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!

Hello friends, today I'm excited to share more new release products with you from Whimsy Stamps.  This is the "Happy Sky" stamp set and Rainbow 6" paper pack.  If you recall, last week I shared with you the beautiful Rainbow paper pack too and it is just so full of color.  I've received so many compliments on my cards and I tell them the secret is in the paper!

Here is the Happy Sky stamp set and Rainbow paper pack that I used to create these cards: 

The base of this A2 sized card is a piece of kraft cardstock.  Using the Peekaboo Window Frame die, I cut a piece of white cardstock.  I put a small piece of Rainbow paper behind each window of the frame that coordinated with the balloons colors.  I stamped the sentiment in Memento Tuxedo black ink in the lower right hand corner of the frame.  I then stamped each of the hot air balloons directly ON the rainbow paper (no need to color!!) and the fussy cut the balloons out and adhered them to the card with foam adhesive.  I used the coordinating Happy Sky dies to cut clouds out of each coordinating color of rainbow paper.  I added highlights to all of my images using a white Uniball gel pen.  Lastly, I added a coat of Clear Wink of Stella to all the images for added sparkle.  

Here is the second card I created using the same Happy Sky stamp set and Rainbow paper pack:

I hope you are enjoying these fun new products from Whimsy Stamps.  I still will have more to share with you tomorrow!

Happy Saturday, friends!  I hope your weekend is off to a great start!  It is a very exciting day today for a variety of reasons, 1) I'm home packing right now as we leave tomorrow for our annual craft retreat on the Cape, and, 2)  I'm excited to share with you the new February release from Whimsy Stamps!  Today I will be focusing on the "Best Fishes" stamp set and Rainbows paper pack.  But, if you would like to see more of the new release products, please click here for the Whimsy Stamps website.

I have three very different cards to share with you today that were all created using the same "Best Fishes" stamp set and Rainbows paper pack.  You NEED this paper!  It is so full of fun patterns and vibrant colors and they will add so much color and WOW to your projects.  

The base of this card is made from Neenah Solar White smooth cardstock.  I mounted a piece of black cardstock to the top half of the card and a piece of the Rainbow Paper Pack to the bottom.  I then added a small piece of white cardstock to the top again.  I stamped the sentiment "Seas the Day" in Memento Black ink on the center of this cardstock.  I stamped each of the fish in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white cardstock and colored them using Copic markers.  I added a few highlights to each fish with a white gel pen.  I cut the fish out using my Scan and Cut 2 e-cutting machine.  I adhered the fish to the center of the card in a rainbow array using 3M foam adhesive. Lastly, I added a coat of Clear Wink of Stella to the fish for added sparkle and a couple clear rhinestones to resemble bubbles.  

The base of this A2 sized card is made from Crumb Cake cardstock.  Using the Whimsy Stamps Peekaboo 1 die, I cut the frame from white cardstock.  I then adhered a piece of the Rainbow Paper Pack paper behind the window frame to let the rainbow colors shine through.  I stamped the sentiment in the lower right corner in Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  I stamped three of the fish from the Best Fishes stamp set in Memento Tuxedo black ink on white cardstock and colored them using Copic Markers.  I cut the fish out using my Scan and Cut 2 e-cutting machine.  I added a few highlights to each fish using a white gel pen.  I adhered the fish to the card using 3M foam adhesive.  Lastly, I added a coat of Clear Wink of Stella to the fish for added sparkle and a couple clear rhinestones to resemble bubbles.  

And finally, here is the last card I created using these same products.  Look at that beautiful rainbow bokeh background and it was all created with just a simple piece of paper!  

I hope you have enjoyed this first look at the February release from Whimsy Stamps.  I'll be taking next week off to fully enjoy my vacation, but, I will see you back here on Tuesday, February 11th, with MORE of this month's release from Whimsy Stamps!

Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative weekend!

Hello and happy Wednesday friends!  Today I am sharing another new January release from Whimsy Stamps with you called Polka Dot Pals:  Syeda.  The Polka Dot Pals collection is illustrated by Barbara Sproatmeyer for Whimsy Stamps. The Polka Dots Pals Collection are clear stamp sets with characters and various elements including scenery, facial expressions, animals, and more. Each is designed to coordinate as well as interchange pieces from one set to another. You can create your own characters by changing out faces or adding glasses. Pair characters together with cute animals or create different scenes each time you use these fun sets.  You can see more of this collection here. 

Perhaps you are already thinking, "Wow, this really isn't her style" and I'll be completely honest, you are correct!  This is not the type of stamp I would choose to purchase, as it is not my particular personal style.   This stamp set was gifted to me as part of being a Whimsy Stamps DT member.  Per the DT contract I signed (more about that next week!), it is required that I use and promote all gifted items.  I have always believed we can look at life two ways - the good or the bad.  How lucky am I that I was given this stamp set?  And, more importantly, what can I learn from using this product?  I will learn how to color. . . better! 

Many of you have been commenting that my coloring is "so good" and "amazing", but I'm here to tell you that it's a daily struggle!  I'm also very critical of my own work.  I was doing good . . . at first.  I saved her hair (the scary part!) for last!  I've watched all the YouTube hair coloring tutorials, I've taken online classes with Kit and Clowder, I've done ALL the things.  But, coloring is an art form and I am not an artist.  No amount of training is going to change this.  But, in time, I am slowly learning the tips and tricks.  As for hair, we're still working on that part! 

Here is the Polka Dot Pals Syeda stamp set that I used to create today's card:

I look forward to continue practicing my coloring skills, especially hair and skin, which I feel is one of the most difficult techniques to learn.  This Polka Dot Pals stamp set has been great to practice with. I'm learning to embrace the scary things (like coloring) and hope you will try to do the same too! 

Thanks for visiting and happy creating!

I don't know about you, but I need a break from all things Valentine's Day!  I feel as though I have been sharing a lot of ideas lately that have incorporated love, hearts, roses and more, but enough already!  Today we are going to talk about another popular ailment this time of year - the dreaded flu!  Knock on wood, I haven't been sick yet this winter, but it's coming, this I know!  Until then, I will keep sanitizing e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g in sight and prepare some get well cards in advance.

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

This slimline card measures 8 1/2" x 3 1/2".  The base of this card is made from Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. I lined the card base with a 8 1/4" x 3 1/4" piece of pale pink cardstock.  I then lined this pale pink cardstock with a sheet of gray gingham paper from the Lawn Fawn Gotta Have Gingham paper pack.  Using the Whimsy Stamps Slimline Scallop Die, I cut the frame from gray cardstock.  Using gray ink, I stamped various sentiments like "germs" and "got soup" around the gray frame.   These sentiments are available with the Whimsy Stamps Get Well stamp set.  I stamped the three animals (pig, chicken and cat) in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Neenah Solar White Smooth paper.  I used my Scan & Cut 2 electronic cutting machine to cut the images out instead of fussy cutting them.  

I colored the images with Copic markers and added a few highlights to each image using a white Uniball gel pen.  I added the images to the card using foam adhesive for added height and dimension.  Lastly, I added a coat of clear Wink of Stella to all three images for added sparkle. 

Now that I've been sharing a lot of these slimline cards, I'm curious if YOU have tried to make one yet?!
Thanks for visiting and happy creating!

Today I am excited to share with you a new release from Whimsy Stamps called "Voo Doo Too."  I have always had a particular interest in the Louisiana Vodou culture after visiting New Orleans many years ago.  While Hollywood has given us the perception of this demonic, malevolent culture, it is a history rooted rich in slavery and cultural traditions.  While commonly associated with death and ill will, the voo doo doll can also offer magical healing properties.  Today these creepy-cute guys are offering nothing but love for you!

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

The base of this slimline card measures 8 1/2" x 3 1/2".  The base is made from Neenah Solar White smooth cardstock.  Using the Slimline Windows die from Whimsy Stamps, I created the frame from gray cardstock.  Behind the gray frame, I lined the background with a miscellaneous piece of lime green lined designer paper.  In between some of the frames I stamped the "Voo Doo Too" sentiment in Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  I stamped the voo doo doll images in Tuxedo Memento Black ink and colored them with Copic markers.  I added some highlights to the colored images using a white Uniball gel pen.  I used my Scan and Cut 2 electronic cutting machine to cut the images out.  I adhered the images to the card using foam adhesive.  Lastly, I punched a few small hearts from red cardstock and floated them around the card, also using foam adhesive for added height.

I hope you like these mildly creepy cuties!  Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

Hello readers and happy Friday!  I hope you have fun things planned for the weekend ahead.  Tonight I am hosting a Potluck Stamp BINGO at my house and I will be giving away over $400 in craft related prizes!  This nearly annual event is my simple way of being able to give back to the community for those who have supported me by attending my classes.  It's always a fun night.  My favorite memory about hosting this event is the year someone ate a BINGO ball!  She mistakenly thought it was a gumball!  People kept asking why O61 was never called and this poor woman had to admit, upon realizing her error, that she had bitten into the ball mistakenly and put it off to the side of her dessert tray.  The BINGO ball was disinfected in and the game played on!  Good times. 

Today I have another fun pop-up box card to share with you featuring the Frosty Wishes stamp set from Whimsy Stamps. 

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

The base of this box card was made from Stone Gray cardstock.  I used the Lawn Fawn Scalloped Box Card Pop Up die to create the box card.  Whenever I make an interactive card, I always assemble it using thin line tear tape.  This tape is much stronger that Tombow adhesive.  The box base flaps were lined with Passionate Pink cardstock and then paper from the Whimsy Stamps Cozy Winter paper pack.  The top layer flaps were lined with Neenah White Solar Smooth cardstock and then lined with more paper from the Cozy Winter paper pack.  I lined the back flap with white cardstock.  I stamped the sentiment from the Whimsy Stamps Frosty Wishes set in Passionate Pink.  I also stamped a few snowflakes in Passionate Pink on the back flap.  I stamped all of the images from the Frosty Wishes stamp set in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. 

I stamped all of the images from the Frosty Wishes stamp set in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock.  I colored in all the images with Copic markers and then cut them using my Scan & Cut 2 electronic cutting machine. I add some highlights to the colored images with a Uniball white gel pel.  I adhered the colored images to the card with foam adhesive in a scene that was appealing to my eye. 

Thank you for visiting and I hope you have a wonderfully creative weekend!

Hello friends and happy Thursday!  It is release week at Whimsy Stamps and today I'm sharing two cards featuring the new Layering Peruvian Lilies stamp set.  I have always particularly loved layering stamp sets because they add such depth and dimension to an image and all you need are a few different colored inks to achieve the desired look.

The base of this A2 sized card is made from Rich Razzleberry cardstock.  Using the Gina Marie Scalloped Stitched Nesting Rectangle dies, I cut the largest rectangle from Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock.  Using Versafine Clair Purple Delight ink, I stamped the sentiment in the upper right hand corner.  I stamped the first outline layer of the leaves directly onto the white cardstock in Versamark Clair Green Oasis ink.   I stamped the second layer, or the filler, of the leaves in Versafine Spanish Moss ink.  On a separate sheet of white cardstock, I stamped the layering lilies in three inks:  Purple Delight, Charming Pink and Blushing Bride. I then fussy cut each of the lilies by hand. I adhered the handcut lilies over the leaves using foam adhesive for added height and dimension.  Lastly I added a couple of randomly placed pink rhinestones for added sparkle.

I have created a second card to share with you today because I love seeing all the different ways you can use one single stamp set:

The base of this A2 sized card is made from Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock.  I cut the branch frame die from Rich Razzleberry cardstock.  I stamped the sentiment in Versamark ink in the upper right corner and heat embossed it using white embossing powder.  Again, on a separate sheet of white cardstock, I stamped the layering lilies in the same ink colors used previously.  I also stamped the leaves on a separate sheet of white cardstock.  I fussy cut both the leaves and the lilies and adhered them to the card using foam adhesive. I added a few randomly placed clear rhinestones for added sparkle.

Here is the Layered Peruvian Lilies stamp set:

Thanks for visiting and happy creating!

Hello and happy New Year readers!  I'm starting off the New Year with some exciting news!  Last November I was invited to join the Creative Team at Whimsy Stamps and today is my official debut!  I am delighted and honored to work in this industry with such talented, creative and kind women.  I'm humbled that my work has caught the eye of some of these amazing stamp companies and owners.  And, I feel lucky to be able to help represent and promote these small, independently owned businesses with my creations.

Today Whimsy Stamps is debuting some of the new products available from the January release!  You can see all of the new release products here on the Whimsy website.  My slimline card features the new Giraffe Hello stamp set and I just loved the sentiments available with this stamp set.

The base of this card is made from Neenah Solar White Smooth carsdtock. For the first layer, I cut a sheet of banana yellow cardstock measuring 8 1/4" x 3 1/4".  Using the Slimline Scallop Die, I cut the frame from kraft cardstock.  Behind each oval circle in the slimline die, I placed a small piece of a vintage map designer series paper.  I stamped all of the giraffes in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock and cut them using my Scan &  Cut.  I colored the images in with Copic markers.  I added some highlights to each image with a Uniball white gel pen. 

I adhered the images to the card using foam adhesive for added dimension.  I stamped the sentiment in Versafine Clair Pinecone ink on white cardstock.  I notched the right end of the sentiment strip before adhering it to the card with foam adhesive. 

I hope you have enjoyed today's card.  Tomorrow I'll be sharing another January release product from Whimsy Stamps!  Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

Hi friends and TGIF!  Today I would like to share some very exciting news with you!  Yesterday on my blog, I shared this fun gingerbread card featuring products from Whimsy Stamps, but, what I wasn't able to tell you is that back in late November I was invited to join the Creative Team at Whimsy Stamps.  Yesterday was the official company announcement and new design team release!  I'm delighted to be on a list among those I have long admired and respected in the crafting industry and I look forward to sharing some new products with you.

Hello there Whimsy Fans, it is with great pleasure that we get to introduce to you today, several wonderfully talented, new designers to our already amazing Creative Team and Paper Door Team. 
Each one of these lovely ladies has diverse and unique stamping styles that are sure to inspire you as much as they inspires us. 

Below is a short bio from each of our new designers, with links to their blogs. Be sure to follow each one of them so you don't miss any of their Whimsy Stamps projects. They're already fast at work on creative projects to share with you and will be kicking off the new year with our first release of 2020 on January 1st.

Please join me in giving a warm Whimsy welcome to:

Hi, I'm Lisa!  I live in the Fayettevile/Ft. Bragg area in NC with my husband, Aaron, of nearly 20 years.
We are a retired Army family who has settled into a simple life together. 
I volunteer as the secretary/ website manager for a non-profit organization, Warriors On the Water. 

I started making handmade cards back in 2010, and I've recently started creating YouTube Tutorials, regularly. I don't have a "style" when it comes to cardmaking; I want to try it all. I do enjoy other crafts, as well. Cake decorating and DIY home projects are the first things that come to mind other than papercrafting. 

When I'm not busy creating handmade cards and videos, I love binge-watching period dramas, playing video games, and going to Walt Disney World. 

I'm so excited to be joining the Whimsy Stamps Design Team. I look forward to, hopefully, getting to know you all and building more crafty friendships. 

Hello! My name is Lori U'ren and I'm from Baton Rouge, La.  I'm married and we have four grown children, four grandchildren, and four fur babies. 
​
I've enjoyed crafts since I was young, in fact I made my very first card for a friend’s birthday at eight years old on a sheet of paper with pencil colors. But I really discovered card making ten years ago and copic coloring a few years ago, and the combination had me hooked right away. I really enjoy creating scene cards. I'm very excited to be a part of the Whimsy Stamps team and I'm thankful for the opportunity.

Hello everyone!  This is Tricia Barber.  I am really excited to be a part of the Whimsy Stamps Creative Team. I have been a crafter all my life and fell into stamping and card making about 8 years ago and absolutely love it! 

I gravitate to bright and bold colors, so it is super hard for me to make clean and simple cards. I love coloring images and Copic’s are my go to coloring medium, but I also like to experiment with other things and try to stretch myself out of my comfort zone. 

When I am crafting I will either binge watch a series on Netflix or play my Spotify list. My husband tells me I have the best singing voice when I am crafting!  I look forward to sharing some inspiration with you and thank you for the opportunity

Hello there!  My name is Kimberly Wiener and I have lived in Washington State my entire life and I'm so happy to call the Pacific Northwest my home. I started my blog in '08 to celebrate getting married.  It eventually turned into my crafty outlet with crafts, mini scrapbooking albums, and then mostly cardmaking! 

I am thankful to have met so many wonderfully encouraging artists and supportive crafters here.  There are so many of you out there that I have met at challenges, on design teams, CHA, or craft companies along the way that I consider my friend!!  

I am very excited to share my creations with you as I design for Whimsy Stamps exclusive Paper Door Kits!