STAMPlorations 4th Birthday Blog Hop

Good afternoon all.

It's day 2 of our 5 day Birthday Blog Hop and Wish List Link up over at STAMPlorations. Click over to the STAMPlorations blog to see how to join in and win up $50 worth of goods on your wish list or one of several other prizes for commenting.

 Here is my inspiration for you today.

A relatively simple birthday card for our former neighbour's little girl, which I messed up horribly!! As the Numbers is a plate die you can cut it easily from a background mat to use as a focus as I have here....just ensure when you stick it down you have it the right way up!! Luckily I was able to substitute the 9 in this instance.

I've used the largest of the Crazy Double Running Stitch Rectangle Nesting Dies and cut the Number Plate Die from it's centre....then added several more number 9's to layer up. The image and half the sentiment is from Tweet Love with the image being die cut with the coordinating die. The other half of the sentiment is from Kathryn's Big Wishes stamp set.

And my second card using the same stamps and dies, this time for my little great nephew who was two a couple of days ago. Sentiment from the Party Time set.

If you love STAMPlorations products or if you'd like to try them for the first time I have a discount code to share with you - STAMPGIRLCAROLD

This gives you a 20% discount on all stamps, stencils and dies...both regular and sale priced items. Please note this code can't be combined with any other code. It is valid for multiple uses whilst I'm a STAMPlorations Girl.

Stencil Sunday #102

Good afternoon all.

This is my 2nd post today, if you wanted to see my card for the Christmas Card Club you'll find it here.

I'm up on the STAMPlorations blog today inspiring you once again to use your stencils. You still have a few days to get messy and join in our Mixed Media Challenge...just remember it's anything but a card and you must use a stencil.

Today I have a small canvas to share with you....this was started eons ago and has lain unfinished for months. It started life as a hessian coloured canvas and I'd added some texture to the top left and bottom right corners using the Foiled Again stencil and texture paste. It's now got so many layers of paint on it must be twice it's original weight!! Lots of white gesso then I used Distress Spray Stains to colour through the stencil. Lava texture paste was used through the Perched Bird stencil to create the focal, adding some liquid pearl for an eye. Background stamping used the Scribbly Splattery Grunge stamps with distress ink and the sentiments are from Trendy Birds 2 stamped onto tissue and adhered with gel medium.

If you love STAMPlorations products or if you'd like to try them for the first time I have a discount code to share with you - STAMPGIRLCAROLD

This gives you a 20% discount on all stamps, stencils and dies...both regular and sale priced items. Please note this code can't be combined with any other code. It is valid for multiple uses whilst I'm a STAMPlorations Girl.

{Mixed Media Tutorial} A Design by Default

Good evening all.

I'm up at STAMPlorations today with what will be my final tutorial for a while.
I'm taking a little break whilst we get the new sun room built and finished, do the final preparation for no 2 son's wedding in August then hopefully hubby and I will fit in some travelling....possibly back to New Zealand in the New Year but a definite trip to John O Groats combined with the North Coast 500 in late summer or early autumn.

Today's project is a remake of a small canvas board.
This was one of those projects which caused joy and despair in equal measures but finally came through! To see the processes pop over to STAMPlorations, I hope I've inspired you to use your stencils.

If you love STAMPlorations products or if you'd like to try them for the first time I have a discount code to share with you - STAMPGIRLCAROLD

This gives you a 20% discount on all stamps, stencils and dies...both regular and sale priced items. Please note this code can't be combined with any other code. It is valid for multiple uses whilst I'm a STAMPlorations Girl.

Stencil Sunday #99 + June Mixed Media Challenge

Good afternoon all.

Another month flown in and time once more to encourage you to partake in our Mixed Media challenge over at STAMPlorations.

I've made a gift tag for a little girl this month. Using one of the Luggage Tags Nesting dies cut from white linen card and randomly coloured with Distress Inks, I applied the Prisms stencil and sprayed with water to give a ghosting effect then decided to emboss it to enhance the effect. 

Using stamps from the Mixed Media Elements set I added some detail to the background. Image and sentiment are from the Tweet Love stamps and coordinating die set. Tag was finished with some stencilled stars using Oh My Stars and ribbon from my stash.

If you love STAMPlorations products or if you'd like to try them for the first time I have a discount code to share with you - STAMPGIRLCAROLD

This gives you a 20% discount on all stamps, stencils and dies...both regular and sale priced items. Please note this code can't be combined with any other code. It is valid for multiple uses whilst I'm a STAMPlorations Girl.

We do hope you can come and join us this month...remember it's anything but a card and you must use a stencil.

Stencil Sunday #96

Good afternoon all. 

My turn once more over at STAMPlorations to inspire you to use your stencils. Today I have a tag to share with you.

I started by using one of the new stencils Prisms as a stamp....I inked it up with embossing ink, flipped it onto my card stock and used my brayer to ensure a smooth transition of ink. The piece was then heat embossed with white EP which provided a resistance to the DI inks I used to colour it. I added some texture to the background using a stamp from the Mini Mixed Media Backgrounds set. I then cut a tag shape using Luggage Tags Nesting Dies. The bird and sing sentiment from Trendy Birds 2 were stamped onto tissue paper and heat embossed before being adhered with gel medium. Hello Sunshine was added along with a pearl and some raffia to finish things off.

You've still got plenty of time to join our May Mixed Media challenge...just remember it's anything but a card and you must use a stencil.

If you love STAMPlorations products or if you'd like to try them for the first time I have a discount code to share with you - STAMPGIRLCAROLD

This gives you a 20% discount on all stamps, stencils and dies...both regular and sale priced items. Please note this code can't be combined with any other code. It is valid for multiple uses whilst I'm a STAMPlorations Girl.

Card Chain Challenge April Reveal

Good morning all.

Today sees the reveal of the April Card Chain Challenge. Click on the link to find out more information and to see all the cards which were exchanged last month.

I sent this card to NanaConnie in California and in return received one back from Sara in Missouri.

Dies from Winnie and Walter, Spellbinders, Lawn Fawn and STAMPlorations. Sentiment if also from STAMPlorations.

{Mixed Media Tutorial}

Good evening all.

My turn today to share a Mixed Media Tutorial over at STAMPlorations...and inspire you get get those stencils out and put them to good use. Today I'm sharing an altered bottle with you all...I hope you enjoy!

If you love STAMPlorations products or if you'd like to try them for the first time I have a discount code to share with you - STAMPGIRLCAROLD

This gives you a 20% discount on all stamps, stencils and dies...both regular and sale priced items. Please note this code can't be combined with any other code. It is valid for multiple uses whilst I'm a STAMPlorations Girl.

Stencil Sunday #94

Good afternoon all.

This is my second post today, you'll find my Christmas Card Club post here.

I'm up on the STAMPlorations blog today with some inspiration to help you put your stencils to good use.

I'm sharing a small canvas board today.

I started by sticking a page from a book to my blank canvas then gave it a quick wash of gesso. Using the Bloom Boldly stencil and texture paste I added the design and once completely dry I reapplied the stencil and used Gelatos to add some colour. Bloom & Grow Phrase die finishes it off.

A close up to show the page in the background.

If you love STAMPlorations products or if you'd like to try them for the first time I have a discount code to share with you - STAMPGIRLCAROLD

This gives you a 20% discount on all stamps, stencils and dies...both regular and sale priced items. Please note this code can't be combined with any other code. It is valid for multiple uses whilst I'm a STAMPlorations Girl.

We do hope you can come and join us this month...remember it's anything but a card and you must use a stencil.

STAMPlorations Things with Wings Spring Blog Hop & Linky Party - Reminder Post

Good afternoon all.

Just a quick reminder of our linky party over at STAMPlorations, lots of new inspiration on the blog today. To link up your own projects see the post here.

A card made for a friendly exchange...mat layers made with dies from Spellbinders and Lawn Fawn and the Hi die from Winnie and Walter is inlaid to the upper mat.

The Flutter Zen 2 layering die was used to make the butterfly and the sentiment is from the Trendy Butterflies 2 stamp set.

If you love STAMPlorations products or if you'd like to try them for the first time I have a discount code to share with you - STAMPGIRLCAROLD

This gives you a 20% discount on all stamps, stencils and dies...both regular and sale priced items. Please note this code can't be combined with any other code. It is valid for multiple uses whilst I'm a STAMPlorations Girl.

STAMPlorations Things with Wings Spring Blog Hop & Linky Party - Reminder Post

Good afternoon all.

Just a quick reminder of our linky party over at STAMPlorations, lots of new inspiration on the blog today. To link up your own projects see the post here.

Trying to get ahead with some birthday cards here...background is made with DI Oxides, mat dies from Spellbinders and Lawn Fawn. I've used the Spring Flower layering die...cut from the mat then re-inserted and the Dragonfly layering die...using some waste background to cut the solid layer. Sentiment is from the Party Time stamp set.

If you love STAMPlorations products or if you'd like to try them for the first time I have a discount code to share with you - STAMPGIRLCAROLD

This gives you a 20% discount on all stamps, stencils and dies...both regular and sale priced items. Please note this code can't be combined with any other code. It is valid for multiple uses whilst I'm a STAMPlorations Girl.

STAMPlorations Things with Wings Spring Blog Hop & Linky Party - Reminder Post

Good afternoon all.

Just a quick reminder of our linky party over at STAMPlorations, lots of new inspiration on the blog today. To link up your own projects see the post here.

A birthday card to share today. I made a smooshed background with three shades of DI Oxides and die cut the base of the Flutter Zen 2 Layering die from it. Mat dies are from Spellbinders and Lawn Fawn. I stamped part of the Butterfly Row and the sentiment from Celebrate Artsy using one of the background colours.

If you love STAMPlorations products or if you'd like to try them for the first time I have a discount code to share with you - STAMPGIRLCAROLD

This gives you a 20% discount on all stamps, stencils and dies...both regular and sale priced items. Please note this code can't be combined with any other code. It is valid for multiple uses whilst I'm a STAMPlorations Girl.

STAMPlorations Things with Wings Spring Blog Hop & Linky Party

Good afternoon all.

STAMPlorations are hosting a Things with Wings Spring Blog Hop and Linky Party and you have the rest of the month to join in with us. Time to dust off all those butterflies, dragonflies and birds...or anything else with wings and link up your projects.

I have an A4 canvas board to share today. After priming the board with gesso I used gelatos to colour the background, then positioned the mask and used crackle paste over the top blending it smoothly into the board. Once dry I added a little colour to the crackle paste and lots more colour to the background. Various stencils were used with texture paste (sunshine), Radiant Gel (butterflies) and black lava texture gel (birds). I discovered one of my nesting circles dies was an exact match for the sunshine stencil so added the photos of my kids. Finally added the butterfly die cut...love how the intricate die cuts beautifully without needing shims etc (using an SP Platinum).

Stencils used: Clouds, Some Birds, Flutterby

Mask: My Sunshine

Stamps: Butterfly Row

Dies: Hello Sunshine, Flutter Zen 2 Layering dies

Eldest son Gary at about 18 months on his first bike, younger son Mark at about 18 months.

Daughter Lora about a year old...and the beautiful butterfly.

If you love STAMPlorations products or if you'd like to try them for the first time I have a discount code to share with you - STAMPGIRLCAROLD

This gives you a 20% discount on all stamps, stencils and dies...both regular and sale priced items. Please note this code can't be combined with any other code. It is valid for multiple uses whilst I'm a STAMPlorations Girl.

Card Chain Challenge - March Reveal

Good morning all.

Yesterday saw the reveal of the March Card Chain Challenge. Click on the link to find out more information and to see all the cards which were exchanged last month.

This is the card I sent Gail in Norway and I received one from Dawn in New Zealand.

Made using the results of my first DI Oxide play. Dies are from Spellbinders, Wplus9 and Memory Box. Stencil and stamps from STAMPlorations. Sequins and twine from my stash.

{Mixed Media Tutorial} Love Always

Good evening all.

My turn once more to produce a Mixed Media tutorial over at STAMPlorations and share some tips on how to use your stencils in your crafting.

Today I've upcycled another wooden stamp block...it will get turned into a photo holder once I get round to asking hubby to drill a hole in it!

If you love STAMPlorations products or if you'd like to try them for the first time I have a discount code to share with you - STAMPGIRLCAROLD

This gives you a 20% discount on all stamps, stencils and dies...both regular and sale priced items. Please note this code can't be combined with any other code. It is valid for multiple uses whilst I'm a STAMPlorations Girl.

Stencil Sunday #87

Good evening all.

I think spring has definitely sprung here....lambs in the field, daffodils in the garden and lots of sunshine...still very cool and a tad windy at times but a definite step in the right direction 😃
  (Although I haven't shed the winter woollies just yet!!) 

I'm up on the STAMPlorations blog today with some more Stencil Sunday inspiration. Our March Mixed Media challenge is underway and we invite you to join us...making sure you use a stencil along the way.

Today I have a tag to share.

Using a piece of waste card from my first DI Oxide ink pad play I cut out the largest of the Luggage Tags Nesting Dies. I then used the Bold Florals Mini stencil and Broken China DI Oxide over the existing colours. Sentiment is from Noteworthy 2 stamp set....this was also stamped onto some of the waste card and then cut up. Crocheted flowers and ribbon from my stash.

If you love STAMPlorations products or if you'd like to try them for the first time I have a discount code to share with you - STAMPGIRLCAROLD

This gives you a 20% discount on all stamps, stencils and dies...both regular and sale priced items. Please note this code can't be combined with any other code. It is valid for multiple uses whilst I'm a STAMPlorations Girl.

Stencil Sunday #86 + March Mixed Media Challenge

Good evening all.

This is my second post today, if you'd like to see my project for the Christmas Card Club you'll find it here.

Another month gone by so it's time to dust your stencils off for a new Mixed Media challenge over at STAMPlorations.

I've upcycled a birthday book I won in a raffle for today's inspiration.

This is how it started life:

Nothing wrong with it but it was still ripe for a makeover. I started with some chalk paints to get good coverage. Then added some stencilling...first using Bubble Dance with gel medium, then Weaving with texture paste, once dry I added some hint of mint acrylic paint with a brayer. Next came the Happy Flowers stencil, I did the stems with Sparkle Medium then used texture paste for the flowers and added silver Metal Magic before removing the stencil and left everything to dry naturally. Once dry the flowers were heat embossed....I love the textured finish you get with the Metal Magic.

Using some papers from a Gelli printing session I die cut the Numbers and added them with gel medium. Stamps used for the background stamping are from the Art Marks set and the birthday stamp is part of a sentiment in the Party Time set..

If you love STAMPlorations products or if you'd like to try them for the first time I have a discount code to share with you - STAMPGIRLCAROLD

This gives you a 20% discount on all stamps, stencils and dies...both regular and sale priced items. Please note this code can't be combined with any other code. It is valid for multiple uses whilst I'm a STAMPlorations Girl.

We do hope you can come and join us this month...remember it's anything but a card and you must use a stencil.