Introducing… Daffodils!

It’s Day 3 of our April clear stamp release for Power Poppy and today its all about the Narcissus or as we more commonly call them, Daffodils!

This stamp set includes two glorious images including the huge bouquet of multiple Daffodil blooms and some Grape Hyacinths tucked in between them. Simply a stunner of a stamp!  You’ll also find six wonderfully useful sentiments written in kinds of delicious fonts. This will be stamp you will use a LOT!

As an artist, I sometimes do a little online research to determine the actual colour of some of the plant and animal life I colour, especially if I want a more realistic looking end result.  So when I did a quick search for Daffodils, I came across an extremely WIDE array not only of different coloured Daffodil blooms but also different petals shapes, different layered and frilly petals and everything in between.  The floral industry has certain bred some cool and vibrant varieties of these blooms… and so the sky’s the limit as to how you can colour this glorious Daffodil stamp set!  

I really wanted to keep the bouquet the focal point of card so I played the rest of the card quite simple.  I used some vivid blue Copics to create my air brushed back ground and then coloured in my stamped bouquet using my Derwent Pencils.  I’m pretty new at using pencils to colour with so it was a fun experiment to colour in this bouquet for you guys!

Here’s a little close up of Marcy’s gorgeously happy bouquet for you again…

I wanted the ribbon to appear somewhat sheer so I added some strokes of green to mimic the stems of the flowers peeking through the ribbon.

Now… off you go on a little adventure through the remainder of the lovely and talented Bloom Brigade designer blogs...


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


Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you enjoy all the happy Daffodil creations today.  Happy hopping!

~ Ally ~


Sponsored by:  Power Poppy

Supplies:
stamps: Power Poppy (Daffodils)
cardstock:  Recollections 110lb White Cardstock, X-Press It White Cardstock, Stampin’ Up! (Calypso Coral), Vellum
ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black), Stampin’ Up! (Crisp Cantaloupe), Copic Markers, Derwent Pencils, ColorBox (Frost White)
dies:  Spellbinders (Elegant Ovals, Fancy Lattice), Simon Says Stamp! (Stitched Rectangles), My Favorite Things (Stitched Ovals).

Introducing… Simply Camellias!

It’s Day 2 of our three day journey here at Power Poppy! Today we are revealing another gorgeous botanical beaut… introducing… Simply Camellias!

Today’s clear stamp will thrill and delight you.  There are 3 stunning Camellia images along with five more very useful sentiments.

I started off with the beautiful “Yesterday” paper collection from Carta Bella which has a kind of vintage feel to it.  So I die cut the curvy edges, layered them and added some machine stitching.  Then I added a few die cut banners.

To complete my card, I created a paper pieced Camellia bloom using some thick Olba Glue.  I love the dimension this flower has on my card…

Don't forget about checking out our 1st Birthday Bash!  We're giving away a $100 gift certificate to one lucky winner.  Click HERE to learn more on how you can win this amazing prize!!!


Take a gander at what the remainder of the fabulous Bloom Brigade designer blogs...

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

Thanks for stopping by today!  Stay tuned for tomorrow when we reveal our final clear stamp set.  All stamp sets go on sale on April 1st in the Power Poppy Shop! Happy hopping!

~ Ally ~

Sponsored by:  Power Poppy
 
Supplies:
stamps: Power Poppy (Simply Camellias)
cardstock:  Stampin’ Up! (Crumb Cake), Recollections Black Cardstock, vellum
ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black)
adhesive:  Olba Glue
other:  thread.

Introducing… Lilac Time!

It's Day 1 of our new clear stamp reveal for Power Poppy and this month is going to be fun!  We have a full garden awaiting you and your stamping projects.  You’ll want to ensure that you add each of the new 3 stamp sets to your collection of blooming beauties right away.

Without further adieu… introducing Lilac Time!!

This stamp set features some of the most incredibly detailed stamps that Marcella has ever created!  The amount of minute lines and details lends this entire stamp set to almost shading it’s self! This stamp set is so detailed you can almost smell the lilacs… it’s true!!!

Today I’m sharing a card featuring the single sprig of elaborate lilac blooms…

I coloured it with a series of different shades of purples: some on the pink side and some on the blue side.  I love the effect of the multi-coloured mini flowers in contains!  I also used the mini cluster of blooms to create my own patterned paper.

If you look closely, I even have a little bit of shimmer going on!

Now it’s time to peruse the creative gardens of the remaining Bloom Brigade.  Have fun checking out what they have all created for you today!

Allison Cope - you are here!
Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Julie Koerber
Kathy Jones
Katie Sims 
Leslie Miller
Stacy Morgan
Power Poppy Blog

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope have a great weekend!

~ Ally ~




Sponsored by:  Power Poppy

Supplies:
stamps: Power Poppy (Lilacs)
cardstock:  X-Press It Cardstock, Recollections 110lb White Cardstock, Bazzill, Stampin’ Up! (Eggplant)
gem:  Doodlebug Designs
die cut shapes: Spellbinders (Decorative Labels 8, Gold Ovals 1), Lawn Fawn (Stitched Rectangles)
ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black)
Copic Markers:  lilac: B21, BV34, V01, V04, V12, V17, V20, V22, V25  leaves: YG21, YG23, YG25, YG95 
other:  Stickles.

Happy 1st Birthday Power Poppy!

We’re celebrating the ONE YEAR Birthday of Power Poppy! Yup.. it’s been a whole year!

* If you have just happened upon my blog, make sure you start at the beginning of the hop today on the Power Poppy Blog its self.  You will need to know a little bit more about what’s happening today PLUS we're giving away a $100 gift certificate and YOU need to know how to win it!.  Trust me… you won’t regret it! *

I can’t believe it’s been a 12 months since Marcy opened and shared the news of Power Poppy for the very first time.  It’s been a quick year and she not only  has created some amazingly beautiful blooms, banners & baseballs and font-tastic quotes but she’s inspired so many along the way with her drawings, photographs and family funnies on the Power Poppy Blog too!!

A little personal note to Miss Marcy…

My dearest Marcy,
Today we’re all here to wish you an amazing 1 year anniversary of Power Poppy!  I hope this inky adventure continues for a long time my friend.  One day, and soon, we’ll meet in person and I’ll get to meet one of my heroines in real life.  Not only do you create wonderful works of art that you allow us to color but you bring great meaning to the word friendship and unconditional love of a true friend.  I wish you another amazing year of stampy success and beyond for Power Poppy and may it continue to enrich your life as you enrich each of ours!  Many ginormous hugs to you!  Congrats on your business success my friend!  It’s gunna take you places girl… 
Love & hugs, 
Ally.

Now on to a rather different kind of birthday greeting today…

I decided to go for a blue birdie kinda birthday!  Yup… I used a holiday themed stamp for a birthday card.  Well… don’t some people have winter birthdays?!?!  LOL!  I highlighted the blooms and birds by using colour and then leaving the holly to be more of a little textural back ground element; so I left it uncoloured.

If you look a little closer, I used the Paper Tole method of popping up my coloured elements like the birds and the blooms on my card front.

Don't forget that we have a $100 gift certificate on the line for today!  Yup... that's a LOT of stamps to ink up and play with isn't it?!?! Make sure you comment on all the blogs as you go!

Stay tuned because on SUNDAY we begin our new stamp release sneak peeks!  Yup.. we have more Power Poppy beauties to add to your stamping stash!

Now… off you go on a little adventure through the remainder of the lovely and talented Bloom Brigade designer blogs...

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

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you enjoy all the birthday cards and well wishes for our beloved Marcella Hawley today!!  Happy hopping!

~ Ally ~


Sponsored by:  Power Poppy


Supplies:
stamps: Power Poppy (Dynamic Duos: Peonies & Tulips, Heaven & Nature Sing
cardstock:  Recollections 110lb White cardstock
clear sequins:  Pretty Pink Posh (Sparkling clear 4mm, 6mm)
ink: Versamark, Memento (Nautical Blue), Copic Markers, Gellyroll White Gel Pen
embossing powder:  Stampendous! (white detail)
other:  Glossy Accents.

Pretty Pink Posies

Hello all!  It's Wednesday so today is jam packed with new stuff.

First off, the newest card sketch from Splitcoaststampers is up!  I’m your hostess today:

The card I made for this week’s sketch is a little touch different.  Here’s the front.

Looks like an ordinary card right?  Well… let’s open it up…

Voila!  It actually opened only at the bottom to reveal an second circle underneath the front circle for you to write your greeting.  Cool right?!

Next it’s another day for a new challenge over at StampNation too!  Not only does my card above fit today’s challenge but here’s a sneak peek of my card over at SN…

Take a gander at what the Dream Team created this week.  Can you tell what our theme might be for this week?

I’m off to Calgary today to take my son for a doctor’s appointment.  I hope you have a Happy Hump Day today!

~ Ally ~

Supplies:
stamps:  Power Poppy (Potted Primroses, Short Stacks)
patterned papers: Lawn Fawn (Let’s Polka, Mon Amie)
cardstock:  X-Press It Cardstock
dies:  Pretty Pink Posh (Stitched Borders 2), My Favorite Things (Stitched circles), Simon Says Stamp! (Stitched Rectangles)
sequins:  Pretty Pink Posh (4mm, 6mm Sparkling Clear)
ink:  Memento (Tuxedo Black), Copic Markers, Wink of Stella (clear)
#: #prettypinkposh  #SimonSaysStamp  #mftstamps

Havin’ a SUPER Fun Monday!

It’s Monday… and when Monday rolls around, the house becomes a silent sanctuary of creating.  My son heads off to school and half the time my husband is away at work so I relish the days when it’s just me, the dog and my cats at home.  I put on some music and just create!!!! 

So I was looking for something to color for today’s challenge… #thedailymarker30day

And so I found this fun sketch from SugarPea Designs, SugarSketch22, so I pulled out some SUPER fun stamps and went away happily colouring this morning.  Here’s what I created…

Fun right!?  Just another card to add to my stash or maybe I’ll donate some – my card box is over flowing right now.

Hope you’re taking the time to create something fun today.  Have a great Monday and rest of the week!

Mark it on your calendars… Power Poppy is up for a new clear stamp release!!!  The fun sneak peeks begin on Sunday so come on back and check them all out!

Happy creating!

~ Ally ~

Supplies:
stamps:  SugarPea Designs (My Hero)
patterned papers: Lawn Fawn (Beachside)
cardstock:  X-Press It Cardstock, Stampin’ Up! (Real Red)
dies:  Pretty Pink Posh (Stitched Duo 1), My Favorite Things (Stitched Ovals)
Copic Markers:  skin:  E00, E01, E11, R12   hair: E51, E53, E55, Y00  clothes: BG11, BG13, BG18, BG000,YR16, B39, R14, R17, BV20 
ink:  Memento (Tuxedo Black, Lady Bug), Wink of Stella (clear), Sakura Glaze Pen

Mass Production of Cards Using the MISTI

Howdy all!  Happy Sunday everyone!  Yesterday I was busy making a series of fun Easter cards using a challenge put up by MFT Card Challenges blog…

Click above for a direct link!

Becky Fleck, owner of PageMaps, has supplied this cute little sketch for everyone to use.  And if you know me... I’m all about sketches!!!

Here is the video I created showing my card making process and some tips and tricks about using the MISTI tool.

Watch at YouTube here!

And here at a second peek at all four cards I created today!

 
Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you have a great weekend!

~ Ally ~


Supplies:
stamps: My Favorite Things (Somebunny)  #mftstamps
cardstock: Recollections 110lb White Cardstock, Neenah Solar White
patterned papers:  Lawn Fawn (Let’s Polka, Mon Amie)
inks:  Memento (Tuxedo Black), Stampin’ Up! (Strawberry Slush)
dies:  MFT (Fluttering Hearts, Stitched Oval STAX), Simon Says Stamp! (Stitched Rectangles), Avery Elle (Dotted Dies)
Copic Markers: E70, E71, BG01, BG05, G02, R02, R32
tools: Copic Airbrush System

Birthday Blooms with Power Poppy

TGIF everyone!  It’s been a long week and I’m looking forward to a nice relaxing weekend.
I have a few family birthdays coming up in the next few weeks so I thought I would get a jump on making my cards and MAYBE… just maybe, get them in the mail on time for those special people!

Here at Power Poppy we just released our newest and sweetest I must say digital bloom… introducing “Dancing with Daffodils”…. 

I think my favourite part of this image is that cute little snail fella!  Awwww!

I wanted to keep my card super simple so I started by slightly enlarging the image and printing it out with a soft grey colour to be positioned on the inside of my card.  I die cut a circular window in the front and a decorative border at the bottom to allow my Copic coloured image to peek through. I added a tag with the birthday sentiment from the “Potted Primroses” clear stamp set as well.

Here is what my image looks like inside the card…

I created a space on the reverse side of the card to write my greetings to the birthday girl.

I'm also entering my card today in the following challenges:

Pinspirational Challenges: #136

CASology:  Week #138

Don't forget about our month long challenge for March... GO for the GOLD!  Click here for more details on how you can enter (Power Poppy stamps are NOT necessary!!!)

Now… off you go on a little adventure through the Bloom Brigade designer blogs...


Allison Cope – you are here!
Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence
Dawn Burnworth
Dina Kowal
Julie Koerber
Kathy Jones
Katie Sims
Leslie Miller
Stacy Morgan
Tosha Leyendekker
Power Poppy Blog

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope have a great weekend!

~ Ally ~


Sponsored by:  Power Poppy

Supplies:
stamps: Power Poppy (Dancing with Daffodils, Potted Primroses)
cardstock:  X-Press It Cardstock, Flourishes
clear sequins:  CraftMedley
die cut shapes: Spellbinders (Classic Circles, Scalloped Circles, A2 Bracket Borders 1), Simon Says Stamp! (Stitched Circles), Avery Elle (Gift Tag Die)
ink: Memento (Gray Flannel), Copic Markers, Wink of Stella (clear)
ribbon:  Offray.

Ink It Up!

Wednesday has rolled around extra quickly this week!  We had a busy weekend with our entire Scouting troop from 1st Strathmore going away to camp.  We had a blast but I think we pooped out everyone.  One of my Cub Scouts even said he fell asleep in class on Monday!

 It’s time for a brand new challenge over at StampNation today.  This week, it’s all about INK… and applying it directly to paper as our technique for our challenge this week. 

And here’s a snap shot of all the Dream Team creations this week…

Here’s a close up of my own card this week featuring the sweet little “Hoo Loves You” stamp set and coordinating die from Whimsy Stamps:

I hope you’ll come and check out StampNation!  There’s always lots going on.  Hope to see you there!

~ Ally ~

Whimsy Stamps Blog Hop

Howdy everyone!  I hope you're having an amazing Thursday!

Welcome to Day 1 of the Whimsy Stamps clear stamps & die release!  Did you get a gander at those fabulous stamps and corresponding dies up there?  So many fun creative possibilities to be had.  These 4 new clear stamp sets and 2 die sets are on sale in the store right now!!!

Today I am featuring the sweet little "Hoo Loves You" clear stamp set.  This wonderful set includes 3 adorable owls and 3 hoot-ariffic sentiments too!

Today I thought I would share with you how I created my focal square and how I created the back ground for my adorable little owl.

Step 1:
Stamp the owl image onto the cardstock die cut square using brown ink.  Stamp the same image again onto some masking paper (by Inkadinkado) and cut out the masking paper owl.  You can also use Post-It-Note paper for this too.   They now make some that is sticky all the way across except for a small edge.
Step 2:
Adhere the square temporarily to some scrap paper using some low-tack tape.  I used Micropore Tape. I love this stuff because you can still see through it to position it for a little masked border!  Peel the masking paper backing from the owl and stick it right over top of the stamped image.
Die cut a circle from a Post-It-Note or masking paper to create a mask for the moon in the back ground.  Adhere the circle mask right over top of your masked owl.
Step 3:
Using a Copic airbrush, apply some Copic BG13 around the outer edges of the square, leaving a lighter area around the moon mask.
Step 4:
Using a Copic airbrush, apply Copic BG72 around the edges and to deepen the colour there.

Step 5:

Using the Copic airbrush, apply Copic BG07 around the edges, to deepen the colour there even more.  This effect can also be achieved by applying inks from light to dark in a circular motion from the outside of  square towards the moon.
Step 6:
Using Copic Y04 in the airbrush, apply the yellow colour around the lighter gap around the moon.  This creates a moon "glow".
Step 7:
Peel off and SAVE your circle mask.  Leave your owl mask on.  Apply a little more Copic Y04 to the moon.
Step 8:
Using Copic T1, T2 and T3, add some dots of grey colour to the moon to create it's rough cratery surface appearance.

Step 9:
Place the circle mask back over the moon again, pressing the edges of the mask firmly on the paper.  Using a slightly watered-down white acrylic paint and an old toothbrush, run your thumbnail through the bristles to create a fine splatter effect - the effect of stars across the back ground.
Step 10:
To finish your image off, remove all of the masks, colour in some branches using tones of darker brown Copic and colour in the little owl.  I added texture to his head and belly using fun, fine strokes of colour right over top of the original brown ink.  I also retraced some of the stamp lines with a black Copic Multi-liner to make them stand out a little bit more from the brown ink.

Here's a close up of the little coloured fella sitting on his little moonlit branch again...

There's a chance to WIN a $15 gift certificate to the Whimsy Store today and all you have to do is leave a comment on each and every one of the blog hop participants today.  So check out these fabulous ladies and their amazing creations using some of the new clear stamp release sets!  Take it away ladies...

Whimsy Blog
Kristie
Debbie
Becky
Allison - you are here!
Jen
Alanna
Catherine

Thanks for stopping by today!  Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win some spending money!

~ Ally ~


Sponsored by:  Whimsy Stamps

Supplies:
stamps: Whimsy Stamps (Hoo Loves You)
cardstock:  Neenah Solar White, Stampin' Up! (Island Indigo), Bazzill
patterned papers: My Mind's Eye (Here is Happy)
die cut shapes: Simon Says Stamp! (Stitched Squares, Stitched Rectangles), My Favorite Things (Stitched Ovals), Spellbinders (PageMaps - On the Edge)
Copics:  sky: BG13, GB72, BG78, Y04  moon: Y04, T1, T2, T3  owl: E11, E13, E15, E18, YR14, BV31, BG10, BG11, BG90, YG03, Copic Multi-liner 0.3, Gellyroll White Pen  branches: E27, E29, E49
ink:  Memento (Rich Cocoa), Wink of Stella (clear)
twine:  Darice (100% Natural Hemp)
stars:  Basic Grey (Star Studs)

other: Stickles by Ranger (Star Dust).  #thedailymarker30day

We have a Winner!!!

We have a winner for my PageMaps U Cardmaking Class 2015 giveaway...

Congrats Iris!  I will contacting you by email today!

Thanks to all of those who entered.

~ Ally ~