Inspiration Ink

October Christmas Card Camp Follow Up

We had lots of fun at my Christmas Card Camp on Saturday.  Everyone got to choose from these cards and could make up to 3 of each if they wanted.  Enjoy!

Uses Beautiful Season Clear-Mount Set plus Cherry Cobbler Card Stock, Riding Hood Red Card Stock, Always Artichoke Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad, Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pad, Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Write Marker, Riding Hood Red Stampin' Write Marker, Always Artichoke Stampin' Write Marker, River Rock Stampin' Write Marker, Cherry Cobbler 3/8" Quilted Satin Ribbon, Distressing Essentials, Clear-Mount Block C, Clear-Mount Block E, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Mini Glue Dots, Craft Scissors, Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Curly Label Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Extended Cutting Pads, and Magnetic Movers & Shapers Curly Label Die.

Uses Button Buddies Set and Tiny Tags Clear-Mount Set plus Poppy Parade Card Stock, Baja Breeze Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Poppy Parade Classic Stampin' Pad, Baja Breeze Classic Stampin' Pad, Not Quite Navy Classic Stampin' Pad, 2010-2012 In Color Stampin' Write Markers (Poppy Parade), Poppy Parade 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon, Vintage Trinkets, Mini Jingle Bells, Sponge Daubers, Clear-Mount Block A, SNAIL Adhesive, Sticky Strip, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Craft Scissors, Jewelry Tag Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, and Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.

Uses Come to Bethlehem Clear-Mount Set and Best Friends Forever Clear-Mount Set plus Not Quite Navy Card Stock, Crumb Cake Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Not Quite Navy Stampin' Write Marker, Crumb Cake Stampin' Write Marker, Crumb Cake 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon, Basic Rhinestones Jewels, Clear-Mount Block G, Clear-Mount Block I, SNAIL Adhesive, Sticky Strip, Craft Scissors, and Scallop Trim Border Punch.

Uses Delightful Decorations Set plus Certainly Celery Card Stock, Bashful Blue Card Stock, Marina Mist Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Certainly Celery Classic Stampin' Pad, Bashful Blue Classic Stampin' Pad, Marina Mist Classic Stampin' Pad, Marina Mist 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Circle Ice Rhinestone Brads, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Craft Scissors, Ornament Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, and Snow Burst Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.

Uses Flower Fest Clear-Mount Set and Woodgrain background stamp plus Cherry Cobbler Card Stock, Garden Green Card Stock, Soft Suede Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Wild Wasabi Classic Stampin' Pad, Garden Green Classic Stampin' Pad, Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad, Cherry Cobbler 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon, Gold Brads, Dazzling Details, Stamping Sponges, Clear-Mount Block D, SNAIL Adhesive, 2-Way Glue Pen, Mini Glue Dots, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Craft Scissors, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, and Cupcake Builder Punch.

You can't tell in the scan because the scanner flattens things out, but this next card actually has a 3-D effect.  There is a flat pennant punch-out glued down and then another one with the image stamped on it is folded in half and glued down along the fold so that the tree appears 3-D.

Uses Pennant Parade Clear-Mount Set and Petite Pairs Clear-Mount Set plus Real Red Card Stock, Old Olive Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad, Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad, Daffodil Delight Stampin' Write Marker, Real Red Stampin' Write Marker, Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker, Clear-Mount Block A, Clear- Mount Block B, SNAIL Adhesive, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, and Petite Pennants Builder Punch.
Uses Serene Snowflakes Set and Christmas Greetings Set plus Perfect Plum Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Perfect Plum Classic Stampin' Pad, Perfect Plum 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Basic Pearls Jewels, Mica Flakes, SNAIL Adhesive, Sticky Strip, 2-Way Glue Pen, Craft Scissors, Scallop Edge Border Punch, Extra-Large Oval Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Designer Frames Textured Impressions Embossing Folders Set, and Post-It Notes.

July Club Contest Winners

Each month, I challenge the members of my Stampin' Clubs to create a project for a contest and submit it to me.  I assign a theme for them each month.  Everyone in the Clubs then votes on their favorite 2 entries and the top entries win their creators a $5 coupon to use on their next order.

For July, I challenged them to create Christmas projects so we could celebrate Christmas in July!

Connie Gibbons submitted several projects, but the most popular was this simple, lovely card:

Uses Winter Post Set and Scenic Season Set plus Old Olive Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad, Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pad, Old Olive Stampin' Write Marker, Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker, Powder Pals, Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter, SNAIL Adhesive, and 2-Way Glue Pen.

Shannon Aydukovic also submitted several cards.  The favorite among those she submitted was this wonderful "out of the box" idea for a 4 x 4" card:

Uses Pocket Silhouettes Set and Come to Bethlehem Set plus Real Red Card Stock, Early Espresso Card Stock, Sahara Sand Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad, Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad, Basic Rhinestones Jewels, Stamping Sponges, SNAIL Adhesive, 2-Way Glue Pen, 1" Circle Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Birds & Blooms Sizzlits 4-Pack Dies (retired), and Post-It Notes.

Connie and Shannon will each receive a $5 Coupon from me to use on their next Club Order.  Beautiful cards, ladies!

September Christmas Card Camp Follow-Up

We had a great time getting a head start on our Christmas cards at my Camp the other day.  If you weren't able to join us, I hope you'll try to attend the October Christmas Card Camp scheduled for Sunday, October 24 between 2 and 7 p.m.  We will be making different cards at that camp.  Here are the cards everyone got to make at the September Christmas Card Camp.  Enjoy!

Uses Big on Christmas Set plus Marina Mist Card Stock, Bashful Blue Card Stock, Early Espresso Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Bashful Blue Stampin' Write Marker, Early Espresso Stampin' Write Marker, Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter, Eyelet Border Punch, Whisper White 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Basic Rhinestones Jewels, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Texturz Impressions Pad, Standard Texturz Silicone Rubber, Decorative Strip Spacer Platform, Decorative Strip Cutting Pads, Northern Frost Decorative Strip, Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plates, 2-Way Glue Pen, and Sticky Strip.

Uses Come to Bethlehem Clear-Mount Set and Sanded background stamp plus Clear-Mount Block G, Clear-Mount Block I, Sahara Sand Card Stock, Not Quite Navy Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Blueberry Crisp Designer Series Paper, Not Quite Navy Classic Stampin' Pad, Sahara Sand Classic Stampin' Pad, Not Quite Navy Stampin' Write Marker, Very Vanilla 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Neutrals Brads, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, 2-1/2" Circle Extra-Large Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, and Sticky Strip.

Uses A Cardinal Christmas Set plus Always Artichoke Card Stock, Riding Hood Red Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Riding Hood Red Classic Stampin' Pad, Always Artichoke Classic Stampin' Pad, Jet Black StazOn Ink Pad, Always Artichoke Stampin' Write Marker, Riding Hood Red Stampin' Write Marker, More Mustard Stampin' Write Marker, 1-3/4" Circle Extra-Large Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Scallop Trim Corner Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, and Stampin' Dimensionals.

Uses Tags til Christmas Set plus Wild Wasabi Card Stock, Real Red Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Real Red Stampin' Write Marker, Wild Wasabi Stampin' Write Marker, Decorative Label Extra-Large Punch, Real Red 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Square Ice Rhinestone Brads, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Sticky Strip, and Stampin' Dimensionals.

Uses Peaceful Season Hostess Level 2 Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block C, Clear-Mount Block D, Baja Breeze Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Brushed Gold Card Stock, Elegant Soiree Designer Series Paper, Baja Breeze Classic Stampin' Pad, VersaMark Pad, Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder, Powder Pals, Heat Tool, Aqua Painter, 1-1/4" Square Large Punch, 1-3/8" Square Extra-Large Punch, and Scallop Edge Border Punch.

Michelle's Workshop Projects

One of my Club Members hosted an In-Home Workshop last night to boost her show totals since she is the Club Hostess this month. 

Michelle had requested that we make a religious Christmas card, so I designed a card using the Come to Bethlehem Set.  This card also taught them how to do the fun technique of inking up a Clear-Mount Block and pressing that directly onto card stock to give a linen look to the card stock.

Uses Come to Bethlehem Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block E, Clear-Mount Block G, Clear-Mount Block I, Marina Mist Card Stock, Crumb Cake Cake Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Elegant Soiree Designer Series Paper, Sahara Sand Classic Stampin' Pad, Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad, Crumb Cake Stampin' Write Marker, Marina Mist Stampin' Write Marker, Soft Suede Stampin' Write Marker, Very Vanilla 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Marina Mist 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Linen Thread, Deck the Halls Big Designer Buttons, Basic Rhinestones Jewels, Modern Label Extra-Large Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Standard Cutting Pads, Frame Oval Scallop Bigz Die, Sticky Strip, and Mini Glue Dots.

I knew that many of the guests who would be at the show also enjoy crafting with fabric, so I wanted to highlight our gorgeous new fabrics.  I decided to do a slightly different version of the card in my Weekly Inspiration post of September 8.  I used the Perfect Punches Set so that everyone could choose the sentiment they wanted to use and the corresponding punch.  Here's the birthday version of the card:

Uses Perfect Punches Set plus Blushing Bride Card Stock, Baja Breeze Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Candy Cane Christmas Designer Fabric, Garden Green Classic Stampin' Pad, Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Linen Thread, Brights Designer Buttons, Decorative Label Extra-Large Punch, 2" x 1-3/8" Oval Extra-Large Punch (formerly Wide Oval Punch), Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Texturz Impressions Pad, Standard Texturz Silicone Rubber, Extended Cutting Pads, Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plates, Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals, and Mini Glue Dots.

Here's what the other sentiments look like when punched out and adhered to the Decorative Label Punch:

All use Blushing Bride Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Garden Green Classic Stampin' Pad, and Decorative Label Extra-Large Punch.  Other punches used are Curly Label Extra-Large Punch, 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Extra-Large Punch, Modern Label Extra-Large Punch, and Scallop Oval Extra-Large Punch.

I gave Michelle a 3 x 3" Note Card Set I made:

  Uses Afterthoughts Clear-Mount Set and Fine Flourish stamp plus Clear-Mount Block C, Pretty in Pink Card Stock, Concord Crush Card Stock, Basic Gray Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Lap of Luxury Designer Series Paper, Mini Square Envelopes, Small Open-End Envelopes, Pretty in Pink Classic Stampin' Pad, Pretty in Pink Stampin' Write Marker, Basic Gray Stampin' Write Marker, In Color Stampin' Write Markers (Concord Crush), Pretty in Pink 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Subtles Flower Brads, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, and Stampin' Dimensionals.

I also like to give everyone who attends a show an extra little treat from me.  This time, I used our new Candy Wrapper Bigz L Die to make these cute little treat boxes filled with Dove Chocolates.

Uses Batty for You Set plus Pumpkin Pie Card Stock, Old Olive Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Brights Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack, Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write Marker, Old Olive Stampin' Write Marker, 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Extra-Large Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Large Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Standard Cutting Pad, Standard Premium Crease Pad, Candy Wrapper Bigz L Die, and Sticky Strip.

July Take 3 Class Follow Up

Unfortunately, I had to cancel my July Take 3 Class last night.   We had a new kitchen floor installed.  They were supposed to come on Wednesday, but weren't able to do so.  They came yesterday instead and took all day!  They didn't leave until 4:45 p.m. and my class was scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m.  I had dust everywhere and my dining room, where we usually stamp, was buried under all the stuff that got moved out of the kitchen so they could work.  There was nowhere to stamp!  Phooey!

I didn't finish wiping, mopping, and vacuuming all the dust up and replacing everything in the kitchen until about 8:45 p.m., even with help from family.  The kitchen floor really looks awesome now though!

My deepest apologies to everyone who was supposed to attend last night.  I'm so sorry to have canceled on you at the last minute.  Thanks for understanding!  I will hold a Take 3 Class in August sometime and hope you will be able to attend.

Here are the three cards we were supposed to make last night.  Enjoy!

Uses Smarty Pants Set plus Pacific Point Card Stock, Pear Pizzazz Card Stock, Real Red Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Celebrations Designer Series Paper, Pacific Point Classic Stampin' Pad, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Extra-Large Punch, 1-3/4" Circle Extra-Large Punch, Two-Step Owl Extra Large Punch, 2-Way Glue Pen, and wiggly eyes.

Uses Come to Bethlehem Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Block G, Clear-Block I, Sahara Sand Card Stock, Not Quite Navy Card Stock, Blueberry Crisp Designer Series Paper, Not Quite Navy Classic Stampin' Pad, Not Quite Navy Stampin' Write Marker, Pacific Point Stampin' Write Marker, Modern Label Extra-Large Punch, Word Window Large Punch, Basic Rhinestones Jewels, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Texturz Impressions Pad, Standard Texturz Silicone Rubber, Perfect Details Texturz Plates, and Stampin' Dimensionals.

Uses Printed Petals Clear-Mount Set and A Word for You Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Block C, Clear-Block D, Pumpkin Pie Card Stock, Early Espresso Card Stock, Real Red Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Brights Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack, Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad, Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad, 3/16" Corner Small Punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Real Red 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Pumpkin Pie 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Brights Designer Buttons, Neutrals Designer Buttons, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Sticky Strip, Mini Glue Dots, and 2-Way Glue Pen.