Small Stamps to Create a Focal Point with Gerda Steiner Designs Playful Kitten

Hello crafty friends! I am so excited to share these new kitten stamps. I love all critter stamps but Gerda Steiner kitties are a personal favorite. I love the cute round faces and the textured hair around the edges. So I was beyond thrilled when I found out there would be a clear set. For today's card I made the playful kitties the focal point by stamping a ring of hearts around them. For more on how to achieve a perfect circle of stamp check out my video.

This set was available for pre-order so I can't wait to see all the designs from Gerda's fans to start rolling in. Please 'like' Gerda Steiner Designs on Facebook or join the Gerda Steiner Designs Facebook group to share your creations.

Challenges:

Cute Card Thursday: Use a Sentiment

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday: Anything Goes

Inkspirational: Space (use of white space)

Rainbow Surfboards with Masking and Winston

Hello crafty friends! Today I have a card over at the Newton's Nook blog. I am using the Beach Party set to create a fun rainbow. I know it might seem a little early for such a summery card but I'm already getting excited for summer especially with some of the warm days we've been having. Check out my video for more on how I achieved this look.

Challenges:

Addicted to Stamp and More: Make Your Mark

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Anything Goes

Stretch Your Stamps: Using a Halloween Stamp on a Birthday Card

Hello crafty friends! Today I have a card that helps you to stretch your Halloween stamps. The adorable Tiger Kid that is available as a digital or rubber stamp may seem to be Halloween themed but if you think outside the box it can be used for a fun birthday card. Check out my video for more on how I created the overall look of this card!

I really love the way the orange pops off the blue greens of the card. I could see this card working for a girl or a boy. Who wouldn't want to get this little cutie in the mail?!

Challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday: Clean and Simple

Seize the Birthday: Make Your Own Background

Artsy Watercolor Backgrounds with Simon Says Stamp Pawesome

Hello crafty friends! Today I have a set of cards featuring some Simon Says Stamp exclusive stamps and dies. I colored these cute pets from the set as part of the Daily Marker 30 Day Coloring Challenge but recently added them to a card with a fun watercolor background. I used my Koi Watercolor Sketchbox for this. I really like the quality of these watercolors for the price. 

As you can see in the video the process of creating the background for these is really free and is just a great chance to play with color and get to know what your watercolors will do when you apply paint and water in different ways.

Challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Create Your Own Background

MarkerPop: Anything Goes

Newton's Nook Designs April Release Garden Whimsy

Hello crafty friends! Today I am sharing the Newton's Nook April release. The new Garden Whimsy is perfect for all the gardeners in your life.  Be sure to keep scrolling for more on how to win this set but first check out my video to see how I achieved the look of this simple masculine card.

Would you like to win “Garden Whimsy”?

This set will be given away to ONE lucky winner! 

Here's how to win: Comment on the NND blog and Design Team and Guest blogs (see list below)! The winner will be chosen at random from the collective blog release posts. Make sure to check out each of their blogs and comment for your chance to win. You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning! You have until Thursday April 16th at 9:00 PM CDT to comment  -- winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday April 17th. 

Check out all the awesome Design Team Blogs below to enter:

Newton's Nook Designs
Taheerah Atchia
Lydia Evans
Larissa Heskett
Samantha Mann
Crafty Math-Chick
Jess Moyer
Stephanie Muzzulin
Danielle Pandeline
Kimberly Rendino
Yukari Yoshioka
Nicole Picadura (Guest Designer)

Newton's Nook Designs April Release Fanciful Florals

Hello crafty friends! Today I am sharing the Newton's Nook April release. The new Fanciful Florals is simply beautiful with stunning sentiments.  Be sure to keep scrolling for more on how to win this set but first check out my video to see how I achieved the ombre stamping on these note cards. The inks used include Hero Arts Ombre Inks and Hero Arts Shadow Ink Cubes.

Would you like to win “Fanciful Florals”?

This set will be given away to ONE lucky winner! 

Here's how to win: Comment on the NND blog and Design Team and Guest blogs (see list below)! The winner will be chosen at random from the collective blog release posts. Make sure to check out each of their blogs and comment for your chance to win. You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning! You have until Thursday April 16th at 9:00 PM CDT to comment  -- winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday April 17th. 

Check out all the awesome Design Team Blogs below to enter:

Newton's Nook Designs
Taheerah Atchia
Lydia Evans
Larissa Heskett
Samantha Mann
Crafty Math-Chick
Jess Moyer
Stephanie Muzzulin
Danielle Pandeline
Kimberly Rendino
Yukari Yoshioka
Nicole Picadura (Guest Designer)

Newton's Nook Designs April Release Delightful Doxies

Hello crafty friends! Today I am sharing the Newton's Nook April release. I absolutely love today's set Delightful Doxies! How cute are these little pups? Be sure to keep scrolling for more on how to win this set but first check out my video on how I achieved this fun watercolor card. To get this unique watercolor panel I combined masking fluid with my Koi Watercolor Sketchbox.

Would you like to win “Delightful Doxies”?

This set will be given away to ONE lucky winner! 

Here's how to win: Comment on the NND blog and Design Team and Guest blogs (see list below)! The winner will be chosen at random from the collective blog release posts. Make sure to check out each of their blogs and comment for your chance to win. You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning! You have until Thursday April 16th at 9:00 PM CDT to comment  -- winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday April 17th. 

Check out all the awesome Design Team Blogs below to enter:

Newton's Nook Designs
Taheerah Atchia
Lydia Evans
Larissa Heskett
Samantha Mann
Crafty Math-Chick
Jess Moyer
Stephanie Muzzulin
Danielle Pandeline
Kimberly Rendino
Yukari Yoshioka
Nicole Picadura (Guest Designer)

Masking a Scene with Gerda Steiner's New Heavy Friends Clear Stamp Set

Hello crafty friends! I'm so excited to finally be able to share this Gerda Steiner Heavy Friends stamp set with you. I adore all the cute critters in this set but elephants have been a personal favorite since childhood so I was so excited to see this cute elephant. I have a video showing how I created a scene with the new set and the chick from Hello Spring by Gerda Steiner. 

I just love all the interactive elements of this set including how the elephant can be made to squirt something up into the air. I could see this being used for holiday cards such as the elephant or whale squirting up Christmas ornaments or pumpkins.

 I'm also totally aware that the little blush on the cheeks doesn't make sense given where his smile ends but just pretend for me. This card includes the awesome Lawn Fawn Grassy Border die layered on their Stitched Journaling Card.

Ombre Ink Background with My Style Stamps

Hello crafty friends! Today I have a card featuring the My Style Stamps Build a Blossom set and Hero Arts Ombre Inks. I love how these fabulous inks that I picked up over at Butterfly Reflections Ink instantly give new life to this set. I've done several stamped background with the Build a Blossom but I love the totally unique look the Ombre Inks gave it. I finished it up with some Bahama Blue sequins from My Style Stamps.

Challenges:

The Paper Players: Use Any Die Cut (Stitched Rectangle Die Background)

Time Out Challenges (CASE another designer- Jennifer McGuire)

Creating a Custom Sentiment with Lawn Fawn Stamps and Dies

Hello crafty friends! Today I have a video that shares how to make a custom rainbow stamped sentiment with Distress markers. Check out the video for more.

I colored this cute rainbow dino from Critters in the Past as part of The Daily Marker 30 Day Color Challenge. Then I decided to use them on a clean and simple card for their rainbow color would be sure to pop. 

Challenges:

The Pink Elephant: Anything Goes

Inkspirational: Neon Colors

Clean and Simple Rainbow Card with Create a Smile Stamps

Hello crafty friends! Today I have a card for the Create a Smile CAS(E) the DT challenge. I was inspired by Christine's rainbow card. Hopefully that's still ok as she's the owner instead of strictly just a DT member. I was continuously drawn to her rainbow cards which probably doesn't surprise people who know me. I created a video for this card as well although it is pretty straight forward in it's design.

I was inspired by Christine's use of rainbow colors but also by the placement of the bubbles. Looking at the Cool Buddies stamp set, I wanted to create the effect of some hats falling from the sky. 

I really like to use white with my rainbows although I loved how it popped off the gray on Christine's card. Thanks to Create a Smile for such great inspiration and I'm excited for their upcoming release. Have you seen the sneaks on the Create a Smile Facebook page?

Cleaning Your Stamp Blocks

Today I have a quick video about cleaning you stamp blocks. You can check out the video below.

In summary I recommend Tsukineko Staz-On All Purpose Cleaner for your blocks but because it is a harsh cleaner DO NOT use it on your clear stamps as it can damage them. After using it on your blocks wash them with soap and water to remove any traces of the Staz-On cleaner.

Easter Treat featuring Newton's Nook Designs

Hello crafty friends! Today I'm up on the Newton's Nook Designs blog. I have an Easter treat bag and I'm sharing two ways to decorate the bag but both feature the Bunny Hop set. Check out my video below for more. 

In the video I feature a printed PDF with the 'tails' word on it so that you do not have to use an alphabet stamp or die set. If you would like a copy of the PDF check out this NND Bunny Tails Printable Google doc.

Challenges:

Open Minded Crafting Fun: Food Related

Pile it On: Spring/Easter

Marker Pop: Easter