Serendipity Stamps November Blog Hop #1!

Hello everyone and Happy November!

 I’ve just started making my Christmas cards…pretty late for a paper crafter, right?  I was away on a fabulous trip to Thailand with my husband to celebrate our 25^th anniversary and was too busy to even color anything, even though I took lots of images and Copic markers on the trip with us! Even though the trip was amazing,  I’m happy to be home and creating again…I really missed it!

So…the great news is that today is the first day of the Serendipity Stamps November Blog Hop 1!!

Serendipity showcases a new set of stamps every two weeks. Just comment on the Design Team’s blogs listed below to enter to win a $20 gift certificate to Serendipity Stamps! Also…please note that the stamp and die of the month are Covered Bridge and Merry Christmas, respectively…both are half off for the month of November!

Here’s a list of all the designers participating in the blog hop today…

Mary's Blog (Serendipity Stamp's owner)

Julie Warner

Beth Chiu (that's me!)

Vicki Zimmer

Marybeth Lopez

Miriam Napier

For today’s card I used the adorable One Jingle Bell stamp.

 I created my own background paper by stamping the bell multiple times onto Neenah 100lb Solar White cardstock and coloring using Copic markers. I used the following colors:

W1, W3, W5, W7, YR21, YR23, R46, R39, G24, YG97, YG99

The warm greys were used to color the “metal” part of the bell, and then I added touches of YR21 and YR23 to give it a tarnished look. 

I die-cut my paper into a stitched 4.25” x 5.5” rectangle and adhered this onto a black A2 sized card. I then added some glossy accents to the berries and a beautiful red ribbon down the left side.

For my sentiment, I die-cut the Joy Die three times from red cardstock and layered these on top of one another using liquid glue. This created a sentiment with more dimension and interest than just die-cutting the sentiment once.

I used the Joy to the World stamp for the inside panel of my card, stamping it using a lobster-colored ink that matched my red ribbon. 

 And there you have it…a clean and simple card for the holidays using only a few supplies! Thank you all for visiting with me today!

Serendipity Stamps September Blog Hop #2!

Hi everyone! I hope you are all doing well and having fun creating those fall cards! Halloween is one of my favorite holidays so I’ve been having lots of fun creating cards for family and friends. I have a fun Halloween card for you today, but first I wanted to let you know that today is the first day of the Serendipity Stamps September Blog Hop #2!

Serendipity showcases a new set of stamps every two weeks. Just comment on the Design Team’s blogs listed below to enter to win a $20 gift certificate to Serendipity Stamps! Also please note that the stamp and die of the month are Pumpkins on a Fence and Creepy Wreath, respectively…both are half off for the month of September!

Here’s a list of all the designers participating in the blog hop today…

Mary's Blog (Serendipity Stamp's owner)

Julie Warner

Beth Chiu (that's me!)

Vicki Zimmer

Marybeth Lopez

Miriam Napier

In other great news…Serendipity Stamps will be holding a SALE along with this week’s blog hop! Buy three items and the fourth one is free!

Today’s card features the die of the month...Creepy Wreath…this is a fabulous die that can be used to create a Halloween wreath, but it could also be used to create Christmas wreaths or any other kind of wreath!

I first created my background by inking Distress Inks in Dusty Concord and Seedless Preserves onto a panel of Bristol Smooth cardstock using my ink blending tool. I then die cut the Creepy Wreath twice, once from black cardstock and once from Bristol Smooth cardstock. I inked the Bristol Smooth one using the same Distress Inks.

I used a scalloped rectangle die to cut my inked panel and then layered this onto black cardstock. Once this was finished, I layered my two wreath dies together and adhered them to a small circle frame cut from black cardstock. This was then mounted onto my inked panel using foam tape to pop it up from the background.

I decorated my creepy wreath using the adorable owl from the Halloween Pops Cling Set and the extra dies included in the Creepy Wreath die set. I colored the owl using YG17, YG23, YG03, V17 V15, V12, and Y06. I used glitter papers for the ghosts and skull, and then added lots of sequins in spooky colors to bling it up a bit!

For my sentiment, I used the Creepy stamp. I stamped the image, colored it in ombre fashion using Copic markers in YG17, YG23, and YG03. I added a bit of grey with T0 and T1 on the spider webs. I then fussy cut this out and added it to the front of my card.

To complete the front of this card, I mounted my panel onto an A2 sized lime green glittery cardstock and then mounted the entire thing onto a black A2 sized card.

For the inside of my card, I stamped the Witching You sentiment and colored the pumpkin in with Copics in V15, V12, and Y6. I adhered an inked strip from my previous Distress Ink blending to the bottom of the panel and mounted this with more black and lime green glitter cardstock.

That’s all the spookiness for today! As always, thank you for visiting and have a spook-tacular week!!

Serendipity Stamps August Blog Hop #1!

Hi all!!

It's August, can you believe it? And you know what that means...fall can't be too far behind! Time to start thinking about making those fall cards! 

I love anything fall-themed. When our local papercrafting store begins carrying fall stamps, I admit I go a little crazy, but collecting fabulous stamps is part of the fun of our hobby, right? 

I have a fall card for you today, but first let me remind you that today is the first day of Serendipity Stamp's first August Blog Hop! Serendipity showcases a new set of stamps every two weeks. Just comment on the Design Team's blogs listed below to enter to win a $20 gift certificate to Serendipity Stamps. The more blogs you comment on, the likelier you are to win!

Here's a list of all the designers participating in the blog hop today...

Mary's Blog (Serendipity Stamp's owner)

Julie Warner

Beth Chiu (that's me!)

Vicki Zimmer

Marybeth Lopez

Miriam Napier

Keep in mind that the stamp and die of the month are Acorns and Sweetgum and Sympathy, respectively...both are 50% for the month of August! Woo-hoo!

For today's card I used the Acorns stamp...

This stamp is so pretty and so easy to color! I took a fun class last year with the incredibly talented Jenny from One Krafty Cat (http://onekraftykat.blogspot.com/). In the class we learned how to color leaves to make them look realistic. One of the main things I learned was not to worry about blending the colors perfectly...leaves aren't perfect in nature so why should they be in our images?  Here are the Copic markers I used...

 After my image was colored I cut it out using an oval die cut. 

I created the card background using Authentique's 'Harvest' patterned paper collection. I chose several papers to layer and used die cuts to create the horizonal stripes strip and the lacy edge border. I wrapped persimmon-colored twine twice around the card, securing with strong tape. I then popped up my image using foam tape and added it to my background. 

Next, I made a bow using the persimmon twine and an acorn charm from my stash and added it to the card. I also die cut a small leaf from the Leaves Reverse Die and tucked it below my bow. 

At this point I decided to make my card into a fall 'thank you' card. For my sentiment, I stamped For All You Do (small) using Distress Oxide Ink in Walnut Stain. I cut this out using a fishtail banner die and mounted this onto the front of my card.

For the inside, I layered more Authentique patterned papers. I stamped the Thank You II Horizontal using Walnut Stain Distress Oxide ink and added it with another leaf to finish the card.

As always, a big THANK YOU for visiting my blog today...I hope you have a great week!!

Serendipity Stamps July Blog Hop #2!!

Hello Everyone!

 It's July and you know what that means...time for Christmas in July!! Yes, I'm one of those weirdos that actually starts thinking about making their Christmas cards right in the heat of the Atlanta summertime!

I've got a beautiful Christmas card to share with you so that you can start thinking about making your Christmas cards early too! But first...it's time for another BLOG HOP!!  

Serendipity showcases a new set of stamps every two weeks. Just comment on the Design Team's blogs listed below to enter to win a $20 gift certificate to Serendipity Stamps. The more blogs you comment on, the likelier you are to win!

Here's a list of all the designers participating in the blog hop today...

Mary's Blog (Serendipity Stamp's owner)

Julie Warner

Beth Chiu (that's me!)

Vicki Zimmer

Marybeth Lopez
Miriam Napier

I also wanted to remind you guys about a couple of sales going on right now at Serendipity Stamps. Both the Grill stamp and the Friends die are 50% off until the end of July. Also, please check out the 20% off clearance sale on select dies at https://www.serendipitystamps.com/category/specials.html! Happy shopping!!

Today's Christmas card features the very sweet Nativity stamp...

I created this card by stamping the image onto Copic X-Press It paper in Memento Tuxedo black ink and coloring it with Copic markers. I used B0000 and B000 to create my sky background. 

I just love that sweet little lamb and that dove visiting the Baby Jesus, don't you? I used some warm grey markers to color them. I used the tip of my marker to "dot" the lamb's fur and create a more textured look.

I used some Wink of Stella glitter pen on the star and a few other areas of my image, but it's a bit difficult to see in the photos, sorry!

Once my stamped image was colored, I began putting my card together. I created a "frame" for my image using gold shimmery cardstock. I then used a "burst"-style die to create a background layer using teal mirror cardstock. Before placing my image down onto the teal layer, I ran a piece of teal silk ribbon across the mirror cardstock using a strong adhesive tape to secure it. I then popped up the nativity layer using foam tape and adhered it to the mirror paper. A teal silk bow was then added to the left side of my frame.

I then used foam tape to add this layer onto a "frame" of the shimmery gold cardstock, and finally layered this onto a white 4.75" x 4.75" square card.

For the inside of my card, I stamped a sentiment from the For Unto Us Cling Stamp Set using Lawn Fawn's Peacock ink and layered this using a 1/16" teal mirror cardstock border and another white and gold layer. I really love the teal and gold colors together for the holidays!

Thank you all so much for visiting with me today! Before I go I want to also let you know that the Nativity stamp I used for my card is also available as a SET with a beautiful verse so be sure and check that out here...Nativity Cling Set.

Have a great week!!

Serendipity Stamps July Blog Hop #1!

Hello Everyone and Happy Fourth of July!!

Serendipity showcases a new set of stamps every two weeks. Just comment on the Design Team's blogs listed below to enter to win a $20 gift certificate to Serendipity Stamps. The more blogs you comment on, the likelier you are to win!

Here's a list of all the designers participating in the blog hop today...

Mary's Blog (Serendipity Stamp's owner)

Julie Warner

Beth Chiu (that's me!)

Vicki Zimmer

Marybeth Lopez

Today's card features Serendipity Stamp's Grill stamp. I love the cool retro look of this stamp!

I tried a little something different for this card. Instead of stamping the image onto my usual Copic X-Press It or Neenah cardstock, I stamped it directly onto my patterned paper. I used Authentique's 'Honor" 6x6 coordinating papers for this project. 

I colored my image using Copic markers and then cut it out using a rectangle die. This was mounted onto a scalloped red rectangle, using a navy 1/16" border around my image first. I added some fishtail banners to this using the coordinating patterned papers and popped two of them up with foam tape onto my card background.

I also added a small fishtail banner to the upper right-hand corner of my image and topped it with a tiny bow made from red jute twine.

As a final touch, I added lots of red, blue, and clear sequins and some gold stars as well. 

Thanks for visiting today! Have a safe and happy holidays, everyone...and good luck on the blog hop!

Serendipity Stamps June Blog Hop #2!!

Hi Everyone!

Hope you are all enjoying your summer! The temperature is really climbing here in Atlanta...great weather for staying inside and crafting! 

Keep in mind that today is the first day of Serendipity Stamp's second BLOG HOP for the month of June! 

Serendipity Stamps showcases a new set of stamps every two weeks. Just comment on the Design Team's blogs listed below to enter to win a $20 gift certificate to Serendipity Stamps. The more blogs you comment on, the more chances you have of winning!

Here's a list of all the designers participating in the blog hop today...

Mary's Blog (Serendipity Stamp's owner)

Julie Warner

Beth Chiu (that's me!)

Vicki Zimmer

Marybeth Lopez

Today's card features the adorable Bikini Kitty stamp from Serendipity Stamps. I thought this would be a fun card to send to a friend who needs a little reminder to take time out for herself from time to time (don't we all need to remember this?)

I stamped my image onto Copic X-Press It paper using Ink On 3's Blackout Detail Ink and began coloring with Copic markers. I first colored my sky around the the kitty with BG0000 and BG000.  I extended the beach sand area on both sides using a Sigma Micron .45mm pen and then colored the sand using E31 and E33. Kitty's bikini was colored by blending RV34, R14, YR16 and Y35. I used the same colors for her umbrella but added YG01 for a pop of lime green. The kitty was colored with YR 21, YR23 and YR24, plus a little R20 for her cheeks and ears.

After Kitty was all colored up, I colored and fussy cut an extra umbrella and used a ball stylus to shape it into a more rounded shape and added it on top of the original umbrella using a couple of small drops of COLLALL colloidal silicone...in retrospect it was almost too small of an area to do this technique with, but it still added a bit of interest to the card.

Next, I cut out my image using a rectangle frame die and put that aside while I worked on my card.

I used Kraft colored cardstock to create a top-folding A2-sized card. I then cut an A2-sized rectangle from persimmon cardstock, then turned the rectangle die at an angle and cut it diagonally. I like doing it this way because I like to have the stitched line across the cut line at the top (hope that makes sense...sometimes it's hard to explain things in writing)!

I glued the persimmon panel to another A2-sized rectangle and then placed a o.5 inch strip of Scor-Pal tape above it. I took some kraft colored jute twine and wrapped it around the panel several times, using the Scor-Pal tape as my adhesive. Once this was finished, I added the panel to the front of my card using my ATG gun.

I then used foam tape to adhere kitty's "frame" to the front of my card, being careful not to place the foam tape directly on top of the twine. I used a double layer of foam tape to add the kitty image so that it popped up above my frame.

For my sentiment, I stamped "Just Unwind" from the Meow Mix Cling Set using Versafine Vintage Sepia ink and cut it out using a stitched fishtail banner. I added it below my kitty using foam tape. 

I used Nuvo drops in the colors Ripened Pumpkin and English Mustard to create glossy little "pearls" to add to my card. I didn't add this directly to my card as I have a fear of accidentally making a mistake on my card after all the hard work I've put into it! To get around this, I simply squeeze the drops out onto a piece of acetate, let them dry (usually overnight), and then glue them onto the front of my card. 

I also added a jute twine bow onto my card as a final touch. 

Thanks everyone for visiting today! I hope you all have a fantastic week and good luck on the blog hop!!

Serendipity Stamps June Blog Hop #1

Happy June everyone!

 Can you believe it's already summertime? I've been dreaming about the beach so I decided to create a shell card for you today! Before we get started, let me remind you that today is the beginning of Serendipity Stamp's first June BLOG HOP!!

Serendipity showcases a new set of stamps every two weeks. Just comment on the Design Team's blogs listed below to enter to win a $20 gift certificate to Serendipity Stamps. The more blogs you comment on, the likelier you are to win!

Here's a list of all the designers participating in the blog hop today...

Mary's Blog (Serendipity Stamp's owner)

Julie Warner
Beth Chiu (that's me!)

Vicki Zimmer

Marybeth Lopez

On to today's card! This stamp has got to be one of my all-time favorites from Serendipity...it  features a beautifully detailed Triton shell. 

 Before coloring this image, I decided to go online and study some images of this stunning shell. Some of my favorite images were those where the sunlight was shining behind the shell and the opening was a gorgeous shade of coral. I attempted to replicate this color with my Copic markers. I used shades of cream and light browns to color the rest of the shell. I then fussy cut my image and put it aside while I worked on my background.

To create the background for this card, I stamped with some stripes and distress stamps from my stash using MFT's Persimmon and Extreme Black Ink. I added some jute twine and some Buttermilk and Ebony Black Nuvo drops as well. I then placed my shell on top of the background using some foam tape for dimension.

I layered my panel several times with some black, deep coral, and sand-colored cardstock, using a scalloped die for the deep coral layer. I used more foam tape to pop up some of the layers. I then placed my layers on an A2-sized black card.

For the inside of my card, I stamped the My Life quote by Thoreau using MFT's Persimmon Ink. It's such a beautiful sentiment and is great for an everyday "Thinking of You" card. I added more layers to the inside of my card to give it a finished look.

I hope you all enjoyed your visit to my little corner of the world today. As always, thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful summer!