Happy Little Stampers May Challenge...

Hi! The current challenge at Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes with Dies is up. We have a new challenge each month. You can link any projects that include a die-cut. I have a set of three cards for you today.

I made the three cards using the same supplies. I took white card bases and put them into my stamp positioner. The stamp is from the Interlocking Backdrops set by Lawn Fawn. I placed it horizontally across the card base and started stamping with Altenew Crisp dye inks. Each time I moved the card base up. By varying the distance I moved each time, I got three beautiful backgrounds. Once my backgrounds were stamped I put together the cards with a variety of sentiments. Here are the individual cards.

I wanted a warm color combo for this card. So I used shades of yellow, orange, pink, and red. The sentiment is from the Enjoy Sentiments by Jillibean Soup. I stamped it and then die-cut it with the matching die. I also added a layer of vellum under the sentiment to highlight it a bit.

To finish, I added some clear gems from my stash.

I went with rainbow colors for my second and third cards. 

The sentiment is from Leaf Canopy set by Altenew. I die-cut the hearts out of black paper with nesting dies and heat embossed the sentiment with white embossing powder.

The last card was the most complicated. I decided to create a shaker element to put on the card.

I used the Labeled And Stitched Frame dies by Sizzix to die-cut white cardstock. I also cut a circular window at the center of the label. I added some white sequins inside the shaker and added translucent paper over the window. The sentiment is from the Sentiments of Hello stamp set by Poppy stamps. I did some double stamping on the translucent paper to create a shadow effect.

To finish, I added a butterfly made by layering a few die-cut butterflies that I cut with the Isabella Butterfly die by Memory Box. I also added two half pearls. Here is the completed card.

Here are the three cards again.

I hope my cards inspire you to create something beautiful. You can visit the Happy Little Stampers challenge blog for more inspiration and link your creations. I look forward to visiting you in our gallery.

Love,
Nandini

Rainbow Card Challenge - Vivaciously Violet...

Hi! Welcome back to the Rainbow Card Challenge. I am here with my inspiration for the May challenge –Vivaciously Violet.

Don't you just love this gorgeous photo inspiration! I was really inspired by all the beautiful shades of violet and wanted to recreate that in my background. The card design was inspired by Gayatri Murali of Handmade by G3. You can find her original cards here. And here is the card I made.

I started with a sheet of Yupo paper and alcohol inks by Shilpi Crafts. I used Lobelia, Razzmatazz, and Salmon Berry inks to create the background. Once the inks were dry, I die-cut the Gorgeous Gardenia outline die by Memory Box out of white cardstock and adhered it directly to the background. Here is a closeup of the card.

The sentiment is from the Carnations stamp set by Mudra Craft Stamps. 

Here is another look at the completed card.

I just love the way the white die-cuts pop against the vibrant background! 

I hope you are inspired by my card and create something beautiful. You can visit the Rainbow Card Challenge blog for more inspiration from the DT and link your creations. I look forward to seeing you in our gallery!

Love,

Nandini

Papercraft Challenge #29...

Hi! Welcome back to the May challenge at the Papercraft Challenge blog. Hope you are staying home safe 'n sound. 

The theme for May is Anything Goes. If you want some inspiration, do visit us at the Papercraft Challenge blog where the DT has a great array of fabulous creations for you. You can also visit the Papercraft Business site for some great tools that can help you take your papercraft business to the next level. Like the awesome Papercraft Business Planner that helps you keep track of your favorite challenges!

Don't forget the great prizes we have for the winner every month. May Challenge Prize is the cute Xcut Butterfly Die.

Here is my inspiration card.

I started with a white card base that I inked with distress inks in blue and green. I stamped the buds from the Stitched Peony stamp set by Waffle Flower with Altenew Crisp dye inks. I cut the images out with the coordinating dies and arranged them on the card base.

 

The sentiment is from the Critter Party stamp set by Mudra Craft Stamps. Stamped it with Versafine Onyx Black ink on a scrap of green paper.

I added foam tape in places to add some more dimension to the design.

Here is a look at the completed card.

Another look.

Entering this card in the following challenges:

CAS Colors & Sketches Challenge #368:

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes:

I hope you liked my card and are inspired to create something beautiful. I look forward to your entries in our gallery.

You can get more information about Papercraft Challenge Planner here. It is an invaluable tool for all crafters who love taking part in challenges. The Papercraft Business site also has tools that can help you take your business to the next level.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Love,

Nandini

Addicted To Stamps And More Challenge #386...

Hi! The new challenge is up at the Addicted To Stamps And More Challenge blog. The theme this week is the most popular and the easiest.

My inspiration today is a bit different. If you follow my blog or my Instagram/Facebook page, you must have seen the different home decor projects I have been sharing. Some time back I tried my hand at stamping on wood. And it worked out beautifully! You can find those posts here, here and here.

Today I have a set of coasters for you, using stamping as well as some mixed media supplies.

I prepped the coasters by applying two coats of chalk paint. Once the paint was dry, I stamped the flowers and leaves from the Peony Bouquet, Beautiful Day and Japanese Mum stamp sets with Versafine Black ink. I used the Altenew Crisp dye inks for the colored layers.

I allowed the inks to dry completely and used the 2 Step Crackle Medium by Little Birdie on top of the coaster. Once both the coats were dry, I rubbed some Little Birdie Metallic Wax in rich gold to bring out the cracks. Here are some close-ups and individual pics of the coasters.

Japanese Mum stamp set with Red Sunset mini ink cube set.

You can see the lovely crackle effect over the stamping. 

The Beautiful Day stamp set and Pocketful of Sunshine mini ink cube set.

The subtle shading of the flowers is seen even through the crackle medium.

I used only the leaf from the Beautiful Day stamp set and a mix of green mini ink cubes.

Peony Bouquet stamp set and Cool Summer Night mini ink cube set.

I hope you are inspired by my project to create something beautiful. Please do go to the Addicted To Stamps And More Challenge blog for lots of amazing inspiration. You can also link your creations there. 

Entering this card in the following challenges:

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Knock On Wood:

Yes, Virginia... April Show & Share:

The Daily Marker 30 Day Coloring Challenge:

Love,
Nandini

Home Decor with Altenew Supplies...

Hi! I am back today with another set of tray and coasters with my Altenew supplies. I used a pinewood base for my tray and the coasters are made of laser-cut MDF. I have already shared a detailed post on the whole process here. If you have any more questions please feel free to ask. 

This whole thing was very much an experiment for me. So I learned as I went along. And I am happy with the results.

I took a tray base and stamped the images from the Beautiful Day, Peony Bouquet and Japanese Mum stamp sets with Versafine Black ink. After that dried, I stamped the colored layers with Altenew Crisp dye inks. Here is a look at the process.

After the stamping was done, I inked the sides with brown ink. Here is the completed panel.

A closeup of the stamping.

And the finished tray.

For the coasters, I painted the oval coasters with two layers of chalk paint. I stamped the outlines with Versafine black ink. After the ink was completely dry, I masked the images with two layers of masking fluid.

I inked the coasters with distress oxide inks. Once dry, I removed the masking and stamped the colors with Altenew Crisp dye inks. 

I used different sets of mini ink cubes for the flowers.

The coasters above and below were both stamped with Red Cosmos mini dye ink set.

Pocketful of Sunshine and Golden sunset.

Cool Summer Night.

Here are all the completed coasters.

And another look at the tray and coasters.

I hoped my project has given you more ideas on how to stretch your Altenew supplies and use them for mediums other than paper. Looking forward to hearing from you.

I am entering this project in the following challenges.

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Knock On Wood:

The Daily Marker 30 Day Coloring Challenge:

Love To Craft Challenge Blog - LTCCB #45 - Anything Goes:

Love,

Nandini

Stamped Tray & Coasters with Altenew Stamps & Inks...

Hi! I am here today with a very different project. I had originally made these articles for the Altenew Educator blog hop in March. But the finishing work took longer than I expected and I ended up doing some fabric projects instead. Which was a good thing since I discovered a whole new application for my Altenew supplies. You can find all the details of that here.

Coming back to the project today, I tried stamping on wood for the first time for my final project for the AECP Level 2. The brief was to create a home decor project. You can find all the details of that project here. This time too I made a tray and a set of coasters. Here is my project.

I started with a piece of wood covered with veneer. I cut out a paper of the same size and first planned out my design.

This step is vital as stamping on veneer is tougher than paper. Once the stamp touches the veneer, there is no way of rectifying any mistakes. Also, we cannot use a stamp positioner. Or restamp the images easily. Having a clear design in mind is very helpful in getting a good design. I used Japanese Mum, Peony Bouquet and Beautiful Day stamp sets for the cluster. 

Here is a close-up of the stamped bouquet.

Once the outlines were stamped, I went back with the Altenew Crisp dye inks and stamped rest of the layers. Here is a look at the flowers with the stamped layers.

You can see the different mini cube ink sets I used. One thing to remember is, use the darker shades since the lighter shades don't show up well on the textured background.

Once the stamping was done, I masked the entire thing with masking paper and added brown ink with a brush. 

For the smaller leaves, I diluted green and yellow inks and colored with a small brush. Here is a close-up of the completeed panel.

And the tray, after the framing and finishing.

The coasters were much easier to make since I used MDF which has a smooth surface. I covered each coaster with cream chalk paint and stamped a single flower on three. On the fourth, I stamped the bud and the leaves from the Peony Bouquet stamp set. I used only the outline stamps at this stage. Once the black ink was dry, I covered the stamped area with two layers of liquid masking fluid and allowed it to dry completely.

I used distress oxide inks with a brush to one side for inking on each coaster. After allowing the ink to dry, I removed the masking fluid and stamped the layers of each flower. Here is a look at the coasters.

I used a different set of mini ink cubes for each coaster. Here are the individual pics.

Rose Petal

Glacier Caves

Red Sunset

Pocketful of Sunshine, Warm & Cozy and Red Cosmos.

The varnish that was used to finish the tray and coasters and make the articles water proof did lighten the colors a lot. But my fear that the colors would run as they are water soluble didnot come true. 

Here is another look at the tray and the coasters.

I hope you liked my experiments with my Altenew supplies and will give these a try. I am so happy that this worked as it opens up a whole new medium and range of products to stamp on and beautify. Please do let me know what you think of these articles as well as any suggestions for improvement.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Entering these in the following challenges.


Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Spring Moodboard:

Stinkin' Inkers Challenge Blog - Crafter's Choice:

The Daily Marker 30 Day Coloring Challenge:

Love To Craft Challenge Blog - LTCCB #45 - Anything Goes:

Yes, Virginia... April Show & Share:

Love,
Nandini.