Inspiration Ink

Inspired Butterfly

Almost every product used to make this card is retiring.  The retiring products are highlighted in red.  Remember, retiring accessories are only available while supplies last or until May 31, whichever comes first.  Retiring stamp sets are available through May 31.  Enjoy!

Uses Inspired by Nature Set plus Peach Parfait Card Stock, Poppy Parade Card Stock, Wild Wasabi Card Stock, Wild Wasabi Classic Stampin' Pad, 2010-2012 In Color Stampin' Write Markers (Peach Parfait and Poppy Parade), Wild Wasabi Stampin' Write Marker, Confetti Cream Card Stock, Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper, So Saffron 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Square Fire Rhinestone Brads, SNAIL Adhesive, Mini Glue Dots, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Cutter Kit, Craft Scissors, Butterfly Punch, and spray mist bottle filled with water (I used an old Stampin' Mist bottle).

September 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 September, I challenged them to create a birthday project.

Only Shannon Aydukovice actually submitted entries so she was the automatic winner. 

Here are Shannon's four beautiful cards:

Uses Best Blossoms Sale-A-Bration Set (retired), Asian Artistry Hostess Level 2 Set (retired), and Small Script Hostess Level 1 Set (retired) plus Pool Party Card Stock, Island Indigo Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad, Lucky Limeade Classic Stampin' Pad, Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad, Blender Pens, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Paper Snips, and 1-1/4" Square Punch.

Uses Thoughts & Prayers Set and Sincere Salutations Set plus Chocolate Chip Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pad, Daffodil Delight Stampin' Write Marker, Certainly Celery Stampin' Write Marker, Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Stack (retired), Daffodil Delight 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Craft Scissors, Ornament Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Standard Cutting Pads, and Top Note Bigz Die.

Uses Watercolor Trio Set (retired) plus Calypso Coral Card Stock, Crumb Cake Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Chocolate Chip Card Stock, Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Pad, Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pad, Early Espresso 5/8" Satin Ribbon (retired), SNAIL Adhesive, Craft Scissors, Scallop Edge Border Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, and Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.
Uses Inspired by Nature Set and Small Script Hostess Level 1 Set (retired) plus Kiwi Kiss Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad, Lucky Limeade Stampin' Write Marker, Daffodil Delight Stampin' Write Marker, Regal Rose Stampin' Write Marker, Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon (retired), SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Craft Scissors, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, and spray bottle of water.

Shannon will receive a $5 Coupon from me to use on her next Club Order.  Great cards, Shannon!

 

Sunny Flowers

One of the many perks of being a Demonstrator is that we get to order our goodies from new catalogs and mini catalogs early so that we can start making samples.  I received my box of new toys (er, supplies) from the upcoming Holiday Mini the other day.  I've had so much fun playing (uh, working) with them already!

We've got an absolutely awesome new tool coming out in the Holiday Mini effective September 1.  It's the Simply Scored Scoring Tool.  You should have heard the crowd of Demonstrators go wild when it was announced at Convention!  Here's a card I made using a scrap of Designer Series Paper and the Simply Scored Scoring Tool.  Enjoy!

Uses Inspired by Nature Set and Fabulous Phrases Clear-Mount Set plus Daffodil Delight Card Stock, Tangerine Tango Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad, Tangerine Tango Classic Stampin' Pad, Wild Wasabi Classic Stampin' Pad, Wild Wasabi Stampin' Write Marker, Beyond the Garden Designer Series Paper, Brights Designer Buttons, Brights Brads, Stamping Sponges, Clear-Mount Block G, SNAIL Adhesive, Sticky Strip, Mini Glue Dots, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, 1" Circle Punch (the big lolly flowers are stuck to it using a piece of Sticky Sheet cut to a 1" circle), 3/4" Circle Punch (the small lolly flower is stuck to it using a piece of Sticky Sheet cut to a 3/4" circle), Sticky Sheets, and Simply Scored Scoring Tool (available September 1).

Admittedly, it's not a mailable card, but it could easily be hand-delivered (wouldn't it be great to see the pleasure on the receiver's face when they see this gorgeous card) or included in a box with a gift.

Here are some facts about the Simply Scored Scoring Tool and why you'll want one of your own:

1.  Non-skid pads that won't leave marks.
2.  1/8″ increments for scoring.
3.  Scores 12 x 12" card stock or Designer Series Paper.
4.  Standard ruler on two sides – top and left - with 1/8" marks.
5.  Zeroing ruler on top.
6.  Movable place markers to mark your scoring points.
7.  Stylus with ergonomic styling, comfort grip, and high quality metal ends of two sizes allowing you to choose the size of your score.  It also slides smoothly across the card stock or paper without tearing it!
8. Compartment on top end to store additional place markers, bone folder, additional stylus, etc.

9.  Super light-weight!

 

Even More One Layout and Color Scheme Ideas

Here are some more cards that are samples in another of my "Class in the Mail Kits" for my downline who sold a set amount one month.  I have so many ladies in my group earning these now that I can't give them all exactly the same Kits anymore!  These samples all feature some Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware pieces and Pumpkin Pie 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon.  Enjoy!

All of these cards use the following products - Old Olive Card Stock, Rich Razzleberry Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write Marker, Old Olive Stampin' Write Marker, Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Pumpkin Pie 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Edge Border Punch, and Sticky Strip.  The products that are different for each card are listed beside that card.

Uses Charming Set plus Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin' Pad and Rich Razzleberry Stampin' Write Marker.

Uses Cheep Talk Set plus Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin' Pad, Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad, and Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad.

Uses Inspired by Nature Set and Fabulous Phrases Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block G, Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin' Pad, and Rich Razzleberry Stampin' Write Marker.

Uses Just Believe Set plus Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin' Pad and Rich Razzleberry Stampin' Write Marker.

Uses Party Hearty Set plus Rich Razzleberry Stampin' Write Marker.

 

Presto Magic Class Follow Up

I held my Presto Magic Class last night.  Everyone who attended got their own package of the gorgeous Presto Patterns Specialty Designer Series Paper.  We used some of the paper on the cards we made and they got to take the rest home so they can make their own creations. 

The first card we made uses the simple technique of brayering over the Designer Paper with ink to reveal the white patterns embossed in the paper.

Uses Vintage Vogue Set plus Brilliant Blue Card Stock, Bashful Blue Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Presto Patterns Specialty Designer Series Paper, Brilliant Blue Classic Ink Pad, Brayer, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Pretties Kit, Bashful Blue 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Sticky Strip, and Stampin' Dimensionals.

For the next card, we added color to the Designer Paper by rubbing a Stampin' Spot on it, spritzing it with the Color Spritzer, and stamping directly on it.

Uses Celebrate Everything Set and Extreme Guitar single-image stamp plus Bermuda Bay Card Stock, Taken with Teal Card Stock, Gable Green Card Stock, Presto Patterns Specialty Designer Series Paper, Take with Teal Classic Ink Pad, Gable Green Classic Ink Pad, In Color Stampin' Write Markers (Bermuda Bay), Stamping Sponges, Color Spritzer Tool, Star Punch, Large Star Punch, Star Designer Brads, Paper-Piercing Tool, and Mat Pack.

We altered the Designer Paper for this next card by rubbing in some color with Sponge Daubers.  We also rubbed in a little shimmery color by pouring some Gold Glow Smooch Spritz into a container and picking it up with a Sponge Dauber.

Uses Inspired by Nature Set plus Dusty Durango Card Stock, Cameo Coral Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Presto Patterns Specialty Designer Series Paper, Dusty Durango Classic Ink Pad, Cameo Coral Classic Ink Pad, Always Artichoke Stampin' Write Marker, Cameo Coral Stampin' Write Marker, In Color Stampin' Write Markers (Dusty Durango), Gold Glow Smooch Spritz, Sponge Daubers, Dusty Durango 1/2" Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Sticky Strip, and Stampin' Dimensionals.

The next card used a Stamping Sponge to add color to the Designer Paper.  We wet the sponge a bit with an Aqua Painter to make the color spread out faster.  We also add Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz to the whole card front, but it doesn't scan well.  It's really shimmery in person though!

Uses Elements of Style Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block B, Clear-Mount Block E, Almost Amethyst Card Stock, Rose Red Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Presto Patterns Specialty Designer Series Paper, Almost Amethyst Classic Ink Pad, Regal Rose Classic Ink Pad, Basic Brown Classic Ink Pad, Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz, Color Catcher, Stamping Sponges, Aqua Painter, Blender Pens, 1" Circle Punch, Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Sticky Strip, and Stampin' Dimensionals.

The last card uses a fun watercolor technique to color the Designer Paper.  We sprayed the paper with water and then dabbed on ink with an Aqua Painter.  After drying the paper off by blotting it with clean paper towels, we added a little more color as needed with the Aqua Painter.  I think it made a beautiful impressionistic background!  It didn't scan as pretty as it really is though thanks to the light colors.

Uses Razzle Dazzle Set plus Pixie Pink Card Stock, Gable Green Card Stock, Bashful Blue Card Stock, Presto Patterns Specialty Designer Series Paper, Gable Green Classic Ink Pad, Bashful Blue Classic Ink Pad, Pixie Pink Classic Ink Pad, Aqua Painter, Pretties Kit, Fresh Favorites I Colored Buttons, White uni-ball Signo Gel Pen, 3/16" Corner Rounder Punch, Bashful Blue 1" Double-Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Elegant Bouquet Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Top Note Bigz Die, Sticky Strip, Pop-Up Glue Dots, and Mini Glue Dots.

 

Midnight Coneflowers

Here's another card I created while playing with the Brayer to design cards for my May Club Class.  We won't be making this card in class either since it has too many steps.  Enjoy!

Uses Inspired by Nature Set and Teeny Tiny Wishes Set plus Lovely Lilac Card Stock, Ballet Blue Card Stock, Almost Amethyst Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Almost Amethyst Classic Ink Pad, Lovely Lilac Classic Ink Pad, Ballet Blue Classic Ink Pad, VersaMark Pad, Brayer, Stamping Sponges, Embossing Buddy, Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder, Powder Pals, Heat Tool, Cutter Kit, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Silver Brads, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Texturz Impressions Pad, Standard Texturz Silicone Rubber, Standard Cutting Pads, Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plates, Top Note Bigz Die, and Sticky Strip.

 

One Layout and Color Scheme Ideas Again

One of my downline earned my monthly incentive during February with her sales.  So, she'll be receiving a "Class in the Mail Kit" with the consumable supplies she needs to make 8 cards at one of her events. 

Here are some samples I made up using this layout and color scheme.  See how easy it is to get a bunch of different cards just by changing the Stamp Set or Sets used!

All of these cards use the following products - Apricot Appeal Card Stock, Basic Gray Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Nouveau Chic Designer Series Paper, Apricot Appeal Classic Ink Pad, Basic Gray Classic Ink Pad, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Basic Gray 5/8" Satin Ribbon, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter, and Sticky Strip.  The products that are different for each card are indicated beside the card.

Uses Always Set and En Francais background stamp.

Uses Bella's Bloom Set and Pretty Petals background stamp.

Uses Elements of Style Clear-Mount Set and En Francais background stamp plus Clear-Mount Block B, Clear-Mount Block C, and Clear-Mount Block D.

Uses Inspired by Nature Set and Pretty Petals background stamp.

Uses Simple Friendship Set and En Francais background stamp.

Uses Thoughts & Prayers Set and Pretty Petals background stamp.
Uses Upsy Daisy Set and Pretty Petals background stamp.
 

Holiday Stamp Camp Follow-Up

We had fun at my Holiday Stamp Camp yesterday!  Everyone was able to choose which of the 6 available projects they wanted to make and they were able to make up to 3 of each if they wanted.  Here are the projects they got to choose from:

 Uses Tasty Sweet Set plus Confetti White Card Stock, Basic Black Card Stock, Old Olive Card Stock, Basic Black Classic Ink Pad, Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker, Old Olive Classic Ink Pad, Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink Pad, 1" Circle Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, and Scallop Edge Punch.

 

 

Uses Holiday Blitz Set and Holiday Best Hostess Level 1 Set plus Rich Razzleberry Card Stock, Old Olive Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Extended Cutting Pads, Movers & Shapers Curly Label Bigz XL Die, Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write Marker, Old Olive Stampin' Write Marker, In Color Stampin' Write Markers (Rich Razzleberry), Curly Label Punch, and Pumpkin Pie 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon.

 Uses Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Extended Cutting Pads, Extended Premium Crease Pad, Bag w/Scallops Bigz XL Die, Standard Cutting Pads, Scallop Circle Bigz Die, Sticky Strip, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker, White uni-ball Signo Gel Pen, Close to Cocoa Card Stock, More Mustard Card Stock, Summer Sun Card Stock, and Pumpkin Pie Card Stock.

 Uses Inspired by Nature Set and Teeny Tiny Wishes Set plus Dusty Durango Card Stock, Soft Suede Card Stock, Summer Sun Card Stock, Soft Suede Classic Ink Pad, 1/16" Handheld Circle Punch, Natural Hemp Twine, Big Shot Die-Cut Machine with Multi-Purpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Pumpkin #4 Sizzlits Die, Lots of Tags Sizzlits 4-Pack Dies, Stamping Sponges, and Stampin' Dimensionals.

 Uses Season of Joy Set plus Real Red Card Stock, Garden Green Card Stock, Chocolate Chip Card Stock, Brushed Gold Card Stock, Confetti Cream Card Stock, Merry Moments Designer Series Paper, Real Red Craft Ink Pad, Iridescent Ice Stampin' Emboss Powder, Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder, Powder Pals, Heat Tool, Square Fire Rhinestone Brads, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, and Stampin' Dimensionals.

 Uses Holy Triptych Set and All Holidays Set plus Bashful Blue Card Stock, Night of Navy Card Stock, Night of Navy Classic Ink Pad, Bashful Blue Classic Ink Pad, Big Shot Die-Cut Machine with Multi-Purpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Finial Press Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Stamping Sponges, Aqua Painter, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter, and Stampin' Dimensionals.