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Monday, January 28, 2019

selective coloring with essentials by ellen stamps

I wanted to pop on the blog today to share a cardmaking method I'm really loving for people and critter stamps...selective coloring!

I very much consider myself a coloring newbie so sometimes coloring a whole image can feel a little overwhelming! My solution is to choose one or two colors and color just one or two parts of the image. I love how easy it is and how it feels like a sweet storybook!

Here's an example using some of the latest Essentials by Ellen...

For the Little Lady, I added a heart shaped balloon by stamping the big heart and teeny heart, overlapping the bottom points.

For the Leading Gentleman, I colored his shirt with Copic BG11 and then stamped hearts on top.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Carly

supplies:

Saturday, January 26, 2019

honey bee brie mine hop

Welcome to day 2 of the Honey Bee Brie Mine hop! Have you had a chance to check out the new Brie Mine stamps & dies? This release includes some sweet treats like candy & cupcakes, so of course I'm smitten! I love sugar even when I can't eat it, haha!
I had fun doing some repeat stamping with some of the sweet new sentiments. Repeat stamping is one of my favorite ways to stretch my stamps and create my own backgrounds but its a technique that baffled me as a newbie stamper. When I saw other crafters' beautiful cards with repeated designs, I wondered how did they line that up and space it so evenly?!

Here's the way I've finally figured out how to do it...








By the way, you should have arrived here from Amy's blog and you should be heading to Ilda's. Have fun hopping!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Carly


supplies:
affiliate links may be used at no additional cost to you. thank you! 
Honey Bee Brie Mine Stamps (sweets & my sweet)
Honey Bee Mae The Mouse Stamps (XO)
Honey Bee Cupcake Builder Die
Copics E000, BG11 & BG34
Catherine Pooler Inks Pixie Dust & Coral Cabana
Lawn Fawn Pixie Dust Cardstock
Trinity Blendability Brushes

Friday, January 25, 2019

my first cards with the gemini foil press

I'm addicted to the Gemini Foil Press. There, I said it. Haha!

Honestly I was really hesitant to get another tool after having to move my craft room twice in the last few years BUT it's so awesome!!! Totally worth having to pack up and move again!
The Foil Press comes with everything you need to start playing, including foil and some of their cool dies but I started by playing with one of my new favorites from The Stamp Market.

Here is a quick video... 





I'm sure I will be sharing more about the foil press soon but feel free to ask me any questions in the comments (here or on YouTube).

Have a great Friday and if you need me, I will be in my craft room foiling! Haha!

Hugs!
Carly


supplies:
affiliate links may be used at no additional cost to you. thank you! 

Friday, January 18, 2019

painting watercolor cupcakes

I'm over on the Honey Bee blog today with doing some fun watercolor, inspired by one of my favorite artists! 
Come on by and say hello!
Carly

Thursday, January 17, 2019

a silly squirrel valentine with neat & tangled

I have my very first post on the Neat & Tangled blog today, with a quick video!
Come on over! Hugs!
Carly

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

using negative die cuts with the stamp market

Today I am sharing some quick & easy cards using negative die cut sentiments from The Stamp Market over on the TSM blog!
Come on over and say hi!
Carly

Monday, January 14, 2019

pinkfresh studio january release blog hop


Happy Monday and welcome to the Pinkfresh Studio January Release Blog Hop! I'm so thrilled to be joining in the fun!!!

This release has really cute stuff and I wasn't sure where to start! SO MANY IDEAS!!! But since I know you have a whole hop to do and can't spend your whole day with me, I decided to start with the Spring Floral die!



This is actually a two piece set, a delicate top layer and a background. So far I've only gotten around to using the top layer, LOL!

For all three cards, I die cut the top layer and colored it with Copic markers. My top tip for working with intricate and delicate dies like this is to apply a thin, double-sided adhesive like Stick It to your cardstock before die cutting.

I trimmed the edges off this die cut and added it to a white glitter paper panel with a sentiment strip underneath. And of course, rhinestones!



I used the extra pieces trimmed from the first card and adhered them over a shaker window.


And for this card, I used the delicate Spring Floral die behind a panel with "love" cut using the Adore Alpha dies.



Ok, now before you go on to the next hop stop! Let's talk about all the cool GIVEAWAYS! 
  • Pinkfresh is giving away the full release on their blog and Instagram!
  • You also have a chance to win $25 to the Pinkfresh shop by leaving comments here and at each hop stop!

BLOG HOP LINK LIST



P.S. Please forgive my mess as my blog is under a bit of construction. If you are having trouble leaving a comment, just click the post title and scroll down. 

Supplies:
Pinkfresh Studio Spring Floral dies
Pinkfresh Studio Adore Alpha dies
Pinkfresh Studio Scripted Bold Sentiments 1
Copics R20, R22, V000, V01, YG11 and YG41
Lawn Fawn Sparkle Cardstock
Sheer Shimmer Spritz
Stick It Adhesive

Friday, January 11, 2019

diy pocket card with essentials by ellen


Today is release day for the Essentials by Ellen January collection! YAY!!!

I love Brandi Kincaid's fabulous collection of characters, especially this new Little Lady! I thought her sweet little outstretched arm was perfect for creating a gift card holder. Here's a quick video of my process:






And here are a few quick tips...

  • Stray bits of Nuvo Glimmer Paste can be wiped away when wet BUT if you don't catch it until it's dry, use an eraser to remove some of it (probably not all of it because hey, it's glitter...LOL).
  • Wipe wet Glimmer Paste off tools quickly.
  • Glimmer Paste dries best when air dried and it doesn't actually take too long. It can be heat set but be careful because it will bubble if it gets too hot. 
  • If you have had trouble blending inks, I highly recommend the Trinity Stamps Blendability Brushes. I have never been able to get a good blend on my fav white cardstock Solar White and have always had to substitute watercolor paper, until now!

Thanks so much for stopping by and you can check out the whole Essentials by Ellen release HERE!

Happy Friday Hugs!
Carly

supplies:
affiliate links may be used at no additional cost to you. thank you!