Great Savings on Stamps

Beginning March 1st and for the the entire Month

Buy two stamps sets and get one set free

Check back on Tuesday morning for all the excitng details.

Would you also like a FREE GIFT?
One of the stamp sets available (and soon to be retired) for you to purchase is D1609 Seaside Greetings - $27.00.  The first three (3) people to purchase this or any other stamp set will receive the Paper Mats and Full Instructions to make the four card set pictured below.  You can see the original post here. Just email me ( see side panel) if for all the details

Alternew Stamp Sets

I just could not resist any longer!

I have been dreaming about Alternew Stamps ever since I saw my first card on Pinterest way back in October last year. Last week I decided I could not wait any longer, and embarked on a google search to find an online supplier.  I was aware of one store but thought I would see what else was out there. I lucked out with Kim's Craft Supplies (her website is called craftsuppliesaustralia.com.au). 

Last week when I placed my order, Kim had a huge variety of stamps and dies from Alternew (note, this week many are out of stock). The good news, two more shipments are on their way!  It is still worth checking out her store and make a wishlist. How do I know this? I called Kim to ask about a particular stamp set that was not in her store.  She is such a pleasant and helpful person, I can highly recommend her. 

Anyway, I have been playing big time.  The stamps are gorgeous. For the first two cards I have used Alternew Wild Hibiscus Stamp Set . I decided to stamp colour and fussy cut my images until I got the hang of using all the sets.  I find it much less daunting to stamp a whole pile of images and experiment with colouring. That way I am not worried about wasting card bases and card stock.

I have used a combination of Water Colour Pencils, Distress Inks, Coloured Pencils and watercolour paints. For the card below I stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, onto CTMH White Watercolour Paper, and CTMH Watercolour Paints. I can honestly say it was super easy to do. The trick is to build up the layers of colour starting with  a pale wash, and it is vital to let each layer dry before adding more paint.

Alternew Wild Hibiscus Stamp Set - CTMH Watercolours

For the next card I decided to experiment with my Prismacolor Premier colour pencils.  I have just invested in a set of 24 and they are divine.  I still have quite a lot of  experimenting to do and in particular the type of paper I should use. I decided to share this card anyway, despite my poor blending.  Unfortunately black card stock does not photograph very well, but the brightly coloured hibiscus flowers look very dramatic on the black background.

Alternew Wild Hibiscus - Prismacolor Premier Pencils

Off to do some more experimenting and playing.  Two more stamps sets to come.  Also, a litttle disclaimer. I have not been asked to advertise Alternew Stamps or Kim's Craft Supplies and I have paid for the supplies.  I just believe in complimenting someone who has given me excellent service and sharing products (other than CTMH),  that I am impressed with.

One more Balloon Animal

Another Balloon Animal Card

ah.... the possibilities....

Just a quick post!  I made this card the day after the Elephant Balloon Card (below) and totally forgot to post it. I personally think this cute Stamp of the Month set is so very handy for all sorts of celebrations and will be an excellent "Go To" set whenever I am in need of a whimsical card for kids of all ages.

For some crazy reason I still remember the first time I saw a Balloon Animal.  If my memory serves me correctly, the balloons were all very pale colours, sofor this card, I used a more subdued colour theme using papers and colours (Glacier, Canary and Sorbet ) from the Zoe Collection. The Glacier mat was dry embossed using the CTMH Stripe Embossing Folder. The white mat was cut from MFT Stitched Rectangular Stax Die Set.

CTMH Balloon Animals

February Stamp of the Month
lots of fun for everyone!

Its hard to believe it is February already!  Every year I manage to fritter away the month of January. I just can't seem to get out of holiday mode! Also January is my Birthday month which by the way, is far less exciting than it used to be (my Birthday that is).

I just love this cute set of Balloon Animals. They look terrific stamped in all the bright Primary Colours or any colour that suits your theme.  I am finding it hard to choose a favourite as each one sort of has it's own "personality".  For example, I think the monkey would be perfect for cheeky fun loving friends. I immediately wanted to stamp the elephant in pink (CTMH Cotton Candy Ink). I also used three of the sentiments from the set. "It's Your Day" was perfect to make the the pink elephant stand out and be the heroine. For the background, I stamped several elephants in CTMH Whisper Ink and used an acetate overlay to make them recede even more into the background.  The entire panel was attached to the White Daisy Card Base with a Slate Card Stock mat using 3D foam tape. 

The Pink Elephant a.k.a.Birthday Girl was stamped with CTMH Cotton Candy Ink, fancy cut and mounted with 3D foam tape and attached just slightly above and to the left of the grey elephant. Great shadow effect!

February SOTM - 6 gorgeous Balloon Animals

SOTM-Balloon Animals S1602 set of 13 - $27.00 . Just in case you did not know...Spend $75.00 and you can purchase the full set for $7.50 

That's all for today the first day of the year for me and the first day of February for everyone else. Happy Crafting!

Marguerite