Maura's Musings

Monday, December 10

Warm Winter Wishes

Hello Monday, my creative friends! I hope you've had a great week, and maybe even found a bit of time to play and create during this busy holiday season. Our theme for you this week is WARM WINTER WISHES at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. I hope you are staying cozy and warm, it seems like winter came early where I live.

I decided to make a variety of Christmas cards this year, and had so much fun with these alcohol ink cards using the Lift Ink from Tim Holtz to add to the background design. I found myself reaching for the warmer ink colors to play with. Once the ink background is dry, you can stamp with the lift ink, then rub off with a cloth or towel (buff it) to bring out the design. I used a couple of the special Tim Holtz Stamptember sets to do my backgrounds.

This saying was my favorite one to use on the inside of my cards this year.

A little different mix of ink colors gives a totally different feel to the card design, and I used music notes for the background here. I always like to stamp a design on the envelope to go with the card.

Come join us this week for some Warm Winter Wishes and share in the challenge fun! One lucky participant drawn at random will win a $50 voucher from our generous friends at Simon Says Stamp!

Wishing you Warm Winter Wishes!

Maura

SUPPLIES:

Ranger Alcohol Inks Complete Set

Pearl Mixative - Alcohol Inks

Tim Holtz Alcohol Lift Ink pad

Alcohol Ink Applicator

Tim Holtz White Yupo

Simon Says Stamp Card stock Peacock Teal

Fiskars SURECUT CARD MAKING Paper Trimmer

simon says stamp 120lb white card stock

Tim Holtz Tonic Craft Stamp Platform

simon says stamp big scripty greetings holiday stamp set

Dina-Wakley-Ranger-KRAFT-PAPER-PACK

3M Scotch DOUBLE-SIDED FOAM TAPE Permanent

3M Scotch PINK ATG ADVANCED TAPE GLIDER

A GREAT place to shop!!

Simon is on Instagram - use #sssmchallenge

The design team has come up with some beautiful warm winter wishes for you, so be sure to stop by!

Monday, December 3

"B" is for Blast Off!

Hello Monday, my friends! The week has flown by once again, and here we are in December! Our challenge for you this week is B is for? (anything beginning with the letter B), because we are highlighting some awesome products by Brutus Monroe this week at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge.

We have a great guest designer for you this month - Ann Barnes at aksbarchitect CREATES! You are in for a treat this month, so please join me in welcoming Ann for December with us!

B is for Blastoff!

B is for Books!

hmm, why not combine these together into a little book with a blast off theme?

I have been so inspired by these wrapped journals friends are making using the Eileen Hull die, that I had to try it myself!

I wanted to try to get a variety of colors for my background, like the beautiful colors Nebulas in the galaxy, so I started with some oranges. I wiped the distressed oxides onto my craft sheet, spritzed it with water and "smooshed" the die cut into it. I used the leftover ink for the inside.

Next, I "smooshed" the pigment inks onto the cover in a similar way.

I also used the splatter brush to add more of the aqua pigments.

Next, I sponged blue and purple waves into my universe. I like to use the Tangled Waves stencil to created sky designs.

Same step, inside

I decided I wanted to tone it down, so wiped on Antarctic and Inky Pool with a brush and then wiped it back with a baby wipe.

I like how some of the design comes through, as well as a variety of colors.

Then, I used the Blast Off stencil and Amethyst paint on the covers. Once that dried, I added in some detail with the silver pen. I also added in some abstract triangles with the amethyst and Blue Aqua Pigment. I also used an older stamp from Brutus Monroe, that looked like a scribble, and went around the edges with just a bit of it.

front

back

details

I attached the signatures with some elastic cord I had on hand. I made two signatures with white card stock, and two with water color paper.

Back of the book

Blast Off for Books!!

I think this would make a fun little book to keep notes and sketches on books I've read, maybe ideas for inspiration.

Are you thinking of something with a B now? I hope so, and you will join us this week in our fun challenge. Show us your Brutus Monroe if you have any, we'd love to see what you do with it. Our generous friends at Simon Says Stamp offer a $50 voucher each week to one lucky participant drawn at random.