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.