Happy Easter

 

Hello, today I'm using one of the images in the Easter Gnomes Digital stamps from Whimsy Stamps, from the Dustin Pike collection.

I printed it, cut it out en then colored the image with  alcohol markers.Triblend in this case as I took them to work.

At first I was in two or three minds even for which occasion to make this card. A Colorful Birthday came to mine, Easter of course and even  New Home that needs painting. I went for Easter this time although without the Easter eggs I think it would work for many more occasions.

For the background I inkblended Distress inks through a mask I made a few years ago.Squeezed Lemonade, Twisted Citron and Tumbled Glass.

Mounted the Gnome with Foamtape and adhered it to the cardbase. The sentiment I printed on the cardbase, there's none included in the set and as I didn't have any clear sets with something suitable.

You can find the Easter Gnomes in the Whimsy Store: https://whimsystamps.com/products/easter-gnomes-set-digital-stamp?_pos=21&_sid=a888a737f&_ss=r

#Whimsystamps #Digistamps #Handmadecard #cardmaker #designteam #CASCard  #CardsbyMaaike  #DustinPike #Gnomes #Easter #HappyEaster #Springcard #Distressinks #Triblendmarkers

 

 

 

Hello Sunshine

 Hello, I'm ready for Spring and Sun, how about you? So I thought this little Dude from the Whimsy Stamps Easter Gnomes digi set was perfect for a Spring Like card.

I printed the digi, cut it out and then colored it with Copic Markers,

For the background/cardbase I used a mask I made with the Boho Basic circles dies and I applied Distress inks through it: Squeezed Lemonade, Twisted Citron and Tumbled Glass. removed the mask and then stamped the flowers from another Whimsy set ( Sending Sunshine) with Memento Cantaloupe yellow ink. The sentiment is from the same clear set and same Canatloupe colored ink.

Mounted the gnome with foamtape and adhered  him amidst the flowers.

You can find the digi set in the Whimsy Store: https://whimsystamps.com/products/easter-gnomes-set-digital-stamp?_pos=1&_sid=dd102a6db&_ss=r

The Clear set Sending Sunshine: https://whimsystamps.com/products/sending-sunshine-clear-stamps?_pos=1&_sid=6c769d074&_ss=r

#Whimsystamps #Digistamps #Handmadecard #cardmaker #designteam #CASCard #CopicColoring #CardsbyMaaike  #DustinPike #Gnomes #Easter #DebDavis #Springcard #Distressinks 

AAA Cards Challenge #236: Inspired by a movie/book/song/etc, with video

 

Hello, this fortnight our challenge is to make a card inspired by a movie/book/ song or tv series,poem etc.

I've chosen the Movie franchise Indiana Jones witha Kindred Stamp  that reminds me of that (Treasure Hunter). I took some liberties with the colors s there would be too much browns in my opinion.

I made a cave or temple with a semi circle and Distress inks ( Forest Moss, Peeled Paint and Bundled Sage) then splattered with Lawn Fawn Liquid Stardust for my gold veins or diamonds in the mine.

Stamped the sentiment from the same Kindred Stamps st with Versafine Sepia ink.

Colored the image with Graphit Brush markers and mounted it with foamtape before adhering to the card base.

To play along the AAA Card Challenge, see this.

New Less is More Challenge: #479: ONe Layer- Anything Goes

 

There's a new challenge over at the Less is More Blog!: One Layer and anything goes.

I've chosen to do a Happy Birthday Card, as I always need those, although at firts I wanted Easter with a silhouette stamp.

But instead I Made a mask with a Joy Crafts die (really old, but any would work) and adhered it on the cardbase, then masked the bottom, once I new how much space I needed. 

I used Distress inks to make my scene: Wilted Violet, Candied Apple, Carved Pumpkin and mUsteard Seed for my SunSet and Mermaid Lagoon for the Sea.

Peeled off the maskes and now have a crisp white Sailboat.I kinda like it, but might add shading if I feel it needs it.

Sentiment is from Whimsy Stamps (Simple Sentiment Strips) and I stamped it in Versafine Black ink.

For more information or to play along the Less is More Challenge, see this.

Choose Wisely

 

Hello, today I'm showing you a fun card I made with the Whimsy Stamps digi Evil Kitty from the Dustin Pike collection.

I printed the digi and cut it out with the Scan n Cut , then Colored it with Copic Markers. Of Course I went for my own cat  color wise, had to ;-)

Then I made the background by masking of the top and bottom of the cardbase and applying Distress inks: Mowed Lawn, Mermaid Lagoon and Wilted Violet, splattered with water and shimmery watercolor.

The edges weren't as crisp as I'd like them to be as some of the masking paper peeled up, so I covered the cardbase with cardstock, gives a bit of dimension too as I mounted the strips with foamtape. But I stamped the lower part first with sentiments from a Whimsy Stamps clear set: Simple Sentiment strips. 

I thought it went with the look on the "Evil Kitty".

Also mounted the kitty with foamtape and adhered it all together.

Find the Digi image in the Whimsy Store: https://whimsystamps.com/products/evil-kitty-digital-stamp?_pos=1&_sid=5cce983f1&_ss=r

#Whimsystamps #Digistamps #Handmadecard #cardmaker #designteam #CASCard #CopicColoring #CardsbyMaaike  #DustinPike #DustinPikeDraws #EvilKitty #MadScientist #Distressinks #FinetecIridescentWatercolors

A Happy or Ha-Bee Hello

Hello, today I'm showing a cute little card with  Whimsy Stamps Products, Bee Happy digi from Crissy Armstrong.

I wanted a pun so I went with Happy as HaBee. I thought it was funny, but I wonder if people will get it, or correct my grammar everytime they see it ;-) Don't care, I giggled.

There's a clear set from Whimsy Hap-Bee from the Krista Heij-Barber collection that has this sentiment, but I don't have it (yet) and so I made my own on the computer and printed it out with the Bee image.

Had he Scan N Cut do the fussy cutting and then I colored it with all the alcohol marker brands : Copic, Decotime  Brush and Graph-it Brush because of their fineline nib, which I love to get into the tiny corners. If you make the image bigger those tight spaces are easier to color.  

The Hello if the Whimsy Hello Word and Shadow Die set I wanted to make the Hello honey colored ombre, so on white cardstock I applied: Mustard Seed, Fossilized Amber, Wild Honey, Dried Marigold and Crackling Campfire, can you spot the all? then cut it out and made the show layer white to make it stand out from the background.

Ha the background..it's not my first rendition,  didn't like the first one, I cut hexagons from masking paper and stuck them on the cardbase, applied Distress inks Salty Ocean and Tumbled glass, like a sky, but when I peeled of the hexagon masks, the white was too stark and so I went over the whole thing with Mustard Seed to make the white yellowish and give some of the blue a green hue...it was not my best decision ;-)...I've included in  my blogpost, so you can see how plans change.

I did diecut the masks, kind of strategically from a cardpanel sized piece of masking paper, so  I used the windows it left to apply some of the same inks I used on the Hello, but in different densities, some of top of each other to give that whimsical bokeh like effect; and this is much prettier  and clean looking.

I mounted the Hello on the shadow layer with foam and liquid glue,  Mounted the word on the cardbase. I also added foam tape on the bees and liquid glue on the sentiment strip.

You can find the digi in the Whimsy Store, it's also available as a cling stamp set in case you prefer: https://whimsystamps.com/search?q=bee%20happy

The Krista Heij-Barber clear set: https://whimsystamps.com/products/hap-bee-birthday-clear-stamps?_pos=3&_sid=61f005226&_ss=r

There's a Honey Comb pattern die if you need hexagons shapes: https://whimsystamps.com/products/honeycomb-pattern-die?_pos=14&_sid=61f005226&_ss=r

Or a Hexagon Die set: https://whimsystamps.com/products/nested-hexagon-die-set?_pos=32&_sid=61f005226&_ss=r

Hello Word and Show dieset: https://whimsystamps.com/products/hello-word-and-shadow-die-set?_pos=3&_sid=bb2666b6c&_ss=r

#Whimsystamps #Digistamps #Handmadecard #cardmaker #designteam #CASCard #CopicColoring #CardsbyMaaike  #CrissyArmstrong #Bees #GraphitBrushmarkers #DecotimeBrushMarkers #Distressinks

AAA Cards Challenge : Inkblending along an edge, with video

 Hello, this challenge we're all about Inkblending along an edge. any Edge will do, but it should be CAS.

For my card I inblended ink on the lower edge, diecut the Whimsy Hello Word and Shadow set  into a panel and adhered it on top.

I've used Distress inks: Spiced Marmalade, Worn Lipstick and Picked Raspberry.

To Play along the AAA Card Challenge, see this

AAA Birthday Cards Challege March: #47 Stripes and/or dots

 

Hello this month we at AAA Birthday Cards Challenges are all about strips and or dots.

For my birthday card I've used the set from My Favorite Things : Full Circle with pretty colored inkpads from Card Deco

I did make two panel as I wanted to do some clever layering where the pattern carried on, but I smudged the other one too much to use it, so lucky the cardbase  wasn't smudged too badly.

the strips and dots are also in the set and the sentiment is from Clearly Besotted Stamps (Tiny type), and I've used Versafine black ink for this.

To play along our March Challenge, see this.

Lucky Gnome

 

Hello, this week I'musing one of the Lucky Gnomes in the same digi set from Whimsy Stamps, illustrated by Dustin Pike.

I printed the one with the balloon and colored it with Copic markers, then cut it out and mounted it with foamtape.

For the background I've made a mask with the Whimsy Stamps  Basic Boho Circles and applied Distress inks on the cardbase (Twisted Citron and Tumbled Glass, plus whatever was left on the blending brushes), I thought it could look like grass and sky.

I wanted to splatter it with some colored ink as if there's flowers, but I then decided I wanted my Gnome to be the focal point.

Also I haven't added a sentiment yet, I think it's of course supposed to be St. Patricks day Gnome, but we don't celebrate in the Netherlands and that's why I've used the balloon I thought it could be for a "Lucky Birthday"

Adhered the image on top of the cardbase.

Find the Lucky Gnome did set here: https://whimsystamps.com/collections/dustin-pike-digital-images/products/lucky-gnomes-set-digital-stamp

Bogo circle frames https://whimsystamps.com/products/boho-circles-die-set?_pos=1&_sid=03bf101d0&_ss=r

#Whimsystamps #Digistamps #Handmadecard #cardmaker #designteam #CASCard #CopicColoring #CardsbyMaaike  #DustinPike #StPatricksday #LuckyGnomes #Gnomes

 

 

 

 

bite me

For my card image, I've used the Whimsy Stamps digi: Bath Time from th Dustin Pike Line, I printed it , cut it out with the Scan N Cut and lost some bubbles as the machine didn't recognize them, I think, so to remedy I've used the Whimsy Stamps Ocean Stencil,  and I applied bubbles with the blue that was left  on my inkblending brush.

I then colored the image and mounted it with foamtape and adhered it to the cardbase. I added the glitter with a Nuvo Shimmer pen on the water and bubbles.

The sentiment "Bite me"is from the Whimsy Clearstamp set Looking Shark, also from the Dustin Pike Line.

The other sentiment is from: Adopt don't shop dogs from the Deb Davis line.

I first stamped them with Versafine black ink, then sort of drew a speech bubble around them and cut them out with scissors. The dog speech bubble I tried to make it irregular and random, maybe like soapsuds but more like it's a dog talking/singing..

When I placed them on the card, they kind of disappeared, so I added more ink with the same inkblending brush, I felt they could be soap suds ;-)

Find the Bathtime digi here: https://whimsystamps.com/products/bath-time-digital-stamp?_pos=2&_sid=118029bc5&_ss=r

Ocean Stencil: https://whimsystamps.com/products/ocean-stencil?_pos=3&_sid=d9d38fdaf&_ss=r

Adopt Don't shop: https://whimsystamps.com/products/adopt-dont-shop-dogs-clear-stamps?_pos=2&_sid=9ef4efce9&_ss=r

Looking Sharp set: https://whimsystamps.com/products/lookin-shark-clear-stamps?_pos=1&_sid=c8042bb27&_ss=r

#Whimsystamps #Digistamps #Handmadecard #cardmaker #designteam #CASCard #CopicColoring #CardsbyMaaike #DustinPike #Dustinpikedraws #DebDavis #Punnycard #NotsomuchValentine 

AAA Card Challenges #234: Circles, with video

 This fortnight we're playing with circles as chosen by design team member Asa.

I've added a few ideas to the game badge, but whatever circles you think will work you may use.

I've gone for inkblended bubbles. For this I've used a stencil with circles I made with a nesting dieset of circles, easy to do.

For the inkblending I"ve used Distress inks always coming in from the edge and trying to leave the centre empty, so they look dimensional and transparent; making sure I use colors that mix and complement and not make mud.

Matted the panel and adhered it to the cardbase.

The sentiment is a stampset from Wow (Just saying/Stampset 41) I went with British Summer Grey embossing powder (also Wow) and stamped it with Wow embossing ink. I thought  Black would be too dark with these ethereal colors.

TO enter your card, or see more dt cards, click this.

Hearts galore

 Hello, today I'm showing you my take on Valentine's day. 

But for those that do here's some inspiration that is cute as can be. I've used two digistamp sets from Whimsy Stamps: Heart Hugs and Candy Hearts; both from the Crissy Armstrong line.

At first I wanted to make the hearts looks like proper candy harts by printing them on different colored cardstock, or inkblending and them adding dimension by stacking them, there's many in the set and their all on their own, I just "stacked" them, but you don't have to; that's why I love digi stamps, so versatile and no masking to get them linked, no mess.

I decided to use Deco Foil instead, Whimsy carries  a selection and I thought red shimmer is just as special and more apt for a background. I am  one of those designers that likes to stick to one focal point if possible.

And as I have a laser printer I just took a few of the hearts from the Candy Heart set and made them into a banner of sorts. Then I added the "you're so "above one. Passed it through my foiling machine, then mounted it with foam and adhered it to the cardbase.

The bear is also from the Crissy Armstrong collection and is also available at Whimsy Stamps, it's called Heart Hugs and I also printed it  with my laser printer, then colored it with Copic Markers, cut him out, or her, I thought a Polar bear would be "fresher" than a dark brown on a Valentine's day card, but you can do whatever you like, if you say it's a stuffed toy your can pretty much do the bear any color. I liked it as he/she is hugging a hear and that was just perfect for this time of year.

Mounted the bar also with foamtape and adhered the image on top.

Find everything in the Whimsy Store:

Heart Hugs: https://whimsystamps.com/collections/love-valentines-wedding-digital/products/heart-hugs-digital-stamp

Candy Hearts: https://whimsystamps.com/collections/love-valentines-wedding-digital/products/candy-hearts-digital-stamp

Decofoil: https://whimsystamps.com/collections/deco-foils

#Whimsystamps #Digistamps #Handmadecard #cardmaker #designteam #CASCard #CopicColoring #CardsbyMaaike  #CrissyArmstrong #Decofoil #Valentine  #valentine’sday #romanticcard #loveisintheair

 

 

 

 

Enjoy the Journey

 

Hello this week I've made a card with Whimsy Stamps Digi: Balloon Bunny from the Some Odd Girl Line.

I don't really send Valentine day cards, but a birthday card or this one: Enjoy the Journey, seems more me.

The sentiment is from another Whimsy clear set:  Camp Critters.

There's also a"See you soon" sentiment in that set and that might be cool too, or miss you , heartfelt thanks? Anything would work, including, you know, Valentine ha.

I prepped the image in photoshop, and printed many  of the images, I think 6 times and then cut the balloons from 5 images and stuck them behind this one, just because I felt three wasn't enough to lift a bunny  and I wanted a rainbow and three is not enough .

I've colored the image with Copic Markers and added the shine with a white Gel pen.

I cut some curved clouds from masking paper and applied a hint of blue (what ever was left o my inkblending brushes

for the Balloon Bunny digi see this: https://whimsystamps.com/products/balloon-bunny-digital-stamp?_pos=2&_sid=f48876617&_ss=r

For the Sentiment see this: https://whimsystamps.com/products/camp-critters-clear-stamps?_pos=1&_sid=a93c1a81e&_ss=r

#Whimsystamps #Digistamps #Handmadecard #cardmaker #designteam #CASCard #CopicColoring #CardsbyMaaike #SomeOddGirlDigi #SOGdigi

AAA Card Challenges #233: Teal and Gold, with video

 This fortnight we challenge you to use Teal and gold on your CAS card.

I've used a combination of Peacock Feathers and Uncharted Mariner for my teal and Wow embossing powders Metallic Gold Rich and Metallic Gold Sparkle.

It started out completely different but this card was a work in progress.

I've used the Sizzix Tim Holtz leaf thinlits (665559) cut them from white cardstock and then

applied Peacock feathers. them smooshed the Wow embossing ink over the leafs and sprinkled on said embossing powders.

Didn't like the Peacock feathers anymore so I tried to darken it with a second layer, then decided to pull out the Uncharted Mariner and applied it on top.Combined they've made a pretty teal color.

I've done the same with a strip on the slimline cardbase. I did start with a normal 10x15cm card, but the leafs are rather big and I wanted three on my card, so a bigger card leaves more empty/white space.

Sentiment is from Whimsy Stamps (Simple sentiment strips) and I've used the Wow embossing as well. Mounted everything on the cardbase either flush or raised with foam tape.

To play along the AAA Card Challenges, see this.

AAA Birthday Cards February Challenge: #46 Use a Stencil(s), with video

 Hello, this month we're all about using Stencil or Stencils.

For my card I've used the Create a Smile Bubble Circle and my Favourite  Distress inks: Wilted Violet, Mermaid Lagoon, Twisted Citron, Mustard Seed, Carved Pumpkin, Candied Apple and Picked Raspberry.

I applied them with blending brushes on a cardpanel.

The image and sentiment are from Your Next Stamp: One in a Chameleon, I have had it for a  few years, so I'm not sure it's still available.

I've stamped the sentiment and image with Versafine ink and cut the Chameleon out, mounted it with foamtape and adhered it on top.

I thought it was funny the Chameleon is Black and white against the colourful background, otherwise I feel it would be too busy and I like the gag.

To play along the AAA Birthday Cards Challenge, see this.

Snowman Loves Stuffy

 Hello, today I showcase another cute digi from Whimsy Stamps: Snowman Loves Stuffy, designed by Crissy Armstrong.

I've printed it on Copic Transotype paper, cut arounf the edges as best as I could by hand as I wanted to keep the base intact. Then colored the image with Copic Markers is Pastel like colors..

For the background I inkblended Distress inks on the cardbase. I've used Tumbled Glass, Salty Ocean and Prize Ribbon and then splatered with water and whie paint.

Stamped the sentiment from another Whimsy (Clear set this time): Polar Opposites, I've used Versafine black for it, then Mounted the shape with foam tape and adhered it on top.

You can find the Snowman loves Buddy digi in the Whimsy Store:

https://whimsystamps.com/products/snowman-loves-stuffy-digital-stamp?_pos=10&_sid=88c6846aa&_ss=r

And the sentiment from Polar Opposites  here: https://whimsystamps.com/products/polar-opposites-clear-stamps?_pos=1&_sid=519bf2dd4&_ss=r

AAA Cards Challenge #232: White on White, with video

This Fortnight we have quite the challenge for you: White on White.

The theme was chosen by Sue and I followed her lead with diecutting a word.

Snow in my case, with the alphabet from Marianne Design, but any you have will work (Col1449). As long as it leaves ample unused/white/empty space on your card front. This wasn't my first idea, but I will add a sentiment saying "let it" (so it makes let it snow) as I feel it needs it. 

It's a good tip to add more to your card if you feel it's to bland, enter it first, then add to it if  you must, but keep it CAS and as minimal as you can for the challenge.

See the video on my thought process:

See the AAA Cards Challenge blog for more ideas and or to play  along the challenge.

oopsie

 Hello, today I'm showing you a Whimsy Stamps Digi stamp from Crissy Armstrong: Oops Penguin.

I laughed  way too hard when I saw it, cos you know, I'm 5 instead of 53 ;-)

Anyway I printed it on a whole cardfront, thought it be easier t color and it was. I've used all my markers: Copic, Spectrum Noir, Graph it as I don't like Copics on large areas and I can't get into the corners with other nibs

I then adhered it to a cardbase. and stamped the sentment from the set Cat  Trouble, also from Whimsy.

There's also a word die from Whimsy with "oops"but I don't have that, but you can find the digi, stamp and die here: https://whimsystamps.com/search?q=oops

The stampset with Sentiment "Cat Trouble: https://whimsystamps.com/products/new-cat-trouble-clear-stamps?_pos=4&_sid=917cd7927&_ss=r

Adopt don't shop

 Hello, you may or may not know , last year I had to say goodbye to one of my resident cats, and at  12 years old, Tjalk was my baby girl.

It left a big hole in my heart and Tjeerd was looking for her, so I adopted a new kitten. but it has had it's up and downs, more down to be honest as Tjeerd doesn't seem to like the company after all.

For my card I've used one of the images from the Whimsy Stamps Digi: Sweet Kitties, from the Wee stamps line.

I printed it on Copic transotype paper and colored it with Copics.At first I wanted to cut it out and inkblend something behind it, but I decided against it as I really wanted to image to shine, and yes I colored it like Charlie, the black mayhem ;-)

The sentiment is from a Whimsy clear set Adopt Don't shop Dogs, there's also a cat version, but the sentiment just fits around Valentine's day in my opinion., you can find them here: https://whimsystamps.com/search?q=adopt

Find the digi in the Whimsy Store  https://whimsystamps.com/searchq=sweet+kitties

AAA Card Challenge #231: Mood board (All the Bears), with video

 Hi, happy New Year and welcome to the first AAA Card Challenge of 2023: a Moodboard.

As you can see it depicts all kind of Bears ( I could think of) so even Gummibears and Teddy Bears, but any bear you can think of will do, or if you haven't got anything Bear, maybe the colours in the game badge will inspire you too.

We have changed the rules a little for 2023: how you lay out your card or what you use it more or less up to you, so we ropped the things like 1/9th, one corner, one inch etc, some challenges still might say so because I didn't know right from the start of making the badges, I felt the + wasn't clear and all the other bits were too restricting, so enjoy our new format! let's say it's a color challenge, how you use them is up to you, if we said in a corner or use stamps/diecuts only, you might not have those available to you, I think you'll find it easier now..I hope so at least.

Now for my card
I used the Impronte D'Autore dieset (Baby Polar Bear) and a semi circle set from Avec Creative (Action) and Distress inks. The sentiment is from My Favorite Things (Bitty Holiday Wishes)

To play ong our challenge, see this.

#AAAcards #AAACardchallenge #CASChallenge #CASCard #Blogchallenge

#colorchallenge #Colorscheme  #Dotsandorspots  #Handmadecard #Cardmakers #Designteam #Blogspotchallenge

Polar Birthday

 Hello, today I'm  using one of the images in the Whimsy Stamps set: Winter Friends.

It is from the Some Odd Girl line and I think he's just too cute.

Sentiment is also Whimsy Stamps, a clear set; Simple Sentiment Strips.

I printed the image and cut him out, colored him (or her?) with Copic Markers and mounted it with foam tape.

For the background I ripped a piece of masking paper and  adhered it to the cardbase. I inkblended the top with distress inks, I was trying to make a Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis), I like it not sure if it's recognizable as such, but it's just a sky in the end. I've used Distress inks, Twisted Citron, Wilted Violet, Mermaid Lagoon, Prize Ribbon, Chipped Sapphire.

Splattered with water and white acrylic paint for snow or stars.

Stamped the sentiment with Versafine after I removed the masking paper and then adhered the  bear cub on top. I like how the ripped edge makes it look like a snow bank.

You can find the digi in the Whimsy Store:  https://whimsystamps.com/collections/some-odd-girl-digital-collection/products/winter-friends-digital-stamp-1

And the Sentiment Stampset: https://whimsystamps.com/products/simple-sentiment-strips-clear-stamps?_pos=1&_sid=ff352c267&_ss=r

#Whimsystamps #Digistamps #Handmadecard #cardmaker #designteam #CASCard #Winterscene #SOG #SomeOddGirl #WinterFriends #Wintercard #Northernlights #AuroraBorealis #Distressinks #CopicColoring #Inkblending

Stretch your Christmas Stamps amd turn them into different occasions

AAA Birthday Card Challenge: January 2023 Anything Birthday Goes, with video

This year the AAA Birthday Card Challenge will start every 1st of the month, instead on the 1st Monday, seems easier to us at least.

This month the challenge is: Anything Birthday goes. Seeing it's still winter I wanted to make a winter scene, with a Polar Bear from Marianne Design (EC0193) and with a sentiment from Whimsy Stamps (Simple sentiment strips) As I didn't have anything clever or punny except Warm Wishes, but I deemed it too small for this card.

To play along the AAA Birthday Cards, see this.