Have you seen the new bigger collection of Spa inks over at Catherine Pooler Designs? If not, you’re in for a treat! Welcome to the Zen Garden Day Two Blog Hop! Did you hop along yesterday? If not, I’ll get you caught up at the end.
The new Zen Garden Release was kicked off yesterday. Eight new gorgeous inks were added to the Spa Collection – Rose Petals, Polished, Shea Butter, Seafoam, Spruce, Skylight, Stone Blue, and Sugared Lavender. I love how Catherine names her inks, I know it’s corny…but they make me smile. And let’s be honest it takes less facial muscles to smile than frown, so I try to do that as much as possible – wrinkles and all…lol!
Today we’re featuring the Love Grows stamp set. To say I love this set is an understatement.
I’ll admit, I find it super easy to stamp with just about anything created from the mind of Lisa Kirkbride. And when I first saw this set, I knew I would have loads of fun with so many of the little pieces. SO, my goal today is to showcase just how versatile the little stamps in this set are in addition to all those gorgeous flowers!
I don’t know about you, but for me if I can get versatility out of a stamp set, you know…use stamps for a variety of things – I’m sold. I’ve been stamping for 19 years now…wow! And I’ve purchased my fair share of sets. (Michael, if you’re reading…they were all on sale, I swear…lol) So I can tell right off the bat if I’m going to be able to use that set over and over again. That’s very important to me as a crafter. Love Grows fits that mold for me.
And interesting fact – when Catherine first saw these designs – it was all entangled as one design like patterned paper. But Catherine, being the brilliant designer and stamper that she is said – let’s break the pieces apart, it would make a great stamp set. And you know what – she was right!
Spa Inks Medley No 1: Love Seeing You Smile
Let’s start off with a more traditional Clean and Simple look to start. These flowers were just begging to be stamped, popped up and layered. This card not only showcases how stinkin’ cute they are, but how well the new 8 Spa inks work with the last 8 – together it’s a very powerful collection.
Here’s a TIP for you – cut out your dies first (I cut a ton when I first get my dies – pop a movie in and just cut, cut, cut…). Then grab what you need and stamp away. You’ll speed up your card making, cause you’ll have all the tools you need right at your finger tips.
The two flowers are inked up in Mandarin Spice & Sauna from the Paradise Found Collection, the small cute little conehead is in Sugared Lavender and Shea Butter from the NEW spa inks. For the leaves I wanted an earthy look, so I used Eucalyptus from the Paradise Found inks.
Don’t they all just play really well together? Skylight, Shea Butter and Sugared Lavender play so well with the first 8. That’s the brilliance of the Color Made Easy system by Catherine. No more needing to figure out what goes with what. Spa colors play well with each other…period.
Now for the fun little versatile pieces that I love so much. There’s an awesome stamp in this collection – it’s a circle with all sorts of lines in it – I LOVE that stamp. To get a great little background – stamp it next to each other and emboss white on white to create a scalloped border behind the top layer…did you even notice that? It’s a little subtle thing that totally makes the card. Little stamps like that are priceless to me. That’s where versatility in a stamp set sells me. And how about those little open circles? Notice I don’t need sequins here – I have those little circles!
I’ll admit, I’m in love with this card. Yesterday it was my mixed media card, today it’s all about the Clean and Simple…lol!
Spa Inks medley No 2: Smile
Did you know that Love Grows also works flawlessly with the new word die Smile? There are four sentiment stamps in this set. Seeing you, Sending you a, You make me and the word Smile. So naturally – a word die – Smile, fits perfectly too! And look how awesome this Smile is!! It’s an awesome font, and wide enough you don’t have to take your time placing your Multi Matte Medium (glue) behind it – love that!
Stamp a background in Shea Butter. It’s subtle and soft, yet you can still read it. Stamp a small circle (filler stamp from the awesome Eat, Sleep Create Stamp Set) in Sauna for a little contrast in-between and you’ve got an awesome background.
To make it all pop, use the complimentary color to yellow – purple (across the color wheel). I wanted something dark, so instead of Shea Butter – which would have been just as cool, I chose to use the deeper spa ink color Royal Treatment. Smoosh down some versamark and emboss in clear and you’ve really got a cool word embellishment that pops.
For that little something extra, work in my favorite stamp – the circle with the lines through it in Skylight. Isn’t it just AWESOME? Add that little flower in Mandarin Spice too. It needed something else, and I love to work in odd numbers, so I added that great little circle stamp in skylight too.
Of course, sometimes you just need a little bling too – so sneak in some sparkling clear sequins by Pretty Pink Posh – you know those are my go to…lol!
I was having SO much fun with the color combo of Skylight, Shea Butter/Sauna, Mandarin Spice and Sugared Lavender/Royal Treatment. It’s an awesome combo – you have to try it…the spa inks go SO well together.
So what do you think…fun, right? Have you checked the shop out yet? What are you waiting for?
When you’re all done shopping – don’t forget to check out all the incredible designs by the Creative Team today. Don’t forget to comment too – Catherine is giving away two set of Zen Garden Spa Inks. And if you already purchased them…you’ll get a $45 gift certificate, so you can’t lose! Now it’s your time to keep getting inspired – hop along!!
- Catherine Pooler <—Hop here Next!!
- Laurel Beard
- Chrissie Tobas
- Jenny Colacicco
- Ashlea Cornell
- Melissa Miller
- Tracie Pond
- Karen Baker
- Lydia Evans
- Ingrid Blackburn <— You are Here!!
Fun, right? Tomorrow the hops continue….SO much great inspiration this week. Don’t forget to comment below! Till next time…
Keep those fingers inky!
Supplies
To make finding the supplies I used in these projects a bit easier for you, here are a few clickable links. Compensated Affiliate Links are used when possible. Click here for disclosure. Happy Shopping!
Your cards made me SMILE! Card #2 my fav
Great colors, designs, and tips. Just lovely.
Pretty cards Ingrid.
I LOVE your designs. The CAS card is fabulous. I love the look of the outline of the flowers stamped in different colors. You’re second card makes me happy. I love the new yellow ink. Just what we needed.
Love your cards! The colors just pop! Thanks for the inspiration to find ways to use those little stamps that I usually never touch!
I really like your second card because I’m always looking for a stamping background that doesn’t overwhelm, but without using versamark or tone on tone colors (which I do really like too, but sometimes want more). So well done here! Thanks for sharing.
I always love seeing what you create!! You never disappoint with your projects!!! I love how thorough you are in your blog posts also!! You inspire me so much!! Thabks so much!!:Big Hugs!!!
Eye-popping cards, Ingrid! I am glad you pointed out the embossed border from the little stamp. I always forget to use the little stamps in a creative way but you have inspired me to do so!
Ingrid, Great cards! Love that second card especially. Thanks for sharing your creativity!
These are so pretty! Thanks for sharing!!
Your cards are beautiful and inspiring with the Zen Collection, flower stamps and dies, Ingrid. Thank you for sharing them!
Oh, I absolutely LOVE your square Smile card, Ingrid. Just gorgeous!
Awesome cards! Gorgeous colors, very spring-like and happy.
These cards are wonderful! Loving all the inspiration on the hop!
Pretty and colorful card designs.
Such a great tip to die cut your images first, especially when making so many cards. I find the die cutting process so time consuming, I’m actually considering buying a scan and cut or something similar to speed up the process. Love your cards and how well the colours coordinate together. Thanks for sharing Ingrid!
These are two super sweet cards designs !
[margessw(at)icloud(dot)com]
Your cards are fabulous thank you for the inspiration!
Beautiful cards!!! Thank you for the inspiration 😊
Beautiful cards. Love the new colors.
Such fun cards!!! Can’t wait to add these inks to my collection. TFS
Beautiful cards. Thanks for sharing..
I like how you, and others on these blog hops, use the words stamped over and over to create your background paper. Also love these scripted words.
So much fun! And you’re right…the spa inks look great together!!
Love LOVE love these cards! Thanks for sharing!
These are wonderful! I just love how you used the sentiments and the little stamps on your cards. Thanks for mentioning the little stamp border on your first card or I would of missed it as it is very light on my computer. Lovely work.
I just love the simplicity of your first card. It really allows the colors to jump off the paper!
You’re always inspiring. Really like how you use small stamps as interesting embellishments.
What a great new ink collection.
Fun and happy cards!
Great caolor and very pretty cards!!!
Love both cards. I like the background you created and I’m loving those pretty flowers so many cards have used. Like it more each time I see it.
Ingrid, you never cease to amaze me with your card creations! Love how you made the background on the 2nd card. Thanks for sharing.
Great cards. Thanks for the inspiration!
The ink colors are gorgeous! You cards turned out fantastic! I like the word background you created for your second card. It works perfectly with the Smile die cut!
Such pretty cards – love the colors.
Love the new ink colors! your cards are so bright and fun!
Awesome cards. Love these ink colors.
Wonderful cards! Love the happy colors of the first one. ♥
I rally like the bright cheery colors on the first card.
Beautiful cards, so inspiring! Thanks for sharing!
Ingrid, your cards never disappoint! Gorgeous! Love the colors of the inks. I NEED THEM ALL!
Sweet cards, love the colors used.
Such beautiful cards! Can’t wait to get the full set!
Your cards are so bright and cheery. They really pop!
Very nice and thank you for sharing!
Fun cards Ingrid!
Great ideas!! I like the idea of using the Smile background as a base to work on.
Love your cards! Love the inks and stamos and dies too!
Love the colours!
such happy cards … colors are great
I like the “word” background you did with the “Smile” die cut. Different and very pretty.
Fun yellow background! I, too, love to play with the little stamps…
Thanks for sharing your lovely cards!
Wow such happy cards! These colors are great! I too look for sets that can be used in different ways and have a lot of versatility.
Lovely cards! Adore the 2nd one as I really
love a stamped all over design like that.
Beautiful cards!! You always inspiire me. I especially like your smile card! I love the new colours and the flower stamps Thanks for sharng and for the inspiration.
Great use of the stamp set love these new ink colors
Beautiful cards!! I especially like your smile card! I love the new colours and the flower stamps Thanks for sharng and for the inspiration.
Love your cards, the colors are so pretty.
Gret creativity with this release…wonderful cards.
I love your cards; you always inspire me and spark my creativity. I love the Smile die and stamps and what you created with them. Thanks.
Great cards. Thanks for sharing them and love your teaching tutorials. They are very uplifting.
Love the background you made on the Smile card.
Very cute cards
Awesome cards! I love the colors! The flowers are so cheery!
These cards are so crisp and clean. I love the look of that. Very pretty.
Beautiful cards-especially like the flowers!
You’ve given me lots of inspiration. I’m always looking for cards I can make to send to my mother-in-law in a nursing home suffering from brain trauma.
These are both terrific! I especially love that first sentiment and those darling flowers!
Ingrid, I love your cards!! These new color ink pads are just gorgeous 🙂
Special cards as always. This has been the best blog hop. Nothing that I don’t want to try.
Great cards! I especially like the bright cluster of flowers in the first card!
I adore your Smile card!! I am in love with these colors. I would love to win and try them.
Vibrant colors on the crisp, white cardstock!
great cards…and you know I try to duplicate your ideas….the ink colors you chose rock!
Your first card is so charming with the flower cluster and the second card really does make me smile!
Your cards are both so beautiful and bright! Thanks for sharing.
I realize this is totally not the point, but a light yellow that you can still read??? I didn’t think that was possible! I love all the little tips and tricks of how to use the stamp sets to max effect (great scallop!); that really is what makes stamp sets worth it to me: that I can use it in many ways. Thanks for sharing!
A woman after my own heart!!! Yes, I totally agree – makes it all worth it! 🙂
I love how clean and bold your cards are, Ingrid!
Ingrid,
Thanks for the TIP to cut dies first and then stamp. Do you have a tip for organizing them if you don’t use them right away? Love your cards!
This colour combo is awesome Ingrid! It makes the card look so happy! Who wouldn’t smile when they got one of those?!?
Your creations are always upbeat and fun. Beautiful cards.
your first card is so bright, cheery, fresh! makes me so itchy for spring! around here we don’t get spring, so i should say SUMMER!
Love the cards but the first is my favorite. The colors are so beautifully vibrant. The fonts in this stamp set are great
I don’t know why but I love when there is shine on cards. It draws me in. I have to find my mojo and get cracking. I need the stamps first. I haven’t done anything for several months. I think these blog hops are the best. Everyone sees something differently from the next. Wow. Thanks.
I always love your cards and this flower stamp set is one of my favorites from the collection. All the ink colors are great.
Darling cards! What a great way to get more out of sentiment stamps.
Your style is great, and one I try to achieve! Love what you have done with these, especially the last card, with the smile.
Last but not least great cards love how you used the flowers and I adore your smile card! Thanks for sharing!
Oh my, these are adorable. I really want to make them. I’d love to receive one of these cards from somoeone. 🙂
These new ink colors are incredible and I love your cards! I like you a lot, too!
I’m in love with these colors.
Love these inks new muted colors. As always love your cards.
The colors of the inks are fantastic.
Love the shea butter. It’s dark enough
to be seen but not an over-powering
color. Great cards. thanks for sharing
txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love the way you used the little filler stamps to create a background; no two will ever be the same. Thanks for sharing it.
lovely cards ! thanks for sharing x
Beautiful and creative cards. I love this zen collection colors.
I love your cards Ingrid. You always have a super fun twist to them that makes them so unique.
Love the cards!
love these cards, such different vibes for each of them. Can’t wait to get my inks and I have this stamp set in my wish list!
Beautiful cards. Thank you for sharing.
Beautiful cards, partial to the ‘smile’ one though! Can’t wait to get my order.
I love your colorful cards! They would definitely brighten anyone’s day 🙂
Love hopping and seeing all the new colors. Your cards,are great.
Both cards are beautiful and brought a smile to my face. Thank you for sharing with us.
Ingrid,
Thank you for sharing your beautiful creations. You inspire me every time I see your work.
Amy
Really cute & fun cards! Great tip on die cutting to have lots of pieces to play with
I like how you kept the first one so simple, to go with the simple message. So pretty.
Happy Valentines day Ingrid. Even though they aren’t one layer I think your cards have a lovely CAS look to them. The inks in this release are my favourite colours yet. Thanks!
Beautiful cards! Love this new release and those inks!
Ingrid love the choice of colors you used in your cards, Amazing! Can’t wait until I get some of mine in the mail. Thank you for sharing your cards and ideas.
Wonderful cards and those new inks look amazing!
These are my kind of cards…the first one made me smile! I am so excited about this release and the blog hop just added to that excitement!
Your attention to the little details are what makes a card! Love what you did with this set! Beautiful cards!
Cute cards! I really like the flowers and colors in the first card. Can’t wait to get mine in the mail!
Ingrid amazing cards, as always. I am loving the versatility of this stamp set and these amazing inks.
Both your cards are adorable!!! Love them!!!
Beautiful cards. This release rocks!
Awesome cards as usual Ingrid! Still sticking to my No Shopping promise but it is killing me.
Great cards. Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent!
thanks for sharing these lovey cards with us – so inspiring:)
These are beautiful Ingrid! And I always appreciate your tips too!! Can’t wait to create with these flower stamps and the gorgeous new ink colors!
These are beautiful!
Love your choice of colors, Ingrid. These are beautiful =)