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))),