INKspirations!

 Greetings! Today’s card is inspired from the Tic Tac Toe Challenge #285.  If you’d like to play along, please follow the link  HERE   I chose Texture, White as my free space, and Sparkle Card Details: This is “not quite” 5x7 card.  lol.  My embossing folder from Simon Says Stamp called “Pixie Snowflake.” just arrived, and I was so excited to try it out.   (Shop Here) I started with the embossing folder and a sheet of White pearlescent paper (Shop Here)  and then trimmed the edges to fit on the holographic cardstock.   (Shop Here)   This is such a beautiful design, it really doesn’t need much else, so I added a small star to the center and added the “Peace” die from Altenew  (Shop Here) .  Silver Liquid Pearls were added to embellish the snowflake. Thanks for stopping by! - Valerie Kaye

 Hello!  I was happy to have a little downtime today was inspired to make a card from The Craft Concept’s Mood Board -  Link to TCC#222 Blog Here: Here’s the inspiration board: This card is a Clean and Layered Design.  I loved the checked rugs in the photo and chose a gingham style paper as the background.   I also liked the straight lines of the cabinets and counter top.  So working with the vertical lines of the cabinetry, I placed the trees vertically, and anchored them to a solid horizontal piece of cardstock.   Just a simple scrap of Cherry Cobbler (SU) cardstock was off set from the center and trimmed off the edge.  I used two small tree dies from Tim Holtz Holiday Blocks Dies (Shop Here)  in Evening Evergreen cardstock (SU), and anchored them to the edge of the Cherry Cobbler strip. The sentiment “Joy” from the CC9/ Kristina Werner set (Shop Here)  was first die cut, and then stamped inside the negative with Versafine Onyx Black I...

Hello, Today’s card is inspired from the current sketch at  Freshly Made Sketches #717 .   This was my first go at the Bitty Botanicals set from The Greetery.  This is a beautiful collection that gives so many options of building a card.  I used the bitty botanical stamps, diamond foliage die, and coordinating stencil to make this card.   (Shop Here) I first began by trimming the panel roughly 3 1/4 x 3 3/4 in size.  I used a stamp platform and washi tape to form a right angle to make sure the stamps and stencils aligned properly.   I stamped in Emerald Envy Ink (SU) 2-3 times for a rich impression, then stenciled with a red marker.   The lattice was cut from Recollections Red Foil Cardstock and glued over the panel, and trimmed along the edges.   A scrap of ribbon was used to help offset the sentiment from Stampin Up’s Peaceful Season was stamped in Real Red ink and die cut with a coordinating die.   Two small red rhinestones were added...

Hello!  Today I was working on some package tags for gift bags, and I decided to try out the St. Nick Bundle from Concord and 9th.  Shop here:  Die/Stencil Set ,  Sentiment Stamp This is such a great size, that I can easily make either a gift tag or a card with a nice, large focal point. I just love this jolly guy!  He certainly brightens up any gift or card you’re giving.   To make this tag: I first cut a sturdy piece of 120# cardstock.   I coated the surface with anti-static powder, then heavily pressed the Versamark Ink through the stencils.   I heat set with Recollections Red embossing powder, and Ranger Snowflake Tinsel.  I used a marker to color in the ears, face and nose, and the eyes were accented with black half round beads.   The sentiment “Ho, Ho, Ho” was stamped in Versafine Onyx Black Ink, and added off center of the beard.   The tag was attached with a standard size hole punch.   I was able to easily feed one...

Good Morning!  My son reminded me we have 10 days until Christmas! 🤪 I need more time.  lol.   With the anticipation, I still try to carve out an hour down in the craft room to relax and play with paper.  This card design is inspired from the archives of 52 Christmas Card Throwdown.  I chose May 2025 colors Red and Green (52CCT2025-18), and used the sketch from July 2021 (52CCT25-21) For the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, the “SPARKLE” is the red glitter embossing powder, and the “SHINE” is the red and gold foil. 52 Christmas Card Throwdown To make this card, I used the Kristina Werner and Concord and 9th collaboration stamp and die set Called “Merry Trees.” The letters did not fit vertically, so I rotated the sketch to make a top folding horizontal card.  The letters were built up using two white die cuts and 1 plaid to add more dimension. The negative was used as a guide for letter placement.  I centered it over the red strip, and glued into ...

 Hello! I’m switching gears today and sharing a Birthday card for my son’s birthday next week!  I used the current sketch #38 for Tawnie Owl Paperie’s Inky InspirationChallenge as the starting point for the card.  I started with the Die set from Spellbinders called Pasta Pals.  There are different pasta shapes, and elements that you can build a scene with.  There is also punny sentiments, and a coordinating embossing folder.   (Shop here) I chose Poppy Red, Gumball Green, and Basic Black as the main card colors (SU), and two pieces of yellow scrap in a light and medium yellow shade.   Assembly: The card panel was embossed and set aside.  The ravioli was assembled with the cheeks and mouth in laid in place.  The cheese wedge was assembled with a green bow tie and 1- extra wedge piece was added for dimension.   Details such as the eyes, basil leaves and bow tie were colored with fine tip markers. I realized I ended up reversing the stripe ...

 Hello!  I am sharing a card from the Spellbinders Mugs and Mittens set for the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge,  (SSS Blog Her e.  This card is a side folding A2 card ( 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 in.)  I first decided where I wanted the steam to be and used an embossing mat, with the steam dies to only emboss an impression.  I used a white Gelly Roll pen to highlight the outline. For the SHINE I cut two mugs from red foiled cardstock (Recollections -Michael’s), and two mugs from white cardstock.  The two white pieces were glued together give dimension.  To make the second mug overlap, I assembled the mug with the black coffee circle, and then used the coffee die cut circle to over lap and partially die cut a small crescent shape.  This allowed both mugs to slightly nest together.  For the SPARKLE, I chose the snowflake and the snowman.  Each were cut from white cardstock and then inked in Versamark Ink.  They were heat embossed in Ran...

 Good Morning! I had the perfect opportunity to put my “Everlasting Joy” die from Unity into action.  I picked this up from the Brown Thursday sale and immediately fell in love with it.   The current  sketch from Freshly Made Sketches this week features a large circle for the focal point, so this was my first choice.  To play along, visit their blogspot here:  #FMS716 To make this card, I cut 2 - “joy” die cuts from 120# white cardstock and then added the gold mirrored cardstock (Michael’s) over.   I cut - 1 “joy” die from red velvet specialty paper from SEI crafts, and used the negative part of the “O” as the background.   (Shop Here)   This paper really has a velvety finish but can be cut with a paper trimmer or dies without any problem.  I love pulling these sheets out for the holidays.   The dove is from Memory Box called Serene Bird and Branch  (Shop Here) .  I die cut 2 birds, one from white and one from pearlescent ...

 Hello!  Gift giving preparations are underway! One of my favorite ways is using a gift basket.  I love the variety of things that can be incorporated together to make a beautiful presentation to give someone.   This year, one of the gifts I’m gifting will be a breakfast pancake mix.  You can read more about about the mix and a printable label here:  The Crafted Sparrow  I found the idea on Pinterest and it worked well with some local Maple syrup souvenirs from an earlier trip to Funks Grove Maple Syrup farm.  Funks Grove is a neat place nestled between a pretty area in the countryside of Illinois.  Depending on the time of year, the Sugar Shack sells maple syrup, maple sugar, and even maple ice cream!  Spring is the best time for availability of syrup, because usually sells out late in the season.  To learn more about this country treasure, check out this link:  Funks Grove Maple Syrup There is nothing better than an easy brea...

 Hello! Today’s card makes fun use of stretching those supplies!  I have this Simon Says Stamp Bitty Birdhouse die and I used some winter elements to give more of a wintery feel.   This card is part of the December Die Cut Divas Challenge.  Join in on the fun here:  (Challenge link) To make this card I began by taking a 4 x 5 1/4 inch panel of Pool Party cardstock (SU), and embossed with Softly Falling - Embossing Folder (SU). Next, I cut the Etched Berry Branch (SSS) - from kraft cardstock (Shop Here)   Leaving the die in place, colored with markers and then removed it from the panel.   The Bird House came from Simon Says Stamp - Bitty Birdhouse (Shop Here) .   I cut 3 -rooftops from Basic Black Cardstock (SU), and the house from Poppy Parade (SU).  This is such a bright, cheery red, I always find myself reaching for it!  The branch was positioned onto the card panel, and then the house was attached.  A small piece of twine (U...

 Hello! I just finished up a card for a fun challenge at AAA Cards blogspot ( AAA Cards Callenge #305 ) The theme for this challenge is to make a Clean and Simple card using white on white.   What is challenging, is making a card that is white without being overly busy.  I wanted texture and needed a focal point, so I started looking through some of my dies to see what might work.  The photo doesn’t show the glitter very well, so here is a quick video to get a better look: I decided on an older stamp set from Stampin Up called Smitten Mitten.   I also used a My Favorite Things die - called Square Peek a Boo Window Die.   I liked how a single mitten was framed inside.   Card Base: To make this card, I cut my card panel into a side folding card measuring 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches.  I cut a piece of white pearlescent paper (Recollections- Michael’s).   Using washi tape, I laid the pearlescent paper on top of the card panel, and added a couple pi...

 Hello!  Today’s card is inspired from the current challenge at Addicted to Clean and Simple Blogspot.  You can find the challenge link here:  Addicted to CAS #297 I started with the small tree dies from the Concord and 9th Tiny Trees Turnabout set.  These are such a great size, that I reach for these often!  (Shop Here) Using a piece of washi tape I positioned the center and the right tree to cut the 4 x 5 1/4 panel.  I then positioned the left tree and passed it through the Big shot one more time.   A small piece from Stampin Up’s 6 x 6 Silver and Gold Specialty Design Paper was adhered to the back.   The tree bases were cut from silver metallic cardstock, and the stars were cut from gold metallic card stock, both Recollections Brand from Michael’s.  A few ornaments were added with gold liquid pearls.   The script sentiment was positioned on a stamp platform and stamped in Versa fine Onyx Black Ink.  The sentiment comes from ...

Hello! Today’s card is inspired from The Color Hues Challenge 123.  Please join in on the fun, the link is here:  #TCH123 For this card I used older colors of Stampin Up cardstock (Pink Pirouette, and Garden Green).   I cut a strip measuring 2 x 4 inches.  I stamped SU- Festive Foliage stamp in Evening Evergreen ink.  I colored the branches with a light and medium shade of green and added it to the pink card base.   I used the die from Taylored Expressions Peaceful Dove.  I used a pearlescent white paper and added a gold foil bow for the embellishment.   The sentiment is Kaisercraft- Christmas Wishes set ( Shop Here) Thanks for stopping by! - Valerie Kaye

 Good Morning! Freshly Made Sketches has a new challenge up this week, and I couldn’t resist!   My Mom often gifts me her older stamp sets, and I was drawn to the shape of the wreath from Stampin Up’s Winterly Tree Tops set.  I thought that was the perfect element for the sketch.  You can play along here:  #FMS715 I wanted I high contrast color behind the neutral colors of the bird and branches, so I used a scrap of Stampin Up Poppy Parade Cardstock.   The bird and wreath were stamped in SU- Early Espresso Ink and colored with markers and then die cut.  Two additional die cuts of the bird were glued together for added dimension.   Gold dimensional accents were added to the berries.  The sentiment was stamped in Versa Fine Onyx Black Ink.   Thanks for Stopping By! - Valerie Kaye

 Hello!  I needed to make a few more cards to mail out.  Every year we add a few more friends to our list!   It’s always nice to have a great sketch to get the ball rolling with a quick, clean lined card. I need to make about 10 to 15 extra cards, so I wanted a pretty simple card layout.  I remembered the great sketch up at Freshly Made Sketches and went back to their blog for a closer look.   This sketch was just exactly what I needed!  I was able to quickly grab a few supplies to make a master copy.  I will then assembly line the others later tonight.   I used a square cutting die to cut the background mat.  I placed in  Tim Holtz - Sizzix Pine branch embosding folder.   Next, I cut a 2 1/4 inch. circle from Stampin Up Poppy Parade paper, and stamped the sentiment from Simon Says Stamp - Holiday Messages Ornament.   The sentiment was positioned on a stamp platform and heat embossed with white embossing powder.   The...