Andie's Cupcake

I'm not very original when it comes to coming up with card layouts . . . especially when I get a new stamp.  I will very often go to the manufacturer's site for inspiration . . . or the Google.  Once I color an image a few times, that's when I start experimenting with my own color combinations.

Case in point for this card that I made for a very special little girl's birthday.

I pretty much copied the sample, layout and all, from Whipper Snapper's gallery.  They have a fantastic gallery with so many samples!

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Monochromatic Butterflies

The next theme for stamp club is to create a monochromatic card.  Sometimes I struggle with that because I love to use lots of color . . . but I must say that I'm happy with how this card turned out.  I just received a few more Distress Oxide Inks and was eager to use them.

I started by creating a background with Candied Apple, Abandoned Coral and Worn Lipstick Oxide inks. . . of course, I splattered water on the background because . . .well, just because.  I cut the background into an oval to fit behind the Avezzano Butterflies die by Memory Box.  Embossing the light pink paper with a Chevron embossing folder and Viola!  A monochromatic card.

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New Ink . . .

 . . . but it's not what you think.  Remember this journal page? (see original post here)

Well . . . I kept thinking about it and decided to have a tattoo done in memory of my sister.  So, I scheduled an appointment with Crash at Texas Dermagraphics for a consult.  I showed him a similar picture that I found on Pinterest and explained that I wanted succulents incorporated because those were her favorite . . . and I also wanted to add "you know, those drape-y, dangling jewel things."  (Thank goodness he knew what I meant by that!)

It just so happened that the studio was having a fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Project on February 4th, so I scheduled my ink appointment on that day. . . and it also gave him some time to draw something up.

And . .. here it is:

My sister is probably rolling her eyes . . .but I'm happy that I had it done. . .and Crash did an AH-mazing job!

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Bugs and a Kitty

Here are two more Valentine's Day cards . . .

I couldn't get over how cute these little bugs from Taylored Expressions are.  They are from the Bugs & Kisses Stamp and Die Combo set.  I love the fact that she has stamp sets that include matching dies!

These little guys were colored with Copics and I added a hint of glitter to their wings.

This little Kitty is from the Nine Lives stamp set by Penny Black.  This card was pretty quick and easy to put together . . . 

Hope your Valentine's Day is filled with love . . .and chocolate.

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Sparky the Dog Valentines

I love a good bargain . . . but who doesn't, right?  I especially love a good bargain on stamps.  So imagine my excitement when I found the perfect stamp set I could use for Valentine's Day suitable for boys. . .. for $5.00!  FIVE Dollars!  I love Tuesday Morning . . . and we have one within walking distance from our house. . . talk about dangerous!

Anywho . . .  here are two cards I made using Screwloose and Sparky from Stampendous.

I stamped on Neenah Solar White and colored with Copics.  The little heart stamps is from a Lawn Fawn set  . . . it works perfect, though, doesn't it?

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The Perfect Card Stock and Purple Peonies

Can we talk about card stock?  Because I'm really picky.  For my card bases, I really want good quality 80# card stock . . . especially since I love lots of layers. . . after all, there is nothing more disappointing then when a card slowly starts to collapse because the base isn't sturdy enough, am I right?

When I had my little stamp store, I searched high and low for the perfect card stock.  And I found it.  But when I closed my store and then moved to Texas, I started having a hard time finding really good quality card stock to use for card bases.  The Big Box stores just didn't have what I was looking for.

And then . . . a friend of mine got engaged and she asked if I could help her with her invitations.  Of course!!  So, the search began . . . because there was no way I was going to use sub-par card stock for her invitations. No sir!

So, I consulted with the Google and found the perfect card stock.  And then I found the perfect supplier!  You see, my friend wanted a 4" x 6" off-white invitation . . .and the site I found actually had card stock cut to that size. I ordered a sample of the stock and it turned out to be the perfect color and the perfect weight.

And since it was such a great quality . . . I ordered some 8.5" x 11" for me:

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Now, I must clarify . . . it's not that this card stock is "new" . . . as a matter of fact the card stock we used for her invitations is 80# Neenah Classic Crest in Natural White.  The stock I ordered for my stash is 80# Neenah Classic Crest in Natural White and Solar White, Basis White, and Royal Sundance White Felt.

I got the Neenah to use with my Copics, the Basis to use with colored pencils, and the Felt to use as a watercolor cardstock.  And all of them are perfect to use as a card base . . . nice and sturdy.

I ordered from www.CutCardStock.com . . . they have incredibly fast shipping, great pricing and a huge selection of paper and envelopes.  If you're picky about your card stock, I encourage you to check them out!

Now . . . on to the Purple Peonies . . .

For the card base and the card front, I used Basis White Cardstock. The Peonies (Altenew) were stamped in VersaMagic Chalk ink and the leaves were stamped in Memento ink.  The sentiment (Hero Arts) was also stamped in Memento ink.

I can't even tell you how happy I am with this cardstock . . . even with all those layers, the card didn't slump at all!

Thanks for stopping by today!