Party Animal

Hi friends!
I made a cute little card for some challenges... Less Is More wants you to choose an old challenge and I chose week 12, Off Centre. I quite like Off Centre CAS cards and really enjoyed looking through the old collection at Less Is More. CASology calls for party cards and that puppy is certainly partying -he has a glittery hat and all! :) Finally, Some Odd Girl Challenge asks for self made background -mine is very CAS but it's however hand stamped! :)

I had a lot of fun coloring this cutie from Some Odd Girl with warm grey copics -I added some extra shading with a black Inktense pencil too. I wanted to have a bit more color to the card so I stamped arrows from Chevron and Arrows by STAMPlorations, I'm very happy to be part of the STAMPlorations DT and STAMPlorations is actually sponsoring CASology this week, yay! Our DT Call is still running for a couple of days so if you haven't entered yet but would want to, click here for details!

Thanks for popping by!

One More Card Influenced by the Orient

Hi friends!
One could mistake me for being Japanese after all the Asian influenced cards in my blog this week but no, I'm still Finnish! :) I saw Vicki using this background in one of her latest cards and I had to give it a go -you'll find the tutorial here. I think this is such a cool way to use stamp sets -so often the smaller stamps are neglected but in this technique you can easily show off all the stamps in the set of your choice. I've used Distress Inks in my sponging and the actual stamping is done with Emerald Green Adirondack Ink. I added blue as my accent color because the card was starting to be a bit overly green! :) Thanks for popping by!

I'd like to enter:
http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ Free and Easy -Anything Goes

Trees and Mountains

Hello friends!
I've been enjoying the Holidays and just being home with hubby, relaxing and crafting! This is a card I ended up giving to my husband because he liked it a lot -he said it reminds him of woods somewhere in Asia where the leafy trees are surrounded by mountains... I think I accidentally created a scene from the land of the rising sun! :) I hope you have all had wonderful times during Holidays and you have been able to craft and chill out. We all need it!

I created the scene by stamping with Tree Silhouette Stamps by STAMPlorations and using die cuts from Crimson Clouds as masks, I've received the die cuts as a prize from a card making challenge already a while ago. My card is highly influence by Heather Telford who I think is the queen of creating beautiful sponged and stamped scenes. If you don't know her blog, do check it out, her cards are very artistic and inspiring.

I masked the mountains, the "snowy trees" and the sun first and after that was all sponged, I stamped my trees using only one green ink but "many generations" of inking. This is my first attempt on creating a scene like this and I loved making it -the version that made it to the card is maybe my 4th or 5th attempt, I learned a lot on the way. I sponged with Distress Inks and stamped with Memento. I'd love to get some feedback on how to make a scene like this even more realistic -I think the size of the sun is a bit out of proportion and the sponged snowy trees furthest away are also a bit too big -but I thought they could be interpreted as very sharp mountain tops as well. :)

I'd like to enter:
http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.fi/ Free and Easy - Anything Goes

I hope you liked my scenic card! Thanks for popping by!

From Christmas to Oriental Spring!

Hi guys!
After all the Christmas cards I took a leap and jumped right into spring and colors of the sun! The fun sketch at Retro Sketches inspired me on how to use this beautiful stamp from Pink Cat Studios. Isn't she beautiful? I colored her with Copics and added golden Stickles for her outfit -you can see the glittery effect quite well in the close-up photo. I have new blending card called "Make It Colour" and it was a dream to work with, I can't wait to color in again!

Happy Holidays, everyone! I'm enjoying the freedom after the very busy time I've had for last two months and have now been crafting a lot. There's some X mas cards that I haven't posted yet too so those will be up some day soon. Now I was just too eager to show this lovely Geisha to you... :)

Have a very Merry Christmas!

I'd like to enter:
http://retrosketches.blogspot.co.uk/ Sketch
http://sparklensprinklecreativechallenges.blogspot.fi/ Anything Goes with Glitter

Winners of my Christmas Challenges!

Hello dear blogging friends,

Christmas is here and that means it's time to announce the winners of my Christmas Card Challenges! There was a fantastic amount of entries: 116 entries in total! So, let's see who are the two lucky crafters that will receive It's All About You stamp sets by STAMPlorations! Mr Random.Org selected the winners and they are

#15 Asha

and

#9 Karen P

Congratulations ladies! Please contact me at korttikarkuri @ gmail. com  (without the spaces) with your address information.

Now it's time to wish very Merry Christmas to all of you! Thank you for the fun card making company this year. Let's continue to have crafty fun 2014!

Anything Goes at Inkspirational Challenges!

Hi friends!
Christmas is getting closer and closer... Many of us are lucky to have some free time during the Holidays and in the end of December -a perfect opportunity to craft something you love for the currant Anything Goes Challenge at Inkspirational Challenges! In making of my DT card I followed a tutorial by Shery, one of the coolest crafters in blogland! Click here for her tutorial for mixed media. I've used Trendy Feathers by STAMPlorations, tiny scripture stamp by Prima + Asian influenced stamps from a Pink Cat Studio set. I decoupaged a doily I had stained with mists but the other embellies are attached "normally" -when decoupaging my doily I remembered why I don't use that medium too much -so messy! :) The color of the doily is more muted in real life than in the photo -it's maybe the shine of the mists and decoupage medium that makes it look all yellow in the photo :) However, I quite like the look of this card and I want to try this kind of backgrounds in CAS cards too. Do check out Shery's tutorial for the instructions on how to make this kind of background!

I hope you'll now head on over to the Inkspirational challenge blog to see all the beautiful DT makes. You'll find all the challenge details there too. I'll look forward to visiting your blogs. Happy crafting!

New Release at Sami Stamps!

Hi guys!
The wonderful Sami is having the last release for 2013 at Sami Stamps. As you see, the release is SO cute, I bet you can't resist those owls! I had super fun making this card -first coloring the image and then stamping some snowflakes to embellish the card. I added a ribbon and some gems too -I must say I quite like how this turned out!

Unfortunately, this will be my last DT make for Sami Stamps -at least for now. I've really enjoyed working with Sami's images and I've learned a lot about both working with digis and about coloring. I want to thank Sami for the opportunity to be in her DT and also wish her and the DT girls a very Merry Christmas and all the best in the future! I know I'll be having an eye on Sami Stamps blog so this is not a goodbye. Thanks for popping by and have a lovely weekend preparing for the Holidays!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:
http://www.charismacardz.blogspot.fi/ Anything Goes
http://alwaysplayingwithpaper.blogspot.fi/2013/12/merry-monday-88-use-animal-on-your.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+AlwaysPlayingWithPaper+(Always+Playing+with+Paper) Use an animal on Christmas card
http://www.sarahhurleychallenges.blogspot.fi/ Create your own background

Anything Goes at Addicted to Stamps and More!

Hi friends in blogland!
Our challenge this week at Addicted to Stamps and More is perfect for everyone -it's the ever so popular Anything Goes. We have DeeDee's Digis as our sponsor again and I had a lot of fun making this card with their adorable Pocket Pal Kitten image -I've used it before too, here. After coloring the image with Copics I stamped some snowflakes to it and heat embossed with white powder -I embossed bigger sized snowflakes to the white card behind the image too. This is another Christmas card... But I'm soon finished with them!

I hope you'll now head on over to ATSM Challenge Blog for the rest of the fab DT makes and for all the challenge details. We expect a great turnout once again and will enjoy visiting your blogs as always! Happy crafting!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

http://casology.blogspot.fi/2013/12/week-75-knit.html I know this card isn't the CASest of CAS cards... But I couldn't help myself for adding the card to the linky since the pocket looks like it's from a knitten Norwegian pullover! :)

http://cas-ualfridays.blogspot.fi/2013/12/cfc123.html Let It Snow. Please remove my card if it's not CAS enough! :)

http://alwaysplayingwithpaper.blogspot.fi/2013/12/merry-monday-88-use-animal-on-your.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+AlwaysPlayingWithPaper+(Always+Playing+with+Paper) Use an animal in Christmas card

http://www.lovesrubberstampschallenges.com/ Anything Goes

http://toptiptuesday.blogspot.fi/ Snowflakes

Thank You Loll!

Hi friends!
Sorry for not being around much lately -I was visiting family in Southern Finland and I also needed some rest -I've been working like a crazy girl the last weeks but now I'm fine and enjoying crafting again, yay!

These two cards feature die cut poinsettias I got as a birthday present from lovely Loll and boy did they make pretty cards fast! Thank you so much Loll for this beautiful gift! In my first card I also used Distressed Floral Swirls by STAMPlorations + I used Finnish sentiment stamps in both of the cards too.

Thanks for popping by and have a great week!

Photo Inspiration at Inkspirational!

Looking for House of Cards Blog Hop? Click here!

Hi there!
Thank you all who joined the Anything Goes Challenge we've had at Inkspirational for the last two weeks! Today is time for a new theme and it is to use the photo above as your inspiration. There's great variety in the DT projects so if you need more inspiration, head on over to the challenge blog. You have two weeks for creating your projects -if you make something as simple as I did, it only takes 30 minutes! ;) I simply colored in a new stamp I just bought (Stamping Bella) and added it to the card base that I had covered with fun patterned paper. Now that I look at my card, I might like white card base better but while I was creating the card around 2 am the other night, my judgement wasn't as it's best! :) I love this cute image however and I think it works well for CAS. My sources for inspiration are the very obvious ones: the bird and the red-green color combo. What will you come up with? Happy crafting and thanks for popping by!

Stamps and Silhouettes at Stamplorations!

Click here for House of Cards blog hop!

Hi guys!
Many exciting things are happening at STAMPlorations... First of all, we are moving to blogger and the new blog is found here. We also have a new monthly challenge for you: this time it's to use stamps and silhouettes! You do not have to use STAMPlorations Stamps but we naturally love to see them used. All styles and all projects are welcome as long as you've stamping and silhouettes in your make!

In my DT card I've used the new Trendy Feathers stamp set. I've stamped them on glossy card that I've stained with alcohol inks. I added a thin strip of shiny patterned paper, a ribbon and a piece of string for interest. The stamped card was originally just a test piece but since it turned out pretty it became "official" and made it's way to my card. :)

On to more exciting news... From the November DT Call Challenge 5 talented ladies were chosen to join the STAMPlorations design team. Find out who they are here! If you missed the November Call, no problems -Shery, STAMPlorations owner, is continuing with the call now in December! There's information about the DT Call here and in the December Challenge post.

Still a final piece of news to share... There's a sale in STAMPlorations shop, all the Vignette Series and Holiday stamps are 15% off until December 13. Head on over to the shop and grab your favorites.

So, now I hope you'll take out your silhouette stamps and get creating! It will be fun to visit your blogs again. Happy crafting!

Christmas Joy at Sami Stamps!

Looking for House of Cards blog hop? Click here!

Hello friends,
it's a release day at Sami Stamps and since it's also the first Friday of the month, we are starting a new challenge! The theme is to use a Sami Stamps image and add some red and green. If you are new to Sami Stamps, check out the shop -there's plenty of freebies too. We are having a very special month since some guest designers are joining us -head on over to Sami Stamps blog to see who the talented guests are and what the rest of the DT has created with the new images! Play along in our challenge for a chance to be chosen as a guest DT member or winning Sami's digis... We love to see what you create!

My simple card features one of the new Christmas Joy digis. I've colored the image with Copics and added some green Stickles to the tree too. The image is pretty large so I didn't want to clutter the card too much. My card base is 5 x 7.

That's all from me for now. Thanks for popping by!

CAS at Addicted to Stamps and More!

Looking for House of Cards Blog Hop? Click here!

Hi guys!
Time for another challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More -we have our Addicted to CAS week! My card is as simple as it gets: I've colored in a cute image from our sponsor DigiDarlas, mounted it on black card and attached it to the card base. I stamped the sentiment, rounded one corner and voila -my card was done! I did use some time coloring in the image with my Copics though, it's done with warm greys and B24, B26, B37 and B39. I quite like this rich blue.

I hope you'll now head on over to the challenge blog and see what the rest of the DT made! The ATSM ladies are really skilled CAS makers so you won't be disappointed. You'll find all the challenge details in the challenge blog too.

Before I go I want to apologize for being around very little lately, I've had crazy busy time and haven't been able to visit you all. I have done some blog browsing but my commenting has been lousy, I've been too exhausted to type! :) Thank you all who have left me lovely comments nevertheless. Happy crafting everyone!

Blog Hop at House of Cards!

Welcome to the House of Cards Term One Blog Hop! If you've come here from Gale's blog, you are in the right place! If you've just stumbled here and would like to participate, please hop over to House of Cards challenge blog to get started! To participate in HOC Term One Blog Hop & Challenge, you'll need to create a card based on our beautiful inspiration photo above + visit all the HOC DT blogs on the list you'll find in the challenge blog. We've got some fabulous sponsors that are providing prizes, so make sure to leave comments at each stop for a chance to win! One of the sponsors is Sami Stamps and I've used one of Sami's brand new Christmas images in my card.  I chose the holiday image because of our festive inspiration photo and the background paper is also very inspired by the photo. My coloring is done with Copics.

Thanks for stopping by and please join in the fun of our hop and make your way over to Tammy's blog! You have until 15th of December to complete the hop. Happy hopping!

New Release at Sami Stamps: Christmas Paws and Christmas Ornaments!

Hi guys!
Here's my card with one of the new images from Sami Stamps Christmas Release. My coloring is done with Copics and I added some of my favorite embellies to this simple card. Aren't these digis just adorable? With the new baubles digis you can create very elegant cards too -head on over to Sami Stamps blog for amazing DT inspiration! This is a very short post from me since I'm very soon late from work so I'd better get going! Have a great weekend everyone!

Holiday Theme at Addicted to Stamps and More!

Hello friends!
Our theme this week at Addicted to Stamps and More is very currant -holiday cards- we are all making them now, aren't we? I had fun playing with an image from DeeDee's Digis, our new sponsor. Pocket Pal Kitten is not a Christmas image but she (I think it's a she!) sure is in a holiday card now -Hyvää Joulua means Merry Christmas. I colored the cute kitten with Copics and paper pieced the pocket. I've added white dots with gel pen to the pocket and to the banners. My card is quite CAS so I'm entering our sister challenge blog Addicted to CAS, their challenge code word this fortnight is Pet. I hope you'll now head on over to ATSM challenge blog for more DT inspiration and all the challenge details. Happy crafting!

I'd also like to enter:
http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.fi/ Clean and Simple
http://dreamvalleychallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ Clean and Simple

Owl Christmas

Hi!
Here's my card for this week's Less is More Challenge: Christmas card with birds. I colored the cute cute cute owl from Willow Designs in with Copics -unfortunately this stamp company does not exist anymore. It's also unfortunate that the photo does no justice to the colors of the card: the weather is very gloomy in here and although I took the photo outside in a place with most light (what light?!?) this is the outcome. :( You'll just have to take my word for it that Walter the owl has beautiful aqua, turquoise and mint green tones in his hat! edit: you are looking at the second photo of the card now, the colors are a tiny bit better! :)

I'd also like to enter my card to:
http://www.withoutwordschallenge.blogspot.fi/ Getting ready for Christmas
http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.fi/ Clean and Simple

Thanks for popping by, have a great week!

Anything Goes at Inkspirational Challenges!

Hi guys!
It's everyone's favorite at Inkspirational Challenges -anything goes! I chose to make a pretty CAS design with Stamplorations set Chevron and Arrows. My color inspiration comes from CAS Colours and Sketches - a very fun blog I should visit more often! I also started with a sketch from Cardabilities but this is like a super simplified version of that sketch! :)  When I look at my card I immediately think of of American Indians -do you have the same association? It must be something to do with the colors and those arrows! Anyways, head on over to our challenge blog to see what the rest of our DT created for your Anything Goes Inspiration and do join us! Happy crafting!

I'd like to enter:
http://www.4craftychicks.blogspot.fi/ Anything Goes
http://4kraftygirlzchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything Goes
http://fabnfunkychallenges.blogspot.fi/ Anything Goes
http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.fi/ Anything Goes
http://brownsugarchallenge.blogspot.fi/ Anything Goes
http://cascoloursandsketches.blogspot.co.uk/ Colours

Stamps and Sequins at Stamplorations

Hi guys,
it's time to remind you of our currant challenge and DT Call at Stamplorations Challenge Blog! Our theme is "Stamps and Sequins". We are having fantastic entries already but we can't wait to see more so grab your stamps and sequins -all styles and all projects are welcome! The challenge and the DT Call both run until the end of November -click here for the challenge post and all the details.

In my card I've used one of the new Vignette stamps sets, Chevron and Arrows. I had a lot of fun stamping the pattern with various Memento Inks: I overlapped the colors so I even created some new shades myself! I love these retroish colors and the golden sequins of this card and the chevron pattern is so versatile, I can't wait to use it again! There's 9 new stamp sets in the Vignette series and there's still 2 days time to buy them with 25 % discount so head on over to the Stamplorations Shop!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:
http://www.vostamps.blogspot.fi/ CAS with fall theme (colors)
http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.fi/ Anything Goes
http://craft-deebowz.blogspot.fi/2013/11/november-challenge.html Anything goes wit handmade bow
http://www.ttcrd.blogspot.fi/ Anything Goes

Thanks for popping by!

CAS With Designer Paper

Hi friends!
I was very inspired by the currant challenge at Less Is More, "use designer paper in a CAS way".  I have tons of beautiful designer paper and I also love CAS so it's great to combine those two loves of mine!  In my first card I used designer paper as a frame and in the second card it plays the main role. The first card is very sparkly and shiny -the deer is a wooden embellishment that I covered with silver glitter which (attached with sticky embossing powder). Both cards are for Christmas with a Finnish sentiment "Hyvää Joulua" -Merry Christmas.

I'd like to enter the card above also for  http://dreamvalleychallenges.blogspot.fi/: Clean and Simple and http://craftycalendarchallenge.blogspot.fi/: All things Christmas.

I hope you liked these, thanks for popping by!

Make Your Mark at Addicted to Stamps and More!

Hi guys!
Time for a new challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More! We have a "Make Your Mark"-week: Use markers or other coloring medium in your project. Our fabulous sponsor is Fresh Squeezed Stamps and I used their Everyday Expressions stamp set in creating my card. I stamped the images with different colored Memento inks (with help of masking) and then colored most of the flowers with Copics -the pink solid ones are only stamped. I left the leaves without coloring because I thought it looked fun: a combo of colored outline images, some non-colored outline images and solid stamped images. :) What will you create? Head on over to our challenge blog to see what my teamies made and then...Happy crafting!

Happy Birthday!

Hi everyone!
Here's a card I made for a dear work colleague who is also a good friend of mine. He is dog lover so I chose this Dog Song digi stamp from Whimsy Stamps as focal point and colored him with warm grey Copics 1,3,5 and 7. The background is done by heat embossing -I used a stencil to create it. I didn't embellish much because this was for a guy. I must tell you I was super nervous about this card but my friend loved it and I got many compliments from the guests in his birthday party. Yay! :) Thanks for popping by and have relaxing Sunday!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:
http://movingalongwiththetimes.blogspot.co.uk Furry friends
http://seizethebirthday.blogspot.fi/ Texture with Birthday - my texture is embossing
http://thesisterhoodofcrafters.blogspot.co.uk Embossing
http://pinspirationalchallenges.blogspot.ca Inspiration picture: greys and cute animal friends!
http://sisteractcardchallenge.blogspot.com Anything Goes
http://www.ttcrd.blogspot.co.uk Anything Goes
http://4kraftygirlzchallenges.blogspot.co.uk Anything Goes
http://digisketchchallenge.blogspot.fi/ All for the Animals
http://blog.markerpop.com/2013/11/04/markerpop-challenge-34/ Anything Goes
http://thedynamicduoschallenge.blogspot.fi/2013/11/dd79-black-tie-week-black-and-light.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+DynamicDuos+(Dynamic+Duos) Color

Birthday Animals at Sami Stamps!

Hi guys!
Yesterday was a release day at Sami Stamps and I'm sure you'll agree Sami's new Birthday Animals are hilarious! The blog is filled with DT inspiration so head on over there. While you are there browsing, don't forget to check out our November challenge CAS with Sami Stamps image.

My card is inspired by this card by Kristina Werner. I've seen her use narrow strips of patterned papers and tag-type of focal points in her cards several times -I love watching her youtube channel. I made some coloring boo boos with my frog (I couldn't decide where my shades were and I ended up shading here and there -did not work!) and ended up covering the whole poor guy with Stickles. He looks quite funny in real life but rather hidious in the photo I think! I really liked the tag I created but the card does look a bit bland -I think I should have done something for the background but this time that was the best I came up with.

Enjoy your weekend and thanks for popping by!

Challenge Reminder: Use Your Scarps/ Old Stash for Christmas Cards!

Hello dear friends in blogland! It's time to remind you of my second Christmas card challenge Use Scraps/ Old Stash for Christmas Cards! It's always tempting to use only the brand new stuff that we own but it it gives great pleasure to get rid of some old papers, bits and pieces! Here's some inspiration for you... First my own scraps card and then cards from my fantastic blogging buddies who have agreed to be in my Christmas Card DT. This was their final " DT responsibility" and I want to thank them very very much! I hope you'll visit the girls and leave them some love. :)

I used punched squares to form a quilted background. I've made many cards with this kind of backgrounds and I always love them -it's very fun to play with those little squares and figure out what order looks the best! None of these papers are Christmas papers which I also thought was fun. I also used a die-cut I've got as a gift -I have some of them and always forget to use them although they are just lovely! I'd like to enter this card to ABC Christmas Challenge (Winter Wishes),  Crafting By Designs (AG with Christmas twist) andHandmade Harbour (Christmas is coming)  Crafts-Too Challenge (Vintage with many colors). Now onto the DT makes!

Loll

Milla

Sandie

(using sponsor stamp for sentiment)

Shery

(using sponsor stamps)

As you see, Sandie and Shery used fab stamps from our sponsor Stamplorations. There has just been a new stamp release at Stamplorations and the new Vignette series is amazing -do check out those stamps! I'll choose my challenge winner on Christmas Eve with random.org and the winner will receive a Stamplorations set called It's All About You. 

Don't forget my first challenge either: in that challenge we would like to see your Christmas cards with stamping, here. Now I'll just sit back and see how fab cards you'll link to my challenges! ;) Happy crafting! 

Anything Goes at Addicted to Stamps and More!

Hi friends!
Our challenge this week at Addicted to Stamps and More is everyone's favorite: Anything Goes! I chose to make a very straightforward card with colored in image and cute patterned papers -the sentiment is Finnish and means "For Mum". The only embellishments in my card are the little pearls in the flowers that the sweet boy is holding -I was almost adding some paper flowers but hubby thought the card looked more fresh and young without them and after he said that, I totally agreed!

My image is by Sami Siemers Ratliff from Sami Stamps. Sami Stamps Shop is full of beautiful digi stamps and Sami releases new images every second week. She also has a Freebies page that she updates regularly -it's worth keeping an eye on that space. :) Sami is sponsoring this Anything Goes challenge at ATSM, thank you Sami!

I hope you'll now visit  ATSM challenge blog for more DT inspiration and all the challenge details. Happy crafting!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:
http://cuttinandstampinchallenges.blogspot.fi/ Anything goes with family
http://www.cardsbyladyanne.com/lady-annes-challenge.html More than one layer
http://lovetoscrapchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes
http://blog.markerpop.com/ Anything goes (I've used Copics)