#inkspiredtreasures

IM140 – Gather Together

September 7, 2020 By Connie | 1 Comment

Happy Monday! It’s time for our Create with Connie and Mary Inspiration Monday challenge! This week’s inspiration is a fabulously decorated fall porch! Aren’t those colors vibrant for fall?

Gather Together

I knew I wanted to feature pumpkins some how…and didn’t want to copy Mary’s card by using the same stamp set! I also was stymied on what to use for the plaid print since we really didn’t have a plaid with those colors! But, inspiration struck when I thought I could ADD the blue color to one of the existing Plaid Tidings Designer Paper patterns that had gold and orange already in it! Stampin’ Up! Blends to the rescue!

Stampin’ Details:

- The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Misty Moonlight cardstock, scored at 5-1/2 and folded.
- The 4 x 5-1/4 layer of Misty Moonlight cardstock was embossed with the Tasteful Textiles Embossing Folder.
- The 2 x 5 piece of Plaid Tidings Designer Paper was originally just orange/yellow/white. I added the blue stripe by using a ruler and the Light Night of Navy Stampin’ Blends. I think it turned out really nice! That was adhered towards the right side.
- A 1/2 x 4 piece of Pumpkin Pie cardstock was added across the front.
- The label was cut from Whisper White with the Halloween Magic Die (I love using the labels for more than what they were intended in the die set!). It was stamped with the greeting from Gather Together in Misty Moonlight Ink, then added with Stampin’ Dimensionals to the front.
- The pumpkins from Gather Together stamp set were stamped with Memento Black Ink on scrap Whisper White and colored with Pumpkin Pie Combo and Dark Mango Melody, Dark Old Olive Stampin’ Blends. They were cut with the Gathered Leaves Dies an added to the label with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
- The maple leaf from the Gathered Leaves Dies was cut/embossed from Bumblebee cardstock and sponged with Pumpkin Pie Ink around the edges, then added to the label with Stampin’ Dimensionals tucked behind the pumpkins.
- Some Linen Thread was tied in a bow and added to the large pumpkin with a Mini Glue Dot.
- Two blue Holiday Rhinestones were added to the label.

SOOO happy with how altering the Plaid Tidings DSP made the print colors that I needed to look similar to the inspiration photo! And, isn’t it fun to take a stamp set that has been around for a while an update it with new colors and DSP? OK…check out what Mary did with the Inspiration Monday Challenge over on Create with Connie and Mary!

Inspired by the delicate charm of lilies of the valley flowers, this VALLEY IN BLOOM SUITE of projects will bring timeless beauty to your crafting! These products have versatile florals, textures and shimmer that will have you grabbing them to use all year long. We've combined the LILY OF THE VALLEY BUNDLE and the VALLEY IN BLOOM 12x12 DESIGNER PAPER with patterns that add whimsy and personality. You'll get step-by-step tutorials for EIGHT cards in this Collection! See more details HERE!

Take a trip to the shore for peace and tranquility when using Stampin' Up!'s new WATERSIDE RETREAT SUITE of products! The RELAXING WATERSIDE BUNDLE showcases a getaway at the lake with lounge chairs, coffee and books, birds and special greetings! We've combined the RELAXING WATERSIDE BUNDLE and the WATERSIDE RETREAT 12x12 DESIGNER PAPER with its sun-drenched faded colors and unique cut-out images or background scenes. You'll get step-by-step tutorials for SIX projects...four cards and two fun favors for a special little gift this summer! See more details HERE!

Build your own custom paper floral arrangements using Stampin' Up!'s new FLOWERING MEADOW BUNDLE* of products! This FLOWERING MEADOW BUNDLE has a variety of flowers, stems, leaves and accents to mix and match and take the guesswork out of creating! We've combined the FLOWERING MEADOW BUNDLE and the gorgeous VELVET MEADOW 12x12 DESIGNER PAPER with its bold colors and soft flocking elements to enhance your cards and projects. You'll get step-by-step tutorials for SIX projects...four cards and two special-fold cards that will make your friends and customers feel extra special. See more details HERE!

Saturday Blog Hop – Hug in a Mug

September 5, 2020 By Connie | Leave a Comment

Happy Saturday! This week our Saturday Blog Hop them is “Hug in a Mug”! Stampin’ Up! has several coffee/mug type stamp sets now in the catalogs, so I went with one that I just got…Warm Hugs.

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 Real Red cardstock, scored at 4-1/4 and folded.
On top is a 4 x 5-1/4 layer of Whisper White cardstock.
The 2-1/4 x 5-1/4 strip of plaid Tis The Season Designer Paper was added across the front.
A 1/8 x 5-1/4 strip of Gold Glimmer Paper added across the front.
The red poinsettia print in Tis the Season Designer Paper was cut with the Stitched Rectangle Dies, then added on top with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
The Warm Hugs greeting was stamped with Memento Black Ink on Whisper White and cut with the Layering Circles Dies (cause I forgot to get the dies that go with this stamp set! Yikes!) It is layered on the larger Layering Scallop Circle cut from Garden Green cardstock and added on top with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
The cup from Warm Hugs was stamped with Garden Green Ink an the center with Real Red Ink, then punched with a 3/4″ Circle and added to the center.
A few Adhesive Backed Snowflakes were added to the background.

Sometimes, I just love spending a little more time and doing some coloring. This is a perfect set for coloring! Next up on our blog hop is our Create with Connie and Mary website, then on to creative Mary Brown, or head backwards to see Brenda’s fabulous card and see what everyone did with this challenge!

CCMC628 – Coming Home

September 3, 2020 By Connie | 1 Comment

Happy Thursday! Time for another great Create with Connie and Mary Challenge! This week is a fun color combination!

Hmm, when I first saw this color combination, I wondered which direction to go. Leaves would be good, but then I thought I wanted something a little different. How about houses? The new Coming Home Bundle works perfectly! And I LOVE the Plaid Tidings Designer Paper…just so many colors suitable for all different seasons!

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Thick Whisper White cardstock, scored at 5-1/2 and folded.
On top is a 4 x 5-1/4 layer of Just Jade cardstock.
The 1-3/4 x 5-1/4 piece of Plaid Tidings DSP was added to a 2-1/4 x 4-1/2 piece of Night of Navy cardstock, then adhered to the front.
The large Stitched Shape Circle was cut with the die from Whisper White cardstock, then a partial piece was cut from Whisper White for the snow and added together.
The wider house and small house and evergreen tree were stamped with Memento Black Ink and colored with Just Jade, Night of Navy and Pretty Peacock Stampin’ Blends, with some So Saffron Blends for the windows. They were cut with the Home Together Dies and added to the front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
The tree was cut with the die from Early Espresso cardstock and tucked behind the house.
The greeting from Warm Hugs stamp set was stamped with Night of Navy Ink in the background.
A trio of Navy Holiday Rhinestones were added in the background.

Was SO happy with how this turned out! OK…check out what the rest of the Challenge Team did this week with the Color Challenge over on Create with Connie and Mary!

IM139 – Poinsettia Petals

August 31, 2020 By Connie | 4 Comments

Happy Monday! It’s time for our Create with Connie and Mary Inspiration Monday challenge! This week’s inspiration is some gorgeous embroidery pieces. I knew right away that I wanted to use the Plush Poinsettia Specialty Designer Vellum…I love the white flocking on it.

Poinsettia Petals

Layering the Poinsettia Plush Vellum DSP on the Smoky Slate cardstock and Silver Foil really makes it shimmer! So pretty!

Stampin’ Details:

- The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Basic Gray cardstock, scored at 5-1/2 and folded.
- On top is a 4 x 5-1/4 layer of Smoky Slate cardstock.
- The 3-3/4 x 5 layer of Plush Poinsettia Vellum Paper was added with Mini Glue Dots in the corners.
- A 1 x 3-3/4 piece of Smoky Slate was added across the front and stamped with the greeting from Poinsettia Petals in Basic Gray Ink.
- Two stems were cut from Silver Foil with the Poinsettia Dies and tucked under the strip.
- The small Poinsettia was cut twice from Whisper White cardstock with the embossing and cutting Poinsettia dies. It was adhered together and added with Stampin’ Dimensionals. LOVE the detail!
- The center of the Poinsettia was cut from Silver Foil with the Poinsettia Die and added on top.

Really…the photos just do NOT do this card justice! It is SOOO pretty and has so much texture with the flocking and silver foil! I think I nailed the inspiration challenge this week! lol! OK…check out what Mary did with the Inspiration Monday Challenge over on Create with Connie and Mary!

Saturday Blog Hop – Thinking of Fall

August 29, 2020 By Connie | Leave a Comment

Happy Saturday! This week our CCM Design Team is “Thinking of Fall” for our Saturday Blog Hop! It is hard to believe that it will soon to September! We’ve had a nice HOT summer this year…I love it! But soon in Ohio, we’ll be seeing the colorful leaves dress up the trees! It is so pretty to see red, yellow, orange and green out my back door! I used a new bundle, Autumn Goodness, for my fall card today!

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 5-1/2 x 7, scored at 3-1/2 and folded to form a SHORT card.
The Gilded Autumn Designer Paper is cut 3-1/4 x 5-1/4.
Two 6″ lengths of Embroidered Ribbon and Copper Metallic Ribbon were layered on top of each other, wrapped around the DSP and adhered in back, then the DSP added to the front of the base card.
The largest Scallop Layering Circle was cut from Early Espresso, and the large Layering Circle that fits inside was cut from Whisper White cardstock. A little Light Crumb Cake Stampin’ Blends was colored along the bottom of the circle for the “shadow”.
The haystack and pumpkin patch were stamped with Memento Black Ink and colored with Mango Melody Combo, Pumpkin Pie Combo, Real Red Combo, and Granny Apple Green Combo Stampin’ Blends. They were cut with the Autumn Wheelbarrow Dies and added to the circle with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
The circle was placed hanging off the top with Stampin’ Dimensionals. (TIP: make sure that is doesn’t go over 4-1/4″ so that it still fits in your envelope).
The greeting was stamped on a 1/2 x 2-1/2 piece of Whisper White with Memento Black Ink, cut the flag end, and tucked under the pumpkins.
A trio of gold Holiday Rhinestones were added in the background.

CCMC627 – Snowflake Wishes

August 27, 2020 By Connie | Leave a Comment

Hello! It’s Thursday again and time for another Create with Connie and Mary Thursday Challenge! We have a great sketch for you this week!

I thought this sketch would be perfect for Stampin’ Up!’s new Snowflake Wishes Bundle! Of course, you know I love anything with snowflakes and snowman…on paper, that is! I’d rather spend my winters in Florida! lol! Isn’t that designer paper, gorgeous? It is from the Snowflake Splendor DSP package…and notice the embossed snowflakes on the Night of Navy panel!

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Thick Whisper White, scored at 5-1/2 and folded.
The 4 x 5-1/4 layer of Night of Navy cardstock was embossed with the Winter Snow Embossing Folder and added to the front of the base card.
A 2-3/4 x 4-1/4 piece of Snowflake Splendor DSP was added to a 2-7/8 x 4-3/8 piece of Whisper White cardstock, then added to the front towards the left side.
One of the larger snowflakes from Snowflake Wishes was stamped with Balmy Blue Ink on scrap Whisper White cardstock. It was cut with the So Many Snowflakes Dies, along with two smaller ones. The smaller ones adhered to the DSP an the larger stamped one is popped up with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
The greeting from Snowflake Wishes was stamped on a 3/4 x 3-1/2 piece of Whisper White with Night of Navy Ink and the end cut at an angle. It was added with Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals to the front.
The clear Elegant Facet Gems were added to the center of the 3 snowflakes and the frosted Elegant Facet Gems were added in the background! So sparkly!

OK…see what the rest of the Challenge Team did over on Create with Connie and Mary! You know you’ll see some awesome cards!

IM138 – Autumn Goodness

August 24, 2020 By Connie | Leave a Comment

Happy Monday! It’s time for our Create with Connie and Mary Inspiration Monday challenge! This week’s inspiration is some fun color yarn!

At first I was really stumped on what direction to go with my card. To me, these colors don’t coordinate very well. But, I thought that flowers could have these colors, so I pulled out my Autumn Goodness Bundle to use. I think it went together really well!

Stampin’ Details:

- The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Cinnamon Cider cardstock, scored at 5-1/2 and folded.
- The 4 x 5-1/4 layer of Purple Posy was added on top.
- A 2-1/2 x 5-1/4 piece of Plaid Tidings Designer Paper was added to the left side.
- The largest Stitched So Sweetly rectangle was cut from Whisper White and the greeting from Autumn Goodness was stamped with Cinnamon Cider Ink in the upper right corner. It was added to the front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
- The wheelbarrow from Autumn Goodness was stamped with Cinnamon Cider Ink on Bumblebee cardstock, then cut with the Autumn Wheelbarrow Dies. It was added to the rectangle with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
- The spokes of the wheel was cut from Cinnamon Cider cardstock and added to the wheelbarrow with a Mini Glue Dot.
- The floral bunch was stamped with Memento Black Ink, then colored with Light Cinnamon Cider, Dark Mango Melody, Purple Posy Combo, and Light Rich Razzleberry Stampin’ Blends. It was cut with the Autumn Wheelbarrow Die and added on front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
- A couple gold Holiday Rhinestones were added to the corner for a little bling.

I am really surprised at how this turned out with that color combination! I’m glad this plaid had those colors in it to pull it together. OK…check out what Mary did with the Inspiration Monday Challenge over on Create with Connie and Mary!

Saturday Blog Hop – Critter Cards

August 22, 2020 By Connie | 1 Comment

Happy Saturday! This week our CCM Design Team is showing is “Critter Cards” for our Saturday Blog Hop! They can use any stamp set with an animal in it! There are SOOOO many cute sets with animals in both the Annual and Aug-Dec catalogs. Which one is their favorite, I wonder? I had to use the new Freezin’ Fun stamp set in the Stampin’ Up! Aug-Dec mini catalog…so cute!

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Pool Party cardstock, scored at 5-1/2 and folded.
A 3 x 4-1/4 piece of Subtles 6×6 Pool Party Designer Paper has the snowbank cut from Whisper White cardstock added to the bottom. That die is in the Freezin’ Friends Die set. It was layered on the 3-1/4 x 4-1/2 piece of Basic Gray cardstock and added to the front.
The bunny and evergreen tree were stamped with Memento Black Ink on Whisper White and colored with Poppy Parade, Granny Apple Green, Light Crumb Cake, Light Smoky Slate, Light Pool Party and Light Flirty Flamingo Stampin’ Blends. They were cut with the Freezin’ Friends Dies and added to the front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
The greeting wa stamped with Memento Black Ink on Whisper White and the snowflakes with Pool Party Ink, then punched with the 1-3/4″ Circle Punch.
A 4″ piece of Metallic Mesh Ribbon was adhered to the back of the circle, then it was layered on the next size Layered Scallop Circle cut from Basic Gray cardstock. It is popped up on the front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
A trio of Adhesive Backed Snowflakes were added to the background for a little sparkle and Wink of Stella applied to the snow on the tree!

Isn’t that just STINKIN’ CUTE? I love it! Next up on our blog hop is our Create with Connie and Mary website, then on to creative Mary Brown, or head backwards to see Brenda’s fabulous card and see what everyone did with this challenge!