InkspiredTreasures.com

Be back tomorrow

Sorry if you are here looking for the Blogger’s Challenge.  I had an emergency root canal done this morning.  Ouch!  I’m home, and everything went fine.  At least I hope I won’t have a toothache when it all wears off.

Hope to be back tomorrow.  Thanks for checking!

Echos of Kindness

I’m still fighting a killer toothache.  My brother is my dentist and I did get an emergency appointment with him first thing this morning.  Now I’m on antibiotics and he is watching to make sure I don’t need a root canal.  Oh joy!  I’m popping Advils like they are candy.  Only good thing is that I definitely don’t feel like eating!  Hopefully I’ll lose weight from enduring all this. 

I have a lot of friends with birthdays coming up soon so I spent a few hours in my Studio making up some birthday cards.  I decided to finally mount my hostess stamp set, Echos of Kindness…such a pretty set.  It is also amazingly easy to work with!  I love the abstract images, so you can watercolor them easily.

I started by stamping the image with Basic Brown and using my Blender Pen and ink pads to color in the flower image with Pink Pirouette and Kiwi Kiss.  I followed a sketch challenge that was on SUDSOL (the best place for demos to get help building their business…click on the button at the bottom of my sidebar for a free two-week trial!)  The base of the card is Regal Rose, with a layer of Pink Pirouette over top.  A piece of the Raspberry Tart DSP with Kiwi Kiss two-tone satin ribbon tied around it.  Then I added the stamped flower, layered on Regal Rose.  Finally, I stamped Happy Birthday from Think Happy Thoughts with Basic Brown on Whisper White, punched with the 1 1/4 circle, then punched a circle of Regal Rose and a Scallop Circle of Kiwi Kiss.  I pierced each of the scallops with the piercing tool and added dimensionals on the back to pop it up.  Last, I punched a Pink Pirouette flower from the Trio of Flowers punch and placed a mini brad thru the center and thru the scallop circle.  Fun!

Going to keep this brief, I think I need more Advil and to lay on the couch a few minutes.

Sets:  Echos of Kindness, Think Happy Thoughts
C/S:  Pink Pirouette, Regal Rose, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss, Raspberry Tart DSP
Inks:  Basic Brown, Pink Pirouette, Regal Rose, Kiwi Kiss
Other:  1 1/4, 1 3/8, Scallop Circle punches; Kiwi Kiss satin ribbon, Mini brad, Trio of Flowers punch, Blender pen, piercing tool

Thoughts & Prayers

The Thoughts & Prayers stamp set has certainly been popular.  Over the past weekend, Mary, Lisa and I did some cyber challenges and used this set a couple times.  I’ll link to them when I see they have posted their cards.

We used Amy R’s sketch as a jumping off point and the requirement of using Thoughts & Prayers.  Each of us used a different color scheme.  Makes it so fun to see how each of us interpret the sketch differently.

I started by using some of the Sale-A-Bration designer paper, Delicate Dots, that you can get for FREE with a $50 order.  I let the stripe paper determine my color scheme.  I started with the base of So Saffron.  I added a layer of Certainly Celery, first running it thru my Big Shot with the flower Textruz design (you can barely see it in the background in the photo.)  I added the striped designer paper to the right side, and then the blue polka dot designer paper to the left.  I rounded the corners of it first.

I used the floral branch for my stamped image and inked it with Certainly Celery, then removed the color from the flowers with my blender pen.  This allowed me to add back the So Saffron color with my marker.  I layered the Whisper White onto Sahara Sand.  Then I pierced holes in each of the flowers for a little more definition.  This piece went on top of the designer papers and I wrapped the So Saffron 5/8 grosgrain around the entire Certainly Celery piece and knotted.  (This ribbon is part of the ribbon bundle you can also get only during Sale-A-Bration with a $50 order…it matches the designer paper perfectly!)  My final step was to add the Thinking of You greeting, cut with my Sizzix Lots of Tags die.  I added a small punched flower in So Saffron from the Trio Flower punch and placed a crystal mini brad from the Pretties Kit in the center.  Cute!

I think I’m going to have to call my brother, the dentist, today.  I’ve had a toothache for two days.  Ouch!  I don’t know what I’ve done.  I was just in there last week for an emergency visit when my filling broke off.  I bit down on something hard in my food…haven’t figured out what it was, but it did do some damage, obviously!

Punch Pinwheels

EDIT:  To make pinwheels, punch a square (or cut one to the size you want).  From each corner, cut approximately 1/2 way to center point.  Fold down every other point to meet in the center.  Place a mini brad to hold the points in place.  Adhere to card with dimensionals.

At my Punch Class this month, I showed them how to make Pinwheels!  I think they are so much fun and SO easy!  You can make them any size!  I’ve made them before to top flower stems, but this time I wanted to use them on a flourish. 

I pulled out my dusty set, Doodle This (I can remember when I first bought that set I used it ALL the time!) and stamped the corner scroll in Certainly Celery on Whisper White.  I colored in the small flowers with So Saffron.  The base of the card is Certainly Celery and I added a layer of the wonderful Sale-A-Bration designer paper, Delicate Dots, over top.  (YOU can get this lovely paper FREE with a $50 order.  Click HERE to SHOP ONLINE NOW!)  I chose two other patterns in the Delicate Dots package and punched the squares for the pinwheels, adding a colored mini brad in the center of each.  They are secured to the flourish with dimensionals.  I layered the stamped image on Sahara Sand and added the Eyelet Border in Certainly Celery to the top and the bottom.  Finally, I added the words, "I just heard" in the upper right corner, using the Word Window to punch it from So Saffron.  I think it turned out really cute and my class LOVED it!

Sets:  Doodle This, Absolutely Fabulous
Inks:  Certainly Celery, Basic Gray, So Saffron marker
C/S:  Certainly Celery, Sahara Sand, Whisper White, Delicate Dots DSP
Other:  Mini brads, Eyelet Border Punch, Word Window Punch, 1-1/4 square punch

Sweet Stems

Well, the weekend flew by, didn’t it?  Saturday, I went to my upline’s meeting in the morning and then was able to get a couple card challenges done with my friends in the afternoon.  Sunday I just spent the day resting.  I have felt the beginnings of a cold, so wanted to try to pamper it before it took over.  My youngest (who is at college) stopped by for a couple hours (and dinner).  It was good to talk with him.

This card is one that my Stamp Club members did last month.  I like the softness of Pink Pirouette along with the Kiwi Kiss and Chocolate Chip colors.  I started with a card base of Pink Pirouette, then added a layer of Kiwi Kiss and a layer of Chocolate Chip that was stamped with the flower in Chocolate Chip…tone on tone.  I cut the Pink Pirouette and Raspberry Tart Designer Paper together with the Top Note die in the Big Shot machine.  Then I wrapped the Kiwi Kiss stripe ribbon around to the back and secured.  I stamped the Sweet Stems flower on Whisper White with Basic Brown ink and colored with my blender pens and ink pads.  I added a small green Rhinestone brad to the center of the largest flower. I cut the flower out with the Coluzzle (available only while supplies last!) and layered it with Chocolate Chip oval cut from the Coluzzle.  I adhered that flower piece to the Top Note piece with dimensionals and adhered the Top Note to the card base.  Finally, I added three 1/4" circles over the ovals for a little added touch!  And the greeting, "thank you" from Fresh Cuts finishes it off.

Hope you have a great week!

Set:  Sweet Stems, Fresh Cut
C/S: Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Raspberry Tart DSP
Inks:  Basic Brown, Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette
Other:  Green mini Rhinestone brad, Top Note die, 1/4 circle punch, Oval Coluzzles, Kiwi Stripe ribbon

Bloggers’ Challenge – Inspiration

Today’s Bloggers’ Challenge was to use this photo as inspiration.  At first, I had a tough time picturing anything…the rust tones of this bedspread bring fall colors to mind instead of spring that I’m wishing for.  But, then I thought the Damask background from the new Texturz plates would be perfect for this Challenge.  And, I remembered a technique from Technique Junkies that is called Cuttlebug Smoosh…I just changed it to use the Texturz plates!  That is the background for my card.  (Technique class – will be doing this next month!)  I started with a base card of Really Rust, then layered on the Smooshed Blush Blossom/Damask layer. 

One of the Control Freaks swaps I received from Alice Erickson used the Sale-A-Bration set, Botanical Blooms, in a vase.  (You can get this set FREE with a $50 purchase…order online here!  #113812 and don’t forget to add it to your order!) 

I thought I’d recreate Alice’s vase idea, but changed the vase up a little by using the Large Oval punch and, of course, different colors and arrangement.  I stamped the Really Rust "vase" with the same outline flower stamp that I used for the bouquet and sponged around the edges with Chocolate Chip ink.  On Blush Blossom cardstock, I stamped Really Rust flowers and Old Olive leaves.  This was all layered on Really Rust cardstock.  Finally, I punched the slot punch on the bottom left and ran the ribbon around the Damask layer and tied with a knot.  I tried adding various other things…but everything I tried took away from the Damask background, so I left it simple.

I think it is pretty close to the Inspiration piece, don’t you?  

Set:  Botanical Blooms (FREE Sale-A-Bration set)
C/S: Really Rust, Blush Blossom
Inks:  Really Rust, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip
Other:  Big Shot Texturz plate, 5/8 Old Olive grosgrain ribbon, slot punch, Large Oval punch, sponge dauber, dimensionals

Winter Sweater Gift Card

Saturday is the last day to order the February Card Kit of the Month…CLICK HERE for details! 

Although I am LONGING for Spring to arrive, it is very much winter today.  A little snow overnight and temps have dropped back into the 20s.  Brrrr…..  So…how about a winter sweater to keep you warm?

A friend of mine brought a gift certificate to the fall stamping retreat I attend.  It caught my eye, and I set out to figure out how I could reproduce it with Stampin’ Up! products.  A couple hours later and I had a template!

I started with the red pattern paper from Ski Slope (now retired) and cut out the basic shape of the sweater, adding 1/2 inch for Sticky Strip to hold it closed.  Then added the sleeves, layered on Whisper White for definition, the white stripe along the center, Button Bouquet designer buttons for the front.  I used my Scallop Edge punch to make the small black ric rac for the bottom, sleeves and along the collar.

The collar pulls up and out to hold a gift card.  For this, I used Riding Hood Red cardstock for a little more weight.  I used the slit punch on each side to place the slits to hold the gift card in place.

Wouldn’t this be FUN to receive? 

Today I need to work on some magazine calls.  I finished one last night and it is SO cute…wish I could show you!  Hopefully, the magazine will pick it up and I can tell you about it!

Have a great day!

DCBD115 – Good Friends

Good Morning…I have to make an emergency visit to the dentist today (luckily, my brother!)  I bit down on something and cracked off part of my tooth over the weekend.  Doesn’t hurt, but I know it will probably  need extensive work to repair.  Grrrr……

Anyway, today’s Diva Coffee Break Designers Challenge was to use this sketch to create a card.  It was a fun sketch!  I expanded it to be a 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 card…I know!  What is it with me and square cards lately?  But the bird is so large in this Good Friends set, that it just seems to need that larger size.  I also moved the bow decoration to the other corner, since it seemed to fit better there.  I ended up not using ribbon because the Eyelet Border Punch seemed to be enough "fluff" for the card.

I started by stamping the bird with Summer Sun on Whisper White and adding Chocolate Chip legs and Pumpkin Pie beak.  Then I stamped the partial body again on the Pacific Point polka dot designer paper (in Good Morning Sunshine DSP package) and just cut out the wing.  I used a black mini brad for the bird’s eye.  Then I used the Eyelet Border Punch to create the accent along the top and bottom of the focal image with Pacific Point cardstock.  I added some of the small polka dot designer paper from Good Morning Sunshine to the upper left and bottom right as required in the sketch.  Finally, I added a greeting from Think Happy Thoughts, punched it with the 1 1/4 circle, layered it on 1 3/8 circle of Pumpkin Pie, and then a Pacific Point Scallop Circle.  I added one of the new Kiwi Kiss Corduroy Button brads to the center.  I liked how it turned out!

Make sure to check out the rest of the DCBD’s work this week!  I’m sure there will be some great ideas!

Chris Austin
Dannie Graves
Dee Tollaksen
Heidi Michel
Julie Semones
Kristen Moore
Selene Kempton
Lisa Freeman

Sets:  Good Friend, Think Happy Thoughts
C/S:  Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Pacific Point, Pumpkin Pie, Good Morning Sunshine DSP
Inks:  Pumpkin Pie, Summer Sun, Chocolate Chip
Other:  Black Mini brad, Kiwi Kiss Corduroy Button Brad, 1-1/4, 1-3/8, Scallop Circle punches, Dimensionals, Eyelet Border Punch

Polka Dot Punches

Hi everyone!  Loved having a LONG weekend, even though I spent yesterday working on paperwork all day.  My goal is to have all my January/February stuff input into the database by the end of the week.  It is all organized, just need to type it in.  I vowed to do it religiously this year, instead of waiting until the end of the year to input it for taxes!  I keep great records, just don’t get it input.  I was also excited to finally purchase new coffee/end/sofa tables for my family room.  We’ve had the others for almost twenty years and they are glass tops…which I despise trying to keep clean!  They should be in within a few weeks…can’t wait!

This card was my Control Freaks Sale-A-Bration swap card!  I knew I wanted to use my Raspberry Tart designer paper, so I took my color scheme from it.  I started with a base card of Kiwi Kiss and layered on the Pink Pirouette and a piece of Raspberry Tart DSP.  I added a pleated Kiwi Kiss Striped Ribbon accent across the seam.  Then stamped the Polka Dot Scallop stamp in Kiwi Kiss, punched it with the Scallop Circle and layered the Rose Red flower stamp on top of it.  I added a clear Rhinestone brad to the center and popped it up with dimensionals.  Finally, added the Make A Wish greeting with Basic Black ink.  Hope you enjoy it!

Sets:  Polka Dot Punches, Big Birthday Candle
C/S:  Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette, Raspberry Tart DSP, Glossy White
Inks:  Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black
Other:  Piercing tool, Scallop Circle punch, 1-3/8 circle punch, clear Rhinestone brad (Pretties Kit), Kiwi Kiss striped ribbon

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Woohoo!  I did have good news when I got home yesterday.  One of my Love You Much cards (posted HERE) made it to Stampers Showcase!  Stampers Showcase is on the demonstrator side of Stampin’ Up!’s website and a wonderful resource for demos to find cards they can use in their workshops.  This card was one that I made for the Control Freaks swap.  

I didn’t get many Valentine cards made to send out this year, although I did send a few.  The prototype for this card was a Shoebox Swap that I made for an upline meeting in December.  I still have a lot of Georgia Peach left from an earlier class I did, so I decided to use up some of the checked designer paper.  I love the colors in this paper and thought they’d make a great Valentine’s card!

I started with a base of So Saffron and added a strip of the stripe DSP inside along the bottom.  Then I used a layer of Regal Rose on the front and a strip of the checked DSP on the front.  I stamped Love You Much in Regal Rose on Whisper White and added a Saffron mini brad in the center of the flower and layered it onto So Saffron.  I stamped the hearts with Regal Rose on Pretty in Pink and punched with the Heart to Heart punch…the small one went in the center of the O.  I added a strip of Old Olive and pierced a row of holes down the center leading to the other punched hearts on the right.

Hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!  I had an awesome time visiting my friends and teaching a couple classes over the past couple days.  Wish I got to see them more.

Set:  Love You Much
C/S: Regal Rose, Whisper White, So Saffron, Old Olive, Pretty in Pink, Georgia Peach (retired)
Inks:  Regal Rose
Other:  Piercing tool, Heart to Heart punch, Saffron mini brad