happy thoughts your way *Whimsy Stamps New Release*

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I'm getting bored with my current go-to techniques.

It's time for me to step up my game and try some new things. 

My idea of studying is to... well... lift someone else's fabulous work :)

I've been wanting to use more flowers and add more shabby chicness to my cards.

I spend a lot of time staring at Claudia Rosa's blog and this card was the subject of my studies today.

Papers are from an 8x8 paper pad called Romantique by Prima. I bought this pack from Blue Moon Scrapbooking. Awesome store and great customer service! So, I'm already doing something new here. I usually go for 12x12 and ignore everything else.

This digital stamp is by Lia for Whimsy Stamps, a new release for March 1st. I had to color her twice. I ruined her the first time with two much blue in the background. I colored her with Prismacolor pencils and blended with odorless mineral spirits. Claudia loves to add stitching to all of her stamped images. I considered and then decided to go for inking in pink distress ink and top with clear stickles. 

I love this look! I did stitch everything else with a nice cream colored thread.

I used Dana's tips for coloring the hair and skin.

This digital sentiment is also from Whimsy Stamps. I treated it with the same pink ink and stickles. 

I also brought over the little bow idea. I beat everything into submission with Glossy Accents.

I love flowers but they make me crazy- trying to figure out how to place them just right. This is definitely one of the reasons why I love watching Claudia's work. I started with roses from a vine made by Stephanie and accented with Martha Stewart pine branch punched pieces and little Prima flowers. I also have the bamboo twine (jewelry section at Michael's), bows, and the random button going on here. 

Love me some buttons.

Here is where I got especially excited. I loved Claudia's decorative border. I opened up my Paper Lace cartridge that I got for Christmas and picked a fun piece. 

It cut very nicely! 

I love it when I get motivated to use something new! Also, the clamshell was very easy to cut! 

Thank Goodness!

Exclamation!

A fun, dimensional view of the card.

THANKS TO CLAUDIA

-i gave my fairy some green ground (never dunnit before)

-used something other than 12x12 papers

-used my Cricut and a new cartridge

-easily added flowers

-got unglued with the stickles

-took the time to add stitching (i have been doing this more lately)

-oh, i almost forgot, i used various colors of solid cardstock to mat my papers (pink, blue, and green). 

i think i really enjoyed this more than anything!

Ain't gonna lie. I spent more than five hours on this card. It's 4 pm while I'm typing this up and I haven't run, showered, or brushed my teeth yet LOL