Alexandra S.M. *Day 4*

Happy Friday everyone!  Today is our last day of inspiration with the lovely Alexandra S.M. but don't be sad, you can always check out more of her work on her blog HERE.  This set by Alexandra is beyond cute!

Alexandra's creations always have that little "extra something" that make them so interesting to look at.  I love the exposed corrogated cardboard on both of these.  And the way she has tucked in the bottom of the circle is genius.  And don't forget her subtle stitching around the top portion of the card!  I was especially inspired by the overall layout of the card on the left and the bird theme.  Here's my take:

The birds, Penny Black 4024J The Forever Dream, were stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink onto Copic X-Press It cardstock, colored with Copic markers, and then the entire image was cut out.  They were adhered the oval, Spellbinders Nestabilities Deckled Edge Oval (inked with Antique Linen and Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink), using pop dots. Torn paper inked with Brushed Corduroy and Walnut Stain Distress Ink.  Upper portion of card inked and stamped with Fired Brick Distress Ink.  Background stamp by Penny Black, 40-048 Paisley Outline.  This piece was then pierced using the Sew Easy Tool from the back.  Finally, the raised pierced holes were inked with Walnut Stain Distress Ink.  Sentiment by Penny Black, 30-072 Air Mail.  Thanks again, Alexandra, for the AWESOME inspiration this week!!

And before I go today, I just wanted to thank you all again for your visits and support.  I feel like I just can't say this enough---your kindness means soooo much to me!  And as a small token of my thanks how about a GIVEAWAY?  The AH-mazing Jennifer McGuire has given me one spot to give away in Summer Card Camp.  Wait a minute, you're thinking, Summer Card Camp is over; right?  Well, yes, but you can still join in on all the fun!

Go HERE to read how you can still play along!  And if you are interested in winning a spot, just leave a comment on this post.  Winner to be announced in one week on Friday, August 19th.  If you win and you've already taken the class, you can give it to a friend. :)

Penny Black Enjoy Life	Spellbinders Deckled Edge Oval	Memento Tuxedo Black Ink	Copic Sketch Markers	Distress Inks
Sew Easy Piercing Tool	Copic X-Press Paper	Neenah Tiara White Cardstock

Alexandra S.M. *Day 3*

Not only is Alexandra a FAB cardmaker, but she is also an incredible scrapbooker and photographer.  Here's one of her layouts:

My card is especially inspired by the bottom portion of Alexandra's page- the fun punched tag and yellow paper.  Here's a closer look:

And here's my card:

The bird, Penny Black 4157K Nature's Day was stamped onto Copic X-Press It Paper with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers.  The tag was punched and then inked with Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, and Walnut Stain Distress Ink.  Sentiment by Penny Black, 30-032 Enjoy Life.  The floral background was created by first stamping the small flower image from the Penny Black clear set 30-014 Salutations using Versamark Ink and then sprinkling with white embossing powder.  Once heated, this piece was inked with Wild Honey Distress Ink.  Flower centers colored with Copic marker over embossing.  The right-hand background was created by stamping Penny Black 40-048 Paisley Outline with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink onto white cardstock and then lightly inking with Wild Honey Distress Ink.

And there are some cute little creations on the Mementos Blog today, see them HERE.

www.ilovemementos.blogspot.com

Thanks again for visiting! See you tomorrow with our last wonderful inspiration by Alexandra!

Penny Black Nature's Day	Penny Black Salutations	Penny Black Enjoy Life	Copic Sketch Markers	Distress Inks
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink	VersaMark Ink	Copic X-Press Paper	Neenah Tiara White Cardstock

Alexandra S.M. *Day 2*

Here's our next stunning card by Alexandra:

I always love a butterfly card and this is no exception!  The pink/orange combo is especially striking.  And isn't the splattered background fun?
Here's my take:

The butterflies, Penny Black 3649C and 3652F Flutterby, were stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink onto Tiara White cardstock and then colored with Copic Markers.  Once cut, the edges were inked with Black Soot Distress Ink.  The purple background was created by inking Tiara White cardstock with Worn Lipstick and Dusty Concord Distress Ink.  Penny Black 40-048 Paisley Outline was stamped with Aged Mahogany Distress Ink.  Text patterned paper was inked with Brushed Corduroy and Walnut Stain Distress Ink. Finally, the notecard was spritzed with Sunflower Glimmer mist and then flicked using a paint brush with Aged Mahogany and Dusty Concord Distress Ink (create Distress Ink paint by pressing ink pads onto acrylic block and then spritzing with water).  Notecard distressed with Walnut Stain Distress Ink.  Sentiment by Penny Black, 30-014 Salutations.

And over on the Mementos Blog we've got more masking for you today.  Check it out HERE.

www.ilovemementos.blogspot.com

See you tomorrow with another FAB creation by Alexandra!  Hhmmm... maybe it will be a scrapbook page.... :)

Penny Black Salutations	Neenah Tiara White Cardstock	Memento Tuxedo Black Ink	Copic Sketch Markers	Distress Inks
Glimmer Mist Sunflower

Inspired by...Alexandra S.M.

I am thrilled to be announcing that this week's featured stamper is the one-of-a-kind talent Alexandra S.M.  I have loved Alexandra's work for quite some time now and can hardly wait to share it here!  Be sure to check out her BLOG- so much eye candy to take in over there.  Here's our first inspiration card by Alexandra:

Pure creativity, Alexandra!  This card is exceptionally beautiful and unique.  I especially love the bright color scheme and that black flower.  Here is my take:

The flower was created by inking the flower die cut, Tim Holtz Alterations Tattered Florals, with Black Soot Distress Ink and Sunflower Glimmer Mist.  After crumpling and heating, I layered several petals together.  A Candi Dot was added to the center along with twine.  The orange/ yellow background was created by first stamping Penny Black Letter Background with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink onto yellow PB Mix and Match cardstock (removing some ink with a baby wipe before stamping).  Next I stamped Penny Black 40-046 Circular Design with Versamark Ink, sprinked with clear embossing powder, and heat to set. Finally, I applied Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink over the embossed area by pressing the ink pad directly to the paper.  The torn cardstock was lightly inked with Antique Linen Distress Ink as well as Black Soot Distress Ink around the edges.  This entire piece was layered onto black cardstock and then green PB Mix and Match cardstock.  Sentiment by Penny Black, 30-032 Enjoy Life.

And finally, here's a peek at today's post on the Memento's blog.  Click HERE to see more!

www.ilovemementos.blogspot.com

See you tomorrow, my friends! Thanks for visiting!! :)