Paper craft project no. 360: Big hugs for you one layer card

It's time for a new challenge at Time Out Challenges. This time around, we are doing the Home Sweet Home challenge where we take inspiration from an interior design photo:

Source: Wall Murals Gallery

Joining us is Joyce from Cards-by-the-Sea. Have a look at what Joyce and the rest of the TO girls made. We hope you'll come play with us too!

I took inspiration from the big, bold flowers in the photo and created this one layer card. The background is actually a second print I pulled from leftover Brusho on the daisy dance stencil when I made this card. I had sprinkled Brusho powders on the stencil, spritzed with water, and then laid the card base on it. Not wanting to waste the remaining paint on the stencil, I placed another card base over it. I stamped the daisy and sentiment in black archival ink and then finished the card by rounding one corner. Yet another artsy looking grunge card that's quick and easy to create.

Linking my card to these fun challenges:

• Simon Says Monday Challenge - Anything Goes
• Addicted to Stamps and More #142 - Make Your Mark
• Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
• Fusion - Happy Days (I went with the blooms and colors in the photo)

Thanks so much for stopping by! Don't forget to smile :o)

~Shery

Paper craft project no. 359: Happy birthday one layer CAS card

Hello! Sharing a card I made earlier tonight when I spied a few minutes and I was actually feeling well enough. (I've been sleep deprived the past week, thanks to a very active almost-23-weeks-old baby girl in my tummy who's decided that it's her playtime when it's my bedtime!)

I managed to combine a few challenges too! I followed the current sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch and the cue word (flight) at CASology. I also saw that it's anything goes this week at the Simon Says Monday Challenge, and the "toppings" at Seize the Birthday is to make your own background. And lastly, I've been wanting to join in at Monika's birthday linky party. Monika is such a sweet girl and an awesome crafter! I decided to CASE her CAS card. My card's a little late getting to you, Monika, but better late than never, right? :o)

To make my one layer CAS card, I stamped the oriole (one of several birds I've illustrated and turned into stamps) and masked it before stamping my collage mixed media grunge background. I flicked yellow and red Inktense blocks with a paintbrush and stamped the sentiment.

      

Thanks so much for stopping by! Don't forget to smile :o)

~Shery

Paper craft project no. 358: You are the best ever one layer card

Hey there! It's the last day of the STAMPlorations stamp spotlight week blog hop. Have you hopped all the previous days yet? According to a little birdie, 5 prizes have been added, so there are now 11 prizes instead of 6 up for grabs! You can read all about it here.

We're ending the blog hop with a super fun set: SmallBirds, designed by STAMPlorations girl Shirley Bampton!

For my happy one layer card, I used the two cute birds. I diecut a circle from a post-it note and used that to mask the center of the card base before stamping the birds all over. I flipped the birds and inked the backsides with dandelion Memento ink to color my birds. Then I stamped my customized sentiment (from the Boxed Blooms & Bold Sentiments, Sentiment Builders: Happy, Joyful, and Fond Expressions) and finished the card by defining the circle with a black gel pen. 

Do check out the fun projects that the STAMPlorations girls and our awesome guest designer Darnell made showcasing this super fun doodled birds stamps! The DAY 5 projects are here. Hop along and you can win one of 6 11 prizes we've got up for grabs! You have until Monday, April 27 to leave comments on the STAMPlorations blog and designers blogs.

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to smile :o)

~Shery

Paper craft project no. 357: You are heaven sent one layer card

Hi, everyone! My second pink/girly card in a week! Because my baby was my inspiration back in January when I was designing and illustrating Heaven Sent, the stamp set we're spotlighting today, I felt it fitting to make a card for her -- the first card she'll receive when DH and I welcome her into the world in August. I've started planning and making her baby memory book and this card from us will be in there. It reflects exactly what we think of her :o)

To create this one layer card, I cut out a scallop border from scrap paper, placed that on the card base, and stamped the grunge floral strip in rose red Memento ink. Then I moved the scallop border another inch for the second border and stamped the mixed media grunge floral in lulu lavender Memento ink. I stamped the teddy bear and newsprint in spun sugar Distress ink all over the remaining area, stamped the sentiment (the "you are" is from Sentiment Builders: Happy), and sponged a little spun sugar Distress ink. I finished the card by defining the scallop borders with black gel pen.

I hope you'll come check out the beautiful cards that the STAMPlorations girls and super wonderful guest designer Darnell made featuring this sweet baby set! You'll find links to all our projects here. Hop along and you can win one of the prizes we've got up for grabs :o)

See you tomorrow for the last day of the hop! Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to smile :o)

~Shery

Paper craft project no. 356: Embrace life one layer mixed media card

Hello! Thank you so much for the sweet messages you all left on my post yesterday! You all made this very pregger girl happy :o) We're now on DAY 3 of the STAMPlorations stamp spotlight week blog hop. Today, we're putting the spotlight on another sentiment set, Noteworthy.

To create my one layer mixed media card, I applied a thin coat of gesso on my card base, placed the happy flowers stencil over it, and applied Gelatos. I blended the colors by running a damp paint brush over the Gelatos. Then I watercolored the background with Sakura Koi watercolors. I randomly stamped the newsprint and postmark in coffee archival ink and finished the card by stamping the sentiment.

Hope you can hop today and check out the gorgeous makes by the STAMPlorations girls and our awesome guest designer Darnell! You'll find links to all our projects here. Hop along and you can win on of the prizes we've got up for grabs. 

See you tomorrow for DAY 4! Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to smile :o)

~Shery

Paper craft project no. 355: Russ family baby news :o)

Hello! It's DAY 2 of the STAMPlorations stamp spotlight week blog hop and today we're putting the spotlight on one of the two sets that Shirley designed: BabyBump! This is a darling set!

I also have some wonderful news to share. That news is pretty obvious in my card for today: DH and I are having a baby girl! :o)

Yesterday morning, as the blog hop was starting, DH and I were on the road to my ultrasound appointment. Pregnant at 21 weeks and 4 days, I had been looking forward to this appointment for weeks because we'd finally find out our baby's gender. At an earlier ultrasound (at 13 weeks), the sonographer couldn't tell the gender because the little one remained modest the whole time (even though she was pushing and kicking back with her arms and legs and turning every which way). 

Yesterday, however, the little one was asleep the entire time (with her mouth open!), her legs all stretched out, and her head thrown back so we could clearly see her neck. At one point, we saw her move her right arm and touch her hand to her knee. She even hiccupped a few times!

A convo snippet with the sonographer, Emilee:

her: so do you want to know if you're having a boy or a girl?

me: yes.

her: okay, let's take a look...and it looks like you're having a girl.

me: really? are you sure?

her: yes, see...that's her girl parts.

me: you're sure it's not going to grow into boy parts later on? 'cause stuff happens you know!

her: [laughing] i'm pretty sure it won't. it's very clear here.

me: [turning to DH with a big smile] we're having a mini me, dear!

The sonographer and perinatologist were both happy with what they saw: my baby looks healthy, great measurements of the vital organs, and all my prenatal tests results came back normal. I'm very happy and excited I'm having a daughter, although I would be equally happy and excited if my baby turned out a boy. (I didn't have a preference; I simply wanted a healthy baby.) So in about 18 weeks, we'll be welcoming our daughter and I can't wait to hold her! :o)

Which brings me to my card today. I waited until we got home to make this one because I wanted to make a card that revealed the gender of my baby. I adore the images in Shirley's BabyBump set, especially the onesie! So I naturally used that adorable image. I stamped it on a diecut circle and then colored it with Japanese watercolor brush pens. To make the background for my card base, I reached (again) for the daisy dance stencil (I just love this stencil), inked it up with Memento inks, spritzed with a little bit of water, and then placed my card on top to transfer the ink. I adhered the cute stamped onesie circle with foam tape, stamped the sentiment (from Heaven Sent -- more of it on Day 4), and rounded the corners. I don't typically do all pink or too girly cards, but this one is extra special and I love it :o)

I hope you'll check out the beautiful cards that the STAMPlorations girls and our guest designer Darnell made for today! You'll find links to all our projects here. There are prizes to be won for lucky hoppers!

If you've read this far...thank you! I'm sorry for the rather lengthy post. I promise future posts won't be as long :o) Stop by again tomorrow for DAY 3!

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to smile :o)

~Shery

Paper craft project no. 354: Season's greetings one layer card

We have a brand new challenge at the One Layer Christmas Card Challenge blog. For the next couple of weeks, we'd love to see your one layer holiday cards with trees as the optional twist. Of course, we're mainly an anything goes card challenge...so long as your card is one layer :o) I hope you'll check out the beautiful cards that the OLCCC girls made -- Susan, Vickie, Vicki, Kim, and Lee-Anne. We'd also love it if you can join us and share your one layer wonders -- with or without the twist :o)

For my card, I diecut a circle from a post-it note, stuck the negative to the center of my card base and then sponged with Distress ink. Keeping the circle in place, I stamped the Christmas trees and newsprint background several times. I removed the circle diecut and stamped the sentiment. I loosely drew around the edges of the circle with a gel pen to give it a bit of interest.

Linking my card to these fun challenges:

• Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge - Trees
• Completely Christmas #59 - ATG with a twist (use the sketch)

Thanks for stopping by! I'll be back very soon for my card for Day 2 of the STAMPlorations Stamp Release Spotlight Week blog hop along with some baby news! :o) 

~Shery

Paper craft project no. 353: Best ever in the world one layer card

Hello! It's DAY 1 of the STAMPlorations stamp spotlight week blog hop! For the next 5 days, the STAMPlorations girls will be sharing projects showcasing the April stamps. Joining us is the super awesome Darnell Knauss! We are thrilled to have her playing with our stamps. Darnell created cards that beautifully showcase STAMPlorations stamps.

And a blog hop wouldn't be complete without prizes along the way! Simply leave a comment here, on the designers' blogs, and on the STAMPlorations blog by April 27, Monday, 11:55 p.m. PDT (GMT-7), for lots of chances to win one of several prizes.

FIVE (5) lucky hoppers randomly drawn from all comments left on the designers' blogs will each win a $10 gift certificate to spend on the shop. ONE (1) lucky hopper randomly drawn from comments left on the STAMPlorations blog will win a $25 gift certificate to the shop. Plus there'll be surprise prizes along the way :o)

Today, we're putting the spotlight on FOND EXPRESSIONS, a set that's perfect for almost any occasion! You'll love the mix of handwritten and calligraphy styles in the sentiments.

I created a bold, graphic one layer card. I sprinkled a bit of Brusho powders (rose red and yellow chrome) on the daisy dance stencil, spritzed with water to activate the powders, and placed my card base (I'd masked the lower portion with post-it notes) on top to transfer the colors. I loved the inky, artsy effect! I stamped the coordinating daisy stamp in jet black archival ink, as well as a few mixed media grunge elements in coffee archival ink (for the flower background) and sienna archival ink (for the border). Last, I stamped the sentiment. This card made me smile after I got done :o)

Check out what the rest of the team made! You'll find links to all our projects here. Stop by again tomorrow for DAY 2 of the STAMPlorations stamp spotlight week blog hop!

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to smile :o)

~Shery

Paper craft project no. 352: You're sweet one layer card

Happy Monday! Here's a one layer card I made for the new sketch challenge over at the STAMPlorations blog. For the next couple of weeks, we're playing with this fun sketch:

I followed the sketch closely and created a one layer card. I created a circle mask from a post-it note and traced around it lightly with a pencil to use as a guide for stamping the trendy butterflies in various Memento inks. I also masked the butterflies as I stamped them. I placed the negative circle mask over the masked butterflies and sponged Distress inks (mustard seed and spiced marmalade). I stamped the newsprint in coffee archival ink and the sentiment in jet black archival ink before removing the masks. I finished the card by rounding the bottom corners.

Check out how the rest of the STAMPlorations girls interpreted the sketch here. We're also joined by 3 talented cardmakers: Suchi, Coni, and Robyn. We hope to see your take on the sketch too!

Linking my card to these fun challenges:

• Come and Get It Challenges - Things that Start with "B" (I've got butterflies in my card)
• Crafty Calender April Challenge - Add a sentiment
• Less is More #220 - Up, up and away (things that fly and things that can be carried by the breeze)

I'll be back in an hour with my card for the STAMPlorations April Stamp Spotlight Week blog hop! We've got lots of prizes for those who'll be hopping along :o)

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to smile :o)

~Shery

Paper craft project no. 351: You are the best mom one layer card

Hello! It's time for another round of inspiration projects on the STAMPlorations blog. If you're up for it, CASE any of the cards found in this post and then link it up to the Inspiration CASE Playground by May 5. One CASE player will win a $15 gift certificate to the STAMPlorations shop or her choice of any 2 ARTplorations stencil.

For my inspiration project, I made a one layer card for Mother's Day. I stamped the daisy, masking as I went along. I colored them with Spectrum Noir markers and added highlights to the center of the blooms with white Faber-Castell brush pen. I stamped the sentiment to finish off the card.

Linking up my card to these fun challenges:

• Crafts 4 Eternity #222 - Spring
• Fussy and Fancy #137 - Springtime flowers
• Stempelsonne #139 - Anything goes with hand-colored stamp

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to smile :o)

~Shery

Paper craft project no. 350: Remember the good times CAS one layer card

We have a new challenge over at Time Out Challenges. For the next two weeks, it's Inspired by Words: You can't make a rainbow without a little rain. Lots of possibilities with that. Rainbow, rainbow colors, rain, umbrella, and so on. We have a talented guest designer joining us: Michele of Crimson Owl Creations. Please do check out the projects that the TO girls made -- and see how we each interpreted the challenge!

For my CAS one layer card, I took my cue from "rainbow" and used inks that you'll find in a rainbow. I smooshed Memento inks on the Shower of Flutters stencil/mask, spritzed it with a little water to blend the colors a bit, and then placed my card base on top to transfer the ink. Inky goodness! I added a little bit of splatter, and finished the card by stamping the sentiment from Noteworthy in black ink. This was a very quick/easy, fun, and artsy card to make :o)

Linking up my card to these fun challenges:

• Happy Little Stampers April CAS Challenge - Stenciling
• Less is More #219 - One Layer Card + Splatters
• AAA Cards #37 - It's Springtime (**second entry)
• Ruby's Rainbow #102 - CAS

   

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to smile :o)

~Shery

Paper craft project no. 349: Happy birthday one layer mixed media card

Popping by to share a one layer mixed media card with a shabby chic/vintage look that I made for a relative. I used PanPastels, watercolors (pans and brush pens), archival inks, watermark ink, ARTplorations stencil/mask, and various STAMPlorations stamps. For techniques, I used masking and the stencil watermark reverse resist technique. I've got a step-by-step photo tutorial for this card here.

Linking up my card to these fun challenges:

• The Card Concept #33 (**I was inspired by the bright pink color and the patterned ottoman/foot rest in the photo; my card style is mixed media since I used different mediums and techniques)
• Simon Says Wednesday Challenge: Make Your Own Background
• Simon Says Monday Challenge: In the Middle (**my faux frame is in the middle)

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to smile :o)

~Shery

Paper craft project no. 348: Live life out loud one layer card

Happy Monday! It's time for a new Inspiration Project Post over at the STAMPlorations blog. There are plenty of gorgeous cards over there for your CASEing pleasure. CASE a card or two (or several), link up by May 5th, and you could win a $15 gift certificate or your choice of 2 ARTplorations stencils.

I managed to squeeze in a little stamping time a few hours ago and this happy flowery one layer card is the result :o) I smooshed Distress inks (mustard seed, spiced marmalade, and dried marigold) onto the daisy dance stencil, spritzed the inks with water, and then placed my card on it at an angle. Then I stamped the coordinating daisy stamp onto the card base. I placed the stencil again over the card and then stamped the newsprint grunge stamp in black ink on the open areas, stamped the grunge border, and then finally stamped the sentiment. And the card is done. I rather like the graphic look of this card :o)

Linking up my card to these fun challenges:

• AAA Cards Challenge #37 - Springtime
• 613 Avenue Create #119 - ATG with optional twist create your own challenge (my challenge: A2, encouragement, stencils)
• A Gem of a Challenge #142 - Spring is in the Air
• Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenge #75 - Anything goes with a twist of spring flowers
• Simon Says April Showers and/or Spring Flowers

  

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to smile :o)

~Shery

Paper craft project no. 347: Amazing you one layer card

Happy Friday! Here's a graphic one layer card I made for today's Inspiration Project post at the STAMPlorations blog. If you love to CASE, we've got the Inspiration CASE Playground where you can link up your CASE projects. It's open until May 5th and there's a $15 gift certificate up for grabs for one lucky CASE player. We also highlight some of the best CASEs.

I got inky and graphic with my card: I stamped the trendy butterflies in bold colors, masking as I went along. With the butterflies still masked, I created a collage background using a few mixed media grunge stamps. I finished the card by stamping my sentiment (I combined words from this set and this set.

Linking up my card to these fun challenges:

• Sister Act Card Challenge #101
• Simon Says Work  It Wednesday - Stamp
• Craft Your Passion #256

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forge to smile :o)

~Shery

Paper craft project no. 346: You are in my prayers one layer card

Popping by again today to share a card. I took some liberties in CASEing Kim's card that we're featuring at Time Out Challenges. I took my cue from the flowers and clustering and made a CAS one layer card as my twist.

I first stamped the trendy butterfly and masked it before stamping the daisy. I colored the daisy with Chameleon Color Tones alcohol markers, masked it as well, and then stamped the different grunge elements to create a collage mixed media look. I finished the card by stamping the sentiment.

Happy to share that my little stamp company, STAMPlorations, is this week's sponsor at Addicted to Stamps and More and it's CAS week over there. Check out the gorgeous projects that the ATSM design team members created and then link up your CAS cards.

I'm linking up my card to these fun challenges:

• Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - April Showers and/or Spring Flowers
• Simon Says Monday Challenge - A is for... (***mine is the April birth flower: the daisy***)
• Crafty Cardmakers and More #136 - Wings
• Card Mania Challenge #67 - Flowers
• Just Us Girls #287 - Spring

 

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to smile :o)

~Shery

Paper craft project no. 345: Merry Christmas one layer card

Popping by today to share my one layer card for the new challenge over at One Layer Christmas Card Challenge. It's always anything Christmas goes as long as it's a one layer card.  There's an optional twist: BLUE. Create a one layer Christmas card with the twist and you'll be in the running to win the Christmas Reindeer stencil from ARTplorations. Come check out the beautiful one layer cards created by the OLCCC design team!

To create my card, I stamped the Christmas gift (from the Joyful set) on the card base and colored it with Chameleon Color Tones. I also stamped the image on a post-it note, fussy cut it, and used it as a mask before sponging mustard seed DI through the Oh My Stars! stencil. Finished the card by stamping the sentiment (from the Holiday Sketches: Christmas Candles set).

Linking my card to these fun challenges:

• Christmas Cards All Year 'Round April Challenge - Christmas Ornaments (my card has baubles)
• Christmas Stampin' All Year Long - One Layer Card

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to smile :o)

~Shery

Paper craft project no. 344: Just a little something for you one layer card

Popping by to share one of 3 one layer cards I made today for the Light It Up Blue for Autism Awareness blog hop. I've got all 3 cards + a photo tutorial posted here.

For this card, I used Gelli plate, acrylic paints, archival inks, and STAMPlorations products (Trendy Butterflies, Fond Expressions, and ARTplorations Shower of Flutters stencil/mask).

If you'd like to support the hop and spread autism awareness, you're invited to create a card (or any project) that is blue. It can be for any occasion. Link up your creations here or here. The linky is open until Sunday, April 5.

Hosts Tenia and Veronica have lined up many sponsors, including STAMPlorations, for this special event. For a chance to win a sponsor prize, visit and comment on the participating blogs in the Light It Up Blue for Autism Awareness blog hop linky.

For this special hop, STAMPlorations is giving away 2 prizes: one winner will receive a $10 gift certificate to the shop and the other winner will receive the Trendy Butterflies stamp set and the coordinating Shower of Flutters stencil/mask. Tenia and Veronica will be randomly choosing the winners and announce them on Monday, April 6.

Linking up my card to these fun challenges:

• Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Birthday
• Crafts Galore Encore Challenge - Make A Card for April
• Creatalicious Challenge #73 - Anything Goes
• House of Cards April Challenge - Add a Butterfly and/or Color Inspiration

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to smile :o)

~Shery

Paper craft project no. 343: May love always surround you watercolor one layer card

We have a brand new challenge at Time Out Challenges. For the next couple of weeks, it's CASE with your own twist. We're CASEing a card by one of my favorite cardmakers, the awesome Kim Makortoff of Art Keeps Me Sane. Joining the TO girls is guest designer Claire of Life on the Scrap Heap. Come play with us and be in the running to win a prize from our sponsor, Clearly Besotted.

Here's Kim's card:

I took my cue from the flowers, colors, and layout in Kim's card. My twist: I made mine a one layer card -- what else? ;o) I flipped the layout of the card and stamped the daisies in antique linen DI, masking as I went along. I watercolored the blooms and background with Koi watercolors. I grunged it up a little with some mixed media grunge stamps stamped in Memento Luxe navy. I finished the card by stamping the sentiment in Memento black ink.

Linking up my card to these fun challenges:

• Crafting by Designs April Anything Goes
• Inspiration Destination #27
• Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge #221
• The Challenge

Thanks for stopping by! Smile :o) -- I did since I felt my baby kick a few times while writing this post. The little one sure is active, making his/her (we'll know the gender in 3 weeks) presence felt more and more as the days go by.

~Shery

Paper craft project no. 342: Happy Mother's Day mixed media card

For my April CASEplorations post, click here.

We have a new theme at The Mixed Media Card Challenge: FLOWERS. Easy enough! Come check out what the rest of the design team made and then join us. The challenge is open until April 25, and you can read about how we define a mixed media card here.

I created my card by applying a layer of heavy textured gesso on a panel before applying and blending Gelatos and stamping a newsprint grunge stamp. Then I placed a daisy stencil/mask over the panel and applied gesso over it. The stencil coordinates with the daisy stamp so I stamped the daisy over in black archival ink. Distressed the edges before running a pink Japanese watercolor brush pen and adhering the panel to the card base. I stamped the happy Mother's day sentiment in black ink and the grunge stamps in sienna archival ink. Added some splatters with Koi watercolors, trimmed to size, adhered to the card base, and finished with washi tapes.

In creating the background of my card, I used the same technique I used in a one layer card I did a year ago -- with a little modification, such as using a stencil that coordinates with a stamp. I didn't have time to shoot a video for my new card, so here's the older video. It's a quickie: 5 minutes, 20 seconds :o)

ETA: I did take photos as I made my Mother's Day mixed media card and here's the step-by-step photo tutorial on the STAMPlorations blog. up on the STAMPlorations blog posted later today at 3 p.m. PDT (GMT-7).

Linking my card to these fun challenges:

• Virginia's View Challenge #14 - Layers and Dimensions (mine has layers of gesso, cardstock, and washi tape)
• Simply Create Too #82
• Addicted to Stamps and More #138 - Holiday Challenge (mine is for Mother's Day)
• Crafting from the Heart #53

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to smile :o)

~Shery