Happy 4th Birthday Stamp Nation!

It's birthday week at Stamp Nation and there are new challenges every day.  Monday's challenge was a card for her and I used the alcohol inked background card I showed in yesterdays post.

Tuesday's challenge was to make a masculine birthday card, so I used another alcohol ink background, this one with blue and green inks and silver mixative.

Today's challenge is to make a kids birthday card and since I had to make a few kids cards for a swap I thought I'd kill two birds with one stone as they say.

I made one with an alcohol ink background for a teenage girl.

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Then I made these super cute shaped cards with my Cricut and the Mini Monsters cartridge.
I didn't like the sleepy eyed frog as much so on the second one I left off the eyelids. I like him better I think. I embossed the greeting on the inside with Stampin' Up White embossing powder.

 

 

I think they are pretty stinkin' cute, if I do say so myself.

Happy 4th Birthday Stamp Nation! Can't wait to see what the next challenge is.
If you'd like more info on Stamp Nation, click on the link on the right side bar.

Happy Crafting
Theresa

Tuesday Technique: Alcohol Ink Backgrounds

I've owned a bunch of Ranger Alcohol Inks for a couple of years, but until recently they'd never even been out of the package. Now I'm hooked on them. I can't wait to add to my collection of colors.

If you need an explanation as to what alcohol inks are and what they do please check out this VIDEO on YouTube with Tim Holtz.  He shows you how to use them and explains the properties of them.

These are the two backgrounds that I made using Ranger Alcohol Inks and Ranger Glossy Paper.

Then I did a little stamping on one of them using Staz On Black Ink and stamps by Stampin' Up.

Then I fussy cut the flowers. 

I cut down the other background and used a large text background stamp and a Happy Birthday stamp.
I added one of the flowers using foam adhesive for some dimension.

Haven't decided what I'll do with the rest of the flowers, but I know they'll be used.

EDITED: I made a few more cards with alcohol ink backgrounds and the flowers from above.

What are you waiting for?  Go get inky!

Stop back tomorrow for a few more alcohol ink background cards and a birthday celebration. 

Happy Crafting 
Theresa

Who Inspires You? A Look at Papercrafters Who Inspire Me

I thought I'd take a minute and thank a few of the wonderful papercrafters who inspire me so very much on a daily basis.

Hopefully you will find inspiration from them too.

First there is Alicia O'Bryant at http://goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com/

Alicia is a great crafty friend of mine and she does some wonderful work.  She is a design team member for Kiwi Lane, The Paper Loft and Sketch & Scrap. 

Not only does Alicia create wonderful works of art with paper, she also creates custom jewelry and mixed media projects. Hop on over to her blog and see what's new.

Second is Jennifer McGuire at http://www.jennifermcguireink.com/ or you can find her on YouTube.
Jennifer creates incredible cards  and is an amazing teacher.
She is a design team member for Hero Arts and is the co-creator of Online Card Classes. If you need inspiration or want to learn new techniques Jennifer is one of the best.  Please stop by her blog or youtube channel and check her out.

Third is Kristina Werner at http://www.kwernerdesign.com/blog/ or you can find her on YouTube.  Kristina is the other co-creator of Online Card Classes.   She is a design team member and product creator for Simon Says Stamp.
Kristina is a great card maker and I just love her SSS products.   Please stop by her blog or youtube channel and get inspired. 

Last for today, but certainly not the last of the many papercrafters who inspire me, is Catherine Pooler from http://www.catherinepooler.com/ and Stamp Nation.
You can also find Catherine on YouTube.  Catherine is the creator and creative force behind Stamp Nation, a world wide community of passionate paper crafters.  I've been a member for a couple of years now and it is a great place for inspiration and community.   Catherine is another one of the wonderful card makers who inspire me to try new products and new techniques.

If you'd like to get in on the action at Stamp Nation, now is the time! Stamp Nation is celebrating it's 4th birthday this week.  There will be lots of challenges and inspiration and prizes too. Click on the Stamp Nation link on the right side bar to join the fun.

Next Monday, I'll share a few more of my crafty inspirations with you. 

Happy Crafting

Theresa