Hello Friend

Hi friends, I'm so excited to share that I'm guest designing with MarkerPop today! MarkerPop is a store, based in California, that carries a lot of amazing brands including Mama Elephant, Lawn Fawn, Paper Smooches, Gorjuss, Tim Holtz, and a wide range of coloring mediums. Check out my post and leave a comment there, letting me know what you think of my card. :) 

Here's the card I have for today:

This card is bigger than what I normally work with. The card base is 5x7 and the front piece is slightly smaller. I stamped the girl on the left using My Favorite Things black hybrid ink since it is Copic-friendly. I masked her while I stamped the second girl next to her. I used Copic Sketch markers to color both of them -- I believe these stamps are perfect for practicing my coloring. Once I was satisfied with how they came out, I stamped the frame with VersaMark and heat embossed with black embossing powder. I stamped the sentiment from Mama Elephant's new set Sunday Sentiments inside along the curve of the frame. I finished it off with some gems and beautiful turquoise twine.

For more information on which Copic colors I used, please visit the MarkerPop post for details.

Thanks so much for visiting and leaving some love. I appreciate it! Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend.

Selfies!

This is my second post today for a very special reason. If you're looking for my Butterfly Reflections Ink post, you can go here. One of my crafty friends is celebrating her one-year anniversary of blogging. Debra is such a sweetheart and always super supportive of me in my craft journey. I decided to celebrate along with her by using some Mama Elephant goodies. I created two cards using Photo Bomb, Smile, and Polaroid Fun. 

I stamped the larger group image in Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored with random Copic markers. I die-cut the larger polaroid frame to frame around it. I colored white cardstock with a blue Copic marker and die-cut the word "smile." I took a pattern paper and heat embossed the sentiment "love your selfie" on the bottom. Then I rearranged the photo, frame, and word smile over it. I added some scallop borders using Lawn Fawn's Stitched Scalloped Borders and finished it with a touch of a cute floral washi tape. 

For my second card, I stamped and colored two of the smaller group images and die-cut small polaraoid frames. I colored the frames with Copic markers. I also cut the word bubbles and stamped the words "hi" and "smile" on them. I colored them with the same Copic markers to match the frames. I die-cut two pattern papers and rearranged everything as seen below. I actually decided to add a few of the phrases from the Three Amigos set in the background. I added some floral washi tape as a finishing touch.

Here are the two cards together: 

What do you think?? Isn't this such a fun set?? I colored a few more so I know I can make more cards later. :-)

Thanks so much for visiting, and please congratulate my friend Debra on her Blogiversary!!! Have a great week!

PTI Anniversary Challenge Day 8: Blue Ombre

Papertrey Ink's Day 8 Challenge asked us to create a blue ombre look however we wanted it to be, whether in a sentiment, background, in images, etc. I decided to go with a sky background using different blue distress inks. Colors included Tumbled Glass, Salty Ocean, Stormy Sky, and Chipped Sapphire.

I think it came out gorgeous! I love creating these. I used their Zappy Birthday stamps and dies and Mama Elephant's Tiny Heroes. The beautiful blue sequins around the card can be found at The Ton.

Ohh, would love for you to check out The Ton's first video! Please leave her some love. We are planning a few great things for you in the coming weeks! Thanks so much for all your comments and love. 

Linking this to the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Great and Small

7KidsCollegeFund Challenge: Anything Goes

Love Songs + Winners

As you may already know, I'm busy with school. I squeezed in the time to make some love-you cards. It's such a great feeling when others like your work enough to want to buy it. A huge thank you to those who understand the value of a handmade card and also get me enough to know that I totally undercharge for my cards ❤

This adorable card has already been given away :-) Sometimes I come back to older stamp sets - they don't go out of style for me. 

It wasn't too hard to make. I just want to add in that eventually I have lots of plans for my blog, which includes a whole new domain and look for the site, more detailed entries with step-by-step instructions on how I created my cards, and a weekly series. It's hard right now with school but I hope you stick around long enough to watch where I take my work :-) 

The winner for my personal giveaway has already been contacted. Using random.org, the winner was Barb Macaskill. Congratulations!

The winner for the Blog Hop, Skip and Jump sponsored by The Ton has been announced on their blog. Thanks so much to everyone who participated and shared with friends. We truly appreciate your support! 

Linking this to the following challenge:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: H is for hearts!
7KidsCollegeFund Challenge: Anything Goes
Virginia's View Challenge #12: Shaker Cards

Stars and Heroes + GIVEAWAY

Long post ahead plus giveaway details at the end. Today, I'm sharing cards I created using Mama Elephant's most recent release: Tiny Heroes and Shooting Star. Aren't they adorable? It took me a long time to just color all the characters with Copic markers and finally some cards came together. I still have a lot of the pieces left, which means I can make more cards later! Yay!

I think I struggle most with coloring skin and hair. I did take Copic Markers for Cardmakers by Online Card Classes but didn't get to practice as much yet.

I used distress inks to create these backgrounds.

For the background above, I used Black Soot, Chipped Sapphire, Dusty Concord, and Victorian Velvent.

For this background, I used Squeezed Lemonade, Victorian Velvet, and Shaded Lilac.

My inspiration for all of these cards came from the recent Mama Elephant stampede/release from their design team. So much fun!! These are the cards I created with Tiny Heroes:

I added sequins that matched the gorgeous backgrounds. I will link to all the colors below. 

And here are the cards I created using Shooting Star stamp set. 

I love the contrast of the background for this one. 

Aren't those sequin colors gorgeous?!? I love how they match the background and the girl's dress.

Yes, I decided to go with pink clouds. They came out so cute. Love, love love! 

Everything goes with black. This soft pink is out of this world!!!

Ohmagawd, even I'm amazed at how this background came out. I added Hero Arts Unicorn White Ink Spray and MFT Mix-Ables Sheer Shimmer Mist to add more pop. What do you think?? 

She's like me - just sitting in the clouds, lost in thought. ;-) I know, I know. Generally, people make and post one card. I don't even get to take pictures of all the cards I create, but February will be an extremely busy month for me so I'm getting as many done now as I can while I have my creativity in full mode. 

All the sequins I used were from The Ton. They carry A LOT of colors so do check them out! Sequins are available in 4mm-10mm and mix sized packages as well. Colors I used included: Matte Gold, My Tutu, Bermuda Blue, Light Amethyst, Light Plum, Pixie Pink, and Yellow Belly. More will be coming to the site soon. Be sure to check in on Monday for our small blog hop and another giveaway sponsored by The Ton. 

They have exclusive mixes in stock as well. The Gala Invitation Couture Mix: 

The Evening Shoot Couture Mix: 

Check out my design team posts from earlier this week, featuring Shoes Wardrobe, Sketchy Menagerie, and planner set Scheduled! I'll be featuring Round Diamonds and Vintage Frames on Monday. :-) 

Now for the best part. As promised, here's my giveaway in celebration of six months of papercrafting!!! I really appreciate all the new followers, your love and support, all the encouragement, and overall warmth of the crafting community. You're ALL rockstars. Thank you for everything. I LOVE all the comments. Wink, wink. :-)

Here's the prize package:

I will add in an assortment of embellishments and other goodies plus a card by yours truly! Only U.S. residents are eligible since I cannot afford international shipping right now, but I still appreciate you all! In order to be eligible to win: 

» 1. Leave a comment on this blog post «
» 2. Share this post on Facebook and leave a comment below that you shared «
» 3. Tweet about this post on Twitter and leave a comment below that you shared «
» 4. Repost my IG post about this entry on Instagram and tag me @rubznaz «
» 5. Subscribe to my blog and leave a comment below that you subscribed « (or that you already are subscribed - but let me know if it's by e-mail, Bloglovin' or Blogger)

Each action qualifies for one entry, max 5 entries per person! You will have until Wednesday, February 4 11:59 p.m. and winner will be announced by Friday, February 6. Good luck to everyone and thank you for visiting! ♥

Linking to the following challenge:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Up in the Clouds
The Card Concept: Challenge #27 Love (mixed media)

I Like You

I am just super thankful for all the blessings in my life. Personally, there's always something going on inside someone who's got a Type A personality. At least for me, chaos is distressful, but knowing that there are people who not only tolerate me but actually enjoy my company is blissful. There are people who look out for me, who take care of my needs when I am unable to (since I'm currently an unemployed grad student), and who support what I choose to do with my life. They like me as I am, and when I saw this sentiment from Mama Elephant's Purrfect Pair, I knew I had to have it. I like many people the way they are, too. ;-) Isn't it amazing being able to tell someone that...with cute cards like this one? The stamped borders are from Waffle Flower Crafts' Pattern Play. I LOVE them. 

P.S. I'll be sharing personal thoughts on my posts sometimes, but I hope that you stay subscribed. Your comments totally make my day. Sometimes I screenshot them and share them excitedly with my besties! :-) I have a giveaway on my Instagram right now until midnight this Thursday: spread the word! I will be posting my blog giveaway by the end of this week. Thanks for being patient. 

P.P.S If you're interested in purchasing any of my cards, you can make a request! I just need a few weeks' advance notice. :-) 

Linking to the following challenges: 
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Have a Heart
7KidsCollegeFund Challenge: Anything Goes
Papercrafting Challenge: Magazine Mondays #84 (floating hearts)
The Card Concept: Challenge #27 Love (clean and layered)
Time Out Challenge #23 Valentine's Day

More Cards from the Heart

I'm back with another set of cards for the Cards from the Heart Card Drive, using Mama Elephant's Honey Bunny set and coloring backgrounds with distress inks.

I love the color combination for this card and decided to use some of my patterned paper instead of another blended background (seriously, I need to use all my paper lol). 

I decided to try different color combinations for some of the other cards. They're quite simple to make! 

I hope you're feeling inspired! I have more to come this week. :-) 

Linking to the following challenges: 
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Have a Heart
7KidsCollegeFund Challenge: Anything Goes
Time Out Challenge #23 Valentine's Day

Cards from the Heart

Hi friends, thanks for being patient with me as I get adjusted to my new and last semester. Now that I have all the syllabi, I'm naturally stressed about the next four months, but I am happy that I got to squeeze in some crafting (after a painful creative block). Anyone else feel guilty about hoarding--I mean owning new products and hardly getting to use them? Yes, I felt that immense guilt for quite some time...so what I like to do is make a bunch of cards and then make someone's day with them! I would like to think that somewhat evens the balance, lol.

Anyway, I love discovering causes and being able to partake in them. Recently, I found out about the Cards from the Heart Card Drive, where Valentine's Day cards are given to children in hospitals. All the rules and deadline information is on the website if you're interested in participating as well--hurry, it's ending this week!

I was inspired by the subtle colors of this photo from Taheerah's blog:

Her inspiration pictures are always so beautiful! Have you seen her work? It's STUNNING. She has a style that's bold and breathtaking! Please check out her blog and take part in her weekly Monday challenges. This month is sponsored by Winnie & Walter (who are celebrating their first birthday this WHOLE month with incredible challenges and giveaways of their own!) 

This is a set of cards I made using Mama Elephant sets Purrfect Pair and Love Quotes, MFT Die-namics Love & Adore You, and MFT Die-namics Straight to My Heart. I stamped, colored and die cut everything first because my creativity wasn't exactly flowing. Eventually, this is the card sketch I decided to go with and ended up finally using some doilies I had sitting around! What do you think? They look adorable!

Linking to the following challenges: 
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Have a Heart
7KidsCollegeFund Challenge: Anything Goes
Craft Stamper: Take It Make it Challenge
Time Out Challenge #23 Valentine's Day

So Happy for You

Here's a card I made using Mama Elephant's Carnival Cupcakes for a friend who just had a baby boy! 

Linking to the following challenge: 
7KidsCollegeFund Challenge: Anything Goes