Time for the Your Next Stamp after release party!

Hello and Happy Friday!  Today the Your Next Stamp design team is showing off more creations using this month's new releases.  Pop on over to the YNS Blog to check out some fabulous creations.

I have a water coloured creation to share with you today.  I used my new Derwent Inktense pencils.  They are like water colour pencils but with a really rich dark finish.  Because they are ink based, you can go back over your image when it's dry and add another layer of colour.  You can purchase these beauties at your local big-box craft store or an art supply store (where I find the prices to be much better).

I stamped my image onto some of my white Neenah cardstock in Staz On ink.  I didn't use watercolour paper because you don't require much water to spread the pigment around.  I did get a tiny bit of warping when the paper dried but once die cutting and adhering to another layer it wasn't an issue.  I used my grey Copic markers to go around the outside lines of the image to give a bit more depth.

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Supplies:Stamps: Spring Blossom Robin from Your Next Stamp, Skinni Font Alphabet set from Your Next Stamp

YNS Dies:  Insta Love Polaroid Die Set from Your Next Stamp, Fishtail Banner/Die Set from Your Next Stamp

Ink:  Staz On Jet Black

Papers:  Basic Grey, Neenah cardstock

Accessories:  Fiskars Border punch, Spellbinder's dies, Inktense water colour pencils, Offray ribbon, Prima Pearl, Copic Markers

Your Next Stamp May release blog hop!

Hello and welcome to the May Your Next Stamp New Release Blog Hop! We have several new stamps sets from a variety of artists being released TODAY, as well as several new dies! You can find all of the new goodies HERE at the Your Next Stamp Store!

Make sure you hop around to all of the blogs featured in the link list below for lots of inspiration using the new products! If you leave a comment on all of the blogs, you will be entered to win a $20.00 YNS gift certificate! The lucky winner will be announced on the Your Next Stamp Blog May 25th.

Here’s what I came up with for today's hop.  This cutie on the mushroom is called "Phoebe" and she comes with the wonderful sentiment I used on the card.  I was able to fit the sentiment into the flag image from the new clear alphabet set.  I selected my papers first and then coloured the image with my Copic markers.  I had a package of pearl swirls sitting on my desk and thought they would look wonderful with the image so those became the embellishments on my card.

Supplies:

Stamps:  Phoebe (girl on mushroom) set from Your Next Stamp, Skinny Alphabet Font Set (flag around sentiment) from Your Next Stamp

Ink:  Memento Rich Cocoa

Papers:  My Mind's Eye, Neenah cardstock

Accessories:  Prima pearl swirl, Copic markers, twill ribbon, Prima pearl, scalloped card base (cut on Cricut)

Karen is also offering up some awesome hop specials so make sure you take advantage of these great deals!

Thank you so much for stopping by today and happy hopping and shopping!

Tweet, tweet, it's Tasty Tuesday with a sneak!!

Hello and happy Tuesday!  Today I have a card to share with you using the inspiration photo from Your Next Stamp's Tasty Tuesday challenge.  Pop on over to the YNS blog to see the yummy inspiration photo and more creations from the design team.

I was inspired by the rainbows in the photo and came up with this cheerful card.  I used the traditional rainbow colours to colour these sweet little "Birdies on a Wire".  It's your lucky day today because you get a see a little sneak peek at one of the May release stamps.  Come on back tomorrow the release blog hop and of course your chance to win some fabulous prizes.  It's another fantastic release!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Birdies on a wire from Your Next Stamp (Available May 22,2013)
YNS Die: Bookmark/layered tag die set from Your Next Stamp
Papers: Echo Park, Neenah cardstock
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Ribbon, Copic markers, doily, red button

Have a WHOPPER of a birthday!

Good morning!  Time for another Your Next Stamp Fun Friday.  This month's theme is "Summer Fun".  Be sure to pop on over to the YNS blog to see more summer fun creations from the design team. 

Nothing says summer to me like sitting outside and bbq-ing so I have a yummy card to share with you today using the new Fast Food Burger Fun die set.  I created my own sentiment and printed it out on the computer so there is no stamping at all on my card today.

I have a great tip to share with you today. I was in a bit of a rush to get this card done in time and looking for 10 pieces of the right coloured cardstock to use with the die wasn't really an option, so I cut the pieces out of white Copic friendly cardstock and then just coloured them with my markers.  Super easy and much easier to customize your colours!  I'm sure I'm not the first person to think about this but it makes die cutting super quick instead of digging through papers to find the shades you need.

Thanks for stopping by

Supplies:
Your Next Stamp Die sets:  Fast Food Burger Fun, Fishtail banners
Papers: Recollections, Neenah cardstock, Bazzill cardstock
Accessories:  Computer font (SNF Goody), Cuttlebug embossing folder, Spellbinder's dies, Fiskars edge punch, Copic markers

Clearly awesome new stamps from Your Next Stamp!!

Hello and welcome to a special Your Next Stamp New Release Blog Hop! Today we are introducing you to something that is Clearly awesome and so much fun which is Clearly what YNS is all about! So have you figured it out yet??? Yes, Your Next Stamp is introducing a new collection called 'Clearly Your Next Stamp'. These crystal clear stamp sets are made with High Quality Photopolymer! They are non yellowing and provide a clean and crisp stamped image just like the current YNS purple rubber! It's so easy to get a perfect sentiment and image placement with these fabulous new sets! We're introducing 6 fabulous and fun new clear stamp sets today and they are available NOW in the YNS store!

The hop starts on Wendy M’s blog, and if you’ve been hopping along, then you should have arrived from Wendy R’s blog. The hop will run through Sunday, May 5th at 12 midnight (EST)

Here’s what I came up with today using the April release Spring Garden Robin stamp and the new Cute Clear Circles Sentiment set.  What I love about this set is that you can customize the center with one of four images. I chose the robin to go with my main image:

Supplies:
Stamps:  Cute Circles Clear (circular sentiment) from Your Next Stamp, Spring Garden Robin from Your Next Stamp
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress Ink Mowed Lawn
Papers:  My Mind's Eye, Neenah cardstock
Accessories:  Prima Pearls, Copic Markers, Offray ribbon, Cuttlebug Embossing folder, Fishtail Banner dies from Your Next Stamp
Sketch:  Mojo Monday #291

As always we have a fabulous prize hidden along the hop! Just leave comments on all of the DT blogs for your chance to win this awesome prize pack:

Winners will be announced on the Your Next Stamp Blog on Monday, May 6th.

Karen is also offering an amazing hop special! All Clearly Your Next Stamp Sets are 20% Off as a special intro price!!! No Online Coupon Code Required.

Now it’s time to hop on over to Julie’s blog, but don’t forget to leave a comment before you go for your chance to win! Thank you so much for stopping by and as always, happy hopping!

For my teacher and a POD SALE!!

Hello!  Back again.  This time I have a teacher themed card to share with you.  With the end of the school year approaching I thought it would be the perfect time to share this with you.

I used the Stephanie Ackerman school house set from Purple Onion Designs.  I just love the different village stamps from this collection.  I kept the overall design simple on this one by colouring and cutting out my image before matting it onto a piece of lined paper that that I used a notebook edge die on.

If you're looking for a good reason to buy some new stamps, Michele at Purple Onion designs is offering FREE SHIPPING for U.S. orders of $15 or more and a 15% discount on your entire order for International orders.  (Please remember when placing an international order to choose "check or money order" as your payment method.  A Paypal invoice will be sent to you with the correct total. ).

Supplies:

Stamps: Stephanie Ackerman school house set from Purple Onion Designs

Papers: Recollections red polka dot and lined paper, Neenah cardstock, kraft cardstock

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Palette Noir

Accessories:  Notebook edge die, button, The Twinery Twine, Copic Markers

Feeling a little Sweet'n Sassy today!

Hello!!  Here's a cute little card I made using one of my "new" stamp sets from Sweet'n Sassy and some more papers from my scrap pile.  You may recognize this card design as I have used it a few times recently.  It's the perfect way to use up strips of paper that you have left over from using 6" x 6" pads. 

I coloured the image with my Copics and then stamped the sentiment onto a fish tail banner die.  The beauty of these clear stamps is that I was able to line up my sentiment perfectly as the "peas and carrots" portion of the sentiment is separate from the other part of the sentiment.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Stamps:  You and Me set from Sweet'n Sassy
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Palette Noir
Papers:  Recollections, Neenah white cardstock, Pebbles Inc, Basic Grey
Accessories:  Wood button, The Twinery baker's twine, Fishtail banner die from Your Next Stamp, Spellbinder's die, Copic Markers

I like to ride my bicycle.....

Hello!  Happy Friday!  What a busy week we had at Your Next Stamp with all the wonderful new April releases.  Be sure to check out the blog hop from my last post and all the goodies are now available in the YNS Store.

Today the design team is sharing some Spring-themed projects using the new releases.  I used the fabulous new bicycle die on this springy card.  I just kept on layering and layering and layering before sticking the bike die cut on my panel.  I figured this could be used for any occasion so I didn't add any sentiment.

Hop on over the YNS blog to see some more great creations from the design team!  Thanks so much for stopping by.

Supplies:
YNS Dies:  Spring Fling Bike and Kite die set from Your Next Stamp, Fishtail Banner die from Your Next Stamp
Papers:  Bazzill cardstock, American Crafts papers, Georgia Pacific cardstock
Accessories:  Spellbinders oval die set, Darice twine, button, Cuttlebug embossing folder

Peace, Love and Happiness....hopping with Your Next Stamp!

Hello and welcome to the Your Next Stamp April New Release Blog Hop! We have some GROOVY projects to share with you today using some ADORABLE new stamps and dies!!! The DT has had a blast playing with all of the new goodies, and we know you will too!

 

The hop starts on Stephanie’s blog, and that's where you should have arrived from.  If you get lost along the way there is a linky at the bottom of my post for you.

 

Here's a look at the GROOVY new Fhiona.  She's all decked out in her 70s garb.  There is also a coordinating stamp set and some groovy new dies!

As always we have some fabulous prizes to be won! Just make sure you leave comments on all of the DT blogs for your chance to win! Winners will be announced on the YNS Blog Saturday, April 27th.

 

Karen is also offering some amazing specials at the Your Next Stamp store! You will receive 15% off your order using code YNSAPRIL2013 valid April 24th-April 28th. Plus, she has loaded up the YNS Bargain Bin and Retired Stamp Bin with awesome deals!

 

Now it’s time to hop on over to Julie's fabulous blog, but don’t forget to leave a comment before you go! Thank you so much for stopping by and happy hopping!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Groovy Cute Fhiona from Your Next Stamp
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
Papers:  Simple Stories, Neenah cardstock
Accessories:  Twill ribbon, Copic Markers, Stickles

A sneak peek on Tasty Tuesday!

Hello!  It's time for another Your Next Stamp Tasty Tuesday.  And today my projects are featuring some of the new April release stamps that will be available on Wednesday this week.  Pop on over to the YNS blog to see the inspiration photo there is a linky at the bottom of the post so you can visit all the Design Team blogs!

First up, I have a card that I created with the new Awesome borders set.  I heat embossed the zig-zags with some brown WOW! embossing powder.  I used the Fancy Frames stamp set and a sentiment sticker for the card front.

For this second card I used the flower stamp and stamped on top of some distressed Basic Grey paper.  I added some Viva Decor pen to the center of the flowers and stitched around the edges for some dimension.

Supplies:

Stamps:  Awesome Borders one from Your Next Stamp, Fancy Frames stamp set from Your Next Stamp
Ink: Versafine clear (for embossing), Memento Rich Cocoa, brown distress ink
Papers: Basic Grey, Bazzill cardstock, Neenah cardstock
Accessories: Offray ribbon, SRM Stickers, white ruffle ribbon, Viva Decor paint pen, Prima pearl accent

Welcome to YNS Fun Friday!!

Good morning! Time for another Your Next Stamp Fun Friday post.  This month the theme is "spring".  Be sure to hop on over to the YNS blog to see more creations from the design team AND don't forget to play along for your chance to win this month's prize!!

For my project this week, I decided to try to use some of my brand new YNS stamps and some papers from my scrap pile (yes again LOL!).  I saw this cute window set and the flowers in the window box seemed perfect for this month's theme.  This set also comes with a matching die set!   I created lots of texture on my card by using two different Cuttlebug embossing folders and also I used some pop dots to adhere the flowers to the window box to make them pop.  I added some Viva Decor pearl pen (dark brown) to the center of the flowers and along the window box to add some more dimension.

I hope you liked my creation today and stop by next week for the April release from Your Next Stamp....there will be lots of great prizes up for grabs and some amazing stamps and dies to check out.  See you then!

Supplies:
Stamps: Outside window play set from Your Next Stamp
YNS Dies:  Fishtail banner from Your Next Stamp
Papers:  Recollections kraft cardstock, Neenah cardstock, Recollections kraft and white paper
Accessories: wood button, Devine Twine, Cuttlebug embossing folders, Copic markers, Viva Decor pearl pen

Some more Paper Smooches fun!

Good morning!  I have a few more Paper Smooches creations to share with you today.  It's nice to play with some of my new stamps and these cards also were made only out of my paper scraps.

First up is card using a set that was a "must have" for me since I'm a scientist in real life (well sort of ---  I used to work in the lab as a chemist but now I work in the office but still consider myself a scientist).  It's a bit hard to tell from the photo but I used some Glossy Accents on the beaker and the crazy scientist's glasses. 

For the second card I used the same strip design I did on my last Paper Smooches card but this time I stamped the background with some large polka dots.  Then I tried something a little new and stamped my image and sentiment onto a fishtail banner.  I really like the look and I'll definitely try that again. 

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you like today's creations :)

Supplies:

Stamps:  Great Chemistry set from Paper Smooches

Ink: Palette Noir, Memento Tuxedo Black, Palette Fuschia

Papers:  American Crafts, Neenah cardstock, Bazzill cardstock

Accessories: Copic Markers, Glossy Accents, Fiskars edge punch

Supplies:
Stamps:  Birthday Buddies from Paper Smooches, Geo-graphic border set (polkadots) from Paper Smooches
Ink:  Memento Desert Sand, Memento Tuxedo Black, brown distress ink
Papers:  WRMK, Recollections kraft cardstock, My Mind's Eye, Neenah cardstock
Accessories:  Fishtail banner die from Your Next Stamp, wood button, Copic markers, Fiskars edge punch

Owl be here

Good morning!  Here's another card I created from my scrap pile and my "to use" new stamps.  This cute owl is from Sweet'n Sassy Stamps.  I love the size of this cutie and it comes with a bunch of great sentiments.

I went to Michaels last week to grab some more of the Wilton doilies that I used on this card and *gasp* they don't have the same design anymore.  If I find some I'm definitely going to have to buy ALL of them and hoard them because I love them so much and the new pattern they have isn't as nice----booo!!

Anyhooooo......The design on this card is super simple.  I just used a scrap of kraft and white cardstock for my card base and then added a doily, a strip of scrap paper and a circle of scrap paper.  The owl was paper pieced (also with scraps) and then I added some light brown distress ink to the image and some of the papers for more dimension.

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Owl be there set from Sweet and Sassy stamps
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Palette Noir, brown distress ink
Papers:  Lily Bee Designs, Recollections, Neenah cardstock
Accessories:  Fishtail banner die from Your Next Stamp, Wilton doily, Copic markers

Birthday Girl....Unity style!

Hello Unity Friends!  It's been a while since I've posted something for Friends with Flair Friday but it's great to be back sharing a project using one of my newest Unity Stamps.

I coloured Maggie girl with my Copics and then masked her off before stamping over top with one of the She Art backgrounds.  I used the Copic colourless blender pen to add some texture to the clothes and hat.  I kept my card design simple and monochrome so I could highlight this fabulous stamp.

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Maggie Girl - It's your Birthday from Unity Stamp Co., SHE script stamp from Unity Stamp Co
Ink: Memento London Fog, Memento Tuxedo Black, spray inks (Tattered Angels)
Papers: Bazzill cardstock, American Crafts, Neenah cardstock
Accessories:  Copic Markers, SRM Sticker, Offray ribbon, Cuttlebug embossing folder, white gel pen, Fiskars border punch

Happy Bark-day and a new strategy to tackle my scraps!

Good morning!!  I recently did a massive clean of my craft space, organized some of my stamps and tried to work on straightening out my out-of-control paper scrap catastrophe  pile. 

No only did I realize I have so many stamps that I haven't inked up yet (such as this cute doggie image from Paper Smooches) but I also came up with a new strategy/idea to control my scrap paper situation. 

I realized that when I'm working on a new project I typically have a pile of scrap paper that all coordinates sitting on part of my desk.  So I decided, why not make some card bases out of the scraps right after completing the project since all the matching stuff is already sitting there?  So I have been making card bases and then putting them into a pile to use at a later date.  Then when I have a few minutes all I have to do is grab one of the pre-made card bases, add my stamped image and embellishments and voila, a quick card!!  The pre-made card bases I've made so far are all pretty clean and simple but I think this new idea will keep my pile of scraps a bit better under control AND make it easier for me to whip up a card or two at each craft session.  It's a win-win for me!!

So here is clean and simple pre-made card base card #1.  You will see a few more cards with this general layout/design in upcoming posts as it's a great way to use that extra strip of paper that you get when you trim a 6" x 6" piece of paper to the standard card size.



Supplies:
Stamps:  Birthday Buddies from Paper Smooches
Papers:  My Mind's Eye, Neenah cardstock
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Palette Noir
Accessories:  Spellbinder's Die, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Your Next Stamp Fishtail Banner die, Devine Twine, Copic Markers

Have a fairy wonderful Tasty Tuesday

Hello!  It's time for another Your Next Stamp Tasty Tuesday.  Hop on over to the YNS blog to see the inspiration photo as well as more creations from the design team.

This month the inspiration photo has one of my favourite colour combinations of all times:  brown, white and blue.  So of course I used that colour combination as my jumping off point for this card.  I sort of went with a vintage look by inking around the blue papers and adding some lace to the top of the jar.

I hope you'll come on back two weeks from today when I'll be using the inspiration photo again with a sneak of some of the new April releases.....you are going to LOVE them!!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Jam Jar globe stamp from Your Next Stamp, Seasonal Fairies set from  Your Next Stamp, Mandi set (sentiment) from Your Next Stamp
YNS Dies:  Fishtail banners set from Your Next Stamp
Ink:  Memento Rich Cocoa, brown distress ink, Palette Noir black
Papers:  My Mind's Eye, Neenah cardstock
Accessories:  Spellbinder's Die, Offray Ribbon, Prima Pearl, Copic Markers, Stickles, Cuttlebug embossing folder

A little Happy Mail for you

Hello!  I've been crafting up a storm the past week or so but I keep forgetting to blog my stuff -- sorry about that!

Whenever I want to just putter in my craft room and don't have any inspiration, I'll stamp out and colour some images and then put them in a pile to do something with at a later date.  I found a few "Welcome to the Neighbourhood" images from Purple Onion Designs that I coloured a while ago and decided to finally do something with them. 

I went with an all-American red, white and blue theme for my card and used the "Happy Mail" postal frame and sentiment set to go with the cute post office image.  It's a bit time consuming to stamp with the red and blue (for the border) but the end result is worth it.  I used some small cats-eye chalk inks to apply the colour so it was easy to control using two different inks on one image.

Stay tuned for some more cards from my "later date" image pile and thanks for stopping by!!

 

Supplies:

Stamps:  Stephanie Ackerman Post Office Stamp from Purple Onion Designs, Paislee Press Designs Happy Mail set from Purple Onion Designs (sentiment and mail frame)

Papers:  Jillibean Soup, Neenah white cardstock, Recollections red polka dot paper

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, red and blue chalk ink, Palette Noir black ink

Accessories:  Button, Copic Markers, Fish tail banner dies, Darice embossing folder

Your Next Stamp Fun (Good) Friday

Good Morning!! Time for another Your Next Stamp Fun Friday.  Even though this month's theme was celebration I opted to do a card with no sentiment on the front so it could be used for any occasion.  I keep a few of these in my stash so that I can customize either on the inside or add a sentiment to the outside as I need them.

This cutie "Rosalie" is from last month's release and is perfect for pretty much any occasion.  I'm looking forward to colouring a few more using different colours for the rose --- the possibilities are endless really. 

Be sure to stop by the  Your Next Stamp blog today for the rest of the design team creations and Happy Easter!

 

Supplies:
Stamps: Rosalie from Your Next Stamp

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Brown distress ink

Papers: Jillibean Soup, Neenah white cardstock

Accessories:  The Twinery baker's twine, white lace, wood button, Copic Markers

Hello Spring ---- and a POD sale!!

Hello!  Well it looks like spring may FINALLY be on it's way with the nice warm(er) weather and sun that has found its way to Ontario this week.  So, what better way to celebrate spring's arrival than with a nice cheery spring card?

Yes, it's true.  I'm obsessed with baker's twine, doilies and using my Fiskar's scalloped punch but I wanted to create a nice soft pastel-y girly card so I couldn't resist using some of my favourite things!!  I paper pieced the Framed Flower image (from Purple Onion Designs) and then adhered it onto a doily and an embossed flower background (Cuttlebug folder).  I stitched around the edges with my sewing machine and then added the sentiment with a fishtail die (oh yeah, I'm obsessed with them too!!).

Thanks so much for stopping by and scroll on down for some details on the SPRING SALE that Michele is running at Purple Onion Designs.  It's the perfect time to add some great new stamps to your collection :)

Purple Onion Designs is offering 20% off all their stamps until this Sunday....enter code:  SPRING13 at checkout to take advantage of this great sale.

Supplies:
Stamps: Stephanie Ackerman Flower Framed Doodle from Purple Onion Designs, Cracked Egg Bouquet (sentiment) from Purple Onion Designs
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
Papers:  Echo Park, Neenah cardstock
Accessories:  Wilton doily, The Twinery "Shore" twine, button, Copic Markers, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Fiskars Edge punch

Introducing the Darling Divas!

We here at Your Next Stamp are so very excited about our newest collection, that we decided to give them their very own Release and Blog Hop to introduce you to these new DARLING DIVAS!!

Our talented illustrator, Macy Wong has outdone herself with this new collection and we think you will find Roxy, Summer, Amber and Peyton to be the perfect combination of chic and cute! Today you are in store for tons of inspiration from our incredibly talented designers as well as some serious eye candy with creations from a few coloring Rock Stars that have agreed to Guest Design for us during this very special release.

Would you like to win one these new Darling Divas? We have FOUR hidden within the hop? Here is what you need to do for your chance to win- visit all of the YNS Designers and Guest Designer's blogs that are participating in today’s hop and comment on their creations as you go along.  The Blog Hop starts today and runs though midnight (EST), March 30th. Hidden Prize winners will be announced on the YNS Blog on Sunday, March 31st.

For my card today I used Diva Peyton.  Don't you just love those awesome boots?  After colouring my image I wanted to make my background look rainy so I played around a bit with some glimmer mists.  As you can see from the close up photo it adds some nice shimmer.  Then I added some "rain" drops with Glossy accents.  I added the glossy accents to the top of the umbrella as well as her boots (but it's hard to tell in the photo.  Then I bling-ed her up with some Stickles and a glitter pen.

Supplies:
Stamps: Darling Diva "Peyton" from Your Next Stamp
YNS Dies:  Fishtail/Banner set from Your Next Stamp
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Palette Noir (sentiment), Tattered Angels spray mists
Papers: Fancy Pants, Neenah cardstock
Accessories: Offray ribbon, button, sewing machine, Copic Markers, Glossy accents, Stickles, Glitter pen, Fiskars border punch

Now, we don’t normally give 2 order discounts opportunities within the same month, but this release calls for an extra special discount….receive 20% off your entire order over $20

It's YNS Tasty Tuesday!

Good morning!  Time for another Your Next Stamp's Tasty Tuesday inspiration challenge.  To see this month's photo pop on over to the YNS blog. 

I was inspired by the colours in the top left part of the photo as well as the design.  I used the Insta Love Polaroid die as a frame for my image and inked around the edges of the photo for definition.  I added some pearl paint around the edges of my image to add some extra interest.

When colouring "Blossom" I wanted to try a new technique (well, new to me) when colouring the fur.  I added dots in various shades of grey (the "W" tones and the "C" tones) to add more texture to the image.  For a first try, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Blossom the cat stamp from Your Next Stamp

YNS dies:  Insta Love Polaroid die from Your Next Stamp

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Memento Desert Sand, green Distress Ink

Papers:  Recollections, Neenah cardstock

Accessories:  Lace, Fiskars border punch, wood button, The Twinery twine, Copic Markers, Viva Decor Pearl paint pen

Time to celebrate with Cake Pop Fhiona!

Hello and Happy Friday!!  It's time for another Your Next Stamp Fun Friday and this month's theme is CELEBRATIONS.  So how perfect that I used the new Cake Pop Fhiona stamp to create this birthday card!

Just a reminder that today is your last chance to check out the March release blog hop.  My blog hop post can be found just below this post.  Leave comments along the way for your chance to win some great prizes.

Also, hop on over to the YNS blog today to see more "celebration" creations from the design team using this month's new release stamps.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamps: Cake Pop Fhiona from Your Next Stamp

YNS Dies: Fishtail/Banner die set from Your Next Stamp

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, brown distress ink

Papers: Simple Stories, Neenah white cardstock

Accessories:  Copic Markers, white button, sewing machine, Stickles

World's Greatest Teacher......Your Next Stamp's March release blog hop!

Hello!  Welcome to the Your Next Stamp's March New Release Blog Hop!  You should have arrived from Wendy R's blog.  If not, there is a link list of all of today's participants at the bottom of the post.

We have several fun new stamp sets and dies to share with you, and they are all available NOW in the Your Next Stamp Store!  The hop will last until Friday, March 22nd at midnight (EST). 
We have 3 hidden prize packs hidden amongst the DT blogs!  Just leave a comment on all of the blogs for your chance to win!  Winners will be announced on the Your Next Stamp Blog on Saturday.

And now onto my project.  I used the new A+ teacher stamp set and notebook edged die from the Whatnots Back to School die set to create this clean and simple card.  I created my own background on the kraft paper by stamping in kraft coloured ink.  Then I used some lined scrapbook paper and die cut the edge to make it look like a page from a notebook.   I coloured and cut out a few images from the stamp set and added them to the image panel to finish off the card.

Supplies:

Stamps: A+ Teacher Set from Your Next Stamp

YNS Dies: Notebook edge die from Whatnots set 2 (Back to School) set from Your Next Stamp

Papers: Gina K Designs kraft paper, Recollections lined paper and dot paper, Neenah cardstock

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Memento Desert Sand (tan), brown distress ink, Palette Noir ink (for sentiment)

Accessories: Copic Markers, The Twinery baker's twine, button

As always, Karen is offering some hop specials in the Your Next Stamp Store so make sure you take advantage of these great deals!

Now it’s time to hop on over to Kelli's amazing blog, but don’t forget to leave a comment before you go!  Happy hopping!

Got a double sided 6 x 6" sheet of paper hanging around?

If so, then I have a super easy card design to share with you (and a little peek at this month's Your Next Stamp release).

Hello Friends!  I know it's been a while since my last post but I was off enjoying a wonderful family vacation to Florida!  Now, I'm back and refreshed and with a lot of crafty mojo flowing my way so stayed tuned (including I'm sure some scrapbooking layouts of our Florida adventures!!)

 Today I have two super quick and easy cards to share with you that I created using one sheet of double sided 6" x 6" paper and some of the new stamps from this month's Your Next Stamp release.  The Critter Crew is back and cuter than ever ---- here I used the bee and bunny images and coordinating sentiments.  The set will be available later this evening.

And speaking of later this evening, be sure to come on back for this month's new release blog hop.  As usual there will be some prizes and great specials along with lots of wonderful projects from the design team....hope to see you then!!

And how would you like a chance to win a prize right now??  All you have to do is check out all of today's sneak peeks on the design team blogs (full list with links can be found at the very bottom of this post).  Comment along the way and Karen will chose one winner from the secret blogger to select a stamp from this month's fabulous release.

Instructions:
Take one sheet of 6 x 6" double sided paper and trim to 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".  Flip the extra strip over and adhere to card. Stamp image onto white cardstock, colour with markers and cut out in circle shape.  Adhere image to die cut circle and then to card base.  Stamp sentiment onto white cardstock, die cut with fish tail die and adhere to card base.  Embellish with button.

Supplies:

Stamps: Smiley Happy Critter Crew Set 3 from Your Next Stamp (available later this evening)

YNS dies:

Ink: Memento Tuxdeo Black

Paper: Echo Park, Bazzill, Neenah cardstock

Accessories:  Copic markers, Spellbinder's die, button, Fiskars edge punch 

 

 

Have a fairy wonderful day!

Hello!  Looks like the winter fairy decided to pay us another visit with a two days of wet slushy snow.  I don't know about you but I am DONE with winter and I'm sure my husband will agree after all that shovelling LOL!

And speaking of fairies, I have a cute card to share with you using one of the stamps from last month's Your Next Stamp release (Mandy the Fairy).

The design of the card is fairly simple.  I just layered a doily and one rectangle of patterned paper before adding my framed image on top.

To get the blue around my image I used some Ranger Distress ink and an application sponge.  You simply use small circles and work from the outside of your image inwards.  I actually start with the ink NOT on the image paper and then work into the image to make sure I don't get too much ink. I have a huge blotter of newsprint on my craft desk so it works well when I'm inking.

My tip for today is cut your polaroid die out of Copic-friendly paper and then save the middles for stamping your images.  That way when you're done you can just pop them in the middle of the die cut.

Thanks so much for stopping by!! I'll be taking a blog break for a few weeks for some much needed family time but I'll have lots of fun projects for you in few weeks :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Mandy from Your next Stamp (stamp and sentiment)
YNS Dies:Insta Love Polaroid Die set (frame)
Ink:  Ranger Distress Ink (Broken China),  Memento Tuxedo Black
Papers:  Lily Bee Designs, white Neenah cardstock
Accessories:  Wilton Doily, Offray ribbon, Prima Pearl, Stickles, Copic Markers