Winterhaven Is Coming

How are you spending World Card Making Day?  Winterhaven is coming next week, and blog hops for the new Stamp Of Approval start today.  My blog hop day will be Monday, but I just couldn't wait to start sharing my cards with you!

Stamps: Here We Come A-Caroling, Tis The Season (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Ink: It's A Girl, Rockin' Red, Tutti Frutti, Garden Party, Grass Skirt, Lime Rickey (Catherine Pooler Designs) Versamark 

Paper: Premium White (Catherine Pooler Designs) Vellum Cardstock (Stampin' Up)

 Accessories: Gold Embossing Powder (Stampin' Up) Gold Confetti (Pretty Pink Posh)

I took the Tis' The Season stamp set from this collection and paired it with a sentiment from another set in the collection to make this card.  The instructions for this card will be included in the project guide that comes with every Stamp of Approval collection.   Make sure you are on the waitlist to find out when these products are released. cpstampofapproval.com

If you would like to join the first day of blog hops and comment for your chance to win, start HERE at Catherine's blog. 

In case you haven't popped on over to StampNation yet, here are my sneak peeks for 2 of the challenges.

Stamping With Aqua Markers

The summer of masterclasses at StampNation is coming to a close, but it's not over yet!  :)  This week and next we have Chrissie Tobas teaching us all about watercolor and especially how to use the Aqua painter markers from Spectrum Noir.  <3   Yesterday I shared a little sneak peek of my challenge card. My card today came from a little experiment using the aqua painters to color my stamp before I stamped. 

I should have made a video on this to show you how I did it, but I was just playing with my new markers and experimenting with different ideas.  I created the background first by scribbling the markers on my craft sheet and then adding lots of water before dipping my watercolor paper in it.  Once the background was dry I colored my stamp and lightly spritzed it with water before stamping it down.  I was THRILLED with the outcome.  It reminds me of a soft focus picture.  After stamping the greeting I die cut the panel, then decided I just couldn't throw the outer edge away, so I used the inlaid die cut technique to assemble my card.  

After that I added some heart confetti.  Not sure if I like it or not.  In real life they catch the light, and much prettier than in the picture, but this picture captures the colors of the background and birds better than the other.  ;) 

Want to see more ideas on watercoloring with Aqua markers?  Check out the current masterclass at StampNation here.

Stamps: My Sunshine (Crafter's Companion by Spectrum Noir)
Ink: Midnight (CPD)
Paper: Distress Watercolor Paper (Tim Holtz) Premium White (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Accessories: Aqua Painters in Earth and Landscape bundles (Spectrum Noir) Blueprints 20 (My Favorite Things) Clear Embossing Powder (SU) MISTI tool

Aqua-inted with Aqua Markers

We are wrapping up the summer of masterclasses at StampNation with one last class from our very own Chrissie Tobas.  This might just be one of my favorites because I love the look of watercolor and I'm always on the hunt for new ideas, tips & techniques.  Of course I signed up this week's challenge at StampNation. It is to add water.  Here is a sneak peek of my card.

Stamps: My Sunshine (Crafter's Companion) Enchanted Garden (SugarPea Designs)

Ink: Midnight (Catherine Pooler Designs)

Cardstock: Midnight, White (CPD) Distress Watercolor Paper (Tim Holtz)

Accessories: Aqua Painter Bundles in Earth and Landscape (Spectrum Noir)

Clear Embossing Powder (SU)

To go along with this masterclass we also have a challenge and a HUGE prize pack from Crafter's Companion and Spectrum Noir.  Clicky to check it out.

I didn't stop here.  I have another card coming tomorrow using my new Spectrum Noir Aqua markers, so you'll want to be sure to check back with me and see it.  

Inspired By Masterclasses

Today I am up on the StampNation classroom with a few new cards for my Inspired By series.  All summer long we have been having amazing masterclasses and I thought it might be fun to see what I could come up with by putting those lessons into card.  Once the inspiration started flowing, I didn't want to stop.  Check out a sneak peek of the 3 cards that are featured over there.

StampNation members can watch the videos HERE.  If you are not yet a member, it is easy to become one and gain access to ALL the lessons in our classrooms!  www.thestampnation.com

Layers Challenge

The challenge at StampNation this week is to use layering stamps.  I love layering stamps because it adds so much depth of color without having to get out markers, paintbrush or other mediums.  Here is a sneak peek of my card for this week's challenge.

StampNation members can find our challenges HERE.  Not yet a member?  Become one today! 

Masterclass Continues

The masterclass with CASual Fridays Stamps continues at StampNation.  Yesterday the colorfully talented Michelle Lupton shared a rainbow of sassy cards.  Monday was my Sassy Yet Classy tutorial and a new one will go up tomorrow.  All classes are free for StampNation members and the classroom never closes, so you can watch them again and again for inspiration.

New Masterclass- Cards With Sass

There is a new masterclass over at StampNation brought to you by CAS-ual Fridays Stamps.  Guess who one of the guest teachers is?  If you guessed me, you get a gold star! 

This is going to be such a fun class!  Every tutorial shows you different ways to add Sass to your cards using stamps and dies from CAS-ual Fridays Stamps.  My card uses just a dash of sass to turn a classy card into something you would give to your bestie!   Here's a sneak peek of my card.  Hop on over to StampNation to see the full card.  

Not yet a member?  Click HERE to learn more and sign up today!

To play along with the Calling All Sistahs Encouragement challenge, visit us here? http://callingallsistahs.blogspot.com

Stamps: Pretty Posies; Tag, You're It (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps)
Ink: All That Jazz, Fiesta Blue, Flirty Fuchsia, Lime Rickey, Midnight, Orange Twist, Tiki Torch, Tutti Frutti (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Paper: Bright White (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Accessories: Merry Label Dies, Posies Fri-Dies (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps) Mod Flowers Stencil (CPD) 

Snow Is Coming

Did you know that StampNation has a bi-monthly (or is it bi-weekly) Christmas challenge to help inspire us to get our cards made before December 25th?  There have been some great ones already, but this is the first time I have joined in.  My plan is to go back and do the others after the kids are back in school.  (8 more days, but who's counting?)

The challenge this week is SNOW, so I pulled out my snowflake collection of stamps and dies and went to work creating my own snowy background with an emboss resist technique.

I hope you will join in on this challenge.  To see what the design team and fellow members have created for inspiration CLICKY.

Stamps: Bring On the Snowflakes, Snowy Sayings (CASual Fridays Stamps)
Ink: Fiesta Blue, It's A Boy (Catherine Pooler Designs) Versamark

Paper: Silver Shimmer, Whisper White (Stampin' Up)
Accessories: Funky Flakes Fri-Dies (CASual Fridays Stamps) White Embossing Powder (Stampin' UP)

Masterclass at StampNation

StampNation members have been enjoying a summer of masterclasses.  Back in June we had Faber-Castell join us and I was so inspired, I made a bonus video for that classroom.  Members can check it out here.   Want to see a sneak peek?

Stamps: All About You (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps)

Ink: Dapper Denim (Stampin' Up) Versamark

Paper: White (CPD) Dapper Denim (SU)

Accessories: Harleen Stencil (Winnie & Walter) Silver Texture Luxe (Faber- Castell) White Embossing Powder (WOW)

Get Your Flip Flops On

We are celebrating summer this weekend at StampNation.  Here's a sneak peek of my card made exclusively for members.  

Check out sneaks of the rest of this talented team!!!!

If you are not yet a member you can join us now here.

Faux Painting with Gelatos ~ Inspired by Masterclass

Have you had a chance to check out the Faber-Castell Masterclass over at StampNation?  I'm learning so much about mixed media and getting lots of inspiration.  Today's card uses a tutorial from the first day of class.   Members can check it out here.  I knew I wanted to dry out the blowing technique for this month's Calling All Sistahs encouragement challenge.  It fits PERFECTLY!

My card was inspired by two other bloggers, Kristie Goulet and Gwendolyn Goh.  Click on their names to check out their fabulous creations!

There is still time to play along with this challenge.  Clicky to check it out and add your pictures for a chance to win big!

One more thing before I go.  Zigs and Zags is retiring and on sale at a DEEP discount.  Grab it quick because once it is gone, it's gone forever!

Stamps: Breathe, Zig & Zags (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps)
Ink: Midnight (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Accessories: Gesso, Gelatos (Faber-Castell)

Gelatos Designer Set, Tropical

Faber-Castell Gelatos Designer Set, Pastels

Faber-Castell Gesso

StampNation Aurora Borealis Challenge

Have any of you seen the Aurora Borealis trend going on in the stamp world?  First you add color to your cardstock, then you blend over it in black.  Next you add water droplets and pull up some color, OR you can add white/black splatters OR spritz it with shimmer mist AND the result is a night sky with a touch of color. Pretty cool.  That's the challenge today over at StampNation.  Here's a sneak peek of my exclusive card for the challenge.

Check out the amazing sneak peek from the dream team.

StampNation members can find the challenge here.

Click here to learn more about becoming a member of StampNation.

I had some leftover pieces on my stamp table and came up with another card just for my blog followers.  This one doesn't have the technique piece.  Instead I added another "best" die cut in black.  I also tilted the sentiment strip on an angle to match the glitter tape.  Do any of you CASE yourself?

Stamps: Simply the Best (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Ink: All that Jazz, Aquatini, Midnight (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Paper: Printed Vellum (DCWV) White (Stampin' UP)
Accessories: Glitter Tape

Quilled Creations Precision Tip Glue Applicator Bottle 0.5 oz.

Ranger Multi Medium, Matte Mini, 1/2 oz.

Ranger Non-Stick Craft Sheet

Essentials by Ellen, Julie's Smooth Bristol, 20pc-5.5" x 5.5"

Best Creation Glitter Tape, Sky Blue

Sold Out

You all were as inspired as I was by the new Stamp of Approval Naturally Inspired collection.  It sold out in less than 15 hours!!!  We didn't even make it to today when it would be live for the public to purchase.  StampNation members had first crack on Tuesday night and when the wait list got the link Wednesday morning they snatched it up quickly.

Catherine generously opened up ordering for the wait list to purchase a second run that will ship in about 4 weeks.  If I were you, I would get on the waitlist now for the new SOA release.  ;) 

I had the card above and a video for you today that went along with my card featured in the project guide.  Unfortunately, since the collection sold out so quickly, I've decided to postpone my video until the items go up for sale individually.  Subscribe to my youtube channel to see when that video goes live.

In the meantime, here are a few sneak peeks at more cards I've made using this collection.  I'll post them when Catherine says they are in stock in her store.  :)

Would you like to see a video for this one?

Check out the sparkle from the new embossing powder.

Another way to use some of the stamps in the medallion mix up.

This is a companion card for a future StampNation challenge.  I used the extra bits and pieces to make a new card for you.


Congratulations to all of you who have a box on the way.  I feel like I've barely scratched the surface with this one.  I truly do love it!

PJ Party Stamping for SOA

We had a PJ party over at StampNation where members were given the link to shop early for the new Naturally Inspired Stamp of Approval.  I pulled out my collection and stamped while members jumped on the link and started ordering like mad!  Here is the card I came up with.

I think it is my favorite one yet!  If you are on the waitlist, please check your emails.  The link goes out today.  If there are any left ordering should open for everyone tomorrow.

Stamps: Birds of A Feather, Wild Garden (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Ink: Fiesta Blue, Garden Party, It's A Boy, It's A Girl, Flirty Fuchsia, Party Dress Pixie Dust, Something Borrowed (CPD)
Paper: Bright White (CPD) Watercolor (Tim Holtz Distress) Winter in the Woods Stack (DCWV)
Accessories: Lattice Frame Die, Wild Garden Dies (CPD)

Fancy Folds and Moving Cards

There is a fun new class going on over at StampNation called Fancy Folds and Moving Cards.  It is free to all StampNation members.  Today is my turn to share a technique with you, so I created a pinwheel card.  The idea isn't originally mine, but I used several sheets of paper coming up with measurements that would fit our standard  A2 size card envelopes.   Here is a sneak peek of what you will learn to create on today's tutorial.

Direct link to youtube: https://youtu.be/jDgyzwACRog

Stamps: You Did It (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Ink: Midnight (CPD)
Paper: Crumb Cake, Love Blossoms DSP stack, White (SU)
Accesories: Simply Stated: Congrats Die (CPD) Simply Scored with Diagonal Plate (SU)

Don't forget to check out the Calling All Sistahs blog to see who the first Girl Friday joining our Encouragement Squad is.  :)

http://callingallsistahs.blogspot.com/

Uniquely Stamped

The challenge this week is to use stamps in a unique way to create a new design.  One of our most talented design team members, Kristie Goulet, recently started a new classroom series showing us how to do just that.  I must admit, I'm not that good at it.  I see a stamp and I stamp it the way it was intended.  Therefore, I LOVE that Kristie is teaching us how to expand our vision and get even more use out of stamps.

That being said, I would not have signed up for this challenge.  It's out of comfort zone. I'm glad I did though because I ended up getting 2 cards out of this one technique, and now I have a new card to share with you!

First though, a sneak peek at the challenge card. I stamped several floral images around a lightly drawn circle, then used a stitched die to cut out a circle from the center of my "wreath".  I popped up this panel and stamped the sentiment on the card base.

Clicky to see the full card at StampNation if you are a member.

Stamps: Eva's Favorite Flowers (Winnie & Walter) Lovely Flowers (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Ink: Fiesta Blue, Flirty Fuchsia, Grass Skirt, Lime Rickey, Midnight, Oragne Twist, Party Dress, Rockin' Red, Tiara, Tiki Torch, Tutti Frutti (Catherine Pooler Designs)
Paper: Bright White (CPD) Whisper White (Stampin' Up)
Accessories: Double Stitched Circles (Lil' Inker Designs)

That left me with a really cute circle die cut of flowers.  I decided to make another card and use the inlaid die cutting technique for this piece.  How cool is that?!  Two unique cards from a uniquely stamped piece.  Thanks, Kristie, for expanding my stamp horizons.

If you like this type of card, check out this post from our last Stamp of Approval release.

Winnie & Walter Clear Stamps, In Bloom - Eva's Favorite Flowers

My Favorite Things Die-namics, Inside & Out Stitched Circle STAX

Cheery Lynn Designs, Thick Foam Sheets, Single Sided Adhesive

Ranger Multi Medium, Matte Mini, 1/2 oz.

Neenah Cardstock, Neenah Heavyweight, Classic Crest Solar White 110 lb, 25 pk

X-Press It Tape Runner