#inkspiredtreasures

Ornate Style Stamp Set

March 11, 2020 By Connie | Leave a Comment

Stampin’ Up! has given demos advance purchasing of a new Annual Catalog suite of products called the Ornate Garden Suite! It has two stamp set/die bundles, some gorgeous Designer Paper with gold accents, an embossing folder, ribbon and Gilded Gems! It is FABULOUS! Customers can begin ordering on April 1st (no joke!)

I used a technique called Watercolor Wash for today’s card using the floral image from Ornate Style. So soft and pretty!

ORNATE STYLE

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Crumb Cake cardstock, scored at 5-1/2 and folded.
A 1 x 5-1/2 strip of Ornate Garden DSP was added down the right side.
On top, the 3-1/4 x 4-3/4 piece of Crumb Cake cardstock was added with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
The eyelet rectangle from Ornate Layers Dies was cut from Whisper White, cut in half, then trimmed and added under the Crumb Cake layer on the right side.
The floral image from Ornate Style stamp set was inked with White Craft Ink on Crumb Cake cardstock, then embossed with White Embossing Powder.
An AquaPainter and diluted White Craft Ink was used to color the image.
After dry, it was colored with Dark Highland Heather, Light Mango Melody, Light Poppy Parade, Dark Seaside Spray, Bronze, Dark Granny Apple Green Stampin’ Blends and hand-cut. It was added to the front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
The greeting from Itty Bitty Birthdays was stamped with Soft Suede Ink on Whisper White and punched with the Label Me Fancy punch, then added with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
A trio of Gilded Gems (part of the Ornate Garden Suite) were added to the front.

I think I’m really going to have fun with this stamp set! I have another flower image sitting here ready to be finished into a card, too! Contact me to get the informational flyer and place your order…I’ll submit it on April 1st when it becomes available!

Stamp a bunch of violets quickly with the line-drawn images in Stampin' Up!'s FRAMED VIOLETS BUNDLE (available for customers beginning July 1st). Layer them together easily and add a die-cut oval, some accent florals and leaves for extra texture and subtle details. Everyday greetings give a finished level of polish. We've combined the FRAMED VIOLETS BUNDLE and the VIOLET DREAMS 12x12 DESIGNER PAPER for an eye-catching cohesive look! You'll get SIX step-by-step tutorials for FOUR regular cards and TWO small 3D projects in our FRAMED VIOLETS COLLECTION! See more details HERE!

Grab those easy, breezy beach vibes right at your craft table when you use Stampin' Up!'s SPLASH & RELAX BUNDLE of products! Be inspired by the innertubes, beach balls, sunglasses, and other beach accessories this cute set has to offer! Then add a fun, carefree sentiment to finish off your project! We've combined the SPLASH & RELAX BUNDLE and the SCENIC COAST 6x6 DESIGNER PAPER with its' bright color backgrounds!! You'll get SIX step-by-step tutorials for FOUR regular cards and TWO special fold cards in this Collection! See more details HERE!

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!

Saturday Blog Hop – One Layer Cards

March 7, 2020 By Connie | Leave a Comment

Happy Saturday! It’s time for the Create with Connie and Mary Saturday Blog Hop and our theme this week is One Layer Cards…meaning, the images are stamped directly on the base…no extras!

THOUGHTFUL BLOOMS

In my opinion, these are some of the HARDEST type of cards to make! Even more than special folds! I don’t seem to know when to “stop” and want to fill in every space. So, this card is very minimalist for me! But, I did create with a little interest by scoring a couple lines across the bottom and filling in with a Black Marker.

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Thick Whisper White cardstock, scored at 5-1/2 and folded.
Across the front at 10 and 10-1/8, two lines were scored, then filled with a Black Maraker.
The greeting was stamped with Memento Black Ink off center.
The large flowers were stamped first with Highland Heather Ink, then the solid leaves with Granny Apple Green. The star flowers were stamped with Coastal Cabana, and the smallest flower with Daffodil Delight.
Two purple Noble Peacock Rhinestones were added to the center of the purple flowers and a trio of green Noble Peacock Rhinestones were added in the background.

So, what do you think? Did I succeed? I’ll tell you it took me FOUR tries to get the spacing I liked! lol! 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 Melissa’s fabulous One Layer card and see what everyone did with this challenge!

CCMC602 – Clubhouse

March 5, 2020 By Connie | Leave a Comment

Happy Thursday!!! It’s time for a Create with Connie and Mary challenge! This week we have a fun sketch for you to try.

Here is what I did with the sketch using Stampin’ Up!’s Clubhouse Bundle. I’m SO glad they came out with a golf theme set…both my boys play and it will be fun to make their cards!

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Night of Navy cardstock, scored at 5-1/2.
On top is a 4 x 5-1/4 layer of Whisper White cardstock.
A 1/4 x 3-3/4 strip of Soft Sea Foam was added in the background with a 1/4 x 3-3/4 strip of Garden Green offset from it.
The Country Club Designer Paper (LOVE IT!) was cut to 2-1/2 x 4 and added on top.
The Stitched So Sweetly label was cut from Soft Sea Foam cardstock and added to the DSP.
The Golf Ball/Tee image was stamped with Memento Black Ink on Whisper White cardstock and colored with Soft Sea Foam, Night of Navy and Smoky Slate Stampin’ Blends. It was cut with the Golf Club Dies and added to the label with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
Two grass images from Golf Club Dies were cut from Garden Green and tucked behind the tee on the label.
Happy Father’s Day badge was stamped with Garden Green on Soft Sea Foam cardstock and cut with the Golf Club Die. It is popped up on the front corner with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
The laurel leaves were cut from Garden Green with the Golf Club Die, then added around the badge.
A trio of Nobel Peacock Rhinestones (navy) were added to the background.

I love how this turned out!!! OK…check what the rest of the Challenge Team did this week over on Create with Connie and Mary! I’m sure you will be very inspired!

IM113 – Lovely Lily Pad

March 2, 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 gorgeous stained glass piece!

And…what else would I use except Stampin’ Up!’s FREE Sale-A-Bration Stamp Set and Dies…Lovely Lily Pad! I went with a very minimalist look on my card to keep with the clean lines of the inspiration piece.

Stampin’ Details:

- The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Petal Pink cardstock, scored at 5-1/2 and folded.
- On top is a 3-7/8 x 5-1/8 layer of Flirty Flamingo cardstock.
- The 3-3/4 x 5 layer of Whisper White cardstock was stamped and stamped off with the “bubble” image in Gallery Grunge stamp set with Seaside Spray Ink just in the lower right area.
- The large lily pad and flower from Lovely Lily Pad stamp set (FREE SAB item!) were stamped with Memento Black Ink on scrap Whisper White cardstock and colored with Light & Dark Petal Pink, Light Flirty Flamingo and Dark Mint Macaron an Light Shaded Spruce Stampin’ Blends. They were cut with the Lily Pad Dies (also a FREE SAB item!), then added to the front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
- Happy Birthday from Peaceful Moments stamp set was stamped with Memento Black Ink in the background.
- A trio of Iridescent Sequins were added in the background.

I love the soft colors and how delicate this card looks! OK…check out what Mary did with the Inspiration Monday Challenge over on Create with Connie and Mary!

Saturday Blog Hop – Technique Cards

February 29, 2020 By Connie | 1 Comment

Happy Saturday! It’s time for the Create with Connie and Mary Saturday Blog Hop and our theme this week is Technique Cards! I remember when I did technique cards ALL the time! I even ran a Technique Class every month for over six years! But, I stopped doing a lot of techniques on my cards. May have to jump back in!

POSITIVE THOUGHTS

This technique has always been one of my favorites. I don’t know if it has an official name, but I call it “Acrylic Block Watercolors” and it is SO quick and easy to change up with whatever colors you want to use! I also pulled out my new Positive Thoughts and Nature’s Thoughts Dies for this card!

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Soft Sea Foam cardstock, scored at 5-1/2 and folded.
The 4 x 5-1/4 layer of Whisper White cardstock was embossed with the Parisian Flourish Embossing Folder.
A 1 x 4 piece of Shaded Spruce was added across the front.
Another 3-1/2 x 4-3/4 piece of Whisper White cardstock was used for the technique…I wanted an Ombre effect. The E sized Acrylic Block was colored along the bottom third with Garden Green Marker, the middle third with Granny Apple Green Marker and the top third with Soft Sea Foam Marker, scribbling directly on the block with the marker. It was spritzed with water, then stamped onto the Whisper White cardstock and let dry.
The Whisper White was then cut with the Nature’s Thoughts embossed rectangle…can you see the dotted scallop it cuts? SO pretty!
After dry, it was stamped with the large fern from Positive Thoughts stamp set using Shaded Spruce Ink, then added to the front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
Another technique used was “omit stamping”. I inked up just the word “Prayers” with the Basic Black Marker and stamped on a 1/2 x 1-1/2 piece of Crumb Cake cardstock, then cut one end at an angle. It was added to the front.
A trio of Holiday Rhinestones (still available to order!) in the dark green color were added in the background!

I really LOVE this card!!! You need to try this technique, ok? 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 Melissa’s fabulous technique card and see what everyone did with this challenge!

CCMC601 – Timeless Tropical

February 27, 2020 By Connie | 2 Comments

Hello everyone!!! Happy last Thursday in February! lol! It’s time for another Create with Connie and Mary Thursday Challenge. We have a color challenge for you…and it WAS a challenge for me!

I couldn’t find a DSP that had all three of these colors, so I “altered” one that I did have! I used the stripe in Best Dressed DSP and changed out the Mint Macaron color to Old Olive by using my Light Old Olive Stampin’ Blends! It worked perfectly and since the lines were kind of abstract watercolor looking, I didn’t even have to be that careful when I did it!

Here’s my card using Timeless Tropical again. I really do like that set!

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 Purple Posy cardstock.
A 2-1/4 x 5-1/4 piece of “altered” Best Dressed DSP was added to a 2-1/2 x 5-1/4 piece of Pretty Peacock cardstock and then to the front of the card.
A 2″ circle was punched from Whisper White cardstock and added to the front.
The palm trees were colored with Old Olive and Early Espresso Stampin’ Write Makers and then stamped on Whisper White cardstock, and cut with the In the Tropics Die, then added to the front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
The flowers were stamped with Memento Black Ink and colored with the Purple Posy Light & Dark Stampin’ Blends, cut with the In The Tropics Die and added to the front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
The ferns and leaves and Aloha were cut from Pretty Peacock and Old Olive cardstock with the In The Tropic Dies, then tucked around the flowers with Mini Glue Dots.
Inside the flowers centers are Nobel Peacock Rhinestones with another added in the background.

I love how this turned out and I need to remember to alter my DSP more often when I don’t have the exact colors I need! Make sure to check out what the rest of the Challenge Team did this week over on Create with Connie and Mary! Some fun ideas with these colors!

IM112 – Under My Umbrella

February 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 delicious looking umbrella cookies!

Of course, my new Under My Umbrella stamp set is perfect for this inspiration challenge! Here’s what I did with it. Doesn’t that look sweet, too?

Stampin’ Details:

- The base is 4-1/4 x 11 So Saffron cardstock, scored at 5-1/2 and folded.
- A 4 x 5-1/4 layer of So Saffron Gingham from the Subtles Designer Paper Pack was added on top.
- The Stitched So Sweetly rectangle was cut with the die from Whisper White cardstock and stamped with the greeting from Under My Umbrella in Memento Black Ink.
- The umbrella top was stamped on Mint Macaron, So Saffron and Blushing Bride cardstocks and punched with the Umbrella Builder Punch.
- The handles were punched from Soft Suede cardstock.
- All were added to the front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
- The Chalk Pen was used to outline the umbrellas with white dots.
- The small flowers were stamped three times with Memento Black Ink on Whisper White, then colored with So Saffron, Blushing Bride and Mint Macaron Stampin’ Write Markers. They were added to the tops of the umbrellas with Mini Glue Dots.
- The centers of the flowers have a small Mint Macaron Rhinestone from Holiday Rhinestones (yes! These are still available to order!)

I love the soft colors and how delicate this card looks! OK…check out what Mary did with the Inspiration Monday Challenge over on Create with Connie and Mary!

Saturday Blog Hop – Special Folds

February 22, 2020 By Connie | 3 Comments

This week’s Create with Connie and Mary Saturday Blog Hop theme is Special Fold Cards! This is always a fun week for me…my customers love special fold cards, and I always want new ideas! I’ve been wanting to try this “Corner Fold” card for a while. It is super easy, but fun with the pop-up inside! I’ve used the Honey Bee bundle for this week’s card!

HONEY BEE

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 Daffodil Delight cardstock, scored at 4-1/4 and folded.
Using a template measuring 2-3/4 x 3-1/2 and cut at an angle, add to the top left corner, and using Simply Scored to follow the diagonal line with the Scoring Tool.

Press in score lines, then reverse the fold inside.

Cut the Honey Bee/Hive print from Golden Honey DSP (FREE SAB!) to 4 x 5-1/4, use the template to cut off the top left corner, then add to front.
Wrap the Daffodil Delight Crinkled Ribbon around the 1 x 5-1/4 black/gold stripe from Golden Honey DSP and tie a knot, then add to the bottom of the DSP as shown.
Stamp the bee hive from Honey Bee with Mango Melody Ink on Whisper White, then cut with the Detailed Bee Die. Add to corner as shown with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
Cut the Honey Comb from Detailed Bee Die from Mango Melody cardstock, adhere to a piece of Daffodil Delight, cut around the edges. Add a few of the inside honey comb pieces inside. Tuck under top side of hive with Stampin’ Dimensionals as shown.
Cut large bee with Detailed Bee Die from Basic Black cardstock, cut small piece of Daffodil Delight to fit under the body. Add to beehive with Stampin’ Dimensional.
Stamp Hello on scrap Whisper White cardstock, cut with So Sweetly Stitched Die. Add to honey comb with Stampin’ Dimensional.

INSIDE

Cut honey comb DSP and Whisper White cardstock to 4 x 5-1/4. Use template to cut bottom left of Honey comb DSP and top left of Whisper White pieces. You will need to trim off 1/2″ on left side of small triangle pieces to fit on card.
Cut another honey comb piece with the Detailed Bee Die from Mango Melody, add to bottom pop-up.
Stamp three small bees with Memento Black Ink on scrap Whisper White, color with Daffodil Delight Marker, cut with Detailed Bee Die. Add to background and honey comb.
Stamp two bees with Memento Black Ink on Whisper White layer, color with Daffodil Delight Marker.
Stamp Celebrate Every Moment from Honey Bee with Memento Black Ink on scrap Daffodil Delight cardstock, cut with So Sweetly Stitched Die, add inside.

Isn’t that a FUN pop-up card? LOTS of possibilities with this one! OK…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 Melissa’s fabulous favor! See what everyone did with this challenge!