World Card Making Day Blog Hop

Hello, World!!! It's World Card Making Day and I get to celebrate with you in a very special way with a very special blog hop.  You'll want to be a part of this one... it's for the kids!

For the next 7 days Catherine will be giving 100% of her profits from the sales of her new Hello World stamp set & dies will be giving to help fund the computer program at the school where Jennifer Ingle's husband works as a teacher.  What could be better?  You get some new goodies to play with, the design team brings you a blog hop with dozens of ideas to use them and the kids get new computers and software to build their future!   Win Win Win!!!

Direct link to youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxQjHtvbkxk

If you would like to donate directly to the kids, you can do so by clicking the following go fund me page: https://www.donorschoose.org/project/chromebooks-for-urban-education/2208813/

Supply List

Stamps: Hello World (Catherine Pooler Designs)

Ink: 004, 31, 33, 36, 40, 41 (Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers) Pool to Navy Ombre (Hero Arts) Versamark
Paper: Bristol (Ellen Hutson Essentials) Bermuda Bay (Stampin' Up)
Accessories: Hello World Dies (Catherine Pooler Designs) Misti (My Sweet Petunia) Opaque Bright White Embossing Powder (WOW) Clear Embossing Powder (Stampin' Up)

As if that weren't enough goodness, Catherine came out with another stamp set for this weekend called YAY stripes.  One of the stamps in this set was inspired by my suggestion, so I just HAD to make a card using it for you.  I'll be filming a video and talking about it next week, but for now, I introduce you to the dotted chevron stripe.

Can you guess where the inspiration came from?  Those who know me best might be able to.  ;)  Along with Hello World stamps & dies, and YAY! Stripes stamp set the entire Lovely Notes Collection will also be added to the store.  You might as well add a bit more to your cart if you already paying shipping, right?!  ;) 

To get pink paper to perfectly match the pink dot chevrons I did the direct-to-paper technique.  Simply swipe the ink on piece of white cardstock and you have instant colored paper.  :) 

Stamps: Hello World, YAY! Stripes (Catherine Pooler Designs)

Ink: Grapesicle, Limeade, Tropical Teal (My Favorite Things) Versamark
Paper: Black, White (Stampin' Up)

Accessories: Hello World Dies (Catherine Pooler Designs) Misti (My Sweet Petunia) Opaque Bright White, Sparkling Snow Embossing Powders (WOW)

Now for the blog hop.  Your next stop is the fabulously talented Donna Mikasa.  You will want to check out the entire list of creative designers for ideas on how to use this stamp set & matching dies, then go purchase them for yourself to help the kids get computers in their school. We would love it if you spread the word by sharing this hop with your friends & followers.

BONUS: Instead of a regular blog hop giveaway, I want to give back to the kids, and I hope you do too.  You can help me.  For each 100 people that comment on this blog post by October 3rd,  I will donate $5.00 to the go fund me page.  Your comment will help these kids.  Bless you!

• Catherine Pooler  
• Maureen Merritt  
• Amy Kolling  
• Laurel Beard  
• Miriam Prantner 
• Kristie Goulet  
• Amy Sheffer 
• Heather North ---you are here---
• Donna Mikasa <<<go here next>>>
• Allison Cope  
• Amy Tsuruta 
• Lisa Harrolle 
• Kelly Griglione
• Kimberly Wiener 
• Chrissie Tobas 
• Ingrid Blackburn 
• Michele Kovack 
• Stephanie Klauck 
• Chaitali Narla
• Dana Joy 
• Jessica Frost-Ballas 
• Laura Bassen
• Jennifer Ingle  

VersaMark Ink Pad

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

Quilled Creations Precision Tip Glue Applicator Bottle 0.5 oz.

Powder Tool Adhesive Deactivator

Hero Arts Embossing Gun

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

ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker 004, Fluorescent Green

ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker 031, Cobalt Blue

ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker 033, Persian Green

ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker 036, Light Blue

ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker 040, Green

ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker 041, Light Green

WOW Embossing Powder, Super Fine - Opaque Bright White

The Magnet Source Magnets, Neodymium Super Disc 5/8

My Sweet Petunia Mini MISTI Laser Etched Stamping Tool

WOW Embossing Powder, Super Fine - Clear Gloss

Ranger Inkssentials Mister, 2 oz.

WORLD CARD MAKING DAY IS HERE!!!

Can you tell I'm a teensy bit excited?  I love days dedicated to the crafts I love.  It's like a guilt free holiday to spend the day creating.  What could be better?  Over at StampNation we are having a blast with the pattern play challenges.  We are going around the globe visiting 10 of the different countries represented by some of our StampNation members.  Each country has a unique fabric/pattern that is identified with that country.  (The quilter in me is doubly excited about creating for these challenges)  For example, we found bandannas at our first stop in the USA.   Just wait until you see what our members came up with using bandannas as an inspiration.

As an extra special bonus Catherine Pooler has given me a ONE MONTH STAMPNATION subscribtion to GIVE AWAY!!!  All you have to do is leave me a comment on this blog post letting me know if you are doing any crafting on the World Card Making Day.  Woot Woot!  You have 24 hours to leave a response, so comment NOW!  :)  Be sure to leave me a way to contact you, so you can quickly take advantages of all that our sponsors are offering.

Now, how about some sneak peeks of my cards being posted exclusively over on StampNation today.  If you are a StampNation member, click on the picture to take you to the challenge if it is live.  

Japan - Kimono

Stamps: Stitched Alphabet Upper (Whimsy Stamps), Wild Peonies (The Ton)
Ink: Mint Macaron (Stampin' Up!), Bubble Gum Mid Tone (Hero Arts), Black (Staz-On), 26, 25, 81 (Zig Clean Color Real Brush Market)
Paper: Whisper White Thick, Basic Black (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories: Gold Sequins, Round Gold Confetti (The Ton), Wink of Stella Clear, Washi Tape (Little B)

France - Damask

Stamps: Paris (Neat & Tangled)
Ink: Black Onyx (Versafine), Doll Pink (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper: Black Diamond, Whisper White (SU),
Accessories: Scallop Tag Fri Die (CAS*ual Fridays Stamps), White Embossing Paste (Dream Weavers), Bridal Tinsel Embossing Powder (Ranger), Damask Stencil (My Favorite Things), Gift Tag Die (Sugar Pea Designs), Clear Embossing Powder (SU)

Malaysia - Batiks

Stamps: Loving Thoughts (CAS*ual Fridays Stamps) Gardening Blooms Journaling Card (Neat & Tangled)
Ink: Shaded Lilac, Seedless Preserves, Salty Ocean, Chipped Sapphire, (Distress) Versamark, Black Onyx (Versafine) 
Paper: Whisper White (SU)
Accessories: Blueprints 20 Dies (My Favorite Things) Distress Tool (Ranger), Clear Embossing Powder (SU)

Don't forget to leave a comment for your chance to win a month of StampNation goodness.  If you are already a member be sure to check out the sponsor post and pick up your exclusive discount codes.  ;)

World Card Making Day is Coming!!!

Can you believe I went a week without posting on my blog?!!!  Shocking!  It's for a good reason.  I was in New York with Catherine Pooler, Maureen Merritt & Kristie Goulet from the StampNation Dream Team and CAS*ual Fridays Stamps desgner, Michele Gross to work on some exciting things coming up for the next few months and into 2016. Woot Woot! 

The second reason was that I needed to "unplug" a bit.  Every time I started working on my blog the internet would go out or my iPad would die on me.  I had a few posts set up, but didn't publish them.  Don't worry, as soon as I recover from the jetlag and lack of sleep I will be finishing up those posts and sharing them with you.  I'm even planing on sharing some pictures with you.  In the meantime, the dream team is working on hard on the final details for World Card Making Day.   

You know we like to celebrate big time over at StampNation, so be prepared for some fun if you are a member.  We have an amazing line up of sponsors for the event and enough inspiration to keep you creating for months!

If you aren't yet a member, Catherine has put out a video explaining it better than I ever could.   CLICKY to check it out.   If you are a member be sure to tune in over the weekend for challenges around the clock. Here's a small sneak peek of some of the cards that will be going up over the weekend.  Can you guess what our theme is for this one?

 

World Card Making Day is Coming!

Did you know there is a day each year set aside just for cardmaking?  I knew National Scrapbook Day is the first Saturday in May, but when I became a card maker I heard that the first Saturday in October is World Card Making Day.  (or WCMD for short)

You will find lots of celebrations in blog land.  Over at StampNation we are planning an awesome party to celebrate.  We will be starting at 8am EST on October 3rd when WCMD officially hits earth and traveling around the globe until Sunday morning when it last reaches our planet.  Pretty fun, huh?  Along the way we will be stopping at some of the 24 countries represented by StampNation members.

Oh, and did I forget to mention, there will be prizes and discount shopping codes?  What could be more fun than spending the weekend making cards, shopping and possibly winning a new stampy goody?  I'm in!  (ok, so I can't win any prizes, but I can sure shop with the discount. ;)

Here is a sneak peek of just a handful of the inspiration coming your way from the dream team and guests.

Are you inspired already?  I know I am!   I hope you will be joining us at StampNation, or at least take some time this weekend to make a card.  If you are not yet and member and want to participate you can do so by joining now.  Clicky.

If you are curious about StampNation and want to learn more, Clicky.

Thankful New Zealand

Yesterday I showed you the CAS card I made with the leftovers from today's card.

Are you wondering where the inspiration for this card came from?  It actually came from the StampNation design team challenge for World Card Making Day. 

New Zealand for StampNation WCMD

At first I was going to make a card that included the blue background, but I liked the graphic look of my card on a very vanilla piece.

The burlap ribbon is fringed.  I did a video on how to create that fringe.  If you missed that post last week you can view the video below now.  :)

 

It's probably easy to tell that the "thankful" die cut comes from the Expressions Thinlits and the hexagon comes from the hexagon punch, but do you know where the little chevrons come from?  Not the new chevron punch.  That would be GREAT if I had it, but I don't.  Instead the come from the Circle Card Framelits.  Have I told you lately how much I love the extras that come in this set?



Circle Card Thinlits

This is another Operation Write Home card that I thought any guy could send to just about anyone.   That's why it went in my recent box to OWH.  Did you notice that it has no stamping?  If you are a scrapbooker with extra ribbons and paper and diecuts around you can make this too.  No ink required.  :)

Creative Blessings,
Heather North


Burlap Ribbon




Expressions Thinlits



Daughter Love

Making cards for charities like Operation Write Home gives all of us a chance to uses stamps that we might not be able to otherwise.  For example, the sentiment below that comes from a beautiful verve set.  I don't have a daughter, so I have no chance to use this stamp unless I make a card for somebody else to give to his/her daughter.

The inspiration for this card came from the Philippines photo at StampNation for World Card Making Day.  While I was looking at this photo the thing that struck me was the obvious love between a mother and her daughter.

The tag was made by sponging white cardstock with Coastal Cabana ink.  Next I stamped the sentiment in Coastal Cabana.  It was too light, as I really wanted the sentiment to be the focal point, so I stamped again in black staz-on which gave it a shadow look that I love!  The sentiment was then cut out using one of the Apothecary Accents Framelits.

The top panel is embossed.  Each ribbon was wrapped around the card front and adhered to the back, then I used a glue dot to adhere the bow to the Calypso Coral ribbon.

What stamps sets do you have that have an element you want to use but don't have anyone to send it to?  Will it work for a charity card?  There are children's charities like Ronald McDonald house and children's hospitals, there are cancer centers, wounded veterans, OWH, nursing homes and many other people who could probably use them.  It feels good to give to someone you know will appreciate it. 

Plus, I now have an excuse to buy some little girl and little boy stamps even though my kids are too old for them.  ;)

Creative Blessings,
Heather North
Stamps: Love Deepens (Verve)
Ink: Coastal Cabana, Smoky Slate, Black Staz-On
Paper: Coastal Cabana, Eastern Elegance DSP, Smoky Slate, Whisper White
Accessories: Apothecary Accents Framelits, Calypso Coral Ruffled Ribbon, Coastal Cabana Stretch Ribbon, InColor Brad, Finial Press Embossing Folder



Eastern Elegance DSP



Ribbon




Apothecary Accents



Happy Thanksgiving Canada!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends out there!!!  I hope you are enjoying a wonderful day with your family.  In honor of Canada I made this Maple leaf card.  Can you see how it is the Canadian flag on its side?  This was the second challenge at StampNation on World Card Making Day.

As you can see the Canadian flag takes center stage in the inspiration photo I was working from.   Since my cards were being made for OWH and I wasn't sure if they had anybody in Canada to send cards to I flipped the card on its side so it could become a generic Fall card.

That is part of the fun of inspiration.  It's not a matter of following directions and copying exactly.  Instead it is meant to be more of a starting point to springboard your imagination.

The Magnificent Maple stamp embossed really well.  All the fine lines show up very crisp.  The little burlap ribbon and Stylish Stripes embossing folder add just the right touch to make the Clean And Simple card not appear boring.  I have more fall/Thanksgiving cards to show you this week along with a video showing you a few things you can do with that burlap ribbon. 

Happy Thanksgiving (again) to all my Canadian friends.  Enjoy your day of gratitude!!!

Creative Blessings,
Heather North

P.S.  Today is the last day  for this week's Weekly Deals.  Tomorrow new deals will be going up. I'm going to get the Squares Collection Framelits.  What are you getting?

Stamps: A Dozen Thoughts, Magnificent Maple
Cardsock: Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Whisper White
Accessories: Burlap Ribbon, Cherry Cobbler Embossing Powder, Stylish Stripes Embossing Folder




Burlap Ribbon




Stylish Stripes Embossing Folder



Magnificent Maple