Glitter, Kraft and Blue

Howdy fellow Power Poppy lovers!  TGIF!  Welcome to another Peep of the Week special!

I kind of slacked off this week and left my creating until the very last possible minute.  You know when you have a vision in your head of what you wish your card to look like…. well, needless to say, this wasn’t quite what I had envisioned in my head!  LOL!

I started off by spritzing my light kraft cardstock with some cool “Cornflower” Walnut Ink antiquing Solution and “Sparkle” Sheer Shimmer Spritz by Imagine Crafts.  Then I began to stamp my individual flower stems from “Countryside Bouquet Deluxe” using Memento “Nautical Blue” ink.  Then I masked off the stems and stamped off using the same colour of ink the large feather from the “Marcella’s Mixtape” stamp set.

The beautiful round greeting is from the “Azalea” stamp set and the “For You” & ‘Dear Friend” sentiments are from the “Geraniums Take Two” stamp set.  I added some Kaleidoscope embossing powder on these to add some more shimmer and shine!

I kinda took inspiration this week from the latest and greatest sketch from the CAS(E) this Sketch! blog, CTS #90.

Now take a stroll and visit my fellow Bloom Brigaders with me and see what these amazingly talented ladies have come up with this week for you to check out!

Allison Cope – you are here!
Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Danielle Kennedy
Dawn Burnworth
Katie Sims
Leslie Miller
Stacy Morgan
Tosha Leyendekker

Happy hopping everyone!

~ Ally ~

Sponsored byPower Poppy

Supplies:
stamps: Power Poppy (Countryside Bouquet Deluxe, Geraniums Take Two, Marcella’s Mixtape, Azalea)
embossing powder:  Stampendous!

cardstock:  Bazzill, Flourishes
mists: Imagine Crafts
ribbon:  Offray

pens:  Sakura (White, Glitter)
ink: Memento, Versamark, Colorbox
sequins:  Pretty Pink Posh.

Sunshine and Sun Flowers!


Howdy all!  It’s Wednesday and time for another fabulous challenge over at StampNation with the Dream Team!

This week it all about the sunshine and sunflowers…


Here’s a little sneak peek of my creation for this week’s challenge featuring stamps from Power Poppy (Sunny Harvest & Marcella's Mixtape Vol.1) and Mama Elephant (Simon Says Stamp!)…

Don’t forget too, my Let’s Talk Sketches month long class has been fully posted for you all to see and take part in at StampNation!  Here’s a little peek at all 8 card examples I posted for the class…


I’m giving away some stamp sets to 2 lucky random winners who play along with the sketches by Sunday, August 31st at 8pm EST.

Good luck and if you’re not familiar with StampNation, I think you should be!

~ Ally ~

Win With SCT & Power Poppy!


TGIF everyone!  I don’t know about you but I’ve had a tough week this week.  Just haven’t been feeling tip-top.  The weather has been cool and rainy here in Southern Alberta and my head has been pounding most of this week – it doesn’t exactly promote a lot of creative time.  It doesn’t help that I’m sleeping well or at all at night!

I did get a chance to dabble in some water colour though on the weekend and I created this fun card for you today!

I began with some Tim Holtz Distress Water Color Paper and some Letraset Aquamarkers for my card creation.  I stamped the lovely bouquet from the “Countryside Bouquet Deluxe” using some Ranger “Wild Honey” Distress Ink.  Then I used an acrylic block and scribbled my Aquamarkers on to it and used it as a palette to watercolor my stamped image.


I took a lot of time and painted each petal individually using the inks from the markers and my water brush.  I just adore the end result.

Just in case you missed it, Power Poppy took center stage over at the Scrapbook & Cards Today blog with their Card Cafe Thursday here! And today, there's another surprise! Head on over to their blog HERE to see how YOU could win a $25 gift certificate to the Power Poppy Shop!

Now join the remainder of the Bloom Brigade with me and take a stroll on over to all of their blogs.  You’ll surely be inspired!

Allison Cope – you are here!
Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Danielle Kennedy
Dawn Burnworth
Julie Koerber
Leslie Miller
Stacy Morgan
Tosha Leyendekker

Happy blog hopping everyone!

~ Ally ~


Sponsored byPower Poppy

Supplies:
stamps: Power Poppy (Countryside Bouquet Deluxe, Geraniums)
cardstock:  Recollections, Flourishes, Tim Holtz Watercolor Paper
patterned papers:  Simple Stories (Sn@p!)
die cut shapes: AveryElle
ribbon:  Offray
ink: Memento, Ranger Distress, Letraset Aquamarkers
butterfly:  Maya Road
pearls:  Recollections.

When it Rains… it Pours!

Life is slowly catching up with me this week.  With the countdown to the beginning of the school year in only a week and a half, we are starting to get back into our normal daily routines and that counts for me too!

In the last year, I became a Cub Scout Leader to our local Cub Pack here in Alberta.  I have really learned to love it and even went to a week long Scout Training camp this summer!  Tonight is our first official committee meeting and so I’m looking forward to teaching all kinds of fun skills but especially some fun crafts this year.

The StampNation Dream Team is at it again!  We have all created some wonderful photo inspired cards this week.  I see a little rain in your future…

Come and check us out.  You’ll love all the amazing sharing going on at StampNation today!  Hope to see you there!

I am also still needing my winner from last week to contact me.  I cannot seem to get a hold of you since I don't have a blog or an email to get a hold of you with:

Commenter #22, Kathy Krug says...

Kathy is the winner of the Power Poppy "Lavender" stamp set.

If you are KATHY KRUG, please contact me with the email listed in the tabs above!

~ Ally ~

They Inspire Me!

photo
Today I get to share something a little different.  Two weeks ago, the lovely Julie Koerber from “Out to Impress” honoured me as one of the designers that inspires her!  You can see here original post here. Yup… it truly warmed my heart because if anything I admire her extreme talent double fold!   I’ve had the honour of working with Julie for many years in the stamping industry and she takes the “designer” cake when it comes to unique and beautiful card design.  Her cards always blow me away!  Thanks for the great honour of being on your list of inspirational people Julie!

Julie has asked me to answer a few questions…

1. What am I working on?
Currently I’m working on part 3 of 4 for a sketch class I have designed for StampNation, an online community I so happen to love and feel at home at.  As a card creator, I LOVE the art of sharing and teaching what I know.  Someday, when I have the patience and time, I’d love to get into video tutorials but right now I’m happy as a clam in sharing my skills via photo and word!

2. How does my work differ from the others of its genre?
I have to laugh because as an artist, I jump all over the place when it comes my style of creating.  I find most card makers have a style that they stick to but I do not.  I jump from clean & simple to shabby chic to pile-it-on cards to one layer stamped cards.  Yup… I could be making 3 or 4 different styles of cards in one week or in one day for that matter!  That’s what I love about this industry… you can truly be yourself and experiment!!!

3. Why do I create what I do?
Awww… the best question of all!  I create because I just simply love to create.  Plain and simple.  Give me some inks, some cardstock and my sewing machine and I’m off to the creative races.  Inky fingers are a sign of a good day you know!  I also use it as an outlet for stress.  Having a challenging little boy to deal with and having my husband away at work half the time leads to long, sleepless nights of happy stamping and creating.  I truly love it and wouldn’t have it any other way!

4. How does your creative process work?
Each and every project does begin differently for me.  Sometimes its a piece of clothing on Pinterest that strikes that creative chord.  Sometimes its a cool sketch I see to get me going.  Sometimes its simply the act of wanted to sit down with that new crafting supply that I’ve purchased and just the act of experimentation that begins the process.  Each and every time its different and I like that about stamping and card making.  It can lead you any where.

Now… to the fun part!  Now I get to share with you all a couple of the people that INSPIRE ME!

Friends of Flourishes Photo-Katie SimsKATIE SIMS: Inky Peach Designs

Katie is not only an incredible designer but I have been able to call her friend for a few years now. I can’t tell you how many times I have clicked on her blog to find something that she’s created that takes my breath away!  Literally!!! She has a keen sense of balance, a wonderful sense of colour theory and her attention to detail on her card creations is truly awe inspiring.  I just hope one day to achieve only a small portion of her abundant talent!  I hope to continue to work with Katie long into the future.

 

CATHERINE POOLER: CatherinePooler.com
10436326_10204097619577373_1405637110792299477_n
I have had the great honour of knowing Catherine for only about eight months or so now but she feels like family.  Catherine is the amazing and exuberant owner & designer for StampNation!  She has been crafting for many, many years and has a great down-to-Earth attitude towards teaching in the stamping and card making industry.  She shares her awesome talents with thousands of viewers on her ever-expanding YouTube channel and blog every week.  I love that she crafts “in the moment” and than she’s not afraid to share her “oopsey” moments with her watchers.  She truly embodies the title of a great educator and mentor!


I hope you too, check out Katie Sims’ and Catherine Pooler’s blogs for some amazing inspiration!  You too will be in awe of both of these great artists.  Thank you ladies for allowing me to honour you today!  It’s truly an honour to work with you both.

~ Ally ~

Spinner Card Tutorial



Come and check out my cute little spinner card tutorial using the adorable little dragon from the Sweet Pea Designs stamp set, “You Blow Me Away”.


This tutorial is exclusive for StampNation!  Why not become a member today… it feels like HOME!
http://www.cartville.com/app/?af=1586497

Enjoy Some Apples!


Happy Friday everyone!  I’m here with a few members of Power Poppy’s Bloom Brigade members to share some more inspiration with you and we’d love it if you played along.

Here are the challenge rules!  So come and share one of YOUR Power Poppy creations with us.  If you are new to Power Poppy and want to join in the fun real quick, you can purchase any one of our glorious digital beauties to speed along that creative process.  Check out all those gorgeous digital stamps HERE.

Along with the fun…

I couldn’t resist picking up the new “Farmers Market” stamp set and colour up those sweet little apples.  I love Granny Smith apples… they’re my fav so that’s the way I added my colour today.  Don’t they look delish?!?

I also created the frilly little green and cream back ground paper too!  I used the delicate little leaf from the “Countryside Bouquet Deluxe”  and some Ranger's Olive Distress Ink.  I just love the rustic look it contributes to the card.

I just love the wood on the little wooden crate turned out.  Don’t you?!…


Lets’ find out what the rest of my fellow Bloom Brigades have created for you to gander at today…

Allison Cope – you are here!
Christine Okken
Kathy Jones
Katie Sims
Leslie Miller
Tosha Leyendekker

Happy blog hopping everyone!  And don’t forget to play along!


~ Ally ~

Sponsored byPower Poppy

Supplies:
stamps: Power Poppy (Farmer’s Market, Geraniums Take Two, Countryside Bouquet Deluxe)
cardstock:  Bazzill, Recollections
patterned papers:  Simple stories (Homespun)
die cut shapes: Spellbinders
ribbon, clip:  Stampin’ Up!
ink: Memento, Copic Markers, Ranger
other:  thread.

Come Meet Winnie and Walter!

Howdy friends! Inspiration Nation continues this week at StampNation with another gorgeous photo.

We have an amazing sponsor this week too...

Here's a peek at the Design Team's cards...

One lucky challenge participant is going to win a $30 Gift Card to the Winnie & Walter store!!

 Come out and join us!  StampNation has become "home" for me and I know you'll love it too!
http://www.cartville.com/app/?af=1586497

~ Ally ~

Winners Announced!

As promised, I'm going to announce the TWO winners of my GIVEAWAY from last week.  I asked the lovely Vanna for two winner comment numbers and this is what she gave me...

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:
5
22
Timestamp: 2014-08-13 18:35:47 UTC

Commenter #5, Fran says...
Fran is the winner of the Power Poppy "Sassy Succulents" stamp set.

Commenter #22, Kathy Krug says...

Kathy is the winner of the Power Poppy "Lavender" stamp set.

Congrats ladies!  Please email me with your full name and mailing address to claim your prizes.  You have until next Wednesday to email me and then a new winner will be chosen.

~ Ally ~

Let’s Talk Sketches –Take 2!


It’s another Monday edition of Let’s Talk Sketches over at StampNation!  This week I have a new sketch and some great ways to interpret it. So come and play along for a chance to win some great prizes.

Check out a little sneak peek…
If you don't know what StampNation is all about, why give us a try!  Click here!

Hope to see you there!

~ Ally ~

Oh Happy Day!

Hey there fellow stamp lovers!  Today is a very special day for me.  Today I get to share an amazing opportunity that was given to me by Dina Kowal, one of the lovely ladies at Splitcoaststampers and fellow Bloom Brigader at Power Poppy.

Today my tutorial goes live for… well… click the button below to find out!!!


To celebrate today, I'm giving away two sets of wonderful Power Poppy stamp sets, for a total of 2 winners!
All you have to do to win is leave a comment below and tell me if you've ever used my colouring technique on a card or project before?

I will post a winner next Wednesday, August 13th so you have until then to post a comment below.  Good luck!
 
Also... don't forget to check out the Dare to Get Dirty Challenges over at Splitcoast.  They're going on right now! 

I hope you all have a wonderful day!

~ Ally ~

Night Skies using Copics Tutorial

Quick… join me on the Power Poppy Blog today for a fun and easy tutorial on how to create a night sky using Copic markers.

Come and join me right HERE!

Happy coloring!

~ Ally ~

"Let’s Talk Sketches" Class!


Over at StampNation I’m beginning a month long class beginning TOMORROW on how to use and interpret sketches.  This class is exclusively for StampNation members only!  It’s jam packed with great ideas, cute examples, fabulous sketch designs and hand outs for your personal work space.  And there’s even a chance to WIN some cool prizes just by playing along!  Come and join the fun!

Here’s a little sneak peek for ya…

If you're not a StampNation member… maybe you should be!!!  Hope to see you there!
StampNation Here I Come!

We’re Hopping with Power Poppy!

 
Well have you seen all of the amazing new stamp sets this month?  There’s a grand total of FIVE incredibly beautiful stamp sets to drool over at Power Poppy


So let me share one of my autumn inspired cards with you today using the beautiful stamp set, “Sunny Harvest”.

Here’s a quick close up of the embossed little Chinese Lanterns from my focal point…

Join me on Monday as I share how I made my Night Sky.  You can check out my tutorial on the Power Poppy Blog!

Now join the remainder of the Bloom Brigade with me and take a stroll on over to all of their blogs.  I’m sure you won’t regret it at all!

Allison Cope – you are here!
Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Danielle Kennedy
Dawn Burnworth
Julie Koerber
Kathy Jones
Katie Sims
Leslie Miller
Stacy Morgan
Tosha Leyendekker

Happy blog hopping everyone!

~ Ally ~

Sponsored byPower Poppy

Supplies:
stamps: Power Poppy (Sunny Harvest)
cardstock:  Bazzill, Recollections, vellum
patterned papers:  Graphic45 (Steampunk Spells)
die cut shapes: Spellbinders
ribbon:  American Crafts
ink: Memento, Copic Markers, Sakura Gold pen, Versamark

gold embossing powder:  PK Glitz
embossing folder:  Darice
other:  thread.
 
09 10