A new leaf

2011-12-28T22:26:00.002+01:00

Our hostess for the last challenge of the year is Nellie and here is what she what she has challenged us with:

Almost 2012, a whole new year lies ahead of us.

This time of the year we tend to look forward, what are our dreams, wishes, hopes and things we want to achieve for the new year. What do we wish and hope for our dear ones. I challenge you to show us your dreams, wishes and hopes in a stamped project.

It’s a Stampotique stamps only challenge this time so grab you stamps and stamp! As always you can win a $30 dollar gift certificate for your choice of free Stampotique stamps.

This is what I wish for you: a colourful year in which you go confidently in the direction of your dreams!

In light of that,this will be my last post for the Stampotique challenge blog.

I loved being part of the great Stampotique family! But i will be exploring other adventures,following new dreams and look beyond different horizons.

I wish you all a happy new year and may all our dreams come true!

Remember: shoot for the moon!

2011-12-14T14:55:00.004+01:00

SDC44: Shimmer, Glimmer, Glitter & Glitz

For our next challenge Val is here as our hostess. She is challenging us to break out our "Shimmer, Glimmer, Glitter and Glitz" using shimmery paper, glittery embellishments, glimmery paints/washes/spritz or any kind of glitzy bling in your creations....let your inspiration shine!
This week is our last challenge where you can use ANY stamps.

We would love for you to join us this week and shine for us.

Shimmer, Glimmer, Glitter, Glitz: use shimmery paper, glittery embellishments, glimmery paints/washes/
spritz or glitzy bling in your creation

Reminder, this will be the LAST challenge you an use ANY stamps.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR 2012 REGARDING CHALLENGES:
This will be our last challenge where you can use ANY stamps.
Beginning with our first challenge the 2nd Wednesday in 2012, we will be aSTAMPOTIQUE only challenge. We will no longer host our any stamps challenge. We greatly appreciate all that have supported us throughout 2011 and look forward to seeing your work with Stampotique in 2012.

2011-11-23T20:56:00.001+01:00

Vicki is our hostess this week and she has proven to give us quite the challenge:

Before you know it, Christmas will be upon us! How many of you have started your Christmas cards? I'm curious, do you make ALL of your Christmas cards, none of them or a bit of both?

This week the challenge is to make a non traditional Christmas card. The main rule is

NO RED OR GREEN!

I can't wait to see all of the great ideas!

Pull out your Stampotique Stamps as this is a Stampotique only week!

Play along with this week's challenge for your chance to win a $30 Stampotique Gift Certificate!

2011-11-18T19:19:00.003+01:00

Two more cards with Kira´s wonderful stamps. Cute little monsters,sweet kitties,how can one resist?

Have you been bloghopping yet( see previous post)? Come see the wonderful projects the Stampotique design team has made,leave a comment and have a chance at winning some of these cute stamps!

2011-11-15T12:41:00.003+01:00

Bloghop!!

Announcing new images and new artists are always exciting here at Stampotique Originals and so we are thrilled to announce our newest artist, Kira Nichols. Kira has designed some very unique monsters and kitties for her first line of stamps and our design team has had the opportunity to play with the stamps before they are released to the public.

Want a chance to win some of Kira's new images? Hop along with our designers as well as our special guest, leaving comments along the way, for your chance to win some of Kira's new images. We will randomly draw a winner from one of the blogs and announce the winner with our next challenge.

Make sure to leave comments along the way and a randomly chosen commenter will win some of these new stamps.

From here you will want to visit Joanne Wardle

Below is a complete list in case you go off the beaten path and need some redirection.

Monique Verbeek <---you are here

Joanne Wardle

2011-11-09T15:04:00.002+01:00

This week it is a sketch challenge! Lisa gave us the following sketch to work with.

Feel free to rotate it, change the focal image, but try to keep the sketch in tact. For this weeks challenge you can use ANY Stamp companies images, but if you have Stampotique images, we'd love for you to use them. Play along with this weeks sketch challenge for your chance to win a $30 Stampotique Gift Certificate,

I used 3 in a round as my focal image and added inkdrops for the sideway lines. I used twinkling H2Os cause i just love the shimmer!

2011-10-31T20:56:00.003+01:00

Happy Halloween!! Here are some cards i havent shown yet. I adore the pumpkins! And how cute is Lil Tatawea?

As i wanted some cute lights to put in my window,i stamped the little Halloween critters by Janet Klein ( stampotique originals) on glass slides that i attached to candle holders. Colored with alcoholinks.

Here is a card with all four friends!

And a card that i specially meant for my neighbours whom do not really appreciate my celebrating Halloween. They all think i am pretty nuts having carved pumpkins in my frontyard,a headstone in my hallway and a screaming ghost that scares the neighbourhood kids! Ha! Hilarious!

2011-10-28T09:48:00.002+02:00

SDC41: Altered Poison Bottle

Maria here this week issuing a new challenge here at Stampotique Designer's Challenge:

"I have a new fun and creative challenge for you all this week. Are you ready for Halloween? Well, guess what? My challenge for you today is an: Altered poison bottle. I have a passion for sweet/spooky bottles and I would love to see your creations using Stampotique stamps.

WARNING: Don't Drink, that's Poison! Happy Halloween Stampotique-creatures!

I created this bottle by dabbling alcoholinks all over a clear bottle. Then i stamped Jordan with Stazon on the alcoholinks. Of course you need some detail so i took a small swab, dipped that in 70% rubbing alcohol and took some of the color out of the details like his face and sweater.

Please check out the Stampotique challenge blog for more awesome altered poison bottles!

just be careful not to touch the Stazon or you will erase the stamped image. If you accidentally do so, just wipe alcohol all over the bottle and start over.

2011-10-12T15:25:00.002+02:00

It’s “TAGTIME” this week.

Nellie is our hostess this week and here is what she says about her challenge theme:

"I love to work on a tag. For me it feels like it somehow invites you to think and work in another way than when you’re making cards. So I challenge you to make a tag or some project in which you use a tag. Any size, any color as long as there’s at least one tag involved in your artwork."

You can use stamps from any company for this challenge. But even better, grab your Stampotique stamps and get stamping!

As Nellie, i love working on tags too! So when my son came home from a shoppingspree i took all the tags of his new jeans before he could discard them,hehe, never waste!

2011-09-28T10:36:00.002+02:00

SDC #39 Humorous birthday

Today our DTmember Vicki is celebrating her birthday! Please visit her blog and share some Bday wishes! She gave us the best challenge : create a humorous birthday card. Now Stampotique has all the ingredients for that!

Here's my card for Vicki:

I used the image of cute Mela against a background of Heart flowers (#8553) and Scratches ( #8805). I printed the sentiment with different letter types.

I can't wait to see what you create!!! Don't forget that one lucky player will win some Stampotique Bucks! This is a Stampotique only week so please remember to use those Stampotique stamps on your creations.

2011-09-14T13:54:00.002+02:00

Black,white and a hint of color.

This week is a new challenge issued by design team member Kaz. Here is what she has challenged us with:

I'm setting you another colour challenge as you all did such a good job of the last one. This time it's to use black and white and add just a hint of another colour. You can make anything you like. This week is also a non-Stampotique stamps week for your chance at a $30 gift certificate for Stampotique stamps.

Dont you think Jordan looks so happy with his gifts?
I stamped the images with versamark,embossed in white foam and used yellow alcohol ink for a little color.
I used different sizes hole punches for the fun accent.

2011-09-13T14:37:00.002+02:00

I quite like making bookmarks, its all got to do with creating on a small size. Since my craft table (which once used to be my dinner table) is overflowing with ,well,stamps and stuff... a LOT of stuff...and quite a few stamps....and ink..and paper..and embellishments and even a section with "useable stuff so i will hang on to it for a while longer"stuff...

well...you get my drift..i like creating on a small scale so there is more space left on my table to leave stuff laying around lol!

Here's two more bookmarks. My son uses them for his collegebooks, and so he is less prone to nagging me about...stuff...on the table... where we once ate dinner..lol!

I used alphabet stickers, the kinda popped up when laminating the bookmark, gives a nice effect i think.All stamps by Stampotique Originals. Colored with Twinkling H2Os.

2011-08-31T20:12:00.001+02:00

New release bloghop!

Have you been chomping at the bit waiting for Stampotique Originals to release some more of your favorite stamps? Well, you have stopped in at the right place today! We are thrilled to announce our newest release featuring many of your favorite designers.

We've got new images from Jo Capper-Sandon, Maryse Carrier, Janet Klein and Daniel Torrente and Jill Penney. There's a great mix of Halloween images, nature images, some winter images and some cute kid images. There's an image for everyone to ink up and you are sure to find more than one that you will have to have.

Are you drooling yet? Are you wanting to see some of these creepy, crawly, cute and furry friends? Then join the design team and our special guest for our new release blog hop today starting here.

Make sure to leave a comments along the way and a randomly chosen commenter will win some of these new stamps.

Below is a complete list in case you go off the beaten path and need some redirection.

Let us know what you think of the new stamps and which ones that you have seen are your favorite.

2011-08-24T14:29:00.003+02:00

Another fun challenge at the Stampotique designers challenge blog!

Our hostess this week is Kate Crane and here is what she has challenged us with:

I am always looking for ways to make art which is useful, something I can use in every day life so what better than a bookmark? You can never have enough of these ... I like to use them to mark pages in all of my favourite art publications! You can make any type of bookmark: A traditional straight bookmark, a corner bookmark, a swinging tag ... In any style: Vintage, funky, cute or weird. Anything goes! So go and dig out all for your favourite Stampotique stamps, it's time to get creative! (and if you don't have any Stampotique Stamps, here's your chance to win some by creating with any stamps)

Here's my bookmark, i like the regular straight ones. I used some stick-on letters and laminated the bookmark so it will stay neat.

I took cute little Marci and let her peek from behind the Giant Shroom . The bubbly background is made with Bubbly

Remember:One random player will win a $30 gift certificate for Stampotique stamps.So join in the fun!

2011-08-10T19:47:00.002+02:00

This week Valerie challenges us to try altering a page in a book - any book: novel, journal, sketchbook, cookbook, music book, coloring book, dictionary, whatever! Any book counts! Valerie said that she chose this topic to challenge herself to try something new. She said it worked too well and she found herself waaaayyyyyy outside of her element with this one but gave it a go anyway and she hopes you'll give it a go too even if you've never tried one before!! If you have Stampotique stamps already, we'd love to see how you incorporate them into this challenge. If you haven't started yourStampotique collection yet, the Stampotique Designer's Challenge invites you to participate using stamps from any company this week for your chance to win a $30 gift certificate for stamps at Stampotique.

I cheated a little,i didnt actually alter a page rather than made a page in my garden journal by creating a cool tag and add it to one of my favorite photos i made last year. I havent seen that many butterflies in my garden this year. The weather is pretty cold and specially wet! I havent seen this much rain during summer vacation in a long time!

Look at this close up, i love that wonderful shimmer! Moon shadow mist, yum! I wish i could use this instead of paint in my house! Wouldnt that be cool?

2011-07-28T22:47:00.002+02:00

SDC35: Red, Yellow, Orange

Are you ready for a new designer's challenge this week? We are ready to challenge you and today Kaz is your hostess. Here's what she has to say about the new challenge:

"When I took this week for my challenge back in the winter, I thought it would be lovely and summery so I decided to set a colour challenge using the sizzling colours of red, yellow and orange. I should have known better really as I do, after all, live in England. It's been positively Autumnal this month. Rain, wind and grey skies. Yuk. So I'd like you to help us entice the sunshine back to help warm my cold toes!!"

Working on my garden journal does just that. I love taking pictures of all the beautiful flowers that are in bloom right now. The colors are amazing.

Please remember this challenge is a STAMPOTIQUE ONLY stamps week. Create a new creation with your Stampotique stamps and enter it below using InLinkz. Please enter by linking directly to your creation. Only one entry per person. This challenge will close on 8/9/11 at 5 p.m. eastern time.

Join us for your chance to win a $30 gift certificate to Stampotique (good for stamps) as we randomly choose a winner of our next challenge.

2011-07-13T19:54:00.002+02:00

It is time to bloom!

This week Gez challenged us to use flowers on our creations.

Since my garden is in full bloom i started working on my garden journal again. This year my garden totally surprised me with a giant pink poppy! I happen to LOVE poppies! Their flowers are so delicate and gorgeous. The flowers bloom for only a few days if the wind doesnt ruin it and blows off the leaves so i am ready with my camera to take photos before the flowers is gone..

I cant wait to harvest these seeds and try and get a garden full of pink poppies next year!

I have another rare poppy blooming so another page in my journal is in progress,lol!

What is your favorite flower and i encourage you to send in your flowery creations. This week any stamp goes! Visit us at the Stampotique designers challenge and see what the other team members created!

If you happen to have poppy seeds from you garden,feel free (i would love it!) to send me some!

2011-07-12T10:47:00.002+02:00

I really like the clean and simple style in cards but i always feel the need to add eyecandy...

This card is the perfect example, a clean stamped image ( i dont always like to color the images,sometimes it takes away the focus on the actual image) but still with lots of fun stuff to look at. A very festive card made with the beautiful stamps by Oxford Impressions.

The Jane Austen collection.

2011-07-03T11:15:00.002+02:00

All stamps by Oxford Impressions, the beautiful collection Regency Fashion.

For the background i used a piece of wallpaper. I cannot shop at a home depot center without taking lots of samples of wall paper with me ,lol!

2011-06-22T14:00:00.003+02:00

Join us for Stampotique's Magical Mystery Tour today. Why a Magical Mystery Tour? Comment on all the blogs and along the way we have 2 mystery prizes to give away.

If you have arrived here from Willy then you are in the right place, if not, you may want to begin at the Stampotique Designer's Challenge blog and begin your tour from there.

A few weeks ago, Valerie had us recycling and this week she has us cleaning house again!!! She's challenging us to dig in our stash to see how many scraps we can use up in our projects. Just about anything qualifies as a scrap - as long as you're utilizing a piece or part of something that you generated before but never used up... it counts! So what will it be? Bits of an old master board or freaky background? Leftover pieces of your favorite designer paper? Part of an old piece of grunge board? Fragments of a previously inked image? Or the remnants of some odd embellishment? Let's see just how creative you can be!

As you make your way through the tour make sure you comment on each and every post. There will be 2 prize winners chosen randomly amongst the blogs. For some additional chances to win another prize join us with our "Scraps" Challenge using your Stampotique stamps for your chance at a $30 gift certificate for Stampotique stamps and at being our August Guest Designer, see our blog for additional information.

Our tour will end on June 28th and the winner or the 2 tour prizes will be announced on our blog on June 29th.

You will want to jump on over to Kim to see what kind of scraps she has used on our Magical Mystery Tour.

2011-06-20T21:07:00.002+02:00

Made with the beautiful Jane Austen collection by Oxford Impressions.

2011-06-09T22:06:00.003+02:00

This week Joanne challenged us to use her favorite style in stamping , Clean and Simple.

I like clean and simple too but somehow i just cant stop adding to a card,wether it be color,embellishments or more stamping..

This time i really had to restrain myself since i started with just one balloon,then added two more,lol!

I hope you can join us, you can use any stamp!

2011-05-25T19:17:00.004+02:00

After having been absent for a while i am jumping back in at the Stampotique challenges with Willy. She challenges us to use acetate. Since i didnt have any in the house i thought of altering this tin i found digging through my stash.

Take a look at the fabulous Design Team samples for a lot of inspiration. Please remember, this week is a Stampotique Originals stamps only challenge so take out your Stampotique stamps and join us for a chance to win a $30 gift certificate to shop at Stampotique Originals. Link up your creation and don’t forget: only one entry per person please!

2011-04-25T16:26:00.000+02:00

And again a tag with the Dressforms and Corsetry collection by Oxford Impressions. I do love the feminine touch on this tag.

2011-04-24T16:22:00.000+02:00

Again a tag with the Dress Forms and Corsetry collection. The image i found in the artists papers from Somerset Studio magazine.

2011-04-23T16:14:00.002+02:00

A tag made with stamps by Oxford Impressions beautiful Dressforms and Corsetry collection.

2011-04-15T21:58:00.000+02:00

I am sure you have seen this awesome new images before on the blogs of other Stampotique design team members.. I have finally found time to play with them and boy do i love the mermaids!

I love the lavender stems too,and the flowers,and the sentiment....

just check them out yourself! Here: http://www.stampotique.com/stamp/new-images-311.html

2011-04-13T20:58:00.002+02:00

Wow, how time can get away from you.....I have been away on family visits,not all fun but much appreciated.

How i missed my stamps! So back in the game with this weeks Stampotique challenge!

Jo is challenging us to use newspaper/magazines/newsprint in our cards.

This challenge is open to any stamps so please join us!

On my card i used newsprint in the background and i stamped some part of the Strung background stamp on newspaper,cut out some squares and glued them in place.

Another stamp in the background is the gorgeous ( can you say that about a stamp?) Buttons background.
The quote...is all me lol!!!

2011-03-25T20:18:00.003+01:00

This week at Stampotique designers challenge Vicki is our host and she challenged us to make a tryptich card.
I so like that! It is such a surprise to open a card and find a fun sentiment or image inside. So,how about a whole party in a card? A surprise party that is! Fun! You are all invited!

Come on in, a party hat is waiting for you!

This weeks challenge is for Stampotique stamps only and here's another surprise: NEW IMAGES are available! Check out the website for all the great new stamps,awesome images!

I am working hard on creating fun cards with them so be on the lookout or start checking out the blogs of other DT members that already have awesome cards with those new yummies!

2011-03-09T16:01:00.003+01:00

This week at Stampotique designers challenge Kaz challenged us to create card using an animal stamp. Any animal counts! This is also an any stamps challenge so feel free to join us and take a chance at winning that fabulous $30 gift certificate!

For this card i used the Funky Dotted leaves to dress up the bare tree. After all,spring is coming! At the base of the tree Meow Garden is just sitting there thinking of you ;))

2011-03-06T22:11:00.000+01:00

And every boy needs his own eight legged friend:))

2011-03-04T22:02:00.001+01:00

Twinkie, my favorite boy, funny little guy on an ATC.

Background is gesso and glimmer mist on grunge board.

2011-03-03T21:06:00.002+01:00

Since i really like the faux barnwood technique, i made another card with it,or actually an ATC.The cute little batboys are from the halloween cube by Stampotique as is the tree in the background and the quote. The cut out is a sticker i found in my scrapbook stash :)

2011-02-23T17:07:00.002+01:00

We are so excited today at Stampotique Designer's Challenge! Have we got the ultimate challenge for you today!

As the hostess this week,I challenged our team to use a technique on their creation. And, we decided to take it a step further and what better place to turn than Pat Huntoon of the Technique Junkie Newsletter. Stampotique is teaming up with the Technique Junkies team to create using the Faux Barnwood Technique. We want you to join us this week and you can use the Faux Barnwood Technique or any of the techniques Pat uses on her website. Please make sure to link within your post which technique you are using. If you are a Technique Junkies subscriber and using a technique out of the newsletter, please highlight the name and issue you are creating from.

What are you playing for this week? Oh.....good question! How about we give away 2 prizes this week along with 2 winners??? Pat Huntoon has been very gracious and is giving away one of the Fancy Folds and Motions CDs PLUS a two year, online only subscription (2010 and 2011 issues) for one winner and the other winner will be receiving a $30 gift certificate towards stamps to the Stampotique store. We will randomly draw 2 winners for the prizes before our next challenge on March 9th.

Make sure to stay tuned to the website as both the Stampotique design team AND the Technique Junkies design team participated in this challenge and we will be sharing some wonderful creations using the Faux Barnwood technique over the next 2 weeks here.

So, what are you waiting for????? Get out some papers, some inks, some stamps and join us!

Please remember the following rules when entering this challenge:
1. This is a STAMPOTIQUE ONLY stamps week
2. You must LINK to the Faux Barnwood Technique or a technique from Technique Junkies that you chose to use within your blog post
3. Please link directly to your challenge post, not to your general blog
4. Contest will close at March 8th at 5 p.m. EST
5. HAVE FUN CREATING!!

I have used the faux barn technique and stamped in Versamark on top of the crackles,embossed in white.

2011-02-09T14:56:00.002+01:00

Love is in the air! At Stampotique anyway! This weeks challenge is all about Valentine.

Create a card/project with ANY stamp and get a chance to win that fabulous $30 giftcertificate to buy some of those awesome stamps by Stampotique. Cause,come on, whats not to love about Stampotique stamps?

Stamps used: Eric , Hanging hearts , With Love

2011-02-07T16:17:00.003+01:00

Stampotique is sponsoring this months challenge over at the Altered Alice blog

It is a great blog that features lots of Alice in Wonderland creations, i get lots of great ideas and inspiration looking at some of the wonderful projects i see there.

This months challenge is to create something that features a dressform or that changes form.

I made this card that is a slider card. I used Moth Fab and gave her some really long leggs that will vary in lenght as you slide the card up or down.

This challenge runs for a month so come join us and take a chance to win that fabulous $30 gift certificate!

2011-02-01T16:34:00.002+01:00

I am having lots of fun with one of the latest sheets bij Oxford Impressions

Dressforms and Corsetry

Check out the new website! Its gorgeous!

2011-01-31T20:55:00.003+01:00

Stampotique Originals are sponsoring a sketch challenge on the Card Positioning Systems blog where one lucky winner will be drawn at random to win a grabbag of Stampotique stamps.

here´s the sketch

( i turned the sketch counter clock wise)
I used Gooseneck , hanging hearts and you're special, all by Stampotique.

This card was for my daughter who turned 17 last week.

2011-01-26T11:55:00.003+01:00

Another great challenge at Stampotique. This week Willy challenged us to a color combination of orange and turquoise. A very nice combination. But it so happended to be i did not have any embellishments in those colors..i tried painting some but it just didnt work out that nicely..

Time started to creep up on me and i needed to have a card! So this is one of the quickest cards i ever made but i still like it. I have used that quote before,simply because i like it.Suits all lol!

I hope you can join us for this weeks challenge! Visit the Stampotique designers challenge blog to see lots more great cards for inspiration. Remember,this week it is Stampotique stamps only for a chance on that fabulous $30 gift certificate!

2011-01-23T16:42:00.002+01:00

One of my favorite ways to create a special background is to use gesso. I love to smear,stamp and paint the stuff and use it with any kind of ink. It works great with distressinks but it also gives great results with alcoholinks.

On the Stampotique designers blog i posted a little tutorial on this technique. I hope you will take a look and try this technique for yourself,it is super easy with great results!

And while you are there, please visit the Stampotique design team and give a warm welcome to our new members!

2011-01-12T20:59:00.003+01:00

The first Stampotique designers challenge of the new year is here! This challenge is hosted by Vicky and she is challenging us to use the masking technique. Any type of masking is ok!

On the designers blog is a great tutorial posted for the ones that are new to this technique.

Since i love to use masks in my stamping this one is a challenge to my heart! I used a Heidi Swapp mask ( damask) to sponge over on the background.

This challenge you are welcome to use any stamps you like. Join us at the stampotique designers challenge blog to win that fabulous $30 gift certificate!

Just one entry per person! Additional entries will be deleted to keep it fair!

2011-01-07T13:09:00.002+01:00

I cant believe we are so far in the new year already! I hope you all enjoyed the holidays and i want to wish you a great 2011!

Des bisous partout!

All stamps used on this card are by Stampotique Originals.

There is only a few days left to enter the search for new design team members for Stampotique. For info check the blog! This is a great team to work with,all wonderful people,very talented stampers and of course Jim and Carol are most generous to us!
This is not just for the quirky stampers but Stampotique serves a wide range of stamps, check the website!

2010-12-29T15:53:00.002+01:00

Hope you all had a great Christmas! Ours was very peaceful,almost quiet but we had so much fun being together and enjoying each others company.

These are some of the cards i have sent. All made with the Sleigh Bells collection from Oxford Impressions.

Two very different styles, one clean, neat and simple, the other grungy and colorful. I dont favor one, I love them both.

2010-12-21T23:45:00.002+01:00

A tag in red using Oh My Dear and the funny funny sentiment Couldnt you just pee your pants?

2010-12-19T12:13:00.002+01:00

More tags! I have a bunch waiting for the final touch laying on my desk! A great way to use up those fun goodies that i keep stashing lol!
A piece of rhinestone chain i just could not throw away,a plastic snowflake i knew i could use someday and two thingamabobbies that fell off a white feather christmas wreath.

The background is gesso on grungeboard sprayed with glimmer mist. Noelle is just having a fab time with her giant snowball!

2010-12-16T22:41:00.003+01:00

Suzanne from Oxford Impressions has a great eye on the most wonderful images she puts in het stamp collections! The new winter collection "Sleigh Bells" is again right on the spot!

Beautiful images, wonderful background stamps and great elements! I am having so much fun with these!

2010-12-16T22:37:00.002+01:00

I love making tags, even without having to buy every item in the book! An old flower, a piece of an ornament and some jute, then the great stamps of Stampotique and voila, a cute tag!

2010-12-08T14:21:00.002+01:00

Hi! It feels like ages since i blogged. My computer still does not recognize my camera but via a second computer and my son teaching his mother how to work with USB sticks ( i am still a nit-wit) i can make a post for the Stampotique Designers Challenge!

This week Valerie challenged us to create a card using a die-cut and a punch.
Here in the Netherlands we have had a lot of snow the last couple of days. I love snow! So that inspired me to this card.

I started with a gesso distress background. ( basically stamp/smear/dabble gesso on a card. Let dry. Rub distress ink over card)

I used a die cut from Making Memories. The snowflakes are punched and i used the punched out holes as a mask to make the black snowflakes in the background.

The beautiful glittery flakes are by Stewart Gill ( Byzantia, color Labrynth)
All stamps used are by Stampotique Originals.

Since this is the first challenge of the month you can use stamps from any company and still have a chance to win that fabulous $30 gift certificate to the Stampotique store

2010-11-30T21:40:00.000+01:00

Be back soon, i am having some computer problems..hopefully i will have this fixed soon..sorry..

2010-11-10T20:50:00.003+01:00

This weeks challenge by the Stampotique designers is hosted by Kim Price. She gave us the challenge to create a girly girl themed card.

This challenge is open to all and any stamps,not just Stampotique Originals. If you want a chance to win that fabulous $30 gift certificate,grab your stamps and show us your vision on girly girl cards.

I used tule and a flower to give "Sheer" by Daniel Torrente a very posh outfit. She looks quite the queen doesnt she?

2010-10-31T21:19:00.001+01:00

Happy Halloween!

Close ups will follow. All stamps used are by Oxford Impressions Vintage Halloween sheet.

2010-10-29T10:52:00.004+02:00

This weeks challenge at Stampotique is to create something spooky for the upcoming Fright Night! My favorite holiday of the year is just days away! Yippiee!

I am working on a yummie spooky castle but i have tempted fate and messed with my computer. It wont recognize my camera anymore so i can only take scans of my work in stead of showing you nice pictures,sorry! I will hunt this spook out of my computer soon i hope!

Please check out the creations of the other designers,there is some great spooky stuff on the blog!
http://stampotiquedesignerschallenge.blogspot.com/

Now for the winner of the blogcandy: Audrey is the big winner!!

I want to send two smaller size blogcandy to: Mustavcoffee and Jingle!

Please let me know your addresses and i will send the candy asap!

2010-10-17T13:07:00.002+02:00

Here it is, the give away for one of my followers. I do hope you will like it! It contains of a lot of goodies,vintage and other plus the canvas i made for the Stampotique Christmas in July challenge.

All you have to do is leave a comment! I ship worldwide and will add dutch sweets if the follower that wins happens to be foreign! Good luck!

2010-10-14T22:50:00.002+02:00

Trick or treat!

This weeks challenge at Stampotique Designers is to make a treatcontainer. This can be a box,a bag or even an altered sourcreme cup. Anything you can put candy in.

For this challenge i made a few of these supereasy boxes. You basically make a roll, pinch the sides and you are done,well, then the fun part-that is decorating- starts!

I used different trims and ribbon, black feathers, orange balloon flowers and of course the super cool stamps by Stampotique!

We hope you join us in this challenge and show us your candy containers. Dont forget,you could be the winner of that $30 gift certificate!

Please take a look at the projects of the Stampotique designers, they are so cool!
http://stampotiquedesignerschallenge.blogspot.com/

2010-10-09T12:05:00.003+02:00

Isnt this image amazing? This is Angel Boy. I fell instantly in love with him..

The mica flakes ( Stewart Gill Byzantia guilding chips) i used on top of this card are the perfect embellishment for this card, sharp,beautifully colored chips that i adhered with glossy accents. On clearance at Stampotique Originals!

I have one hundred followers!! I want to do a big give away for one ( or two or maybe even three) of my followers so be on the lookout for my next post!

2010-10-05T19:07:00.001+02:00

Halloween is creeping up on us!Even though the dutch do not celebrate Halloween as a holiday i cant help but love the gloomy,creepy decorations!I want skulls in my front yard, laughing witches hang in my doorway and black spiders creep all over my walls...oh,wait, those are real! eek...need to vacuum!

2010-09-26T17:35:00.001+02:00

I made this tag using the masking technique. For step by step photos visit http://stampotiqueoriginals.blogspot.com/

All stamps used are the newly released images by Stampotique Originals.

Look at those pumpkins, i love them!

2010-09-22T22:52:00.002+02:00

Challenge # 16 is hosted by Milo. She challenged us to create a card with a vintage theme. She is the queen of vintage cards so i wanted to give my best shot. Stampotique carries a wide variety of stamps so i used this awesome image , stamped on glossy photo paper and cut with a photo-edge scissors so it looks just like an old photo.

Plus a little distressink goes a long way!

I used an edge of a photo negative and since i like old stamps i wanted to include one here also.

Come and join us this week for a vintage challenge! Lots of ideas on the blog!
Dont forget,this week is Stampotique Originals only week so to be in the running for the $30 gift certificate ,mind the rules!

Marie-Anne was the first commenter on my last post but i have no way of contacting her so please,Marie-Anne, let me know your adress and i will send the fishies asap. If you do not contact me i will send it to the second commenter.

2010-09-21T20:08:00.002+02:00

This piece is alcoholink on a smooth white chipboard page. I like the alcoholink blending with each other and the fact that is holds on any surface but there has to be more to it,right? Look at all the possibilities distressink has! I am not feeling the whole "whoo.."-thing on these inks..yet..is that just me?

I am not sure what to do with the holes yet,maybe thread a ribbon through them? Maybe just cover them up? Maybe just send this off to the first commenter and let her deal with it,lol!!

2010-09-19T16:43:00.002+02:00

Back to lovely lushious vibrant colors! Here is a triptych ( can you call it that when it is not a painting?) Three ATCs using the Oxford Impressions "The Deep" collection.

I love fishies...

2010-09-08T18:20:00.002+02:00

http://stampotiquedesignerschallenge.blogspot.com/ #15 is all about birthdays.

I dont have any birthdays in the family in september but we are expecting a new cousin so that counts for a birthday too right? :))

This first challenge of september is an all-stamps-go challenge. Use any stamp and show us a birthday themed card/project. There is this awesome prize to win: a $30 dollars giftcertificate! That will come in very handy when you start drooling over all the new stamps that are coming out this month! Check them out here: http://www.stampotique.com/stamp/new-images-910.html

I wanted to show that Stampotique, even though well known for their awesome "weird people" stamps also carries a fantastique line of cute stamps.
How much i do love the grunge and dark look in my work i sometimes need a very pink and very girly project to keep me balanced so to say lol!!

Stamps used: Moon Belly #6039, heart clouds #8558, heart flowers #8553

2010-08-26T17:37:00.003+02:00

New challenge is up at http://stampotiquedesignerschallenge.blogspot.com/ !!

Kaz' niece is turning 16 this month and she is not the glittery shoes and handbags kind of girl so we would like to see a (not so) sweet sixteen card!

This week is for Stampotique stamps only and if you dont own any Stampotique stamps yet ( i cant imagine) please join us the second challenge of the month.

We had over 40 people join us in the last challenge and to celebrate Carol has been so kind to upgrade the prize! As of this week you can win a 30$ !!!!! giftcertificate. 25$ for stamps and 5$ for shipping.

This is my take on the challenge. I asked my 16 and 20 year olds to show me something funny so i could be inspired. They showed me a video of a man that sees a double rainbow and goes all gooey over it lol!!! It is funny! He does sound like he is kinda out of it but since he put the video on Youtube he is famous lol!

Here's the link, i dare you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BRZkupyURw

2010-08-19T21:13:00.002+02:00

I often tell myself i dont need any more ink, embellishments, embossingpowders or stamps but i still want it all lol!! I really didnt think i could like any more distressinks cause the colors are not that different from the ones i already have....well,think again! This red ( barn door) is so yummie bright it is my favorite color to use now. ( i think i might have to get the others too, i am always last to buy..)

I do love different embossingpowders. The ones i used on these cards are by Blonde Moments. They have a beautiful shimmer to them,i used the Red Gold, the purple and the golden glow. I wish you could see these in real,the camera doesnt pick up on them too well..

The lighter images are embossed on glossy paper ( i use simple and cheap photopaper), then i sponged the distress colors and stamped different images with distressinks and at last Stazon ink. Since the Stazon does lift off the color slightly from the photo paper it leaves the image with a sorta white around theedges ( you can see it best with the text on the ATC) I like that effect but if you dont, you must use heavy glossy ( expensive) paper.

And here is the whole bunch. I am so glad school started here in Holland! Leaves me with a little bit more time to myself between work and picking up my little girl. So more time to ink up my stamps!

All stamps used are from the steampunk rubber stamp sheets "Steampunk" and "Steampunk Works" by Oxford Impressions.

2010-08-11T22:01:00.002+02:00

A new challenge is up at http://stampotiquedesignerschallenge.blogspot.com/
Willy put up a fun challenge: Wings!

I love anything with wings!

I made this card with the ever cute Relaxin' ( #6050)
at her feet daisy daisy ( #3002) and the giant shroom ( #3009) in the back.

All colored with watercolors.

Hand drawn wings of mica colored with alcohol inks. I cut the image around the shoulders and tucked the wings behind the back.

A few touches of glossy accents and white gel pen make for nice details.

The text is a rub-on by Rouge de Garance.

Get out your stamps and join us! This week is an all stamps challenge but still with a chance to win a $ 15 gift certificate!

2010-07-28T21:04:00.002+02:00

A new challenge is up at the Stampotique designers challenge blog! This time Kim has our brains wrapped around a sketch. I dont do sketches that well, i feel like someone other than me directed my art lol!! but here is what i made of it. I do love that quote! By Stampotique Originals of course!
Please visit the blog to see all of the designers creations.

I hope you play along with us and create your own masterpiece using Kims sketch! Remember, one random winner will receive a $15 gift certificate for the store and you could have your creation displayed on the blog at the next challenge!

This week Stampotique stamps only! Hope to see your creations soon!

2010-07-26T23:21:00.003+02:00

Whoohoo!!! Oxford Impressions released their second ,again awesome, steampunk rubber stamp collection! You really need to check them out if you so much as like it a little bit or even if you have no clue what steampunk is, go get the stamps!
Look at that mechanic bird! I cant wait to get gears on that lol!

But first i had to make this little shadowbox to show off some treasures. Even though i seem to be the only one around here that thinks rusty stuff are treasures..;))

I highlighted the balloon and the bird with Perfect pearls just to give that little bit of glimmer.

I found the sparkplug cleaning out my grandfathers shed years ago. See,never throw out rusty stuff lol!! The alligator beak is used for wire works mostly on farms , i have no idea why my granddad kept those around but i am glad he did!

*I love steampunk!*

2010-07-25T16:13:00.002+02:00

A collaged card for a friend. I used my favorite walnut ink Moon Shadow mist from Mother Rubber Art Stamps on the background.( this is the Bluebeard Blue violet shade) I mean,come on, nothing beats walnut ink!

A heavy coat of clear gloss on the guy.

All stamps used in the backround are from the Farm Boy sheet by Oxford Impressions. ( love that truck!)

2010-07-21T21:59:00.001+02:00

This little guy is definately my favorite Stampotique stamp at the moment. He made friends with kitty and just wants to say hi!

2010-07-15T22:53:00.002+02:00

Is the weather where you are melting you from the heat? It is time to start thinking about the cooler weather to hopefully come in the next couple of months. Are you ready for the holidays yet? Yeah,me neither!
But lets get an early start on our Christmascards and projects and join us at http://stampotiquedesignerschallenge.blogspot.com/

I created this canvas,or actually it is the back of a canvas to be put on display on a Christmas table. Remember,this weeks challenge any stamps can be used, it is not a Stampotiques only challenge! But it is still nice to be able to win a 15$ giftcertificate! I hope you will join us!

2010-07-13T21:56:00.002+02:00

A sweet little ATC for Lisa. All stamps are by Oxford Impressions' new sheet "Farm Boy".

2010-06-26T22:58:00.002+02:00

A lot of fans around the world are waiting for the premiere of the third Twilight movie. I just had to do something with that! I love the stories but couldnt care less about the movies,sorry! I only watch those because of Rob lol!!

I want to send these cards to a Twilight fan so if you like these, let me know and i will pick two people to send them to!

Just a few more days!

All stamps used are by Stampotique Originals!

2010-06-23T23:06:00.002+02:00

This weeks challenge hosted by Kim Howard at the http://stampotiquedesignerschallenge.blogspot.com/ is all about Freedom. What is your interpretation of freedom? I kept it quite american by printing the stars and stripes on canvas and use it as an actual flag in the background. I used a little silver sentiment to express that waht i think is freedom, is being able to dream.
These cute kids have their dreams and hopes and as long as we are able to keep peace alive,dreams can come true!

I hope you will join us this week with your Stampotique stamps and show us what freedom means to you.Please take a look at the challengeblog and be inspired for a chance to win a $15 Stampotique gift certificate!

2010-06-21T22:34:00.002+02:00

For Sanny..i am way behind on our monthly swap so i d better steam up! ( pun intended lol!)
The bird square s theme was green/trees and a transfer. Now my transfer kind of failed so i ended up with leaving the plastic on the paper. I need to practise more on transfers!

I used metal wire with the steampunk square. It looks better in real.. Theme here was black/white and metal wire.

2010-06-18T09:44:00.002+02:00

This is the cover of my new garden journal. Being new to gardening, i make a lot of mistakes lol! By that i mean planting plants in the shade that really need a sunny spot and then seeing them dying on me and not knowing why..i need to learn a lot!
So i keep the labels of any new plants i buy and put them in this journal. I want to add photos later and keep up with how they are growing ( or not) and blooming ( hopefully).

The cute little planters on the front are stamps by Oxford Impressions, the sheet is called Farm Boy. Arent they the cutest planters?

2010-06-16T22:15:00.004+02:00

I received the most amazing gift from my sweet friend Sue in Australia.http://suejoy.blogspot.com
I have no words to say thank you for this beautiful quilt! She must have spent hours and hours working at this. All fabrics are different,displaying all things australian and the stitching is just amazing! I truly love her for creating this and sending it to me!
I have had many people admiring this quilt since i have had two birthday parties for my kids and thus lots of people coming over.

I wish i could show upclose how amazing this is! Sue, i truly love you for this wonderful gift from the heart! Big big hugs!!

Sue does sell amazing quilts in her new Etsy shop so go and take a look at her blog!

2010-06-09T17:14:00.003+02:00

SDC 9 : What does summer mean to you?

The new challenge at the Stampotique Designers Challenge blog was set by DT member Valerie Wilson.
I did not have to think twice! Summer to me means digging around in my garden! I love planting big plants with pretty flowers, watching new seedlings grow and even trying to figure out where all the weeds keep coming from!
I am new to gardening, i never had a garden until we moved to our new house two years ago. The first spring i started planting anything i liked,watching it grow and bloom during summer but to my horror we had the coldest winter in 30 years and lots of plants died..
This year i want to do better and i have started a garden journal. I keep all the labels of new plants i buy and will keep up with how they hold up during different seasons.

As this is the first Stampotique Designers Challenge of June its the one where you are allowed to use any stamps to create your summer masterpiece with, it doesn't have to be a card by the way, and in doing so stand yourself in with a chance to win $15 worth of rubber (your choice) from Stampotique if your name is chosen in the draw in two weeks time( its a random draw so all stand a chance of winning).

I hope you will join us in this challenge and show us what summer means to you!

2010-06-08T23:08:00.002+02:00

A card for a friend that had to wait to long for a card from me..it is a simple one but i love these three guys together!

I like to keep stamped images clean,not colored, showing every line in the drawing. That does make the ones that are colored pop!
These three of my new favorites are by Stampotique.

2010-05-27T23:29:00.003+02:00

Its challenge time over at the http://stampotiquedesignerschallenge.blogspot.com/ !!
Kim Price is hosting this challenge and challenging us to work with the color purple.
This is the first challenge i will be joining in as a DT member!

I like to use purple with orange, i think this combination is perfect! Makes the colors pop!

I hope you will join us in the challenge!
Remember, Carol at Stampotique is offering a $15 gift certificate to use on rubber over at the shop for a lucky winner drawn at random from those who enter the challenge - the winner will be announced on the challenge blog in two weeks time!

2010-05-25T23:51:00.002+02:00

One more card in my favorite colors with the Steampunk stamps by Oxford Impressions.
And two ATCs for a friend that wanted to know if she could easily use the Steampunk stamps on ATCs . Here's your proof ;)))

2010-05-16T18:47:00.000+02:00

A cute little cake box that i can fill with goodies and give to a friend.

2010-05-14T23:20:00.002+02:00

I have a new blinkie on my blog!!!

Now why should i be so excited about a blinkie? Because it says I DESIGN FOR STAMPOTIQUE!

EEkkkk, yes, i am a new designer for Stampotique Originals! I have loved their stamps for ages so this really is so cool to be part off!

2010-05-11T09:11:00.002+02:00

These wonderful stamps are calling out to be combined in lots of different ways! As always, Suzanne has found the perfect combination of great background images and cool focus point stamps.
So lucky i get the chance to play at my hearts desire!

2010-05-10T23:16:00.003+02:00

Springbreak is over! I am back with full steam and what better way to get in full gear than with the newest awesome collection from Oxford Impressions : STEAMPUNK!!! Yeah baby! I love anything steampunk! I love the inventors style, the crazy mix of past and future.The top hats, the brass, the gears,goggles, you name it!

My first card here with the new collection. More to come, check back tomorrow!

Just to see if you havent abandoned me in the past weeks of silence, i will send the card to one of the commentors on this post,, along with some goodies!

2010-03-08T23:26:00.002+01:00

Published in the latest Somerset Studio!! Whoohoo!!

2010-02-25T21:36:00.002+01:00

Another 4x4" card but this time i attached the card to a wooden base. It is actually a coaster;)
Since i couldnt find something decent to use as a hanger i grabbed the first thing on my desk which happened to be a paintbrush. Oh well, attached it with some wire and voila!

2010-02-23T10:00:00.001+01:00

I love making these 4x4" cards right now. They are the perfect size for most rubberstamps and you can still add lots of cute goodies to it!

2010-02-15T20:23:00.003+01:00

This awesome image came from a free collage sheet from Deborah over at http://bearhavenbears.blogspot.com/

I have a thing for steampunk. I love creative funky altering! I wanted to create something with a steampunk feel to it so i looked around the house for something to alter or even to take apart to harvest cool elements.ifound this very old,brass clock that i altered years ago. I figured,since i dont use it and it sits all pretty on a shelf,noone will notice if i take the insides out lol!

I had all this pretty gear in mind but when i took it apart, all kinds of wheels and springs jumped out! Cool!

So it had to become a 3D collage and i love it! So thanks Deb! I love the image and the others on the collage sheet , i have more parts left to play with so another canvas is in he making!

And that quote is just perfect for me! I need a good kick in the rear at times..lol! I need to hang this where i can see it everyday!

2010-02-12T14:31:00.001+01:00

A 10x10 cm card for my monthly swap with Sanny. Theme was white,inksplatter and music.

2010-02-10T21:39:00.002+01:00

I found these die cut labels in my stash..i thought they would make great valentine labels.

I stamped and embossed the background images. The cute little images were stamped on shrink plastic. I shrinked the plastic with my heatgun,arent the girl and the little cupid cute?

2010-02-09T13:29:00.003+01:00

The new "Bonbon" sheet by Oxford Impressions is again so awesome! So many yummie images! I am always amazed by Suzannes talent to create such lovely stamps for us to play with!

I used a dimensional glaze on the chocolates and used embroidery floss to create a steaming hot cuppa what-ever-you-like. ( i am a tea person myself).

I hope you can see the clear glossy embossed image in the background.

2010-01-26T18:23:00.000+01:00

One more card set in my etsy!

2010-01-26T13:42:00.003+01:00

A little splatter of ink,some gold leaf and an older line of Oxford Impressions stamps.

Quote stamps are by SeeD's

I am creating sets of these cards and putting them in my Etsy shop. Please take a look and know that i am always up for special requests in images or quotes!

2010-01-21T07:41:00.003+01:00

As quick and easy as these cards are, they are not "me"... i need ink,paint and glue on my fingers! I need to get messy! So i'd better get on it and whip out the stuff i had to put away for the holidays..and get my fingers dirty!

2010-01-20T13:28:00.000+01:00

And more easy peasy wallpaper backgrounds!

2010-01-19T17:59:00.003+01:00

It has been a while since i posted..january is the busiest month of the year for me. Not only the aftermath of the holidays but also my daughter's and my own birthday all cramped into three weeks of celebrating and cleaning,..ohh the cleaning! lol!

I wanted to make easy and clean styled cards that take no longer than ten minutes to make. I love the cuttlebug backgrounds i see on other peoples blogs! I do not own a Cuttlebug but i do like to collect samples of wallpaper. And there is some lovely wallpaper around!

So here are a few clean and simple cards,all backgrounds made with wallpaper! Hope these give you some fresh ideas!

All stamps used are from different sheets of Oxford Impressions. "best wishes" stamp by Hero Arts.

2009-12-24T16:25:00.002+01:00

Last of the Christmascards..i so love the beautiful stamps of Oxford Impressions and feel so lucky to be part of their team.

I want to wish everyone a very happy Christmas time!

2009-12-22T19:07:00.003+01:00

Christmas is getting so close! My days seem to consist of doing grocery shopping and crossing things of my To Do before Christmas- list..

It doesnt help when for the first time in almost 20 years it has been snowing like crazy! Cars are stuck in the road, it is too slippery to ride a bike so all is done walking and taking our sled to put on heavy groceries lol!

I did manage to make this card for the neighbours. I hope she likes it.

2009-12-17T22:39:00.002+01:00

A quick little card made with one of the chipboard frames Sarah Schwerin sent me..

"Let it snow" is so appropriate right now that there is over 15 centimeters of snow outside! I love snow!

2009-12-10T19:24:00.003+01:00

Cute Christmashanger for in the hallway. I want to frame this later.

Check this out girls ( and guys;) , who does not want to win FREE stamps?

http://blog.oxfordimpressions.com/2009/11/christmas-card-contest.html

There is still time!

2009-12-08T12:35:00.004+01:00

I hope you are ready for a photo overload..I made these three tags and wanted to show one each day but since i am already working on other fun projects i decided to just get it over with and show them all at once lol!

On the first i stamped the cute kids on glossy paper. Masked the kids and stamped the Holly ( thanks guys;)) and the music overlapping.
I sponged the tag with brown distressink before removing the mask.
I colored the Holly with watercolor pencils and added some glitter.
A cute bow and ribbon finishes this tag.

Second tag even easier! Stamp the Holly with Stazon. Stamp background by overlapping with the Epps's cocoa stamp using brown distressink. Stamp the corners with the music stamp and Stazon. Sponge tag with brown distressink. Color Holly with watercolor pencils and add some glitter:) A little dangly jewel adds some chique;)

The third tag i made with this cute little boy stamp. Stamp the boy off center with Stazon and mask him off.Fill in the background using the letter stamp. Sponge the tag with blue and green distressinks. Remove mask. Cut off a corner of a Hambly overlay and attach to tag with embroidery floss. Add a fun embellishment, more glitter at the top and a ribbon.

Done! Hope you like these!

All stamps used are from the Oxford Impressions "Season of Giving" sheet.