Sunday, November 05, 2017

YNS Color Challenge - First Snow


Hello again!  It's been soooo long since I posted a card!  I am still getting used to this working outside the home thing... :). But since I'm hostessing an "Into the Forest" clean and simple challenge on Splitcoast this week, I decided to play along with the color challenge at Your Next Stamp as well.  I used the red, yellow, Kraft and light blue from the color choices and made a little forest scene using the sweet beaver from Autumn Animals.  Isn't he just happy looking??

Here are the colors...


Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I hope you'll play along with both of the challenges!




Sunday, October 01, 2017

YNS Sketch Challenge - Autumn Birthday Wishes


Hi again friends!

I don't seem to have as much crafting time since I started working outside the home again, but I can't miss playing along with the Your Next Stamp sketch challenge!!  It gives me a chance to play with some of the sets I picked up from the last release... Autumn Animals and Peek a BOO.

I sponged my main panel through a stencil that I had picked up at Tuesday Morning a while back, then I attached my images (colored with Spectrum Noir markers) over the top.  The little raccoon actually was holding an apple, but I cut it away so I could make him look like he was hugging the basket of pumpkins instead.  I used the wonderful Fall paper pack from YNS as my background panel.


Thanks for dropping by!  I hope you'll play along with the challenge!!

Tricia


Tuesday, September 19, 2017

YNS Sketch Challenge - Autumn Wishes


Hello friends!

I'm dropping by really quickly today with a card I made for the Your Next Stamp Sketch & Color Challenge!  I think the sweet image is retired, but you can still find the sentiment in Waddles - Fall Fun.

Thanks so much for stopping by and let me know if you have any questions!



Sunday, September 17, 2017

You're the Bestest!

Hi everyone!

It seems like I've been gone forever and ever!  I took an unscheduled blogging break to look for a job - which was quite a feat after being out of the job market for over 25 years!  I'll start my second week on the job tomorrow, so this week is my "figuring out my new normal" week.  When will I clean the house?  When will I stamp and blog? What laundry needs to be done when?  So bear with me while I get readjusted, ok?? :)

The card I am sharing today is for this week's Clean and Simple challenge on Splitcoaststampers.  It's called Alphabet Soup and we would like you to use an acronym on your card... like LOL, SOS, or, in my case... I {heart} U.  Okay, okay, so I stretched it a little! ;)


I had a lot of fun with this card.  I cut the letters and the heart out of white card stock and then again, out of black and red card stock.  I attached the die cuts above the open spaces and then I cut out my panel with a Stitched Rectangle die from Your Next Stamp.  The sentiment is from a retired YNS set called Bunny in the River.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

I hope you have a splendid week!

Saturday, August 12, 2017

Exploring Styles: Black Matting

Hello again!

I'm back with another card and today I'm exploring the style of using black mats under your layers.  There are a number of people who do this style very well - Gina K and Kristie Marcotte come to mind right away.  I always love the pop that the contrasting layers give the finished card.

I used a sweet set called Woodland Cuties by Your Next Stamp for the main image and added a hand drawn butterfly and a sweet little mushroom from another YNS set called Plant Some Kindness.  Here's my card...


My take on this style:  I really like parts of the card, but I think the final product is too bold for me.  Maybe it is the papers that I chose or the image, but I think I'm more comfortable with layering with other colors or Kraft card stock, rather than black.  What do you think??

Friday, August 11, 2017

Exploring Styles: Making a Scene

Hello again, friends!

I got an early start in my craft room today and decided to channel my inner Anita Madden and try a scene card.  Scene cards intimidate me.  Yes, it's true.  Just like yesterday's grouping of flowers intimidated me.  The good thing is that there are lots of people out there who make scene cards that I love, so I did some studying of some cards I had saved on my Pinterest board and chose a couple things that I wanted to try on my card today to see how I liked it.  First, I wanted to try a blended sky/ground background, and second, I wanted to use bright colors.  Here's what I ended up with...




I used the super sweet Waddles - Fall Fun set from Your Next Stamp for my images.  I stamped them on white card stock and colored them with alcohol markers before cutting them out.  I cut out my image panel from watercolor paper with a YNS Stitched Rectangle Die and then sponged and spritzed the background while it was still in the die.  After it was dry, I attached my images.  Then I stamped the SMILE (from Phoebe and Pets) in Versamark, embossed it in white and cut it out.  Finally I stamped the "You Make Me" in Versafine Black on my completed panel... which made me nervous that I would totally mess it up!!  (And, yes, I could have used my MISTI, but, ummm, it was buried under my pile and I couldn't see it... #trueconfessions).  I've really liked the look of using patterned paper to cover the entire front of the card base, so I attached my scene to a piece of WeRMemoryKeepers "Happy Camper" and then attached it to my card.

My take on this style...  I like it!  It takes me out of my comfort level, so I'll need more practice, but I like the playfulness of the card and it would be fun to send.

I'm entering this in the Color Challenge over at Your Next Stamp...


Thanks for stopping by!

Tricia



Thursday, August 10, 2017

Exploring Styles: CAS Collage



Kay Miller has a style that I absolutely love.  She makes gorgeous backgrounds and collages of everything from flowers to cute and quirky animals.  But, WOW, I found this card a stretch of my creative powers!  I was looking at this card as my inspiration, and I do like how mine turned out, but it wasn't easy for me, or even quick.  I think I made yesterday's card in half the time!  The other thing I am working on right now is figuring out how to edit the pictures that I take on my new phone.  I just can't get the colors like I want them, and I am needing to learn a new program to edit them on my new MacBook, because my old program is obsolete.  I'd love some tips from you veteran phone picture takers!!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Images:  Gina K Designs - Sentimental Bouquet
Sentiment: The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store - Beatitudes
Stitched Die and Gumdrops - Your Next Stamp

Wednesday, August 09, 2017

Exploring Styles: Layers



Hi everyone!

I thought it would be fun to explore my style a little over the next few weeks.  What do I really like?  What don't I do anymore, simply because it isn't the "in" thing? Am I really a clean and simple stamper or do I love layers?  What kind of card makes me happy when I send it to someone?

A person whose style I really admire is Kristie Marcotte.  She had a video about matting your cards that she put up today and I thought it would be fun to start with her style  --  to try it on for size, as it were.  I used a sweet paper pad that I picked up at Tuesday Morning called Happy Campers by We R Memory Keepers and an image and sentiment from Phoebe with Wagon by Your Next Stamp.  My little puppy was colored with Spectrum Noir and Chameleon markers and popped up over the circle.

My take:  I really enjoyed making this card.  I love the look of the layers and I would be happy to send this to someone.  Layers and patterned paper get a high happiness score in my Style Quest!! :)

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Let's Celebrate!

Hello, hello!

I had a little time in my studio today and I decided to play along with a few challenges.  I am SO thankful for the creative minds that put out the many challenges each week, aren't you?  There is always something to inspire us!!  One of the challenges I try to play in every other week is the Your Next Stamp sketch and color challenge.  I have a nice little stash of Your Next Stamp stamps and I love to get creative with them. : ). Well... when I visited the YNS blog to get this week's sketch, I noticed that they are sponsoring the CASology challenge's 5 Year anniversary blog hop, so I decided to make a card with the YNS sketch that fit the CASology challenge. How fun!  I always like to support a good cause... (wink!)

I used the adorable Happy Dance set from YNS and came up with this...




Using a balloon for the CASology challenge, of course!!



Now I can go through the blog hop and see all the wonderful creations.  Yay!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Tricia

Thursday, July 06, 2017

Your Next Stamp Sketch Challenge - Sticky Note

Hi friends!

I had a nice little blogging break while my husband and I took a little vacation together to celebrate our 30th anniversary.  It was so nice to simply relax in a cabin in the woods for a bit and just spend time together.  I am so thankful for each day I get to spend with him, especially after his brain surgery a couple of years ago that could easily have taken his life or completely changed his personality.  God has been so good to us!!

Today I jumped back into my stamp room to make a clean and simple card for the current sketch challenge over at Your Next Stamp.  I used the sweet Mini Sticky Note set and a retired sentiment to make a card for a friend...


Don't you just love that little froggy?  He's colored with Spectrum Noir markers and a white gel pen.  So easy!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Tricia

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Your Next Stamp Sketch Challenge

Hello friends!

I'm sharing a card today with the Bugs & Kisses set from this month's release at Your Next Stamp.  I had all sorts of fun with my gumdrops on the ladybug's spots.



I followed the sketch challenge for my layout and colored the ladybug with Spectrum Noir markers.


I hope you'll play along!!


Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Your Next Stamp - June DT Dare


It's DT Dare day on the Your Next Stamp Blog and our theme is "Just for You".  I had so much fun making this little treat bag!!  I used the Treat Bag Topper Die for the base and colored up the bee from the new Bugs and Kisses set to decorate it.  Then, of course, I had to use Bit O Honey candy in the bag! :). A little ribbon and some Gumdrops and I have a cute little package to give away... "Just Bee-cause!"

Thanks so much for dropping by and for your sweet comments!

Blessings!

Tricia

Saturday, June 10, 2017

Your Next Stamp -June Release Blog Hop





Hello friends!  Welcome to my stop on the Your Next Stamp New Release Blog Hop!!  I can't believe that it is already June, can you?  I love the warm days and the sunshine so my cards today are bright and happy.

Let's start with this card with the new Bugs & Kisses set.  I love, love, LOVE the solid clouds in this set!  They are wonderful to make an emboss resist background!  Just stamp them in Versamark ink, clear emboss them and sponge a background for your bugs...


I colored my dragonfly with Staedtler Karat Watercolor pencils and a blender pen and added a few Stickles to his wings.  Other YNS Products... Stitched Rectangle Die, Stitched Scallop Edge Die.




My second card is with the oh, so sweet Splish Splash Fun set.  I love this!  Just look at that frog!  Couldn't you just pick him up and kiss him?  Maybe he is a prince in disguise!


I colored this image with watercolor pencils, too, and added a number of Gumdrops from different sets for some sparkle.  



Don't forget to hop around to all the blogs in the link list below to get lots of inspiration using the new sets and dies (that are all in the YNS Store right now, by the way!!).  And remember to leave comments as you hop to be in the running for a $25.00 gift certificate to the Store!  (By the way, the more blogs you visit and comment on the greater your odds of winning! But you don't have to comment on every blog to be in the drawing.)

Now off you go through the hop.  :)   And remember, as your wish list expands, that Karen is giving 20% off your entire order through June 14th.  Yay!!!


Thanks so much for stopping by and for your sweet comments.  They really make my day!!



Friday, June 09, 2017

Your Next Stamp June Preview Day!

Hello friends!

Can you believe that it is June already??  I love this time of year!  Especially because it's time for another release at Your Next Stamp!  I have so enjoyed playing along with the design team for these past few months!! The new release blog hop starts tomorrow night when all the new release items hit the store, but, for today I have a sneak peek project to share.  Don't forget to check out the Your Next Stamp blog for more peeks and inspiration!!

When I first got my package this month a pack of new sparkly Gumdrops was on top and they absolutely looked like a flag to me, so that is what I made.  And it went perfectly with one of the sentiments from the cute new Little Darling Super Hero set!




I used the various sized Gumdrops to form my flag and then stamped my sentiment in Navy.  The paper was in my stash... BoBunny, I think, but I'm not sure.  The card is 5.5" square which is bigger than my normal A2 size, I felt like the flag needed a bigger stage.  Wouldn't this be a fun card to send to a friend or family member in the military??

 

Thanks for stopping by today and for leaving a sweet comment! 
I'll see you again soon for the new release blog hop.  I have fun cards to share! : )

Tricia

Sunday, May 28, 2017

Your Next Stamp - Sketch Challenge #65


Time for another birthday card!  This one will go to a little boy at our church.  I thought the Doodlebug paper colors were perfect and I love the balloon theme since Waddles the Penguin is holding a balloon.

I followed this week's sketch at Your Next Stamp for my layout...


Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you'll play along with the challenge, too!

Tricia




Saturday, May 20, 2017

Your Next Stamp - Sketch Challenge


Hello friends!

Just flying by with a card for this week's sketch and color challenge at Your Next Stamp!

I needed a birthday card for a guy, so I decided to go clean and simple.  I used the Soaring By stamp set and the coordinating die and colored my bird with Spectrum Noir markers. 

Hope you'll play along!!

Tricia



Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Your Next Stamp - Color Challenge

Hi again!

I wanted to be sure to post my card for the Color Challenge at Your Next Stamp before it closes on Friday!  I played with the Purrfectly Cute set from last month's release and came up with this...


Here are the colors...


I colored my image with watercolor pencils and a blender pen and used a white gel pen to add some highlights.  Thanks so much for looking !



Tuesday, May 09, 2017

Your Next Stamp - May DT Dare


I have a bit of "total sweetness" for the DT Dare on the Your Next Stamp blog today!

I combined the bird and bird cage from the Phoebe with Pets set with the sentiment from Total Sweetness to make this happy card.  I cut a panel of white cardstock with a YNS Stitched Rectangle Die and then stamped the bird cage and sentiment directly on the cardstock.  I die cut the little bird, colored it with watercolor pencils and copics and popped it up over the bird cage.  The little music notes are hand drawn and the WONDERFUL heart and enamel dots are from a newly released set of Gumdrops.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Don't forget to leave a comment on the post on the YNS blog for a chance to win!!

Saturday, May 06, 2017

Your Next Stamp - May New Release Blog Hop



Hello again!  Welcome to my stop on the Your Next Stamp New Release Blog Hop!!  I just love all the new goodies that I've seen and the first set I used today is no exception because ....

it's a new Phoebe set!  And she has pets!!





Honestly now, who wouldn't love those faces??? 


For my first card, I colored Phoebe with  my watercolor pencils and blender pen and made a little scene for her and her bunny friend.  I really like the softness that the stitched scallop border die adds to the card.  I use that one a lot!  And do you see the sweet little heart?  That's a new Gumdrop set!!  LOVE!!!!



Next, I made a clean and simple card with a couple of the pets.  I stamped a tone on tone background for this using some of the images from the set.  Can you find another of the new Gumdrop hearts??


I have a couple more cards that I made with this set, but you'll have to come back to see those later because I have another set to show you that is ...



Don't you just love her big banana split?  I had to go get ice cream after I colored it. :). I used my watercolor pencils again and made a clean but layered card that is bright and happy.  Isn't this just a perfect birthday card to make someone smile??  




Be sure that you hop around to all the blogs in the link list below to get lots of inspiration using the new sets and dies (that are all in the YNS Store right now, by the way!!).  And remember to leave comments as you hop to be in the running for a $25.00 gift certificate to the Store!  (By the way, the more blogs you visit and comment on the greater your odds of winning! But you don't have to comment on every blog to be in the drawing.)

Now off you go through the hop.  :)   And remember, as your wish list expands, that Karen is giving 20% off your entire order through May 10th.  Yay!!!


Thanks so much for stopping by and for your sweet comments.  They really make my day!!



Friday, May 05, 2017

Your Next Stamp - May Release Preview

Hello friends!

It is time for another release at Your Next Stamp and I have had so much fun playing with these sets!! The new release blog hop starts tomorrow night when all the new release items hit the store, but, for today I have a couple sneak peek projects to share.  Don't forget to check out the Your Next Stamp blog for more peeks and inspiration!!

The set I'm "peeking" tonight is called Great Catch, and, when I first saw it, my mind immediately went to a picture I have of my son at age seven.  He had just caught his first fish and he was SO excited!


So with that thought in mind, I took a cue from Chan's wonderful video last month and pulled out my Hobonichi planner to brainstorm some ways I could use the set.  (Nope... I'm not much of an artist!!  LOL!!) My favorite was the one you see on the left... making a topper for a treat bag filled with Swedish Fish.



To begin, I stamped the image in Versafine Black ink and then colored it with watercolor pencils and a blender pen.  After I cut and embossed the sentiment I layered it onto the image panel and cut them both with a Stitched Rectangle Die.  The treat bag is actually a clear envelope that I cut down, and I added some "wavy" patterned paper to give the fishies a place to swim.   A few sparkly gumdrops finish it off.  This will be my husband's Father's Day gift.  Shhh.... don't tell!

But I couldn't stop with just one project!  This image was so fun to color that I decided to make a card for a little boy's birthday, too...




Doesn't this make you excited for the new release??  SOOOO fun!!


Thanks for stopping by today and for leaving a sweet comment! 
I'll see you again soon for the new release blog hop! : )

Tricia

Pretty Scripture Cards

Hi friends!

I needed a number of cards quickly yesterday so I actually made some duplicates!  I did change up the sentiment, though, so I wouldn't get too bored. :)


I used the beautiful flowers from the Pink and Main Humming Bird set (I think these flowers are soooo pretty!!) and some Scripture sentiments from Verve to make four cards.  First, I positioned four of the flowers on my block and stamped them with Versamark on a piece of cardstock that was still in the die.  Then, I embossed them with clear EP, and, finally I sponged over the flowers to make them pop.  After that I just needed to stamp my sentiment and layer my card! Easy and quick... LOVE!!

I'm adding these into Pink and Main's Anything Goes challenge, and Word Art Wednesday's challenge as well! :)

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Your Next Stamp Challenge 62 - Chirp Up

Hi everyone!

It felt so nice to get into my stamp room and make a card after being sick for the last few weeks!  I pulled out the new Coffee Chicks set to play with again and made a card with the colors from Challenge 62.


All of the little strips were leftovers from other cards or projects.  They just happened to be laying on my desk in a pile after I cleaned it the other day.  Perfect inspiration!  I colored the coffee cup and chick with Copics and added some white gel pen accents as well as some of the new Enchanted Forest Gumdrops.  The "Chirp up" sentiment is from a retired set called "Dynamic Duo".  I stamped it in white and embossed it, then I drew a speech bubble frame with my white gel pen for a fun look.


Thanks so much for stopping by!

I hope you'll play along with the challenge, too!

Tricia

Tuesday, April 04, 2017

Your Next Stamp - April DT Dare



Hello, hello!


The DT Dare this month was to be inspired by books - either a book you've read, a book cover, or just plain books in general.  Well... my daughter is a librarian, and one of the things I love to do is stamp a set of simple bookmarks and let her take them to the library for patrons to pick up when they check out book, so, of course, I made some bookmarks to share!!


These are so easy and so fun to make!!

First I cut out my bookmarks using the second largest die from the Your Next Stamp Bookmark/Tag Large Die Set.  I looked at many, many companies' bookmark dies before I purchased these a few years ago, but I liked this set best.  First, because of the shape of the top of the bookmarks,  and, second, because there are so many sizes to choose from.  I can not only use it for stand-alone bookmarks, but I can use it for gift tags or tags on my cards as well.  LOVE.

After I die cut the bookmarks, I stamped out the cute little chicks from the new Coffee Chick set and colored them with watercolor pencils and a blender pen.  The little humming bird from the Sweet Hummingbird set found a home on one of the flowers, too.

When my images were all colored I used a set of three punches that I have had forever to make my little focal images.  You could, of course, use dies for that step.  Stitched circle dies would be adorable!  Then I started to put together my bookmarks.  I used little strips of cardstock or patterned paper to decorate them, along with white embossed words and gel pen accents.  The words are from the sets Coffee Chick, Phoebe with her Wagon, and Happy Dance.  I think my favorite is the one that says, "Pick Me!"  I try to make one with that saying in every set of bookmarks... and often it goes first!! :)

To finish off my set of bookmarks I threaded a 6" piece of ribbon through the top opening and tied it off with a piece of twine for some extra color and fun.

I hope you've been inspired, today!

Blessings!

Tricia