INKspirations!

 Hello!  I finished up a card today that feels so vintage.   It’s inspired from the challenge at Unity ‘s Facebook Show and Tell Group page from 1/29 - 2/15. My Mom, gave me the Emotions Unfolded stamp for Christmas, and I have really been wanting to make something with it, so this opportunity was perfect.  ❤️ (SHOP HERE) Assembly: I knew I wanted something vintage looking, so I used the Wallpaper and Warmth Paper pack.   There was a sheet that was more of a warm wheat color.  I stamped in Ranger Archival Sepia Ink, and added detail and shading with fine tipped pens and colored pencils. I chose the sentiment from Unity’s Sing The Lord’s Praise, using a stamp platform to stamp directly across in Early Espresso Ink (SU).  (SHOP HERE) The wings and leaf edge were fussy cut and tucked outside a square die for a partial die cut.  The corners were trimmed with a corner punch.  I flipped the embellishment to the opposite corner, adding a small ...

 Hello!  I love card challenges!  You will often see cards I make from various challenges because it gives the creative push to create.   I also work my way around the craft room and definitely use my supplies more.   This card is a great example of the creative process.  Here’s the sketch this week from Freshly Made Sketches #721 -  (Challenge Link) This sketch was the perfect starting point.  I think sometimes the most difficult part is arranging elements in a visually appealing way.  (My card is reversed, with the strip on the opposite side.) As I was shopping through my stash, I saw a Kit of the Month my Mom gifted to me, and saw this great mug image.    (SHOP HERE) Which brought me to the second prompt, of the mood board from The Card Concept #223 -  (LINK HERE) This is more of a Clean, and Layered design.   The mug and the color palette helped me choose the mug color and paper pattern.  Simple but cozy!   A...

 Hello! Today’s card is a Clean and Simple design with the theme of “Food.” To join along in Addicted to Clean and Simple #300 this week, please click the link  (HERE)  Assembly: This is a side folding A2 sized card.   I used the Burger Bistro set from Stampin Up, and stamped in Early Espresso Ink (SU). I created a mask for the burger and positioned the fries with a stamp platform.   These were the colors used for the burger, fries and ketchup: After coloring, I wanted to add the small cup with ketchup.  I cut the cup from matte silver cardstock, and the ketchup from white scrap.   Positioning the ketchup slightly closer to the rim helps add realism to the die-cut.   The sentiment was positioned under the burger and stamped twice for a bold impression.   Thanks for stopping by! - Valerie Kaye

Hello!    Today’s card is inspired from Monday’s challenge at Atlantic Hearts Sketch.   If you’d like to also join in on the fun, click the link  HERE For my card, I started with an A2 sized base in Pretty Peacock cardstock (SU).   I used a kraft panel measuring 4 x 5 1/4 in., and embossed with a 3D Cable Knit pattern from Stampin Up White Kraft ink was swiped across to emphasize the texture, and provide contrast.   The snowflake, from Stampin Up’s Elegant Pine was heat embossed in White EP, on Pretty Peacock cardstock and die cut.   Three silver sprigs were attached to the back and three small rhinestones were added to the center.   Thanks for Stopping by! - Valerie Kaye

 Hello! I made two cards this weekend that are very different from my usual designs.   I saw a card that Cathy Zilelske made and I loved the overall design.  I also really liked that this card requires very little paper.   Here’s Cathy’s Card : Using my own supplies, here’s my take.   Card 1: I had some “Thank you” tags and paper samples from Unity stamps.  The star of the stash was a few vintage postcard print papers. I also used set of tags had a butterfly theme, and the other was roses.   Beginning with the butterflies, I found some label dies with rounded corners.  I cut the tags out and chose a small focal point to cut out.  I cut a duplicate butterfly to glue to two of the panels and lift the wings for dimension.   The Sentiment from Stampin Up’s “Go to Greetings” was stamped in Versa Fine Onyx Black Ink onto a scrap piece of tag and added to the frame.   Small ink spatters were added inside the frame, awith the two small butt...

 Hello!  I finally had a chance to color this adorable little bird.  Well I colored it pink, so baby flamingo maybe?  lol.   This card is for CAS Colours and Sketches #577   (LINK HERE) And  CAS on Friday with the theme of Monotone. (LINK HERE) This is a fantastic sketch because it just requires a few scraps.  I have a few ziploc bags of left over strips and found a light, medium and dark shade for the layout.   The sweet bird is from Unity stamps called “Wee Little Love Courier” -  (Shop Here) This is a side folding card A2 size (4 1/4 x 5 1/2in.) The bird was stamped in Versafine Onyx Black Ink and colored with markers.  Wink of stella was added to make the eyes shimmer.   A stamp platform was used to add the sentiment directly to the card panel.   Have a great weekend!  - Valerie Kaye 

 Hello!  Today I put two cards together from the technique of inking 3-Dimensional folders.  This card is for Craft Rocket Challenge #132 - “Something New”  (Link Here) Time Out Challenge #304 - “A Favorite Technique”   (Link Here) I have seen many different ways of using embossing folders with ink, so I thought I’d come back and re visit the technique.  I had some 6 x 6 paper from Stampin Up called New Horizons.  The designs have many different water color patterns.  (New, and never used!)  I placed the paper to de- boss or press into the paper, and swiped an ink pad directly across.   I cut the paper in half, which allowed me to make a bonus card.  Always a plus!  I cut a rectangular frame and used double sided tape to the inside window, and taped into place.  The excess was trimmed off. (Another stamp, never used in the package)  A sentiment was stamped and adhered to the simple.   Supplies: Stamp: Altenew’s B...

Good Morning! I had two ideas for FMS#720, and today I finished up the second card. Join the challenge  (HERE)   Supplies: Stamps: Unity “Bee-hold”  (Shop Here) Paper: Stampin Up “Bee Mine” DSP Die: Honey Bee (my die looks retired but this one is almost identical)  (Shop Here) Thanks for Stopping by! - Valerie Kaye 

Hello!    I had so much fun making this card today.  It’s inspired from sketch #720 at Freshly Made Sketches.   Join in on the fun -  (HERE) Assembly: To make this card I used Unity’s DSP - called Wallpaper and Warmth to create the back wall.   (Shop Here)   For the chair and pillow, I used two coordinating prints from Unity’s paper pack called Kindness is Magic.  (Shop Here) I cut a panel about 3 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches - and pierced the vertical lines with Concord and 9th’s Cover plate called - Double Stripe Card front.   (Shop Here) I stamped Unity’s Happy Place chair and  pillow onto the  Kindness is Magic paper (Unity)  in Versa Mark Onyx Black,  Ink, then fussy cut.   (Shop Here) I stamped the sentiment onto the pillow from the - “No Place Like Home” set.  (Unity)   (Shop Here) The little plant also from the same set, was stamped onto white mixed media paper and fussy cut.  It was glued onto the shelf ...

Hello!    I had three Mr. Suns on my craft table, and I decided to change up the background and had him sliding down a rainbow.   This falls right into the new challenge for a Place to Start - “Rainbows” -  Play along  (HERE) This card is on its way to a very special girl named Amelia.  If you would like to make her birthday extra special, read her story and send a card to her too! Link:  (Here) I had a lot of different combinations of pieces that I had assembled together yesterday, and found these wayfair style glasses.  I love them!  To finish the card, I used a rainbow die and cut in each color.  I then snipped off the next color and glued together.  To add sturdiness, I cut a piece of packing cardboard to the back.   The cloud was cut and divided to the left and offset in the skyline.   Supplies: Mr. Sun - Lawn Fawn Stamps - Unity - Winter Time Friends Paper - Poppy Red - Stampin Up Daffodil Delight - Stampin Up Coasta...

 Hello! Today’s card is inspired by the theme of “Bright and Beautiful” to play along, clink the link:  (HERE) Bright makes me think of nice warm sunny rays, so I chose the Mr. Sun Die from Lawn Fawn.   (SHOP HERE)   Playing around with this set, I wasn’t exactly sure on the layout.   My initial thought was to partially die cut the clouds, however, I ended up rolling the dies all the way through.  lol.  Ooops!  I had to take a little creative detour.  🤣  I decided to cut a second panel in white gluing the two pieces together, then tidied things up with an arch die.   Although the the Lawn Fawn Set does come with some cute accessories, I found a fun pair from Jaded Blossom.  You can find the most current sets, both regular and large -  (HERE) Supplies: Sentiment: Unity - Wintertime Friends  (SHOP HERE) Half round black beads 3mm maybe? - Amazon 12 x 12 ind. sheet gold glimmer scrapbook paper (Michael’s) Pearl Shimmer ...

 Good Morning! Today’s card is more of a Fresh and Clean design.  The embossing folder is so pretty I never feel the need to add more to it.  💕 This card is for Can You Handle the Pressure?    (LINK HERE) Peace on Earth #104 (LINK HERE) Assembly: This card measures 5 x 7 inches.  I sometimes trim the paper down and adjust where I want to show the embosding, but today I just wanted to show off the full beauty of this evergreen swag.   The embossing folder is is from Spellbinders,  aptly called Floral Holiday Swag.   (SHOP HERE) The pretty oblong cutting die was gifted from my Mom.  I initially watched a Penny Black video showing an embossed card, layered with a frame and a floral tucked in, but I didn’t seem to have the right floral piece.  I guess I’ll just have to go shopping…😆 So, I just decided to simplify my card a bit.  I grabbed an older stamp set from Stampin Up called “Ornamental Pine.” The set has a pine branch, hook...

 Hello!  Today’s card is prompted by the challenge to follow the leader.   If you like you play along, please follow the link here:  (AAA #306) This is the Leader’s card, by Francesca Assembly: So to follow Francesca’s card, I looked for two images that were similar in size in shape, and something a little different in the middle.   My Mom gave me this Penny Black stamp set called “Let’s Party” (Transparent) I used a star stencil to apply the background pattern.  I stamped all three images at once using a stamp platform in Early Espresso Brown Ink - (SU).   The bodies were watercolored and fine details were added with fine tip markers, and fussy cut.   The sentiment from Stampin Up’s “It’s Your Day,” was positioned and stamped in Versafine Onyx Black Ink. Thanks for stopping by! - Valerie Kaye

 Hello!  Today I made a card following the sketch for Hand Stamped Sentiments.   If you’d like to play along, please follow the link  (HERE) Using the layout as a guide, I was looking for a long stamp, and chose Unity’s Meadow of Memory stamp set.   It includes two floral images and two sentiments.  (SHOP HERE) Assembly: This is a A2 - side folding card (4 1/4 x 5 1/2 in.) I found a sheet of scrapbook paper with a peach lace print.  I really liked the soft color, so I used that as my panel.   Using a stamp platform I used a texture stamp from Unity’s Change and Direction Kit of the Month 10/22 in the center, using Crumbcake ink - (SU) (SHOP HERE) From the same scrap book pack, I cut out the dictionary definition of grace and layered it over.   Using the platform, I added the flower and stamped in the darker Early Espresso Ink - (SU)  I used the sentiment from Unity’s Kit of the Month - Never Lose Hope 3/22, and layered over the flower st...

 Hello!  I had a little extra time today, and I had the chance to watercolor this giraffe!   This card will be heading to Mrs. Dunning’s Pre-K class for  Hearts Around The World To make this card, I used the Giraffe and the “Hello” sentiment from Unity’s July Kit Of The Month - 2021 Assembly: To make this card, I knew I wanted to start with watercolors, so I found a scrap of Multi Media paper and stamped in Dusty Durango Ink - (SU), and layered with these other colors: I next decided on how I wanted layout the card.  I used Atlantic Hearts Sketch #663 with coordinating papers from a 12 x 12 paper pack. I used the recent sketch from Atlantic Hearts #663 as a starting point.  I wanted the giraffe leaning against something, so this layout worked perfectly. I chose to keep the right space of the giraffe open.  I added  stitched heart to layer over the giraffe, and just a simple heart to embellish.   I was originally going to trim the giraffe’s mo...