Yeti Yet?

Even though we have no snow or ice on Texas turf as yet, we get into the spirit of things via decorating, crafting, & stamping.  

Today's card is a fun idea for the entire winter season.  I'll start with a cute little yeti for this wintery mix.  Scoot over penguins & snow people!

I've inked up the new 'Ice Crystals' stencil from A Colorful Life designs for yeti's frosty background.  The stencil is a full 6" x 9", so it's great for larger projects needing an icy touch.  I sponged on white pigment ink for this look, and allowed it to dry overnight.  Look below for a list of my supplies.  

Inky (((hugs))),

Supplies:

STAMPS: Darcie's heart & home JCS336

INKS:  ColorBox white pigment, Memento Tuxedo, VersaFine Onyx

PAPERS:  Neenah, sky, teal

ACCESSORIES:  "Ice Crystals" stencil (A Colorful Life designs), Misti, Copic markers, dies from Simon Says & Sizzix, Gina K Connect glue, sequins, glitter

Skipping Fall?

Even though it's early October, it seems that Mother Nature is in a hurry to show off her powers of sudden change.  Two days ago I was wearing sandals & shorts.  Today?  At approximately 10:00 a.m., it's a whopping 43*.  It isn't permanent for now, but since we sampled this yesterday, I'm personally done with this.  However ... it feels like Christmas is close, so turn on the Christmas music and stamp!

The latest stencils release from A Colorful Life is filled with Christmas spirit!

This card features the new 6" X 9" 'Faded Poinsettia' stencil.  Since this is a large stencil, you can position it in different ways depending on the viewpoint you prefer.

Embossed sentiments can add an extra touch of elegance!  The layers are matted with lovely metallic gold card stock to pull it all together.  

Hope you've found a bit of inspiration to start up your next stamping session!  See you again, soon.

Inky (((hugs))),

A Little Brand Spankin' New + a Little Catch-up

Ooooops!  September whooshed in upon us, schedules changed, classes started, and now it's about to leave ("leaf"?) us behind!  Time to share the latest, and share a little catch-up!

First, for those s-s-Special people in your heart ... 

Card #1 features A Colorful Life's delightful, new  "Dragon Skin" stencil, with stamps from Inky Antics.  It started with the Smooshed Stencil technique as mentioned on Splitcoaststampers, but I added a blend of colors through the stencil after doing the smooshing for a better visual of the scales.  Mermaid & dragon lovers, this one is a must ... just sayin'.

Moving on the Fall theme ...

If you haven't already added the new 'Skeleton Leaf' stencil to your stash, it's time.  For card #2, I simply applied Distress Oxides Spiced Marmalade through the stencil for this striking Fall background.  Plus, the jam-packed Marvelous Masks Pumpkins was used to easily add a pumpkin next to the cute little guy from Darcie's stamps.

Halloween fans, this one's for you!

Seriously ... this Fancy Web stencil is delightfully fun & fancy! Maybe not this Crazy Cat's 'meow', but I couldn't resist.  I poked through my stamps stash to find this collection from Tim Holtz (Crazy Cats), Rubbernecker (spider), and Our Craft Lounge (sentiment).  The web is stenciled atop glossy white card stock, so there's an eery sheen when held in the just-right light. 

All of these stencils are from this month's new release over at A Colorful Life designs for your inky pleasures!  Use code BevFan10 any time on your stencil orders from A Colorful Life for added savings.  Affiliated links are used at no cost to you.  

Inky (((hugs))),

Subtle Prayers

Sometimes we just need to send a simple, comforting message.  That's what today's card is all about, plus it's suitable for men or women.  And it was created for Lee Ann's Dare to Get Dirty challenge over at Splitcoaststampers.

Seriously, this is soooo easy to make.  I love this beautiful Jewel Flower stencil!  Here, I used my Life Changing Brushes and Pumice Stone Distress Ink for the monochromatic stenciling.  The stenciling can either be the entire card front or a layer, as is mine.  I laid a simple border trim alongside the pretty panel for a little more interest.  **Remember to use code BevFan10 for your discount when shopping for your stencils at A Colorful Life designs!  😀

For contrast the sentiment was heat embossed in white, then punched , while the 'prayers' was die cut from white and GK Soft Sand card stock.  Make'm for your stash in a couple of soft colors, then thank yourself later.   

Inky (((hugs))),

Products & Links:

STAMPS:  'Prayers' (Hero Arts)

INKS:  Pumice Stone Distress Ink + VersaMark

PAPERS:  Gina K Soft Sand, Neenah Solar Classic

ACCESSORIES:  Jewel Flower stencil (A Colorful Life designs), Picket Fence Life Changing Brushes, 'Prayers' die (Hero Arts), Simon Says border die, white embossing powder,

Fishing You Were Here!

Yaaaaaay!   It's one of my favorite stamping weeks of the year!   The annual Dare to Get Dirty (DTGD) challenges have begun at Splitcoaststampers!  DTGD is a special challenge week presented as a bonus to SCS Fan Club members.  Come join in the fun!

My card today is for my sweet friend Kittie's challenge, DTGD19kittie747.  

I was eager to play with the new 'Splash' and 'Beach Waves' stencils from A Colorful Life designs.  Psssst!  Use code BevFan10 for a discount when shopping for your stencils!  I love the way these stencils create the look of watery fun, especially now that I've paired them with the 'Fin-tastic Friends' stamps by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.

The 'Splash' stencil was used to create the primary background of this card.  I blended Distress Inks with Life Changing Brushes ... so easy & fun!   The 'Beach Waves' stencil was used atop blended inks for the mini scenes throughout my card. 

Believe it or not, I haven't used all of the images in the super-fun stamp set ... there are even more!

I created this by making 2 Z-folds, then affixing them together.  I'll add a view from the top to help you visualize the Z's.  

Don't worry ... you won't get the zzzzzzz's when creating with this fun design.  

Thanks a bunch for your visit and your comments!  I'll be back by Tuesday with another sample created for the DTGD challenges.  

Inky (((huggss))),

Supplies used:

STAMPS:  Fin-tastic Friends (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)

INKS:  Distress Inks = Crushed Olive + Mermaid Lagoon + Peacock Feathers + Tumbled Glass;  Memento Tuxedo, Ranger Archival Black (on vellum)

PAPERS:  Neenah Solar Classic, Gina K Creme de Menthe, Prism Intense Teal, Vellum

ACCESSORIES:  'Splash' and 'Beach Waves' stencils (A Colorful Life), Copic markers, Picket Fence Studios Life Changing Brushes, circle die, Sizzix Adhesive sheets, Wink of Stella, gifted sequins

Christmas in July Hop & Sale!

Welcome to a special Christmas in July Blog Hop featuring Christmas stamps by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps!   One lucky commenter will win a $50 gift code to the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps shop!  The deadline for leaving comments on the hop is 11:59 PM, July 31.   
You'll find our complete blog hop list shared below my card. 

There's more fun!  We're also kicking off the Christmas in July Sale starting today, July 24 - July 31!  
Save 25% on all Christmas stamps during this sale.  No code necessary.

Click here to shop now!

Since it's 100% natural for me to be instantly attracted to florals, the beautiful Christmas Poinsettia set (SNS-18-062) called my name right away.  

Even though Copic markers cause problems with heat embossing, that became a non-issue by positioning the poinsettia stamp on my Misti.  I left the stamp in place after stamping the with Memento Gray Flannel ink.  Then I colored the poinsettia and when it was finished, I placed the colored image right back into the Misti in the same spot it had been earlier.  Next I inked it up the cleaned stamp with VersaMark, applied anti-static powder to the image card stock, and stamped directly atop the colored image.  Then it was ready for embossing.  Ta-dah!

Remember to check out even more Christmas inspiration from each of our blog hop participants.  Best wishes on winning the $50 gift code to the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps shop!

Sweet 'n Sassy Blog
Julee Tilman
Bev Gerard   (Thanks for being here!)
Ceal Pritchett
Dina Kowal
Gayle Bond
Giovana Smith
Jane Bosi
Jeanne Streiff
Julie Cassell
Lee Ann Barrett
Lyn Tomlin
Monika Davis
Sheri Gilson
Stephanie Serrano

You Inspire Me!

Surely most of us have at least one person who inspires us, whether it's in a creative way, spiritual way, parenting, 'adulting', positivity, or many other ways.  So when I spotted this sentiment in my recent order from Sweet 'n Sassy stamps, I knew I would be using it right away.

My card actually started with an idea for the new 6"x6" Rays stencil from A Colorful Life designs.  I love that the stencil's rays radiate a full 360*, allowing for a wide variety of placement options when one is creating.

The color blending was so smooth & easy with the Life Changing Blending Brushes!  Distress Oxides used were:  Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick, & Squeezed Lemonade.  

Yes ... I'm a huge hibiscus fan!  Reality is that this is a rare Summer without a blooming hibiscus at my studio doorway.  That personal love started nearly 40 years ago with gifted hibiscus plants from a beloved Aunt.  Today's fab blossom & foliage are from the Be a Flamingo stamp set by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  The photo above is the only one that shows the shimmer of Wink of Stella within the hibiscus blossom.

Thanks so much for your visit!  

Inky (((hugs))),

Out of This World!

Sooooo many choices!!  Let's see:  

• Ink or paste or paint?
• Card theme?  For me, it depends on the visions I see when looking at the stencil.
• Card color(s)?
• Copic colors to choose ... + how many?
• Vertical viewpoint or horizontal?
• CAS or more complicated?
• Mixed media component or stand alone?

My decision?

It's a birthday theme!  This 6"x6" Fading Circles stencil has so many possibilities ... disco style, party, wheels, bicycles, subtle & soft colors, water drops, bright colors, multi-colors, invitations ... and your thoughts?

I played a lot with various colors in my 'play' process ... but when I used the silver texture paste, I immediately knew which stamps to use plus my color range.  Don't you love how that works?  I added shimmer to the flames, and Sakura Glaze to the windows, but both eluded the lens today.

I hope you enjoyed today's birthday project.  You receive a 10% savings on your stencils purchase at 

A Colorful Life Designs when you use code BevFan10!

Happy Independence Day (a.k.a. July 4th) to my fellow United States citizens!

Supplies:

STAMPS:  To Infinity and Beyond (SugarPea Designs)

INKS:  Distress Oxide Wilted Violet, Memento Tuxedo Black, VersaFine Clair Nocturne

PAPERS:  Gina K's 'In the Navy', Neenah Solar Classic, Apple green

ACCESSORIES:  'Fading Circles' stencil (A Colorful Life designs), Wendy Vecchi Embossing Paste - Silver, Copic markers, foam tape

Just a Bit of Silver

Glad to be back to stamping this week.  Since finishing up my part of the VBS decor for the 3 & 4-year olds' room, I've simply been enjoying some play-without-a-purpose.  If you've never tried it, it's a great way to just relax and enjoy your supplies without making yourself accomplish a specific goal.  

What next?  I started seeing possibilities for some of my new stencil arrivals .... yay!  Here's the first, and simplest card coming from that mini-adventure in the stampy zone:

This one is so easy!  The image card stock was trimmed to 3.75" X 5" before stenciling.  This allowed me to precisely place the stencil in the upper corner.

The silver embossed sentiment is from a retired Gina K stamp set, Punchy Words.  I've had this set nearly 12 years!  Thus, I'm adding this card to the Retro Rubber Challenge 113.

I used Life Changing Blending Brushes to apply Distress Oxide Broken China to the Layered Mandala Base stencil.  Remember that using code BevFan10 will give a discount on your stencils purchase at A Colorful Life Designs!

Inky (((huggss),

Too Many Yeses!

Learning one's personal limitations .... that's the lesson I'm relearning this week.  sighhhhhh ...  Maybe you can relate?

Inspired by the FS645 challenge at Splitcoaststampers, I gave little pieces of time to fitting in just a wee bit of stamping this week. 

The original sample featured diagonal gray/white stripes atop a white card base.  I opted for a the fun vertical stripes in the 'Interrupted Lines' stencil from A Colorful Life Designs.  You're welcome to use discount code BevFan10 for 10% savings on your stencils!

I will admit that the child in me jumped out to play with the Altenew set, 'Garden Treasures', sampling lots of color combos for the 4-step blossom.  In the end, I chose a coordinated set of inks from Altenew and will list them below.  

Sometimes inky play is just what a girl needs!  But for now, I must get back to working a literal 'jungle' of huge tissue paper flowers for a VBS classroom.  Oh ... and animal face templates too.  Yes ... it's a true case of having said 'Yes', and 'Yes', and 'Yes' again .... when I should have learned the other word option somewhere in there.  Nowwwwww I get it!   LOL

Inky (((huggss))),

Never Alone ...

I'm a bit amazed at how easy it felt to create today's card.  This one is a bit rare, in that becoming friendly with the concept of 'clean & simple' design has been tricky for me.  Participating in online CAS challenges has  proven to be a helpful learning tool for me, coupled with the vision loss of the recent 3-4 years.  Now I'm even willing to say that change can be a good thing!  So ... here's one that just seemed to fall into its CAS place with ease:

One of the first things I like to do when opening new stampy toys & tools is to simply mess around with them, i.e. play!  I like to ink up the stamps that insisted on being bought & see them in color on my card stock scraps.  As soon as I inked up this Picket Fence Studios stamp from 'Exhale Worry' ... I knew it needed to be the simple focus of a card.  This simple 'Spokes' stencil called out to me and sure enough .. the card was on its way to being created.  

I smoothed on 'Coastal' Chalkology Paste, then set it aside for a short time to dry.  While it dried, I heat embossed the sentiment and chose the die shape.  Tiny little rhinestones became the final touch.

I'm sure I'll make more of these.  I love the subtle, simplicity of this one.  There are times when one feels so alone ... and this is a beautiful reminder to Christians that we are never truly alone.  It makes my heart smile.

**Just a Note:  I'm beginning reclaim studio storage space and will be selling bunches of stamps & stampy supplies on this blog as well as through my Facebook page/group.  Pages/categories will be found listed beneath my blog header above.  New pages will be added for more categories across Summer 2019.  Check back often, and/or ask to be invited to the 4 Sale group via my Texas Rubber & Ink! facebook page!

Inky (((hugggs))),

Supplies Used:

STAMPS:  Exhale Worry (Picket Fence Studios)

STENCIL:  Spokes (A Colorful Life Designs)

INKS:  VersaMark

PAPERS:  Neenah Classic Solar white, Sahara Sand

ACCESSORIES:  Labels dies (The Stamps of Life), Ranger Multi Medium Matte glue, white embossing powder, tiny rhinestones (Taylored Expressions), foam dimensional tape

Trumpeter Mouse!

Today's card features a sweet little mouse who's busy trumpeting out a message from the flower garden.  There are times when I feel the need to color something cute ... and the House Mouse stamps are one of my go-to's for cute critter images.  If only I were quicker at coloring,  a quicker-colorer?, I could easily send several of these to friends & loved ones back home and some far away places as well.

The look achieved from the 'SpiroArt' stencil (A Colorful Life Designs) reminds me a bit of an opening blossom, with the layered circle image placed right in the middle of the stenciled area.  I used Life Changing Brushes to apply Shabby Shutters ink through the off-centered stencil.  The 'Miss You' sentiment is from Inky Antics.  The little matching dots are from a Viva Decor Pearl Pen.

Note:  Use code BevFan10 for 10% savings at A Colorful Life Designs!  Compensated affiliate links for some products are used when possible.  When you place an order after clicking one of my links, I receive a very small commission at no cost to you.  Thanks so much for using my links and supporting my works!

Inky (((hugggsss))),

  

Supplies Used:

STAMPS:  House Mouse ‘Floral Trumpet’, sentiment = Inky Antics ‘Poppy Friendship'

INKS:  Memento Tuxedo, VersaFine Onyx, Distress Ink Shabby Shutters, Copic markers

PAPER:  Neenah Solar Classic white, Gina K Little Boy Blue, Granny Apple Green

ACCESSORIES:  'SpiroArt' stencil - A Colorful Life Designs, Life Changing Brushes (Picket Fence Studios), Cheery Lynn foliage dies, Sizzix & Spellbinders circle dies, Viva Decor Pearl Pen Kiwi, dimensional foam tape 

Just Ducky Spring!

Taking a little bit of a leap by moving out of my comfort zone with today's card.  One of my favorite friends of many years is in her natural zone with creating scenes for her cards ... and I normally just admire from afar.  Inspired by the SCS MIX329 Mixability challenge, my card needed to include a scene.   Ready - Set ---

First, I masked the fun pond shape with 'Schmancy Ovals' Marvelous Masks and blended Distress Oxide Faded Jeans + Broken China before lightly misting with water.  Tex's Tip:  Cover the card front with the same mask while misting, to prevent the other areas from getting wet.

Next, I covered the inked area with the solid cut-out portion of the masks set before filling the outer area with the 'Interlocking Leaves' stencil from A Colorful Life Designs.

I brought out darling 'Spring Has Sprung' set from Gina K.  I've had this since its release in 2010!  Isn't it sweet?  For shrubs, I snipped some foliage dies into smaller sizes.  The 'ground' was die cut with a border die, then painted with brown & cream acrylic paints.  Once dry, I scuffed the edge with scissors for some texture.  The grass border easily grounds everything.  

Hmmmm .... I think I'll return to a more comfy-to-me stampy style for the next creation.  However, it really is good to stretch yourself creatively every now & then.  😉

Note:  Use code BevFan10 for 10% savings at A Colorful Life Designs!  Compensated affiliate links for some products are used when possible.  When you place an order after clicking one of my links, I receive a very small commission at no cost to you.  Thanks so much for using my links and supporting my works.  

Inky (((hugs))),

SUPPLIES USED: 
STAMPS:  'Spring Has Sprung'  (Gina K), 'Baby Birds' (sentiment - Paper Smooches)

INKS:  Distress Oxides = Broken China, Faded Jeans, Shabby Shutters;  Memento Tuxedo

PAPERS:  Neenah white, Gina K’s Fresh Asparagus + Green Apple + Green Grass

ACCESSORIES:  A Colorful Life Designs stencils ‘Interlocking Leaves’ & 'Schmancy Ovals' Marvelous Masks, Copic markers, acrylic paints, Tim Holtz dies (foliage), grass and cloud dies (The Stamps of Life), Clarity brush, Purple Tape

Hey, Kitty

Coming up on an uber-busy weekend staying with Grands while their parents are away .... which means >> color while you can!  So I did.  Multiple softball games are scheduled to dominate much of the weekend, so there's fun to come!

I must say ... this kitty is likely to become one of my very favorite stamps.  Plus, the Peeking Kitty stamp set is my talented friend Dina Kowal's design for Impression Obsession!  She is so talented in a variety of ways.

First, I colored the stamped kitty image and the separate paws with Copics and fussy cut the paws.  Then I masked the kitty with Eclipse tape before topping it off with the 'Wavy Fade' stencil from A Colorful Life Designs.  Next, I lightly stenciled with a Clarity brush.

Before adhering the layers, I stamped the sentiment with my Mini Misti positioner.  Finally, a strip of textured white card stock was brushed with Bundled Sage Distress Ink, and adhered directly beneath the kitty image.  The paws were then attached to the textured layer.

Note:  Compensated affiliate links are used when possible.  When you place an order after clicking one of my links, I receive a small commission at no cost to you.  Thanks so much for using my links and supporting this blog.  

That's it for now.  Here's to a fab weekend for all!  

Inky (((hugs))),