InkspiredTreasures.com

February Tour de Freaks

It's time!  The February Tour de Freaks is here…brought to you by your Control Freak Swappers!  You've probably just arrived from Wendy Janson's blog, weren't her projects gorgeous?  We have 16 stops for you today!   

Our theme this month was the Occasions Mini!  Well…that's a broad theme!  I'm sure you'll get lots of new ideas!

My first projects uses…what else…Chocolate Bunny!  What can I say…he just is a favorite of mine!  I stamped him in Chocolate Chip Craft Ink on Close to Cocoa cardstock and embossed with Clear Embossing Powder, then cut him out.

Can you tell what the carrot is made from?  Yep!  The Large Scallop Circle Die!  I received one of these carrots for a swap at Leadership, but I changed out the colors and added the bunny in the top.  I wanted to use a real chocolate bunny, but the ones I bought were too big.  That's when I figured that my stamped one would work even better! 

The base of the carrot is from Pumpkin Pie cardstock and I sponged the edges.  The leaves of the carrot are Old Olive and also sponged.  I used some fancy shredded paper to fill it.  I punched two holes to be able to tie the Old Olive Satin Ribbon and help hold the edges closed.  Then stamped Happy Easter from Well Scripted with Old Olive ink and punched with the Wide Oval Punch.  Isn't it FUN???

My second project uses the Big Shot again with the Fancy Favor Box.  I cut it from Pixie Pink cardstock and ran the Spring Floral Wheel in Pixie Pink Ink Cartridge across the bottom of it twice.  I used the Wheel Guide to help me keep it straight!

On the front I made a bunny from punches!  The face is a 1 3/8 circle of Pretty in Pink, the cheeks are 1" Whisper White circle punches and 3/4 Pretty in Pink circles layered in top.  His nose is a Pixie Pink 1/2" circle.  The whiskers are Sahara Sand slivers of cardstock.  The eyes are actually Small Ovals cut down to a smaller size with 1/4" circles of Basic Black and highlighted with the White Gel Pen.  The ears are Scallop Ovals from Whisper White and the Welcome Neighbors Designer Paper punched with the Large Oval Punch.  I gave him a bowtie made from the Old Olive Satin Ribbon and the Old Olive handle is attached with Clear Rhinestone Brads.

I kept the back simple with just the Easter stamp from Eggcoutrements stamped in Old Olive Classic Ink on Whisper White and punched with the Designer Label punch.  It is popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals!

I filled it with some multi-colored shredded paper.  I was going to fill it with Jelly Beans, but my husband ate them all!  lol!

Well, you can continue on the tour by clicking on the button to go to Mary Brown's Blog!  I'm sure she'll have some fantastic projects!  Have fun taking the tour!

November Tour de Freaks is here!

Yeah!  It is that time again…time to see what the fabulous Control Freaks are doing on their Tour de Freaks!  You've probably just arrived from Melanie Schulenberg's blog!  We have 12 blogs for you to visit this time.  I'm sure you will love all the awesome projects you see as you tour.  This month's theme is Christmas Gifts – small items, altered items, stocking stuffers, gift collections, and ornaments.  I know I can't wait to see! 

My first project brings back my favorite Stampin' Up! Simple Seasonal Thanks Snowman!  This time he is standing behind a little candle votive.  I stamped him in Basic Black on Whisper White and cut him out.  I colored the shadows on his sides with the Bashful Blue Stampin' Write Marker and used the AquaPainter and Old Olive and Real Red Stampin' Write Markers for his hat and scarf.  I colored his checks with the Blush Blossom and his nose with Pumpkin Pie.  I added 3 Basic Black "buttons" on his from punched from the large hole of the Crop A Dile.  I added a little Crystal Effects on his sides and Dazzling Diamonds glitter for a sparkly look! 

Can you guess what the base holding the votive is?  Yes!  The Sizzix Bigz XL Bitty Box!  It is secured to the snowman along the back edge.  I punched a 1 3/4 circle in the top to hold the votive and stamped Bashful Blue snowflakes from the Serene Snowflakes stamp set.  The glass votive has silver Icicles Rub-ons decorating the rim.  Now…this is for decorative purposes only.  I wouldn't light a candle this close to paper.  Wouldn't this be a fun little gift for a co-worker or friend?

My next Christmas Gift is a large decorated candle.  I found these nice two-tone vanilla/cranberry ones that smell SO good!  They are about 3 inches in diameter.  I wrapped some Merry Moments Designer Paper around the area where the two colors meet, then added a Old Olive Wide 1 1/4 Striped Ribbon.  Hanging from the ribbon is the Make Merry tag from Stampin' Up!'s Grateful Greetings stamp set.  It is stamped in Real Red on Very Vanilla card stock and punched with the small tag punch, then layered on a large Old Olive tag punch.  Now…what snowflake punch did I use?  The Merry Details Snowflake Die in Chocolate Chip card stock!  I cut off the extra long "legs" of the snowflake to make it smaller and fit on my tag!  The center is a Green Rhinestone Brad and it is tied to the bow with Silver Cord.

The next project is a Dove Chocolate Box Sleeve made from Bravo Burgundy card stock.  Now…who wouldn't want a giant bar of chocolate as a gift!  For the top layer, I ran the Handsome Hunter cardstock thru the Petals A Plenty Impressions Folder, then highlighted the centers with the White Gel Pen.  I placed the Handsome Hunter Piece on the Dove Movers & Shapers die to cut it out, then backed it with Whisper White and wrapped it with Bravo Burgundy 5/8 Grosgrain Ribbon before putting it on the Dove box.  I used the Eyelet Border punch across the top of the box, then cut a piece of Whisper White for the bottom, stamped Peace on Earth from Four the Holidays, and used the Eyelet Border punch again. 

The 3×6 card fits in the Box sleeve with the Dove Chocolate perfectly.  I used the extra Handsome Hunter die cut dove that was already embossed on the front, layered it on Bravo Burgundy and placed on the Whisper White card stock.  The Bravo Burgundy Ribbon is wrapped around the entire front of the card.  Peace on Earth from Four the Holidays is stamped with Bravo Burgundy Classic Ink.  Thanks to my downline, Annette, for the inspiration on this project! 

Whew…hope you enjoyed my projects!  Come back later next week and I'll post the directions on making the Dove Chocolate Box Sleeve!

Next stop is the fabulous Mary Brown!  I know you'll enjoy her projects!

Tour de Freaks Coming Soon

Yep…it is almost here!  Friday, November 20th is the next round of Tour de Freaks, brought to you by the Control Freak Swappers!  The theme this month is Christmas gifts…small stocking stuffers, ornaments, gift collections, altered items!  I can't WAIT to see what the twelve bloggers will have in store for us!  Mark your calendar and see you then!

INKspired Treasures Blog

October Tour de Freaks

Yes!  It's the Tour de Freaks Blog Tour, brought to you by members of the Control Freak Swappers.  You've probably just come from Melanie's Blog and you'll go to Mary's after mine…her link is at the bottom of my post.  The theme this month is Christmas!  I can't wait to see what everyone has done…I know it will be fabulous!

My first project is a step card.  Those that are in the Control Freaks swap will remember the Snowman Gift Card I did for the swap.  I used the same colors and design for my Simple Seasonal Thanks Snowman.  I love the Bermuda Bay, Real Red and White combo this year!  If you haven't made one of these, come back later this week for the template! EDIT:  You can find the template in THIS POST!

I started by stamping the snowman with Basic Black Classic Ink and coloring him with my AquaPainter and Bermuda Bay Stampin' Write Marker.  Then I added the Real Red for the polka dots and hat band, then Pretty in Pink for his cheeks and Pumpkin Pie for his nose.  I added 3 Black Mini Brads for his buttons.  I cut him out and applied Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds Glitter to the sides of his body and face.  At the bottom of each "step", I tore some Whisper White cardstock for a line of snow.  The second tier has snowballs, punched with the 1/2 circle punch and sponged with Bashful Blue ink on the edges.  They are all stacked up ready for playing.  The top tier has a sign post cut from Close to Cocoa cardstock.  The sign I stamped Merry Christmas from Teeny Tiny Wishes and punched with the Modern Label punch.  I applied the Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the snowline, snowballs and the top of the sign.  It was FUN making this!

My second project is an altered metal sign.  It stands out from the wall, so it has a really neat 3D look to it.  Originally it had the word LIKE on it with rustic tones (don't know why anyone would want a sign that said LIKE on it!)  I immediately thought of altering it with SNOW!  I like that MUCH better!  I can't wait to hang this up with my holiday decorations (although I can wait for actual snow to arrive!)

I started by cutting the Bashful Blue cardstock with the measurements for each panel.  Then I stamped Serene Snowflakes randomly with Bashful Blue Classic Ink all over the cardstock.  I went back with the trio snowflake stamp from that set and used the Frost Shimmer Paint.  This REALLY adds a lot of shimmer to the background, but it is SO hard to capture with the camera! 

I cut out each of the SNOW letters with my Big Shot and the Serif Essentials Alphabet Bigz Dies from White Sparkle Foam…so pretty!  They are adhered to the Bashful Blue cardstock with mini glue dots.  I tore some Whisper White cardstock for the snow line.  Then I stamped the small and large Hostess Only Level 2 Snow Buddies snowmen in Basic Black on Whisper White and colored them with my Bashful Blue, Ballet Blue and Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write markers.  I added more Frost Shimmer Paint to their bodies. 

I stamped the Simple Snowflake from the back of the Idea book in Bashful Blue on Whisper White cardstock and punched it with the new Snowflake punch that matches!  Quick & Easy!  Each snowflake has a Light Blue Rhinestone circle brad in the center of it.  I wrapped some White Stripe Organza Ribbon around the top of the left panel and the right side of the right one.  The O has some Bashful Blue ribbon wrapped around one side.  Finally, I stamped Let It Snow from Punch Pals and punched it with the Modern Label Punch, then layered it on the Scallop Oval cut from Ballet Blue.  I think it is a great decoration and wished they had more of them!

Supplies:

Sets:  Serene Snowflakes, Snow Buddies, Punch Pals, Simple Snowflake

Inks:  Basic Black, Bashful Blue (Bashful Blue, Ballet Blue, Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write Markers)

Cardstock:  Bashful Blue, Whisper White

Accessories:  Frost Shimmer Paint, Modern Label Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, White Stripe Organza Ribbon, Bashful Blue Taffeta Ribbon, Serif Essentials Alphabet Bigz Die, Snowflake Punch, Ice Circle Rhinestone Brads,

Head on over to the next stop on the Tour…Mary Brown!  I'm sure Mary will have some FABULOUS surprises for you, too!

Tour de Freaks Tour

Wow!  The Tour de Freaks Blog Tour starts today!  You’ve probably just come from Melanie’s Blog if you are going in order of the tour. 

I’m so excited to see what fun things the Control Freak swappers have done this month!  Make sure to hop on the Tour and check them out for yourself!  You’ll have 15 stops this month to enjoy.  At the bottom you’ll see how to click to the next stop!

My first card uses Eat, Drink & Be Scary…truly one of my FAVORITE Halloween sets.  Those of you that know me, know that I’m a Halloween stamp NUT!  I can’t stop buying them and making cards!  I wanted this to look like the witch had hung up her hat for the night.  So…I have it resting on a fence post (Frightful Fence Jumbo Wheel) with the full moon behind it.

I started with a base card of Sahara Sand and layered on Pumpkin Pie cardstock, then added some Cast A Spell Designer Paper to the left side.  The new 5/8 Black Grosgrain ribbon hides the seam.  I wheeled the Frightful Fence Jumbo Wheel on Sahara Sand cardstock with Whisper White Craft Ink, let it dry, then cut it out with my Stampin’ Up! Hobby Blade.  I stamped the hat from Eat, Drink & Be Scary in Basic Black on Whisper White, cut it out and added a Pumpkin Pie band of cardstock.  Finally, I stamped the spider from Eat Drink & Be Scary in Basic Black in the upper left corner.  I think it makes a FUN card!

My next card uses the stamping set, Falling Leaves and a layout Mary Brown and I found a LONG time ago…we actually did a challenge with it.  So, I decided to recreate it here with new products!  I love this set…the images are small enough that they fit in a lot of punches.  I started with a base of More Mustard and wheeled Bright Blessings Jumbo Wheel in More Mustard Ink all over it.  I used a piece Autumn Meadows Designer Paper and layered it on Chocolate Chip Cardstock and used the Corner Rounder punch on both layers.  I added a strip of Taken with Teal cardstock along the right edge and a strip of Chocolate Chip cardstock, wrapped with Kraft Taffeta Ribbon along the bottom of the Autumn Meadows Designer Paper.  I stamped one leaf with Taken with Teal on Very Vanilla and punched with the 1 1/4 circle punch.  This was layered on a 1 3/8 circle of Chocolate Chip and then a Scallop Circle of More Mustard, pierced with the Piercing tool.  The other leaf was stamped with More Mustard on Very Vanilla and layered on 1 3/8 circle of Taken with Teal.  Both were popped up with Dimensionals.  Finally, I stamped Grateful from Falling Leaves in Chocolate Chip on Very Vanilla and punched it with the Modern Tag Punch.

Next, I made a set of frosted glass coasters using the Falling Leaves stamp set.  I kept them simple…I couldn’t use a lot of thickness.  I found the coasters at my local K*** Department Store.  They are a nice, heavy weight set of 4 coasters with a black stand!  I’ll be using these in my Family Room and change out the inserts for each holiday!  Wouldn’t they make a nice gift for your holiday hostesses?

The opening is a 2 x 3 size, so I cut a piece of Sage Shadow cardstock to that size, then wheeled Bright Blessings Jumbo Wheel over each one with Sage Shadow ink.  I punched Scallop Squares of Creamy Caramel cardstock, each one was sponged with the same ink as the leaf.  I stamped the different leaves in Ruby Red, Pumpkin Pie, Elegant Eggplant and Bravo Burgundy Classic ink on Very Vanilla cardstock and cut them out.  Each leaf was popped up with Dimensionals on the Scallop Square punched piece.  That’s it!  Pretty simple, but I think they make a WOW!

Next up is my good friend, Mary Brown!  I’m sure she has some FABULOUS projects, so check her blog and continue the tour!

Tour de Freaks Blog Tour & Bloggers Challenge 113

It’s here!  The 20th of the month, which means Tour de Freaks Blog Tour!  It also doubles as my Bloggers Challenge this week which is to use die cuts on your card! 

This month you’ll have 13 stops on the tour…I’m stop #4.  You’ve probably just come from Shona Watson’s BLOG.  I know you will enjoy the projects we have lined up for you to view!  The theme this month is In Colors!  The gals in this group ALWAYS do awesome work!  I’m so happy to have been invited to be a member of the Control Freaks Swap Group…it has been FOUR years this month!  Hard to believe!

My first project is a little birdhouse ornament.  Wouldn’t these look cute hanging on your Christmas tree?  Can you tell what I used?  Yes, the Matchbox XL Bigz Die!  I’ve had this idea in my head since I first saw the Matchbox die.  In fact, I did submit a similar one to Stampin’ Up!  

For the outside cover I used Bermuda Bay and punched a Scallop Oval in the top panel, then added some Thoroughly Modern Designer Paper on each side.  The inside box is Real Red.  I made a little scene with two birds from Cheep Talk and the Leaves Sizzlet die.  The nest is small slivers of Kraft cardstock crimped and curled into a ball, then stuck on with Mini Glue Dots.  The Cardinals are stamped in Real Red, with their beaks colored in with Pumpkin Pie and legs with Close to Cocoa.  I added a little roof made from Soft Suede cardstock and covered it with Designer Paper, too.  Before I put the two sides of the roof together, I added a ribbon hanger at the top.  (Check back next week for a little tutorial on how this was all put together!) 

Finally, to finish decorating the outside, I added the Snowflake punched from Faux Diamond Dust paper (Iridescent Ice EP over Whisper White).  Then stamped the trio of snowflakes from the hostess set Christmas Punch in Bermuda Bay and punched them out with the Boho Blossoms punch (did you know they fit perfectly???)  Added some Red Mini Brads to the centers of the snowflakes.  

This next card is a wiper card (purely coincidental that SCS has the tutorial this week)…mine has been done for ages!  I used the stamp set For All You Do and stamped the stems in Old Olive and the flowers in Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo and Rich Razzleberry.  The tag says Thank You and is punched with the Modern Label punch from Melon Mambo cardstock.  The Whisper White panel is layered onto Rich Razzleberry cardstock.  The base part of the Wiper Card is Crushed Curry and I ran the front and back panels thru the Big Shot with my Finial Press Embossing Folder for some extra texture!  The inside "wiper" is made from Whisper White and I stamped the greeting on it and rounded the corners with the Corner Rounder punch. Then I stamped the butterfly with Melon Mambo and cut it out and adhered it to the right right corner of the wiper.  When you press the sides together in and out, the wiper pops up, then hides inside the two sides.  Cute project to make for class!

My last project was also a card for my niece’s birthday last weekend!  I started with a base of Melon Mambo and adhered a layer of Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Paper across the bottom.    Some Crushed Curry Polka Dot Ribbon hides the seam.  I used the Flower Layers Bigz Die and cut flowers from Crushed Curry, Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo and Leaves (from Build A Flower Sizzlet die) from Old Olive.  I ran all of the pieces thru my Big Shot with the Finial Press Embossing Folder.  I used dimensionals between the layers when I stacked them together and added a Summer Sun Corduroy Button in the center!  I LOVE the outside…but wait until you see the inside!

I used the new Look Here XL Bigz Die cut from Rich Razzleberry.  I took the picture without the gift card so you could see it better.  I lined the back and bottom front panel with more Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Paper.  I punched the Butterfly from the purple pattern of Razzleberry Lemonade and added a Melon Mambo body with my Slot Punch.  And, finally I added the Birthday Greetings from On Your Birthday stamped on Crushed Curry and rounded the corners with my Corner Rounder.  She LOVED it!  (I’ll show you her brother’s card next week!)

Next stop is Mary Brown at StamperCamper Blog!  I’m sure she will has some FABULOUS ideas!

Royal Blog Tour

The Royal Blog Tour was certainly a HUGE success!  Thank you all for stopping by!  I’ll be posting my Blog Candy winner on Thursday, July 30th!  Stay tuned!

Wow!  The Royal Blog Tour is finally here!  I’m excited to be able to show you some samples from the new Stampin’ Up! set, Wedding Sweet!  This set was on my to-buy list even before my son announced his engagement a few weeks ago.  Now, I’m sure I will be using it a LOT! This first sample shows the elegance of the Wedding Sweet set used in a frame to commemorate the wedding of a family friends’ daughter!  It shows off the elegance of this set by using Black Craft embossed on Shimmer Paper.

My second sample shows that this set isn’t just for weddings!  Here is a cheerful Thank You card appropriate for any occasion!  It uses two of the stamps in Wedding Sweet.

My final sample is a playful Note Card!  I will be using a variation of this for my swap card at Convention this year!  This sample uses three out of the six new In Colors along with the large stamp in Wedding Sweet!

If you like what you see today, make sure to put my Blog in your favorites and visit often.  You can also subscribe to my Blog and get my new posts in your email so you don’t miss anything!  See my subscribe box in the upper left corner. 

I’m also offering BLOG CANDY in celebration of the Royal Blog Tour!  You’ll receive the Stampin’ Up! stamp set, Sweet Dreams, shown here AND one of my Wedding Sweet swap Note Cards!  This Blog Candy is available to anyone who leaves a comment telling me which project is their favorite with their email contact information.  U.S. residents only, please.

Once this path hath reached its end, thy royal coach will travel back to the Royal Blog Tour – Home Castle where more paths await thee!

Tour de Freaks Blog Tour!

It’s time again for the Tour de Freaks Blog Tour, this is Stop #1.  You may have just come from our fabulous Control Freaks Swap Mom, Lisa Martz’s blog…welcome to my blog, Inkspired Treasures!  At the bottom of this post, you will be directed to the next blog stop, the awesome Mary Brown!  There is a total of 12 stops on this month’s tour. 

Our topic of the month is NEW stamp sets in the NEW catalog!  I’ve fallen in love with several sets and I’m excited to see the ideas the gals have come up with showcasing these sets!  I know I’ll have several more sets on my wishlist when I’m done with the Tour!

My first card starts out with one of the first sets I had on my wish list, Herb Expressions!  This is such a VERSATILE set with the images and verses it contains.  This card is 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 and uses two of the new In Colors!  For my focal element, I cut an oval template from the Oval Shapes die with my Big Shot and used the reverse image to sponge So Saffron in an oval shape on Whisper White.  Then I stamped the "I’m Here for You…" verse in Basic Black in the center of the oval.  I over stamped the Thyme image with More Mustard within the oval, too, so it stays as a background behind the verse.  I punched the corners of the Whisper White with the Ticket Corner Punch and layered it on Crushed Curry, punched the corners of that layer, too. I started with a base card of Crushed Curry and added a layer of Dusty Durango.  I used some of the designer paper from Razzleberry Lemonade and layered it on Dusty Durango.  Then I wrapped two lengths of Crushed Curry Polka Dot Ribbon and adhered to the back of the Dusty Durango.  I colored the silk flower from the Pretties Kit with Dusty Durango and Crushed Curry reinkers, then added a Crystal Rhinestone brad in the center.  It is popped up with Dimensionals on the front of the card.

My next card is a sneak peak for Christmas!  Everyone who knows me, knows that I love snowmen!  My house is decorated with them from the day after Thanksgiving until the end of February.  So, of course, the minute I saw the new Level 3 Hostess Set, The More the Merrier, I just HAD to have it!  Luckily, Stampin’ Up! allows demos to preorder one of the Level 2 and Level 3 sets before the new catalog takes effect, so I’ve had this gem in my hands for a while! 

One of the things I wanted to do is to make a Snowglobe from the Snowmen.  The images of the 5 snowmen was just a little too large for my 1 3/4 Circle Punch, so I used the marker omit technique and only inked up three of the snowmen with my black marker.  Then is used the colors from the Holiday Lounge Designer Paper (Taken with Teal, Real Red) and colored their scarves and hats with my markers.  For the base of the snowglobe, I inked up Warm Winter Wishes from Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set and  used the NEW Modern Label Punch (doesn’t it look like a real base?) to punch it out.  At the bottom, I layered the Holiday Lounge Designer Paper onto Kraft cardstock, then a layer of Real Red.  I wrapped some 5/8 Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon and tied a knot in the front to hide the seam.  I also added a couple Real Red Square Rhinestone Brads to the bottom right corner.  Finally, I added my little snowglobe to the top with dimensionals and adhered everything to the base card of Taken With Teal!  I’m thinking that this just might be my Christmas Card this year!  Too fun!

Finally, I’ve included something for the kids.  Except that I’ll be the one carrying this around in my purse!  I’m always needing something to take notes on.  I like this pad of paper because it doesn’t have lines on it…this allows me to make sketches for designs if something catches my eye while I’m out shopping!  (Yes, I really do scribble on the backs of receipts, etc., when I spot an idea!)  

This picture shows how I made a folder to surround the paper pad and covered the outside with the new Tall Tales Designer Paper…the whales are just too cute!  The DSP was layered onto So Saffron cardstock that I scored to size around the pad of paper.  I added the reverse Stripe print from the same DSP on the bottom and wrapped some Chocolate Chip 1/4 grosgrain ribbon around to the back to secure.  I added a Filigree Brad.  Then I inked up the whale image from Animal Stories stamp set in Close to Cocoa Craft ink and embossed with Clear Embossing Powder on So Saffron cardstock.  I punched it with the 1 3/4 circle punch.  I layered it on the Whisper White Scallop Circles cut with the Pennant XL Die on my Big Shot.  I LOVE how the scallops are large enough to fit behind the 1 3/4 circle punch!  I also used the same Tall Tails Designer Paper to decorate the inside of the folder.

Of course, if I were to give it as a gift, I’d need a card to go with it.  So I created a little 4×4 card in the same design to go with my little memo pad holder!  Just for You is from the Teeny Tiny Words stamp set.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my creations and bookmark my site in your Favorites file.  Or, sign up to receive email updates in the upper left corner.  It emails you every time I post something new!

Next stop is the awesome, Mary Brown!  I’m sure she will WOW you with her creations!

Have a great day!

INKspired Treasures

Great Friends

Last days to order my CARD KIT!!!

Great Friends stamp set is probably one of my favorite sets in the Occasions Mini Catalog and I didn’t even buy it the first order I placed from it!  The butterfly is so easy to cut out and the sets pieces just coordinate so well together.  I also seem to use the greeting "for you" a lot, and it is nice having one that fits the  Scallop Oval punch.

This Wet Stencil technique was done by my tech class members earlier this month and they loved it!  I found the directions in a recent Technique Junkies Newsletter and felt it was perfect to promote Stampin’ Up!’s Decor Stencils and Watercolor Crayons!  This stencil is called Kind Thoughts Flourish.  I used the small one (#116572, $9.95). 

I started with a base of Taken with Teal cardstock.  I next used a layer of Elegant Eggplant cardstock and used the Cutter Kit distressing tool to rough up the edges.  On the Whisper White stencil layer, I wrapped some 1/4 Eggplant ribbon around and secured to the back.  Then I stamped For You in Taken with Teal on Whisper White and punched with my Large Oval Punch and then a Taken with Teal Scallop Oval Punch.  Finally, I stamped the Great Friends butterfly with Elegant Eggplant ink on Taken with Teal cardstock and cut it out.  I added a couple silver mini brads to the center of his body.  I hope you like it, too!

Had a very nice dinner here last night to celebrate all the June birthdays, Father’s Day, Anniversaries, college graduations…whew!

I hope you enjoyed the Tour de Freaks Blog Tour over the weekend!  Lots of great ideas!  Come back next month on July 20th  for some new catalog set ideas!

Great Friend, #113792, $17.95

Tour de Freaks Blog Hop

Welcome to the monthly Tour de Freaks Blog Hop!  You may have just come from Lisa Martz over at Get Your Stamp On Blog…hope you enjoyed her projects!  We have 12 stops for you today, each of the wonderful Control Freak Swappers are featuring projects from retiring stamp sets.  Click at the bottom of my post to go to the next person, Mary Brown at Stampercampers Blog!  When you go thru all the stops in the loop, you will end up back here.

My first card uses the stamp set, To You and Yours, that will be retiring at the end of June.  You won’t see it in the current catalog either…that’s because it has been sitting on the Dormant List.  BUT…it is still available to purchase!  (#111706, $18.95).

I started with a base of Night of Navy and layered Riding Hood Red on top.  I stamped the dove with White Craft and heat embossed with White Embossing Powder on Night of Navy and layered that on Brushed Silver.  I added about an extra inch in length to that Brushed Silver layer so I could use the Eyelet Border Punch across the bottom, then wrapped the Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon around the entire element.  I used a piece of Riding Hood Red Patterns Designer Paper as an additional layer before adding the Dove Layer on top.  Seasons Greetings is from To You and Yours, too, and I stamped it with Night of Navy on Whisper White, then punched with the 1 1/4 circle and layered on a Brushed Silver 1 3/8 circle.  Finally, I stamped the snowflake from Holiday Blitz stamp set with White Craft on Night of Navy and embossed with White Embossing Powder, then punched with my 3/4 circle punch and placed above the Dove layer.  The Red, Blue and Silver make it almost a Patriotic looking card, although that wasn’t my intent!

My next card uses the same stamp set, To You and Yours and the Mojo Monday #90 sketch!  But I used a couple of the other stamps in the set!  Again I started with a base card of Night of Navy.  I stamped the house with Night of Navy Craft ink on Whisper White and embossed with Clear Embossing Powder.  I added some piercing decorations with my Piercing Mat and Tool in each upper corner.  I layered the Whisper White on Night of Navy.  Then I cut a square of print pattern from Walk in the Park Designer Paper, and  layered it on another Night of Navy cardstock.  Both these pieces were placed on a Baja Breeze layer that I stamped randomly with the snowflake from Holiday Blitz in Baja Breeze ink.  I used the Ticket Corner Punch on each corner and layered it on Whisper White.  I wrapped some Night of Navy grosgrain ribbon around the entire layers and added a piece of White Taffeta on top of the knot.  Finally, I stamped the greeting with Night of Navy Craft ink on Whisper White and embossed with Clear Embossing Powder.  I punched with the 1 1/4 circle, the punched the 1 3/8 circle from Baja Breeze and double punched the Night of Navy Scallop Circle so I’d get a pinking edge to my scallop circle.  I added a Clear Rhinestone brad on top.  That entire element was popped up with dimensionals and placed above the house!

 My next card uses Stitched Exotics stamp set.  This was one of the sets I received to make the display samples at Leadership a couple years ago!  I kind of burned myself out on using it, so I felt it was time to give it a proper send off since it will be retiring.  (#115080, $34.95)

I find I get better coverage with solid stamps when I stamped them with Classic Ink on Glossy cardstock.  Works fine as long as you don’t mind them being shiny!  I love this sketch!  Mary Brown and I did a fun challenge using it.  It starts with a Whisper White base card.  Then I added a piece of Regal Rose Pattern paper from Raspberry Tart Designer Paper in the lower right part of the base.  I cut a strip of the Kiwi Kiss print from the same Raspberry Tart DSP and layered it on Real Red…made it POP, didn’t it?  I also added a strip of Regal Rose over the Green print and three mini brads as accents.  The large flower I stamped with Regal Rose on Glossy White cardstock and the leaves with Kiwi Kiss.  I cut each of them out and layered with dimensionals on a Whisper White piece of cardstock, layered on Regal Rose.  Before I placed the flower, I used a Build A Brad and the center flower from Stitched Exotics in Real Red.  The Ticket Corner Punch was used on each corner.  Finally, I stamped Thank You from Short & Sweet stamp set in the upper right.  I love how this turned out and will be using this sketch and designer paper for more cards!  (Raspberry Tart DSP is STILL available on the Last Chance list!)

And my last project uses It’s A Sign.  I’m really sad this set is going…although it will stay in my collection.  I think it is great for teenagers or fun invitations.  I made a little box from two Scallop Envelopes cut with the Big Shot out of Bashful Blue cardstock.  Then I added an extra piece of cardstock around the sides.  I went with a monochromatic color theme with the Pacific Point print from Good Morning Sunshine Designer Paper on the front of the box and wrapped the White Taffeta around the box.  The base of each 3×3 card is Bashful Blue with a Whisper White layer on top and the Pacific Point print as an accent.  Then I used four different signs, stamped them with Pacific Point on Whisper White and cut the to shape or as a square for the front.  Each was layered on Bashful Blue and popped up with Dimensionals.  I think this would make a fun little gift for a teenager…maybe with a gift card tucked inside the box, too!

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