Let's All Welcome The Heart Desires!

Happy Friday, everyone!  And congratulations to my fab friend, Tonya Jastad, who has just opened her own shop, The Heart Desires!  My fellow design team gals and I are having a fun blog hop to celebrate this momentous occasion and to get the word out.  Yes, you heard right.  There's a design team so expect to see more of us crazy gals!

Please do stop by Tonya's shop and keep checking in for ever increasing crafty goodness.  And don't forget to leave a comment here and on the store blog for a chance to win a $10 gift certificate.  Now on to the hippity hop!

I had such a wonderful time making this card!  I adore the YNS Sprinkles bunny, the plaid, the ribbon--so perfectly spring!  Citrus colors are so happy happy!  Or should I saw hoppy hoppy?  LOL!

Do stop by and check out what the other gals have worked up.  I promise they're all fantastic!

Tonya (The Heart Desires)

Toni--you are here!

Lenae

Kimberly

Katie

Kate

Amy

The Details:  Your Next Stamp Sprinkles Coffee and Tea, Lawn Fawn Perfectly Plaid 6x6 paper, Ranger Multi Medium Matte, Recollections sequins, Amy Tan ribbon, Waltzing Mouse stitched scalloped rectangle die, Simon Says stitched square die, transparency film, Copic YG0000, YG01, YG03, YG05, YR0000, YR00, YR02, YR04, YR07, R01, R12, R14, E0000, E02, E40, E42

I'm entering this in Seize the Birthday Water, Make My Monday Something Fluffy, Spring Coffee Lovers Blog hop

Carpe Diem, Gentle Readers!

I've got a fun coffee-themed card to share today.  Awesome sauce!  It showcases products available (and in some cases, coming soon) from The Hearts Desires, a new online papercrafting shop opened by my friend, Tonya Jastad.  Check it out and, hint hint, stop by again tomorrow for a little announcement.

I used all Hero Arts ombre inks on the card.  Love them!  The pads are made up of 3 felt strips, each a different shade; this is perfect for ombre on larger stamps and individual colors on smaller ones.  Notice the coffee beans have been roasted to differing degrees (Sand to Brown)?  So nice not having to get out 3 different full size pads to achieve that.  The sentiments use the pads as a unit to get a delicious gradation of color.  I used 2 different pads (Mint to Green and Tide Pool to Navy) so the ombre would work its way down the card. I also used the new Hero Arts Hello Gorgeous! stamp set.  I have been so into combining sentiments lately and could any set be better for that?!

I leave you with a reminder to stop by again tomorrow and see what's the what.  I promise it's fun!

I'm entering this in Color Throwdown #385, Addicted to Stamps and More! #186, Spring Coffee Lovers Blog Hop, Littles Tangles #66 Ombre

The Details:  Hero Arts Ombre Sand to Brown, Mint to Green and Tide Pool to Navy (to be added to the store soon!), Hello Gorgeous!, Lawn Fawn Love You a Latte, Doodlebug sequins, Recollections 110lb white cardstock, Waltzingmouse stitched scalloped rectangle, MFT Summer Splash cardstock, gifted coffee stencil similar to TCW Coffee Ring

Stamplorations CAS March Mid-Month Reminder!

Can you believe March is already half over and you only have a couple of weeks to play along with the Stamplorations March Anything Goes with the optional twist of yellow?  Well, hello?!  You best get on it--LOL!

I love the SmallBirds set and thought the smallest would look so cute as Tweety Bird . . . twice over.  Adorable!  I roughly colored them with Copics in keeping with their sketchy look.  Isn't it nice that the Memory Box branch itself masks the second bird for some faux depth?  I added the Patchwork Frenzy Graphic Squares sentiment to the side as an extension of the branch to keep it subtle.  Tweeties must take center stage!

I do hope you'll play along with us.  See you on the yellow side!

Ink Storage

I recently bought the entire line of Hero Arts Ombre Inks.  Aren't they fab?  I cataloged them like I do all of my other inks; I had worked up my own grid in Word and have used it for all brands of ink except for the ombre (I combined rows to make them taller).  I designed it based on the size of PTI Square Prints.  I love that each brand can have its own square design.

At the same time I ink up the chart with a new color of ink, I also ink up a self-adhesive mailing label.  This I cut down into mini labels that I place on the front and side of the pad for easy visual identification.

Of course, with these additional pads, I am again reminded that I have exceeded the capacity of my current storage solutions.  I've found a couple of nice options but I think I'll mention this to my partner and see if that piques his interest enough to design the organizer in house.   

SU Cards from Kimberly

I wish we could have had everyone in blogland attend the SU party.  It was the bomb!  Lots of crafting and laughing and supporting each other.  Such great fun!

I'd like to share with you some additional cards that were made with the SU goodies we had at the shindig. These were done by Kimberly Wiener of Wienerhoneymooners.  If you're not familiar with her work, you should go take a look at her blog, like right now.  Fantastic, right?!  Miss Kimberly helped Tonya and me out with the SU party by coming up with some additional make n' takes.  She is sooooo good at that.  

Do visit Tonya's SU site if you're interested in picking up what I've shared with you recently or any of the other fab products.   The code is 9HZBDHKP.  One of our inside jokes is that we are such crafty enablers of each other.  So c'mon; let us help you help us.  LOL.

Die not currently available but could return.

Birthday Blooms, Deco Labels Thinlits

Honeycomb Happiness (Sale-a-bration!)

Go-to Set

I don't know about you but when I first learned about Stampin' Up, I thought the prices were on the high side.  Oh, yes, I totally said it.  BUT, now that I've used a few sets recently, I've discovered just how versatile they are; you get a lot of stamps in each set that coordinate together and with other sets.   That is bang for your buck which, despite what my partner believes about my crafty spending habits, is what I aim for.

Check out these cards as an example.  Both use the same stamp set.  And let's not forget about these cards or this one which featured the same set too.  Bang. Buck. Love!

The Details:  SU Butterfly Basics, Hero Arts Shadow Ink Lime Green, VersaFine Onyx Black, Recollections 110lb white cardstock, Glossy Accents, gold foil washi

I'm entering this in Crafty Cardmakers #159 Go Green,  Simon Says Bit o' Green
One Layer Simplicity Let Green March In

Card 2 Details:  SU Butterfly Basics, Hero Arts Shadow Ink Forever Green, Versamark, Ranger Gold Embossing Powder, Recollections 110lb white cardstock, Bazzill green textured cardstock, Papertrey Ink linen texture plate

I'm entering this in Mod Squad Easy Being Green,  Addicted to Stamps and More #184 CAS

Remember, if you like what you see, consider hopping over to Tonya's site to pick up the set and use the code 9HZBDHKP which you enter in a new field under the special offers section of the online order shopping bag.  More inspiration with this set to come!

Sepia Sympathy

I wanted to go a totally different direction with the SU Birthday Bloom set this time.  I'd never colored in neutrals like this before so learned quite a lot.   I wanted to use one of the neutral SU papers (not currently available) as a background so chose colors that went with that.  As usual, I colored up the flower then added deeper shadows and, in this case, used a white pigment pen to color white along the top of the petals which I blended in with my finger.  I had also used the lightest of greens on the leaves to give a hint of color.  I wish I could say I had chosen the sentiment before I started but, nope, pure luck that I had something that fit so perfectly.  Whew!

And here, again, is my previous card with this bloom.  Similar and yet so so different!

I cannot believe the SU party is only 3 days away!  Remember, if you like what you see, consider hopping over to Tonya's site to pick up the set and use the code 9HZBDHKP which you enter in a new field under the special offers section of the online order shopping bag. More inspiration with this set to come!

The Details:  SU Birthday Blooms and Hexagon Hive thinlit die, Memento Luxe Rich Cocoa, mystery cling rubber sentiment, Ranger superfine clear embossing powder, Copic 0, E40, E49, E71, E74, E77, YG91, YG99

I'm entering the sepia card in Inkspirational #103 Geometric, Mod Squad Easy Being Green, Simon Says A Bit o' Green  

More Butterfly Basics

I'm still loving the butterflies so worked up a couple of quick cards.  Seriously.  No joke.  Quick.   For the first card I swiped alcohol inks across glossy cardstock using a gloved finger then die cut the giant butterfly from it.  Dried within a few seconds.  So pretty.  So easy.  I next stamped the sentiment on a plain piece of cardstock then diecut the hexagon hive from it.  This allowed me to pop up parts of the sentiment, at different heights although you can't tell from this pic.

I'm entering this in Cards in Envy Beautiful Butterflies, Simon Says Wednesday A Bit o' Green, Addicted to Stamps and More #184 CAS

The Details:  SU Butterflies Thinlit, Hexagon Hive Thinlit,  and Butterfly Basics sentiment, Recollections 110lb white cardstock, Versafine Onyx Black, Adirondack alcohol inks, 80lb glossy cardstock

Now this card looks so complicated but is so not.  First I stamped the lacy butterflies using an ombre ink pad (look how fancy that turned out without doing anything special!).  I stamped the sentiment next, luckily I hadn't gotten so butterfly happy that I didn't leave sufficient room for it.  Then I took a repeating stencil (diamonds, I think), placed it over the card front, and drew a single dot right in the center of each diamond.  Is that not fab?  Thanks to Julie Ebersole for that tip from a recent card-making class.  The striped panel on the side?  Washi tape.  Love!  This would be one-layer if I hadn't added that strip of black, which I could have done with a marker instead--duh!

I'm entering this in TIME OUT #51 Easter/Spring (without optional twist of masking)

The Details:  SU Butterfly Basics, Heidi Swapp washi tape, Versafine Onyx Black, Recollections ombre ink pad, and white and black110lb cardstock, Sakura Glaze black pen, Ranger Transparent Gloss Texture Paste, TCW Art Is stencil

Tonya's SU site

SU Butterfly Basis Set

SU Hexagon Hive die

Balloon Butterflies

Can you believe I was going to toss these butterflies away?  I die cut them from a couple of smooshed watercolor panels and assembled them into a card that I absolutely hated.   Good thing I waited a few days and gave them a second life!

Inspired?  Consider hopping over to Tonya's site to pick up some goodies and use the code 9HZBDHKP which you enter in a new field under the special offers section of the online order shopping bag.  Thanks!

The Details:  Stampin' Up Butterfly Basics, Butterflies thinlets, Distress inks, VersaFine Onyx Black, Stampendous detail fine black embossing powder, Copic Multiliner 0.3, Recollections 110lb white cardstock

I'm entering this in CAS Mix Up, Cards in Envy Beautiful Butterflies

(Sorta Shabby) Chic Birthday

I absolutely love script backgrounds--L.O.V.E!  I took a piece of leftover cream watercolor paper and stamped the script using Distress Ink and randomly splattered the same.  Still a bit too un-vintage.  What to do?  Fire!  I used a grill lighter to roast the edges all around.  Squee!  I wish I had done this over a sink just in case since the fire moved so quickly once it got going.  Background:  check!  Safety:  need a lesson from Smokey the Bear.

Next I colored up one of my current favorite stamps (thanks, Tonya!; the hostess code is 9HZBDHKP).  I used an 80lb paper when coloring so adhered another layer using Scor-Tape to make it nice and sturdy.  Then I fussy cut the lot out.  Focal image:  check!

I had a tough time deciding on the sentiment and its placement.  I settled on a seal of sorts with gold text which reminds me of seal wax.  I mounted the flower on foam tape, hiding the blah end of the seal banner.  Birthday card:  check!

The Details:  Stampin' Up Birthday Blooms, Papertrey Ink Mixed Messages and kraft cardstock, Inkadinkado Script, Distress Ink Vintage Photo, Versamark, Ranger gold embossing powder, Recollections 110lb black and white cardstock, Artist's Loft 140lb cold press watercolor paper, Hammermill 80lb color copy cardstock, Scor-Tape, Copic R00, R39, R43, R46, YG11, YG17, YG51, YG63, YG67, G29

I'm entering this is Shopping Our Stash #241 White Out, Allsorts #353 International Women's Day,  Seize the Birthday Anything Goes, Try it on Tuesdays Feminine and Fancy

Bright, Happy Colors for This Dreary Day

For this first card, I used sponge daubers and Distress Inks to create a rainbow sentiment.  I spattered the yellow in the background for a bit more interest and because I love gray and yellow.  The striped background paper is SU too but not currently available.  If you see something you like at SU, you need to snap that stuff up before it's gone--whew!  I noticed that the DP had a silver shimmer so I used silver embossing powder on the sentiment on the side and mounted the panel on gray cardstock.

I'm entering this in the Friday Mashup! #244

The Details:  Stampin' Up Sale-a-Bration Botanicals for You, Distress Ink Squeezed Lemonade, Mowed Lawn, Wilted Violet, Candied Apple, Carved Pumpkin, Mermaid Lagoon, Bazzill Fig Swirl cardstock, Recollections 110lb white cardstock and silver embossing powder, Versamark, Simon Says stitched rectangle dies, Pretty Pink Posh 4mm clear sequins

For this card I stamped the flowers randomly then colored them with Prismacolor pencils.  The blender pencil saved my sanity.  I colored up an extra flower and popped it up.  The sentiment is also popped up and embossed.  I used a Sakura Glaze pen on the sprigs to create shiny raised dots on the berries.  Love the texture and shine.

I'm entering this one in Shopping Our Stash #241 White Out (no white paper), TIME OUT #51 Easter/Spring, Simon Says Wednesday Touchy Feely

The Details:  Stampin' Up Rose Wonder, Sale-a-Bration Botanicals for You, Waltzing Mouse stitched scalloped rectangle die, Prismacolor Premier colored pencils, Koh-I-Noor blender pencil, Versamark, Stampendous Detail Fine black embossing powder, Memento Tuxedo Black

Less than a week until the SU party--yippee!  It will be so fun to see my gal pals.  In the meantime, consider hopping over to Tonya's site to pick up some goodies and use the code 9HZBDHKP which you enter in a new field under the special offers section of the online order shopping bag.

  

 

HLS Mixed Media March Challenge!

The new Happy Little Stampers Mixed Media Challenge starts today.  The keyword is "water."  There are sooooo many possibilities with this one!

I immediately thought of watercolor.  I happened to have one final piece of a watercolor galaxy left over so I pulled that out.  I stamped and embossed the sentiment and had planned to place the square directly on top of the embossed stars panel but it was blah.  Silver vellum and mirrored stars fixed that problem in a jiffy.  I love the depth of the layers and galaxy panel.

I can't wait to see what you come up with!

The Details:  Gansai Tambi watercolors, Stampendous white embossing powder, Versamark, Tim Holtz stars, Memory Box stars stencil, Dreamweaver embossing paste, My Favorite Things pierced square die, Canson Effects trans silver 27lb paper, Glossy Accents, Recollections 110lb black cardstock, PTI 140lb white cardstock base, Simon Says Work Out sentiment

You Mean the World to Me

I made another card with the SU Going Global set.  Love!  I inked up the World Traveler embossing folder with Distress Inks and spritzed lightly with water before pressing the watercolor panel down.  I let it dry then placed it back in the EF and ran it through my Big Shot.  The texture is amazing.  The sentiment on a black banner and a tiny strip of black at the bottom finished up the card.

Again, if you care to use it, the hostess code is 9HZBDHKP which you enter in a new field under the special offers section of the online order shopping bag.  Tonya's SU site here.  Thanks!

The Details:  SU Going Global and World Traveler embossing folder, Versamark, Stampendous white detail fine embossing powder, Distress Ink Mermaid Lagoon and Tumbled Glass, Simon Says stitched rectangle die, Recollections 110lb white and black cardstock

I'm entering this in Simon Says Wednesday Touchy Feely, Cardz 4 Guys #109 Make Your Own Background

Roses, Mixed Media and Press n' Seal

Have you heard of using Press n' Seal with your dies?  It makes these cards so much easier!

No surprise that I borrowed this SU set from Tonya.  She's like having my own crafty store--LOL.  We're drawing ever closer to the SU party.  Time is flying!  Again, if you care to use it, the hostess code is 9HZBDHKP which you enter in a new field under the special offers section of the online order shopping bag.  Thanks!

On the first card I diecut the SU Rose out of a smooshed watercolored panel, stuck the Press n' Seal to the front then carefully peeled off the rose outline before gluing down the remaining pieces in one go.  I did the same with an extra set of leaves (this time out of a Gelli-print) and part of a rose.  I then embossed the sentiment.  I wish you could feel the texture--the smoothness of the white, the slight dryness of the acrylic paint and the slickness of the sentiment.  It's so cool!

The Details:  SU Rose Garden Thinlits and Rose Wonder sentiment, Liquitex Basics acrylic paint, Distress Inks, VersaMark, Ranger gold embossing powder, Tim Holtz watercolor paper, Recollections 110lb white cardstock

I'm entering this in Loll's and Bonnie's inaugarul CAS Mix Up challenge, Mixed Media Mojo Spring with the Optional Twist of Watercoloring

 

On the second card I stamped the rose then colored it with Copics and a white watercolor pencil for highlights.  Before using the rose die, I mounted the yellow rose on Scor-Tape so I could just peel it off and mount on a piece of plain cardstock.  I quickly fussy cut that out.  I then cut out the leaves and positioned them.  I used the PnS to keep the leaves and rose together so I could glue it down as I had arranged it.  Lovely.  For the black stripes, I cut strips of 3/4" cardstock and adhered them to the card front.  The sentiment is embossed.

The Details:  SU Rose Garden Thinlits, Rose Wonder, Stampin' Up Sale-a-Bration Botanicals for You, VersaMark, Stampendous detail fine white embossing powder, Recollections 110lb white and black cardstock, Memory Box Botanical Stem, Bazzill green linen cardstock, Hammermill 80lb color copy cardstock

I'm entering this in Seize the Birthday Anything Goes, Little Tangles #66 Ombre 

Rose Wonder

Rose Garden Thinlets

Just for you

I'm very excited to be guest designing for Addicted to CAS this round.  I am certainly addicted to CAS.  Are you?  The theme is "gift" which leaves the door wide open.  Come join in the fun!

With my card I borrowed an SU set from my friend, Amy (thanks!) or was it Tonya (thanks too!)?  I stamped the fabulously bold sentiment in Versafine then randomly stamped some flowery bits in spring colors.  I added the friend sentiment as an afterthought--balance, balance, balance.  A gift card will go perfectly with this.  Now I just have to remember I have this card the next time I buy a gift card.  LOL!

Only a week until we have the SU party--squee!  Remember, if you like what you see, consider hopping over to Tonya's site to pick up the set and use the code 9HZBDHKP which you enter in a new field under the special offers section of the online order shopping bag. More inspiration with this set to come!

The Details:  Hero Arts Flower Garden, Stampin' Up Sale-a-Bration Botanicals for You, Memento Dandelion, Rose Bud, Pear Tart, Hero Arts Soft Pool, Versafine Onyx Black, Simon Says stitched rectangle die, Recollections 110lb white cardstock base, Bazzill Fig Swirl gray cardstock

Stamplorations CAS March Challenge!

I don't know about you, but I love yellow so I was very excited to learn that the Stamplorations CAS March challenge is Anything Goes with Yellow.  Yellow is so happy and bright and fabulous!

I masked off the edges of a piece of watercolor card and sprinkled and spritzed some yellow fabric dye.  Bam--that's some bright yellow!  After it had dried, I stamped the French Marigold and Fond Expressions 2 sentiment.  Can you see where I masked off the sentiment?  Next I diecut the you and stacked it atop itself 6 times using black as the base.  It's such a simple yet effective technique.  I added the little bee because it's cute.  :)

Now pull out your yellows (or don't!) and join us over at Stamplorations CAS!   You don't have to use Stamplorations products (but would be great if you did!) so don't let that hold you back from inspiring us!

HLS CAS March Challenge - Mother of Pearl!

Hello!  A new Happy Little Stampers CAS challenge starts today.  We're asking that you incorporate the faux mother of pearl technique into your card.  Check out the cards and videos we have for you for some fab tips and designs.  They are amazing!!

For my card I decided to use a die with large open spaces where the faux mother of pearl would really stand out.  I used a pencil to trace out the bottom half of the blossoms so I would know where to lay my masking tape.  I then pounced away.  The pic below shows my practice attempt where I used Hero Arts inks which has a much softer appearance when dry so I switched to Mementos for more wow in the finished card.

For the sentiment overlay, I stamped the sentiment first then placed the poppy about where I wanted it to go.  I moved the poppy off and eyeballed where to stamp the sentiment--turned out just fine.  I did use VersaFine to make sure I would have a nice dark inking.

The Details:  Memento Bamboo Leaves, Pear Tart, Morocco, Lady Bug, VersaFine Onyx Black, PTI linen impression plate, 140lb white cardstock base, Think Big Favorites sentiment, Memory Box poppy die, Copic .1 black fineliner, Recollections 110lb black cardstock, Simon Says stitched rectangle die

Awesomely Artistic Threesome

I have to admit when I borrowed the SU Awesomely Artistic set from Tonya, I had no idea what I would do with it.  I like the idea of grungy but it's not my go-to look . . . so I didn't!  It amazed what totally different looks I created with the same set.  I'm having so much fun preparing for the SU party!

If you like what you see, consider hopping over to Tonya's site to pick up the sets and use the code 9HZBDHKP which you enter in a new field under the special offers section of the online order shopping bag.  More inspiration to come!

 

For the first card I used the fern stamp to create a soft and pretty background.  I then embossed it using using a "kitchen weave" folder.  I didn't want quite that much texture so I tucked the panel inside a folded piece of printer paper and ran it through again without the embossing folder to tone down the pattern.  Perfect!

I'm entering this one in All Sorts #352 Sentiment in Focus

The Details:  SU Awesomely Artistic, Botanicals for You, and Rose Wonder; Stampendous Detail Fine white embossing powder, VersaMark, VersaFine Onyx Black, Hero Arts Soft Pool, Recollections 110lb white and black cardstock, Cuttlebug Kitchen Weave embossing folder

For my second card, I stamped the image using VersaFine and embossed with a rediscovered container of brilliant red embossing powder.  I was pleasantly surprised at how well that showed up on kraft.  I love red and white Scandinavian prettiness so embossed the sentiment next in bright white for contrast.  I added white pigment accents on the scalloped panel as well as in the image itself. 

The Details:  SU Awesomely Artistic, Butterfly Basics (sentiment), and white enamel dots; Versamark, Stampendous Detail Fine white embossing powder, Ranger Red Geranium embossing powder, white Gelly Roll pen, Waltzing Mouse stitched scalloped rectangle die, Simon Says stitched rectangle die, Recollections 110lb white cardstock base, PTI poppy and kraft 110lb cardstock

I'm entering this one in Seize the Birthday Anything Goes, Simon Says Wednesday Touchy Feely (texture)  

For this card I took the same image as above and colored the stamp using sponge daubers to create a variegated bush which I stamped twice.  I used sponge daubers on the dragonfly as well.

The Details:  SU Awesomely Artistic, Distress Ink Mowed Lawn, Crushed Olive, Mermaid Lagoon, Versamark, Stampendous detail fine black embossing powder, washi tape, Simon Says stitched rectangle die, Recollections 110lb white and black cardstock

Awesomely Artistic

Butterfly Basics

Rose Wonder

House of Cards March Challenge

It's cue word time at the House of Cards:  silhouette!  I think of all sorts of things like shadows, sunsets/sunrises, dusk, old timey profile silhouettes, even my Silhouette Cameo.  The possibilities abound so come join in the fun!

For my card, I created a powdered dye background which always turns out as a surprise.  This time I was reminded of a meadow at dusk where the colors are starting to deepen so I made that my theme.  And, unfortunately, I've depleted my supply of sympathy cards and thought this card would fit the bill nicely.  I added a black strip on the left because it felt right--I know you know what I mean--and used a soft gray base.


The Details:  Inkadinkado Meadow, Clearly Besotted Thinking of You, Tim Holtz watercolor paper, Recollections 110lb white cardstock base, pale gray mystery paper that I love, Versafine Onyx Black, Jacquard Acid Dyes