#inkspiredtreasures

Nine Lives

May 14, 2019 By Connie | 1 Comment

I’m happy they included Nine Lives and Happy Tails in the new catalog! Sometimes you just need those kind of cards using pet images to cheer someone up! I used the colors of my cat, Bleach, who went over the Rainbow Bridge last year.

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Thick Whisper White, scored at 5-1/2 and folded.
On top is a 4 x 5-1/4 layer of Balmy Blue Gingham Gala Designer Paper.
A 2-3/8 Circle is cut with the Layering Circles Framelits from Whisper White, then layered on the next sized Scallop Circle of Smoky Slate cardstock.
The greeting from Nine Lives stamp set is stamped with Balmy Blue Ink.
A 3/4 x 4 strip of Balmy Blue cardstock is placed towards the bottom of the circle.
Some Whisper White Baker’s Twine is wrapped around the DSP and tied in a bow on the right side.
The cat outline is stamped with Memento Black Ink on Smoky Slate cardstock and the inside pattern with Smoky Slate Ink. It was then colored over with Smoky Slate Light Blend for a little more depth. It is punched with the Cat Builder Punch.
The bowl is stamped with Memento Black Ink on Whisper White, colored with the Smoky Slate Blends, then hand cut and added to the front.

Super simple stamping, but the background Buffalo Plaid print really sets it off!

Be ready to deck the halls with Stampin' Up!'s HOME FOR CHRISTMAS BUNDLE featuring a cute gingerbread man, whimsical tree, holly, and peppermint images and dies! The HOME FOR CHRISTMAS DIES also include fun tag and pocket shapes, plus a scallop border! The classic greetings will finish your projects with some festive cheer. We've paired the HOME FOR CHRISTMAS BUNDLE with the TIMELESS CHRISTMAS 12x12 DESIGNER PAPER featuring traditional colors, plaids and stripes for your seasonal-themed crafts. Our HOME FOR CHRISTMAS COLLECTION gives you step-by-step tutorials for FOUR cards and TWO gift card holders for a total of SIX tutorials to use in your classes or personal use. See more details HERE!

How fun to create a traditional Christmas Village using Stampin' Up!'s WELCOME NOEL BUNDLE! Stamp the houses, trees and deer elements to build your holiday scene or cut them quickly with the detailed shapes and the WELCOME NOEL DIES. We used greetings from the Winter Adventures stamp set or use your own sentiments to finish it off. We've paired the WELCOME NOEL BUNDLE with the WINTER DREAMS 12x12 DESIGNER PAPER featuring white on deep blue designs for your winter-themed crafts. Our WELCOME NOEL COLLECTION gives you step-by-step tutorials for FOUR cards and TWO enhanced special fold card ideas for a total of SIX tutorials to use in your classes or personal use. See more details HERE!

Create the feel of a nature walk through the winter woods with Stampin' Up! FROSTED PINECONES BUNDLE! Stamp the pinecone and then add textured details using the FROSTED PINECONES DECORATIVE MASKS or cut the detailed shapes with the FROSTED PINECONES DIES. Add one of the heartfelt winter sentiments to finish it off. We've paired the FROSTED PINECONES BUNDLE with the WHISPERING WOODS 12x12 DESIGNER PAPER. Our FROSTED PINECONES COLLECTION gives you step-by-step tutorials for FOUR cards and TWO small decor ideas for a total of SIX tutorials, all full of seasonal charm. See more details HERE!

Farewell Lovely As A Tree

May 13, 2019 By Connie | 6 Comments

I started as a demo in May of 2002…17 years ago last week! Unbelievable! AND…I just hit my $500,000 in year-to-date sales! WOOHOO!!! That is unbelievable, too. Did you know I started out completely as a hobby demonstrator for the first couple years. Then a friend asked me to hold a class with some friends and show them a few techniques…that grew into the full-time business that I have today.

I’m not sure if I ordered Lovely As A Tree in my starter kit, or if I ordered it on one of my first orders. But, I still have my original Wood Block set…the last of my wood blocks ones! It has a sticker on it dated 2001. A fun fact…there have been over 210,000 Lovely As A Tree stamp sets purchased in the 18 years since it was revealed…the longest stamp set in Stampin’ Up!’s history! The artist still works at Stampin’ Up! She said she did the artwork for this set with pen and paper…no computer renderings for her! Amazing!

Anyway, this is a recreation of the first card I made using my Lovely As A Tree set. It was my Convention swap card and Christmas card in 2002. I wish I would have kept it. I know I used Brushed Silver cardstock instead of Silver Foil I used here. And used a different script Merry Christmas for the greeting. This one is from Star of Light. Here’s how I made it…you may be surprised!

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Night of Navy cardstock, scored at 4-1/4 and folded.
The 4 x 5-1/4 Silver Foil paper was cut with the largest oval in Layering Ovals Framelits.
A 3-3/4 x 5 piece of Window Sheet was stamped with the tree in Black Stazon to fit in the oval.
On the back side of the Window Sheet, the Fine Tip Glue Pen was used to dot on the snowflakes and added to the branches. It was covered with Dazzling Diamonds Glitter and let dry. It is SOOO sparkly in real life! It was adhered behind the Silver Foil paper, then to the front of the card.
Merry Christmas from Star of Light was stamped with Black Stazon on the front of the Silver Foil paper.

Really a simple card, but I received SO many compliments on it! I still love it, too!

Hope you have enjoyed the walk in the past. Make sure you grab this versatile Lovely As A Tree stamp set before it goes away completely!

IM71 – Little Elephant

May 13, 2019 By Connie | Leave a Comment

Happy Monday! It’s time for our Create with Connie and Mary Inspiration Monday photo! When I saw this, I thought immediately of the Little Elephant Stamp Set…so another baby card from me!

I couldn’t quite match the pale lemony color of the elephant cookie…one of the colors I think is missing in our Stampin’ Up! color families! So, I substituted Pineapple Punch which is brighter! It still turned out cute.

Stampin’ Details:

- The base is 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 Thick Whisper White cardstock, scored at 4-1/4 and folded.
- A 1 x 5-1/4 piece of Granny Apple Green was placed at the bottom of the 4 x 5-1/4 piece of How Sweet It Is Designer Paper.
- A 1/4 x 5-1/4 strip of Sparkle Glimmer Paper was added across the front.
- A 3 x 4-1/4 piece of Pineapple Punch cardstock was layered under the Rectangle Stitched Framelit cut from Pool Party cardstock.
- The small Elephant from Little Elephant was stamped with Granny Apple Green, Pineapple Punch and Coastal Cabana Inks on Whisper White, then punched with the Elephant Builder Punch. The eyes were colored with a Basic Black Marker. They were popped up on the front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
- Baby from Well Written Framelits was cut from Pineapple Punch cardstock and added with Tombow Multipurpose Glue.
- Congratulations from Little Elephant stamp set was stamped with Memento Black Ink towards the bottom.
- Two arrows from Best Route Enamel Shapes were added next to the greeting for a little bling!

Another sweet baby card! Not sure I know THAT many people having babies…but I’m ready just in case! OK…check out what Mary did with this challenge over on Create with Connie and Mary!

Saturday Blog Hop – “Purple Rain”

May 11, 2019 By Connie | Leave a Comment

Happy Saturday! It’s time for another Saturday Blog Hop! We are continuing with the song themes this week with “Purple Rain” by Prince! Enjoy our cards with predominantly purple colors! I pulled out the retiring Dragonfly Dreams stamp set for mine!

Stampin’ Details:

The base is5-1/2 x 8-1/2 Thick Whisper White, scored at 4-1/4 and folded.
On each side, a 3/4 x 5-1/2 strip of Gingham Gala Designer Paper was added.
On the 3-1/2 x 5-1/2 panel of Whisper White, the speckles from Waterfront Stamp Set were added in the background with Crumb Cake Ink.
The greeting from Dragonfly Dreams stamp set was stamped with Memento Black Ink.
A 1-1/2 x 2-3/4 Rectangle of Basic Black was placed in the background (I used the Stitched Rectangle Framelit, but you can’t even see the stitching!)
Several loops of Silver Metallic Thread were wrapped in a circle, then added to the rectangle.
The dragonfly was stamped with Gorgeous Grape Ink on Whisper White and the inside with Highland Heather, it was cut with the Detailed Dragonfly Framelits and added to the rectangle with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
A Glitter Dot was added to the body of the dragonfly and a few scattered in the background.

I love the layout of this card, will need to remember it for future! Now, continue the blog hop to see the Design Team Member’s “Purple Rain” cards this week! Next up is our Create with Connie and Mary website, then on to creative Mary Brown, or head backwards to see Melissa’s fabulous card!

CCMC560 – A Little Wild

May 9, 2019 By Connie | Leave a Comment

Love this great, simple sketch we have for you today at Create with Connie and Mary Thursday Challenge!

I pulled out my A Little Wild stamp set…sad to see this sweet stamp set be retired. I use it a lot on baby cards I send!

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 Balmy Blue, scored at 4-1/4 and folded.
The 4 x 5-1/4 layer of Crumb Cake cardstock was embossed with the Subtles Embossing Folder.
A 1/4 x 5 piece of Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper was added across the front.
A 3/4 x 4 piece of Granny Apple Green and 3/4 x 4 piece of Balmy Blue Gingham Gala Designer Paper were added criss-crossed across the front.
The Stitched Shape Oval was cut from Whisper White and stamped with the bees image in A Little Wild stamp set with Memento Black Ink, then colored with Mango Melody Blends. The bottom “grass” was added with the Granny Apple Green Blends.
The bear from A Little Wild stamp set was stamped with Memento Black Ink on scrap Whisper White and colored with Crumb Cake and Flirty Flamingo for the ears and cheeks. The beehive was stamped with Memento Black Ink on scrap Whisper White and colored with the Mango Melody Blends. Both were cut out and added to the oval with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
Hello There Honey Bear was stamped with Memento Black Ink on the Crumb Cake background.

SUPER sweet card! So soft and delicate! I love it! Check out what the rest of the Challenge Team did this week over on Create with Connie and Mary!

IM70 – Graceful Garden

May 6, 2019 By Connie | Leave a Comment

Happy Monday! It’s time for our Create with Connie and Mary Inspiration Monday photo! This is a photo of a gorgeous wreath, don’t you agree? I’d love it hanging on MY door!

Here’s what I came up with using the retiring Graceful Garden stamp set…it has been a while since I’ve used it! This time of year I pull out my retiring sets and give them a little attention! Swirly Bird is also on the retired list…I used the little wreath image from the Thinlits on this card!

Stampin’ Details:

- The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Highland Heather cardstock, scored at 5-1/2 and folded.
- The 4 x 5-1/4 layer of Smoky Slate cardstock was embossed with the Tin Type Embossing Folder.
- The “wreath” image from Swirly Scribbles Thinlits is cut from Whisper White cardstock and added to the front.
- For You from Graceful Garden was stamped with Memento Black Ink on scrap Whisper White cardstock, then punched with the 1-3/8″ Scallop Circle Punch, then adhered inside the wreath.
- Three small roses from Graceful Garden stamp set were stamped with Memento Black Ink on scrap Whisper White cardstock, and three extra leaf bundles with Mossy Meadow Ink. All were hand-cut and added along side the left side of the wreath. They were popped up with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
- The Gorgeous Grape Mini Striped Ribbon was tied in a bow around the wreath.

Another card that I love how it turned out! OK…check out what Mary did with this challenge (SO different than mine!) over on Create with Connie and Mary!

Saturday Blog Hop – “Red, Red Wine”

May 4, 2019 By Connie | Leave a Comment

Happy Saturday! It’s time for another Saturday Blog Hop! Our theme is inspired by the song “Red, Red Wine” by Ub40. So…cards that are predominantly red! I enjoy finding songs that we can use for inspiration on our blog hops! In my mind this card started out a LOT more red, but as I played and designed it morphed into this card! lol!

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 4-1/4 x 11 Poppy Parade cardstock, scored at 5-1/2 and folded.
On top is a 4 x 5-1/4 layer of Basic Black.
The second from largest Stitched Rectangle was used to cut the Whisper White panel.
Some speckles from Waterfront stamp set were added with stamped off Crumb Cake Ink.
A 3/4 x 4 piece of Poppy Parade (Brights) DSP was added across the front.
Two Tropical Chic leaves were stamped with Granny Apple Green Ink on Whisper White and cut with the Tropical Thinlits and added above and below the DSP.
Two flowers from Tropical Chic were stamped with Poppy Parade Ink on Whisper White, the stamen colored with Basic Black Marker and cut with the Tropical Thinlits. They were added on top with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
You are the Greatest was stamped with Memento Black Ink under the DSP.

I haven’t played with this stamp set in a while…glad it is carrying over into the new catalog. Now, continue the blog hop to see the Design Team Member’s “Red, Red Wine” cards this week! Next up is our Create with Connie and Mary website, then on to creative Mary Brown, or head backwards to see Melissa’s fabulous card!

CCMC559 Petal Palette

May 2, 2019 By Connie | 1 Comment

This week’s Create with Connie and Mary’s Color Challenge made me look thru my designer paper stash. I combined Petal Palette stamp set with the plaid design in the Under the Mistletoe Designer Paper…it gives it a really “country” feel. This time of year I’m always on a mission to use some of my retiring stamp sets a few more times.

I love the roses in Petal Palette! They are small enough to color easily. And I love some of the extra dies in the Petals & More Framelits, like this lacy trim one!

Stampin’ Details:

The base is 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 Smoky Slate cardstock, scored at 4-1/4 and folded.
On top is a 4 x 5-1/4 layer of the plaid design in Under the Mistletoe DSP.
A 2 x 4 band of Smoky Slate cardstock was added towards the top.
The lacy trim piece was cut with the Petals & More Framelits from Real Red cardstock and added to the Smoky Slate band.
The roses were stamped with Memento Black Ink on Whisper White cardstock and colored with the Real Red Stampin’ Blends, the leaves were watercolored with the Lemon Lime Twist Marker.
Best Wishes was stamped with Memento Black Ink.
The vine piece was cut with the Petals & More Framelits from Lemon Lime Twist cardstock and tucked under the Smoky Slate piece a little. The Roses were popped up on the front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Such a different look for this stamp set, I think! I love how it turned out! OK, check out the rest of the Challenge Team to see what they did with this color challenge over on Create with Connie and Mary! ! I’m excited to see what they’ve done!