Fang-tastic!

Bringing a quick share today with a fun little octopus creature and his cute uplifting sentiment ...

The Splitcoaststampers clean & simple challenge (CAS499) this week is to "frame it".  I opted to use a fun shape for my frame for a bit of added fun.  Little Octo is in the midst of morphing colors ... he's still learning how to manage that.

Stamps:  Little Monsters (Art Gone Wild - Nicole Tamarin), and Watercolor Basics (The Cat's Pajamas)

Accessories:  Misti, Labels framelits (The Stamps of Life), Sakura lacquer, sequins (gifted stash)

Inky (((hugs))),

Stampy Stuffs for Sale!

My Stampy Clean-outs = Your Happy Mail!

I've added a new 'page' today, offering a variety of stampy items that need to leave the studio to share paper & ink joys with others in the USA!  The teeny tiny 'button' for the page is in bitty little print right below the blog header, but alas, I'm unable to change that font size.  

**Here's a direct link to my 'sale' page.  Whenever you visit my blog, just click the Stampy Stuff Sale page button just below the blog header.  I'll be updating the sales as my periodic studio reorganization moves forward.  **Email me with your requests for quickest response.  

Happy Fall, Y'all!

Mimosa Sympathy

One of my very favorite subjects in stamping and card making is florals and foliage.  Over the years and across my previous blog as well as this one, I've likely revealed this from time to time.  Today's card is from the heart of me for special cousins.

A few years ago I was literally browsing along the fence line, simply enjoying the leaves of bordering trees and shrubs.  Among them stands one mimosa tree that actually reaches over from the neighbors' yard.  On that day, I plucked a couple of the leafy mimosa stems with an idea of pressing them onto card stock ... just to see what might result.  I so enjoyed the result that I made nearly 30 of those prints for cards to be given to friends at an upcoming retreat.  

The sentiment was embossed on vellum card stock, then framed with a muted metallic gold card stock 'frame'.  Although it might appear as 'copper' on some screens, the embossing and framing are both a lovely, soft gold color.  I was happy to see the green showing through the vellum, just as I had hoped.

For me, this is the one of the most natural of all the card making techniques or styles I've utilized.  I believe that I shall love it always.  

I hope you've found some inspiration here today!  Thanks for having visited.

Inky (((hugs))),

Butterfly Kisses?

Cute little critters and/or cute little critter stamps ... they're both incredibly hard to resist!   

Fluttery little nose-to-nose touches is something I've loved passing along to the little ones across my life.  It's a treasured memory that seems so simple but its value runs very deep into my heart.  So how could I not adore and need this House Mouse stamp?!   

Admittedly, I did have to browse through a couple of crafty drawers to search for a possible charm, and ta-daahhh!  I found one ... for the current House Mouse Challenge, HMFMC #273.  

Inky (((hugs))),

Card Supplies:

Stamps:  House Mouse 'Nose to Nose in Flowers'

Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers

Papers:  SEI designer paper, Neenah White

Accessories:  Stitched Rectangle dies (The Stamps of Life), natural thread, 'love' charm

Neutral & Gold

Hello, stampy friends!  Today my card making shifts into using hardly any stamping at all ... it's there, but it's very subtle.  

This card as August's guest designer for Creative Escape Papercrafting (CEP) came together very quickly, actually became a working idea as I unboxed the fully-loaded August Kit.  {See the full kit in my previously video linked here.}

Everything you see was included in the August Kit, with the exception of that tiny strip of gold mirror card stock, which is available at CEP as one of the many stamping products offered in addition to their kit subscriptions.  I love the heavy weight (approx. 100-lb. cover) of the card stocks provided in their kits!

The foliage stamp from the All the Good Things stamp set was inked with Distress Ink Antique Linen.  When I sampled it, the color was a little deeper, but as it dried, it softened quite a bit atop this lovely kraft card stock base.  I really like the way that stamp coordinates with the foliage wreath on this gold foiled piece from the kit's My Bright Life Ephemera package.  

One more creation to come from the same kit of goodies!  I hope that you're being inspired to get inky 'n creative!

Inky (((hugs))),

~Bev Gerard

Card Supplies:

Stamps:  All the Good Things (American Crafts)

Papers:  My Bright Life collection (Jen Hadfield for Pebbles), Gold Mirror c/s, kraft 

Ink:  Distress Ink Antique Linen

Accessories:  Gold sequins, My Bright Life Ephemera package (Pebbles) 

Shimmer & the Crayon

It's always fun to try out new-to-you things in your hobby world.     Luckily, I was tickled to receive a new-to-me Art Crayon and a sample jar of Vicki Boutin's Iridescent Glaze .   Yay!  Time for some discovery play... ...

Using the Misti enables me to stamp, then re-stamp the sentiment on watercolor texture to get the exact placement I want is a delight!  

I've explored just one of many ways to use this shimmery mixed media glaze and art crayon.  Now I hope you'll give yourself a simple gift by setting aside some time to explore and play in your stampy zone today!   

Inky (((hugs))),

~Bev Gerard 

Project Supplies:  

Stamps:  All the Good Things (Vicki Boutin) 

Misti stamp positioner, Sizzix oval dies, Ranger White embossing powder, VersaMark and VersaFine inks.

Lifting those Petals

Are you playing in the Dare to Get Dirty challenges this week?  There's plenty of fun to have and more challenges than I can make in a week ... but lots of stampers love to go for the win to create something for every challenge and scoop up some prizes!   Go, Go Stampers!

Once upon a time I enjoyed turning 'flat' floral stamped images into a more realistic blossom with lots of fussy cutting and adding curves to the elements, etc.  Like most of us, my style has morphed along my stampy journey.  So when my darling friend, Kittie posted her DTGD18kittie747 challenge earlier this week, I knew I wanted to play and return to lifting up those petals!  

Both the blossom and the sentiment are from Wendy Vecchi's 'Birthday Art' stamp set.   I stamped the image 3 times, coloring each one with Copics before fussy cutting.  Each layer was offset atop the previous layer before gluing in the center.  

When I spotted the softly colored printed paper in a retired My Mind's Eye square stack, I knew I had to use it with this bold blossom.  For the center of the blossom, I used little bitty seed beads.  (My bitsy rhinestones are AWOL from their last known location ... so plans had to change.) 

Have you stamped today?  

Inky (((hugs))),

~Bev Gerard

Supplies used:

Stamps:  'Birthday Art' by Wendy Vecchi/Stampers Anonymous

Inks:  Gina K. Amalgam, Distress Ink Brushed Corduroy, Copics

Papers:  Misti stamp positioner,  Prism card stock, Neenah Solar White c/s, My Mind's Eye 6x6 stack

Accessories:  Spellbinders circles + squares dies, Sizzix sentiment die, seed beads, crystal lacquer, May Arts ribbon, glue dots

Screechless Chalkboard

Stacy's Dare ... well, her Dare to Get Dirty challenge (DTGD18JBgreendawn) is just one of lots of fun challenges to dive into this week over at SCS!   Long ago I sold my paper crafting chalks.  Then I borrowed some cool metallic chalks from my crafty daughter ... and returned them after a bit of fun.  So, here's what I opted to do:

My Misti positioner enabled me to get a nice amount of VersaMark ink on the black card stock, since it allows us to stamp again in the very same spot.  Thankful am I!  Plus, since my rectangle was already die cut, it allowed me to perfectly place the jar image.  The sentiment was prepared separately, then punched out and affixed with dimensional foam.  I finger-rubbed the  white smears of faux chalk dust, so .... no screeching of the chalk on my 'chalkboard'!  (Some of us will understand ... but those who know only 'white boards' might have a little question mark on their faces.  ;)

Tex's Tip:  When embossing, being sure to have complete ink coverage on the image is important, as well as using an anti-static pouch.  Find the anti-static pouch in the stamp departments where embossing powders are sold.

Thanks for taking a peek today!

Inky ((((hugggsss)))),

Bev Gerard

Supplies:

Stamps:  Darcie's

Inks:  VersaMark 

Papers:  Neenah white, SU black

Accessories:  Misti, The Stamps of Life stitched rectangle dies, white embossing powder, anti-static pouch, Darcie's Chalk FX (or real chalk dust), rhinestones or candy dots.

C'mon & Take the Dare!

It's here!   The annual week of Dare to Get Dirty challenges over at Splitcoaststampers is here!   

Although each day this week will bring some special new challenges, I'm actually more of a "turtle" stamper .... keep a steady pace, hurry isn't good, "channel the hare" ... you know what I mean.    
  This one is for Dina's challenge, DTGD18dini:    

I could quietly tell you that my fingers were ink-free during the making of this one .... but truth is my style ... even when it's ugly.  Yes ... a few fingers on each hand briefly bore evidence of inky play yesterday from the sponging of piggy's turf, and the splattering of the background.  

BTW ... both the pig pen dirt and the splatters are Distress Oxide - Walnut Stain.  For the splatters I simply wiped ink directly only an acrylic block, then loaded a watercolor brush with water, mixed it up, and splattered from the brush.  

Since the image area was created by masking, masking again, and even a third round of masking for the splatter process, the only true dimension is via the lifted little sentiment banner.  

This darling stamp + sentiment are both from Inky Antics.  It was fun to bring them out for some inky play again! 

Check back very soon for more.   Inky stuff is on a roll here!

Inky (((hugs))),

Bev Gerard

Supplies used include:  

Stamps:  Inky Antics

Inks:  Distress Oxides - Walnut Stain + Tumbled Glass, VersaFine Sepia, 

     Memento Tuxedo Black

Papers:  Neenah, Recollections Kraft

Accessories:  Spellbinders Labels 2;  The Stamps of Life banner die, sponges, Eclipse tape, watercolor brush

Blow on Over, Sahara!

The issue:   Deep in the heart of Texas, we're hot!  Definitely having a heat wave ... actually a continued heat wave.   Currently 106* as I write ... with 108 due in a day or two.  

The conclusion: It's a great time to hide away inside and stamp.   

And that has been the plan for the week, while also avoiding the allergy-ridden influx of air filled with Saharan Desert dust/sand.   Blow on by, Sahara!

Stamping began with the current House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge, 'Anything Goes' or 'Hot Summer Days'.    Here is sweet little Amanda mouse, sheltering herself beneath a sunflower, missing her bestie, I'm sure.   Stamp is 'Cling Potted Mouse', and  the sentiment is also from Stampendous, 'Brushed Wishes' set.   The deckled edge on the image piece seems as though a little mouse has been here!

Last week included a school reunion and much-needed visit back home in Oklahoma's country life.  I guess I'm still in country mode here with a sunflower, hemp twine, and sunny polka dots.  

Inky (((hugs))),

  

Razzleberry Garden Sugarplums March In!

Hello everyone!   Welcome to March, 2018.   Dare I say it ... we're finally getting closer to Spring!  Here in North Texas, the ground is saturated from recent constant rains ... and this girl is past ready to get some sunshine to replace the gray, gray, oh yes ... more gray days.

Today's card started with a nudge from the Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers, 'Razzleberry Garden Sugarplums'.  I haven't used that combo before, and being the fan of Rich Razzleberry that I am, I quickly plucked out a sample swatch of each color.   Theme = set.

It's easy to create little floral bouquets with the blooms in the Cake Soiree stamp set, and the coordinating Sweet Cake Framelits include so many dies for flowers and foliage that the versatility is really extended for the entire bundle.  When first looking at the stamps in the Occasions catalog, you might think it's only for weddings, anniversaries, and special birthdays.  Nope ... not at all!

'Thinking of You' is from the Heartfelt Blooms stamp set, which is just one of the Saleabration choices  available through March 31.  And finally, the 'Ruffled' Dynamic Textured Impressions folder adds an easy feminine touch to the Sweet Sugarplum layer.  I'll include a list of products below for easy shopping.

I appreciate your Stampin' Up! business, and am always happy to answer your questions.  Click here to email any time!

Bev's Host Code for your March orders:  YWQ4QXPB
Host Code Club members receive a handmade card from Bev!

Click here to shop!

Inky (((hugs))),

Product List

Cake Soiree Clear-Mount Bundle [147627] $61.00	Cake Soirée Clear-Mount Stamp Set [145745] $35.00	Sweet Cake Framelits Dies [145617] $33.00	Heartfelt Blooms Clear-Mount Stamp Set [147202] $0.00	Lots Of Labels Framelits Dies [138281] $27.00
Ruffled Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder [143699] $10.00	Garden Green 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [102584] $8.00	Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin' Pad [126950] $6.50	Rich Razzleberry 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [115316] $8.00	Sweet Sugarplum Classic Stampin' Pad [141395] $6.50
Sweet Sugarplum 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [141418] $8.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.00	Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad [140931] $7.00	Mini Stampin' Dimensionals [144108] $4.00	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00
Liquid Multipurpose Glue [110755] $4.00	Big Shot [143263] $110.00

Marbled Hugs!

This is one of those unusual times when I'm glad to admit that "I was tempted!"      

What I mean is that I was tempted to join in the CAS Challenge over at Splitcoaststampers.  But as I said, I'm glad I read it and was inspired to play along.   The challenge was to use a background stamp as the basis for a clean 'n simple (CAS) card ... certainly easy enough, and it's literally been ages since I've inked up a full-sized background stamp.   

Another admission:  I rarely make one-layer cards unless timing requires it, or other special circumstances.  Truthfully, this just has the background stamped on Whisper White card stock, layered atop a mat of Basic Black, then applied to the jazzy Lemon Lime Twist card base.  The horizontal layout allows space for the single strip of Black 'n White ribbon from the 2017 Holiday Catalog.  

Tex's Tip:  Alignment of the 'hugs' die from the Lovely Words framelits is easiest for me when I first die cut the circle (Layering Circles).  Then I find it easier to set the word die within the cut-out circle, eyeing the margins around the edges.  Washi tape to my rescue here!  *Setting dies in position before cutting is my favored time for using washi tape.  

Happy new week, m'friends!

Inky (((hugs))),

• Product Links for today's card:
• Marbled stamp
• Lovely Words Thinlits
• Lemon Lime Twist Classic Ink pad
• Lemon Lime Twist card stock
• Whisper White card stock