamped the hello sentiment from the set on to black cardstock with Versamark Ink. I applied white embossing powder and heat set. It was cut in to a strip and added to the card with 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.

COPIC MARKERS: E55, E53, E51, E50, R12, R00.

BLOG HOP:

Here is the full list of participants taking part in the hop:

 

Hero Arts Blog

Amy Tsuruta
Clare Prezzia
Emily Midgett
Ilina Crouse
Janette Kausen
Jessica Frost-Ballas
May Sukyong Park
Michelle Short - you are here!
Yana Smakula
Kathy Racoosin
Kelly Latevola
Lydia Fiedler
Wanda Guess
Cynde Whitlow
Ericka Strange
Jeanne Jachna
Juhi Khanna
Karen Bull
Kim Hamilton
Lisa Stein
Meghan Peterson
Michelle Yuen
Libby Hickson
Jennifer McGuire

GIVEAWAY:

Hero Arts are giving away two $50 shopping sprees in the Hero Arts Store. The winners will be drawn at random from all of the comments left across all of the stops in the hop. Please comment by 11.59pm PST on Sunday may 20th to enter. The winners will be announced on the Hero Arts blog shortly afterwards. Good luck!

The next person on the hop is the amazing Yana Smakula. Thank you so much for visiting me today, I hope you have a great time on the rest of the hop and a fabulous day!