The writing is on the tree.

Hello crafters, today I have another make with the newly released Perfect Pairs, sets combining a small stamp set and coordinating ephemera cuts, designed to simplify card making.
But... proof you don't need image stamps to create a card and you CAN use just the stamp set (or just the ephemera), I made this Christmas card with Serene Winter:

I first added "white" pearlescent watercolour (Gansai Tambi) on a piece of white cardstock and let it dry.

Next using a hand cut stencil and Distress inks I coloured the inside of the tree with green and the outside with both red and blue. 

With the stencil back in place I stamped the sentiment from the set as if it was a garland.

The dictionary definition stands in for the tree pot.

Finally I double matted the image, added "baubles" and a star brad to finish.

As before the Gansai Tambi colours are so shiny... 

You can find the 4 Perfect Pairs in the collection here, stamp set and ephemera bought together benefit from a 20% discount but can be bought individually.

Thanks for coming by, 
 Craftyfield   I am entering the We Love Stamping challenge

 

Birthday tag

Hello crafters,
Still playing with the newly released Perfect Pairs by STAMPLorations and today I made a Birthday tag/card with the Party and Wishes set:

I used the Shutters Mini stencil to create the background with several shades of Distress inks and hand cut the outside shape to create a tag card.

I stamped the sentiment and added my chosen ephemera (the cake slice) and some heart shaped balloons die cut with the Shaker Balloons #1 Heart from the Ephemeral Edges collage paper.

You can find the 4 Perfect Pairs in the collection here, stamp set and ephemera bought together benefit from a 20% discount but can be bought individually.

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield   

         

Sympathy Card

Hello crafters, 

This fortnight, the Allsorts challenge optional theme, chosen by Gail is "Sympathy/Thinking of You". As usual, you can also enter with an "anything goes" theme.

The focal image is a Vintage Stamping stamp inked in Versafine Clair, the sentiment is from the Big Sympathy stamp set (Inspired by Stamping).

I cut the base and mat with the AALL & Create #106 Layers of Air.

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Hop over to the Allsorts challenge blog to see all the DT inspiration and upload your projects. There are three die sets plus reflections and paper from  Highlight Crafts pictured below to win!

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield   I am entering the Simon Says Stamp Monday, and 

                                                          We Love Stamping challenges

Serene Winter Snowflakes and Marshmallows

Hello crafters, 

STAMPlorations has released new products designed to work together, consisting of small stamp set coordinating with ephemera cuts, called Perfect Pairs. I have been using another set today, Serene Winter  in preparation for Christmas... 

To create my background I repeat-stamped the dictionary definition in the set, highlighting one line in a darker blue.

I placed my chosen ephemera from the pack in the centre. 

To finish, I added the sentiment on the bottom right, snowflakes (glue and rock candy glitter) and a snowflake brad also given the Rock Candy treatment.

For my second card I used the appetising cup of coffee with marshmallows... yum!

I created the background with Versafine inks, added my chosen ephemera from the pack which I had stamped and embossed with the sentiment from the set.

I added the dictionary definition stamped on a separate piece of cardstock.

For embellishments I added baker's twine and a wax seal.

One small stamp set and many ephemera for completely different cards! Really useful for Christmas makes...

You can find the 4 Perfect Pairs in the collection here, stamp set and ephemera bought together benefit from a 20% discount but can be bought individually.

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield   I am entering the We Love Stamping challenge (snow globe card)

   

Big Birthday Celebrations

Hello crafters, 

STAMPlorations has released new products designed to work together, consisting of a small stamp set coordinating with ephemera cuts, called Perfect Pairs.
I took Party & Wishes for a spin:

 

The design is pared down and the execution quick, I just stamped the sentiment in black and the dictionary definition stamp in blue, leaving plenty of space for the present ephemera and a lot of  "white space".

The background is iridescent watercolour (Gansai Tambi Pear colours) with the addition of liquid watercolours to amp up the strength of the hues. On their own the paints give pastel colours whilst giving a LOT of shine as per this GIF:

The effect is beautiful and unlike with glitter there is no fall out or transfer!

I made a second card, this time using a circle as my base:

I created the background by repeat stamping the background stamp (dictionary definition) from the set diagonally.

I stamped the top of the sentiment and embossed it in white detailed EP on black cardstock and the bottom of the sentiment on the right hand side, one letter at a time, to change it to a vertical position that suited my design. Note that I did not cut the stamp out but it would definitely make that easier!

The focal image, a cupcake ephemera from the Party & Wishes Perfect Pairs set has been backed by black cardstock.   

You can find the 4 Perfect Pairs in the collection here, stamp set and ephemera bought together benefit from a 20% discount but can be bought individually.

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield   

   

Focus on the sentiment

Hello crafters,

Today I have another make with the newly released 
Simple Expression range from STAMPlorations. Designed for impactful sentiment I created another simple but not quite as CAS as my previous one (here) 

The word Grace is again the main focus of the design, framed by the torn paper, a sheet of the Old Letters Pocket Backdrops. 

I then added 2 of the ephemera, from the Floral Parade Ephemera Cut-Outs, fussy cut to avoid the white border that I personally prefer to leave out.
On a separate piece of vanilla cardstock, I stamped the outline in black and the solid word in pink to match the colour of  the flowers.

This range offers a simple and effective way of making the sentiment the star of the show.

There are 18 word/quotes to choose from in the range for a variety of feelings, specially designed to work with the paper goods released earlier, so Shery is running the promotion below:

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield   I am entering the  Addicted to stamps & more,  and 
                                                         We Love Stamping challenges

     

Simple Expression for impact

Hello crafters,

New releases are coming thick and fast at STAMPlorations!
Today I am pleased to introduce you to the Simple Expression range. Each set consists of a word and its matching outline, and for my first make I am using the word Grace:

I left the design very simple to give maximum focus on the word. I first stamped the outline in black Versafine, then the inside in a pinkish hue before embossing with a red UTEE with gold lustre.

I placed a bouquet of flowers from the Floral Parade Ephemera Cut-Outs underneath the word before matting on a blue base card.
I then had to resist the urge to add something, anything to it... Do I add a foiled border? gems at the corners? more ephemera? In the end CAS won!

There are 18 word/quotes to choose from in the range for a variety of feelings, specially designed to work with the paper goods released earlier, so Shery is running the promotion below:

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield   I am entering the Addicted to stamps & more,  and 

                                                         We Love Stamping challenges

     

Movin' Up and Flipping Houses

Hello crafters, 

Today I have more inspiration for the Whimsical Homes ATCs from STAMPlorations.

First up a new house card:

The idea is that the new house is bigger and better as the family grows (wishful thinking on my part).

The loosely coloured background has been created with Distress inks for a subtle cloud effect as the home moves up in the sky .

I used A Snarky Birthday to You to stamp the balloons and coloured them with pencils. The sentiment is computer generated. 

Second is an interactive card allowing me to show 2 ATCs:

The finished card folded is 41/4" by 51/2" and flip when opened.

I simply matted the ATC's with appropriate colours and added pieces of Faded Botanicals Collage Papers and Old Letters Pocket Backdrops to the rest of the card. 

See it in action:

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If you fancy trying out the ATCs in your makes, think about the ATC VIP Subscription service to receive your choice of set every 4 weeks. The plan is flexible as you don't have to commit to a length of time and there are also added perks (all the details here.
I am personally trialling this and love the (almost) surprise landing on my doorstep!
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Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield   I am entering the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge

 challenge 
                

Whimsical Homes

Hello crafters, 

It's that time again... a new pack of ATCs has landed and I came up with these projects.
First I created a card with a feminine feel to complement this dreamy house in soft pastel colours:

I created a background mat with one of the solid stamp in the Healing Herbs set with blue ink and one with pink ink and an oven mesh as a stencil (only bought it for that purpose, NOT for cooking...)

I added some ready made borders, gifted to me eons ago and a piece of ribbon.

My second card is inspired by sewing...

For background I used the Old Letters Pocket Backdrops (top) and the Faded Botanicals Collage Papers. The bottom layer has been die-cut with the Stitched Spring Landscape die and I added the trees and house die-cut from blue cardstock on top.

I sewed the paper to the card, going around several times with white and grey threads, as a way to  reinforce the theme, which is echoed by the (faux) stitching I used on the ATC. I chose faux stitching because the ATC cardstock is thick enough to give me concern over my machine!

The final touches are a sentiment sticker from the Nostalgic #1 set and stamping of a small flower motif from the Life is sweeter set.

Another inspiration post with more Whimsical Homes ATC's is coming up soon...

****************
If you fancy trying out the ATCs in your makes, think about the ATC VIP Subscription service to receive your choice of set every 4 weeks. The plan is flexible as you don't have to commit to a length of time and there are also added perks (all the details here.
I am personally trialling this and love the (almost) surprise landing on my doorstep!
****************

Thanks for coming by,

 Craftyfield   My 2nd card is entering the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge 

                                                         and both are entering the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge