Control Freaks

October Tour de Freaks

October 19, 2009 By Connie | 23 Comments

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

October 14, 2009 By Connie | Leave a Comment

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

August 20, 2009 By Connie | 44 Comments

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!

July 20, 2009 By Connie | 34 Comments

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

July 6, 2009 By Connie | 4 Comments

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

April 2, 2009 By Connie | Leave a Comment

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!

Fifth Avenue Floral

March 7, 2009 By Connie | 3 Comments

Another set from this catalog that I LOVE! I’m hooked on using Kraft, Black and White with this set. I think it makes for a very elegant card!

This card was my Control Freaks swap for the New Catalog Swap. I started with a base of Basic Black. Whenever I use a black base, I always include a 1/4 of Whisper White on the inside so I can stamp a greeting. Then I stamped one flower randomly in Basic Black ink. I used my embossing buddy and then Versamark with the large flower, adding White Embossing Powder and heat setting it. I used Itty Bitty Backgrounds to add some black speckles in the blank areas. The designer paper is from Urban Oasis and I was careful to just cut two lines of the spirals. I added a tag cut from Lots of Tags Sizzix Die (LOVE it!) and used the greeting from Really Retro with two black mini brads to secure it to the cardfront. I wrapped the Stripe Organza ribbon around the Kraft piece and layered it onto the Black Base. I was so pleased with this card that I used it at my last workshop! This group was very enterprising, though…I saw lots of awesome variations!

Hope you are having a great weekend!

Sets: Fifth Avenue Floral, Itty Bitty Backgrounds, Really Retro
C/S: Kraft, Basic Black, Whisper White, Urban Oasis DSP
Inks: Basic Black, Versamark
Other: White EP, Lots of Tags Sizzie Die, Mini Black brads, White stripe organza ribbon

Love You Much – Control Freaks swap

December 30, 2008 By Connie | Leave a Comment

Here is the card that I made for the Control Freaks swap…a great bunch of gals with MEGA talent are in this swap group. It is always like Christmas getting a swap package back in the mail.

I started with a base of Riding Hood Red. I stamped the trio of hearts with Riding Hood Red on the Pink Pirouette layer, then adhered that to Chocolate Chip before placing it on the base layer. I inked LOVE in Versamark, then Riding Hood Red and stamped on Very Vanilla, then embossed with clear embossing powder (a great way to get embossing powder in ALL colors!) I colored the word LOVE with a blender pen and my Pink Pirouette reinker. This I layered on Chocolate Chip, too. I also placed a pink mini brad in the center of the flower and colored the leaf and stem with Certainly Celery marker.

The stripe is from Candy Lane Designer Paper…part of the Love You Much Bundle special going on right now. Love this designer package because it has LOTS of stripe patterns…my favorites! I did make some Pink Pirouette Faux Diamond Dust paper and punched out two of the small hearts from it and placed them with mini glue dots in the upper left corner of the LOVE layer. Finally, I wrapped some of the Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon around the designer paper layer.

I made a couple extras of this card to give my Mom & Dad and hubby’s Mom & Dad for Valentine’s Day! I’m sure they will love it and it certainly feels good to be done with that already!

Today I plan in working in my studio all day! Yeah! I had needed a break from creating gifts, classes and projects before Christmas, so it felt good to just relax. But now I’m anxious to start creating again…can’t stay away too long.

And…don’t forget! Email me to order your Love You Much bundle with this cute stamp set, Candy Lane Designer Paper and Heart to Heart punch at 20% off! ($41.48 plus tax and shipping), plus save $10 off my Love You Much Stamp Camp on January 25 when you preorder this Bundle for me!