Inspiration Ink: March 2014

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March 2014

03/22/2014

Directions for Teapot Card

Earlier today I posted this teapot card that I sent my daughter-in-law for her birthday:

I've gotten tons of questions about how it was created! I don't have a real tutorial or video tutorial made and I did not come up with the original idea. I've done my best to type up the directions though and hope they make sense!

- Cut a piece of card stock to 5" x 10". Score in half at 5".

- Place scored card stock on Oval Accent Bigz Die so the score line is just above one of the notches on the die. You may have to trim the corners a bit so it will fit through the Big Shot. Run through Big Shot.

- Open card up and place on Stampin' Trimmer so you can cut the top off of one side just below the notches. Save this piece; it becomes your teapot spout.

- Stamp or add Designer Paper to the front flap of the card (the one you just cut the top off of) as desired. Trim off excess paper with Paper Snips.

- Use tiny circle punch to punch a half-circle notch in one end of the top flap piece that you cut off earlier and saved. This makes it look more like a spout. Adhere this piece to the inside of the card using a small piece of Sticky Strip along the edge of the card so that it looks like a spout. Be careful not to let the spout stick out too far or your card will no longer fit in one of our Medium Envelopes.

- Punch an oval from a scrap of card stock using the Large Oval Punch. Throw away the punched out oval. Slide the punched card stock into the Extra-Large Oval Punch so that the oval space is centered in the Extra-Large Oval Punch. Punch. You should now have an oval rim. Adhere this to the other side of the card on the inside using a small piece of Sticky Strip along the edge of the card so that it looks like a handle. Be careful not to let the handle stick out too far or your card will no longer fit in one of our Medium Envelopes.

- Fold the front flap closed and adhere the two sides of the teapot together.

- Punch a tag from a piece of card stock using the Scalloped Tag Topper Punch. Add ribbon and stamping as desired. Slide the tag into the pouch made by the card.

- Finish decorating your teapot as desired.

This card really doesn't open. Instead, it creates a pouch for the tag to slide into. If you wanted to make the card open instead, just don't seal the sides shut. I would recommend cutting another piece of card stock with the Oval Accents Bigz Clear Die and adhering it to the inside of the card so that it covers the ends of the spout and handle though.

Hope that all makes sense. Have fun creating a teapot card!

Posted at 03:51 PM in Retired Products | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 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.

The theme for March was birthday! They could create any kind of project they wanted as long as it had something to do with birthdays!

Voting was once again really close because all of the projects submitted were amazing!

The winning card was this butterfly beauty by Shannon Aydukovic:

Uses Blooming with Kindness Set, Papillion Potpourri Set, and Happiest Birthday Wishes Hostess Only Set (retired) plus Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad, Island Indigo Classic Stampin' Pad, Bashful Blue Classic Stampin' Pad (retired), Old Olive Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Bashful Blue Card Stock (retired), Blender Pens, Jet Black StazOn Ink Pad, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Season of Style Designer Washi Tape (retired), SNAIL Adhesive, 2-Way Glue Pen, Stampin' Trimmer, Paper Snips, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, Elegant Butterfly Punch, Big Shot Die Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, and Little Leaves Sizzlits.

In second place, by only one vote, was this gorgeous card by Sarah Sleet:

Uses Remembering Your Birthday Set plus Regals Collection Stampin' Write Markers (Always Artichoke), Very Vanilla Card Stock, Always Artichoke Card Stock, Mellow Moss Card Stock (retired), Spice Cake Designer Series Paper (retired), Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper (retired), Always Artichoke 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), SNAIL Adhesive, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Trimmer, Paper Snips, Craft Scissors, Designer Label Punch (retired), Horizontal Slot Punch (retired), and Stamp-a-ma-jig.

Shannon and Sarah each have a $5 coupon they can use on their next order through me. Thanks, ladies, you did fabulous work!

Posted at 03:43 PM in Designer Paper, Gems & Jewels, Punches, Retired Products, Ribbon, Thread, Trim, & Twine, Watercoloring | Permalink | Comments (0)

Best of Birthdays Teapot Card

I got to watch a demonstration on how to make these fun teapot cards using the Oval Accent Bigz Clear Die last year while in Fiji for the Stampin' Up! Grand Vacation Incentive Trip. I finally had the chance to make one for my new daughter-in-law for her birthday. She loves tea and has quite a little collection of teapots. Our birthday wishes are written on the tag, but you could use it as a gift card holder as well. This card does fit in a standard envelope.

Uses Best of Birthdays Clear-Mount Set (only available through March 31) plus Calypso Coral Classic Stampin' Pad, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Calypso Coral Card Stock, Etcetera Designer Series Paper, Victoria 5/8" Crochet Trim, Very Vanilla 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon, Calypso Coral Baker's Twine, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Trimmer, Paper Snips, Craft Scissors, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Extra-Large Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Scalloped Tag Topper Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Standard Cutting Pads, Oval Accent Bigz Clear Die, and Clear-Mount Block C.

Posted at 10:00 AM in Designer Paper, Punches, Retired Products, Ribbon, Thread, Trim, & Twine | Permalink | Comments (0)

03/21/2014

Best of Butterflies Faux Shaving Cream Framed Butterfly

This is the last of the cards we made in my Club Classes this month featuring faux techniques. This one showcases the faux shaving cream technique along with another one of the Best Of... Sets, Best of Butterflies. All of the Best Of... Sets are only available until March 31 and then they will retire!

Uses Best of Butterflies Clear-Mount Set, Everything Eleanor Clear-Mount Set, Petite Pairs Clear-Mount Set, and Very Vintage Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel plus Crisp Cantaloupe Classic Stampin' Pad, Pink Pirouette Classic Stampin' Pad, 2013-2015 In Color Stampin' Write Markers (Crisp Cantaloupe), Crisp Cantaloupe Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Pink Pirouette Card Stock, Silver Baker's Twine, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stampin' Trimmer, Paper Snips, Craft Scissors, Elegant Butterfly Punch, Jumbo Stampin' Around Handle, Clear-Mount Block B, Clear-Mount Block C, and Clear-Mount Block E.

Posted at 10:00 AM in Punches, Retired Products, Ribbon, Thread, Trim, & Twine | Permalink | Comments (0)

03/20/2014

Perfect Pennants Faux Patina Rose

Here's another card we made in my Club Classes this month featuring various faux techniques. This one uses the gorgeous Faux Patina technique which paired perfectly with one of the sentiments from the Perfect Pennants Set and the awesome Spiral Flower Originals Die.

Uses Perfect Pennants Clear-Mount Set plus Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad, Marina Mist Classic Stampin' Pad, Always Artichoke Classic Stampin' Pad, Whisper White Card Stock, Marina Mist Card Stock, Always Artichoke Card Stock, Gold Foil Sheets, Stamping Sponges, Gold Metallic Encore Pad, Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy, Large Pearl Basic Jewels, Gold Sequin Trim, SNAIL Adhesive, 2-Way Glue Pen, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Trimmer, Paper Snips, 1/2" Circle Punch, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, Bird Builder Punch, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Big Shot Magnetic Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Circles Collection Framelits, Beautifully Baroque Embossing Folder, Spiral Flower Originals Die, Clear-Mount Block B, and wooden dowel.

Posted at 10:00 AM in Gems & Jewels, Heat Embossing, Punches, Retired Products, Ribbon, Thread, Trim, & Twine | Permalink | Comments (0)

03/19/2014

Ink Pad Tips

I just had a conversation with a fairly new stamper and customer and thought it would be helpful to publish these tips about our ink pads again!

The firm foam ink pads provide wonderful ink coverage with just a light tap of the stamp. They are particularly good for solid images and don't leave the lined look that the old style cloth pads could leave.

For best results, use a light touch when inking up your stamp. If you press too hard, you'll pick up excess ink around the edges of your images which will then transfer to your card stock when you stamp the image.

Our ink pads feature a patented flip-top case so that the actual ink pad is stored upside down to keep it moist and juicy! So, when storing your ink pads, you want to make sure the are face up!

These ink pads come with color name labels in four languages (English, Spanish, German, and French) on the bottoms of the pads. You just peel off the labels and add the label in the language you prefer to the front edge of the lid for easy identification. Then, cut one of the other labels apart so you only see the color. Adhere these label pieces inside the lid wells as pictured here for easy color identifaction when the pad is open and in use.

You can also cut a tiny piece off one of the other labels and place it on top of the Ink Refill lid to make it easy to identify the color of the refill as well.

The firm foam ink pads do hold less ink and release more on to your stamp when you ink them up, so you may need to reink your ink pads a little more often. For this reason, I recommend purchasing an Ink Refill in the appropriate color whenever you purchase an ink pad.

Some firm foam ink pads may appear blotchy. This is normal and is caused by the pad material. It will not affect the stamped image.

Because these pads put so much more ink on your images, they may appear darker when first stamped. Once the image dries, the color will appear normal.

I hope you find these tips helpful!

Posted at 04:37 PM in Tips & Tricks | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Walk In Wednesday - Best of Sale-A-Bration and Peachy Keen

Walk in Wednesday is a day when you can stop by and pick up orders, place orders, pay for orders, look at displays, ask questions, get help with products, sign up for upcoming events, and stamp a couple of quick and easy projects.

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 today if you wish.

Cost is $1 per project made. You may make one of each of the two cards available if you wish.

Here are the two cards you can stamp today:

Uses Best of Sale-A-Bration Clear-Mount Set (retiring March 31) and Pleasant Poppies Wood-Mount background stamp plus Raspberry Ripple Classic Stampin' Pad, Primrose Petals Card Stock, Raspberry Ripple Card Stock, Primrose Petals 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon, SNAIL Adhesive, Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Trimmer, Paper Snips, Craft Scissors, Artisan Label Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, and Clear-Mount Block D.

Uses Peachy Keen Clear-Mount Set and Banner Blast Wood-Mount Set (available for FREE during Sale-A-Bration which ends March 31) plus Crisp Cantaloupe Classic Stampin' Pad, Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad, Crisp Cantaloupe Card Stock, Sahara Sand Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Pool Party Card Stock, Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper (available for FREE during Sale-A-Bration which ends March 31), Subtles Candy Dots, Sweet Sorbet Accessory Pack (available for FREE during Sale-A-Bration which ends March 31), SNAIL Adhesive, 2-Way Glue Pen, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Trimmer, Paper Snips, Craft Scissors, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, 7/8" Scallop Circle Punch, Banner Punch (available for FREE during Sale-A-Bration which ends March 31), Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Big Shot Magnetic Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Banners Framelits, and Clear-Mount Block C.

Don't forget that Sale-A-Bration ends soon, on March 31! If you want any of the items available for FREE during Sale-A-Bration, be sure to place a qualifying order soon!

Please also remember that all of the Best Of... Sets are retiring on March 31. This is your last chance to purchase these amazing sets before they disappear!

Posted at 07:00 AM in Designer Paper, Punches, Retired Products, Ribbon, Thread, Trim, & Twine | Permalink | Comments (2)

03/18/2014

Best of Flowers Faux Metal Edge Tag Flower

We made a faux metal edge tag in the next card that I taught at my Club Classes this month. This one also showcases one of the Best Of... Sets that is retiring at the end of this month, Best of Flowers, and some of our fun gold accessories.

Uses Best of Flowers Clear-Mount Set and Express Yourself Hostess Only Clear-Mount Set plus Midnight Muse Classic Stampin' Pad, Midnight Muse Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, White Vellum Card Stock, Gold Fancy Foil Designer Vellum, Gold Foil Sheets, Blender Pens, Gold Metallic Encore Pad, Midnight Muse 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon, Gold Baker's Twine, SNAIL Adhesive, 2-Way Glue Pen, Glue Dots, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Trimmer, Paper Snips, Craft Scissors, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, 1/16" Handheld Circle Punch (retired), Clear-Mount Block B, and Clear-Mount Block G.

Posted at 10:00 AM in Punches, Retired Products, Ribbon, Thread, Trim, & Twine, Vellum & Shimmer Vellum | Permalink | Comments (0)

03/17/2014

Blessed Easter Faux Watercolor Flowers

Here's another faux technique that I taught my Club Members at Club Classes this month. This one is faux watercoloring using Designer Series Paper. It's a really cool technique I learned from a post on Pinterest! I combined it with the lovely Blessed Easter single-image stamp in the Occasions Catalog.

Uses Blessed Easter Wood-Mount Stamp and Happy Watercolor Clear-Mount Set plus Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad, Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad, Pear Pizzazz Stampin' Write Marker, Coastal Cabana Card Stock, Daffodil Delight Card Stock, Whisper White Card Stock, Eastern Elegance Designer Series Paper, Coastal Cabana 3/8" Ruffle Stretch Trim, SNAIL Adhesive, 2-Way Glue Pen, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Trimmer, Paper Snips, Craft Scissors, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Framed Tulips Embossing Folder, and Clear-Mount Block C.

Posted at 09:37 AM in Designer Paper, Retired Products, Ribbon, Thread, Trim, & Twine | Permalink | Comments (0)

03/15/2014

See Ya Later Faux Alligator Hide

We did a lot of faking it during my Club Classes this month! I taught them several faux techniques. This first one is Faux Leather with Masking Tape and was just a perfect fit with the See Ya Later Set that is available for FREE during Sale-A-Bration!

Uses See Ya Later Clear-Mount Set (available FREE during Sale-A-Bration) plus Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad, Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad, Old Olive Card Stock, Real Red Card Stock, Very Vanilla Card Stock, Pear Pizzazz Card Stock, Stamping Sponges, Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, Natural 7/16" Trim, SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Trimmer, Paper Snips, Craft Scissors, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Multipurpose Platform, Big Shot Magnetic Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Ovals Collection Framelits, Fashionable Hearts Embosslits, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder (available FREE during Sale-A-Bration), Clear-Mount Block H, and masking tape.