ABNH Challenge #1 & Lawnscaping Challenge #30 - Just A Note

I bought some new 2012 Hero Arts stamps since their release and have not inked them up. I was just in a crafting mood and did up a couple of cards.

I inked the stamp twice with versamark and white embossed. The background was colored using distress inks. I also brushed perfect pearls to the entire background to give it some subtle shimmer. I colored 2 of the main flowers with copics and fussy cut. Added clear copic spica to the petals.

Will also be submitting this card to Lawnscaping Challenge #30: Coloring.

Supplies Used:

Papers - PTI Stamper's Select White, Scarlet Jewel, Vellum

Inks - Ranger Distress Worn Lipstick, Fired Brick, Mustard Seed, Victorian Velvet, Dusty Concord, Broken China
Stamps - HA Large Flower Background, Essential Messages
Others - Zing Embossing Powder White, Ranger Perfect Pearls Blush, Copics, Copics Spica, Pop Dots

A Blog Named Hero Challenge #1: Thank You

A Blog Named Hero is having their first challenge: Playing Favorites. Hero Arts is one of the first stamps companies I purchased since I started crafting and I decided to join in the fun.

Envelope Pattern stamp has been one of my favorites. I just love the subtle texture it gives as a background not just on cards but on scrapbook layouts.

Here is my card:

Delicate blossoms has been another of my favorites. I've seen so many beautiful creations using this stamp set. I've gotten it not too long ago and decided it was time to get it inked up. The flowers were stamped with versamark and white embossed on pattern paper. Added some shading using distress inks. Also popped up 2 of the flower petals for dimension.

This is also one of the fastest card I did. I rushed through thinking that the deadline was by 8pm EST this very day. Ha...

Supplies Used:

Papers - PTI Smoky Shadow

Pattern Paper - Blush by My Mind's Eye

Inks - Ranger Distress Worn Lipstick, Fired Brick, Crushed Olive, Colorbox Frost White, Versamark
Stamps - HA Delicate Blossoms, Essential Messages
Others - Zing Embossing Powder White, MFT Mixed Banners Die, Pop Dots, WRMK 1/2" Corner Chomper

C&S Week 2 Card 11 - Woo-Hoo!

Today's class was interesting with Jennifer McGuire touching on more techniques and a cute card by Lisa Spangler. 

Jennifer McGuire gave tips on doing mirror image stamping and I've seen others sharing how they do it but haven't given it a try so I thought why not. The mirror image stamping is a lot easier than I thought too. Will definitely be trying that again. The trick is using the 'right' stamp for the mirroring.

Here is my take on mirror image stamping and taking inspiration from Lisa's card:

Actually made some mistakes with this card but luckily the mistakes were easy to cover up. 

There were a couple of leaves with my log but they got stuck in my cuttlebug and was pulled out when I decided to do some dry embossing to add some texture. That's for not thinking ahead.  Ha...

Masked the inside and colored with Distress Inks Tumbled Glass and Peeled Paint. I really liked how the card turned out despite the minor mistakes during creation.

This card will be added to my stack of cards for the card drive.

Supplies Used:

Paper - PTI Soft Stone, Stamper's Select White
Inks - Momento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Distress Inks Tumbled Glass, Peeled Paint, Iced Spruce

Stamps - LF Critters In The Forest, HA Leaf & Floral Background

Others - Spellbinders Circle Die, Pop Dots, PTI Woodgrain Impression Plate, Copics, Copics Multiliner 0.3, WRMK 1/2" Corner Chomper

C&S Week 1 Card 7 - Be My Valentine

Talking about inspirations, there is a Hero Hostesses blog hop going on and I was inspired with this card made by Lisa Carroll.

Here is my take:

This card was made with the Card Drive in mind.

Supplies Used:

Paper - PTI Stamper's Select White
Inks - Ranger Distress Ink Worn Lipstick, Tattered Rose

Stamps - HA Dot Flower Pattern, PTI Fillable Frames #11
Others - Zing Embossing Powder White, Momento Dual Marker Rose Bud, PTI Satin Ribbon Autumn Rose, Pop Dots

C&S Week 1 Card 5 - Thinking Of You

One layer cards may look easy but it sure wasn't easy as I got planning on my card. I saw this card by Julie Ebersole and I thought to case it.

Julie calls it "No Mess Letterpress, More Letterpress Love" but though it wasn't messy on the card, it was getting messy in my head and on my scrap paper. Well this class is all about learning so there's no learning if you don't go wrong. I got too adventurous with my stamping and the card just went off from CAS to busy with no meaning.

So here is my 2nd attempt:

Supplies Used:

Paper - PTI Vintage Cream
Inks - SU Chocolate Chip, Concord Crush, Pacific Point

Stamps - Wplus9 Woodgrain Silhouettes, Woodgrain Silhouettes Additions, HA Thinking Of You
Others - WRMK 1/2" Corner Chomper

C&S Week 1 Card 4 - Live Life With Joy

Today's class talks about doing one layer card (OLC) and also how to create a visual triangle. The illusion of dimensions can also be created on OLC using various styles of stamping. It was definitely interesting but I need have to use quite a bit of my brain juice when I got to creating my card.

As much as hubby is oblivious to my stamps collection, I'm still lacking stamps to use. Attempting this card made me realize I do not have any large solid stamps that would allow me to create large focal images. I also do not have much fancy font sentiments.

Anyway, here is my take on OLC card:

I used a blender pen to color in the image since I can't use copics. Contemplated on using color pencils. Maybe on my next attempt. The images and sentiments were stamped on Versafine Onyx Black and clear embossed.

Supplies Used:

Paper - PTI Stamper's Select White
Inks - Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Distress Inks Mustard Seed, Scattered Straw, Wild Honey, Ripe Persimmon, Dried Marigold, Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, Walnut Stain

Stamps - PB Sundial, HA Live Life
Others - Dove Blender Pen, Zing Embossing Powder Clear

Card 39 - Love Is All You need

I bought a few Hero Arts 2012 stamps at my local Archivers when they had their launch but didn't have the chance to ink them up.

Here is a card using the new Zig Zag background stamp. This was one stamp set that I HAD to have when I saw during the preview blog hop. This card was made with the Card Drive in mind.

I inked the background stamp with JBS Chicken Feed, Chewing Gum, Speckled Egg and Lavender Sachet. Die-cut a flower and added White Liquid Pearls to the center as I want to avoid using buttons, brads and crystals or gems. The sentiment is clear embossed and adhered with pop dots. Also added random dots with liquid pearls to substitute the use of gems or crystals.

The inside sentiment looks faint here but it's ok in person. Nevertheless I'll be looking for another pink shade. This is a still a little pale for my liking.

Supplies Used:

Paper - PTI Stamper's Select White
Inks - JBS Chicken Feed, Chewing Gum, Speckled Egg, Lavender Sachet, Ranger Antique Linen Distress Ink

Stamps - Hero Arts Zig Zag Background, Unity Hearty Barley
Others - MFT Perennial Flower Die, Ranger Liquid Pearls White, 1/16" Pop Dots, WRMK 1/2" Corner Chomper

HCBC Week 2 Card 9 - Sending Holiday Cheer

Today's class is on technique using distress inks and doing a gatefold card. My intention was to do a similar style card but as I got to working on my card, I realized I have limited stamp sets that stamps the image fully (as in not just the outline). I ended up not liking the white embossing so I did a die cut of the same image and adhere on top of the white embossing. My measurements were off as well (too big) so I couldn't do a gatefold styled card. Guess I have to try it next round.

Here is my final card. Although it didn't turn out to be what I intended, I did like how it turned out and enjoyed working on it.

I added Tsukineko Sparkle Shimmer as a final touch as the pearlized water background stamping didn't show off the pearlized effect. Probably due to the background stamp image I used (limited resources :P).

Supplies Used:

Paper - PTI Stampers' Select White,  Enchanted Evening, Pure Poppy

Inks - Distress Ink Chipped Sapphire, Evergreen Bough, Peeled Paint, JBS Spiced Tin, SU Riding Hood Red, Versamark

Stamps - PTI Christmas Poinsettias, Stylish Sentiments Holiday (Inside Sentiment), Hero Arts Magical Background

Others - Distress Stain Picket Fence, Perfect Pearls by Ranger, Mixed Accents by Hero Arts, Hemp Twine from SU, Tsukineko Sparkle Shimmer, PTI Christmas Poinsettias Die, Tag (from stash), 1/16" 3D Dots, AC Zing White Embossing Power

HCBC Week 2 Card 8 - Merry & Bright

Day 7's inspiration is on photo cards. I did mine without photos since it's not typical for us to send Christmas cards this way.

Here is my card:

The front panel is stamped with Envelope Pattern but it's not noticeable on photo. The images were also traced with Spica to add subtle shimmer.

Supplies Used:

Paper - PTI Stampers' Select White,  Spring Moss
Pattern Papers - Happier by My Mind's Eye, Nordic Holiday by Basic Grey

Inks - Distress Ink Iced Spruce, Momento London Fog, Versamark

Stamps - PTI Tag-Its #8, Christmas Poinsettias, Wildflower Garden, Hero Arts Envelope Pattern

Others - Silhouette, PTI Edger #1 Die, Christmas Poinsettias Die, Raspberry Fizz Felt, 1/16" 3D Dots, Assorted Brads from Making Memories, Atyou Spica Clear, Hero Arts Mix Accents, 3/8" WRMK Corner Chomper

HCBC Week 2 Card 7 - Merry Christmas

Time flies... It's the start of another week of Boot Camp and it'll end in no time. I'll definitely look forward to the next one.


On a happy note, I was actually featured in the Students' Spotlight. I didn't even think they had this segment. I'm just so surprised. There are so many lovely cards out there.

Ok, back to the topic. Today's inspiration came from the sketch above. We were given 3 sketch choices and I decided on this circle since I've not done a circle card before. I used my Silhouette to cut the circle shapes.

Here's my card:

Anyone experienced doing something differently from what your brain tells you? Well, I wanted to add some twinkles and snowflakes to finish my card in subtle tones and I was thinking through the ink colors when the next thing I realized, I had stamped my image. Although it was in gray, it wasn't the subtle effect I wanted. Anyhow, I shall keep my hands to my side the next time I'm in my thinking process to avoid history repeating itself.

I added glossy accents to the ornaments which are paper pieced and a couple spritz of Tsukineko Sheer Sparkle. And the next thing on my to buy list is Spellbinder's Circle Dies. Ha...

Supplies Used:

Paper - PTI Vintage Cream
Pattern Papers - 12 Days of Christmas by My Mind's Eye

Inks - Distress Inks Antique Linen, JBS Speckled Egg, Stick Candy, Seed Packet, Momento London Fog

Stamps - Lawn Fawn Ornate Ornaments, Hero Arts Very Merry Christmas (Inside Sentiment)

Others - Silhouette, Ranger Silver Embossing Powder, Tsukineko Sheer Sparkle, Glossy Accents, Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue

HCBC Week 1 Card 5 - Merry Christmas

The inspiration for Day 5 is about doing reproducible cards and using Distress Inks. I love using distress inks. In fact, I use them mostly in my cards. They save me the headache of having to think about pattern papers. As much as I love pattern papers and I do collect & hoard my 6x6 pads, I have serious problems with getting the pattern papers to match. In my opinion, Kristina Werner is an expert in using pattern papers and the cards she does look lovely and easy peasy.

I didn't have time to work on my card till today. Friday was Veteran's Day. Hb had the day off so we went shopping and dinner was around 1 1/2 hours wait. I just couldn't believe it. Luckily the food was delicious.


Anyway here's my card:

Here's a close up. I just love the pearly shine.

I wanted to use the new Winter Limited Edition Distress Inks Evergreen Bough and Iced Spruce. I thought Festive Berries would be a little too bright and used Tumbled Glass and Faded Jeans instead. The card turned out to be suitable for males even with that snowman image. Gonna send this to one of my male friends.

I'm having so much fun in this bootcamp and it's been so inspiring to see the different creations and interpretations from the other campers.

Supplies Used:

Paper - PTI Smokey Shadow, Strathmore Watercolor Paper

Inks - Distress Inks Evergreen Bough, Iced Spruce, Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Faded Jeans, JBS Chicken Food, Momento London Fog, Versamark

Stamps - Hero Arts Snowman Christmas, PTI Stylish Sentiments Holiday

Others - Sizzix Snowflakes Embossing Folder, 1/8" 3D Dots, Glossy Accents, Ranger Black Enamel, Diamond Stickles, 1 1/2" Circle Punch, Perfect Pearls White, Ranger Silver Embossing Powder, Dove Blender Pen

HCBC Week 1 Card 4 - Friends Warm The Heart

Day 3's inspiration is doing window cards. I do like the idea of window cards and I will most likely do a couple more cards this style.

2 awesome videos by Jennifer McGuire and Shari Carrol. My favorite was Jennifer's on faux letterpress technique. I've seen this technique before but I've not gotten to try it. I've bought the Hero Arts Shadow ink pad just to try this technique out. Besides being inspired by the video tutorials, I was also inspired by Vicky from Lily Pads. She is doing a "Spotlight on Lawn Fawn" this week.

Here is my card:

Here's a close up:

I didn't have a matching stamp set to go with the embossing so I just inked my embossing folder with Soft Pool ink and dry embossed. The 2 snowmen are layered in between the front panel and card front. The inside is stamped with Tiny Flakes background stamp in versamark and lightly brushed with perfect pearls to give it some shine.

Supplies Used:

Paper - PTI Aqua Mist, Stamper's Select White

Pattern Papers: 12 Days of Christmas by My Mind's Eye

Inks - JBS Spiced Tin, Speckled Egg, Lemon Drops, Archival Jet Black, Versamark, Hero Arts Shadow Ink Soft Pool

Stamps - Lawn Fawn Making Frosty Friends, Ornate Ornaments (Inside Sentiment), Hero Arts Tiny Flakes

Others - Sizzix Peppermint Twist Embossing Folder, 1/2" 3D Dots, Glossy Accents, Ranger Black Enamel, Hero Arts Mixed Accents, Crystal Stickles, Diamond Stickles, Spellbinders Label 8 Die, Ranger Perfect Pearls, Dover Blender Pen

HCBC Week 1 Card 1 - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

After going through Summer Card Boot Camp, I just had to sign up for the Holiday Card Boot Camp. It was so much learning and inspiration for me previously and I know it's going to be more learning and inspiration on this one.

Day 1 is about places where we get inspirations from and here is my card inspired by Jennifer McGuire.

I cut the star and the bow using my Silhouette. The star was white embossed and inked with Shabby Shutters, Crushed Olive, Forest Moss and Evergreen Bough distress inks. It's not clear from the picture but there's a shine on the star as I brushed perfect pearls over.

Supplies Used:

Paper - PTI Rustic Cream, Vintage Cream, DCWV Citrus Cardstock Stack, AC Neutrals

Inks - Distress Ink Shabby Shutters,  Crushed Olive, Forest Moss, Evergreen Bough, SU Chocolate Chip

Stamps - Hero Arts Tiny Flakes,  PTI Christmas Poinsettias (Sentiment)

Others - Silhouette, Zing White Embossing Powder, Ranger Perfect Pearls, Sizzix Evergreen Embossing Folder, Studio G Red Gems, 1/8" 3D Dots,  WRMK 1/2" Corner Chomper, PTI Holly Die