Inspiration Ink

Weekly Inspiration

I hope you will enjoy today's card which uses a few products available in the Occasions Mini.

Supplies

- Loving Thoughts, page 15 of Occasions Mini, Clear - $23.95, Wood - $29.95

- Blushing Bride 8-1/2" x 11" Card Stock, page 176, $6.95

- Baja Breeze 8-1/12" x 11" Card Stock, page 178, $6.95

- Baja Breeze Classic Stampin' Pad, page 178, $5.95

- Baja Breeze 3/8" Pleated Satin Ribbon, page 12 of Occasions Mini, $6.95

- Pool Party Baker's Twine, page 35 of Occasions Mini, $2.95

- Basic Pearls Jewels, page 198, $4.95

- SNAIL Adhesive, page 206, $6.95

- Stampin' Dimensionals, page 206, $3.95

- Sticky Strip, page 206, $6.95

- 2-Way Glue Pen, page 206, $3.50

- Paper Snips, page 208, $9.95

- Craft Scissors, page 208, $29.95

- Paper Cutter, page 208, $24.95

- Replacement Cutting & Scoring Blades, page 208, $5.95

- Scallop Trim Border Punch, pages 210-211, $15.95

- Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (includes Multipurpose Platform and Standard Cutting Pads), page 215, $99.95

- Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die, page 222, $21.95

- Paper Doily Large Sizzlits Die, page 7 of Occasions Mini, $21.95

Directions

1)  Cut a piece of Blushing Bride Card Stock to 5 1/2 x 8 1/2" using the Paper Cutter.

2)  Score the card stock along the 8 1/2" side at 4 1/4" using the Scoring Blade on the Paper Cutter.  Fold in half to make card.

3)  Cut a piece of Baja Breeze Card Stock to 4 x 5 1/4".

4)  Randomly stamp the single word "Dream" all over the top three quarters of the Baja Breeze rectangle using Baja Breeze Ink.  Remember to re-ink the stamp each time.

5)  Cut a piece of Blushing Bride Card Stock to 1 3/8 x 4".

6)  Punch one long edge of the Blushing Bride strip with the Scallop Trim Border Punch.

7)  Stamp the "Dare to dream" sentiment in Baja Breeze Ink along the top center of the punched strip.  Be sure to leave space below the sentiment for the ribbon.

8)  Adhere the punched, stamped strip to the bottom of the stamped Baja Breeze rectangle.

9)  Adhere a piece of Baja Breeze Pleated Satin Ribbon to the card front so it is just below the stamped sentiment.

10)  Adhere the card front to the card.

11)  Cut a piece of Baja Breeze Card Stock to 4 1/2" square.

12)  Build a a sandwich of Multipurpose Platform with Tab 2 open, one Standard Cutting Pad, Paper Doily Large Sizzlits Die with cutting surface facing up, the Baja Breeze Card Stock, and the other Standard Cutting Pad.  Run through the Big Shot.

13)  Remove all the little cut bits from the inside of the Paper Doily Die (see the tips below).

14)  Cut a piece of Blushing Bride Card Stock to 2 1/2 x 3 1/4".

15)  Put 2-Way Glue Pen all over the back of the Paper Doily.

16)  Adhere the Paper Doily to the Blushing Bride rectangle.  Try to center the middle of the Paper Doily over the center of the rectangle.

17)  Use Paper Snips to cut off the excess Paper Doily.

18)  Carefully center the rectangle with the Paper Doily side facing down on top of the large full butterfly cutting area on the Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die.

19)  Build a sandwich of one Standard Cutting Pad, Beautiful Butterflies Die with card stock on top as outlined in step 18, and the other Standard Cutting Pad.  Run through the Big Shot.

20)  Cut a small piece of Pool Party Baker's Twine and fold it in half.

21)  Use Sticky Strip to adhere the folded end behind the butterfly center on the back side so the loose ends stick out as antennae.

22)  Adhere the butterfly to the card front using Stampin' Dimensionals.

23)  Add large pearls to the center of the butterfly as a body.

Tips

Please remember that the Blushing Bride color and all products featuring it will be retiring during May 2012.  Be sure to stock up on this color before it disappears.

I like to adhere ribbon by tucking the ends of the ribbon around to the back side of the card stock and holding them in place with small strips of Sticky Strip.  This uses less ribbon and lays flatter.

I like to keep some scissors just for cutting Sticky Strip.  That way I don't get my good scissors all gummed up and dull.

Consider putting strips of clear packing tape on to dies that have lots of tiny cut out areas, like the Paper Doily Large Sizzlits Die.  Cover the cutting surface with the packing tape and then run it through the Big Shot one time to cut a piece of card stock and cut through the tape.  Leave the tape in place.  Whenever you use the die, the tape will keep the small cut out pieces from getting stuck in the die making clean up much easier.  The tape also acts as an additional super-slim shim making it easier to pop the cut out pieces out of the finished product.

You may get better results cutting card stock with some Dies if you also use a shim of lightweight cardboard or card stock.  Each Big Shot and Die are slightly different, so experiment to see if you need a shim or not.

To pop the cut out areas out of the Paper Doily, try gently rolling the doily around a pencil or marker.  Most of the cut outs should fall right out.  Sometimes the really small cut out areas don't want to pop free.  You may need to place the doily on top of the Mat Pack pieces (page 207, $9.95) and use the Paper-Piercing Tool (page 207, $3.50) to poke these pieces out.

February 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 February, I challenged them to create projects with a "spring" theme.   They could use spring flowers or Easter motifs or Mother's Day cards or spring sports.  Whatever they wanted as long as it related to spring in some way.  Most of them chose to use spring flowers and the two winning entries both feature tulips!

The project with the most votes was this pretty tulip card by Shannon Aydukovic:

Uses Spring Garden Set (retired) and Small Script Set (retired) plus Elegant Eggplant Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad, Elegant Eggplant Classic Stampin' Pad, Whisper White 5/8" Satin Ribbon, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Mini Glue Dots, Craft Scissors, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, and Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.

The second place card was this lovely tulip card by Ann Beck:

Uses Terrific Tulips Set (retired) and Small Script Set (retired) plus Wisteria Wonder Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Wisteria Wonder Classic Stampin' Pad, Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad, Elegant Eggplant Classic Stampin' Pad, Whisper White 5/8" Satin Ribbon, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Craft Scissors, and Scallop Oval Punch.

Shannon and Ann will each receive a $5 Coupon from me to use on their next order.  Lovely cards, ladies!  Congrats!

Take It Tuesday

You can stop by anytime between 2 p.m and 7 p.m.  You don't have to tell me in advance that you are coming, just pop by!

You can pay me for an order or upcoming event, register for an upcoming event, or place an order.  Plus, you can browse through samples I have on display and take pictures of the samples so you can use them for inspiration at home. 

You can also bring any products you may have that you'd like a little extra instruction on how to use and I'll give you a quick lesson.   So, if you have a punch that is giving you trouble or aren't sure what sandwich to use with a Big Shot Die or want some tips on using Wheels, etc. bring them along and get a one-on-one lesson.

If you have cards to donate for Operation Write Home, bring those too!  Please just remember - absolutely no glitter!

I'll also have a couple of quick and easy card projects ready for you to stamp if you wish.  These projects are different each week.  Cost will be $1 per project made.  You may make one of each of the two cards available if you wish.

Today we'll be making these two cards:

Uses Dot, Dot, Dot Set plus Pretty in Pink Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Pretty in Pink Classic Stampin' Pad, Pretty in Pink 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon, Paper Daisies, Basic Pearls Jewels, Flower Designer Brads, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Craft Scissors, and 1" Circle Punch.

Uses Charming Set plus Pool Party Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Soft Suede Card Stock, Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad, Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad, 2011-2013 In Color Stampin' Write Markers (Pool Party), Daffodil Delight Stampin' Write Marker, Soft Suede Stampin' Write Marker, Attic Boutique Designer Series Paper, Pool Party 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon, Everyday Enchantment Sale-A-Bration Ribbon & Brad Pack, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Craft Scissors, Scallop Trim Border Punch, 3/16" Corner Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, Blossom Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, and Designer Frames Textured Impressions Embossing Folders Set.

Framed Butterfly Thanks

This is the last of the cards we made in my Club Classes this month featuring items that can be earned for FREE during Sale-A-Bration.  Enjoy!

Uses Kindness Matters Clear-Mount Set plus Riding Hood Red Card Stock, Not Quite Navy Card Stock, Crumb Cake Card Stock, Not Quite Navy Classic Stampin' Pad, Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad, Riding Hood Red Stampin' Write Marker, Not Quite Navy Stampin' Write Marker, Assortment 1 Waffle Paper, Riding Hood Red 3/8" Pleated Satin Ribbon, Gold Brads, Color Spritzer Tool, Clear-Mount Block A, Clear-Mount Block D, SNAIL Adhesive, Sticky Strip, 2-Way Glue Pen, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Paper Snips, Craft Scissors, Boho Blossoms Punch, Lace Ribbon Border Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, and Designer Frames Textured Impressions Embossing Folders Set.

The Kindness Matters Set is available in Clear-Mount or Wood-Mount and is available for FREE during Sale-A-Bration with a qualifying purchase.  Also available as a FREE choice is the Designer Frames Textured Impressions Embossing Folders Set.

 

Hybird Birthday Balloons

This card is a hybrid, meaning it is a mix of traditional stamping and My Digital Studio.  It's one of the cards we made in my Club Classes this month featuring products that can be earned for FREE during Sale-A-Bration with a qualifying purchase.  I pre-designed and pre-printed the balloons and circle images using the Piece of Cake Ensemble CD, My Digital Studio software, and my printer.  Then, my Club Members stamped on the sentiment, punched out the circles, embossed the gray piece with the Big Shot and an Embossing Folder, and added some ribbon. Enjoy!

Uses My Digital Studio DVD Software, Piece of Cake Ensemble CD, and Happiest Birthday Wishes Hostess Clear-Mount Set plus Lucky Limeade Card Stock, Island Indigo Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Basic Gray Card Stock, Lucky Limeade Classic Stampin' Pad, Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Clear-Mount Block G, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Craft Scissors, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, computer, and printer.

The Piece of Cake Ensemble CD and the Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder are two of the products you can earn for FREE during Sale-A-Bration with a qualifying order.

Don't miss the FREE Trial that Stampin' Up! is offering of the My Digital Studio software as well!

Butterfly Birthday Flower

Here's another one of the cards we made in my Club Classes this month featuring items that can be earned for FREE during Sale-A-Bration with a qualifying purchase.  Enjoy!

Uses Elementary Elegance Sale-A-Bration Clear-Mount Set and Triple Treat Flower a la carte stamp plus Pool Party Card Stock, Peach Parfait Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Soft Suede Card Stock, Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad, Peach Parfait Classic Stampin' Pad, Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad, Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper, Very Vanilla 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, 5/16" Neutrals Jumbo Brads, Clear-Mount Block A, Clear-Mount Block B, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Craft Scissors, Fancy Flower Punch, 5-Petal Flower Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Standard Cutting Pads, and Scallop Squares Duo Bigz Die.

The Elementary Elegance Sale-A-Bration Set is available in Clear-Mount or Wood-Mount.  Both it and the Triple Treat Flower a la carte stamp and the Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper are available for FREE with a qualifying purchase during Sale-A-Bration.

Weekly Inspiration

I'm sorry that I never posted a Weekly Inspiration post last week.  Things just got hectic with Valentine's Day, both of my boys' birthdays, Diva Day, getting ready for Club Classes, regular life, and dealing with sinus trouble. 

Here's this week's card though which is one of the cards we made in my Club Classes this month featuring items that can be earned for FREE during Sale-A-Bration.  This card also showcases a different way to use our awesome new Framelits Dies.  Enjoy!

Supplies

- Language of Friendship, page 17 of Sale-A-Bration brochure or page 101 of big catalog, Clear - $11.95, Wood - $15.95, or free with qualifying purchase

- 2011-2013 In Color 8-1/2" x 11" Card Stock, page 15 of Sale-A-Bration brochure or page 176 of big catalog, $6.95 or free with qualifying purchase

- More Mustard 8-1/2" x 11" Card Stock, page 179, $6.95

- Island Indigo Classic Stampin' Pad, page 176, $5.95

- Lucky Limeade 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon, page 194, $9.95

- 2011-2013 In Color Designer Printed Brads, page 199, $7.95

- SNAIL Adhesive, page 206, $6.95

- 2-Way Glue Pen, page 206, $3.50

- Paper-Piercing Tool, page 207, $3.50

- Mat Pack, page 207, $9.95

- Paper Snips, page 208, $9.95

- Craft Scissors, page 208, $29.95

- Paper Cutter, page 208, $24.95

- Replacement Cutting & Scoring Blades, page 208, $5.95

- Bird Builder Punch, pages 212-213, $16.95

- Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (includes Multipurpose Platform and Standard Cutting Pads), page 215, $99.95

- Standard Texturz Silicone Rubber, page 215, $5.95

- Labels Collection Framelits Dies, page 6 of Occasions Mini, $26.95

Directions

 1)  Cut a piece of Lucky Limeade Card Stock to 5 1/2 x 8 1/2" using the Paper Cutter.

2)  Score the card stock along the 8 1/2" side at 4 1/4" using the Scoring Blade on the Paper Cutter.  Fold in half to make card.

3)  Cut a piece of Pool Party Card Stock to 4 x 5 1/4".

4)  Build a a sandwich of Multipurpose Platform with Tab 2 open, one Standard Cutting Pad, Standard Texturz Silicone Rubber, the Pool Party Card Stock, the framelits dies you want to use to emboss the image placed where you want them, and the other Standard Cutting Pad.  Run through the Big Shot.  I used the two smallest Labels Collection Framelits Dies with the smaller one inside the other placed in the center of the card stock about 1/2" from the top.

5)  Stamp the sentiment in the lower right corner of the embossed Pool Party card stock using Island Indigo Ink.

6)  Ink up the image of the three flowers using Island Indigo Ink and stamp off on scratch paper.  Then, stamp the flowers randomly in the lower right corner and upper left corner of the Pool Party rectangle.  Remember to re-ink the stamp each time and stamp off once before stamping on your card stock.

7)  Ink up the bird, leaf, and wing image using Island Indigo Ink and stamp onto a scrap of Island Indigo, a scrap of More Mustard, and three scraps of Lucky Limeade Card Stock.  Remember to re-ink the image each time.

8)  Use the Bird Builder Punch to punch out the birds, wings, and leaves. 

9)  Use the 2-Way Glue Pen to adhere three Lucky Limeade leaves and one Island Indigo leaf to the bottom of the embossed labels area.  Trim off excess stems using the Paper Snips.

10)  Adhere the Island Indigo bird on top of the More Mustard bird so just a tiny bit of the More Mustard shows.  Trim off the beak of the More Mustard bird using Paper Snips if needed.

11)  Adhere the birds to the center of the embossed labels area.

12)  Adhere the Island Indigo wing on top of the More Mustard wing so just a tiny bit of the More Mustard shows.

13)  Adhere the wings to the bird.

14)  Cut a small piece of Lucky Limeade 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon.

15)  Pry open the prongs of an Island Indigo Designer Printed Brad and slide the piece of ribbon between the prongs.

16)  Pinch the prongs back shut.

17)  Use the Paper-Piercing Tool and Mat Pack pieces to poke a hole in the card stock right below the bird.

18)  Insert the brad and secure it on the back side by folding the prongs flat.

19)  Trim the ends of the ribbon as needed.

20)  Adhere the card front to the Lucky Limeade card.

Tips

You can use whichever side of the embossed Pool Party Card Stock you want to use.  They both look great!

You will not use the More Mustard leaf or the Lucky Limeade birds and wings on this card.  Save them for use on another project or throw them away.

If you want to try to save card stock, you can use the Island Indigo Marker (sold as part of the 2011-2013 In Color Stampin' Write Markers, page 176, $14.95) to ink up just the portions of the stamp you want and then stamp them onto the appropriate color of card stock before punching them out.  If you do this, you may be able to stamp and punch several leaf images from a fairly small scrap of Lucky Limeade Card Stock.

Remember to use the Mat Pack pieces when you are using the Paper-Piercing Tool to protect your work surface and to make it easier and safer to poke the holes and insert brads.

You can earn the Language of Friendship Set in Clear-Mount or Wood-Mount for FREE during Sale-A-Bration with a qualifying order.  The 2011-2013 In Color 8-1/2" x 11" Card Stock is also available for FREE during Sale-A-Bration with a qualifying purchase.

Take It Tuesday

You can stop by anytime between 2 p.m and 7 p.m.  You don't have to tell me in advance that you are coming, just pop by!

You can pay me for an order or upcoming event, register for an upcoming event, or place an order.  Plus, you can browse through samples I have on display and take pictures of the samples so you can use them for inspiration at home.  I've got orders  here that are ready to be picked up as well!

You can also bring any products you may have that you'd like a little extra instruction on how to use and I'll give you a quick lesson.   So, if you have a punch that is giving you trouble or aren't sure what sandwich to use with a Big Shot Die or want some tips on using Wheels, etc. bring them along and get a one-on-one lesson.

If you have cards to donate for Operation Write Home, bring those too!  Please just remember - absolutely no glitter!

I'll also have a couple of quick and easy card projects ready for you to stamp if you wish.  These projects are different each week.  Cost will be $1 per project made.  You may make one of each of the two cards available if you wish.

Today we'll be making these two cards:

Uses Mixed Bunch Clear-Mount Set and Perfectly Penned Clear-Mount Set plus Regal Rose Card Stock, Tempting Turquoise Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Regal Rose Classic Stampin' Pad, Tempting Turquoise Classic Stampin' Pad, Tempting Turquoise Stampin' Write Marker, Brights Glimmer Brads, Stamping Sponges, Clear-Mount Block B, Clear-Mount Block D, Clear-Mount Block H, SNAIL, Stampin' Dimensionals, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Paper Snips, 1/2" Circle Punch, and Blossom Punch.

Uses Loving Thoughts Clear-Mount Set plus Blushing Bride Card Stock, Baja Breeze Card Stock, Riding Hood Red Card Stock, Basic Gray Classic Stampin' Pad, Twitterpated Designer Series Paper, Calypso Coral Baker's Twine, Blushing Bride 3/8" Pleated Satin Ribbon, Twitterpated Designer Buttons, Distressing Essentials, Clear-Mount Block H, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, 2-Way Glue Pen, Mini Glue Dots, Paper Snips, Craft Scissors, Modern Label Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, and Lattice Bigz Die.

 

Celebration Balloons

This is one of the cards we are making this month in my Club Classes featuring items that can be earned for FREE during Sale-A-Bration with a qualifying purchase.  Enjoy!

Uses Party This Way Clear-Mount Set and Outlined Occasions Sale-A-Bration Clear-Mount Set plus Daffodil Delight Card Stock, Old Olive Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad, Tempting Turquoise Classic Stampin' Pad, Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad, Daffodil Delight Stampin' Write Marker, Tempting Turquoise Stampin' Write Marker, Old Olive Stampin' Write Marker, Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine, Brights Designer Buttons, Stamping Sponges, Clear-Mount Block B, Clear-Mount Block G, Clear-Mount Block H, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, Paper Snips, Craft Scissors, Extra-Large Tag Punch, Large Tag Punch, Scallop Edge Border Punch, and 1/16" Circle Handheld Punch.

The Party This Way Set and the Outlined Occasions Sale-A-Bration Set are both available in Clear-Mount and Wood-Mount versions and both can be earned for FREE with a qualifying order during Sale-A-Bration.  The Brights Designer Buttons are also available as a FREE choice during Sale-A-Bration.

Elementary Elegance Samples

The Elementary Elegance Set is the last of the exclusive sets you can earn for FREE with a qualifying order during Sale-A-Bration.  It's available in both Wood-Mount and Clear-Mount options.  Once Sale-A-Bration is over on March 31, this set will never be offered again!

Here are a few samples using this set to inspire you.  Enjoy!

Uses Elementary Elegance Sale-A-Bration Clear-Mount Set plus Pool Party Card Stock, Calypso Coral Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad, Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Pad, First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper, Everyday Enchantment Sale-A-Bration Designer Series Paper, Victoria 5/8" Crochet Trim, Everyday Enchantment Sale-A-Bration Ribbon & Brad Pack, Distressing Essentials, Clear-Mount Block A, Clear-Mount Block B, SNAIL Adhesive, Sticky Strip, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Paper Snips, Craft Scissors, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, and Designer Frames Textured Impressions Embossing Folders Set.

Uses Elementary Elegance Sale-A-Bration Clear-Mount Set plus Rich Razzleberry Card Stock, Pretty in Pink Card Stock, Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin' Pad, Rich Razzleberry 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Basic Pearls Jewels, Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder, Powder Pals, Heat Tool, VersaMark Pad, Clear-Mount Block A, Clear-Mount Block B, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Paper Snips, Craft Scissors, Curly Label Punch, and Scallop Trim Border Punch.

Uses Elementary Elegance Sale-A-Bration Clear-Mount Set and You're a Gem Clear-Mount Set plus Rose Red Card Stock, Baja Breeze Card Stock, Elegant Eggplant Classic Stampin' Pad, Regals Collection Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack, White Baker's Twine, Rose Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Baja Breeze 3/8" Pleated Satin Ribbon, Twitterpated Designer Buttons, Beveled Windowpanes, Clear-Mount Block A, Clear-Mount Block B, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Mini Glue Dots, Craft Scissors, Scallop Oval Punch, and Large Oval Punch.