Hello friends and happy Saturday!  I hope you are enjoying your weekend so far.  I am at a monthly shoebox swap this morning with some regular crafting friends.  That always leave me inspired to come home and continue crafting, but I know that I still have a little more organizing to do in my craft room before I sit down to create later this afternoon.  Today I am sharing two sweet cards featuring the "Love Sent" digital stamp set from RG Avenue.  As we will soon welcome in March tomorrow, I'm beginning to feel ready for all things spring!

Here is the "Love Sent" digital stamp set from RG Avenue that I used to create these cards.  I wrote a lengthy blogpost answering many common questions about using digital stamps that you can also read here.  

*A full supply list (with shopping links) is located at the end of this post. 

The base of this A2 sized card is made from Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock.  I cut a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of Passion Pink cardstock for the first matted layer.  Using the Lawn Fawn Reversed Scalloped Rectangle dies, I cut another piece of Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock for the frame.  I placed a piece of Lawn Fawn Watercolor Wishes paper behind the frame (I did not watercolor this myself).  I cut a couple piece of grass from the same Watercolor Wishes paper pack and used the Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside (grass) die.  Because this is a digital stamp set, I printed out the images froma  PDF file, colored them with Copic markers and ran the entire sheet through my Scan and Cut machine to electronically cut the images out, in lieu of fussy cutting.  Lastly, I adhered the images to the card using foam adhesive for added dimension. 

I hope you have enjoyed these sweet animal cards. Even if you don't have this exact stamp set, you could probably substitute one you already own and achieve a similar spring look.  Thank you for visiting and have a wonderful weekend!

Hello friends!  Today I have two different cards to share with you using the new "Beaver Birthday" stamp set from the February release at Whimsy Stamps.  The first card is a punny card based on the included sentiments, and the second card would be a good one to send to your Canadian friends celebrating the country's national holiday.  I have just one Canadian friend (Hi Margaret!) so she's sure to see this card pop up in her mailbox one day! 

*A full list of supplies (with shopping links) 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 Peekaboo Window 3 die, I cut the frame from Crumb Cake carsdtock.  I backed the three circles of the frame with little scraps of red heart paper.  I backed the large window with a piece of woodgrain patterned paper.  I stamped all of the images from the Beaver Birthday stamp set in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink on Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock.  I colored all of the images with Copic markers and added some white highlights to each image with a Uniball white gel pen.  I used my Scan and Cut 2 electronic die cutting machine to cut out the images and then I adhered them to the card using foam adhesive.  Lastly, I added a coat of clear Wink of Stella to the images for added sparkle.  

Here is the second card I created using the same Beaver Birthday stamp set:

The base of this A2 sized card is made from Neenah White Solar Smooth cardstock.  Using a piece of kraft colored paper from the Lawn Fawn Woodgrain paper pack, I cut a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of woodgrain paper and mounted it directly to the card base.  Using the Gina Marie Scalloped Stitched Nesting Rectangle dies, I cut a piece of Real Red cardstock.  I cut a 4" x 2 3/4" piece of white cardstock to mount directly on top of the red rectangle.  I stamped the sentiment in the upper right corner in Real Red ink.  I stamped all of the images on a separate piece of white cardstock and colored the images with Copic markers.  I added highlights to the images using a white Uniball gel pen.  I used my Scan and Cut 2 electronic cutting machine to cut out the images and then I adhered them to the card using foam adhesive.  Lastly, I added a coat of clear Wink of Stella to the images for added sparkle.  

I hope you have enjoyed today's cards.  Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

Hello friends!  Just about two weeks ago I released my first ever craft video (as seen below).  This was a very exciting moment for me and I have been overwhelmed by the positive responses, reviews and feedback I have already received thus far.  I have created my own YouTube channel to which you can subscribe and follow me, so that you never miss a video.  However, all of my videos will also be posted on a new "video" highlight tab right here on my website.  This way you will have an easier point of reference should you ever choose to re-watch a video or need a reminder about something you saw me create.  If you look at the very top of the page across the title line, you will now see "videos" sandwiched between "gallery" and "contact." 
    

Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy creating videos has been using iMovie (right on my iPhone). 
I have ZERO experience and I was able to figure it out fairly easily.  I had my own personal lists of "do's and don'ts" when it came time to creating videos.  For instance:
DO:  Be clear and precise.
DO:  Keep it simple and to the point. 
DO:  Have clean hands/nails/desk.
DON'T:  Use "ummm", "ahhhh," wait a minute, hang on, etc.
DON'T:  Have other interactions going on in the background (radio, tv, cats running around, etc.)
DON'T: Have flappy talking hands. 

I feel confident that in my first video I achieved all of these, so I consider that in and of itself, a success!  To hold my phone while I am film, I am using the Arkon "Remarkable Creators" Mount, which came highly recommended for crafters, bakers and nail artists.  It is set up permanently on my desk in a location where it doesn't have to be moved, so it is readily accessible.  I film each video in sections so that I can edit/delete/speed up various parts of the video rather than the entire clip and then I go back and merge them all together.  This also helps eliminate the need for deleting the entire video and starting over too!  Once the video is complete, I then draft a script (no, I don't fly by the seat of my pants here)!  A script helps me eliminate fumbling for words, or miscellaneous random conversations that no one wants to hear.   So far, the most challenging part has been finding a quiet location in my house to do the voiceover, so that you don't hear my cats screaming at me for their tenth meal of the day!  Yes, Guinness would eat ALL DAY LONG if I let him. . . 

It has been a fun learning experience for me and I hope YOU have enjoyed these videos.   I look forward to what I might create and you'll see a new video up tomorrow!  

Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

Hello readers and welcome back from the weekend!  I hope you found a little time to do something crafty.  Today I am sharing another card that I made for the Newton's Nook Inky Paws Challenge #117.  This week we have a sketch challenge to inspire you.  Our challenges run for two weeks, thereby giving you more time to create, so I have designed a second card to share with you this week that was still inspired by the same image seen below:

Here is the card I created using the sketch seen above:

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

The base of this A2 sized card is made from white cardstock.  I had previously created an alcohol ink background where I used pastel colors and mounted that onto a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of Melon Mambo cardstock.  I stamped the sentiment repeatedly in Melon Mambo ink on a strip of Melon Mambo cardstock and ran it through a stitched scalloped die before adhering it to the center bottom of the card.  I also cut a 3 1/2" x 1/2" piece of silver glitter paper, notched both ends and adhered it to the center of the card.  I cut a 4" x 2" piece of white cardstock to create a tag and punched the top of the tag with a scalloped tag topper punch.  I stamped the sentiment in Melon Mambo ink on the top of this tag.  I stamped the kitty and chicks image from the "Newton's Peeps" stamp set in Memento Tuxedo black ink on white cardstock and colored the image with Copic markers.  I added a few highlights with a white gel pen.  I adhered the kitty image to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added height.  Lastly, I put a coat of Clear Wink of Stella on the 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!  
Deadline to enter is Friday, February 28th, at midnight CST.

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

Hello readers!  Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to visit my website.  I do hope you find creativity and inspiration while you are here.  If you would like to learn more about ME, please click here.  Do you live in Western Massachusetts or Northwestern Connecticut and want to take a class?  You can view my home studio schedule here.   Please feel free to ask me a question anytime or send me an email at ckomara@comcast.net.   I am happy to help YOU in your creative journey in any way that I can.

Today I am sharing some very vibrant, artistic cards.  I just love how bold and colorful these came out!  These are what I call "happy cards!"  If you recall, last month I shared the amazing new 6 x 6" Rainbow paper pack  from Whimsy Stamps, and I have used that same paper pack again today to create these two cards.  I have also added the Artist Toolkit stamp set by Whimsy Stamps and they work together so perfectly.  

*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.  I cut a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of red cardstock and adhered it directly to the card base.  I used a piece of striped rainbow paper from the Whimsy Stamps Rainbow paper pack and cut it to 5" x 3" and placed it along the bottom half of the card.  I stamped all of the paint bottles, brushes and tubes in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock.  I colored the images in a rainbow of colors using Copic markers.  I added a few highlights to the colored images using a Uniball white gel pen.  I cut all of the images out using my Vagabond 2 electronic cutting machine.  I adhered the images to the card in a rainbow pattern using foam adhesive to apply the images, thereby giving the card a two-dimensional feel.  I stamped the sentiment in the upper right corner using Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  

The base of this A2 sized card is made from Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock.  I stamped the sentimentin Memento Tuxedo black ink in the bottom right hand corner.  I matted a 5 " x 2 1/2" piece of the Rainbow paper pack with a rich purple background.  I adhered this to the top half of the card base.  I stamped all of the paint brushes, bottles and tubes in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock.  I colored the images in a rainbow of colors using Copic markers.  I added a few highlights to the colored images using a Uniball white gel pen.  I cut all of the images out using my Vagabond 2 electronic cutting machine.  I adhered the images to the card in a rainbow pattern using foam adhesive to apply the images, thereby giving the card a two-dimensional feel.  

I think you'll agree that these cards are so fun and cheerful no matter what kind of art you create!​ 
Thank you for visiting and I wish you a bright, bold and beautiful day!

Hello readers and happy Wednesday to you! Today I am beginning to share the first of many cards I created during our annual craft retreat on the Cape two weeks ago.  I finally was able to find the time to unpack my bags from vacation, reorganize my craft room, and photograph the 55+ cards I made throughout that week.  Yes, that IS a lot of cards!  But, considering I made many of them in multiples of varying colors, like those I'm sharing here with you today, there actually weren't that many different cards. 

*All A2 cards were made in the same manner, I simply changed out the color combinations.  A full supply list is located at the end of this post. 

The base of each card is made from Whisper White cardstock.  Using the Scalloped Stitched Nesting Rectangle dies from Gina Marie Designs, I cut the scalloped piece of cardstock from a bold color.  I lined that bold color with a 5" x 3 3/4" piece of white cardstock.  In the center of the cardstock, I stamped my sympathy sentiment.  On a separate sheet of white cardstock, I stamped two of the floral bouquets (one for the top and one for the bottom) in Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  I used the coordinating dies to cut the bouquets out.  I then colored each bouquet with Copic markers.  I adhered the bouquet to the card above and below the sentiment using foam adhesive for added dimension.  Lastly, I added a couple randomly placed clear rhinestones for added sparkle.  ​

I hope you have enjoyed seeing this very colorful assortment of sympathy cards.  Do YOU have a favorite color or one card that really catches your eye? 

​Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

Hello friends and happy Monday!  I hope you are enjoying an extra day off this weekend like I am.  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 #117 by Newton's Nook is a sketch challenge.  Let the sketch below be your inspiration for creating a card (or scrapbook page) and see where this challenge takes you!

Here is the St. Patrick's Day themed card I created inspired by the sketch above:

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

The base of this A2 sized card is made from black cardstock.  I lined the black cardstock with a piece of green plaid paper.  I adhered a 4 1/2" x 2" strip of black cardstock across the bottom center of the card.  I also cut a 3 1/2" x 1/2" piece of gold glitter paper.  I notched both ends of gold glitter paper before adhering to the center of the card.  I cut a tag measuring 4" x 2" from Pear Pizzazz cardstock and punched the top of the tag with a punch tag topper (retired from Stampin' UP!)  I heat embossed the sentiment and four leaf clovers on the tag with white embossing powder.  I stamped the pot of gold image in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock and fussy cut the image out.  I colored the stamp with Copic alcohol ink markers and adhered it to the card's tag with 3M foam adhesive.  Lastly, I tied a bow using lime green Lawn Fawn cord and adhered the bow with a glue dot.  

Here is the "Newton's Pot of Gold" stamp set from Newton's Nook that I used to create this card: 

Will this theme 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!  
Deadline to enter is Friday, February 28th, at midnight CST.

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

Hello friends and TGIF!  I hope you have fun things planned for the weekend ahead.   I am very thankful that it's a 3-day holiday weekend because I still have craft bags to unpack from our retreat at the Cape two weeks ago and lots of organizing to do.  My Brother P-Touch label maker and I will be spending LOTS of time together!  ; ) 

Today I am sharing a fun boy's birthday card using a new stamp set from Whimsy Stamps called "Goth Doll Boy."  I kept this card simple enough with just a little touch of plaid to pick up the colors from the dogs and the boy's shirt.   

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

The base of this A2 sized card is made from Neenah Solar White smooth cardstock.  I cut a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of navy cardstock to adhere directly to the card base.  Using the Gina Marie Stitched Nesting Rectangle dies, I cut a piece of white cardstock and a piece of plaid cardstock from the dies.  I put half of the white cardstock on top of the navy paper and half of the plaid cardstock on the lower portion of the card over the navy cardstock.  I stamped the sentiment in navy ink in the upper right corner of the white cardstock.  

I also cut a thin strip of navy cardstock and notched both ends before adhering it to center of the card to "ground" my images.  I stamped the boy and the dog in Memento Tuxedo black ink on a separate piece of white cardstock.  I colored the images with Copic markers and added some highlights to the image with a Uniball white gel pen.  I fussy cut the images out and adhered them to the card using foam adhesive.  ​

Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative weekend!