GETTING MOJO BACK WITH A CARD SKETCH (Paper Craft Crew Challenge PCC410)

I've been feeling a little blue and uncreative these past couple of weeks. I decided I needed to play Stella and get my groove back. What better way than with a great sketch for inspiration! So today, I am playing along with the Paper Craft Crew Card Sketch Challenge PCC410. I found some great paper in a buried stash, grabbed the sketch, and went to town.

Here is the sketch:

I frequently use card sketches to boost my creativity. They always seem to do the trick. I dug deep into some old stashes of papers and stickers that I recently came across and they just seem to fit with the sketch. The sentiment is from the Hero Arts set "CL342 Everyday Sayings". The card turned out just like I envisioned!

To create this card, I trimmed down the beautiful beach patterned cardstock and attached it to an A2 kraft card base. I die cut/embossed a circle from vellum. I also trimmed down a piece of the leftover vellum for a card accent. I found some corrugated paper and trimmed a piece down and attached that and the vellum scrap to the front of the card. I placed some glue under the vellum circle where I knew it wouldn't show, then added that a couple of shell stickers to the card. I stamped the sentiment on brown card stock and embossed it in white. I trimmed down the sides to create a banner, then attached that using foam tape.

I was so inspired by sketches being inspiring, that I decided I'm going to try and create a few sketches for myself! I have already sketched one out I think you'll like and will be back with a couple cards I create from it. So stay tuned!

Leave me a comment below and tell me your thoughts on this card! I love to read them!

Til next time,

Keepin' it inky!

The Best Thing About Winter

 I'm going to admit, this is not one of my favorite cards. There! I said it! However, I do like it's bones, so that is why I'm sharing it with you today. I used one of the new stamps released by Technique Junkies called Inside Out: I Love Snow. This stamp set has several sentiments for both the outside AND the inside of your cards. There are several sets like this over at TJ, perfect for those who struggle with adding something to their card "guts". Here are pics of both the outside and the opened card:

I'm not sure what I was thinking with this color scheme, but I guess the drab colors do reflect my mood about winter. So maybe that's why the dull greens.

I used Small Snowflake Trio from Technique Junkies for the snow. For the outside panels, I white embossed them and added Distress Oxide Inks over the top in a blend from Mowed Lawn to Forest Moss to Black Soot. On the inside panel, I stamped more snowflakes in the greens on the inside and added a die cut wreath, along with the inside sentiment.

Like I said, not my favorite card. But I do like the swing cards and I love the sentiments. Next time, though, I will use some different colors.

Hope I at least gave you a few ideas. By the way, you can save 10% on your Technique Junkies purchases by adding my code below:

Til next time,

Keepin' it inky!

New Year = New Stamps!

Happy New Year, Stamping Friends! I have to say I will not miss 2020, and pray that 2021 will be a better year for everyone. To celebrate the new year, Technique Junkies has released their new collection of stamps. Wait til you see these! Fabulous comes to mind. I have some cards to share sampling some of the new stamps. If you would like to see the whole release, just click H E R E.

Here's a sneak-peek of the cards I'm sharing to today...hopefully you'll be enticed to read on!

All new releases are on sale until the 8th of the month. You will automatically receive 15% off those stamps. As an added bonus, receive an ADDITIONAL 10% OFF by adding the code "TJ10Ro" at checkout. That 10% code is good all month long on all products through Technique Junkies! 

For those of you Gotta-Have-It-All Folks, have we got a deal for you! You can get the whole shebang (Gotta Have It All Bundle) for $94.80! That's every single stamp in this release! Individually, they would be $126.30, so you save a cool $31.50, which is 25% off! And shipping is only $6.99! This is the collection:

The Design Team has some awesome ideas for you. If you have arrived from the Technique Junkies Blog, you are in the right place. If not, you may want to start at the beginning so you don't miss any good stuff! Here is the full line-up for your convenience:

TECHNIQUE JUNKIES
RO DONNER  ⇐ You are here! 

HOLLY BROWN

LYNDA PLECKAN

PATTI GILLIAM

BETH NORMAN-ROBERTS

PAT HUNTOON

JUDY JACKSON

Let's go to the fun stuff!

Basic supplies may include: Misti; CutAlign Tools; various inks pads including the new IZink Inks, Ink Blending Brushes; cardstock, vellum and adhesives; paper trimmer, scissors and/or Xacto knife; heat tool; embossing powder. Also, stamps listed in all caps are from the new release, otherwise they are previously released stamps.

❀❀❀❀

I loved the design of this stamp, but quite honestly, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to do it justice. All I did was stamp it in black and add white highlights with a gel pen. AND I LOVE IT! Whadya think, peeps?

PARIS WINTER WATERCOLORS (S884)

So, as I said, I stamped the image with black ink onto a grey panel and added white gel pen highlights here and there. I matted it with white cardstock and, using a foam panel, attached it to a grey A2 card base. I added a small vinyl Happy Birthday sticker to the corner. It's elegant, simple, and would make an awesome dude card!

❀❀❀❀

This next one is for all you cat lovers! 

WHERE THE CAT IS (SD1050)
Paw Prints (S826)

I had this black and white patterned paper and it just yelled to be added to this whimsical card! I absolutely adore this lil puss! Just look at that sweet face! Since I wanted to keep the focus on the stamp, I kept my colors at a minimum. I used an older stamp (Paw Prints) which I stamped on the patterned background paper, and added some border lines. That was attached to the card base. The image was stamped on white cardstock and I added just a touch of grey and pink colored pencil to the kitty. I framed it in black and attached it to the card with foam tape. I added some red polkadot baubles and a shiny red bow for a pop of color.

❀❀❀❀

Now, not to leave my doggie-lovin' friends out, I've got one for you too!

DOGS, BOOKS & COFFEE (SD1058)
Coffee Quotes (S224)
All Shapes (SD846)
Coffee Beans Stencil (STL003)

This card just tickles me pink! Any time I have an excuse to use these adorable pooches, I'm happy. This new sentiment stamp was my perfect excuse! I used two different shades of Kraft cardstock. On the lighter shade, I used the Coffee Beans stencil and Frayed Burlap Distress Oxide Ink (now being carried by TJ as well!). I attached that to a card base created from the darker cardstock. On another piece of the lighter cardstock I stamped the sentiment in brown ink. Using my very beloved Kaisercraft Gel Pens, I added some colors chosen to coordinate with the books. That panel was matted with the darker cardstock and was then attached with foam tape. The books were simply a free graphic that I printed and cut out. I stamped the dogs from All Shapes and the coffee cup from Coffee Quotes, colored them, and cut them out. I cut a slit in the coffee cup so I could slip in the chihuahua. I glued on all the pieces to finish off the card. 

❀❀❀❀

Ok, now I have three cards for you featuring the newest addition to the Inside/Out series of stamps. I freaking LOVE the one! They are an absolute hoot. (The first one is my very favorite!)

INSIDE OUT: I LOVE SNOW (SS130)
SMALL SNOWFLAKES TRIO (SDX177)

I hope nobody is offended, but that is just too funny!!! I created a black card base and cut a whole the size of my "bubble" for the shaker. On the front I stamped with Versamark the snowflakes and the sentiment, which I then embossed with white powder. I added a little more "snow" using a white gel pen.

For the inside of the card, I used a white piece of cardstock and stamped the sentiment (I'm still laughing...) in black ink. I added a die cut house and filled the bubble with fake snow, and that was attached and framed on the white panel.

For this next card, I used the same two stamp sets, but selected a different sentiment set.

INSIDE OUT: I LOVE SNOW (SS130)
SMALL SNOWFLAKES TRIO (SDX177)

For this one, I used a die cut with falling "snow", stamped the snow flakes with Versamark and embossed with clear embossing powder. I blended some Distress Oxide Inks (Worn Lipstick, Wilted Violet) using a blending brush. I flicked some water droplets on the panel for a more distressed look. The sentiment was stamped in black ink on white cardstock and trimmed out with a die. That was attached with foam tape.

For the inside of the card, I stamped the snowflakes again using the Distress Oxide Ink and the sentiment in black ink. I trimmed down the panel and attached it to the card.

This last one is just too adorable for words. But I'll try anyhow (tee hee). While the snowman himself is from an older set, the sentiments and snowflakes are new.

INSIDE OUT: I LOVE SNOW (SS130)
SMALL SNOWFLAKES TRIO (SDX177)
Snowman (SD966)

Now if that sentiment doesn't tickle your funny bone, you may want to get that checked out. This fun card was easy peasy and just too darned cute! I made a white A2 card base and cut a couple of red panels to attach to both the front and the inside. On more white cardstock, I stamped the snowman in black ink and added some color. I stamped the sentiments (both inside and outside) with red ink, and added some light blue snowflakes on both panels. For the snowflakes on the front, I added a tiny diamond gem to the center for just a pop of bling.

❀❀❀❀

Well, that's it for my projects today. I have more to share with you throughout the month, so I hope you come back again. If you found some inspiration today, leave me comment! I love hearing what y'all have to say. The next blog linked up is Holly, who has some great projects to share with you!

Remember, all the new releases are on sale (15% off) only until the 8th, so shop early! And save an additional 10% by using the code below (that code is good any time all month long on all products!). And don't forget that great deal on the Gotta Have It All Bundle (only $94.80)!

Til next time,

Keepin' it inky!

Beary Merry Christmas

 OH MY-LANTA!  I am absolutely in love with this card! I used a couple new stamps and one OBG (oldie-but-goodie) from Technique Junkies and slapped this adorable card together in no time flat! Just look how cute!!

I'm not sure what possessed me to come up with this configuration of colors for Christmas, but I am lovin' it! 

Ok, so the background is the OBG...and it's on sale! You can save up to 45% off this one....details a little later. It's called Houndstooth Check (S665). I used Distress Oxide Ink (Tattered Rose) and some soft pink cardstock. I then stamped the Dotted Merry Christmas Sentiment (SDX176) using black ink. After trimming it down, I added a black ink border and some foam tape and attached the panel to a soft pink A2 card base. 

On white cardstock, I stamped the background stamp called Woodland Wonders (S878) using black ink. I hate to fussy cut (I know some of you find it therapeutic...I'm just not one of you!) so I trimmed out the images using my Brother Scan-N-Cut. I selected the tree and the bear and attached them to the card. Here is what the whole background looks like...there are some super cute critters on there!

So, onto the details of how you can save 45% on a huge selection of stamps: Technique Junkies is having a ginormous INVENTORY REDUCTION SALE. All stamps in this category (Houndstooth Check is one of them) are discounted 35%! In addition, if you use my code TJ10Ro, you can save an ADDITIONAL 10% off! That 10% is good on almost everything offered by Technique Junkies, so keep it handy (it doesn't expire, but this sale does...shop before December 15th!).

I hope I inspired you to try some unusual colors and combinations. You might just love what you come up with!

Til next time,

Keepin' it inky!

Merry Christmas and an Awesome Sale

So it's December and the holidays are just around the corner. Are you ready yet? Got those cards ready to mail? I know I'm still cranking away on mine. But I did get one more done to share with you today. Pretty simple actually.

 I have been playing with some new stamps, some old stamps, and some Distress Oxide Inks (which are now available through Technique Junkies!!!). This card began it's life as a simple white piece of cardstock. I stamped Fir Forest (S806) onto the lower portion with Versamark Ink and then embossed it in white. I then stamped Santa In Moonlight (SD811), also with Versamark, and embossed it in black. 

I grabbed some Distress Oxide Inks in Faded Jeans, Broken China and Speckled Egg and blended them across the background. I used Mustard Seed for the moon. After attaching that to the black A2 card base, I stamped Dotted Merry Christmas (SDX176) on a piece of black cardstock using Versamark, then embossed that in white. I trimmed it down then added it to the forefront using some foam tape.

I love the simplicity of the card, how quickly it came together (it literally took me 10 minutes), and the fact that I can create several in a short period of time.

If you feel inspired to grab some holiday stamps for yourself, simply add my special code below at checkout and you can save 10% off your purchase.

Also, there is a massive inventory reduction sale going on right now. Save 35% off a huge selection of stamps. On top of that, the 10% off code gives you a total of 45% off the stamps on sale! What a deal! Maybe you want to add some to your own stocking and help Santa out! lol

Well, I'm off to make some more cards! Happy stamping! Happy shopping!

Til next time,
Keepin' it inky!