Inkspirational #364 - Clean and Simple - Optional E is for.....

 It's time for the next Inkspirational Challenge #364!

And there is an Optional Twist -  E is for ...???

So I made my card CAS and it's an Easter Card!

I simply stamped the bunny and sentiment from Hipster Stamp and Stencil Set from Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous onto a panel of water color card.

I used my Misty to stamp it as water color card has a texture and you usually need to stamp a couple of times to get good coverage.

I used Sand Dune Versarfine Clair ink on my first card - thinking 'brown bunny'!

Then I wanted to try some brighter 'Eastery' colors and used Hawthorn Rose and Arctic Versafine Clare on these two below.

We'd love to have you join us and show how you do CAS and maybe use the Optional Twist: E is for....?

You'll find Mr. Linky and some lovely inspiration from the rest of the team 

over at the Inkspirational Blog!

This challenge ends on April 10.

Also sending my card to:

Double D Challenges

ends 3/29

Creative Inspirations: March

Cute Critters  ends 3/31

AAA Cards

ends 3/28

Stamps:  Hipster Stamp and Stencil Set - Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous.

Paper:  Water color card - Spellbinders

Ink:  Sand Dune, Arctic, Rose Hawthorn - Versafine Clair.

Other Supplies:  Misty

An Embossed Floral Birthday

 Today I made a card for the latest Color Hues challenge.

I've had this lovely Rosemal Reflections embossing folder from The Greetery for a month or so and it's been sitting beside my worktable just waiting to be played with - so today was the day! 

I love the beautiful detail on this embossing folder- but it's bigger than an A2 card  so you miss the pretty floral in the center on top and bottom.   Several of The Greetery's releases have larger than A2 card designs (they say it's for an A2 or 5x7 card)  and I can't figure out why they did that.....?! 

I embossed a panel on Harvest Gold card (for the marigold) and die cut the frame out of Royal Velvet (for the purple) and added two sparkly purple gems.

The sentiment is from Rosemal Reflections Sentiments set that are all curved to fit on the ribbon in the center of the embossing.

Also sending my card to:

NBUS

1st time using the embossing folder and frame die

AAA Birthday

Use Die Cuts  ends 3/31

Stamps: Rosemal Reflections Sentiments - The Greetery
Ink: Royal Velvet - PTI
Paper: Harvest Gold, Royal Velvet - PTI
Other Supplies: Capsule Basics Dies, Rosemal Reflections Embossing Folder - The Greetery, purple dots from stash,

Painted Stones - Florals

 I've been learning a new craft, painted stones, after seeing many posts of them on FB - and then, of course, I searched for them on Pinterest for more inspiration.  

So the latest Just Us Girls challenge called my name!  

I did check the challenge rules and it doesn't say it has to be a card!

I am a beginner stone painter do I didn't try to make the blooms as detailed as the inspiration. It might be easier to add detail with actual acrylic paints and small brushes but I have lots of POSCA pens so just use those.  

I was inspired by the flowers on the two largest stones and the black background.

The acrylic spray makes them SO shiny - it's hard to get a photo without some glare. 

(the bits of white on the edges are reflections of light)

I use POSCA and other acrylic paint pens to draw and color my stones -  some have fine points.  I buy the stones from Amazon 2-3" smooth stones - I buy both natural and painted white stones.  After the painting is dry (a few hours or overnight) I spray them with 2 coats of  Krylon Acrylic Spray - letting them dry at least 2 hours between sprayings.   

This is how the stone looks before painting and spraying.

You can see how the acrylic spray makes the background look black where ever I didn't paint- it's like magic!  

Just Us Girls

ends 3/25

Supplies:  2-3" smooth stones - Amazon, POSCA Pens and other brands of acrylic pens (some have fine tips), Krylon Acrylic Spray.

Inkspirational #363 Visual Prompt

 Here is my DT project for the newest Inkspirational Challenge - The Challenge is a Visual Prompt.

I discovered Painted Stones through FB several months ago but until now I've just used Rub-On's to decorate them. (So much easier than actually having to draw!)

I decided it was time to try and paint a stone -so - being inspired by the greens and blue, the word Lucky and the white dots on the sign, and since it's St. Patrick's Day here in the US on March 17th,  I painted this stone with a simple shamrock!

This stone measures about 2 1/4"

I buy the stones on Amazon.  They need to be smooth stones and smaller (2"-3").

Some people live near beaches that have smooth stones so they just gather them up!

 

I used a stone already painted white on this project but I also use the plain stones.

You can use regular acrylic paints but I use POSCA Pens which are acrylic paint in a pen and easier to draw smoothly with and to fill in color.   

I lightly draw my design using a #2 pencil on the stone before painting. 

You'll find lots of inspiration for designs on Pinterest and YouTube.

After the paint is dry I spray the stones with Krylon Triple Thick Clear Glaze to protect them and it also makes them shiny.  They are a bit dull when the paint dries! 

(hence some glare on my stone photo above by the 'y' in Lucky.)

Below are stones I have made using Rub-Ons from Taperlogy.

I sell my stones at Craft Fairs along with my cards!  Egg cartons are the perfect display container!

 

So how will our visual prompt inspire you?   We'd love to see you link up over at Inkspirational!

This challenge ends on March 27!

Also linking my stone to:

NBUS

1st time painting a stone

Simon Says Stamp

A Bit of Green

Supplies:  Smooth Stones 2"-3" (white or plain stone) - Amazon,  POSCA Pens (larger for colors, smaller black one for outline and writing, Krylon Crystal Clear Glaze.

May the Road Rise With You

 St. Patrick's Day is coming up on 3/17/26 here in the USA and I wanted to make a few cards to send -  here is one I made today.

I die cut 16 shamrocks out of watercolor paper and cut off their stems. I colored them with 3 different shades of green Copics.

I rolled a shaping tool over the centers of the shamrocks to make the edges curve up and adhered them with glue just on their centers over a panel embossed with a Plaster Embossing Folder that I sponged with Old Paper Distress ink.  The sentiment is from Waltzingmouse (retired)

Die Cut Divas

ends 3/31

Spring is coming with dry embossing and/or die cuts

Cardz 4 Guys

ends 3/16

Monochromatic colors

Just Us Girls

ends 3/11

Splitcoaststampers Inspiration Challenge

Inspired by a shamrock painting

Stamps: Irish Blessings - Waltzingmouse (retired)

Paper: watercolor - Spellbinders; Soft Stone, White - PTI

Ink: Nocturne - Versafine Clair, Old Paper Ranger Distress

Accessories: Lucky Leaves Dies - Memory Box, Plaster Embossing Folder - Spellbinders, ball tool for shaping, Copics - G28, G20, G21

February 2026 Card Chain Challenge Reveal

 Today's the day they reveal all the cards sent out for the February Card Chain Challenge over at the Card Chain Challenge Blog!

For February, I sent a card to Wendy in Ireland and received a card from Joanne in CT.

This month I used one of the suggested Themes - On The Farm!

This adorable Highland Cow is an 'already colored' DIGI I purchased on line by Hetty Clare called Cute Cow (I found her on Etsy a few years ago but it appears she is no longer selling there)

I actually met some of these beautiful Highland Cows when my son and I went on a tour of Great Britain way back in 1995- finding them on a farm in Scotland!

  

I checked on line that they are also in Ireland since I was sending my card to Wendy in Ireland!

I added the clay flowers from The Greetery between the horns and on the grass, as well as the sentiment that I made up and printed on my computer.

Now's the time to sign up for the March Card Chain Challenge!  You'll find the challenge and the sign up with instructions on 'how to'  here at The Card Chain Challenge.

Sign up ends March 6th!

Also sending my card to:

NBUS

first time using the Cute Cow

Critter Crazy Challenge

Anything goes with a featured critter - ends 3/25

Four Seasons: Spring

ends 3/25

Paper:  White - PTI

Other Supplies:  Digi Image -  Cute Cow: Hetty Claire, computer generated sentiment, Garden Bits Clay Flowers - The Greetery.

Inkspirational #362 - Word Prompt: Use Stencils

 The latest challenge is up over at Inkspirational! Use Stencils

with the optional twist of Plaid: 

I just went with stencils, using a new stencil set from Waffle Flower called Postage Collage Woof and I made a loss of dog Sympathy card.

 The frame and hanger are from Postage Collage Frames Dies/Waffle Flower, and the embossing folder is 3D Molded Frame/Spellbinders. 

I just used one of the dogs from the stencil set for my card.   

Here is the full panel which has a good variety of breeds represented!

So please join us over at Inkspirational and show us your creation using Stencils (optional twist: Plaid)!

Also sending my card to:

NBUS

1st time using the Postage Collage Woof Stencils

Just Us Girls

ends 3/4

Krafty Chicks Challenge

ends 3/3

dark colors and dog theme make it masculine

Stamps:  Pet Sympathy - Miss Inks Stamps.

Ink:  Nocturne Versafine Clair, Ranger Distress Weathered Wood, Black Soot, Tea Dye and Barn Door.

Paper:  White, Cocoa Bean - Papertrey Ink, Metallic Gold - Tim Holtz/Idea-ology, DP Pawsome Prints 6x6 - MFT.

Other Supplies:  Postage Collage Blocks Die and Postage Collage Frames Dies - Waffle Flower, Postage Collage Woof Stencils - Waffle Flower, 3D Molded frame embossing folder - Spellbinders.