Your Next Stamp May Feature - Art Inspiration (Fairy Dust)

Welcome to the May Your Next Stamp feature post. Each month the design team uses specific stamps, dies or themes to create projects that will hopefully inspire you.

You will want to check out the feature post each month at the YNS blog because in addition to inspiration, there is also a chance to WIN a stamp set of your choice.

This month we were asked to find a famous painting and draw our creative inspiration from it for our project. This feature was a challenge. There were so many amazing pieces of art, however I did find it difficult to find one that really inspired me for a card. That was of course until I started looking through paintings by Claude Monet. From here, I was completely inspired to grab my inks and get a little messy.

The painting I selected for my inspiration is called SAN GIORGIO MAGGIORE AT DUSK. 

My inspiration came from the painting colours. I tried to recreate the colours and a little of the texture with my Distress ink. I applied the distress ink using the applicator to water colour paper. I then used a paint brush and water to blend the colours, giving it a weathered look.

I used the sweet FAIRY DUST stamp set for this thank you card, along with the Stitched Rectangles and the Double Stitched Hill die.

 OTHER YNS Products: Crystal Clear and Sparkle Gumdrops, YNS Black Olive and Almond Latte ink

This feature posts also happens to fall on the birthday of Karen's son Brandon. To celebrate Brandon's birthday, Karen has a surprise sale for 3 days only. Happy Birthday Brandon!!!

Head over to the YNS blog to see all of the Design Team members sharing projects for this month's feature. Leave a comment on the blog post for the May Feature and you will have a chance to win a prize. One lucky crafter will WIN a YNS stamp set of their choice.

Have a happy day!!!!

Your Next Stamp Featured Fav of 2016 (Magical Unicorn)

Welcome to the year ending Your Next Stamp feature post. Most months the design team will use specific stamps, dies or themes to create projects to inspire. 

For the final feature post of the year, we are doing something a little different. This month the design team is featuring our favourite YNS creation from 2016.

This was not an easy task. There was so many fun creations to  select from. I enlisted the help of my children to narrow down choices. Our final winner, was the first card I made using the Magical Unicorn stamp and die. On this card, I think it was a combination of this amazing stamp and the fun distress ink background which I truly love so much.

You can find the original post for this card here!

Here are a few other projects using this stamp:

Head over to the Your Next Stamp blog to see our Design Team Best of feature. Leave a comment on the feature post and you may win a prize. One lucky commenter will WIN a stamp set of their choice!

Thank you for stopping by.

Your Next Stamp March DT Dare (Magical Unicorn)

Welcome to the March Your Next Stamp Design Team dare. Each month the design team is given a special challenge to help show off the new stamps and dies released each month.

For the month of March in honour of International Women's day our challenge theme is called.........CELEBRATING WOMEN!

As a mom of two daughter's I decided to pull my inspiration from them and a few things they love, reading and UNICORNS! This challenge is ACCEPTED!

In my home, it wouldn't be unusual to come across at least one person with their nose stuck in a book and trips to the book store are at least a monthly (sometime weekly) occurrence. The first thing my girls asked for when they saw the Magical Unicorn stamp was for me to make them each a bookmark. I am pretty sure the Bookmark/Tag die is one if not my most used die set.

I used a couple of different effects for these bookmarks and I even made my own tassel!

This beautiful unicorn is for my oldest daughter. For the background on this bookmark, I used a combination of watercolour paint and Heidi Swapp Colour Shine Mists (Citron, Teal and Amethyst). The believe sentiment is from the Magical Unicorn die set. I ran the sentiment through my Xyron sticker maker getting the top of the sentiment covered with adhesive. I then added Glitter Ritz transparent micro fine glitter for a little sparkle. The unicorn image was fussy cut.

This second sweet bookmark is for my youngest bookworm and now rests between the pages of her current Harry Potter book! This background was created using Distress Ink (Picked Raspberry, Peacock Feathers, Fossilized Amber, Faded Jeans and Black Soot). After applying the lighter colours of ink to the cardstock, I then heat embossed the sentiment. I added the darker ink and used a wipe to remove any ink from the sentiment. For the splatters on the bookmark, I used Perfect Pearls mist.

If you head over to the Your Next Stamp blog for the March DT Dare post, leave a comment and there will be a chance for you to WIN! You could win a stamp of your choice! Perhaps a new unicorn stamp!

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful Wednesday!

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Magical Unicorn
Dies: Magical Unicorn, Bookmark/Tag large
Paper: Kaisercraft Utopia
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versa Fine ink, Distress Ink (Picked Raspberry, Peacock Feathers, Fossilized Amber, Faded Jeans and Black Soot
Other: Recollection White Embossing powder, Heidi Swapp Color Shine Ink (Citron, Teal and Amethyst), Artist Loft Watercolour paint, Perfect Pearl Mist, Glitter Ritz transparent microfine glitter embroidery thread

Your Next Stamp March Sneak Peek - Magical Unicorn

It's preview time at Your Next Stamp!

I am very excited to share with you a preview of one of the amazing new stamps sets that is part of the March release for Your Next Stamp. All of the new release stamps will be available soon. If you cannot way and want to getting a peek at more of this month's stamps and maybe start your wish list, checkout today's peeks.

The full list of preview projects can be found on the Your Next Stamp blog.

My preview project features the Magical Unicorn stamp and die set. Having two little girls, unicorns are one of the mythical creatures that are very much loved in our household. I had a lot of fun using my distress inks to create the background.

The background was created using a mixture of Distress Inks. I started off adding Dusty Concord, Peeled Paint and Mermaid Lagoon on the background cardstock in various spots. Once the background was fully covered I darkened the outside end and in towards the center using Faded Jeans. Finally to darken the edge of my background further I added Black Soot ink.

For the little glittery splatters, I used a small tip paint brush to flick on some Perfect Pearls Mist.

The unicorn was coloured with Copic markers and fussy cut.

Here is a look at the inside of the card.

I hope you enjoy the previews for the Your Next Stamp March release. Remember to check out all of the previews from the design team. The complete list of previews is available on the Your Next Stamp blog.

Stop back tomorrow to join our March release bog hop. There will be a lot of amazing projects to see and prizes to be won! You don't want to miss this amazing release. On March 9 we will also have our next Design Team dare challenge, which means there is another chance to win a prize!

Happy PEEKING everyone!

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Magical Unicorn
Dies: Magical Unicorn Die
Ink: Memento Tuxedo black, Distress Ink (Peeled Paint, Dusty Concord, Mermaid Lagoon, Faded Jeans, Black Soot)
Paper: Kaisercraft Utopia

Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Preview: Day Four - Holiday Style (plus a challenge)

Welcome back to day FOUR of our September previews for Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps. I really hope that you have been enjoying all the fabulous new CLEAR holiday stamps.

Today we have three amazing sets from artist Annie Rodrigue. These beautiful holiday images are called HOLIDAY STYLE, FROSTY FRIENDS and HOLLY JOLLY.

Since it's Saturday and a release preview day, we are also excited to present a new ANYTHING GOES challenge. Create a new project (card, scrapbook page or altered item) and share it with us on the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps blog or on our Krafty Friends Facebook page. All stamps are welcome, however if you use a Kraftin' Kimmie stamp you will double your chance for the weekly prize of a $10 gift certificate to use in the shop.

Here is a look at my card featuring the HOLIDAY STYLE set. The gorgeous papers are My Minds Eye Cozy Christmas.

Inside of the card, I again used the fabulous MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS sentiment set.

Now it's time for your to hop along and check out all of the fabulous projects from all of the Krafty Girls. Leave a comment on each of the blogs as you hop along. There will be one lucky winner selected from all of the comments this week to WIN some Krafty $ to spend in the KKS store. 

All of the September release stamps and a Super Sized Holiday Kard Kit will be available tonight after the release party! You can check out the Kard Kit event page (here) to find out more about this amazing kit. 

Facebook Release Party

Join Kimmie and the Krafty Girls as we party and celebrate the September release. The party will be on the Facebook events page (here) tonight, Saturday September 19th at 6:00 pm (EST). Hope to see you there.

Thanks for stopping by today. Have a wonderful and Krafty day!

Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps - Distress It!

Hello Krafty Friends. it's time for the latest challenge at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps. I am your Krafty hostess this week and my challenge for you is to DISTRESS IT! 

Grab your stamps (all are welcome) and create a NEW card, layout or altered item to match this week's theme. You can share it with us on Krafty Friends Facebook in our group (here) or link up over at the Kraftin' Kimmie blog. You have all week to play along and there is a chance to WIN $10 gift card to the KKS shop. If you do use a Kraftin' Kimmie Stamp on your project, you will double your chance to win.

Distressing is one of my favourite go to techniques. So many images and paper really work with distressing and there are many fun ways for you to distress. My go to distressing techniques are inking, fraying the edges of my paper and tearing portions of my paper.

Today I worked with our BBQ dude from the WILD AND CRAZY GUYS. This set was part of the May release. I distressed the edges and inked up all of the paper (Simple Stories Take a Hike) on my fun Father's day card.

On my image I tried to create the look of burnt paper. To do this I trimmed around the image with scissors, making sure that I was NOT straight with my cuts. I inked the edges with Vintage photo bringing the ink in a little from the edge of the paper. I then use black soot ink and ink just on the edge off the paper.

Here is a look at the inside of my card.

Grab you paper and stamps and play along with this week's DISTRESS IT challenge. Head over to the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps blog to see more about this week's challenge have look at some inspiration from my talented teammates.

Have you checked out the FRUGAL FRIDAY sales going on right now. There are dozens of stamps currently on sale, so you will want to check it out. The sale is only for the weekend.

Thanks for stopping by today. Have a super Saturday!

Little Red Wagon (Distress It) / The Paper Nest Dolls (Guest)

Hello crafty friends. I hope you are all have a wonderful week so far. Today it's time for new challenge at Little Red Wagon.

I am also sharing my project for my final month as a Guest Designer for The Paper Nest Dolls.

This week, I am hosting the challenge at Little Red Wagon, and I went with something easy and fun. This week, my challenge is called DISTRESSING IT. So it's simple, just ink your papers, fray your edges or add a few tears to your paper. Even better, do them all.

For my distressed card I used the image MADDIE WITH GLASSES from The Paper Nest Dolls. Plenty of inking, frays and rips on my paper.

The paper is from My Minds Eye (Notable). I used a the Notebook Edge Die from Your Next Stamp. All of the  paper is inked with Vintage Photo Distress ink.

Inside the card I added a sentiment from Your Next Stamp Heartfelt Sentiments.

Stop stressing and start DISTRESSING!

Head over to the Little Red Wagon blog to link up your project and to see what all of the amazing and talented Girlfriends have created this week.

Thanks for stopping by and have a super crafty day!

Kraftin Kimmie Stamp 2000+ Celebration

 

It's party time!

That's right, today we are celebrating over at KRAFTIN' KIMMIE STAMPS. Why?

Did you know that the FABULOUS Miss Kimmie is celebrating a birthday soon? In addition to her birthday, we are also celebrating reaching over 2000+ Krafty Friends at the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Krafty Friends Facebook group.

We are celebrating this weekend with a FUN on-line KROP. Through out the day, some of the Krafty Girls will be posting challenges for you to enjoy. Each challenge includes a sketch plus and extra theme or element that we would like to see you try. Use both the sketch and the bonus, and you will have TWO chances to WIN. You MUST use at least the sketch for each challenge. There is Krafty Ka$h for you to win. You have all week to play along with these challenges, so grab your stamps and let's get inky!

I am kicking things off with the FIRST sketch challenge of the day! I love my layers so, of course my sketch allows for lots of those. Sketches are a source of inspiration....a start off point for you to work with. You can stick with the sketch exactly as is, or play around and add your personal touch, as long as the basic sketch layout can be seen.

BONUS CHALLENGE: Distressing!

I created a Valentine's card using the Moonlight Whispers image ROCKER CHICK!

I love distressing and you can achieve that worn and rough look from inking the edges of your paper, my favourite distress ink colour is Vintage photo.

For the frayed look on your paper you can use a distress tool, sand paper, scissors or your finger nails. Each tool gives a slightly different look and level of distress.

Finally, one of my go to distress looks, is ripping portions of my paper. I love to create rips, tears and folded edges to reveal fun embellishments or show a peek of coordinating pattern paper.

For my card today, I incorporated all three types of distressing.

Inside my card I used a sentiment from the It's a Beautiful day stamp set (by Cheryl Grant) and added a heart from the Candy Heart set (which, while supplies last, is one set available FREE when you spend $50+ on your KKS purchase this weekend. The other set available is Love Birds).

Of course the celebration weekend would not be complete with our a ROCKIN' sale.

Kimmie is turning 44 years (young), so she has chosen 44 fabulous stamp sets to put on SALE for 44% off. The sale is for this weekend only, so you will want to grab them during this amazing sale! Please do not use any additional coupon codes with this weekend sale.

Head over to our Krafty Friends Facebook page and join in with our FUN on-line krop. Remember to wish Miss Kimmie a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

The next challenge hostess will be Krafty Girl Christine.

Have a super KRAFTY weekend friends!

Tracy

Halloween Distress

I love creating cards for Halloween. Last year I purchased a lot of fun Halloween images and papers, so it was fun to finally pull them out and put them to use.

I really enjoy using Distress ink. I created the back ground using spiced marmalade, wild honey and squeezed lemonade. The moon was created by masking off with a circle. The haunting scene was from an Impression Obsession die. I added yellow paper behind the pumpkin and house window to create the look of a light. The sentiment was heat embossed.

Challenges
Little Red Wagon - Halloween
Your Next Stamp - October 2013 YNSFFC05
Simon Say Stamp - Wednesday Challenge Anything goes

Happy Haunting everyone.

Tracy