InkspiredTreasures.com

August Tour de Freaks is here!

Wow…this really snuck up on me this month!  I can't believe it is the 20th and time for the monthly Tour de Freaks, brought to you by the Control Freak Swappers!  You've probably just come from the talented, FABULOUS Patty Bennett's blog! 

Our theme this month was Sneak Peeks from the new Holiday Mini Catalog!  I know my customers are already commenting on how much they LOVE this mini…I do, too, as my pocketbook will attest to….ouch!  lol!  I just had to have it ALL!  I especially love a lot of the accessories in this mini…it is FULL of them.  You'll notice a lot of them on my projects this month!

To begin, I have a Suspension Bat card!  I had SO much fun making this one!  It kind of evolved!  I started with a base 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 card of Tangerine Tango.  I added a 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 piece of Nite Owl Designer Paper (from the new mini) on the front.  I used my Circle Scissors Plus to cut a 4" circle from the front thru both layers at the same time (if I were doing it again, I'd make it a little smaller…say 3 1/2).  I ran the back half of the Tangerine Tango card stock thru the Big Shot with the Spider Web Impressions Folder…cool!  Then I rubbed some White Craft Ink over the raised embossing with a sponge dauber.  This base card was layered onto a 5 3/8 x 5 3/8 piece of Basic Black card stock for extra support. 

Between the Tangerine Tango front and the Nite Owl Designer Paper, I added two strings of Linen Thread and pulled them tight between the layers, then adhered the layers together.  I sandwiched two layers of the Bat Punch together with the Linen Thread in between…this makes it look like they are flying!  I sponged White Craft around the edges of the bats and added a Rhinestone jewel to their heads.  I wrapped some of the new 1/2 Raven Lace Trim into a bow in the upper left corner…love that stuff, too!

I stamped the spider from Stampin' Up!'s Dark & Dreary on Whisper White, colored it with the Basic Gray Marker and cut it out.  I added two 1/2 backed pearls for the body…one smaller than the other. and placed it on the Spider Web with a Stampin' Dimensional.  I used the new Decorative Label Punch with Basic Black Card stock, sponged around the edges with White Craft Ink.  I cut EEK out of Tangerine Tango "glitter paper" with the Timeless Type Alphabet die and adhered to the front of the Label.  Then I placed the label on the front of the card.  (Note:  to make glitter paper, apply Versamark to the card stock direct to paper, pour on Iridescent Ice EP, shake off excess, then heat set…makes glitter paper in every color that Stampin' Up! carries!)  I LOVE my blinged out Suspension Bat card!

My second project was just as fun!  It's a Bat Cone Candy Holder.  It makes me LAUGH!  I traced a bat pattern onto Basic Black card stock, cut it out, then ran it thru the Big Shot with the Texture Plates Kit #4.  I had to run it thru a couple times to get the entire bat textured.  I used the sponge dauber and White Craft Ink to go around the edges.  I added Real Red Glimmer Brads for the eyes and drew the fangs with my White Gel Pen.  I pulled it into a cone shape and secured in the back with Sticky Strip.  I added a hanger with 1/2" Raven Lace Trim by piercing holes in the sides of the cone and tying knots inside the cone.

For the treat, I filled a small Cello Bag with Halloween colored M&Ms and tied it closed with a piece of the Raven Lace Trim.  I added a tag made with the Dark & Dreary stamp, inked in Basic Black and stamped on Whisper White, then punched with the Decorative Label Punch.  I added the 31 by stamping again on Real Red, then punching with the 1/2 circle punch and placing it on top with a Stampin' Dimensional.  I also used a sponge dauber with Basic Black ink and sponged all the edges.

EDIT:  As promised, here is the Bat Cone Candy Favor template to download!

DOWNLOAD BAT CONE

Next on the Blog Tour is the wonderful Mary Brown!  I KNOW her projects will be awesome as usual!  Make sure to stop by and see all 11 stops on the Tour this month!  Thanks for stopping by!

More Blossom Party

Today's card was one of my Control Freak organized swap cards at Stampin' Up!'s Convention last week.  I was inspired to make this one by yesterday's Create with Connie and Mary Challenge card.  I decided to change up the colors from white daisies to yellow ones.  The yellow ones in my garden are in full bloom right now!  I LOVE the new Daffodil Delight yellow…it is just SO cheery and fresh to me!

The base of my card is Early Espresso.  I added a layer of Daffodil Delight cardstock on top.  Over that is a strip of Greenhouse Gala Designer Paper (I thought it looked sort of like a lattice in the background!)  That was layered onto Pear Pizzazz cardstock.  I used the new Dotted Ribbon punch with Early Espresso Cardstock and adhered it to the back of the Pear Pizzazz so only the one scallop edge showed.  I used Daffodil Delight Textured cardstock for the Stampin' Up! Blossom Party Die daisies across the front with the centers of Early Espresso cardstock.  Then I tied a 1/8 Taffeta Ribbon in Daffodil Delight into a bow under the flower that is popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals.  Finally, the greeting "Thanks Big Time" is from the new set, A Word For You and stamped with Early Espresso Classic Ink.

I love how this turned out.  That Blossom Party die is so versatile…I can't believe I didn't notice it sooner!

Have a wonderful day!

Elements of Style

Wow…sorry!  The holiday weekend was busy, and lots of paperwork remaining from earning the cruise PLUS my Customer Appreciation Parties have consumed all my time!  I wanted to at least post something today so you know I haven't fallen off the face of the earth!  I also decided to go to Convention, so need to start thinking about swaps and packing to go!  Yikes!

I don't think I ever shared my Control Freaks Swap card for the Spring Mini!  Since I had 35 to make, I knew I didn't want to color in the flowers…but I liked how the Soft Suede Classic Ink looked stamped on Sahara Sand!

I started with a base of Soft Suede Cardstock, then layered on Rich Razzleberry that I ran thru the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Impressions Folder.  I reversed the Polka Dot Ribbon to the solid side and wrapped around it.  I cut the Top Note with Sahara Sand cardstock, then stamped on the large rose from Stampin' Up!'s Elements of Style in Soft Suede Ink.  I added some speckles on each side with the Color Spritzer Tool.  I punched a Scallop Oval from Soft Suede, then stamped For You from the same stamp set in Rich Razzleberry on Whisper White, punched with the 1 1/4 Circle, and layered on the 1 3/8 Rich Razzleberry Circle.  I added two Gold Mini Brads on each side.

Hope you have a wonderful week.  It's Tuesday already so a short week for most!

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!

Sparkly and Bright

This is my swap card for the recent Christmas Card Control Freaks Swap!  I’m thinking of doing something similar for my actual Christmas Card this year.  I need to be thinking about it because my weekend stamping retreat is coming up VERY quickly!  I always work on my Christmas Cards there so I have them done early.  But…it does require a little pre-planning since I make about 120 cards!

For this one, I started with the base of Real Red.  Next is a layer of Naturals White cardstock and I added a 4×4 square of flocked Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Paper to the bottom.  I wrapped the Polka Dot Real Red ribbon (reversed so the plain side shows) to the back and adhered and to hide the seam.

Rudolph from the Stampin’ Up! Sparkly and Bright stamp set was stamped on Naturals White cardstock with Basic Brown ink.  I colored his nose with the Real Red Stampin’ Write Marker.  He is punched with the 1 1/4 circle, then layered on Real Red 1 3/8 circle and the Chocolate Chip Scallop Circle.  Sparkly and Bright greeting is stamped in the upper left corner with Basic Brown ink.

Really a simple card, but the flocked designer paper and the polka dot ribbon make it feel beautiful.  Plus…it is nice and flat for mailing!

Have a great day!

Supplies:

Set:  Sparkly and Bright (115346)

Inks:  Basic Brown (104315), Real Red Stampin’ Write Marker (100052)

Cardstock:  Naturals White (102316), Real Red (102482)

Accessories:  Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Paper (116770), 3/4 Real Red Polka Dot Ribbon (115608), 1 1/4 circle punch (104403), 1 3/8 circle punch (104401), Scallop Circle Punch (109043)

It’s not too late to join Create with Connie and Julie!  Click HERE for a preview!

Each week we will focus on a different collection of products that can be found in the Holiday Mini Catalog. Our goal is to show you some new and unique ways to use Stampin’ Up!’s fabulous products. Every day there will be a new project posted and each week there will be at least two tutorials available for you to download. Our projects will include cards, scrapbook pages and 3D items, the quick and easy ones and the more complex larger projects.  Click on the Buy Now button on my right sidebar to join for $39.95 USD OR join FREE as a Online Ordering Bonus when you place an order of $75 or more!

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!

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

Asian Artistry Final take

Well…ok…are you ready for the FINAL Control Freaks swap I did?  As I mentioned, the other two were the ones I started with, but just couldn’t get the look I wanted.  Here is what I ended up making.  Isn’t it funny how just playing with the set, you can turn out a final product so different than the original direction you were going? 

This card uses two of the new in-colors, Dusty Durango and Soft Suede.  I loved those two matched with Blush Blossom from the Soft Subtles color family!  What do you think?

I started with a base card of Blush Blossom and added a layer of Dusty Durango.  Then I took a 3-3/4 square of Soft Suede cardstock and stamped the Asian grass from Asian Artistry Level 2 stamp set in the bottom right corner with Chocolate Chip Craft Ink, let it dry, then ran it thru my Big Shot with the Texturz Kit #4 plate.  I lightly ran my Soft Suede ink pad across some of the highlights of the texture.  I mounted the Soft Suede cardstock to the Dusty Durango layer and wrapped Soft Suede Polka Dot Ribbon around to the back to hide the seam.

I used the Butterflies die and Blush Blossom cardstock to make the small butterfly.  Then I stamped on it with the Flower stamp in Asian Artistry and Dusty Durango ink.  I added two gold mini brads for the body and popped it up on the card with dimensionals.

I stamped the greeting in that Asian Artistry hostess set with Dusty Durango ink on Whisper White and punched with the Wide Oval.  I layered that on the smallest oval cut from Chocolate Chip cardstock and the Ovals Die in my Big Shot.

I was really happy with my final Control Freaks swap!  Hope you like it, too!

Email me if you’d like to take advantage of the Deal of the Week!

Connie
www.inkspiredtreasures.com

And Many Mower

I think everyone has received their Control Freaks swaps.  This was my card!  I used the set from the new Occasions Mini, called And Many Mower!  I loved this little checklist…in fact it was one of main reasons I purchased this set.  When I was growing up, we knew better than to touch dad’s TV remote control!  Although, I never really remember my dad relaxing…he is always on the go!

I started with a base card of Baja Breeze, then used the Texturz Kit #4 plate for the Really Rust layer (first I stamped and colored Relax with a Versa-marker).  I added a strip of the new Walk in the Park designer paper.  Then made a tag from Baja Breeze, rounding the corners and adding a Jumbo Eyelet and Baja Breeze striped ribbon.  Finally, I stamped the checklist in Basic Black on Whisper White and colored in with Really Rust marker (sorry, the flash made a light spot in my image…there really isn’t any fading in the center!)  I think this would make a great man’s card…for either birthday or Father’s Day!

Hope you have a great day…I’m headed out of town to do a make-up Punch Class from when I was sick last week.  Looking forward to seeing my friends up there!  They will be excited to see the new cards from this swap!