Here is the Easter themed card I created inspired by the sketch and using the new "Hop into Spring" stamp set:

The base of this A2 sized card is made from lemon yellow cardstock.  I cut a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of Lawn Fawn Gotta Have Gingham paper in yellow to adhere directly to the card base.  I cut a 4 1/4" x 3 1/4" piece of pink floral paper from the Lawn Fawn Spring Fling paper pack.  I adhered a think 4" by 1/2" piece of pink cardstock to the lower third of the card (notching the right end).  I die cut a scalloped circle from lemon yellow cardstock using the Gina Marie Designs Scalloped Stitched circles.  I lined the scalloped circle with a white stitched circle.  I cut a piece of grass using the Lawn Fawn Grassy Hillside dies and adhere it to the bottom of the circle.  On a separate piece of Neenah Solar White smooth carsdtock, I stamped the bunny and basket image.  I colored the image and die cut it using the coordinating dies.  I adhered the image to the card using 3M foam adhesive.  I stamped the sentiment in the upper right corner of the circle in Memento Tuxedo black ink.  Lastly, I added some clear Wink of Stella to the bunny and basket for added sparkle.    

Will this sketch inspire YOU to create?  Are you ready to get your paws inky with us and play along for a chance to win?!  We will randomly select one linked entry to receive a $20 store credit to the Newton's Nook Designs online shop! 
We will also highlight our favorites from each challenge the following Monday, so that all entries have a chance to be featured on the Newton's Nook Designs blog.

Please make sure you review the challenge rules page before you link up your project!  
The deadline to enter is Friday, April 10th, at midnight CST.
​

Hello readers and happy Saturday!  Today I am happy to be sharing a beautiful floral card that I created using a new FREE digital stamp from RG Avenue called "Bloom Anyway."  Keep reading to learn how you can get this digital stamp set and begin creating cards with it too!  If you're new to digital stamps, I'd encourage you to read this post to learn more.  But, long story short, digital stamps are simply images that you color, cut and create with.

Simply click HERE (to go to the RG Avenue website).  Scroll to the bottom of the screen  and click "add to cart."  Go back to the top of the screen and open your cart.  You will see your free stamp located in your cart.  Simply follow the checkout instructions and fill in the prompts.  The digital stamp will be EMAILED to you immediately after checkout.  Once you receive the digital stamp in your email, you essentially print it out and begin coloring! 

*A full list of supplies is located at the end of this post.

The base of this A2 sized card is made from 80 lb. Neenah Solar White Crest cardstock.  Using the A2 Lattice die from Whimsy Stamps​, I die cut the background from white cardstock.  I printed out the digital "Bloom Anyway" stamp set on Neenah Solar White Crest cardstock and colored the images with Copic markers.  After I finished coloring the images, I added highlights using a Uniball white gel pen.  I ran the sheet of colored images through my Scan & Cut 2 electronic cutting machine to cut the images out, as opposed to fussy cutting them.  I adhered nearly all of the images to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.  I also adhered the sentiment in the upper right corner after notching the bottom.  Lastly, I added a coat of Dazzling Pat (similar to Wink of Stella) for added sparkle.  

I hope you have enjoyed this bold and vibrant floral card and that you will try downloading this free digital stamp!  I'd love to see what YOU create with it!

Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative weekend!

Hello readers and TGIF!  Who's ready for the weekend!?  Today I am sharing another new April release product from Whimsy Stamps - the Hexagon Treat Box die.  I love creating small gift boxes or treat containers and this new die made that quite simple.  The pre-scored lines let you know exactly where to score and fold in order to form the box.  Add lots of red-line (or tear tape) to hold the box together and then you can decorate it however you like!  I decorated these boxes using the beautiful new Fabulous Florals paper pack and Poppy Flower die, both of these are also new release products from Whimsy Stamps. 

These boxes measured approximately 3" wide/round and 1" deep. So, while they wouldn't hold a lot, you could add a few pieces of candy, jewelry or other small gifts.  I recommend chocolate.  Chocolate is always a good idea.

Sometimes I'm still amazed at what we can create out of paper.
Thanks for visiting and keep creating beautiful things!

Hello readers and happy Wednesday!  Today is a new release day of fabulous products from Whimsy Stamps and I am dying laughing waiting to share with you the socially appropriate card I made using the new "Cow Friends" stamp set!  Though, I'm not entirely sure if I should laugh or cry. . . 

*A full supply list is located at the end of this post. 

This slimline card measures 8 1/2" x 3 1/2" long and will fit into a regular #10 business sized mailing envelope.  The card base was made from Basic Black cardstock.  The first layered mat was made from Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock cut to 8 1/4" x 3 1/4".  Using the Whimsy Stamps Slimline Postage Stamp Die, I cut the frame from Basic Black cardstock.  I lined the back of each postage frame with paper from the Starry Hearts paper pack from Whimsy Stamps.  I stamped the cows in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Neenah Solar White smooth cardstock and colored them with Copic markers.  I used my Scan and Cut 2 to electronically cut the images after they were colored.  I adhered the cut images to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added height.  On small strips of Neenah Solar White Smooth I stamped the first sentiment "We bull-ong together" in Memento Tuxedo black ink, notched both ends and adhered it to the left side of the card.  I opened up a Microsoft Word document and created the sentiment "but 6 feet apartment for now" on the computer and printed it out on Neenah Solar White smooth cardstock.  Again, I notched both ends and adhered it to the card.  

I hope you have enjoyed today's card and the creativity and humor behind it.
Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

Hello readers!  I'm so happy to be joining the Whimsy Stamps and WOW! Embossing Powders 2020 blog hop!  We have lots of talented designers from across the world here to share lots of inspiration with you using a variety of products from both companies. 
Be sure to read to the end of this post for details on how you can win some great prizes!

I have created three similar cards to share with you today using the "Flight of the Butterflies" stamp set by Whimsy Stamps and WOW! Embossing Powders in Blue Tang, Purple Orchid and Pink Robin.  If I'm being completely honest, this is my first time using colored embossing powders.  I tend to stick with the more traditional colors of gold, black, silver and white.  But, I'm changed!  Using these vibrant embossing powders really adds and element of shine and color to these cards. 

*A full supply list is located at the end of this post. 

The base of this A2 sized card is made from Blueberry Bushel cardstock.  I cut the first scalloped layer from Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock using the Gina Marie Designs Scalloped Stitched Nesting Rectangle. I created an alcohol ink background using a variety of blue and green alcohol inks.   I stamped the butterflies from the "Flight of the Butterflies" stamp set in Versamark ink and heat embossed them in Wow! Blue Tang embossing powder.  On a separate sheet of Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock, I stamped the sentiment from the "Flight of the Butterflies" stamp set in Versamark ink and also heat embossed it in Wow! Blue Tang embossing powder.  I used a scalloped circle die to cut the sentiment out and I adhered it to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.  I stamped two small butterflies in Blueberry Bushel ink, fussy cut them and adhered them around the scalloped circle for more visual interest. 

The blog hop starts right today and will run until the 5th of April.

As we have so many talented designers wanting to play along we decided to celebrate by split the blog hop up over two days. The winners will be chosen at random in the week of the of 8th of April from the comments left on THE POSTS. There are two prizes which means two winners!!!!

WOW! Embossing Powders has 6 powders of your choosing along with a WOW carry case to store your powders safely in. Whimsy Stamps is giving away a $25 gift certificate to their store!

To join this GIVEAWAY you must leave a comment on the designer's blog post and each comment you leave is an entry for a chance at getting your hands on these prizes.
This hop is open internationally. 
​
You should be arriving from the amazing Laura Volpes website and next you can visit the creatively talented Carisa Zglobicki, but if you get lost along the way, here is a list of all the artists involved in this hop: 

Whimsy Stamps
Jo Herbert
Michelle Bala
Laura Volpes
Crystal Komara (You are here!)
Carisa Zglobicki
Tricia Barber
Amber Rain Davis
Alanna Moses
Karen Reategui
Bev Rochester
WOW! Embossing Powder

Hello friends and happy Monday!  I hope you all had a nice weekend.  I am excited to be sharing my card for the Newton's Nook Inky Paws Challenge today.  I frequently hear from friends and fellow stampers that they aren't creative enough to design something on their own, or that they don't know what colors to use.  They feel frustrated before they even begin because they don't know where to begin.  I understand!  Yes, I've been there too!  That's the concept behind a card challenge.  It can help to inspire you and get the creative juices flowing by giving you a place to start.  Challenge #120 by Newton's Nook is a sketch challenge.  Let the image below be your inspiration for creating a card (or scrapbook page) and see where this challenge takes you! 

Here is the card I created inspired by this week's sketch.  I used the beautiful new Easter Lily stamp set by Newton's Nook as the focal point:

*A full supply list is located at the end of this post. 

The base of this A2 sized card is made from Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. Using the Stitched Rectangle frames from Gina Marie Designs I cut the first layer from kraft cardstock.  I found a miscellaneous piece of orange and pink floral cardstock to adhere to the krat mat and placed two piece of linen thread around before adhering directly to the card base.  On a separate sheet of Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock, I stamped the Easter Lily in Versamark ink and heat embossed it with gold embossing powder.  After this cooled, I die cut the carsdstock using the Gina Marie Designs Scalloped Stitched Nesting Circles.  I adhered the scalloped circle to the card using 3M foam adhesive.  I added a little bit of peach watercolor from a Zig Clean Brush to the center of the lilies for a little hint of color.  Lastly, on a separate piece of Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock, I stamped the sentiment in Orange Cream ink and punch it out with a circle punch.  I adhered the circle to the card using 3M foam adhesive.  I tied a small bow with the linen thread and adhered the bow using a mini glue dot.  

Will this sketch inspire YOU to create?  Are you ready to get your paws inky with us and play along for a chance to win?!  We will randomly select one linked entry to receive a $20 store credit to the Newton's Nook Designs online shop! 
We will also highlight our favorites from each challenge the following Monday, so that all entries have a chance to be featured on the Newton's Nook Designs blog.

Please make sure you review the challenge rules page before you link up your project!  
The deadline to enter is Friday, April 10th, at midnight CST.

Thanks for visiting and I hope to see your creations there!

Hello readers and happy Sunday!  I hope you are all having a nice weekend.  It's a very rainy day here so I think there will be lots of chill time and catching up on movies, rather than crafting today!  But, I have next week off from work, so there will be plenty of time to play over the next seven days. . .  

Today I am excited to share with you another new stamp from the "Spring Fling" release at RG Avenue.  In all honesty, this new stamp set called "Succulent Terrarium" is just about the only plant that I am ever going to keep alive!   

The base of this A2 sized card is made from gray cardstock.  I cut a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of Neenah Solar White smooth cardstock for the first mat.  I stamped "thank you" in gray ink on the lower right corner of the white cardstock.  I had a previously created piece of alcohol ink background in my scraps pile (made with orange and gold alcohol inks) that I cut to a 1 1/2" x 4 " strip and adhered to the center of the card.  I printed the images from the "Succulent Terrarium" digital stamp set onto Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. I colored the images with Copic markers and cut them out using my Scan & Cut 2 electronic cutting machine.  I adhered the images to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added height.  

The base of this A2 sized card is made from gray carsdtock.  I cut a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of Neenah Solar white smooth cardstock for the mat.  I had a previuosly made alcohol art piece in my "scraps" bin (made using gold and orange alcohol inks) and I die cut it with a hexagon die.  I adhered the hexagon to the left side of the card.  I stamped hello in the upper righthand corner in gray ink.  I printed out all of the images from the "Succulent Terrarium" digital stamp set onto Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock and colored the images with Copic markers.  I used my Scan & Cut 2 electronic cutting machine to cut the images out.  I adhered the images to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added height.  Lastly, I added a coat of Dazzling Pat to the images for added sparkle.  

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, friends!

Hello readers and happy Friday!  I'm excited to be sharing an adorable new stamp set from the Spring Fling release at RG Avenue.  Unfortunately, the large weekend "Spring Fling" stamping event in Arizona had to be canceled last weekend, but this new "Oh La La" stamp set is now available online and it just might be my favorite set from this new release!  

*A full list of supplies is located at the end of this post.

​The base of this slimline card is cut from gray cardstock.  This slimline card measures 8 1/2" x x 3 1/2" wide. I adhered a piece of 8 1/4" x 3 1/4" piece of Neenah Solar White smooth cardstock directly to the card base.  Using the Whimsy Stamps Slimline Postage Stamp Die, I cut the frame from Pink Glitter paper.  Because the "Oh La La" stamp set I had was the digital stamp set, I printed out all the images from my computer on Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock.  I colored the images with Copic markers and add a few highlights to some of the images using a Uniball White gel pen.  I used my Scan & Cut 2 machine to cut out all of the images electronically and then I adhered the images to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension.  Lastly, I added a coat of Clear Wink of Stella to the bunnies, swan and cat for added sparkle.  

I hope you have enjoyed this sweet card!  Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day! 
Please say healthy and remember, "By staying home, you just might be saving the life of someone you may never meet."  

I honestly cannot remember the last wedding I attended, it's been that long. . . But, I always try and keep a few extra wedding cards on hand, you know, just in case someone opts for Elvis and Vegas on a Friday night whim!  I also do not even remember the last wedding card I actually made, so clearly that has been a while too!  Recently, as I was organizing and re-labeling my shoe boxes of cards, I realized that I am out of wedding cards.  So, today I have used the "Pretty Pavilion" stamp set from Stampin' UP! to create a few wedding themed cards to have on hand.  

*A full supply list is located at the end of this post. 

The base of this A2 sized card is made from Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock.  Using the Scalloped Stitched Nesting Rectangle dies from Gina Marie Designs, I cut the scalloped background from Melon Mambo paper.  I cut a 3" x 2" piece of floral patterned paper and adhered it to the bottom of the scalloped rectangle. I cut a 3" x 3" piece of white cardstock to place above the floral paper.  I stamped "always and forever" in the upper left corner in Melon Mambo ink.  I stamped the pavilion in Versamark ink on Crumb Cake cardstock.  i heat embossed the pavilion with white embossing powder and then die cut it using the coordinating die.  

I stamped the pavilion banner in Versamark ink on Melon Mambo cardstock and heat embossed it with white embossing powder.  I used the coordinating die to cut the banner out.  I stamped the two trees and the presents in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white cardstock and colored them with Copic markers.  I then adhered the entire scene to the card using 3M foam adhesive.  Lastly, I tied a piece of green twine around the card before adhering it all together.  

Here is the second card I created also using the Pretty Pavilion stamp set: 

The base of this A2 sized card is made from Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock.  I placed a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of mint plaid paper directly on the card base.  Using the Scalloped Stitched Nesting Rectangle dies by Gina Marie Designs, I cut a piece of Mint Macaron cardstock.  I lined the Mint Macaron cardstock with a piece of white cardstock.  On this white cardstock, I stamped the sentiment "Always and Forever" in Blushing Bride ink.  I stamped the pavilion in Early Espresso ink and die cut it using the coordinating dies.  I stamped the trees in Tuxedo Memento Black ink and colored them using Copic markers.  I stamped the pavilion banner in Versamark ink on Blushing Bride cardstock and heat embossed it with white embossing powder.  I die cut it using the coordinating dies.  I stamped the pavilion greenery in Versamark ink on Mint Macaron cardstock and heat embossed in with white embossing powder.  I die cut the greenery using the coordinating dies.  I assembled the entire scene together using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension. 
​

I hope these cards will inspire you to create some wedding cards to have on hand too.  
Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!