The ARTplorations Stencil Blog Hop ........

Happy Monday folks ........

Not long to go now to the big day, and we're almost ready for it ... whoo hoo!
I've only got a couple of things to do this week then it's time to relax and really get into the festive spirit ...... although after last night I think I might have had enough!!!  Shall we just say The Prospect/Saddle Staff Christmas party was a great night .... I think!

The craft room door is still open .... there's a few little bits to finish off in there before the big clean up at then end of the year.

One of the things on the list is a little more inspiration for the ARTplorations Stencil Blog Hop which is still running .....

There's already been lots of gorgeous makes from the STAMPlorations girls ...... loads of ideas on how to make the most of your stencils.

It's DAY 6 today, and I've got a really quick and easy way to create great looking cards for any occasion .....

I seem to have been making Christmas cards forever ..... it was nice to create something with a non-festive theme

This was so easy to make ...... and by changing the colours of ink you use it will look totally different each time.

I taped the ARTplorations Stencil ...... Circular One onto a piece of white card and then used various colours of Distress Inks through the whole design

I removed the stencil, and cut the card to size leaving a small border around the edge.
Then using a silver sparkly gel pen I edged around all the inked parts of the design ..... you could leave the stencil in place to do this, I just found it easier to do it without

A bit of matting and layering with some black and white card frames the design nicely, and to finish off  a simple die cut word from the CUTplorations range

A few dots of white enamel accents here and there adds a little more interest and texture to the card

You've still got time to join in the Blog Hop .... it runs until tomorrow.  If you missed the start, with all the information on the Hop and prize details then just click back to Day One.  There's also a Blog Hop Linky button so you can really join in the fun and share your stencil projects .... go on, we'd love to see them.

Thanks for popping by .... enjoy the rest of your day and Happy Hopping!
Time for another coffee I think!

Cheerio until next time .......

Fancy a Blog Hop ........

Happy Wednesday .......

And welcome to the ARTplorations Stencil Blog Hop with the STAMPlorations girls ......

Seven fun filled days of gorgeous inspiration pieces, all created using the fabulous range of ARTploration stencils from STAMPlorations.

This is just one of the many fabulous designs ...... Peony #2 ..... a gorgeous large bloom that has so many options on how to use it .....

I've simply used it on a background card found in my bit box, and brushed Distress Inks through the stencil ..... Scattered Straw, Wild Honey, and Worn Lipstick .... such a pretty combination

Using the CUTplorations Birthday die, I cut my sentiment from the centre of the stenciled card, and again from plain black cardstock ..... inlaying the black die cut into the stenciled card and then layering the coloured layer. slightly off set, over the top ....... to give a shadow effect

I stamped the 'happy' over the top, using one of the sentiments from STAMPlorations Party Time ...... and then gave the raised die cut a coat of clear Wink of Stella .......

Stencils are so much fun to play with .... use them with inks, paints, texture paste.  Spritz through them, emboss with them .... the choice is all yours.

Check out the main Blog Hop Post on the STAMPlorations Blog for all the details, along with a full list of all the blogs involved.  And don't forget .... the blog hop is running until Dec 20th, so you've got lots of time to join in the fun

Happy stenciling!

Thanks for popping by ..... enjoy the rest of your day.
This is actually a scheduled post.   After a busy morning in town, Christmas shopping, and a cheeky gingerbread latte with Lauren, I'm enjoying a birthday lunch with some of my crafty ladies.  I could definitely get used to this!

Cheerio until next time .....