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!

Tour de Freaks BLOG HOP

It's here!  This month's Tour de Freaks Blog Hop, featuring the Control Freak Swappers!  You've probably just arrived from Deb Currier's amazing Blog.  Weren't her projects lovely?  If you are arriving here prior to Tuesday, July 20th, please note that not all links may be available yet as we are testing the circle.  This month's theme is Good Ole' Summertime!  That's a pretty wide open theme, so we should see LOTS of great ideas!

My first project is what I made as a HUGE thank you to my customers who placed orders last month during my push to earn the Alaska Cruise.  Four days before the end of the month, I put out my plea and they responded!  As a thank you, I ordered the Elegant Thank You stamp for each of them.  This photo only includes a portion of them…I forgot to take a photo before I started handing them out.  If you are my customer who ordered and haven't received one yet…don't worry…I have one here with your name on it.  I just didn't get them done before you picked up your bag!

I used three of the new colors on these…Daffodil Delight, Poppy Parade and Pear Pizzazz.  I made the belly band with Poppy Parade to fit around the stamp box and secured it in front.  Then I cut the flower from Island Floral Bigz Die with my Big Shot.  The inside I stamped the Elegant Thank You in Basic Black on Poppy Parade cardstock and punched with the 1 3/4 Circle.  I kept them pretty simple since I had a BUNCH to make!  These definitely say SUMMERTIME to me, so I thought I'd include it in the tour!

This is one of the swap cards I'm taking to Convention with me for a large organized swap on SUDSOL.  Well, this is the prototype…the actual swap is just a little different.  I needed to make 75 of them and finished them last week…that was a big job!  For this, I also used our new colors…Pear Pizzazz, Marina Mist and Daffodil Delight.  I truly did not think that anything could replace Summer Sun for me…but Daffodil Delight certainly has!  I LOVE this color!  The base is Pear Pizzazz and I layered on Daffodil Delight cardstock.  I ran the Marina Mist strip thru the Big Shot with the new Vintage Wallpaper Impressions Folder.  I cut a square of Pear Pizzazz for the front, then stamped the a la carte image, For You Flower, once in Daffodil Delight, then in Marina Mist.  I punched the Daffodil Delight with the Fancy Flower XL Punch, then punched the center of the Marina Mist image with the 1 3/8 Circle Punch.  I popped up the blue on the front of the flower with Stampin' Dimensionals, then punched the flower from Itty Bitty Punches and added a White Mini Brad in the center (I am SO glad they added White brads this catalog!)  I wanted to feature the Dotted Ribbon Punch, so I punched the Whisper White and added it along the front.  On this one, I added the Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon at the top for some added interest!  I love how these turned out!

Well, I have more things to show you that I'm taking to Convention, but I'll stop here and save them for another day.  Make sure to check out the rest of the tour.  Next stop is Mary Brown…you know her work is ALWAYS fabulous!  Continue around the tour until you get back here…we have about 12 stops this month!

May Tour de Freaks!

Woohoo!   It's here!  The May Tour de Freaks!  I can't wait to see what these fabulous girls have done…what about you?  You've just arrived from my friend, Lisa Martz's Blog…aren't her projects wonderful?  LOVE that Tropical Party set and Island Oasis paper!

Stampin' Up!'s Sweet Scoops is a favorite of mine from the Summer Mini!  My Technique Class did this card earlier this month using an old favorite technique…SHAVING CREAM!  Doesn't the background just remind you of some melted ice cream?  And…a double scoop of Vanilla and Strawberry ice cream on a sugar cone!  Yummy!

If you haven't done the Shaving Cream Background, it is very simple!  I use an old cookie sheet, spread regular shaving cream on it (I use unscented) and then place a few drops of 2-3 complimentary reinkers in the shaving cream, swirl around with a spoon and then place your Whisper White cardstock on top of the mixed shaving cream.  Lift off the cardstock, take a spatula and scrap off the extra shaving cream…it leaves behind a beautiful marbled look on the cardstock!  I used the reinker colors of Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink and Barely Banana.  Let it dry, then layer on the base card of Pretty in Pink.  I stamped the Cone with Creamy Caramel Classic Ink on Whisper White and the first scoop with Pretty in Pink.  I stamped the Barely Banana scoop of ice cream on scrap paper, cut it out and adhered on top of the bottom scoop.    I layered it on Pretty in Pink cardstock, then Certainly Celery.  Across the top I used the Scallop Edge Punch on a piece of Barely Banana cardstock, and wrapped Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon around it and tied with a knot.  I finished by stamping the greeting with Chocolate Chip Classic Ink.

You may remember for March's Tour de Freaks, I did a carrot made from the Large Scallop Circle Die.  I decided that I could use the same thing to make an Ice Cream Cone!  I cut the large Scallop Circle die from Creamy Caramel cardstock, then ran it thru the Big Shot with my Square Lattice Impressions Folder to give it a waffle look.   I wrapped it into a funnel and secured with Sticky Strip.  I used some of the left over Shaving Cream paper I made above and punched the Scallop Circle from it.  I also punched So Saffron and Pretty in Pink Scallop Circles.  I adhered them to the inside.   I added the Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon in a box on the front.  Then used my Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker to stamp the "Have a sweet celebration" on Whisper White and punched with the Wide Oval punch.  I highlighted the sweet with So Saffron marker and sponged the edges with Pretty in Pink.  I think this turned out CUTE!  I haven't seen an ice cream cone done with the Scallop Circle.  Inside I filled with Tropical Jelly Belly candies!  FUN!

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

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 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

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!

 Thanks for stopping by my Blog today.  Make sure to continue on the Tour de Freaks by clicking on the button below to take you to Mary at Stampercamper ‘s Blog!

Tour de Freaks Blog Tour is Saturday!

Just a reminder that the Tour De Freaks Blog Tour is Saturday, June 20th, beginning at 12:00 N (Eastern time)!  This Blog Tour is brought to you by the fabulous  members of the Control Freak Swappers.  You will definitely be WOW’d by this group of stampers!  Each Blog will feature an assortment of projects using the Last Chance Stamp Sets and products!  You won’t want to miss out! 

This month the participants are:  Connie Babbert, Gretchen Barron, Patty Bennett, Mary Brown, Julie Dinn, Cindy Major, Lisa Martz, Dawn Olchefske, Melanie Schulenberg, Janine Tinklenberg, Shona Watson and Wendy Weixler! 

AND mark your calendar to look for the Tour de Freaks Blog Tour on the 20th of EACH month! 

See you on Saturday, June 20th!