You're A Star

I pulled out my Eyes of Beauty and Dreams Collections stamps to play with.  I think these images are just so gorgeous and fun to color.  Truly some of my favorite!  I grabbed Come Hither Eyes to create with.  My original plan, was a bit different, but so glad I went with this instead.

After stamping and coloring the image, I cut her out hoping it would look like she is sitting on the edge of the circle.  I used a tiny clear stamp set to stamp the sentiment.  You could use this great one from Prima.

I added Stickles to her wings, skirt and around the image and the patterned paper.  Stars should shine.  The background paper for the star is from Kaisercraft.  I love the way the pattern offsets the colors of the image.

Challenges:
Creative Stamp Friends - #58 special card shape
Fashionista - #6 Card for a child
Stamptacular Sunday - #176 Use a girl image

Get Inky!

Alex

Emo Valentine Fairy

This lovely image titled Emo Valentine Fairy is part of the newly released Plate #222 drawn by Teresa Sherman.  I love all four images on this plate, LOVE them!!!!  This is going to be a fabulous image not only for Valentine's Day, but other times I want to send someone a card that I am thinking of them too.

The background paper is from the Fancy Pants Country Boutique paper pack, the skull and screws are rub-ons from my stash as is the skull ribbon which was a gift from a wonderful friend.

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Alex

Love Me

The Fairylicious Collection includes this lovely image called Love Me.  Nothing makes fairy wings shimmer quite like the Viva Decor glitter liner in Hologram. 

Isn't the entire set just fabulous?

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Alex

Super Girl

Super Girl is part of the SUPER NEW items available at SCACD.

Super Girl is one of several Stampotique Originals now available.  The entire Mixed Media area of  SCACD is bursting at the seams with newness!  You simply must check out all of the fun!

Get Inky!
Alex

NEW RELEASE BLOG HOP!

Today get ready for a Cute and Cuddly release from Elisabeth Bell for SCACD!!!  I hope you are enjoying all the creations and inspiration as part of the BLOG HOP.  Hopefully you just arrived from Melanie's BLOG.  If not, you should start at SCACD Store BLOG so you don't miss a thing!

Our first set, The Storybook Collection, brings us all back to those childhood days when our best friend was our beloved Teddy Bear. We all told our secrets to our Teddy Bears, had a few misunderstandings but we always made up and were ready for new adventures to unfold.

 Next we have a set of 4 adorable little girls with their FUN hats that make up Sampler #6. Each little girl is bound to make you smile and melt your heart.

This little one is Peace Hat.  I have her paired with paper from the Kaisercraft Lake House collection.  Flower Soft in Baby Pink was a perfect touch added to the flower in her hand.


 Our final set, Sampler #7, is a variety of cute and fun! These 4 little girls remind us all of the simple pleasures of childhood from lollipop dreams to playing in the rain.

 I Want Candy is a fabulously fun image.  I went vintage/monotone with her, but can't you just see her all done up in bright colors as well?  The background paper is from the Fancy Pants Country Boutique   collection.  Those gorgeous corner die cuts are from the Dies by SCACD and the Classic Corners.

Your next and last stop on the hop is Suzanne's BLOG.  Be certain to leave her some love for her amazing creation!  Catch up on the SCACD Store blog if you lose your way through the hop because you will want to catch all the inspiration out there :)

After you finish, GO SHOPPING!  You do not want to miss out on this release or all the great stuff currently in stock at SCACD.  Swing through the Mixed Media section for some pretty amazing products!

 These stamps will be available for our International friends at Quixotic Paperie

Get Inky!

Alex

Oh yes, Halloween is coming!  I am enjoying getting in the Halloween mood with the Halloween images sale from Sweet Pea Stamps.  Today, July 31, is the last day of the sale so you better hurry!

This lovely image is Tricksters by Terra Bedlespacher and can be purchased as a single or part of a fabulous Halloween set of four images on Sheet #155.  I don't believe that, even if mischievous, these darlings could actually hurt any one.  Do you?

I paired the image with some background paper that is part of the new Athentique Enchanted paper pack.  This is wonderful true Halloween paper pack.  All orange, black and grey with spider webs, dots, stripes and other fabulous patterns to get creative with.

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Alex

Little Morticia

I haven't made an ATC in some time and loved having the opportunity and inspiration to do so.  This cutie is Little Morticia from the Little Sassy Crew .  This entire stamp set is fabulous, you should check it out.

After coloring her up, I used paper from the new Authentique Enchanted set to create the background.  The feathers are from Petaloo and are cruelty free and come in lots of great colors!  Loving having feathers to play with :)  The other elements were in my bits and bobs Halloween box.  There you have it, Sugar & Spice and everything nice, with an extra dash of Spice!


Challenges:

Wicked Wednesday ATC - #42 Sugar & Spice (yep, more of a spice kind of gal myself)

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Alex

NEW FUN!

Susana has been loading new stuff for sale at SCACD like CRAZY.  Every time I turn around there is more!  Just some of the fabulous items as some Impression Obsession stamps including some of the Cover a Card collection

Stamps from Crafty Individuals including some holiday images

 Darkroom Door stamps that come in a fabulous tin for storage (or altering if you store your stamps differently)

In addition to all that stamp goodness, there is lots and lots of PAPER goodness available.  Some fun Halloween and Christmas papers in addition to some that is fabulous just because it is!

See?  It is time to shop!!!  Head over to SCACD and see what goodies you can discover!

Get Inky!

Alex

Weena

It is no secret.  I LOVE Halloween.  I love Halloween stuff, Halloween images, Halloween colors, Halloween EVERYTHING!  This fabulous image by Joanne Schempp called Weena is absolutely no exception.

Right now, Sweet Pea Stamps is have a Halloween SALE.  Halloween images, including Weena are all on sale and can be found in their own special section HERE.  Grab one, two or ALL of them!  You will be so glad you did!!!


And just look who I caught hanging around all my artsy stuff.  He really better get some feathers unruffled and grow a tail if he is planning to be out in public by October!  One would think he got into it with a cat of something.... ;)

Get Inky!

Alex

Monster Hugs!!

I paired Monster Hugs from the Oddly Sweet Curiosities collection with paper from Kaisercraft and the sketch challenge from Try Stampin' on Tuesday.  This all just came together perfectly.  I just love working with sketches that are so user friendly!!! 

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Alex

Angel Eyes

I am still in love with this particular collection of images.  This is Angel Eyes from the Eyes of Beauty and Dreams collections.  Coloring these images is so wonderful.  They have details, but are not so detailed they are difficult to color in.  The variety of the images means that there is always one that is perfect for any occasion that requires a card.

I paired her up with some older Basic Grey paper that I have had in my stash for some time.  The flower center is my constant 'go to' Viva Decor pearl pen.  I absolutely love that I always have the perfect size pearl for anything! 

Challenges:
Sketch & Stash - #92 sketch - stash Basic Grey paper

Get Inky!

Alex

Bite

Just look at that adorable face on Bite!  How could she possibly do anything but wish you well?  Such a sweetie, devil cupcake and all.

Once again Terra Bidlespacher has drawn an image I could not resist!  Bite is part of Plate #210 or available as a single from Sweet Pea Stamps.

The background paper is from the Fancy Pants Summer Soul collection.  Those wonderful corners are part of the Dies by SCACD and one of the Garden Corners.

Challenges:
Lets Ink it Up - #25 All Girl - rubber stamps only
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge - #172 Wings and Bling

Get Inky!

Alex

Monster Mash

I am really, really enjoying both of the Oddly Sweet Curiosities sets that were  recently released Susana Loves Stamps at SCACD.  Each and every image is so stinkin' fun and have a saying with it.  Several of them could be mixed up and switched around so a person just really needs to buy both sets :)

This image is Monster Mash from Oddly Sweet Curiosities Set #1.  I think the expression is just priceless!  It is paired with some pattern paper from the yummy Kaisercraft Lakehouse paper pack.  The black pearls are created using the Viva Decor Pearl Pen in black.

I would love to see your creations with these new images.  Come share them with us on the Art & Heart with SCACD Stamps group on Facebook.

Challenges:

Monday Mojo - #249 Sketch
Alphabet Challenge - L is for Lace


Get Inky!
Alex

Treasure Map

When the Design Team decided to all use Plate #217 by Teresa Sherman to see how different our creations were, I instantly thought 'invitation' when I saw this map image.  Having sons, I have done more than one Pirate theme birthday party.  How perfect is this invitation?

To get the aged and crumpled look, I stamped the image with staz-on ink on white card stock.  I cut it out, wet it down, crumpled it up and then sprayed it with walnut ink.  I then left it to dry overnight and awoke to what you see here.  I love it!

Don't forget to send in your creations for Customer Submission Week!

Get Inky!

Alex

Create Your Own Path

I have been working on this particular art journal spread for a bit now.  It started with Dylusions inks, then some swipes of Viva Decor Precious Metals paints in silver.

I stamped the shells from the Elements Collection from the Susana Love Stamps,  Mixed Media Stamps to create the bottom of the ocean.  The rays from the Elements Collection was stamped upside down to create the effect of the light shining in through the water.

I had started out planning for it to be shells on a beach with the ocean behind, but it just took on a different form as I began to work with it.

The fish are created using a corner die from the Dies by SCACD Classic Corners.  I cut them out from black cardstock and then used Mica Powders in Pink Azalea and Yellow Rose.  The Micas gave them the most glorious shine and shimmer.

It wasn't quite finished.  I grabbed a black marker and began to write.  Just some thoughts and ramblings that were in my head.  Things I needed to say to myself.  THEN it was finished.

I love the way that creating in an art journal format has begun to really inspire me.  My creative brain seems to just 'take over' and the critical brain goes on vacation.  There are many things that I don't share with all of you, but some of them I just have to.  I want you to see what you can create.  Give you ideas, tell you to BE FREE. Always, always remember that when it comes to your creating, there are no rules.  Only what works for YOU.  Be true to yourself creatively.  You may not get published, or picked for design teams, or win challenges, BUT you will be happy during the process and that is all that matters.

Challenges:
Unruly Paper Arts - July #1Beautiful Beach
CRAFT Challenge - #162 Splashy/Water theme
Paper Crafting Journey - Summer
Creatalicious Challenges - #35 Anything Goes
Desert Islands Crafters - #33-pick 3 (teal, animals, use rubber stamp, silver)
Mema's Crafts - July Anything Goes
My Mojo Monthly - July, Your Style

Get Inky!

Alex

Tilla

This is the lovely Tilla.  She is a creation of Terra Bidlespacher for Sweet Pea Stamps and is part of Plate #209.  I colored her without selecting background papers or having any plan first.  That is not how I normally do things so I am quite happy it worked out.  These papers from the Basic Grey PB&J collection happened to go perfectly!

Get Inky!

Alex

NEW RELEASE DAY at SCACD!!!!

Today SCACD releases fun and fresh stamps from the Susana Loves Stamps Collections!!! We start off with the Oddly Sweet Curiosities Set which harbors the cutest little Curiosities with matching sentiments. These are Fab and definitely year around fun!!! The second Set are four wonderful little ladies that make up The Little Sassy Crew. Check 'em out- they are the gals that have a sweetness and attitude factor that are off the charts!!! We are also introducing a fun little set of Mixed Media houses called M’s Place that makes them a must have for those that love cute in their Mixed Media.

So grab a cup o' and enjoy the ride!!!

Hopefully you have come from Dianne's blog and are enjoying everything so far.  There is a lot more in store for you so have fun!  Now, on to what I get to share with you today.

First up is Monster Success from The Oddly Sweet Curiosities Set. 

So, little secret, when I first saw these monsters in The Oddly Sweet Curiosities Set, Monster Success was my FAVORITE.  So stoked I get to share him with you today.  I just love his grin.  I can see so very, very many sentiments just working perfectly with this image.

Today I used the great sentiment that comes with him.  Each one of these has an accompanying sentiment.  How great is that?  I wanted him to be bright, cheerful and not green, so red and blue it is.  The background paper is from the Basic Grey PB&J collection.  The corners are part of the new corner dies from Dies by SCACD.  They are one of the two you get in the Garden Corners set.

Next is Little Skullie from The Little Sassy Crew. 

Little Skullie is one of four adorable girls and a fabulous cake that make up this set.  You should buy the entire set because 1-you want them all, 2-you will eventually buy them all anyway and 3- the candle freebie stamp with the set rocks!

I paired Little Skullie with some distressed paper from Kaisercraft.  The most fun though was when I created the charm to go with her.  That is made using a Vintaj hardware Basic Alter Blank.  I ran it through my die machine in a Vintaj embossing folder, I used Steampunk Parts.  I then applied the special Vintaj patina inks in Weathered Copper.  Once it was dry, I used the Metal Reliefing Block to bring out the embossed portions and then covered it all with the Vintaj Glaze.  That all sounds like a lot of work, but it really wasn't ans was fun!

Keep hopping along to see all the rest of the amazing creations by the Design Team.  When you finish, head over to SCACD, or if you are one of our international friends then Quixotic Paperie and do some SHOPPING!!!

When you finish here hop on to Amanda's blog.  The complete list will be on the store blog if you get lost along the way.

Get Inky!!!

Alex

Lovely Nell

I really love Terra Bidlespacher's style and especially the 'girls' she draws for Sweet Pea Stamps. This one just called my name and begged me to color her.  I paired Nell with some paper from Fancy Pants collection called Summer Soul.  The border is made alternating an amazing and detailed a corner die that is part of the new Dies by SCACD collection.  These are fabulous thin metal dies and they cut like a dream.  Such detail and I just keep thinking of all sorts of things do create with them.  I guess that at some point I should use them on a corner, lol!

Get Inky!

Alex

Scrapbooking With a Twist

I am beyond excited to share with you a new adventure I am taking. I was invited to start a scrapbooking group on an NING forum. Not just ANY scrapbooking though, scrapbooking with a TWIST. This means I want you to come join us and scrapbook however YOU want. You can use paint, or onto wood, spray it with ink, rip things up, glue things down. Use pictures, or just write about things. Acid free? I don't care! Why, because this scrapbooking is all about the process and preserved memories are a side benefit. You can be traditional and cute or you can be wild and crazy and spatter stuff everywhere. There are no 'rules', only fun and the artist process and enjoyment of creating.   I would LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE for you to join  us!

Visit Pamela Joy

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Alex

Butterfly with Flower

This Butterfly with Flower is one of the new images from the new Plate #211 at Sweet Pea Stamps of designs by ching-chou kuik.  This plate is not the girls, but different animals and they are all more gorgeous than the last.  I have not done this image justice, but I did enjoy working with it.

I paired the image with background paper from Basic Grey and some lovely corner dies that are part of the line of dies that are exclusive to SCACD.  Dies by SCACD.  This corner is part of Classic Corners.

Get Inky!!!

Alex

Black Pearl

This gorgeous lady is an image drawn by Teresa Sherman for Sweet Pea Stamps.  Her name is Black Pearl.  She can be purchased alone or as part of 4 fabulous images on Plate #212.

I wanted to keep Black Pearl in cool water/ocean type colors so went with the blues and greens.  I had originally picked an entirely different pattern paper to go with this image, but as I sat at my desk to put together the card, I just knew it was wrong, and this one from Kaisercraft was better.

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Alex

Silence

I finished up a spread in my art journal and want to share a technique I used with you.  I created the textured flowers using embossing paste and mica powders.

 First I put some of the Dreamweavers Translucent Embossing Paste in a mixing tray and then added a touch of the Mica Powders.  I used Pink Azalea and Yellow Rose. 

After they were mixed up, I applied them to my prepared journal page through portions of the Dylusions Stencil Dotted Flowers.

 This right after it is applied.  It is a mat type look to it.

 Once it has dried thoroughly it is translucent and the shine and color from the Mica Powder really come through.  The leaves are from the Dylusions Doodle Parts stamp set. The colors on the page are from assorted Dylusions Sprays.  The shine is Mica Powder, Gum Arabic and water.  I made it very watery so that the shine and shimmer would really spread out.

The next step was to doodle in stems, leaves and an edge.  Then I stamped on Resilient Woman and Blank Canvas Profile.

Isn't this profile image amazing?  I grabbed it first thing when my stamps arrived and knew it HAD to go on this page!

Added the writing to the left side.  It reads "Listen to the sounds in the silence.  Those are the words of your heart."  Heart is from the Authentic Words Set.

 

Absolutely loving the shimmer and shine.  Just a bit of writing on the right hand page and ......

FINISHED!

I hope you enjoyed learning the technique as well as seeing a bit about my 'process'.  Sometimes I have a plan and sometimes it just comes together as I work.  This was one of the second ones.  

Get Inky!

Alex

Strong

Are you STRONG?  How?  I know that everyone has strength in them.  Your strength may be different than my strength or your best friend's strength, but you DO have it.  Find it.  Use it.  Make it an asset!

This is created using paper from a couple of different packs.  I first stamped the Susana Loves Stamps Steampunk Clock.  I then over stamped and embossed with the Susana Loves Stamps Solid Blank Profile.  I swirled some grey ink around the profile to soften it even more.  "STRONG" is from the Susana Loves Stamps Self Words set.  I stamped it in a dark blue and then cut it out.  The gears are from the Laser Cut Chipboard and painted with Viva Decor Precious Metals paints in silver.  I also distressed the background paper with some of the silver paint as well as roughing up the edge.

While you are looking around at SCACD for all the things you just must have, be certain to check out the new Gorjuss Girls and Crafty Individuals stamps.  Can you guess which ones I love?

Challenges:
4 Crafty Chicks #93 - Monochromatic
Crop Stop #75 - Monochromatic
CCEE#1223 - Vintage Feel

Get Inky!

Alex

Dreams

The new Mixed Media Collection of Susan Loves Stamps at SCACD is amazing.  I used the Solid Blank Canvas Woman and Blank Canvas Wings set to create this.

First I stamped Solid Blank Canvas Woman on white cardstock.  I created a mask and then stamped the Blank Canvas Wings over the top.  I masked those and used the Dylusions sprays in Lemon Zest and Squeezed Orange to create the background for the image.  It is then matted in black and a solid from the Heidi Swap Sugar Chic paper pack.  Matted in black again and adhered to a piece of patterned paper from the same paper pack.  I outlined the images as well with a thin black pen and wrote the words around the edges.  They read "Dreams are the wings of your soul."

I am really enjoying playing with these images.  The possibilities and combinations are just endless.  I would love to see what you create with these.  Please share them with us on the Art & Heart with SCACD stamps Facebook Group!

Get Inky!

Alex

Natures Tapestry Fan

I am so excited about the new line of dies exclusive to SCACD!!  These are STUNNING.  You really must go look at them ALL and see how amazing they are.  Remember, Susana refunds any extra shipping charges, so if you have any concerns, don't!  She is the MOST fair retailer I have ever dealt with.  EVER :)

Have a fabulous weekend, and if you haven't hopped already, make certain you do to see the amazing creations from the DT.

Challenges:
Catch the Bug - anything goes
Craft Your Days Away - red, white & blue
Crazy For Challenges - Butterflies
Secret Crafter Sat Challenge - anything goes

Get Inky!

Alex

NEW RELEASES HOP with SCACD!

Welcome to the New Release hop for SCACD.  I am sooooooooooooooo excited, we have the BEST stuff to share with you today!!!  Hopefully you are hopping along and came from Dianne's BLOG.  If not, I suggest you start at the SCACD Store BLOG so you don't miss a single thing!

Here at SCACD we've been "die"ing to mix things up!  So, this month we have the launch of two awesome new Collections.


First is a fantastic new line of dies.  Susana has collaborated on a collection of dies with a timeless, classic feel.  Delicate and beautiful, the diecuts from these high quality wafer thin metal dies will be featuring on your projects for years to come!


Second is a wonderful new direction for SCACD.  Susana is following her heart with a new line of Mixed Media stamps.  For those of you who are new to the concept, Mixed Media is a style that embraces creativity and experimentation. Let SCACD take you on a new creative adventure with the Blank Canvas Collection.  From the beginner to the mixed media enthusiast, these stamps will have the creative juices well and truly flowing! 


Each set in the collection comprises looks, perfect for mixing it up with different techniques.  Use the elements set to enhance the blank canvas silhouettes, or use them on their own for gorgeous effects.


In addition there is a fabulous set of word outlines, ready to be customized however you like!  Color them in, doodle, zentangle, paper piece - go wherever your creativity takes you.

Mix it up and most importantly - HAVE FUN!

First up - Solid Blank Canvas Woman

I stamped her in the darker color and then masked the image to stamp the blue images.  She is paired with the "ORIGINAL" stamp from the Authentic Words Set.  I did the doodling inside the letters.

Next is - Nature's Tapestry Fan and Garden Corners

I decided to color in the fabulous elements in Nature's Tapestry Fan.  The birds have also been given a coat of Diamond Glaze for some extra shine and I used Luminarte Silk in Ice on the dragonfly wings.  The pearls in the flowers and on the fan are created using Viva Decor pearl pens in ice white and yellow.  The background paper is from the Basic Grey Origins collection.

One of my favorite creations to date using -  Garden Corners Dies by SCACD

This is made entirely from a single corner die design that is one of the dies in the Garden Corner Dies by SCACD.  The body and antennae are portions cut out from the die.  The wings are two corners placed point to point.  The hearts in the top right are to punched out hearts from the center section of the corner.  I am very, very pleased with the end result and will be making many more of these butterflies.


That is is from me, but your next stop is Chris's BLOG, be sure to leave her some love for her fabulous creations!!

For our International Friends, please check out Quixotic Paperie for your SCACD Stamp needs HERE and now also Dies by SCACD HERE.

Don't forget to do some shopping for these wonderful new goodies as well as all the other fabulous things available at SCACD.

Get Inky!

Alex