Inspiration Ink

Best Fall Colors Ribbon

I made this card recently to send to our younger son to let him know that we are proud of him.  Enjoy!

  Uses Blue Ribbon Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block C, Clear-Mount Block E, Tangerine Tango Classic Stampin' Pad, Tangerine Tango Card Stock, More Mustard Card Stock, Basic Gray Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Howlstooth & Scaringbone Designer Series Paper, 3/16" Brights Brads, Stampin' Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Trimmer, Paper Snips, Paper-Piercing Tool, Stampin' Pierce Mat, 1-3/8" Square Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, and Apothecary Accents Framelits.

Why were we so proud?  Well, we are always proud of both our boys, they are both wonderful young men!  But, we had a specific reason this time to be proud of the youngest. 

He was nominated by some of his professors for a prestigious endowment scholarship for math and sciene majors at his school.  He received an e-mail letting him know that he'd been nominated and how to fill out the application paperwork.  While working on the application, he realized that he probably wasn't really eligible for the scholarship since he is already attending the university on a full academic scholarship.  He sent a very nice e-mail response letting them know that he really appreciated the honor but wasn't eligible and would therefore like to respectfully decline the honor so they could offer it to someone else who needed the money more.  He received a really nice e-mail response back from the dean of the science college herself thanking him for his honesty and integrity and pointing out that those were a couple of reasons he'd been nominated in the first place.  She went on to say that she was very happy to hear that the university was already investing in him and his education.  Wow!

So, I think you can see why we were particularly proud recently.  Thanks for letting me brag a bit.

Walk In Wednesday 10/31 Update

I was expecting to have orders delivered so that they would be ready to be picked up at Walk In Wednesday on October 31.  However, due to the storm, the boxes have not been delivered. 

Since I don't have any orders to be picked up and since I was going to shorten the hours of Walk In Wednesday this week anyway to make sure that trick-or-treaters would be safe and since some roads are still closed due to downed trees and flooding from the storm, I'm going to go ahead and cancel Walk In Wednesday for this week.

So, there will be NO Walk In Wednesday on October 31.

I will try to hold a stop-by to pick up orders, pay for orders, shop retired merchandise, and stamp two quick and easy projects later this week if the orders get delivered.  Please be watching for information on this event.

Thanks for understanding and be safe as you recover from the storm and enjoy a Happy Halloween!

Paper Flower Thoughts

This is the last of the cards we made in Club Classes this month featuring florals.  We made the scrunched flower by punching out 5 scallop circles, layering them to poke a hole in the centers, spritzing them with the Stampin' Spritzer filled with an ink/rubbing alcohol/water mix, spritzing with some plain water, inserting a brad, and then crumpling.  Enjoy!

  Uses You Are Loved Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block D, Clear-Mount Block G, Midnight Muse Classic Stampin' Pad, Midnight Muse Classic Stampin' Ink Refill, 2012-2014 In Color Stampin' Write Markers (Midnight Muse), 2011-2013 In Color Stampin' Write Markers (Pool Party), Regals Collection Stampin' Write Markers (Cajun Craze), Neutrals Collection Stampin' Write Markers (Soft Suede), Midnight Muse Card Stock, Pool Party Card Stock, Cajun Craze Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Comfort Cafe Designer Series Paper, Midnight Muse 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon, 3/16" Neutrals Brads, SNAIL Adhesive, Sticky Strip, Color Spritzer Tool, Stampin' Spritzer, Stampin' Trimmer, Paper Snips, Craft Scissors, Paper-Piercing Tool, Stampin' Pierce Mat, 1-1/4" Square Punch, 1-1/4" Scallop Circle Punch, and spray mist bottle filled with water (I use an old Stampin' Mist bottle).

Christmas Card Camp Follow Up

We had fun at my October Christmas Card Camp this last Saturday.  Everyone got to pick and choose the cards they wanted to make and could make up to 3 of each if they wanted.  Here are the cards they got to make.  Enjoy!

  Uses Beautiful Season Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block C, Clear-Mount Block E, Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pad, Riding Hood Red Card Stock, Crumb Cake Card Stock, Champagne Glimmer Paper, Crumb Cake 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon, SNAIL Adhesive, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Trimmer, Paper Snips, Craft Scissors, 1-3/8" Square Punch, 1-1/4" Square Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, and Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.

The diagonal strip of Designer Paper on this card has some additional shimmer added by rubbing Shimmer Paint across it with a Sponge Dauber.  It just doesn't show up well in the scan.

  Uses Evergreen Clear-Mount Set and Teeny Tiny Wishes Wood-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block A, Clear-Mount Block I, Not Quite Navy Classic Stampin' Pad, Garden Green Card Stock, Not Quite Navy Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint, VersaMark Pad, Heat Tool, Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder, Brushed Gold Card Stock, Natural Composition Specialty Designer Series Paper, Not Quite Navy 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Glue Dots, SNAIL Adhesive, Sticky Strip, Sponge Daubers, Stampin' Trimmer, Paper Snips, and Craft Scissors.

The peacock from the World Treasures Set is stamped sideways and creates the frame for the main snowflake image.  The white panel is actually shimmery because it was spritzed, it just doesn't show up well in the scan.

  Uses Four Seasons Hostess Only Wood-Mount Set, World Treasures Wood-Mount Set, and More Merry Messages Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block C, Island Indigo Classic Stampin' Pad, Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad, Island Indigo Card Stock, Pool Party Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz, Pool Party 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Trimmer, Paper Snips, Craft Scissors, and 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch.

  Uses Make a Mitten Clear-Mount Set and Tiny Tags Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block A, Clear-Mount Block C, Clear-Mount Block H, Baja Breeze Classic Stampin' Pad, Not Quite Navy Classic Stampin' Pad, Regals Collection Stampin' Write Markers (Not Quite Navy), Baja Breeze Card Stock, Not Quite Navy Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Floral District Designer Series Paper, Stampin' Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Trimmer, 3/16" Corner Punch, Small Oval Punch, Mitten Builder Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, and Delicate Designs Textured Impressions Embossing Folders.

  Uses Ornament Keepsakes Wood-Mount Set and Petite Pairs Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block G, Lucky Limeade Classic Stampin' Pad, Lucky Limeade Card Stock, Real Red Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Early Espresso Core'dinations Card Stock, Candlelight Christmas Specialty Designer Series Paper, Very Vanilla 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon, Glue Dots, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Trimmer, Paper Snips, Craft Scissors, Paper-Piercing Tool, Stampin' Pierce Mat, Festive Paper-Piercing Pack, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, and Holiday Ornaments Framelits.

  Uses Seasonal Sayings Clear-Mount Set and Come to Bethlehem Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block G, Clear-Mount Block I, Always Artichoke Classic Stampin' Pad, Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad, Always Aritchoke Card Stock, Cherry Cobbler Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details, Champagne Glimmer Paper, Cherry Cobbler 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Trimmer, Paper Snips, Craft Scissors, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Argyle Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Apothecary Accents Framelits, and Snow Flurry Bigz Die.

  Uses Scentsational Season Wood-Mount Set, Sweets for the Sweet Clear-Mount Set, and More Merry Messages Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block B, Clear-Mount Block G, Gumball Green Classic Stampin' Pad, Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad, Gumball Green Card Stock, Cherry Cobbler Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter, Be of Good Cheer Designer Series Paper, Stampin' Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive, 2-Way Glue Pen, Stampin' Trimmer, Scallop Trim Border Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, and Holiday Collection Framelits.

Fall Treats

I'm really trying to find new customers, so I've started offering a little treat to anyone new who comes to any of my events and to anyone who invites someone new to join us.  I held a Christmas Card Camp yesterday and one of my customers brought along a friend.  So, I made these little treats for them.  Each one contains a small incentive stamp.  Enjoy!

  Uses A Word for You Clear-Mount Set plus Clear Mount Block G, Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad, Tangerine Tango Card Stock, More Mustard Card Stock, Howlstooth & Scaringbone Designer Series Paper, Basic Black 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Basic Black/Basic Gray 1/2" Striped Satin Ribbon, Glue Dots, SNAIL Adhesive, Sticky Strip, Bone Folder, Stampin' Trimmer, Paper Snips, Craft Scissors, Modern Label Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Standard Premium Crease Pad, Standard Cutting Pads, and Candy Wrapper Bigz L Die.

Twitterpated Romance Birthday

This is another one of the cards we made in my Club Classes this month focusing on florals.  We embossed the main image in silver and then used the Blender Pens to color in the flowers and leaves.  The gray layer is actually adhered to the back inside of the card for a slightly different card opening.  Enjoy!

  Uses Bordering on Romance Clear-Mount Set and Teeny Tiny Wishes Wood-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block D, Clear-Mount Block I, Lucky Limeade Classic Stampin' Pad, Baja Breeze Classic Stampin' Pad, Riding Hood Red Classic Stampin' Pad, Lucky Limeade Card Stock, Baja Breeze Card Stock, Riding Hood Red Card Stock, Basic Gray Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, VersaMark Pad, Heat Tool, Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder, Twitterpated Designer Series Paper, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, SNAIL Adhesive, Blender Pens, Stampin' Trimmer, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folders, and Adorning Accents Edgelits.

Crayon Resist Fabulous Florets

Another fun technique to use with floral images is crayon resist.  Just stamp an outline image on glossy card stock.  Once it is dry, add some highlights to the image with a white or clear crayon.  Then, sponge on another color and buff off excess ink.  If you rub the crayon off, you can add another color so it fills in the highlighted areas a bit to make them a little less stark white.

We used this technique on another one of the cards we made in my Club Classes this month featuring florals.  I originally used the colors in the Designer Paper, but the flowers were just too dark then.  So, I experimented with mixing other colors instead and got the perfect results by blending Melon Mambo and So Saffron.  Enjoy!

  Uses Fabulous Florets Clear-Mount Set and Friendly Phrases Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block B, Clear-Mount Block C, Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad, Rose Red Classic Stampin' Pad, So Saffron Classic Stampin' Pad, Tangerine Tango Card Stock, Baja Breeze Card Stock, Glossy White Card Stock, Floral District Designer Series Paper, Rich Razzleberry 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive, Sticky Strip, Stamping Sponges, Stampin' Trimmer, Paper Snips, Craft Scissors, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Flower Garden Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Finishing Touches Edgelits, white crayon, and tissue.

Flower Framed Flower

Here's another one of the cards we made this month in my Club Classes where we went floral.  Enjoy!

  Uses Mixed Bunch Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block A, Clear-Mount Block D, Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad, 2012-2014 In Color Stampin' Write Markers (Summer Starfruit), Summer Starfruit Card Stock, Real Red Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Birds of a Feather Designer Series Paper, Summer Starfruit 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, 3/16" Subtles Brads, Bitty Buttons, Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Trimmer, Paper Snips, Craft Scissors, Paper-Piercing Tool, Stampin' Pierce Mat, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, 3/4" Circle Punch, Blossom Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, and Floral Frames Framelits.

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, look at displays, ask questions, get help with products, sign up for upcoming events, and stamp a couple of quick and easy projects.

I do NOT have any orders here for pick up today.

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!

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 Day of Gratitude Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block C, Clear-Mount Block G, Tangerine Tango Classic Stampin' Pad, Always Artichoke Classic Stampin' Pad, Always Artichoke Card Stock, Crumb Cake Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Early Espresso Core'dinations Card Stock, Early Espresso Baker's Twine, Naturals Designer Buttons, Glue Dots, SNAIL Adhesive, Sponge Daubers, Stampin' Trimmer, Craft Scissors, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, and Window Frames Collection Framelits.

  Uses Papillon Potpourri Clear-Mount Set and Loving Thoughts Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block B, Clear-Mount Block G, Night of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad, Daffodil Delight Card Stock, Night of Navy Card Stock, Regals Collection Designer Series Paper Stack, Silver 1/8" Mini Brads, Silver Flourish Designer Frames, SNAIL Adhesive, 2-Way Glue Pen, Stampin' Trimmer, Paper Snips, Paper-Piercing Tool, Stampin' Pierce Mat, and Elegant Butterfly Punch.

Candy Corn Jar Boxes

I meant to get this posted yesterday, but time got away from me.  I made these cute little boxes filled with candy corn as an extra treat for my Club Members who attended Club Classes this month.  I got the idea from another Demonstrator, but then tweaked them to meet my needs.  For one thing, I used the Mini Milk Carton Die to make the central box so I would have flaps on either end to hold small candies inside.  Enjoy!

  Uses Perfectly Preserved Clear-Mount Set and Sweets for the Sweet Clear-Mount Set plus Clear-Mount Block A, Clear-Mount Block D, Clear-Mount Block G, Basic Gray Classic Stampin' Pad, Tangerine Tango Card Stock, More Mustard Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Window Sheets, Howlstooth & Scaringbone Designer Series Paper, Basic Black/Basic Gray 1/2" Striped Satin Ribbon, SNAIL Adhesive, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Trimmer, Paper Snips, Craft Scissors, Large Oval Punch, 1" Circle Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Premium Crease Pad, Standard Cutting Pads, Chevron Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Bitty Banners Framelits, Cannery Set Framelits, and Mini Milk Carton Bigz L Die.