INKspirations!

 Hello! This weekend I began the process of addressing and stuffing Christmas cards.  I know it seems crazy to begin so early, but I do this for a couple of reasons.  First, we celebrate a birthday just a couple days ahead of the holiday.  And secondly, it gives me a chance if I need to verify an address.   After I worked through my cards on Saturday, I realized I am terribly short on birthday cards! So, today’s card is inspired by the Krafty Chicks - Challenge Blog with the theme of Birthday #845.  ( Challenge Link) Inside: Simon Says Stamp - Big Birthday Greetings For my card, I created a center pop-out style card.  I began with My Favorite Things - Happy Cake Day Die and cut a brown glitter piece, a champagne glitter piece and a cream light weight cardstock piece.  (Recollections) I adhered the cake and layers onto a scrap of cardstock and then fussy cut the whole piece.   The candles were cut from gold cardstock scrap (Recollections) and ...

 Hi there!  Today I made a Christmas card inspired from the Color Dare Challenge #727.  To play along, click the link  (HERE) . This card is also for the Jingle Belles - Holiday Left Over Challenge - I used the left over dark green evergreen sprig with my florals! (One left over out of my dish!) -  (Challenge Link) For my card, I chose the Stained Glass Window die from Paper Trey Ink. I glued 3 die cuts together for added dimension. ( Shop Here) The frame was adhered to a ivory panel embossed with a brick texture from the Brick and Mortar embossing folder from Stampin Up Next I added florals from Concord and 9th’s - Festive Blooms Dies (Shop Here) For the florals, I chose Soft Seafoam, Vellum, Pearl White Shimmer, Shaded Spruce and Evening Evergreen.  (Stampin Up).  The gold was taken from scraps from Michael’s gold foil cardstock. I kept the sentiment very simple and added “Love and Joy to You” - from Stampin Up’s Wrapped in Christmas stamp set. Eveni...

 Greetings,  As I was looking through the headlines today, I read about a program to offer military encouragement and support through hand made cards.  The program is called America’s Adopt a Soldier program. more information can be found  (HERE)  The program will accept handwritten cards and letters now through December 31st.  To show my support, I created this card using the current sketch from Tawnie Owl Paperie - Sketch #47.  To join in on the fun, click the link  (HERE) This card is also for the current challenge at Time Out Challenges #325 - Friendship/Encouragement/Support  Challenge Link  (HERE) For my card, I used Unity’s Where Freedom Blooms stamp set and Land that I love Paper Pack (Stamp Link) (Paper Link) I began by using the card sketch to create the base.  For added texture, I embossed musical notes from the Merry Melody embossing folder from (SU), and burlap and lace ribbon. The image was stamped onto multi media pap...

 Greetings!  Today’s card was created for the Inspired by Challenge with the theme of  “Wool and Denim” At one time I actually had some old denim saved for craft projects, but was no longer in my fabric bin.   I wanted to cut a denim frame, but decided to use a pretty shade of blue card stock called Dapper Denim instead.  I liked the blue frame against the bold stripes of the retired Concord and 9th holiday paper. Next, I used a piece of multi media paper and stamped the - Penny Black - 40-145 - Pumpkins stamp in Tip Top Taupe ink.  I watercolored with ink pads in shades of Crumbcake, Dapper  Denim, and Dusty Durango. (Stampin Up) I added details with a fine tipped Crumbcake marker. I then embossed using the Texture Impressions embossing folder from Stampin Up. I cut the oval shape from The Creative Expressions - large jagged oval die. For added texture, I used a couple scraps of ribbon, and used hot glue to keep in place. I cut a sturdy piece of chipb...

Hello!  Christmas is just around the corner!  We have had such a beautiful fall, but on the upside is the joy of making Christmas cards!  Today’s card is inspired from these challenges: I used the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches #761 (Challenge Link) Memory Box Challenge #134 - “All The Trimmings” (Challenge Link) Simon Says Sketch Challenge: “Bling it On” (Challenge Link) Here’s the sketch: This is an A2 side folding shaker-style card.   To create this wintry scene, I used Unity’s stamp called - Woodland visitors.  I stamped Midnight Muse Ink (SU) on multi media paper.   I then used an aqua pen to use clean water move and soften the stamped image. I used two Sizzix nesting oval dies to create the frame.  With the smaller oval taped inside the larger, I could build the walls of the shaker.  I cut 5 frames and glued them together. I then took out the smaller frame to die cut the back panel. Cardstock used: Night of Navy - (Stampin Up)  Aceta...

 Hi There, Sometimes it’s nice to let a friend know they’re on your mind. That is the inspiration behind today’s card for  the Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Thinking of You (Challenge Link) and the sketch from EMK Creations  For my card,  I started with a card base with Coastal Cabana card stock - (Stampin Up)  I cut squares with a nested die set in Parakeet Parade, Daffodil Delight, and Coastal Cabana. (Stampin Up)  I used the negative space from the die cut to hold the square in place and stamped patterns from Honey Bee Stamps - called Valentine Patterns and Bitty Patterns with Daffodil Delight Delight ink and Coastal Cabana ink. (SU) I stamped the sentiment from CC9/Kristina Werner Collaboration called - Just Talking Bundle  The pink heart came from Unity stamps - with Melon Mambo cardstock (Stampin Up) I die cut the word “friend” from Gina K Master Layouts #9. Thanks for stopping by! - Valerie Kaye