Inspiration Ink

Blue Baby Giraffe

One of my Club Members just became a grandma for the first time!  So, I made this card to send to her.

Uses Fox & Friends Clear-Mount Set and Curvy Verses Set plus Clear-Mount Block B, Bashful Blue Card Stock, Tempting Turquoise Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Pink Flamingo Designer Series Paper, Tempting Turquoise Classic Ink Pad, Scallop Edge Punch, Tag Corner Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, Crop-a-Dile, Metallic Eyelets, Linen Thread, Bashful Blue 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Pretties Kit, Sticky Strip, and Stampin' Dimensionals.

Last Minute Birds

I got the idea for these fun birds from one of the other Demonstrators in my upline's group.  She made a Diva Day display recently using the On Board Bird Book for sale in the Occasions Mini.  I made a bunch of these to give to the Hostesses and first to place their orders in my Stampin' Clubs during April.  I've also got a couple decorating my powder room. 

All of the birds use the following supplies - On Board Bird Book, Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper, Sanding Blocks, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Sticky Strip, and paper clips bent to make the "feet."  Each bird is backed with a piece of coordinating card stock.  The ends of the paper clips are sandwiched between the chipboard and card stock backing.  Each bird is also outlined with a coordinating Marker.  The supplies different for each bird are listed beside the picture.

Also uses Summer Sun Card Stock, Pixie Pink Card Stock, Summer Sun Stampin' Write Marker, Crushed Curry 1/2" Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Square Fire Rhinestone Brads, Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Standard Cutting Pads, and Island Floral Bigz Die (available in the Summer Mini). Also uses Summer Sun Card Stock, Only Orange Stampin' Write Marker, Extra Large Fancy Flower Punch, Flower Fusion Accents & Elements, Pumpkin Pie 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, and Square Fire Rhinestone Brads.
Also uses Pixie Pink Card Stock, Pixie Pink Stampin' Write Marker, 5-Petal Flower Punch, Square Fire Rhinestone Brads, and Crushed Curry 1/2" Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon.
Also uses Tempting Turquoise Card Stock, Green Galore Card Stock, Tempting Turquoise Stampin' Write Marker, Extra Large Fancy Flower Punch, 5-Petal Flower Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Extra Large Two-Step Bird Punch, and Square Ice Rhinestone Brads.
Also uses Pixie Pink Card Stock, Pretty in Pink Card Stock, Pixie Pink Stampin' Write Marker, Extra Large Fancy Flower Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Pretty in Pink 1/2" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, and Square Ice Rhinestone Brads.

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.
 

Weekly Inspiration

One of my customers, Christy Baummer, was a teacher for both of my sons.  When she heard recently about Sean's scholarships and college choice, she sent him a fun card of congratulations.  Her card inspired this one for my young nephew's birthday featuring Designer Paper pinwheels.  Thanks for reminding me of this fun embellishment, Christy, and for your nice card to Sean!

Supplies

- A Little Birthday Cheer Set, page 138, $13.95

- Bold Brights Assorted 8 1/2 x 11" Card Stock, page 156, $7.95

- Whisper White 8 1/2 x 11" Card Stock, page 155, $7.50

- Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper, page 161, $9.95

- Green Galore Stampin' Write Marker, page 156, $3.25

- Tempting Turquoise Stampin' Write Marker, page 156, $3.25

- 1 1/4" Square Punch, page 186, $15.95

- Modern Label Punch, pages 186-187, $15.95

- Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, page 11 of Summer Mini, $16.95

- Bold Brights Brads, page 179, $8.95

- Paper-Piercing Tool, page 191, $3.50

- Mat Pack, page 191, $9.95

- Big Shot Die-Cut Machine with Multipurpose Platform and Standard Cutting Pads, page 194, $99.95

- Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, page 24 of Summer Mini, $7.95

- Stampin' Dimensionals, page 192, $3.95

- scissors

- adhesive

Directions

1)  Cut a piece of Green Galore Card Stock to 5 1/2 x 8 1/2".  Score and fold in half to make card.

2)  Cut a piece of Tempting Turquoise Card Stock to 4 x 5 1/4".

3)  Insert turquoise rectangle into embossing folder.  Build a sandwich of Multipurpose Platform open to Tab 1, Standard Cutting Pad, embossing folder with card stock inside, and Standard Cutting Pad.  Run through Big Shot.

4)  Ink up sentiment from A Little Birthday Cheer Set with markers and stamp onto scrap of Whisper White Card Stock.

5)  Punch out sentiment with Modern Label Punch.

6)  Adhere sentiment to lower right side of textured turquoise rectangle.

7)  Punch scrap of Green Galore Card Stock with 4-petal design punch from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack so you have 5 shapes.

8)  Adhere punched shapes to card front in a straight line from the left edge of the sentiment punch to the left side of the card stock.  Trim off excess card stock if needed.

9)  Adhere turquoise rectangle to card front.

10)  Punch 3 squares from the orange striped sheet of Kaleidoscope Designer Paper with the 1 1/4" Square Punch.

11)  Use scissors to snip a straight line from all 4 corners of the square towards the center.  Be careful not to cut all the way to the center though.  Cut all three squares this way.

12)  With the orange striped side of the paper facing up, fold one corner at a time towards the center of the square alternating corners to make a pinwheel.  Do the same thing with one of the other squares.

13)  Flip the other square over so the turquoise and green side is facing up and fold the corners in.

14)  Use the circle punch from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack to punch out 2 turquoise circles from a scrap of Tempting Turquoise Card Stock.

15)  Use the circle punch again to punch 1 green circle from a scrap of Green Galore Card Stock.

16)  Adhere the two turquoise circles to the centers of the two orange-side-up pinwheels.  Adhere the one green circle to the center of the turquoise/green-side-up pinwheel.

17)  Poke holes in the center of all three pinwheels with the Paper-Piercing Tool and Mat Pack.

18)  Insert Green Galore Brads into the turquoise circles and a Tempting Turquoise Brad into the green circle.  Secure on the back sides.

19)  Put a Stampin' Dimensional on the back of each pinwheel in the center and then adhere them to the card front.

Tips

You can make larger pinwheels by simply starting with a larger square!

Our Paper Snips sold on page 191 for $9.95 are excellent scissors for paper crafting.  They are very sharp along the entire length of the blades.  The fine tips make them perfect for cutting into small spaces.

 

One Layout and Color Scheme Ideas

Unfortunately, I've gotten way behind in sending out my monthly incentives to my downline!  Each month that they sell a set amount, they earn a "Class in the Mail Kit" from me.  They get all the consumable supplies they need to make 8 cards at an upcoming event of their own.  I also send them several samples so they can use the Sets they have available.

Here's a whole bunch of cards using the same layout and color scheme sent out as one of the "Class in the Mail Kit" incentives recently.  I had three of my downline earn the Kit for their sales in January, so there are lots of different samples!  See how easy it is to take one layout and color scheme and get a ton of different cards!

All of these cards use the following products - Sage Shadow Card Stock, Bordering Blue Card Stock, Not Quite Navy Card Stock, More Mustard Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Not Quite Navy Classic Ink Pad, Sage Shadow 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Earth Elements Brads, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Standard Cutting Pads, Circles #2 Originals Die, Sticky Strip, and Stampin' Dimensionals.  The products that are different for each card are the Stamp Set or Sets used.  They are listed beside each card.

Uses Close as a Memory Set.

Uses Eastern Blooms Set and On Your Birthday Set.

Uses Elements of Style Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block B and Clear-Mount Block E.

Uses Fresh Cuts Set.

Uses Of the Earth Hostess Level 1 Set.

Uses One of a Kind Set.

Uses Pocket Silhouettes Set.

Uses Puns from the Past Set.

Uses Sense of Time Set.

Uses Sentimental Journey Set.

Uses Thoughts & Prayers Set.

Uses Upsy Daisy Set.

Uses Very Thankful Set.

 

Builder Wheel Fun

I've been playing with my new Builder Wheels a bit.  Here are a couple of cards I created.  Enjoy!

Uses Birthday Bliss Set and Candle Crazy Builder Wheel plus Stampin' Around Jumbo Wheel Handle, Stampin' Around Builder Wheel Spindle and Spacers, Taken with Teal Card Stock, So Saffron Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Stack, Taken with Teal Classic Ink Pad, So Saffron Stampin' Write Marker, Tag Punch, Small Tag Punch, Old Olive 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Button Latte Designer Buttons, Linen Thread, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals, and Mini Glue Dots.

Uses Birthday Bliss Set, So Many Stars Builder Wheel, and Candle Crazy Builder Wheel plus Stampin' Around Jumbo Wheel Handle, Stampin' Around Builder Wheel Spindle and Spacers, Taken with Teal Card Stock, So Saffron Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Stack, Take with Teal Classic Ink Pad, So Saffron Classic Ink Pad, Old Olive Classic Ink Pad, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Rich Regals Brads, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Old Olive 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Extended Cutting Pads, Table Setting Bigz XL Die, and Sticky Strip.

Elements of Style

I've been having fun playing with my new Elements of Style Set.  You'll be able to order one too on May 1!  It's a very versatile Set.  Here are three of the cards I made with it.  Enjoy!

Uses Elements of Style Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block D, Clear-Mount Block B, Rich Razzleberry Card Stock, Orchid Opulence Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper, Old Olive Classic Ink Pad, Orchid Opulence Classic Ink Pad, Rich Razzleberry 1/2" Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Boho Blossoms Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Square Ice Rhinestone Brads, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Sticky Strip, and Stampin' Dimensionals.

Uses Elements of Style Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block C, Clear-Mount Block D, Clear-Mount Block E, Brocade Blue Card Stock, Night of Navy Card Stock, Night of Navy Classic Ink Pad, Clear Rhinestone Brads, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Standard Cutting Pads, Frame Oval Scallop Bigz Die, and Stampin' Dimensionals.

Uses Elements of Style Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block B, Clear-Mount Block E, Mellow Moss Card Stock, Pale Plum Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, VersaMark Ink Pad, Mellow Moss Classic Ink Pad, Pale Plum Classic Ink Pad, Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder, Powder Pals, Heat Tool, Sponge Daubers, Scallop Trim Border Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Mellow Moss Taffeta Ribbon, Sticky Strip, and Stampin' Dimensionals.

April Club Contest Winner

I just started something new with my Stampin' Club Members.  I'm challenging them to create a project using some product or technique each month.  They then bring the project with them to the next Club Class and everyone votes on the winning project without knowing who made it.

For the April Contest, I gave them all some scrunchie flowers and Eyelet Border Punch flowers during March.  They had to use at least one of the flowers on their project entry for April.

Here's the winning entry by Maria Flashman.  Isn't it clever!

Uses Pretty in Pink Card Stock, Shades of Spring Designer Series Paper, Crop-A-Dile, retired organdy ribbons, Scallop Circle Punch, Pop-Up Glue Dots, and page 115 from the big catalog!

Yep, Maria said she didn't have any matching Designer Series Paper that worked with the flip-flop idea, so she used a piece cut from page 115 in the catalog where the Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper is highlighted.  Wasn't she clever!?

Maria will be receiving a $5 coupon from me that she gets to use on her next Club Order.

Congratulations, Maria! 

Way to Go

I needed a quick and easy card to give to a Scout at his Eagle Court of Honor the other day.  Scouts work hard to earn this highest rank of Boy Scouting.

Uses Starring You Set and Solid Stripes single-image stamp plus Brocade Blue Card Stock, Ruby Red Card Stock, Confetti White Card Stock, Ruby Red Classic Ink Pad, Brocade Blue Classic Ink Pad, Ruby Red Stampin' Write Marker, Brocade Blue Stampin' Write Marker, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Star Designer Brads, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, and Stampin' Dimensionals.

Earth Day Thanks

Here's a thank you card perfect for Earth Day today.  Enjoy!

Uses Trendy Trees Set plus Summer Sun Card Stock, Soft Suede Card Stock, Sage Shadow Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Sage Shadow Classic Ink Pad, Soft Suede Classic Ink Pad, Sage Shadow Stampin' Write Marker, Gold Glow Smooch Spritz, Color Catcher, Color Spritzer Tool, Boho Blossoms Punch, Soft Suede 1/2" Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Summer Sun Corduroy Buttons, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Texturz Impressions Pad, Standard Texturz Silicone Rubber, Texture Plates Kit #4 Texturz Plates, Sticky Strip, and Stampin' Dimensionals.

The Summer Sun card and main image panel are spritzed with Gold Glow Smooch Spritz so the card has the feel of a warm summer day.