INKspirations!

 Hi There!  Thanks for stopping by.  My brother’s birthday will be here in a couple of weeks, and I decided to go with a nature scene.  It’s almost deer season, so I thought this stamp would be perfect.  It’s a highly detailed red rubber stamp from Unity called : Wild Haven.   (LINK) I started with cutting down a piece of multi media paper to   4 x 5 1/4.  I used SU’s - Evergreen Forest Embossing Folder and inked the raised side with Always Artichoke ink (SU). For the deer image, I used a second piece of multi media paper.  I mounted the stamp inside a stamp platform and inked sections with markers.   The image was cut with Stampin Up’s Countryside Corners Die.   I  brushed bottom edges directly with a Versamark ink pad, then heat set with Rose Gold Embossing powder.   The sentiment from Honey Bee stamps called - Great Man ( LINK)  was also heat set and die cut.  I cut two additional outline die-cut and glued the...

 Greetings!  I’ve been missing in action for the past few weeks from taxi service for my two boys.  We’re in the home stretch for summer vacation, and before you know it, school will be back in session.   The big excitement this week is my oldest will officially be a teenager!  🫣 - I’m not sure if I’m ready!   For his birthday, I made a special card that looks like a fishing vest.  You could easily make this a hunter’s vest by changing up the colors/prints of the paper. I was in a little bit of a panic because I hadn’t made his card yet, but I remembered I had this great die from Honey Bee Stamps- Honey Cut Dies Fishing Vest A2 Card Base. I was wanting to make something that looked like camouflage material, so I used the DSP from Stampin Up’s O Holy Night, and Unity’s plaid sheet and forest print from the Found in the Forest Paper Pack. I used a piece of kraft cardstock to make a sturdy base for the middle.  I added the O Holy Night to the inside...

 Hello! Diane and Darlene have a fun challenge on their blog using bows!  To join along in the fun, click the link  (HERE) For my card I used this card sketch from EMK Creations. You can find more great sketches and tips (HERE)   This card began from sorting through my ziploc bags of scraps!  I had a bag of yellow printed papers and liked how the flowers coordinated with the subtle dijon patterned paper.  This card sketch was great simply because it doesn’t require a ton of paper.   I used the bicycle image from Unity’s Kit of the Month - Wander and Wonder - September 2024.   I stamped in Crumb cake ink (SU), and used the fine tip from the coordinating marker to add shading on the tires and seat.   The sentiment was stamped from the same Unity kit of the month on the inside of the card.  It reads “may blessings bloom around you.” This sentiment can be used for encouragement or a birthday. The flowers were colored with a few markers and p...

 Hello!  Today’s card was is inspired from Sunday Stamps Challenge 386.  To join in on the fun, click the link  (HERE) For my card, I used the girl from Unity’s July 2022 - Kit of the Month called Fresh air and Sunshine.   I stamped the girl with Sepia - Archival ink from Ranger on multi media paper, and watercolored with shades of Mint Macaroon, Dusty Durango, Petal Pink and Blushing Bride from Stampin Up.  I used Simon Says Stamp - A2 rectangle dies to cut the panels.   Wall Paper and Warmth is floral patterned paper that was used as the layer beneath the girl.   A sheer ribbon was knotted 2-3 times with the ends tucked under to create the flowers in the hair.   Happy Birthday was stamped in Early Espresso ink (SU) - from In Your Words - stamp set (SU). Butterfly dies - Be Your Beautiful Self (SSS) Thanks for stopping by! - Valerie Kaye 

Hi there!  If you need a laugh today, I got you covered!  The expression on this chicks face always makes me giggle.🤭  Today’s card is inspired from Freshly Made Sketches, Chalkenge #734. To join in on the fun, Click the link  (HERE) I took the sketch and rotated it, so my chick would fit a little better.   I started building the sketch, cutting a 4 3/4 x 4 3/4 card base from Coastal Cabana cardstock (SU).   A hexagon panel was cut from Paper Trey Ink - Honeycomb cover plate and the corners were trimmed with a corner punch. The second layer, I used a scrap and die cut the notebook edge.  I stamped the primary ledger lines from Simon Says Stamp Handwriting Paper - Background stamp in Rococco Rose ink (SU).  The chick is from Unity stamps called - Still Peckin’ Fabulous 🤣. I stamped in Versafine Onyx Black ink and colored with markers.   Wink of Stella was added to the frosting of the cake. Extra dimension was added to the the party hat with ...

 Hello! This cute card is inspired from this month’s Top Inky Inspiration Sketch #42 For my card, I used Unity’s squirrel Fruit and Fluff - June 2025, and Unity’s Slices of Summer - Watermelon Patterned Paper Pack. I trimmed 2 sheets of patterned paper  to 3 3/4 x 5 inches, and tore the top and bottom corners leaving the center with the white core exposed.  The two pieces were adhered together and added to a 4 x 5 1/4 mat in Strawberry Sorbet cardstock (SU). The squirrel was stamped in Versa fine Onyx Black ink, and watercolored with an aquapen and Dusty Durango, Strawberry Sorbet, Polished Pink, and Gumball Green ink pads (SU). I brightened up the dress a little more with a crayola pink marker.  Wink of Stella was added to the Watermelon for a little shimmer, and a small lime green and white bow was made from baker’s twine.  Thanks for stopping by! - Valerie Kaye

 Hello!  I’m excited to be joining you this week as guest designer  for Seize the Birthday!   This week’s theme is “Green.” I originally was thinking of evergreens and trees, but then I grabbed this quirky little snail and fun bringing him to life! Isn’t he great?  💕 Card Details: The star of this card is the snail from Unity stamps called “Snailed It.”   I stamped onto Fabriano Mixed Media paper in Evening Evergreen Ink (SU),  and watercolored using a Gumball Green Marker on a glass media mat, with an aquapen.  For my panel, I used Unity’s Postage Stamp Die set, with a green polka dot sheet of paper from Unity’s Domestic Goddess Paper Pack.   I lined the two pieces together, and cut using the postage stamp die.   A strip of Evening Evergreen (SU) was positioned as a border, and trimmed one more time using the die.   I liked the bold script from Stampin’ Up’s On the Horizon Set, and stamped with Versafine Onyx Black ink.  The ...

 Hello!  Today’s card is inspired from CAS Colours and Sketches #579.  To join in on the chalkenge, please click the link  (HERE) For my A2 -,side folding card, I chose Stampin Up’s Magnolia Mood Set.  I was originally thinking of watercoloring, but gravitated to the intense Starry Sky Ink (SU).  I love this shade of blue!   I stamped and rotated in each corner, and stamped the sentiment in Versa Fine Onyx Black Ink.   The panel was added to a thin mat in the coordinating  card stock.   Thanks for stopping by! - Valerie Kaye

 Hello!  This card is for Seize The Birthday’s - Challenge #320.   To join in on the challenge, please click the link  (HERE) The theme is: Clean and Simple using a cutting die.   For my card, I used an older cutting die from My Favorite Things - Dienamics Perfect Fit Balloon Die. I taped the balloon die inside a rectangular mat frame and die cut both at the same time.   I was left with the negative space which I used a sheet of DSP - from Stampin Up (retired).  I used the clean lined birthday sentiment from the A-Muse Stamps Sampler Set 3.   Ink: Versa Fine Onyx Black Ink Paper: Simon Says Stamp Heavy Weight Cardstock 110# Cream 

 Hello! Today’s card is inspired from the current sketch from Atlantic Hearts - #667.  You can play along,  (HERE) I Think I’m in vacation mode.  I keep thinking of this great vacation spot we visit in the summer in Door County, Wisconsin.  It has the feel of being out on the East coast.   Sailboats, seagulls, rock skipping and hitting our favorite place for a fabulous root beer float. If you ever get out that way, stop by Wilson’s for Ice Cream — But I digress…😆 Using this sketch, and a few left over elements, I was able to make a masculine birthday card.   This is a A2 horizontal card (5 1/2 x 4 1/4 in.) I chose a darker color of patterned paper for contrast against the softer blue of the card base and white center panel.   The center panel was die cut and matted with the Sea side spray to create solid stripes.   The sentiment was positioned along a strip and stamped in Night of Navy ink (SU), and adhered over the last opening.   The ...

 Good Morning! Today’s card is a clean style, inspired from the AAA Color Challenge, #307.  To play along, please click the link  (HERE) https://aaacards.blogspot.com/2026/02/aaa-card-challenge-307-color-challenge.html These serene colors made me think of beaches and sailboats, so I used a few dies to cut the blues and greens onto an A2 sized card base.  The rounded corner dies have been in my collection for awhile. You could easily adapt this shape by using square punches or dies and use a corner punch to round the corners.     Here is a similar version available  (HERE) I cut the sailboat from a piece of chipboard with a second layer in white cardstock for a little dimension.  The dies are from Memory Box called Marina Sailboats #94575. The sail and the star were added from My Favorite Things - 439 Sailboat. I liked the rounded font of A-Muse Stamps sampler 3, so using a stamp platform, I stamped in Marina Mist Ink (SU) (SHOP HERE) Papers Used: ...

 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!  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’s card is for 2 challenges:  Double D’s challenge is to use the inspiration board for ideas.  I reached for an older Stampin Up set called “Friends are Like Seashells” to create this “Birthday”card. Happy Birthday Diane and Darlene 🥳🎂  Please follow the link  (HERE) Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is to Emboss - to play along, please follow the link  (HERE) Card Assembly: This card measures 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.  The card base might be Misty Moonlight from -SU.   I began with a panel of multi media paper and embossed with the Bark Embossing folder from Stampin Up. When you turn the pattern sideways, it reminded me of ocean waves.   I Used a sheet of DSP from SU- Called Sand and Sea.   I wanted a particular section of the paper design, so in order to save waste, I cut a clear scrap of laminated sheet measuring 1 1 3/4 x 5 1/4.  This way, I can see exactly the pattern where I want to cut.  Just trace with a p...

 Good Morning!  Today’s card is for Freshly Made Sketches #719.  To play along, follow the link  (HERE) The idea for the cabin and beautiful purple sky came from a watercolor painting that someone posted on Facebook.   Unfortunately, I’m not sure who to credit because no signature or author was listed, but thank you for the idea! Card Assembly: To make this card, I began with a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 panel of multi media paper.  The edges were taped down with washi tape, and the paper was wet down with a brush.   I dropped in shades of purples and yellows with these colors: Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Rich Razzelberry, Orchid Oasis and Balmy Blue (SU) I pulled out an older block stamp from Inkadoo with a cabin and trees.  For placement, I stamped on a left over laminated sheet scrap as a viewfinder, and stamped in Early Espresso Ink.  I cut the panel with SU- Country Corners die, and then embossed with a canvas style embosding folder.   Evergreen tr...

 Hello!  I finished up a card today for the current challenge at the Festive Friday Blog.  If you’d like to play along, please click on the link here:  (#FF0200) For the challenge, I chose yellow, tulips, dry embossing, and Happy Birthday  Assembly: To make this card I used Unity’s “All Good Things” stamp set.   I began with lightweight multimedia paper cut to 4 x 5 1/4 in. I stamped in Ranger Sepia Archival ink, and loosely watercolored from ink pads (Daffodil Delight, Gumball Green (SU) Next, I partially embossed with Stampin Up’s Scripty embosding folder.  The embossing and edges were blended with Gumball Green ink (SU). The sentiment came from Stampin Up’s  “Go to Greetings.” The sentiment was stamped in Early Espresso Ink (SU) and die cut.   The card was embellished with twine (thanks Unity!) and mounted onto a card base measuring 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 (Gumball Green card stock SU).  Have a great week! - Valerie Kaye

 Greetings!  Atlantic Hearts has a great sketch out this week, and it was the perfect starting point to make a fun birthday card.  Join along here:  Atlantic Hearts Sketch #683 For this card, I used Unity’s Starting a Plague  (Shop Here) , and Thinkin’ Out Loud  (Shop Here) .  I was gifted these from Christmas, and it’s just the dry humor I needed to make a birthday card for a teenager!   I found a sheet of scrapbook paper with a lime green grid print, which was a nice background for the card.  I added a solid scrap of lime green and blue (Starry Sky - SU)  to border the grasshopper.  I used the speech bubble and twine in place of the flower.  I flipped it to the other side to accommodate the size better.   Thanks for stopping by! - Valerie Kaye 

 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!   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...

  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!