Favorite Cardmaking Tip // CardMaker Magazine

I'm over on the CardMaker Magazine blog today, with one of my favorite card making tips. I've picked up a lot over the course of my "lofty" card making "career," and today's is one of my favorites.

Head on over to the blog to see what it's all about!

Cards for Kids // Hero Arts

I'm over on the Hero Arts blog today, with some fun kid cards...(this is only one ;))

Head on over to the blog for more details and to see the other cards!

Tidal Background // CardMaker

Hi all! Today I'm participating in a blog with CardMaker Magazine and Craftin’ Desert Divas.

The kind folks at Craftin’ Desert Divas sent the team some stamps to play with, and for today's card, I used a little mermaid from the new July stamp set, Summer Vibin'.

If you follow my blog at all, then you might know that I am not what I call a "colorist." Copics scare the death out of me, and I only rarely use my ZIG's to color in images. I think "people" images are the scariest for me, but I just had to give this little mermaid a try.

Because the coloring itself was overwhelming for me, I decided to make it easy on myself and use the colors from THIS pin.

I stamped the mermaid in Hero Arts Black ink, and colored in with Cobalt Blue, Blue, Persian Blue, Orange, Mustard, and Bright Yellow. I then trimmed her out, and saved her for later.

For my background, I was pretty lazy and just mashed Oxide Faded Jeans and Chipped Sapphire together. It's my second time playing with the Distress Oxide inks, and I think I learned a little more this time - they blend easier for me. The whole "oxide" water effect isn't a huge make-or-break for me, as I like how the normal Distress Inks blend as well, but the ease of blending was definitely a plus.

I then flicked some water on, removed it with a paper towel, and once the cardstock was dried, I used the Hero Arts Waves stencil to smoosh a bunch of Versamark. I then heat embossed it with some Clear Sparkle embossing powder.

That finished up my background!

To set the stage, I die cut a window using the Oval Infinity dies, and then die cut a frame using the same die set. I adhered the navy frame to the front of the window, and then created my shaker card using some of the Craftin’ Desert Divas Carnie Sequin mix  I took all the red sequins out of the mix - that's what I love about mixes! You can totally pick which colors you like, or use the entire bunch!

I finished the card off with a bow and a matching sentiment stamped in Indigo ink.

PRIZE

Craftin’ Desert Divas will be hosting a giveaway on their blog of a $75 CDD Shop credit.

HOP

For loads of inspiration, follow this blog!

Craftin’ Desert Divas: http://www.craftindesertdivasblog.com

Mayras Designs: http://mayrasdesigns.blogspot.com/

Clare Prezzia: http://bearydocardsinc.blogspot.com/

Lissa Beck: http://www.purrfectionistcrafter.com

Diana Carr: http://www.secretlifeofpaper.com/

Laura Volpes: https://abitofmycrafts.blogspot.de/

Gaylynn Martling: https://neatnook.blogspot.com/

Waleska Galindo: http://craftinglovew.blogspot.com/

Jen Shults: https://deconstructingjen.com/

Tatiana Trafimovich: https://tatianacraftandart.wordpress.com/

Nicole Coursey: https://deconstructingjen.com/

Lindsay A.: https://craftingwhilecaffeinated.wordpress.com/

Savannah O’Gwynn: http://savannahland2.blogspot.com/

Christine Riley: http://www.stampynwifesspace.blogspot.com

Teresa Kline: http://paperieblooms.blogspot.com/

Ale Suta: https://alexandrasuta.blogspot.de/

Jan Phat: http://handcrafthobby.blogspot.sg/

EK Gorman: https://ekgormandesigns.com/

CardMaker: http://www.cardmakermagazine.com/blog/

SUPPLIES

Cardstock: Michaels
Stamps: Craftin’ Desert Divas Summer Vibin'
Ink: Hero Arts Black and Indigo, Versamark, Oxide Faded Jeans, Chipped Sapphire, ZIG
Other: Craftin’ Desert Divas Carnie Sequin mix, string, Hero Arts Clear Sparkle embossing powder

Tools: water, Cuttlebug, Hero Arts Oval Infinity dies and Waves stencil

Destash for Charity

Hello all! I've had some great responses to my destashes, and I thank you all! This round will be a little different - the stamps and dies are mainly from Hero Arts. Also, since I was given all of this product for creative team work, I can't sell it. However, so that this destash is a win-win-win, I thought I'd introduce a benefactor, Mary's Meals.

Here's a short blurb (from their website) if you're not familiar with them:

Mary’s Meals is a global movement supported by people from many walks of life and different backgrounds.
Our vision is that every child receives one daily meal in their place of education and that all those who have more than they need, share with those who lack even the most basic things.
Working together with those who share our vision, we believe there is no good reason why this cannot be realized.
Our mission is to enable people to offer their money, goods, skills, time, or prayer, and through this involvement, provide the most effective help to those suffering the effects of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest communities.
We welcome all into the Mary’s Meals family and we believe everyone has something important to contribute to the realization of our vision.

I have some friends with close ties to the organization, I love it, and it's honestly one of the few charities I feel totally and completely confident in, so I thought this would be a great way to spread some stamping love! ALL the proceeds will be going to Mary's Meals.

UPDATE:
Yay! All the bundles sold, and the donations made! Visit THIS page for more details.

Here's the goodies bundled up:

Now, here's the box/envelope values:

#1: over $100, yours for 50 - SOLD
#2: over $150, yours for 65 - SOLD
#3: over $200, yours for 80 - SOLD
#4: over $200, yours for 80 - SOLD

I'm pretty sure I managed to stick one exclusive My Monthly Hero stamp in each package, if that's any incentive. ;)

Payment must be received within twenty four hours of confirmation, using Paypal friends and families. Once everything has sold, I will make the donation and post a screenshot or receipt of the donation to THIS fundraiser since I don't have a fancy button to do it for me haha.

E-mail me at ctprezzia15@gmail.com if you'd like one! First come, first serve.

CardMaker Magazine Blog Team Announcement

I am still catching up from vacation, but I am excited to announce that I will be part of the CardMaker Blog Team for the next six months!

It is an honor to be a part of this team of talented ladies! Check out their blogs and other social media accounts for oodles for creativity and inspiration!

Nicole Coursey

Gaylynn Martling

Teresa Kline

Jen Shults

Savannah O’Gwynn

And a big thank you Brooke and Tanya for this opportunity!

African Daisy Style // Hero Arts

I'm over on the Hero Arts blog today with a bright, colorful card...

Head on over to the blog for more details and thanks for stopping by!