#inkspiredtreasures

Saturday Blog Hop – Monochromatic Cards

June 20, 2020 By Connie | 1 Comment

Happy Saturday! It’s time for the Create with Connie and Mary Saturday Blog Hop! This week the Design Team is featuring Monochromatic Cards…using only one color plus a neutral! Hmmm, that is a challenge!

CELEBRATE SUNFLOWERS

But then I thought that Sunflowers can be only one color…so pulled out my Celebrate Sunflowers stamp set to make this SIMPLE card!

Stampin’ Details Card #1:

The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Bumblebee cardstock, scored at 5-1/2 and folded.
A 2-1/4 x 5-1/2 piece of In Color 6×6 DSP was added to a 2-1/2 x 5-1/2 piece of Whisper White cardstock, then adhered to the front.
The 3-1/2 x 3-1/2 piece of Whisper White cardstock was stamped with the large sunflower from Celebrate Sunflowers with Bumblebee Ink. It was sponged around all the edges and in the center of the flower.
The greeting from Celebrate Sunflowers was stamped with Memento Black Ink across the bottom of the flower.
This piece was layered on a 3-3/4 x 3-3/4 piece of Whisper White cardstock, then popped up on the front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
A gold Holiday Rhinestone was added to the center.

I liked this layout so well, I decided to use Celebrate Sunflower greeting with the Sunflower Dies to make the exact same card, but with dies!

Stampin’ Details Card #2:

The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Bumblebee cardstock, scored at 5-1/2 and folded.
A 2-1/4 x 5-1/2 piece of In Color 6×6 DSP was added to a 2-1/2 x 5-1/2 piece of Whisper White cardstock, then adhered to the front.
The sunflower background was cut with the Sunflower Die from a 3-1/2 x 3-1/2 piece of Bumblebee cardstock.
The detailed sunflower was cut with the Sunflower Die from a 3-1/2 x 3-1/2 piece of Vellum Cardstock and adhered together with Tombow Multipurpose Glue in the center portion only.
The sunflower was added with Stampin’ Dimensionals to a 3-1/2 x 3-1/2 piece of Whisper White and popped up on the front of the card with more Stampin’ Dimensionals.
The center was cut with the Sunflower Die from Bumblebee cardstock and added with Stampin’ Dimensionals, too.
Celebrate You was stamped with Memento Black Ink on scrap Whisper White cardstock, then hand-cut an added with Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals to the flower.
A trio of gold Holiday Rhinestones were added to the background.

Same monochromatic look, but two different cards! Love how they turned out! Which one do you prefer? 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!

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!

Be inspired by a trip to the coast when using Stampin' Up!'s new SUNSET COAST BUNDLE*. This Bundle features sailboats, a lighthouse, seashells and rock formations to build the perfect oceanfront adventure. We've combined the SUNSET COAST BUNDLE and the SCENIC COAST 6x6 DESIGNER PAPER with dramatic sunset colors and iridescent shimmer for your cards and projects. You'll get step-by-step tutorials for SIX projects...four cards and two favor projects that are perfect for classes and stamp camps! See more details HERE!

Control Freaks June 2020

June 19, 2020 By Connie | 4 Comments

Hi! Welcome to the monthly Tour de Freaks, brought to you by the Control Freak Swappers! The theme this month is NEW CATALOG! Let’s show off our new goodies! So many fun products in Stampin’ Up!’s new Annual Catalog!

You’ve probably just come from the awesome Wendy Weixler…she does gorgeous work! Just click on the link below to take you around the entire blog hop for some GREAT inspiration!

WHISKEY BUSINESS

Both my boys have become Bourbon connoisseurs, so this stamp set was on my radar from the very beginning when I saw the new catalog! In fact, I’ve been known to enjoy some Chocolate Bourbon myself! I created this card and matching tag on the cello bag that holds a small bottle of Buffalo Trace Bourbon.

Here’s the card:

Stampin’ Details:

- The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Night of Navy cardstock, scored at 5-1/2 and folded.
- On top is a 4 x 5-1/4 layer of Cinnamon Cider cardstock.
- A 2-1/2 x 4-3/4 piece of World of Good Designer Paper in the Navy check pattern is added to the right side.
- A 2-1/4 x 3-1/2 piece of Whisper White cardstock is added to the left side.
- You’re Top Shelf is stamped with Memento Black Ink on a 1/2 x 3-1/2 strip of Cinnamon Cider cardstock, then a 1/2 x 3-3/4 strip of Brass Cardstock added under it, then added to the front.
- The Whiskey decanter and glass were stamped with Memento Black Ink, then colored with Dark Mango Melody, Light & Dark Cinnamon Cider Blends. Around the glass was colored with Light Soft Sea Foam Blends. They were hand-cut and added with Stampin’ Dimensionals to the front.
- A Champagne Rhinestone was added to next to the greeting.
- Some Wink of Stella was added to the decanter and glass to make them reflective.

For the tag:

Stampin’ Details:

The tag is a 2-1/2 x 4-1/4 piece of Cinnamon Cider cardstock. The top corners were rounded and the circle punched with the Detailed Trio Punch.
A 2 x 3 piece of World of Good DSP was added towards the right side.
The Whiskey decanter was stamped with Memento Black Ink on Whisper White cardstock, the colored with Dark Mango Melody, Light & Dark Cinnamon Cider Blends. Around the glass was colored with Light Soft Sea Foam Blends. It was hand-cut and added with Stampin’ Dimensionals to the front. It was hand-cut and added to the front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
The greeting was stamped with Cinnamon Cider Ink on 1/2 x 2-1/2 strip of Whisper White, then added across the front.
Two Champagne Rhinestones were added to the bottom and Wink of Stella to the decanter.
The Bufffalo Trace Bourbon bottle was added to the Printed Gusseted Bag and tied with Bumblebee Ribbon.

LOVE this stamp set! OK…next up on the Control Freaks Blog Hop is Bree Renwick! I know you’ll enjoy her projects, too!

CCMC617 – Jar of Flowers

June 18, 2020 By Connie | 2 Comments

Happy Thursday everyone! Wow…these weeks really roll around quickly! June is flying by, I guess because I was on vacation for 10 days earlier this month! More of a working vacation vs leisure, though! lol! We purchased a retirement home in Florida and closed on it, then needed to completely decorate and furnish! That has been a major job!

But…today’s Color Challenge is BEAUTIFUL! I frequently use these colors!

Jar of Flowers

Flowers were a perfect choice for these colors…don’t you think?

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Thick Whisper White cardstock, scored at 5-1/2 and folded.
The 4 x 5-1/4 layer of Melon Mambo cardstock was embossed with the Old World Paper Embossing Folder, then added on top.
A 2-3/4 x 5 piece of In Good Taste Designer Paper was added to the front…love that tile print!
A 1/2 x 4 piece of Mango Melody cardstock was added as an accent down the left side.
The jar and flowers from Jar of Flowers stamp set were stamped with Memento Black Ink an colored with Light & Dark Mango Melody, Light & Dark Granny Apple Green Stampin’ Blends. Then watercolored with Melon Mambo Marker. The jar was punched with the Jar Punch and the flowers hand-cut. They were added to the front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
A 1/8 x 4-1/4 strip of Granny Apple Green across was added across the front.
It’s Your Day from Mini Mates was stamped with Memento Black Ink on Whisper White cardstock, then colored with the Blends/Markers and cut with the Tasteful Label Die. it is added on front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
Wink of Stella was added to the jar and to the tulip flowers for a little sparkle.

OK…go check out what the rest of the Challenge Team did this week over on Create with Connie and Mary! Some awesome ideas!

IM128 – Birds & Branches

June 15, 2020 By Connie | 2 Comments

Happy Monday! It’s time for our Create with Connie and Mary Inspiration Monday challenge! This week’s inspiration is a lovely batch of cookies!

Of course, I just HAD to use my new Birds & Branches Bundle on my card!

Stampin’ Details:

- The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Magenta Madness cardstock, scored at 5-1/2 and folded.
- The 4 x 5-1/4 layer of Whisper White cardstock is embossed with the Old World Paper Embossing Folder (LOVE this new folder!)
- A 2 x 4 piece of 6×6 In Color Designer Paper was added across the front with a 1/4 x 4 piece of Bermuda Bay cardstock, stamped with the Itty Bitty Greeting in Memento Black Ink.
- The circle vine from Birds & More dies was cut from Granny Apple Green cardstock, then cut again with the Layering Circle Die that is just a little larger. It was added to the larger circle cut again from Bumblebee cardstock, then added to the front.
- The branch from Birds & Branches was stamped on Whisper White cardstock with Early Espresso Ink, the leaves with Granny Apple Green Ink and hand-cut.
- One bird and wing was stamped with Melon Mambo Ink (or use Magenta Madness…I didn’t have it yet) and the other bird and wing with Bermuda Bay Ink. The birds were cut with the Birds & More dies and the wings hand-cut. The eye was made with a Black Stampin’ Write Marker. They were popped up on the stem with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
- The heart was punched from Magenta Madness cardstock with the Dog Punch and added to the front.
- Two In Color Enamel Dots were added to the front for a little bling.

OK…check out what Mary did with the Inspiration Monday Challenge over on Create with Connie and Mary!

Saturday Blog Hop – Birthday Cards

June 13, 2020 By Connie | 3 Comments

Happy Saturday! It’s time for the Create with Connie and Mary Saturday Blog Hop! This week the Design Team is featuring Birthday Cards! Why? Because it is MY birthday…and it is a BIG one! Oh my! Where does the time go? But, they say you are only as old as you feel…so I’m in pretty good shape!

BEAUTIFUL FRIENDSHIP

I choose to use this stamp set as Hydrangeas are one of my very favorite flowers. I love their bluish purple look. I also love the new In Good Taste Designer Paper and thought they paired well today!

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Highland Heather cardstock, scored at 5-1/2 and folded.
On top is a 4 x 5-1/4 layer of In Good Taste Designer Paper (love those dark wood grains!)
The 2-3/4 x 3-3/4 piece of Whisper White cardstock was stamped with the hydrangeas in each corner by inking them up first with Highland Heather, then using the “rock & roll” technique to add Balmy Blue Ink along one side.
The leaves were added with Granny Apple Green Ink.
It was layered on a 3 x 4 piece of Highland Heather cardstock, then added to the front.
The Seaside Spray Linen Ribbon was added across the front, then tied with Linen Thread in a bow.
Birthdays are the best days was stamped with Gorgeous Grape on Whisper White cardstock, then cut with the Tasteful Label Die. It was added on the front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
Two Champagne Rhinestones were added to the label.

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!

CCMC616 – Forever Fern

June 11, 2020 By Connie | Leave a Comment

Happy Thursday, everyone!!! It’s time for another Create with Connie and Mary Thursday Challenge…this time a fun sketch!

I’ve been getting a lot of use out of my new Annual Catalog Preorder stamp sets…but I’m anxious to start playing with the other sets I just purchased. Those will have to wait just a little longer. Since I’ve been out of town, I had to pre-schedule a lot of posts! So I grabbed Forever Fern again to use on this sketch.

FOREVER FERN

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Soft Sea Foam, score at 5-1/2 and folded.
The Forever Greenery Designer Paper is cut to 3-1/2 x 5 and added to the front
A 2 x 3-1/2 piece of Soft Sea Foam cardstock is layered on a 2-1/4 x 3-3/4 piece of Shaded Spruce cardstock, then added on a diagonal to the front.
The gingko leaves were cut with the Forever Flourishes Dies from Shaded Spruce cardstock and adhered.
The leaf cluster was stamped with Shaded Spruce Ink on Whisper White cardstock and cut with the Forever Flourishes Dies and added with Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals.
The sprig was cut with the dies from Gold Foil Paper and adhered with Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals.
A 1/2 x 3 piece of Gold Foil Paper was added across the front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
Hello from Forever Ferns stamp set was stamped with Shaded Spruce Ink on Whisper White and cut with the All Dressed Up Label die (shortened).
Two Holiday Rhinestones were added to the Foil piece.

Make sure to check out what the rest of the Challenge Team did this week over on Create with Connie and Mary! Lots of great ideas for using this sketch!

IM127 – Forever Fern

June 8, 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 a lovely pillow! Of course, what set immediately comes to mind?

I just HAD to use my new Forever Fern Bundle on my card!

Stampin’ Details:

- The base is 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 Just Jade (new In Color!) cardstock, scored at 4-1/4 and folded.
- A 4 x 5-1/4 layer of Whisper White is added on front.
- The large fern in the back is cut from Pretty Peacock cardstock and the Gingko Leaves from Just Jade cardstock with the Forever Flourishing Dies and adhered with Tombow Glue.
- The other leaves were stamped with Pretty Peacock, Basic Gray, Granny Apple Green, cut with the dies, and layered on top with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
- The greeting from Forever Fern was stamped with Pretty Peacock Ink on 1/2 x 3 piece of Whisper White cardstock and end cut on the diagonal. It was added with Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals.
- The flower was punched three times with the Medium Daisy Punch from Soft Sea Foam cardstock, sponged in the center with Pretty Peacock Ink, then layered together and added to the front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
- A trio of crystal Flowers For Every Season Gems were added in the center and a trio of green ones in the background for a little bling.

This Forever Fern stamp set is one that is just hard to mess up no matter how you stamp and place the leaves! LOVE it! OK…check out what Mary did with the Inspiration Monday Challenge over on Create with Connie and Mary!

Saturday Blog Hop – Masculine Cards

June 6, 2020 By Connie | Leave a Comment

Happy Saturday! It’s time for the Create with Connie and Mary Saturday Blog Hop! This week the Design Team is featuring Masculine Cards! I must have a lot of males in my family because I never seem to have enough masculine cards! I designed this card for my Stamp Club members this month…hope they love it!

BEAUTIFUL WORLD

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Misty Moonlight cardstock, scored at 5-1/2 and folded.
On top is a 4 x 5-1/4 layer of Very Vanilla cardstock.
A 2-1/4 x 4-3/4 piece of the map pattern in World of Good was added to the background.
Another 2 x 4-1/4 piece of the navy check pattern in World of Good was added on top next to it.
A 1 x 4 piece of Cinnamon Cider cardstock was stamped with the greeting from Beautiful World and added on top.
A 1/4 x 4 piece of Brass Foil Paper was added over it.
The globe holder was cut from Misty Moonlight cardstock, the background circle from Just Jade and the world from Cinnamon Cider. They were added to the front. The circle/globe was added with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
A Misty Moonlight In Color Enamel Dot was added to the globe for a little bling!