Friday 29 November 2013

New Release at Sami Stamps: Christmas Paws and Christmas Ornaments!




Hi guys!
Here's my card with one of the new images from Sami Stamps Christmas Release. My coloring is done with Copics and I added some of my favorite embellies to this simple card. Aren't these digis just adorable? With the new baubles digis you can create very elegant cards too -head on over to Sami Stamps blog for amazing DT inspiration! This is a very short post from me since I'm very soon late from work so I'd better get going! Have a great weekend everyone!

Wednesday 27 November 2013

Holiday Theme at Addicted to Stamps and More!

Hello friends!
Our theme this week at Addicted to Stamps and More is very currant -holiday cards- we are all making them now, aren't we? I had fun playing with an image from DeeDee's Digis, our new sponsor. Pocket Pal Kitten is not a Christmas image but she (I think it's a she!) sure is in a holiday card now -Hyvää Joulua means Merry Christmas. I colored the cute kitten with Copics and paper pieced the pocket. I've added white dots with gel pen to the pocket and to the banners. My card is quite CAS so I'm entering our sister challenge blog Addicted to CAS, their challenge code word this fortnight is Pet. I hope you'll now head on over to ATSM challenge blog for more DT inspiration and all the challenge details. Happy crafting!

I'd also like to enter:
http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.fi/ Clean and Simple
http://dreamvalleychallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ Clean and Simple

Tuesday 26 November 2013

Owl Christmas



Hi!
Here's my card for this week's Less is More Challenge: Christmas card with birds. I colored the cute cute cute owl from Willow Designs in with Copics -unfortunately this stamp company does not exist anymore. It's also unfortunate that the photo does no justice to the colors of the card: the weather is very gloomy in here and although I took the photo outside in a place with most light (what light?!?) this is the outcome. :( You'll just have to take my word for it that Walter the owl has beautiful aqua, turquoise and mint green tones in his hat! edit: you are looking at the second photo of the card now, the colors are a tiny bit better! :)

I'd also like to enter my card to:
http://www.withoutwordschallenge.blogspot.fi/ Getting ready for Christmas
http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.fi/ Clean and Simple

Thanks for popping by, have a great week!



Saturday 23 November 2013

Anything Goes at Inkspirational Challenges!

Hi guys!
It's everyone's favorite at Inkspirational Challenges -anything goes! I chose to make a pretty CAS design with Stamplorations set Chevron and Arrows. My color inspiration comes from CAS Colours and Sketches - a very fun blog I should visit more often! I also started with a sketch from Cardabilities but this is like a super simplified version of that sketch! :)  When I look at my card I immediately think of of American Indians -do you have the same association? It must be something to do with the colors and those arrows! Anyways, head on over to our challenge blog to see what the rest of our DT created for your Anything Goes Inspiration and do join us! Happy crafting!

I'd like to enter:
http://www.4craftychicks.blogspot.fi/ Anything Goes
http://4kraftygirlzchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything Goes
http://fabnfunkychallenges.blogspot.fi/ Anything Goes
http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.fi/ Anything Goes
http://brownsugarchallenge.blogspot.fi/ Anything Goes
http://cascoloursandsketches.blogspot.co.uk/ Colours

Thursday 21 November 2013

Stamps and Sequins at Stamplorations


Hi guys,
it's time to remind you of our currant challenge and DT Call at Stamplorations Challenge Blog! Our theme is "Stamps and Sequins". We are having fantastic entries already but we can't wait to see more so grab your stamps and sequins -all styles and all projects are welcome! The challenge and the DT Call both run until the end of November -click here for the challenge post and all the details.

In my card I've used one of the new Vignette stamps sets, Chevron and Arrows. I had a lot of fun stamping the pattern with various Memento Inks: I overlapped the colors so I even created some new shades myself! I love these retroish colors and the golden sequins of this card and the chevron pattern is so versatile, I can't wait to use it again! There's 9 new stamp sets in the Vignette series and there's still 2 days time to buy them with 25 % discount so head on over to the Stamplorations Shop!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:
http://www.vostamps.blogspot.fi/ CAS with fall theme (colors)
http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.fi/ Anything Goes
http://craft-deebowz.blogspot.fi/2013/11/november-challenge.html Anything goes wit handmade bow
http://www.ttcrd.blogspot.fi/ Anything Goes

Thanks for popping by!

Wednesday 20 November 2013

CAS With Designer Paper

Hi friends!
I was very inspired by the currant challenge at Less Is More, "use designer paper in a CAS way".  I have tons of beautiful designer paper and I also love CAS so it's great to combine those two loves of mine!  In my first card I used designer paper as a frame and in the second card it plays the main role. The first card is very sparkly and shiny -the deer is a wooden embellishment that I covered with silver glitter which (attached with sticky embossing powder). Both cards are for Christmas with a Finnish sentiment "Hyvää Joulua" -Merry Christmas.


I'd like to enter the card above also for  http://dreamvalleychallenges.blogspot.fi/: Clean and Simple and http://craftycalendarchallenge.blogspot.fi/: All things Christmas.

I hope you liked these, thanks for popping by!

Make Your Mark at Addicted to Stamps and More!


Hi guys!
Time for a new challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More! We have a "Make Your Mark"-week: Use markers or other coloring medium in your project. Our fabulous sponsor is Fresh Squeezed Stamps and I used their Everyday Expressions stamp set in creating my card. I stamped the images with different colored Memento inks (with help of masking) and then colored most of the flowers with Copics -the pink solid ones are only stamped. I left the leaves without coloring because I thought it looked fun: a combo of colored outline images, some non-colored outline images and solid stamped images. :) What will you create? Head on over to our challenge blog to see what my teamies made and then...Happy crafting!

Sunday 17 November 2013

Happy Birthday!


Hi everyone!
Here's a card I made for a dear work colleague who is also a good friend of mine. He is dog lover so I chose this Dog Song digi stamp from Whimsy Stamps as focal point and colored him with warm grey Copics 1,3,5 and 7. The background is done by heat embossing -I used a stencil to create it. I didn't embellish much because this was for a guy. I must tell you I was super nervous about this card but my friend loved it and I got many compliments from the guests in his birthday party. Yay! :) Thanks for popping by and have relaxing Sunday!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:
http://movingalongwiththetimes.blogspot.co.uk Furry friends
http://seizethebirthday.blogspot.fi/ Texture with Birthday - my texture is embossing
http://thesisterhoodofcrafters.blogspot.co.uk Embossing
http://pinspirationalchallenges.blogspot.ca Inspiration picture: greys and cute animal friends!
http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com Anything Goes
http://www.ttcrd.blogspot.co.uk Anything Goes
http://4kraftygirlzchallenges.blogspot.co.uk Anything Goes
http://digisketchchallenge.blogspot.fi/ All for the Animals
http://blog.markerpop.com/2013/11/04/markerpop-challenge-34/ Anything Goes
http://thedynamicduoschallenge.blogspot.fi/2013/11/dd79-black-tie-week-black-and-light.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+DynamicDuos+(Dynamic+Duos) Color

Saturday 16 November 2013

Birthday Animals at Sami Stamps!



Hi guys!
Yesterday was a release day at Sami Stamps and I'm sure you'll agree Sami's new Birthday Animals are hilarious! The blog is filled with DT inspiration so head on over there. While you are there browsing, don't forget to check out our November challenge CAS with Sami Stamps image.

My card is inspired by this card by Kristina Werner. I've seen her use narrow strips of patterned papers and tag-type of focal points in her cards several times -I love watching her youtube channel. I made some coloring boo boos with my frog (I couldn't decide where my shades were and I ended up shading here and there -did not work!) and ended up covering the whole poor guy with Stickles. He looks quite funny in real life but rather hidious in the photo I think! I really liked the tag I created but the card does look a bit bland -I think I should have done something for the background but this time that was the best I came up with.

Enjoy your weekend and thanks for popping by!

Friday 15 November 2013

Challenge Reminder: Use Your Scarps/ Old Stash for Christmas Cards!

Hello dear friends in blogland! It's time to remind you of my second Christmas card challenge Use Scraps/ Old Stash for Christmas Cards! It's always tempting to use only the brand new stuff that we own but it it gives great pleasure to get rid of some old papers, bits and pieces! Here's some inspiration for you... First my own scraps card and then cards from my fantastic blogging buddies who have agreed to be in my Christmas Card DT. This was their final " DT responsibility" and I want to thank them very very much! I hope you'll visit the girls and leave them some love. :)


I used punched squares to form a quilted background. I've made many cards with this kind of backgrounds and I always love them -it's very fun to play with those little squares and figure out what order looks the best! None of these papers are Christmas papers which I also thought was fun. I also used a die-cut I've got as a gift -I have some of them and always forget to use them although they are just lovely! I'd like to enter this card to ABC Christmas Challenge (Winter Wishes),  Crafting By Designs (AG with Christmas twist) andHandmade Harbour (Christmas is coming)  Crafts-Too Challenge (Vintage with many colors). Now onto the DT makes!






(using sponsor stamp for sentiment)


(using sponsor stamps)


As you see, Sandie and Shery used fab stamps from our sponsor Stamplorations. There has just been a new stamp release at Stamplorations and the new Vignette series is amazing -do check out those stamps! I'll choose my challenge winner on Christmas Eve with random.org and the winner will receive a Stamplorations set called It's All About You

Don't forget my first challenge either: in that challenge we would like to see your Christmas cards with stamping, here. Now I'll just sit back and see how fab cards you'll link to my challenges! ;) Happy crafting! 

Wednesday 13 November 2013

Anything Goes at Addicted to Stamps and More!




Hi friends!
Our challenge this week at Addicted to Stamps and More is everyone's favorite: Anything Goes! I chose to make a very straightforward card with colored in image and cute patterned papers -the sentiment is Finnish and means "For Mum". The only embellishments in my card are the little pearls in the flowers that the sweet boy is holding -I was almost adding some paper flowers but hubby thought the card looked more fresh and young without them and after he said that, I totally agreed!

My image is by Sami Siemers Ratliff from Sami StampsSami Stamps Shop is full of beautiful digi stamps and Sami releases new images every second week. She also has a Freebies page that she updates regularly -it's worth keeping an eye on that space. :) Sami is sponsoring this Anything Goes challenge at ATSM, thank you Sami!

I hope you'll now visit  ATSM challenge blog for more DT inspiration and all the challenge details. Happy crafting!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:
http://cuttinandstampinchallenges.blogspot.fi/ Anything goes with family
http://www.cardsbyladyanne.com/lady-annes-challenge.html More than one layer
http://lovetoscrapchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes
http://blog.markerpop.com/ Anything goes (I've used Copics)

Monday 11 November 2013

Cards for Red Cross

Hi there!
I had a lovely afternoon some weeks ago with a couple of ladies from my work making cards to donate for Red Cross's Christmas Card Campaign. None of my co-workers craft so I had prepared some example cards for ideas for stamping and layout. The girls got very creative and all and all we got about 20 cards made.

Here are the cards I made as examples... I wanted to make a really simple design everyone would feel comfortable with... And we also discussed some basic stamping and embellishing issues. The vintage cards are as simple as it gets and very fast to make -I think those took under 10 minutes per card when I made them. Choosing the image, paper, throwing in a doily, some minor embellies and ribbon -easy peasy!



And here is a couple of the pretty cards the ladies from my work made. I loved their creative ideas!


They did great, didn't they?

Speaking of Christmas cards, have you noticed I'm having Christmas card challenges here in my blog? The first challenge -focus on stamping- is here and the second challenge -cards out of scraps/old stash- is here. There's a change to win a Stamplorations stamp set in both challenges and they run until the Christmas Eve. Do join us! xxx

Saturday 9 November 2013

White on White at Inkspirational!


Hello friends,
two weeks have gone by and we have a new fab challenge for you at Inkspirational Challenges. It's a color classic: White on White. I've been a somewhat naughty DT member and used pale pinks and some beiges in my focal image but our lovely leader Marina promised me I won't get sacked. ;) The image is a Sami Stamps digi and you can find it here. For my background I've used some embossed card and a doily + embellished my card with punched leaves and flowers -I quite like them in white! There's beautiful DT projects to inspire you in our challenge blog -don't hesitate visiting us and joining in the White on White fun - there's a prize for crabs as well! Happy crafting. :)

I'd like to enter the following challenges:
http://divasbydesignchallenge.blogspot.fi/ Use a digi (my 2nd entry)
http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.fi/ Lots of layers
http://4kraftygirlzchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything Goes (my 2nd entry)
http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.fi/ Feminine
http://www.charismacardz.blogspot.fi/ Anything Goes (my 2nd entry)
http://craftingforallseasons.blogspot.fi/ Anything Goes (my 2nd entry)
http://craftingbydesigns.blogspot.fi/ Anything Goes (my 2nd entry)
http://whimsyinspires.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/challenge-65-anything-goes-digital-team.html Anything Goes (my 2nd entry)
http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.fi/ Anything Goes (my 2nd entry)
http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ White Christmas

Friday 8 November 2013

Fall Acorns at Sami Stamps



Good morning dear friends in blogland!
I have a card from you with one of the new Fall Acorn images from Sami Stamps. Sami released these images last Friday and we also begun with a new monthly challenge: CAS with Sami Stamps image. There's really cute DT cards with these Fall Acorn images in the challenge post here -do check them out and join us in the CAS fun! One of my favorite images from this release, Little Acorn Bird, is a current freebie at Stamp Shop, don't miss it!

The main inspiration for my card came from Casology cue word "Brown". I think keeping coloring quite monochrome using shades from same color group helps keeping the look more CAS. I chose warm browns which suited this little Indian girl perfectly! I used kraft card as my background and stamped some leaves from Fresh Squeezed Stamps to embellish. I'm unsure of the layout of the card, what do you guys think? I've been discussing CAS design and "trapped white space" with my blogging buddy Sandie lately and this card is maybe on the edge of looking a bit cramped! :)

All the challenges I'd like to enter:
Casology Brown
http://divasbydesignchallenge.blogspot.fi/ Use a digi
http://4kraftygirlzchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything Goes
http://www.charismacardz.blogspot.fi/ Anything Goes
http://craftingforallseasons.blogspot.fi/ Anything Goes
http://craftingbydesigns.blogspot.fi/ Anything Goes
http://whimsyinspires.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/challenge-65-anything-goes-digital-team.html Anything Goes
http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.fi/ Anything Goes

Wednesday 6 November 2013

Photo Inspiration at Addicted to Stamp and More!




Time for a new challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More! We can't wait to see your cards/projects inspired by the festive image you see above. ATSM DT has provided you with many ways to interpret the image -visit the challenge blog for challenge details and fab DT cards! We are happy to have Digi Darla sponsoring our challenge.

My mum wanted me to make a card for my uncle and I had zero ideas... I don't have many masculine stamps -or any clue of what kind of card my uncle might like- so I chose the most manly stamp I had and let the colors of our inspiration photo guide me. I think this is my second masculine card ever -I was so embarrassed of the first that I think I haven't even blogged about it! My husband has guided me that one should not embellish cards intended for guys too much... And definitely not add anything shiny... So luckily the metal pearls I used in the corners are quite matte. :)  I clear embossed the sentiments though (Congratulations in Finnish) and they shine -so let's hope it's only my hubby that has this super minimalist taste when it comes to hand made cards for male. :)

I'd like to enter:
http://trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.fi/ For the boys
http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.fi/ Anything Goes
http://avenue613.blogspot.fi/ Anything Goes
http://dreamvalleychallenges.blogspot.fi/ Humour



Monday 4 November 2013

Photo and/or Color Inspiration at House of Cards



Hi guys, time for another challenge at House of Cards! To enter our challenge this week, you should follow Fun and Cute card making style and be inspired of our inspiration picture or use at least 3 colors out of those 6 that you see above.

I colored the beautiful fairy from Mo Manning with Copics and looked for papers to fit the color scheme. I don't often use store-bought flowers in my cards but I do have some -I figured I should put them to use sometimes! I was very happy with my coloring this time... I gave her a bit darker skin than I usually do and I'm loving it -I've seen many several bloggers use E11 and E13 in shading the skin (one of my favorites is Tracy, she is so awesome with her Copics and I really admire her work) and gave it a go now -I think I'll use them pretty much always from now on! :) The face is a bit too orange... but you know, maybe my fairy forgot to use the sun block?!?

I hope you'll now head on over to the challenge blog and check out the rest of the Fun and Cute DT makes... And join our challenge of course! Happy crafting! :)

I'd like to enter the following challenges:
http://mosdigitalchallenge.blogspot.fi/2013/10/challenge-208-fantasy-wa-mo-image.html Fantasy

Saturday 2 November 2013

One Stamp, Two Styles!

Hello friends!
Those of you who visit me often know that I enjoy making both clean and simple cards and more embellished cards, often with a touch of vintage. I thought it would be fun to use one stamp for creating two different cards and see what I come up with! Let's see if this becomes a regular feature here in my blog -I sure had fun creating these so it might be that you'll see more of these "card pairs" in the future too. :)

My CAS version is a one layer with a sponged moon and stamped image and sentiment. Small pearls embellish the horns of the reindeers - they are on a festive mood. :)

I'd like to enter this card to 
 Addicted to CAS One Layer
Aud Sentiments Challenge blog Christmas Sentiments, my 2nd entry
Moving Along With Times No designer paper
Simon Says Wed Anything Goes

In my second card I heat embossed the image and sentiment directly to patterned paper and used the same paper as my background too. I embellished the card with a doily, snowflake-flowers and ribbon.
This card is for:
http://c2cu.blogspot.co.uk/ Vintage Christmas with monochrome twist
http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/ Anything Goes

The question is, which card do you like better? Have a nice weekend! :)

p.s. Have you entered my Christmas Card Challenges?
The first one for stamped Christmas cards is here and the second for Christmas cards out of scraps/old stash is here. There's prizes from STAMPplorations!

Friday 1 November 2013

DT Call at Stamplorations!



Wow, isn't this a busy day in my blog -this is my second post already! If you missed my morning post with my new challenge "Use Scraps/ Old Stash for Christmas Cards", click here or simply scroll down.

Anyways, now I have some exciting news to share with you! I've been so lucky to meet STAMPlorations owner Shery Russ in blogland (click here for Shery's personal blog) and also very honored that Shery has asked me to join her design team! I'll be creating cards for challenges at STAMPlorations Challenge Blog and starting from today, we have a month long challenge for you: stamps and sequins! You are free to use any stamps (even digis!) and create not only cards but whatever craft projects in whatever style you choose. Fun, right! The winner gets to choose 2 stamp sets from the new Vignette series or the Holiday series from the shop.

Shery is also choosing new DT members and I'm very excited to see who will be my future DT friends! You are expected to create a minimum of 3 craft projects/month using STAMPlorations stamps: as a DT member you’ll receive samples of upcoming stamps in the STAMPlorations line as well as previously released stamps when they are available. Just how awesome is that?!?! Click here to the challenge post where you'll find all the details of the DT call. I can't wait to visit your blogs and see what you'll make for the challenge and who enters the DT call. Exciting times! :)

Finally, some small notes on my card... I've used Distressed Floral Swirls to create my background. I used Embrace inks -they have a metallic shine so the swirls have a beautiful glow in real life -so hard to catch that to a photo! Sequins and punched snowflakes embellish my sentiment "Warm Christmas Wishes and a Happy New Year". 

Thanks for popping by and do visit the STAMPlorations November Challenge + DT Call now!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:
http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.fi/ Make it yourself (background)

My Christmas Card Challenge #2: Christmas Cards out of Scraps/ Old Stash!

Hi friends! Welcome to my Christmas Card Challenge #2! I've had a great response to my first Christmas card challenge -focus on stamping- (here) and now it's time to begin the second one: Use Scraps/ Old Stash for your Christmas Cards! Both of my challenges run until Christmas Eve and there's a prize for one randomly selected winner in both challenges: It's All About You Stamp Set by Stamplorations.  If you are new to Stamplorations, here's what owner Shery has to say about the company:

Launched in June 2013, California-based STAMPlorations is owned and
managed by husband-and-wife team, David & Shery Russ. We offer cling
rubber stamps, clear stamps, and stamping kits for stampers, card
makers, scrapbookers, mixed media artists, and all crafters. All of
our stamps are proudly made in the USA. Our rubber stamps are
deep-etched and made from high quality rubber, while our clear stamps
are made from the finest, non-yellowing photopolymer resin and they're
naturally sticky. Through our stamp line, we hope to encourage
crafters of all ages and experience levels to "Stamp with all your
ART!". We come out with new stamps approximately every other month.


Now on to fabulous DT inspiration! I'm so happy my blogging friends have wanted to share their talent with us all. These cards sure don't look like they are made out of leftovers! :)

Kylie



Loll


Lynn


Milla


Nonni

I made the stripy background from strips of leftovers and embossed white, glittery Distressed Floral Swirls by Stamplorations on top. I also used a forgotten ribbon and punched flowers and leaves from tiny pieces of paper scraps. I'm entering my card to The Christmas Challenge: Make your own background.

Sandie


Shery


I hope to see you all entering my challenge and inspiring us to make more and more of those Christmas cards that we need to make at this time of year! You may combine my challenge with other challenges and enter as many times as you want. Happy crafting!