INKspirations!

 Hello there!  Today’s challenge from Split Coast Stampers is “Ways to Use It.”  ( SPS- WT 1077 Link ) We could use a tag or book mark.  I really liked the book mark idea because, these are the perfect gift to give many people in your list such as a neighbor, a groomer, and a teacher, just to name a few.     I occasionally save tutorials and how to’s on Pinterest and looked at a few different ways to make a bookmark card.  I revisited Jennifer McGuire’s video sharing a few ways of creating a card of your own.   Watch Jennifer Mc Guire’s Video Here I chose a the last card demonstrated.  I chose white cardstock, measuring 4 1/4 x 5 1/2, folded with the crease at the top. - I then cut vertically, in half leaving 2 fold-over book marks.   I chose a simple stamp from Unity called Casual Winter Hello (IB-1114).  I stamped in Versa Fine Onyx Black ink and colored with Prisma Color pencils.   To create the background, I used Unity...

Good morning!  Today’s card is for the current challenge at Freshly Made Sketches.   FMS#710 To make this card, I used Stampin Up’s Surfin Santa stamp.  I stamped the wave, santa, and the sun on scrap cardstock and fussy cut after coloring. I used the Avery Elle Steel Ray Cover Plate Die as the background, and positioned the wave, santa and the sun over the circle.   Warm wishes was stamped and die cut with a small banner die.  To help the sentiment stand out, a red and white striped scrap was placed behind.   This card is a horizontal, top folding card measuring 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches. Supplies: Cardstock: Accent 120# white cardstock Stamp: Stampin Up - Surfin Santa Dies: Avery Elle Steel Ray Cover Plate Die Accessories- Waterbased markers Thanks for stopping by!  -  Valerie Kaye

 Hello!  Tonight’s card is inspired from the new sketch at CAS.  You can play along here:  CAS #572 Using this sketch, I was thinking of using some sort of tag and a Christmas tree.  I went through a photo box of tags that came from Unity stamps as thank you gifts, and found a vintage tags with newsprint and a gold tree.  I have a notion to pick up a few more.   (Shop Here) Since the tag had most of the decoration on it, I stamped the sentiment across the center of the tag using a stamp platform in Versa fine Onyx black ink.   To complete the sketch, a small wooden snowflake also from Unity Stamps was adhered with hypo cement.   Supplies: Accent 120# white cardstock  Tags: Unity Vintage Holiday Tags  Sentiment: CC & 9th/Kristina Werner Holiday Assortment  (Shop Here) Thanks for stopping by! - Valerie Kaye

 Hello!  Today’s card is inspired by the current sketch challenge at Paper Players.  Join in on the fun here:  PP761 This is such a great sketch because you can do so much with just a couple of scraps of paper!  I opted on a more simplistic design, keeping the card mat white with a pierced border.   The stamps came from the Concord and 9th-Kristina Werner Collaboration called Holiday Assortment  (Shop Here) I started with a top folding card, measuring 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches.  I used a nesting rectangular frame die to cut the mat from 120# white cardstock, Two scraps were trimmed, and dove tailed using a Stampin up Punch, and glued into place.   The snowflake was stamped in (SU) Real Red ink and die cut with a circle nesting die.   The assembled card mat was positioned on a stamp platform to stamp the “verry merry” sentiment.   To finish the card, an iridescent rhinestone gem was added to the center of the snowflake. Thanks for stoppin...

 Are you beginning to feel the pressure?  I certainly did.  I sat down this weekend to see what cards I made over the summer, and I realize I need more!  So, the challenge this week from 52-Christmas Card Throwdown-40 is to create a card in 30 minutes or less.  You can find the challenge and full details here:  ( 52-CCT ) I wanted to make something that was impactful, but simple to assemble more.   I chose the Concord and 9th/Kristina Werner Holiday Assortment Bundle (Shop Here)   There are so many great elements in this set with both bold and script sentiments. Using a stamp platform, I lined the card into the corner and inked 2 to 3 times, for a solid impression.   I took the card out, and had the holly, berries, and “wishing you sentiment” on separate stamp blocks, ready to ink. Card Details: Horizontal, top-folding card 5 1/4 in. x 4 1/4 in Cardstock- Accent 120# white cardstock  Ink-Versa fine Onyx Black, Stampin Up Evening Evergree...

 Hello! So glad you stopped by.  Today was a little hectic, but I made a card over lunch break.   Today’s card is inspired by this week’s color challenge at Splitcoast Stampers ( SCS Color Challenge 1075 ) These colors reminded me of pansies, so I grabbed the Pansy Parade stamp, dies and 6 x 6 paper pack, all gifted from my Mom! 💗 As I was l looking at the paper patterns I noticed the dies matched with one of the printed sheets.  I die cut three flowers and set them aside.   Next I embossed a 3 3/4 x 5 1/4 panel of white cardstock and with Altenew’s Ornamental Feature 3D embossing folder.   (Altenew Link)  The leaves were die cut from card scrap.   To assemble, I began with the top largest leaf and flower, alternating leaves and pansies along the left side of the card front.   The sentiment from the Pansy Parade set was stamped in Gorgeous Grape Ink.   The embossed card panel was attached to a top folding card base in Pool Party Cardsto...

 Hello!   My hands are still a little inky, but my heart is full!  I just finished a card trying a new (to me) technique.  Inking the de-bossed side of a panel.   This card is for the Beautiful Blossoms blog challenge #34 running until November 12th.  Join in on the fun here:  Beautiful Blosdoms Challenge #34 This card is inspired from this mood board:  This card is a side folding card measuring 5 x 7 inches.  To begin this card, I embossed a 120# white cardstock with Altenew Lush Garden 3D embossing folder.  ( Shop Her e) After the panel was embossed, I turned the panel to the de-bossed side.  I took the stencils and turned them to the back side and began sponging in colors,   Now for the scary part!  I took a Versa Fine Onyx Black ink pad and started taking the ink pad directly to the paper.   The panel was trimmed down and matted with Daffodil Delight cardstock and Starry Sky? from Stampin Up.   A few iridesce...

 Good Morning!  I finally had time to play with a new stamp from Unity called “All is Merry,” and thought I would share it for the Build Your Holiday Stash Link Party.   Link Here   I love the simplicity of this set.  There are seven small images and one large sentiment.   For today, I used the ornament stamp and the greenery.   This is a one-layer, horizontal top folding card.  I made a very light pencil line with a ruler and stamped the three ornaments first.  Then I went up to the pencil line and rotated the greenery.   A ruler was used to connect the ornaments to the branches.   The ornaments were colored in with markers, and three red rhinestones were added to embellish.   The “Be Merry” sentiment used comes from Unity’s Winter Shake Up set.  I stamped in Versa Fine Onyx Black Ink.  It kind has a Dr. Suess feel to it!  I keep waiting for a character to peek out from around the corner!  lol.  😆 Sup...

 Hello! I hope your weekend was great.  The cool crisp air rolled in today, and before long the midwest will be seeing flurries.   The cool pastels in the  Color Dare Challenge #674 , made me think of arctic polar bears.   Here are the card details; This is a side folding card (A2), measuring 4 1/4 x 5 1/2.  I began by using a piece of Sea Side Spray (?- Stampin Up. )   I die cut a snow flake pattern from Concord and 9th’s covered Snowfall Card Front die Shop here: ( Concord and 9th)  Then I used Gina K. Designs Master Layouts #9, to cut a small panel. Shop here: ( Simon Says Stamp ) The bear from Spellbinders Holiday Besties set, was stamped in Versa Fine Ink, then colored with Prisma color pencils.   The bear was die cut, popped up on foam, and mounted onto the die cut rectangle. A small iridescent gem was added to the hat, and silver stickles was added to the packages. Thanks for stopping by! - Valerie Kaye

 Hello! I’m so glad you stopped by.  I just finished up a card for the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #651.  Join in on the fun here:  Sketch #651 The main stamp used on this card is from Unity, called One Friend  (Unity KOM 2022-One Friend) I started with a top folding kraft card measuring 4 1/4 x 5 1/2.   I stamped the door image on an extra piece of kraft cardstock and cut the planter away.   Then, I fit a rectangular edge to one side of the door and made a pass through the Big Shot.  I lined up the edges until I trimmed a size that I liked.  The door was colored with a red Tombow marker, then shaded with distressing the edges in Cherry Cobbler Ink (SU). The wreath was actually made using 2-small circle dies nested inside each other.  I cut a piece of green cardstock, and then began building the wreath with overlapping flowers from Stampin Up’s Dashing Deer Stamp and die set.  I used 2 shades: Emerald Envy, and Evening Evergre...

 Hi there!  Today’s card is “Ways to use it” (from Split Coast Stampers- This challenge is focusing on flowers that represent each month.  (WT1075) Ironically, I do not have a ton of floral stamps.  As I was looking through my stash, I had this great floral frame from Unity called “Jesus and Germs.” (Shop here: Jesus and Germs ) The rose frame created a beautiful border for the focal point.   I wasn’t sure where to start with the design, and decided on trying a black and white card.   I stamped the large flower border in Versa Fine Onyx Black Ink using a stamp platform.  Then I positioned the image towards the top of the frame and die cut a rectangular mat.   I used a square die to cut the Basic Black (SU) center frame, and bordered with Polished pink cardstock (SU).   I used the heart outline stamp, small heart and sentiment from Stampin Up’s “Strong of Heart” set.  I stamped the heart, then fussy cut the image.   To make the senti...

 Hello! Today’s card is inspired from sketch #708 at Freshly Made sketches.   FMS #708 I used a combination of stamps and dies to assemble this card.  This is a top folding horizontal card, measuring 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches. On the card panel, I used Stampin Up Labels Aglow die set to  make the circular burst.  Then center circle was cut from scrap cardstock and adhered to the center.  The snow flake was cut from gold foil cardstock (Recollections) and glued into the die cut circle.  A small iridescent gem was added to the center of the snowflake. The sentiment from Simon Says Stamp and CZ Designs Clean Line Christmas was stamped, die cut into place.   Thanks for stopping by! - Valerie Kaye

 Hi there! Today’s card is inspired from the current Tuesday Teapot Challenge at Splitcoast Stampers ( MMTPT899).    Every Tuesday, a new teapot is posted to get those creative juices flowing.    Teapot Tuesday Challenge Link I loved The neutral colors of the small teapot on the right.  The simple lines on the leaves sparked my creativity into this card.   This card is a side folding card, measuring 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches.  I really liked the neutral colors of the teapot, so I chose kraft cardstock (Recollections).   The stamp used is from Unity’s Kit Of The Month : May 2022 One Friend.  Shop here :  Unity One Friend KOM The lines of the leaves really drew me in.  I chose the slightly larger image, so I could add color to the leaves with pencils.   I stamped the image on a platform with a piece of kraft cardstock measuring 4 1/4 x 5 1/2.  I used Tip Top Taupe from Stampin Up, for a tone on tone color. Then I used three ...

Hi there!  Today’s card is inspired by CAS challenge #293- Keyword: Sweater.  To play along, follow the link here: ( CAS #293 ) To begin, I started with a top folding card base measuring 4 1/4 x 5 1/4.   I stamped Unity’s “…the new nice” stamp set, in alrernating colors of Real Red, and Emerald Envy (Stampin Up).   The sweaters were overlapped, and attached to the card base.  “Warm Wishes” was fussy-cut and added from Concord and 9th’s Stocking Stamp and Stitch Stamp set ( Shop Here ) Small stars were added from the Avery Elle nutcrackers stamp set. Thanks for stopping by! - Valerie Kaye

 Good morning, I finished up a fun card today featuring textiles as the prompt for the Make My Monday Craft Challenge  MMM #262 Challenge Link This card is top folded, measuring 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches.  I began by cutting 4-postage style dies from Unity Stamps.  Shop here:  Postage Dies Next, I stamped the sweater from Unity’s “ …the new nice” stamp set.  Shop here:  “…the new nice stamp” Each sweater was stamped in shades of  Emerald Envy, Polished Pink, Tahitian Tide, and Gorgeous Grape (Stampin Up), then mounted onto the postage frame. The sentiment was stamped in Versa Fine Onyx Black Ink, fussy cut, and popped up with a piece of foam.  Thanks for stopping by! - Valerie Kaye 

Good morning, Hope you all are having a great start to the week.  To kick things off, I made a clean and simple card with monochromatic color.  Challenge link here:  AAA #301 To make this card, I grabbed My Monthly Hero Kit 2017-Celestial, and Stampin Up’s Sweet Silouettes. I wanted the girl sillouette to swing from a cloud.  So I took a cloud die and cut a piece of metallic silver cardstock (Recollections)- and positioned into place using a stamp platform.  The girl was positioned into place and stamped with Basic Gray Ink from Stampin Up.   To trim the cloud, I used a frame with a scalloped edge and partially die cut.  Once on the left, and again on the right, making two pieces that fit perfectly against the edge.  To add texture, I embossed the cloud pieces in Stampin Up’s Timeworn Type Embossing folder, then glued into place. The small star was stamped in Ranger Archival Ink - In watering can.   The sentiment was stamped in Versa Fine Ony...

 We all have them lurking somewhere in the craft room.  Maybe in a basket, a dish, or a box are the discarded pieces from projects.   I keep my leftovers organized by unused cardstock cut into 4 x 5 1/4 rectangles.   Die cuts are kept in a plastic photo box.   Strips are sorted by color.   Negative pieces from dies are right by my die cut machine so they can be used right away.   Here are the cards:  I only added three pieces to finish this card!  I actually had the negative white arch left over from a card I made last year.   Digging through my box I found the vellum oval. and tree.   To make this card, I added texture to the negative arch mat by running it through an embossing folder.  The left over Night of Navy cardstock was glued into the opening.  The oval, silver heat embossed tree, were then adhered to the center.  The Paper Trey Ink Noel die was cut from Night of Navy Cardstock, and glued with a fine tip glue...

  Hello!  Every time I see these chicks, it makes me chuckle!  The set is from Unity titled: Still Pecken’ Fabulous.   The layout was came from Cheerful stamps blog.   I used a sheet of 12 x 12 a scrapbook paper pad from Michael’s and to make the mats, found complimentary shades of SU-Daffodil Delight, and a coral shade.  I was looking for a purple strip and finally decided on the chunky silver scrap. The birds were colored with prismacolor pencils and embellished with silver glitter stickles. Each bird was fussy cut and applied to the card base.   A small banner die was the perfect size for the sentiment.  I used the paper clip gifted from Unity as a little extra pizazz.   This card is a horizontal top folding card which measures 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.  The white cardstock base is Accent #120 cardstock. Thanks for stopping by!

 Hello! The weekend is already drawing to an end.  The weather was so nice, we grilled burgers out for dinner.  Andy grilled, while I made a card and cooked some french fries.  It’s all about teamwork.  😉 What was I working on?   This fun sketch for Sunday Sketch Challenge #371.  To join in on the fun, follow the link here:  SSC #371 This is a well loved stamp set, from Pretty Pink Posh called Holiday Signs,  (shop here: Pretty Pink Pos h)  is used almost every year.   To stay consistent with the sketch, the three images are all holding signs!  I stamped all three images at one time using a stamp platform in Versafine Onyx Black Ink.  I used a combination of markers and Prisma color pencils to color each image.  The “Ho, Ho, Ho” came from A-Muse Stamps called Beatrice Alphabet.  I have used these for tags and labels because the font is in all caps and it’s easy to read.  The inks used were Real Red, an...

 Hi there!  I look forward to Saturday morning craft room cleaning.  Ok, not the cleaning part, but the clean organized space that makes you want to dive back into making a card.   Before I dive into cleaning, I thought maybe I would start with a Clean and Simple Card to properly end the week. The clean white space on a card helps to declutter the mental left over ideas that accumulate through the week.   I decided to pull out Stampin Up’s Clever Cats (2021) stamp set.   I began by cutting the card front to 4 x 5 1/4 inches.  Next, I positioned My Favorite Things - Square Peek a Boo Window in the center, and used washi tape to hold in place while die cutting.  I added texture to the panel with a textured embossing folder from Stampin Up, then used the panel to help position the stamps on a stamping platform.   The pumpkin was stamped 2-3 times in Versa Fine Onyx Black ink to get a solid black image.  I colored the pumpkin in with a Crayo...

 Hello!  Tonight’s card is inspired for the current sketch running at Paper Craft Crew -  PCC Challenge #642 Using this sketch I grabbed a sheet of Stampin up Lost Lagoon, a sheet of Feels Like Frost DSP, and a scrap of Matte Silver Metallic Cardstock.   I began by cutting the card base to 4 1/4 x 5 1/2. and used a snow embossing folder to partially emboss the top half of the card.   Next, I cut a panel of cardstock to approximately 2 3/4 x 4 1/4 inches.  I didn’t want the forest ring to compete with the paper, so I found a stacking circle die to partially cut a space for a more aesthetic fit.   The great circle ring die was cut from Recollections Matte Silver Metallic Cardstock and glued into place.  The laser cut snowflake from Stamping up was placed underneath.   The winter hare came from Stampin Up’s Nature’s Beauty stamp.  It was stamped in Ranger Archival Ink in Watering can and colored in Prismacolor pencils.   Three iridesce...

 Hello!  Here is today’s card for Krafty Chicks Challenge #789.  To participate, you can find their link here:  Krafty Chicks Challenge I watched how to build a wreath using dies from Jennifer McGuire.  Usually, my eyes light up when I see the caption with anything “EASY” in it!  So, I decided to give this technique a try.   I’m so glad I did, because this builds a very impactful presentation with supplies that you probably already have.   Watch Jennifer’s great video here:  Wreath Building Video    After watching the video, I went through my supplies and grabbed Stampin Up’s Lost Lagoon Cardstock, Pretty Peacock, and Recollections Matte Silver Cardstock.  The greens remind me of Eucalyptus leaves.   I had a nice wintery branch from Simon Says Stamp called Etched Berry Branch Cutting Die ( SSS Etched Berry Die ) I used a circle die to trace a round shape onto the 4 x 5 1/4 card mat.  Next, I covered the pencil marks w...

 Hi there!  Today’s card was inspired by Atlantic Hearts Blog Sketch #650 I wanted to do something a little different for the diamond focal point.  I had the Feels Like Frost DSP from Stampin up on my table and came across a video featuring a fun fold with a diamond belly band.   I really liked the diamond focal point, and this particular design you can make with or without the belly band.   Enjoy the video here:  Double Z fold Card Using the dimensions from the video, I used approximately 2 sheets of the scenic Feels Like Frost DSP paper(SU), 1 - sheet of a coordinating print, and one sheet of card-stock to create your card base, belly band and center diamond. I decided on something simple for the center and used the new Winter Scenes stamp set from Stampin Up.  I heat embossed in silver Embossing Powder, and adhered to the belly band.  The Sentiment came from Concord and 9th/Kristina Werner Holiday Assortment Set.  The simple font and small...