Duplicate Stamps???

We've all done it. Purchased a stamp set that we already had. Oops, right? Well, this time, I actually did it ON PURPOSE! And here's why...

The Pretty Pots (S808) stamp set I have been wearing out enjoying all month is so versatile...Background, stamp and cut out, masking, etc. Well, I had a vision of something else. I absolutely adore this set (in case you hadn't already figured that out), so I purchased a second set...intentionally! Why? So I could do a little surgery and cut all the pots apart. Again, why? So I could do THIS!

Super cool, yeah? A while back, I had made a DIY wreath template. I thought these little pots would look adorable with that. So I chopped up a set to use as individual stamps! I'm a little coo-coo that way, but I get so much more love from a set when I do that. Now, not all stamp sets are surgically alterable. But this one...DEFINITELY! (imho)

I used my MISTI and homemade wreath template, selected three of the little pots, and stamped them with Memento Ink (Bamboo Leaves). The sentiment, Get Well Soon (SDX126), was stamped with Rich Cocoa.  I rounded the corners, added some gold and brown stickers, matted it with brown CS, and attached it to a cream CS base. The pots were colored with Marvy Brush Markers, and the "flowers" were added using Kaisercraft Glitter Gel Pens (I'm loving these pens!!!).

So next time you "accidentally" purchase a duplicate, you may want to give it a second look. 

If you like these stamps, or any of the large assortment available at Technique Junkies, you can save 10% by using the code "TJ10Ro" (see badge on the panel to the right).

And stay tuned! Only a few more days until a brand new bunch of TJ stamps are released (April 1st -- no foolin'!)! Be sure to join us for our monthly release blog hop!

Til next time,
Keepin' it inky!

More Pretty Pots (My New Favorite Stamp)

I just can't help myself! I am absolutely in LOVE with this Technique Junkies stamp! I love it so much, I have two! One is the way it came (as a background), the other one I chopped into individual stamps. I am having so much fun with these stamps, that I couldn't help but share another card with you!

This card uses only a few supplies and was quite easy, but looks like it took a lot of time and planning. Not so.

I used my MISTI to line up the Pretty Pots (S808) stamp on a piece of cream CS cut at 4.25"x5.5". Using Memento Ink in Olive Grove, I stamped the image and set it aside. I then took a piece of vellum sized at 4"x5" and stamped a sentiment from In Full Bloom (SS105) using Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black. This In Full Bloom set includes SIX wonderful sentiments:

Going back to the stamped panel, I colored in the pots and just a few plants using three Spectrum Noir colored pencils. I don't know their names but they were basically a reddish-brown and two colors of green. After I finished coloring and decorating the pots, I cut an oval out of the center using a die. 

On my cream A2 card base, I laid the panel minus the cutout on the center. I added adhesive to the oval and centered it in the panel, matching up the pots and flowers, and pressed it onto the base.

The vellum panel was attached to the back of the stamped panel. I rounded the corners and then added foam tape to that panel to give the card some dimension.

With Nuvo Crystal Drops in Copper Penny, I added flowers to many of the potted plants on both the top panel and the oval piece on the base. I also added a few dots to the vellum panel.

Once dry, I attached the raised panel to the card base.  And I am loving how it turned out! I like the simplicity of using only a few colors on this card, along with the vellum and Crystal Drops. 

You can bet I'm not done with these stamps yet! I have a few more ideas floating around in my ready-for-spring head. If you are inspired and can't live without these stamps (or any others over at Technique Junkies), you can save 10% on your order by adding the code "TJ10Ro" at checkout (see banner on the right of my blog).

Hope you have an awesome day!

Til next time,
Keepin' it inky!

Pretty Pots

I am pleased to have a new project over at Technique Junkies. You can see the whole post HERE!

Check it out for full details and some awesome discounts!

Til next time,
Keepin' it inky!

MARCH RELEASE FOR TECHNIQUE JUNKIES!

It's March!!! Hopefully we are leaving the dreary winter behind. I know I am looking forward to Spring when all of Mother Nature's colors reappear and brighten our world. 

With the new month, comes the new release from Technique Junkies! I hope you are as excited as I am about these new stamps! Spring is definitely in the air, as you will see from these colorful projects!

If you have arrived from the wildly talented Pat Huntoon, then you are on the right track. If not, you may want to head to the Technique Junkies Blog and start from the very beginning so you don't miss any of the wonderful projects our Design Team has to share! Here are all the links for your convenience!

Start Here: Technique Junkies

Beth Norman-Roberts

Ceal Pritchett

Cheri Weston

Giovana Smith

Janelle Stollfus

Janine Tinklenberg

Jeanne Streiff

Judy Jackson

Lynda Pleckan

Pat Huntoon

This is Me: Ro Donner

Stephanie Severin

Vicki Garrett

And if you like discounts, there are a couple great ones to start your month! Receive 15% off new releases until the 8th (automatically calculated at checkout), and 10% off everything else all month long!

Not only that, but with every $30 purchase (before taxes/shipping), you will receive a FREE STAMP!  May I present Wildly Capable...it will be automatically included in your purchase, no need to add to your cart.

Now that all that business is out of the way, let's get on to the really fun stuff!!!

~~~~~

My first project just screams "spring"! I don't know about you, but I adore Dogwoods. 

STAMPS USED:
-- Dogwood (JT014)
-- In Full Bloom, Set of 6 (SS105)

Dogwood is a new design from the Jan Tink Collection. I love the simplicity of the flowers, which were so fun to color. I used Spectrum Noir Markers on this one.

The sentiment from Full Bloom is just one of the six included in this set. They are wonderful sentiments. I have used several in my projects today.

~~~~~

Next we have some fabulous Tulips to brighten your day.

STAMPS USED:
-- Sketched Tulip (JT010)
-- In Full Bloom, Set of 6 (SS105)

Another design from Jan Tink, these tulips are so bright and cheerful. Watercoloring these was as delightful as seeing the real things in bloom.

The sentiment was stamped on a vellum tag. I didn't want to cover up too much of these beautiful flowers!

~~~~~

This next set is just too fun! If you like to color, this one is definitely for you! (And be sure to see a project I'll be sharing later in the month using this set in a totally different way!)

STAMPS USED:
-- Pretty Pots (S808)
-- In Full Bloom, Set of 6 (SS105)

I used colored pencils on this card. I truly enjoyed coloring this background, decorating the little pots and adding a fun, colorful twist to the flowers.

And see what I mean about the sentiment set? All the stamps included in this set are fabulous!

~~~~~

Stepping away from flowers for a moment, but definitely keeping with the Spring theme, I have a little off-the-card design to share.

STAMPS USED:
-- Beautiful Butterfly (S829)
-- Brave Enough to Fly (SD897)

SHIMMERING BLISS:
-- Just Squeezed
-- Dragons Blood
-- Harvest Sunset
-- Worn Saddle

This butterfly just jumps off the card. The use of the Shimmering Bliss sprays turned this pretty butterfly into an absolute stunner! I added a little sparkle to the body with a Nuvo Glitter Marker in Iced Americano. The glitter and the shimmer together really pack a punch! And that sentiment...Loving it!!!

~~~~~

And last, but certainly not least, I absolutely adore this precious bunny and crocus.

STAMPS USED:
-- Spring Bunny (SD919)
-- Happy Easter (SDX117) (Not a new release)

I used Spectrum Noir markers to color this stamp. This bunny is just too precious. I can see using this one for more than just Easter. Some of the sentiments in the set above would go nicely just as well.




Basic supplies used on these cards includes: MISTI, Cut-Align, Cardstock, Multi-media Paper, Adhesive, Dimensional Tape, Spectrum Noir Markers, Colored Pencils, Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolors, Versamark, Memento Ink, Embossing Powder. Special supplies noted in projects.

~~~~~

I hope you got a pleasant burst of a good Spring feeling with these projects. Now, off you go to Stephanie Severin, where you will find some more beautiful cards!

Til next time,
Keepin' it inky!