Come Create a Card with me - Wild Bunch

  Hey there crafters!

Are you joining me over at Youtube each week?  This week we featured the newest Product of the Month, a stamp set called Wild Bunch... adorable images!  Pop over to Youtube and watch along with me!  

If you are interested in downloading this weeks matching PDF, grab the links and print yourself at home.  All PDF freebies are found on the side bars as a link.  

Happy Stamping,

Rachael xx

 

Crafty Challenge Blog Hop

 

Welcome to this months challenge with the Crafty Collaborations team.  This month is a colour challenge and look how pretty this combination is!  I struggled to choose which stamp set to use because I had so many ideas!

Here is my projects, a farewell card for a work colleague.  I chose the Country Flowers stamp set and focused more on the two colours Bubble Bath and Azure Afternoon.  

Main Products I've used in this project include:

• Country Flowers Stamp Set
• Eyelet Embossing Folder
• Spotlight on Nature dies
• Cardstock and Stampin Blends from the challenge colours

Please take the time to pop over to the other wonderful posts from the team - their blogs are full of inspiration!

Happy Stamping,

Rach xx

New at SU!- creating with our new Incolours! (May)

Welcome to the NEW AT SU! blog hop! We are a group of Stampin’ Up! demonstrators from around the world who are full of creative paper crafting ideas to share with you and get you crafting! Today we are showcasing the new In Colour range that has been released with the newest catalogue. 

I was so excited to see a favourite and very sentimental colour come back amongst this collection, and that was Pretty In Pink! Alongside the other 4, this was actually one of the very first colours I purchased as a customer and new stamper about 17 years ago! So whilst pinks are not my go to choice, I’m most definitely connected to this one!  

My card features:

• Attention Shoppers Stamp Bundle (stamps and dies)
• 2024-2026 Current Catalogue 6x6 DSP 
• Pretty In Pink edged ribbon
• Silver Foil Card stock
• Basic White thick Card stock
• Basic Black Card stock
• Pretty in Pink ink
• Memento Black ink
• 2024-2026 In Colour Shimmer Gems (adorable!!!)
• 2024-2026 In Colour Stampin Blends in Shy Shamrock, Pretty In Pink, Summer Splash, Petunia Pop and Peach Pie

The blog hop list is below, please pop over to see the other projects!

Blog Hop Index

Thanks for popping by!  I couldn't help myself, I even created a bonus project for my first hop... a slider locking box!  Did you see it in the photos?

 And yes, I recreated it for a YouTube tutorial.  I'd feel honoured for you to pop over and have a look.... I think I will be making these, adjusting the size and design over and over because they are such a fun but relatively simple mechanism to put on a project.  And I'm all about simple as much as possible.  

Happy creating,

Rach xx

Freshly Made Sketches #630

Just a quick post for my entry into the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge for this week. 

I've used Citrus Blooms and created a card using Peach Pie, Lost Lagoon and Berry Burst.  This colour combo is the triadic combination from the Stampin Up Colour Wheel which I was gifted as an OnStage Attendee.  

Pop over to my Youtube to see how this card comes together.  

Happy Stamping,

Rachael xxx

 

Flowers for all occasions - Stamping With Friends Hop

 Hi everyone and welcome to our Blog Hop for this month featuring flowers... You've probably come to me from Mo's blog and I'm so pleased you've found my little corner of the web. 

The first stamp that came to mind for this theme was the Hearts and Home set.  

I love this set for many reasons but mainly because its loads of fun to colour and always comes out pretty!  However for this card, I added colour in the background using inks and the blending brushes and stamped my main floral image using Memento Black ink.  I also used blender pens to add additional colour and depth to some shaded sections in the image.

I have to admit, the other technique of embossing the panel once it's finished, is new to my card making skill set.  But its one that I am quickly loving and can see it being used lots - its instant texture and interest to a fairly simple or plain card!  Have you tried this technique yet?  

Colours used in this card: Polished Pink, Fresh Freesia, Coastal Cabana, Pool Party and Bermuda Bay.  

Thanks for popping by and joining us in hopping, please head over to Karen's blog by using the below button and leave comments on the project posts as you hop.  

Roll Call

Tricia Butts
Mo Rootes (UK)
Rachael Merrick THIS IS ME

Karen Egan
Alison Primmer Bradley L'Atelier D'Alison
Diane Evans
Melva Peters
Kristie Wilson
Caron Bailey
Helen Jennings -Love-a-Duckie (UK)
Vickie Littlewood
Candi Suriano
Xenia Stanford
Donna Schnees
Kelly Taranto

Inspirational Music Blog Hop

Welcome to our latest blog hop, where we take inspiration from music....

I'm a 1970's baby and growing up I was surrounded by music from some bands and singers who are still well known today.  There are so many songs or albums that form a part of my childhood memories because, as most were on tape or vinyl, they were played on repeat.  One part of my life (probably only 4 or 5) really focuses on the likes of Neil Diamond, John Denver, Charlie Pride and Dolly Parton.  So naturally, this card and song gives me all the feels of childhood.  

Any guesses to the song I've used for inspiration?  Whilst there are many favourites of Dolly's that sit in my memories (especially Coat of Many Colours), the song "Love is like a butterfly" really is one that makes my heart happy.  I've use the Butterfly Brilliance stamp and loads of different Stampin Blends to create pastel wings, adding some bling with silver cord and gems to make it sparkle.  I've coloured the background with the Blends also to create a mottled backdrop.  A little bit of white gel pen came in handy to create additional texture to the backdrop with lots of little dots.  

Please pop along to the other blogs to see where they draw their music inspiration from and the projects they chose to create from them.  

Happy Stamping,

Rachael xx

Stamping Dreams Hop - Furry friends

Hi and welcome to my blog and our hop featuring the them 'Furry Friends".  This latest mini catalogue has plenty of little critters in it and this one sat uninked until this hop came along.  I've chosen to use the deer, the tree, the rabbit and a few smaller element stamps from the set.

One of the reasons I was drawn to this set was that it is a 'scene-creator' and with 2 grandsons and a young niece, I love this type of card and using the stamps to create a little story.  

I used stampin blends to colour in and the stitched rectangle dies to cut out some of my main sections.  I finished it off with the new brass butterflies, how cute are they!!

Pop over to the other blogs to see more great projects using our theme.

Happy Stamping,

Rachael xx

 

Simply Sketchin Saturday

Another fortnight and here is my version of the sketch - made using this cute robot image from the mini catalogue.

Polished Pink and Granny Apple Green make this a vibrant card, perfect for a Valentines or anniversary card.  

Happy Stamping,

Rachael xxx

 

Youtube colouring week 5

Youtube Colouring Series Part 4 - chicken

Come on over to my YouTube to watch the next part in my colouring series.  This week we are adding colour to the chickens from the Hey Birthday Chick stamp set,

 Happy colouring,

Rachael xx

Youtube Colouring series Part 2

 We are back with another Wednesday YouTube video of me colouring.  Anyone give the layering of inks a go?  It takes practise and I suggest giving some of the larger images a try first but really, its all about the learning, and there are no mistakes!  

This weeks video features some colourful and happy sheep!

Hop on over and watch, then give it a go and tag me in, I would love to see what everyone is up to.  

Happy Stamping,

Happy Stamping!

New YouTube series

 Tomorrow marks the start of a new 6 part series I've created for YouTube.  This will focus on colouring using Stampin Blends, and will be a collection of short videos of me colouring.  There is no one technique when it comes to using Stampin Blends, and I wanted to showcase to other beginners how I create for my cards.  I can't wait to share.  Please pop over to my YouTube channel tomorrow, subscribe and like my videos.  

Its rainy and miserably cold here today so I have set myself a few sewing goals for the morning.  There are a few Christmas gifts I want to get started on, so now is the time... 

Happy Stamping, 

Rachaelxx

Facebook Sunday - using DSP

 

I used a series of strips of DSP for this card and couldn't help but add this cute image from the Birthday Chick bundle.  So cute.

It made for a bright and cheerful card.  

Happy Stamping

Sunday FB challenge

 

This weeks challenge got me digging into my DSP stash - I'm always up for using some of the sheets up if I can.  

I used last catalogues 'Fine Art Gallery' Designer Series Paper.  I also used Old Olive and Poppy Parade cardstock. 

The ribbon is coloured with Stampin Blend pens to match up the paper.  

You can join in the challenge and post over on Facebook HERE.

Making the most of white ribbon...

 Hello again!  I had a few people ask how I managed to get the ribbon to match my card yesterday.

Let me share my tip : 

Use your Stampin blends to colour the white ribbon.  It means you will always have the correct shade to match your project!

I hold my brush pen tip against the ribbon and my finger.  BUT you can also use plastic or an acrylic block to sit under the ribbon as you colour.  If the shade is too light after it dries, give it another colouring.  EASY!

I would love for you to give this idea a go and send me a link. 

Happy creating,

Rachael

TGIF Challenge!

 YAY, I had time to complete a TGIF challenge this week.  Its been a while.....

This weeks challenge was to use Stampin' Blends.  EASY!  These are my favourite, colouring always means a bit of relaxing in front of the tv.  

I immediately thought of the Birthday Chick bundle, and I was already in need of a male card.  Here is the result:

I've tried to keep to male colours.  I have to admit, I used a lot of colours in the Blends - lots of layering.  And of course, I had to make a shaker card for a birthday!!! I used some of the 'Well Suited' DSP for the background of the shaker card too.  

Take a peek inside, some birthday hatching chicks to finish off the card.  

Heres to a fabulous week!  Unfortunately report card writing is looming, so I'm not sure how much creating will get done anytime soon.  

Rachael xx

Just Add Ink #530

 This weeks challenge was just that - a challenge!  We could only use ink-paper-stamps.  Thats it.  I'm an embellishments and die cut girl these days. 

I've used the Under my Umbrella stamp set and masked off the strip (as a guide to where I would add my white band later) before stamping the floral images above and below.  

I'm really happy with the simplicity of this card and think it would be a good one for a beginner.  I used stampin blends in Poppy Parade, Pumpkin Pie, Just Jade and Pool Party.  I did miss the deadline to join in the challenge though, too busy with life and forgot to upload before the cut off - oh well.  

Happy Thursday to everyone, Rachael xxx

Freshly Made Sketches #460

 This weeks entry for the FMS challenge.  I love a simple sketch.  This was perfect for a kids birthday card that I needed this week.  

I used Granny Apple Green for the card base then versamark inked with a retired dotty stamp.  I embossed the Magenta Madness banner with a retired embossing folder. The stamp set is From All of Us which has this cute image and my current favourite birthday sentiment stamp.  Finally, I used my Granny Apple Green Stampin Blend to colour the dots on the Whisper White dotty ribbon.  

If you haven't been over to check out the sketch challenges at Freshly Made, click on the image below.  They are always fun and push your creativity.  

Happy colouring, Rachael xx

Stampin Blends colouring

Todays card features Stampin Blends! I've become a little obsessed with these pens. They are high quality alcohol ink based pens that are double ended. Years ago when I was on Design Teams and collected many images to colour, I resisted using alcohol based pens and chose watercolour and inks instead - I am not asking myself why????

The Stampin Blends are amazing to use!  For this card, I used a a white foiled image Designer Series Paper (Ornate Garden) to colour with the pens.  It coloured quickly and easily. Alcohol ink pens don't leave tide marks and they blend perfectly.  Each colour comes in a set of 2, one light and one dark version of the colour.  Of course there is coordinating cardstock to help create a cohesive card.   

I fussy cut the images edge to create the card panel for this card.  The gold foil really stood out and for the most part, the stampin blends didn't mark the foil heavily if at all.  I have more of the same white foiled paper and I will have a go and doing the same with other colours.  I used my go to colours of Gray Granite, Misty Moonlight, Old Olive and Poppy Parade for this one.  I had many new pens arrive on Friday so will be trying lots of combinations with a similar layout.  

I'm happy for anyone local who would like to give the Stampin Blend pens a try to come around and play. I can't promise that you won't fall in love with them like I have though!

Happy colouring, Rachael xx