Inspiration Ink

Strawberries for You

This is another of the cards we made at my Club Classes this month featuring the Big Shot and its accessories.  Enjoy!

Uses A Word for You Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block C, Real Red Card Stock, Bashful Blue Card Stock, Old Olive Card Stock, Wood Sheets Texture Cuts, Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad, Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Extended Cutting Pads, Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslits Die, Sweetest Stem Embosslits Die, Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die, Sticky Strip, and Stampin' Dimensionals.

Weekly Inspiration

Here's a pretty, spring-themed card for you.  Enjoy!

Supplies

- Four Frames, available in April as a Sneak Peek item and then again in the new catalog effective July 1, Clear - $15.95, Wood - $20.95

- Fabulous Phrases, page 149, Clear - $26.95, Wood - $37.95

- Subtles Assortment 8-1/2" x 11" Card Stock, page 167, $6.95

- Whisper White 8-1/2" x 11" Card Stock, page 169, $8.50

- Certainly Celery Classic Stampin' Pad, page 167, $5.95

- Bashful Blue Classic Stampin' Pad, page 167, $5.95

- Bitty Buttons, page 186, $4.95

- Pretty in Pink 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, page 191, $6.95

- Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, pages 200-201, $16.95

- Decorative Label Extra-Large Punch, page 30 of Occasions Mini, $16.95

- 3/4" x 15/16" Oval Punch, available as a write-in item, $10.95

- Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (includes Multipurpose Platform and Standard Cutting Pads), page 204, $99.95

- Little Leaves Sizzlits Die, page 210, $5.50

- Lots of Tags Sizzlits 4-Pack Dies, page 211, $21.95

- Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, page 214, $7.95

- Stampin' Dimensionals, page 197, $3.95

- 2-Way Glue Pen, page 197, $3.50

- Mini Glue Dots, page 197, $4.95

- white embroidery thread

- adhesive

- scissors

Directions

1)  Cut a piece of Whisper White Card Stock to 3 7/8 x 5 1/8".

2)  Cut three pieces of Certainly Celery Card Stock to 2 1/4 x 2 1/2" each. 

3)  Build a sandwich of Multipurpose Platform with Tab 2 open, one Standard Cutting Pad, Little Leaves Sizzlits Die with single piece of card stock on top, and the other Standard Cutting Pad.  Run through the Big Shot.  Repeat with the other two pieces of celery card stock.

4)  Cut the leaves apart as needed and adhere them to the right side of the white rectangle using the 2-Way Glue Pen.  Let the stems go off the edge and trim off the excess.

5)  Use the small scallop flower punch from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack to punch several flowers from scraps of Bashful Blue and Pretty in Pink Card Stock.

6)  Adhere the flowers to the leaves on the white rectangle using the 2-Way Glue Pen.

7)  Build a sandwich of Multipurpose Platform with Tab 2 open, one Standard Cutting Pad, Embossing Folder with white card stock inside, and the other Standard Cutting Pad.  Make sure the side of the card stock with the glued on leaves and flowers is facing the top of the folder (you should be able to read the Sizzix and Stampin' Up! logos).  Run through the Big Shot.

8)  Cut a piece of Certainly Celery Card Stock to 4 x 5 1/4".

9)  Adhere the textured white rectangle to the celery rectangle.

10)  Adhere a piece of Pretty in Pink 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon to the back top side of the rectangles about 1 1/2" inches in from the left side.

11)  Leave the bottom of the ribbon loose and trim it at an angle.

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

13)  Adhere the matted white rectangle to the card front.

14)  Cut a piece of Certainly Celery Card Stock to 2 1/4 x 2 1/2".

15)  Build a sandwich of Multipurpose Platform with Tab 2 open, one Standard Cutting Pad, large flourished oval die from the Lots of Tags Sizzlits 4-Pack with celery card stock on top, and the other Standard Cutting Pad.  Run through the Big Shot.

16)  Stamp the bird in a frame image from the Four Frames Set in Bashful Blue Ink onto a scrap of Bashful Blue Card Stock.

17)  Punch the frame image out using the Decorative Label Punch.

18)  Adhere the punched out frame image to the oval die cut piece.

19)  Adhere the matted frame image to the card front using Stampin' Dimensionals so it is centered over the ribbon.

20)  Stamp the word from the Fabulous Phrases Set on a scrap of Certainly Celery Card Stock using Certainly Celery Ink.

21)  Punch out the word using the 3/4" x 15/16" Oval Punch.

22)  Adhere the word oval to the top right side of the frame image.

23)  Use the small scallop flower punch from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack to punch a flower from a scrap of Pretty in Pink Card Stock.

24)  Adhere the flower to the top right side of the word oval using the 2-Way Glue Pen.

25)  Tie a small piece of white embroidery thread through the holes of a scallop flower button from the Bitty Buttons.  Trim the ends.

26)  Adhere the button to the punched out flower using a Mini Glue Dot.

Tips

You can purchase the Four Frames Set as a sneak peek item during April after placing an order of at least $20 worth of merchandise.  This Set is only available during April and then will be offered again in the new Idea Book & Catalog effective July 1.

I got the white embroidery thread that I used in the Cute as a Button Simply Sent Kit that I earned as a Hostess Level 3 selection.

Do NOT try to cut more than one piece of card stock or Designer Series Paper at a time with a Sizzlits Die.  These dies are chemically-etched and aren't strong enough to cut more than one layer at a time.

If your Standard Cutting Pads are really scratched up, then the scratches can impress themselves into the card stock as you cut something with a Sizzlits Die.  You might want to consider buying a new pair of Standard Cutting Pads (page 204, $8.95).

Lattice Cross

At my Club Classes this month, we focused on using the Big Shot and its various accessories.  This is one of the cards we made using the Lattice Bigz Die to create a cross.  We also used an Embossing Folder with a special sandwich to emboss only small portions of the design at a time.

To emboss a small portion of an Embossing Folder only, build the following sandwich - Multipurpose Platform completely closed, Embossing Folder with card stock inside, a piece of chipboard or heavy card board over the portion of the Embossing Folder you want to emboss, and a single Cutting Pad.

Uses Just Believe Set plus Pretty in Pink Card Stock, Certainly Celery Card Stock, Soft Suede Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad, Pretty in Pink 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Curly Label Extra-Large Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Lattice Bigz Die, Little Leaves Sizzlits Die, Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Long Board On Board Sheets, 2-Way Glue Pen, Mini Glue Dots, and Stampin' Dimensionals.

Scone Boxes

I like to give my Club Members who come to the monthly Club Classes an extra little treat if I can.  This month, I made boxes from a pattern for an Individual Cupcake Box and then filled each box with a yummy scone!  I found a great step-by-step tutorial with pictures for making these boxes at Inking Idaho's (Becky Roberts') blog and just added my own touches.  You can find Becky's wonderful tutorial here.  Enjoy!

  Uses You're a Gem Clear-Mount Set and Very Vintage Jumbo Wheel plus Clear-Mount Block A, Stampin' Around Jumbo Handle, Rose Red Card Stock, Baja Breeze Card Stock, Perfect Plum Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, White Vellum Paper, Medium or Thick Window Sheets, Rose Red Classic Stampin' Pad, Perfect Plum Classic Stampin' Pad, Vintage Flower Adornments, Very Vanilla 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Designer Label Large Punch, 1" Circle Medium Punch, 3/4" x 15/16" Oval Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Standard Cutting Pads, Scallop Circle Bigz Die, Sticky Strip, and Mini Glue Dots.

A scallop circle was cut from a piece of Vellum Paper using the Big Shot and Scallop Circle Bigz Die and placed inside each box before adding the scones.  The vellum protects the box from any greasiness so it can be used again.

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.

 

Iridescent Flower Gem

Here's another card I made to congratulate a member of my downline on her recent sales.  I covered the Baja Breeze pieces of Designer Series Paper with VersaMark and then sprinkled on Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder and heated it until it was all melted.  I added some additional glitter to the flower petals with a 2-Way Glue Pen and Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.  Enjoy!

Uses You're a Gem Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block A, Baja Breeze Card Stock, Soft Suede Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Elegant Soiree Designer Series Paper, Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad, VersaMark Pad, Iridescent Ice Stampin' Emboss Powder, Powder Pals, Heat Tool, Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter, Square Ice Rhinestone Brads, Very Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Scallop Edge Border Punch, 1" Circle Medium Punch, and 2-Way Glue Pen.

Still 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!  All of these samples feature the Play Date Designer Series Paper and Build-A-Brads.  Enjoy!

All of these cards use the following products - Old Olive Card Stock, Real Red Card Stock, So Saffron Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Play Date Designer Series Paper, Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad, Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad, Pewter Build-A-Brad, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Extra-Large Punch, Photo Corners Extra-Large Punch, 1-3/4" Circle Extra-Large Punch, 1/2" Circle Small Punch, Sticky Strip, 2-Way Glue Pen, and Stampin' Dimensionals.  The products that are different for each card are listed beside that card.

Uses Apple Blossoms Hostess Level 2 Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block B and Clear-Mount Block G.

Uses Dot, Dot, Dot background stamp and Live, Laugh, Love Set. 

Uses Party Hearty Set.

Uses Printed Petals Clear-Mount Set and A Word for You Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block C and Clear-Mount Block G.

Uses Punch Potpourri Hostess Level 1 Clear-Mount Set and A Word for You Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block C, Clear-Mount Block G, and Butterfly Extra-Large Punch.

Uses Sweetheart Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block B.

Uses Word Play Clear-Mount Set and Something to Celebrate Hostess Level 2 Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block B and Clear-Mount Block G.

Weekly Inspiration

Today's card is a very easy, but pretty, Easter card featuring several products in the Occasions Mini.  Please remember that the products in the Occasions Mini are only guaranteed available through the end of April.  After that, they may never be offered again!

Supplies

- A Good Egg, page 48, $23.95

- Rose Red 8-1/2" x 11" Card Stock, page 167, $6.95

- Soft Suede 8-1/2" x 11" Card Stock, page 169, $6.95

- Very Vanilla 8-1/2" x 11" Card Stock, page 169, $8.50

- Springtime Vintage Designer Series Paper, page 15 of Occasions Mini, $9.95

- Rose Red Classic Stampin' Pad, page 167, $5.95

- Basic Gray Classic Stampin' Pad, page 169, $5.95

- Vintage Flower Adornments, page 15 of Occasions Mini, $5.95

- Rose Red 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon, page 16 of Occasions Mini, $6.95

- Chantilly 1/2" Crochet Trim, page 190, $6.95

- Neutrals Brads, page 187, $6.95

- Paper-Piercing Tool, page 198, $3.50

- Mat Pack, page 198, $9.95

- Modern Label Extra-Large Punch, pages 202-203, $16.95

- Word Window Large Punch, pages 202-203, $15.95

- Stampin' Dimensionals, page 197, $3.95

- Sticky Strip, page 197, $6.95

- Mini Glue Dots, page 197, $4.95

- scissors

- adhesive

Directions

1)  Cut a piece of Springtime Vintage Designer Paper to 3 7/8 x 5 1/8".

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

3)  Adhere the Designer Paper to the suede rectangle.

4)  Ink up the large open egg image with Basic Gray Ink and stamp it on 3 pieces of Springtime Vintage Designer Series Paper.  Make sure you reink the stamp each time.  Make sure you stamp on the side of the paper you do NOT want to have showing.

5)  Carefully cut out the three eggs.

6)  Adhere a small piece of Chantilly Crochet Trim to one of the eggs around the center using Sticky Strip.

7)  Adhere a small piece of Rose Red Seam Binding Ribbon to one of the eggs around the center using Sticky Strip.  Tie a small piece of ribbon to the center of the first piece and trim ends.

8)  Adhere the eggs to the left side of the matted Designer Paper so they overlap.

9)  Stamp the chick in the broken egg image two times in Basic Gray Ink on a scrap of Designer Paper.

10)  Carefully cut out the broken egg images along the gray lines.

11)  Adhere one broken egg image so it overlaps the big eggs on the right just a bit.

12)  Adhere the other broken egg image so it overlaps the first just a bit on the right using Stampin' Dimensionals.

13)  Stamp sentiment in Rose Red Ink on a scrap of Very Vanilla Card Stock.

14)  Punch the sentiment out using the Word Window Punch.

15)  Punch a scrap of Rose Red Card Stock with the Modern Label Punch.

16)  Adhere the sentiment to the center of the modern label.

17)  Adhere the matted sentiment to the upper right corner of the Designer Paper rectangle.

18)  Use the Paper-Piercing Tool and Mat Pack to poke holes in the ends of the modern label.

19)  Insert Crumb Cake Brads from the Neutrals Brads and secure on the back side.

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

21)  Adhere the matted Designer Paper rectangle to the card front.

22)  Use Mini Glue Dots to attach a Rose Red Vintage Flower Adornment to the base of the large eggs.

 

More Operation Write Home Cards at UMBC

I went to UMBC (University of Maryland Baltimore County) again yesterday evening to help the NRHH (National Residence Hall Honorary) with a campus-wide service project.  We made the three cards below for them to donate to Operation Write Home to be sent to our troops.  Enjoy!

Uses Plane & Simple Clear-Mount Set and Sanded background stamp plus Clear-Mount Block B, Clear-Mount Block G, Old Olive Card Stock, Baja Breeze Card Stock, Not Quite Navy Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Baja Breeze Classic Stampin' Pad, Cajun Craze Classic Stampin' Pad, Not Quite Navy Classic Stampin' Pad, Crop-A-Dile, Metallic Eyelets, Linen Thread, Old Olive 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Modern Label Extra-Large Punch, Word Window Large Punch, and Stampin' Dimensionals.

Uses Sincere Salutations Set plus Pumpkin Pie Card Stock, Tempting Turquoise Card Stock, Rich Razzleberry Card Stock, Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin' Pad, Square Ice Rhinestone Brads, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Elegant Bouquet Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, and 2-Way Glue Pen.

Uses Four Frames Set and Clearly for You Set plus Perfect Plum Card Stock, Rose Red Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Perfect Plum Classic Stampin' Pad, Rose Red Classic Stampin' Pad, Basic Pearls Jewels, Very Vanilla 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Decorative Label Extra-Large Punch, 1-3/4" x 7/8" Oval Large Punch, 1-3/8" x 5/8" Oval Small Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Sticky Strip, and Stampin' Dimensionals.

If you'd like to learn more about Operation Write Home, please click here.

Presto Fabulous

This is another card I made recently for one of my Team Members to congratulate her on great sales one month.  The pink stone in the center of the brad was pried out of a rhinestone brad and attached with a Mini Glue Dot.  Enjoy!

Uses Fabulous Phrases Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block G, Certainly Celery Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Presto Patterns Specialty Designer Series Paper, Certainly Celery Classic Stampin' Pad, Pink Pirouette Classic Stampin' Pad, Sponge Daubers, Circle Ice Rhinestone Brads, Fleurettes II, Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware, Certainly Celery 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals, and Sticky Strip.