Alpaca Fun

This fluffy alpaca from Lawn Fawn has been sitting in my colored images stash since winter, and I really wanted to use him on a card along with the fun sentiment. Yes, it's another winter creation, but the fun palette could work for other seasons too.

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

Adore Layers

For today's card, I thought I'd try something different again. This card has no stamping and no coloring - only die-cuts, some washi and a few enamel dots. It turned out really different, but I will have to play with this concept again in the future.

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

CAS- Layered Love

Today's card is a clean-n-simple creation featuring dies and layers.

I've really loved the CAS layered style I've seen a couple of crafters use, but it's always eluded me. My own attempts felt clumsy and off - and it was a source of major frustration. I thought a part of it might be that I don't scrapbook. So things like layouts don't necessarily come naturally to me. Or maybe the problem was that I didn't have the right supplies.

But after much trial and error, I've come to the conclusion that it's simply a case of trying to shove my own preferences and work flow into someone else's visual. I mean, don't get me wrong.. I still appreciate the lovely creations those crafters share. But short of copying their cards exactly, I will never achieve the same results. So, I might as well do my own take on the style, right?

Today's card is the result. Lots of layers and elements, but a simple design. And I love it!

Thanks for reading.
~Elle~

YNS: Tags Dare

Are you ready for another Design Team Dare?! Your Next Stamp is challenging its designers to break away from the same old same old and make a set of tags!. Hop on over to Your Next Stamp blog to see the other lovely creations, and don't forget to leave a comment for your chance to win a free stamp set of your choice.

I decided to go in the winter holiday direction and made a set of 4 Christmas tags that I can use to embellish my Christmas gifts with. For all four tags, I used the super fun stamp set called Holiday Buddies. This fantastic large set features 8 whimsical images that you can stamp and color, and 2 classic simple sentiments.

I admit, it was tough choosing just 4 images to feature, so I'm definitely going back and making another set of tags with the rest of the cute critters.

Since this stamp set has a bit of a retro flair, I chose some classic masculine/winter patterns as my tag backdrop. I used my Vintage Photo distress ink around the edges to add a bit of extra warmth and to go with the vintage feeling. Kraft stickers as sentiments kept the focus on the images.

Lastly, I added a few sparkly gumdrops from Holly Jolly and Ice Ice Baby. Don't they just look fun?!

Thanks for reading!
~Elle~

SSS - Flickr Challenge 3

I created this card for the Simon Says Stamp Flickr challenge #3. The challenge was to incorporate a tag into your creation. I decided to go with a clean and simple card, and mane use of some of the new exclusive stamp sets I recently got from the Simon Says Stamp store.

I started by cutting out a label from white cardstock, using Simon Says Stamp Borders die. This cut out a label shape, which I turned into a tag by cutting down the bottom so it was straight and using a hole punch to punch a hole at the top of the tag.

I stamped a cup, leaves and flower from Simon Says Stamp's Cups and Succulents stamp set. I colored the image in with my Copics. I added a few accents with my white gel pen, and used my clear Wink of Stella glitter brush to add some glitter to the pink flower.

I created my base out of Neenah Solar White cardstock, making it a standard A2 base (4 1/4 by 5 1/2"). For the paper, I used My Mind's Eye Just Sayin' 6x6, and I cut a striped piece to measure 3 3/4 by 5". I found a piece of gray cardstock in my scraps stash, and used it to mat the patterned paper. I adhered them to the card base with my standard adhesive.

For the sentiment, I used Simon Says Stamp's Greetings and Succulents stamp set and Versafine Onyx Black ink. After the sentiment was stamped, I adhered the tag, using foam squares. As a last touch, I added 3 enamel dots to the bottom right side of the card.

Supplies:
Simon Says Stamp Cups and Succulents stamp
Simon Says Stamp Greetings and Succulents stamp
Simon Says Stamp Borders dies
My Favorite Things Hybrid ink in Black Licorice
Tsukineko Versafine in Onyx Black
Copics (B000, YG13, YG17, G29, R81, R85)
Neenah Solar White #110lbs cardstock
Gray cardstock
My Mind's Eye Just Sayin' 6x6 paper pad
Tombow craft dot adhesive runner (pink)
Scrapbook Adhesives 3D foam squares
Freckled Fawn Greens Essentials enamel dots