Inlaid Die Cutting and Copics

Hello!  I know it's late for me to be posting, but I just couldn't let the Winnie & Walter Belated Birthday Challenges end without joining one last time.  So without adieu I am playing along with the Inlaid Die Cutting Challenge with Mayuri...

I love the look of inlaid die cutting as it adds a new dimension to a project, but I wanted to do something a little different with it.  So I started by stamping the floral images from the In Bloom: Lola's Bouquet with Joni Andaya randomly with my MISTI.  I then ran the happy die through my machine in the center of the panel.  I chose to only color the floral images that were on the cut for interest.  The background felt too plain since I wasn't coloring in the full floral images and I decided to do create a dotted background with various blue Copics.  Finally, I propped it all up on a die cut panel from the Audrey Cutaways, and finished it all off with a mix of colorful sequins.

I wish my photo could be better, but as I am taking this at night and the challenge ends within hours it was the best I could muster, hopefully I'll be able to get a better shot in the morning to share.

I am also linking this up to the Simon Says Stamp Wed. Anything Goes Challenge and the Marker Pop Anything Goes Challenge.

Happy Crafting!
Lisa

Papertrey February Blog Hop Challenge

Hello again!  If you didn't get to see my newest Altenew creation I would love for you to click here and check it out too!  Now I'm posting for this month's Papertrey Ink Blog Hop... the colors were much too yummy to pass it up!  ( Plus I just got some new goodies from them so I couldn't wait to play! )

This card was created using their new Peonies on Parade and the sentiment was from their Graceful Greetings Stamp Set.  I also used their inks in the following colors: Sweet Blush, Melon Berry, Dark Chocolate, New Leaf and Chartreuse.  I used this ink colors with a little bit of water and a brush to "paint" my flower and leaves.  I then finished the card with a few scattered sequins.  Don't you just love the sparkle of this card?  It's from CutCardstock.com and it is called Curious Metallic... it is one of my favorites!

I am also going to link this up to the Simon Says Stamp: Anything Goes Challenge and their Work it Wednesday Challenge.

Happy Crafting!!!
Lisa

Altenew Home Decor: Aspire for Greatness

Hello!  Today I'm sharing the newest piece of home decor that I've created for the latest From Places Abroad Altenew Challenge...

 The minute I laid eyes on the stamp set You Are from their latest release I was in love!  The sentiments in this set are perfect for so many occasions, I know for sure I want to use them as some lunch notes for my children too.  I also really enjoy the design images in this set too, and when I first saw them my mind flew to the Hennah Elements set that is still one of my favorites... so I decided to mix the two together and create something meaningful and inspirational to have in my house.  I used the colors from the new challenge to inspire the colors in my project.

To create this piece I started by stamping my images and sentiment with Versafine Onyx Black.  I then used various blue hues of Distress Markers to watercolor the images in, layering the colors.  I then watercolored along the edges with Pearlescent Watercolors.  After this was fully dried I added details with a gold pen.  I then matted my panel onto black cardstock, and then onto gold glitz paper from DCWV.  Finally, I added the sequins in various sizes at a diagonal.

I felt like something was still missing so I stamped the images again onto vellum with gold embossing powder and fussy cut them out.  I added them to the corners of my frame with removable adhesive, in case I should ever want to change it.  And ta-da!  I LOVE it!

I am also linking this up to the Simon Says Stamp: Anything Goes Challenge

Thanks so much for stopping by and Happy Crafting!
Lisa

Thank You Floral Wreath

Hello!  Today you will find a Thank you card I've created here and on the Mint Owl Studio Blog!

This guy is a touch shorter than the average A2 sized card, no real rhyme or reason other than I wanted to make a smaller one hehehe!  I started by stamping my floral wreath from the Bundles of Joy stamp set with Versafine ink.  I then watercolored the floral images with my Gansai Tambi watercolors.  Next I went over the background with water and dropped in pinks and purples.  Once it was all dry I die cut the edge of the cardstock.  I then stamped my sentiment from the new Scripty Sentiments over the middle... now, here's the tricky part... when I first stamped the sentiment it became muddled and lost with the wreath, and I had a touch of a freak out moment as I didn't want to waste this beautiful start to my card.  So... here is where my white gel pen came to the rescue!  I outlined the edge of my sentiment with a white gel pen and it really made it pop, and bring the focus in.  Finally, I added some sequins from the Hearts and Kisses Sequin Mix. ( I also ran a strip of glitter washi tape along the top, because of course I needed more bling hehehe! )

I am also linking this little guy up to the Simon Says Stamp Wed. Anything Goes Challenge and their Work It Wed. Flower Challenge.

Thanks so much for stopping by today and Happy Crafting!
Lisa

Winnie & Walter Belated Birthday Challenge... take 3!

Hiya!  I hope you had a lovely weekend!  We had a great time taking the kids to a museum with their Nanny and Papa who were down here visiting.  Now today I'm sharing a little gift tag I've made for the Winnie and Walter Belated Birthday Challenge: Anything but a card with Kate...

And here is a tag I've created using the Essentials Audrey Cutaways, Lola's Bouquet, and The Big the bold and the extra's Stamp Sets...

I am also linking this little guy up to the 30 Day Challenge hosted by the incredible Kathy Racoosin, she is truly an inspiration and wonderful lady.
And in the Marker Pop: Anything Goes Challenge:

Have a fabulous day and Happy Crafting!
Lisa

Winnie & Walter Floral Challenge

Hello, I hope you are having a wonderful weekend so far!  I'm getting a chance to play in the Winnie & Walter 2nd Belated Birthday Challenge, and more specifically with the Floral Challenge with Lydia...

To create this card I started by stamping my sentiment with a mix of words from The Big, the bold, and the Extra's stamp set.  I wanted to have that watercolored softness to my flowers and so I chose to color these floral images from the Lola's Bouquet Stamp set with distress markers and spritzed them lightly with water before stamping them onto the card.  I then added a trim piece of glitter cardstock along the bottom.  I finished it all off with a mix of gold and clear sequins.

Thanks so much for stopping by and Happy Crafting!
Lisa

STAMPlorations CAS Challenge Reminder

Hello!  Today we are sharing a reminder and more inspiration for the STAMPlorations Clean and Simple Challenge: Anything Goes (optional twist: Red).  Here's what I've created...

To create this card I started my diecutting my heart and then embossing my sentiment from the Fond Expressions 2 Stamp Set in white Embossing powder.  Next I used distress ink in the color Fired Brick and blended it up from the bottom of the heart to the top, giving a nice gradient look of reds.  I used the heart to base here where I would stamp the smaller heart images from the Balloons and Banners Stamp Set.  I then went over the rectangle panel with distress ink in Scattered Straw and Wild Honey.  Finally I adhered the heart with foam adhesive and adhered it all to the cardbase.

Thanks so much for stopping by and I can't wait to see what you will create for this challenge!
Happy Crafting!
Lisa

Paper Wreath for CutCardStock.com

Hello, back one more time!  Today you will also find a tutorial for how I created this cute Home Sweet Home Paper Wreath using my Cricut and CutCardStock.com Cardstock on their blog...

Hope you will get a chance to stop by and see how it all came together!

Happy Crafting!
Lisa

Supplies Used: ( Please note the following items are listed under affiliate link.  What this means is that you can click on the links and if you purchase anything I make a small fee at no cost to you.  It's a total win win )

      

With Sympathy

Hello again!  Today you can also find me sharing a soft sympathy card on The Mint Owl Studio Blog using the new Scripty Sentiments Set... ( The font in this set is beautiful! )

To create this card I started by embossing my sentiment and then covering the panel in three different blue shades of distress ink: faded jeans, Broken China, and Chipped Sapphire.  I then spritzed a mask with water before laying it onto the panel.  I then did this three times.  I finished by picking sequins out of the Chocolate Truffle and Peach Passion.  

Thanks so much for stopping by and Happy Crafting!

Lisa

STAMPlorations Special Release: Coffee Happy Blog Hop

Hello!!!  Welcome to the Special Release Hop for STAMPloration's new set: Coffee Happy!  And I am so excited to be able to share what I've created with this fun new set...

I love the sketchy quality to this stamp set and the fun typewriter font.  This is a very basic one layer card, in which I've trimmed the sentiment and stamped the I love coffee in the middle of the mug and the and YOU part below, drawing my own parenthesis.  I then added some shading to the mug and splattered some spray ink around.

For this next card I used several diecuts of cloud edge cuts in a mix of vellum and cardstock.  I then stamped and watercolored the cup image before fussy cutting and adding it between the clouds.  Finally I stamped my sentiment, with the COFFEE stamped up in the clouds and the rest of the sentiment along the bottom lower right front of the card.  I used the strip of gold cardstock not just for added dimension or glam, but to help hide the adhesive for the cloud.  I then added a mix of various sized clear sequins to set it all off.

Thanks so much for stopping by today, and I have just a few more bits of good news to share with you...  The Coffee Happy stamp set is available in the shop with 10% off until February 24th!  Comments close on the 19th for the Blog Hop, the winner will be announced shortly after on February 21st.

Happy Hopping and Crafting!
Lisa

Laughter Sparkles Like Sunshine Layout

Hello!  Today you can find me on the DCWV blog sharing a layout I've created mixing lots of stacks including a DIY Project Stack: Tags...

Full pictures and how to can be found on the DCWV blog, hope you'll get a chance to stop by and check it out!

Happy Crafting!
Lisa

Supplies Used:

View blog post for supplies

Floral Birthday

Hello!  It is Thursday, and while many parts of this week have been super long (lots of snow days), other parts have seem to flown past.  I was fortunate enough to sneak in a little play time in between project deadlines and I'm playing with the Winnie & Walter Birthday Bash Gold + Watercolor Challenge and with the Pretty Pink Posh Valentine Challenge.

For my card I was inspired by Gayatri's beautiful floral arrangement and I knew my Winnie & Walter's In Bloom: Lola's Bouquet would be perfect for the challenge!

To create my card I used a "Faux Water Color" Technique by coloring my images with Distress Markers then spritzing them with water before stamping them onto my paper.  I then heat embossed my sentiment with gold embossing powder from The Big, the Bold, and the Happy Stamp Set.  I then diecut the panel with the Essential's: Audrey's Cutaways.  I then set it all a sparkle with some Pretty Pink Posh Sequins in Sparkling Clear 6 mm and 8 mm, as well as some Metallic Gold 4mm.

Thanks so much for stopping by today and Happy Crafting!
Lisa

Piggy Party!

Hello, hello!  Today I am sharing a cute Birthday Card using the new Piggy Party Stamp Set on the Mint Owl Studio Blog and here...

This set is so much fun to color and play with!  I must add that I also used the I Moose You Stamp set for the little banners.  To create this card I started by stamping the fences and flowers before coloring my background with various Copics.  I then stamped the little piggies and experimented with coloring them various colors as well, so that each one could look a little different.  I then fussy cut around them and added them to my scene, popping the largest piggy up with foam adhesive.  I then stamped, colored and cut the little banners.  Next I stamped my sentiment, added a sun diecut and finally finished it off with some faux pen stitching.

I am linking this up to the MarkerPOP Anything Goes Challenge:

Happy Crafting and thanks for stopping by!
Lisa

PS - Don't forget you still have time to hop along and join us in the Share the Love Blog Hop, sponsored by Mint Owl Studio!!! ( pssst- there are prizes too!)

Kindness is Always Fashionable

Hi again!  Two posts in one day? Whoa, look out!  I was so inspired by another PTI Anniversary Challenge: Grab and Go, that I just had to squeeze in some time and play along...

Here is what I grabbed...

 And here is what I created: (in less than 10 Minutes!)

I used a new to me mix of colors inspired from the Day 1 DT Intro Post on the PTI blog, and I really like it!  And there you have it, short and sweet!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Happy Crafting!
Lisa

PTI Inspiration 9 Years

Hello and Happy Tuesday!  I am so excited as PTI is celebrating their 9 years right now!  They were one of the first stamp companies I really discovered, and I've loved them ever since.  (They also happen to be a hometown company, so double yay!)  I am so glad I was able to play along with the first challenge for their Anniversary Celebration, and I was inspired by the colors in Maile Belles' card...

And here is what I've created...

I used the Happiness in Bloom Stamp Set, and found inspiration for my layout on the stamp's front cover.  I wasn't sure how I was going to incorporate the lavender into my card, when I thought why not make it the flower's center?  It's a lot different than what I would normally think to do, but I think it works and I love it!  I die cut the panel, popped it up with foam adhesive and added some clear sequins.

Thank you so much for stopping by and Happy Crafting!

Lisa

Share the Love Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to the Share the Love Blog Hop! If you happened to stumble here first you will want to make sure you start at the beginning with the host for this hop: Mint Owl Studios.  Now for some details on what this blog hop is all about: The idea of this event is to make a card and send it to someone you love. We are part of an amazing hobby, and we can use our talent to put a smile on someone’s face. You can send it to a friend or family member who has a birthday, needs some encouragement, or just to say hi. 

And of course it's not a blog hop without a giveaway, right?!  So follow the rules to make sure you can get your name entered into the drawing:
Leave a comment on all of the blogs on this hop to be eligible to win a $25 gift certificate to the Mint Owl Studio store. There will be one winner chosen, so the more blogs you comment on, the better your chance is to win!

How can you participate and share the love?
-Make a card for someone in your life (it can be a friend, family member, co-worker, etc.)
-Post a photo of it on social media, tag us and use the hashtag #sharethelovemos
-If you don’t use social media, post it on your blog and then leave a link to it on the Mint Owl Studio
blog post.
-Send the card in the mail so you can share the love!
-For each card you make and share, you will be eligible to win a $25 gift certificate to the Mint Owl Studio store. 
-This event starts on February 8th and ends on February 14th at 11:59 PM CST. 

Now onto what I've made for today's hop...

I am giving this card to my son for Valentine's Day!  I LOVE the super cute sentiments in the My Deer stamp set, like this one!  To create this card I used a heart die as a stencil and traced it onto watercolor cardstock in a random pattern.  I then dropped various watercolors in and set it to the side to dry.  Next I stamped my little mushrooms and colored them in with various Copics.  Next I added some details with a white gel pen, and fussy cut them both out.  I also went over the edges with a black Memento marker.  For the sentiment I embossed it in white onto a circle diecut.  The scalloped circle cut was in my diecut scraps and thought it fit perfectly, as was the sparkly heart!  ( Love when you can use your scrap stash! )  Then I adhered everything to the card base setting the circle dies slightly off one edge and trimming them.  Finally, I adhered the larger mushroom, and popped the little one up with foam adhesive!

Thanks so much for stopping by today and for hopping along!  I know you are going to be amazed as you hop along with all of the awesome inspiration, here is a complete list of hop participants:

Mint Owl Studio 

Stephanie 

Jennifer 

Tracy 

Laura 

Jung  

Audrey 

Jess 

Amy K. 

Cassie 

Lisa  - You are here

Amy T. - Go here next

Thanks again and Happy Crafting/Hopping!
Lisa

Framed Love for CutCardstock.com

Hi!  Today you will find me on the CutCardstock.com Blog sharing a how to for a new home decor piece.  Hope you will get time to stop by and check it out!

I am also linking this up to the Simon Says Stamp: Have a Heart Challenge

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Happy Crafting!

Lisa

Supplies Used:

        

STAMPlorations CAS Challenge #2

Hello, hello!  Today starts a new challenge for STAMPlorations Clean and Simple Challenge, woot woot!  As always our Challenges are based on clean and simple designs, anything goes with the optional twist this time of the color: RED.  Here is what I've created...

As I am taking the OCC Watercolor class right now I incorporated a bit of my homework from Day 3 negative watercoloring into this challenge.  ( I'm really learning so much, even though I'm a bit behind, thank goodness you can take the class at your own pace! )  I started by using the heart image from the Balloons and Banners Stamp set as a basis for my heart images floating across the front.  I then used watercolors to loosely drop in over the hearts in various mixed reds.  I then used the negative watercoloring technique around the outside of the images, layering various colors and adding some droplets here and there with my brush.  Once it had finally dried I stamped my sentiment from the Fond Expression 2 Stamp Set several times with my MISTI and black Versafine ink.

I am also linking this up to Simon Says Stamp: Have a Heart Challenge

Thanks so much for stopping by and Happy Crafting!

Lisa

Sneak Peek Day for Mint Owl Studios

Hello and hooray!!!!  Today is when you can see the new Mint Owl Studio Stamp Set: Easter Blessings on their blog today!  This set will be available on Feb. 8th ( psssttt - there will also be an awesome hop that day, so you won't want to miss it! ).  I, however, am here with a sneak peek of this new set in action...

This set has some beautiful cross images, as well as Easter sentiments and flowers.  To create my card I used a mix of colored pencils and Copics, while embossing the sentiments and adding some sequins from one of the soon to be released sequin mixes.  Check out the full reveal of this set over on their blog now, and I can't wait to see you there for the Blog Hop/Release on the 8th!

I am linking this up to the Simon Says Stamp: Anything Goes Challenge
and the Marker Pop: Anything Goes Challenge

Happy Crafting!
Lisa