Inspiration Ink

Walk In Wednesday

Time for another Walk In Wednesday!  This is a day when you can stop by and pick up orders, place orders, pay for orders, shop retired merchandise (when it is out), look at displays, ask questions, get help with products, sign up for upcoming events, and stamp a couple of quick and easy projects.  It works just like my Take It Tuesdays from the past, but is on Wednesday instead.

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!

Orders from my Fiji or Bust Sale and Product Shares are here and ready to be picked up!

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

Here are the cards you can stamp today:

Uses Artistic Etchings Clear-Mount Set and En Francais background stamp plus Clear-Mount Block C, Clear-Mount Block H, Pretty in Pink Classic Stampin' Pad, Riding Hood Red Classic Stampin' Pad, Basic Gray Classic Stampin' Pad, Pink Pirouette Card Stock, Riding Hood Red Card Stock, Basic Gray Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Fan Fair Designer Series Paper, Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons, Glue Dots, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Trimmer, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, and Finishing Touches Edgelits.

Uses World Treasures Wood-Mount Set plus 2011-2013 In Color Stampin' Write Markers (Lucky Limeade), Daffodil Delight Stampin' Write Marker, Rich Razzleberry Stampin' Write Marker, Daffodil Delight Card Stock, Rich Razzleberry Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Floral District Designer Series Paper, Rich Razzleberry 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, 3/16" Regals Brads, Stampin' Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Trimmer, Craft Scissors, Paper-Piercing Tool, Stampin' Pierce Mat, and Elegant Butterfly Punch.

Spritz Daubed Peacock

We got a little inky at my Club Classes this month because we used Stampin' Ink Refills to do various fun, but messy, techniques.

Here's one of the cards we made:

Uses World Treasures Wood-Mount Set plus Pacific Point Classic Stampin' Pad, Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin' Pad, Gumball Green Classic Stampin' Ink Refill, Pacific Point Classic Stampin' Ink Refill, 2012-2014 In Color Stampin' Write Markers (Gumball Green), Rich Razzleberry Stampin' Write Marker, Gumball Green Card Stock, Pacific Point Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, In Color Dahlias, Glue Dots, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Spritzer, Stampin' Trimmer, Paper Snips, 3/16" Corner Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Fancy Fan Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Color Catcher (retired, you can use a cardboard box), paper towels, and latex gloves (optional).

I got the idea for the multicolored center strip from my upline.  Not long ago she posted a picture she'd found on Pinterest on her blog.  It was a picture of a patterned paper towel that had been sprayed with a non-Stampin' Up! ink product and then pressed onto a piece of card stock where it left a colored, patterned image.  I wanted to try this idea using our Stampin' Spritzers and our inks.  I found that I could only get the patterned image if I really saturated the paper towel with ink, worked quickly, and pressed the paper towel against the card stock with just the right amount of pressure (too much and it flattened out the pattern, not enough and the pattern didn't show).  So, I just used the spritzed paper towel to daub the color randomly onto the card stock instead.

I also found that I got the best results if I just used straight ink in the Stampin' Spritzers.  I did not add any rubbing alcohol because that made the ink dry too quickly on the paper towel and diluted the color.  I did not add any water because that diluted the color too much.

It also helps to wear latex gloves while doing this technique if you don't want really inky fingers!

Home from Vacation

Sorry I haven't posted much for a few days.  We just returned home from vacation on Tuesday.  It was a wonderful trip! 

We got to visit with my mom & dad and my sister and her family while exploring some fantastic parts of Nebraska, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming.  My youngest son, Sean, was excited to go to Nebraska as that was the last of the 50 states he needed to visit.  He's now been to all 50 states!

We hiked and drove scenic roads.  We admired glaciers, waterfalls, rivers, lakes, volcanic landscapes, caves, mountains, canyons, buttes, mesas, geysers, hot springs, mudpots, steam vents, fumaroles, plains, artwork, forts, and dinosaur and mammoth sites.  We saw all kinds of wildlife including grizzly bears, black bears, elk, moose, mule deer, blacktailed deer, pronghorns, bison, coyotes, burros, white pelicans, a bald eagle, red-tailed hawks, magpies, ravens, a pine marten, ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots, prairie dogs, squirrels, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats.

I had scheduled a few posts in advance, but ran out of time to create as many projects and write the posts as I'd wanted which is why it has been quiet for a few days.  I'm getting caught up on all the mail, e-mails, phone calls, packages, etc. that piled up while we were gone, plus I've been doing laundry and reassuring the cats that we still love them!  I should be able to start posting daily again soon.

Walk In Wednesday

Welcome to my first Walk In Wednesday!  This is a day when you can stop by and pick up orders, place orders, pay for orders, shop retired merchandise (when it is out), look at displays, ask questions, get help with products, sign up for upcoming events, and stamp a couple of quick and easy projects.  It will work just like my Take It Tuesdays from the past, but will be on Wednesdays instead.

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!

Orders from my Fiji or Bust Sale and Product Shares are here and ready to be picked up!

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

Here are the cards you can stamp today:

Uses By the Seashore Wood-Mount Set and Loving Thoughts Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block G, Island Indigo Classic Stampin' Pad, Riding Hood Red Classic Stampin' Pad, Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad, Pink Pirouette Card Stock, Crumb Cake Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Fan Fair Designer Series Paper, Stampin' Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive, Stamping Sponges, Stampin' Trimmer, Paper Snips, Paper-Piercing Tool, Stampin' Pierce Mat, Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, and Fancy Fan Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.

Uses Reason to Smile Clear-Mount Set and Petite Pairs Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block A, Clear-Mount Block B, Clear-Mount Block C, Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad, Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad, Daffodil Delight Card Stock, Pumpkin Pie Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Stampin' Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Trimmer, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Finishing Touches Edgelits, and Labels Collection Framelits.

Don't forget that you can purchase the Reason to Smile Set for just $5 during July when you place an order of at least $50.  This Set is available during July only and is available in Wood or Clear Mount versions.

Please be aware that my neighbors at the end of my driveway/street are having their roof redone.  So, you will need to park on the main street and walk up my long driveway/street and across my front yard for safety.

Ladybug Trail

Here's another fun card that uses the cute new A Fitting Occasion Set.  Enjoy!

Uses A Fitting Occasion Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block A, Clear-Mount Block B, Clear-Mount Block G, Tangerine Tango Classic Stampin' Pad, Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad, Tangerine Tango Card Stock, Early Espresso Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper, Early Espresso 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, 3/16" Neutrals Brads, SNAIL Adhesive, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Trimmer, Craft Scissors, Paper-Piercing Tool, Stampin' Pierce Mat, Modern Label Punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, 1" Circle Punch, and 1-1/4" Circle Punch.

Weekly Inspiration

Welcome to the new day of the week for my Weekly Inspiration post.  From now on, Weekly Inspiration posts will appear on Thursdays!

This pretty card is actually quick and easy to make.  The flower is colored using a very simple technique called "blurred vision watercoloring."  Enjoy!

Supplies

- Blooming with Kindness, page 87, Clear - $16.95, Wood - $22.95

- Primrose Petals Classic Stampin' Pad, page 152, $5.95

- Primrose Petals 8-1/2" x 11" Card Stock, page 152, $6.95

- Subtles Collection 8-1/2" x 11" Card Stock, page 154, $6.95

- Whisper White 8-1/2" x 11" Card Stock, page 156, $8.50

- Floral District Designer Series Paper, page 163, $10.95

- Baja Breeze 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon, page 172, $6.95

- Linen Thread, page 173, $4.50

- Basic Pearls Jewels, page 175, $4.95

- Stampin' Dimensionals, page 177, $3.95

- SNAIL Adhesive, page 177, $6.95

- Blender Pens, page 178, $9.95

- Stampin' Trimmer, page 180, $29.95 (available soon)

- Craft Scissors, page 180, $29.95

- Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (includes Multipurpose Platform and Standard Cutting Pads), page 186, $99.95

- Finishing Touches Edgelits, page 190, $9.95

- Two Tags Bigz Die, page 193, $21.95

Directions

1)  Cut a piece of Baja Breeze Card Stock to 5 1/2 x 8 1/2" using the Stampin' Trimmer.

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

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

4)  Cut a piece of Primrose Petals Card Stock to 3 7/8 x 5 1/8".

5)  Stamp the sentiment in Primrose Petals Ink in the lower right corner of the Primrose Petals rectangle.

6)  Cut a piece of Whisper White Card Stock to 2 1/2 x 3 7/8".

7)  Build a sandwich of Multipurpose Platform completely closed , one Standard Cutting Pad, Whisper White card stock strip with filigree Finishing Touches Edgelits placed on top so you are cutting off about 1/4" of card stock along one long edge (make sure the cutting edge is facing down), and the other Standard Cutting Pad.  Run through the Big Shot.

8)  Cut a piece of the tiny flowers on the Baja Breeze background Floral District Designer Series Paper to 1 3/4 x 3 7/8.

9)  Adhere the designer paper strip to the center of the white strip.

10)  Adhere the strips to the stamped Primrose Petals rectangle about 1" from the top.

11)  Adhere the Primrose Petals rectangle to the Pink Pirouette rectangle and then to the front of the Baja Breeze card.

12)  Cut a piece of Pink Pirouette Card Stock to 3 1/2 x 5".

13)  Build a sandwich of one Standard Cutting Pad, Two Tags Bigz Die with Pink Pirouette card stock placed over the larger tag, and another Standard Cutting Pad.  Run through Big Shot.

14)  Stamp the flower image in Primrose Petals Ink onto the tag as close to the slit cut in the top of the tag as possible.

15)  Working quickly, use a Blender Pen to drag some of the color from the stamped lines to fill in the rest of the petals.

16)  Tear the bottom of the tag off.

17)  Thread a small piece of Baja Breeze 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon through the slit in the top of the tag.

18)  Tie the two ends of ribbon together near the top of the tag using a piece of Linen Thread.

19)  Trim off excess ribbon and Linen Thread.

20)  Adhere the tag at an angle to the card front using Stampin' Dimensionals.

21)  Add medium sized Pearl Basic Jewels in the upper right and lower left corners.

Tips

The new, firm foam style of ink pads can be very, very juicy.  Use a very light touch to ink up and stamp your images so you don't pick up stray lines.

Try to save one set of Standard Cutting Pads to use just with Edgelits and Framelits Dies.  If you use them only to cut with these products, they'll stay less scratched up for longer and it will be easier to see through them to make sure you are positioning the Edgelits and Framelits correctly.

Do not use a Standard Premium Crease Pad or a shim when cutting out the tag with the Two Tags Bigz Die.  This will help make the score line in the center of the tag less noticeable.

Make sure you stamp the flower image on the side of the tag on which the score line is less noticeable.

To clean your Blender Pen after use, just keep swiping it across a piece of scratch paper until no more color is coming off.

July 4th Popsicle

Happy Fourth of July!

I got the idea for the popsicle from another Demonstrator and just tweaked it a bit to make it my own.  Enjoy! 

Uses Pennant Parade Clear-Mount Set, Itty Bitty Bits Wood-Mount Set, Four Frames Wood-Mount Set, and Fabulous Phrases Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block A, Clear-Mount Block G, Pacific Point Classic Stampin' Pad, Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad, Brights Collection Stampin' Write Markers (Pacific Point and Real Red), Pacific Point Card Stock, Real Red Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, VersaMark Pad, Heat Tool, Iridescent Ice Stampin' Emboss Powder, Real Red 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive, Sticky Strip, Color Spritzer Tool, Stamping Sponges, Stampin' Trimmer, Paper Snips, Craft & Rubber Scissors (to cut craft stick), Craft Scissors, Decorative Label Punch, Large Oval Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Apothecary Accents Framelits Die, and craft stick.

I cut the popsicle shape out using one of the Framelits in the Apothecary Accents.  Then, I used my Paper Snips to cut off the bottom and round off the top corners.  I then sponged on Real Red and Pacific Point Ink.  Next, I ran it through the Big Shot in the Stripes Folder.  I attached a piece of craft stick to the back with Sticky Strip and then pressed the popsicle into the VersaMark Pad before sprinkling on the Stampin' Emboss Powder.  I was able to hold the stick while heating the powder to melt it and didn't have to worry about burning my fingers.

Have a happy and safe 4th of July with family and friends!

Cup of Thanks Circles

I love the Paper-Piercing tools in the new catalog, especially the awesome new Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack with all the fun templates.  I used the circles to add a little touch of interest to this card.  Enjoy!

Uses Tea Shoppe Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block C, Clear-Mount Block E, Clear-Mount Block G, Primrose Petals Classic Stampin' Pad, Baja Breeze Classic Stampin' Pad, Subtles Collection Stampin' Write Markers (Baja Breeze), Baja Breeze Card Stock, Pink Pirouette Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Twitterpated Designer Series Paper, Pool Party Baker's Twine, Pink Pirouette 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Neutrals Designer Buttons, Glue Dots, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Trimmer, Paper Snips, Craft Scissors, Paper-Piercing Tool, Stampin' Pierce Mat, Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, and Bitty Banners Framelits.

No Take It Tuesday Today

Please be aware that there will be no Take It Tuesday today as I spend time with my family celebrating Independence Day and make a few changes to my business as the new Stampin' Up! fiscal year begins.

One of the changes I will be making once I resume holding events, will be switching Take It Tuesdays to Walk In Wednesdays.  They will work the same way and the hours will be the same (2 to 7 p.m.), but the day will now be Wednesday.  The first Walk In Wednesday will be on Wednesday, July 11.

Reason to Smile Ideas

During July, Stampin' Up! is offering a special stamp set called Reason to Smile.  This stamp set will only be available in July and will never be offered again.  You can purchase this wonderful set for just $5 during July when you first purchase at least $50 worth of other merchandise.  It is available in both Clear-Mount and Wood-Mount.  There is a limit of one set per customer.

Here are a couple of cards using this set to inspire you!  Enjoy!

Uses Reason to Smile Clear-Mount Set and Loving Thoughts Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block H, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad, Certainly Celery Card Stock, Soft Suede Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad, Heat Tool (to speed up drying of Craft Ink), Soft Suede 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, SNAIL Adhesive, 2-Way Glue Pen, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Trimmer, Craft Scissors, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, and Finishing Touches Edgelits.

You can't really tell in the scan, but this card has some shimmer and shine in the center blue circle.  I masked the surrounding area and spritzed with my Stampin' Spritzer and a mixture of Bashful Blue and Not Quite Navy Ink with water and rubbing alcohol.  Then, I spritzed it with Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz.  The one daisy is embossed in white on vellum and then hand cut out.

Uses Reason to Smile Clear-Mount Set and Petite Pairs Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block A, Clear-Mount Block B, Clear-Mount Block C, Bashful Blue Classic Stampin' Pad, Marina Mist Classic Stampin' Pad, Bashful Blue Classic Stampin' Ink Refill, Not Quite Navy Classic Stampin' Ink Refill, Bashful Blue Card Stock, Marina Mist Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad, Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz, Heat Tool, White Stampin' Emboss Powder, White Vellum Card Stock, Pool Party Baker's Twine, Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons, Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Spritzer, Stampin' Trimmer, Paper Snips, Craft Scissors, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, water, rubbing alcohol, and copy paper.

I used a mask made by punching a piece of copy paper with the 2-1/2" Circle Punch on this card too.  After placing the mask on the card stock, I sponged through the circle with So Saffron and More Mustard Inks.  I inked up the daisy flower using the Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad and then used a baby wipe to clean off excess ink before coloring the base of the flower and the stem with the Old Olive Marker.  After stamping, I sprinkled on White Stampin' Emboss Powder and heated it.

  Uses Reason to Smile Clear-Mount Set and Friendly Phrases Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block H, So Saffron Classic Stampin' Pad, More Mustard Classic Stampin' Pad, Old Olive Stampin' Write Marker, So Saffron Card Stock, More Mustard Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad, Heat Tool, White Stampin' Emboss Powder, So Saffron 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Glue Dots, SNAIL Adhesive, Stamping Sponges, Stampin' Trimmer, Craft Scissors, Paper-Piercing Tool, Stampin' Pierce Mat, Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, copy paper, and baby wipes.