SSINKspiration Favorite Accessory: It's all about the Emboss!

Happy Friday!  It's been such an interesting week, and with hubby traveling Aidan and I have been having lots of fun.  Today over on the SSINKspiration blog we're sharing some of our favorite accessories and while you would think I would have picked glitter (trust me I love it) my favorite accessory is embossing folders.  Used with the Big Shot embossing folders are a quick and easy way to really elevate a project and it is a rare time I don't use embossing on some piece of a project. 

I started with Soft Suede cardstock for the cardbase and then added a piece of Whisper White cardstock.  On this piece I started by stamping with the Watercolor Wash Background stamp using Crumb Cake ink and then embossing with the Big Shot and Brick Wall Embossing Folder and then sponging around the edges with Rich Razzleberry ink.

For the greeting I used the Lovely, Amazing You stamp set (I love the font of this set and even though its not in the catalog you can still order it online by searching by the name).  I stamped the greeting in Soft Suede ink on Rich Razzleberry cardstock and then cut it out using the Big Shot and Layering Circles Framelits, along with the mat using Soft Suede cardstock and attached the greeting with dimensionals.  To dress of the greeting I added a small string of pearls along the bottom of the greeting to help highlight it.

I used the feather image from the same stamp set and stamped it on Whisper White cardstock and cut it out with Paper Snips before attaching it to the cardfront.  Of course I still needed a little bling so I added a string of Gold Sequin Trim an then few random sequins around the cardfront.

I really like how it looks to have the watercolor image stamped on the embossed piece for an added effect.  The other design team members have made some great cards using their favorite accessories to make sure to go check them out and see what inspires you!

Below are easy ordering links for the products used on today's card:

Have a great weekend!

Diana

Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration Color Challenge SSINKCC25: Lovely Amazing You

Happy Labor Day!  It's going to be a great day to relax and squeeze out those last few moments of summer, can't wait!  Of course I'm planning on a little crafting time today as well, and I started out with this months color sketch over on the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration blog.  I have to admit, after yesterday's color sketch when I pulled up the colors for today's challenge I laughed since they were almost the same, just changed the yellow so I wanted to give you something completely different using such similar colors.

For this card I started with Hello Honey cardstock for the cardbase and matted Very Vanilla cardstock with some Chocolate Chip cardstock for a nice frame.  On the cardfront I started with the Lovely Amazing You stamp set and stamped the feather image a couple of times using the Pool Party ink  I also used the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set and stamped some of the splotches using Hello Honey Ink.

Lots of great embellishments really add some depth and texture, starting with the Hello Honey 5/8" Stitched Cotton Ribbon and I ruffled it up and then used the Handheld Stapler to add a couple of staples to make sure the ruffles stay in place and add a metallic element.  I also added some Linen Thread behind my greeting element.

For the greeting I once again used the Lovely Amazing You stamp set and stamped it with Chocolate Chip ink on Pool Party cardstock and then cut it out with the Big Shot and Circle Collection Framelits.  I created a mat using some Chocolate Chip cardstock and the 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch.  A few pearls were attached along the bottom of the greeting to really draw your eye to it and I used dimensionals to attach the greeting so it could stand up over the ruffled ribbon.

This stamp set was one of the last monthly photopolymer stamp sets released and it's only available while supplies last and the font on the greetings are just perfect, I'm so happy to have this set in my collection so don't miss out and order your stamp set soon.

Below are easy ordering links for the products used on today's card:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Hope you can come and play along with our color challenge, there are so many possibilities.

Happy stamping,

Diana

Can You Case it? Design Team - Sketch Challenge CYCI #79

Happy Sunday!  This will sound a little selfish but we have been enjoying our relaxing, kidless week (we miss the kiddo but it’s a little fun to have a break, just being honest!)  Today I’m meeting a friend for manis/pedis and I’m really looking forward to this, plus I’m hoping to finish getting ready for convention since I leave on Tuesday.  For this weeks Can You Case It? Sketch challenge since several of the designers are getting ready for convention we were given a play day and we could create anything we wanted.  I’ve been making a lot of birthday cards so I wanted to break out and do something different and I was so excited when the Groovy Love stamp set was in the new catalog so I decided to give it a little love. 

I started with Rich Razzleberry cardstock for the cardbase and then added a piece of Whisper White that I sponged with the Hearts and Stars Decorative Mask (these are such a great tool, and very inexpensive!!)  The greeting is from the Lovely Amazing You stamp set (this stamp set was the last one released as part of the original monthly Photopolymer Stamp set program which means it may only be available for 6 months after it’s release so if you want this set in your stamping toolbox make sure to order soon!) and was stamped in Tuxedo Black Momento Ink (I will admit it depends on the day if this saying is true, don’t you agree???,  Haha!!)  Next I added a piece of Gold Designer Series Paper (from the Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stack (this is a new addition this year and it’s great!!) and matted it with Basic Black before attaching it to the cardfront.  I used the ½” Circle Punch to punch little notches on the sides so I could wrap some Basic Black Baker’s Twine around the DSP layers and then tie a bow.

For the main stamped image I used the Groovy Love stamp set and stamped the heart outline in black ink on Rich Razzleberry cardstock before cutting it out with the 2” Circle Punch.  Next I stamped the dotted heart in Versamark Ink on Basic Black cardstock and then heat embossed it with the Heat Tool and Gold Embossing Powder and then punched it out with the Sweetheart Punch and attached both layers with dimensionals so it really pops up.

It was fun to change things up and add lot of “luxury” to this card with the gold, embossing, and sponging, this could be a great anniversary card or just letting someone know you’re thinking of them, it’s fun to surprise people with card, just because.  The other designers have come up with some great cards to inspire you so please, go check them out and then share your card so we can see all the fun!

Below are easy ordering links for the products used on today’s card:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

                                                               

Have a great Sunday and I hope you enjoyed today’s card!

Diana

Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration Blog: Teacher Appreciation Gifts

Good morning!  With the come of spring it means the countdown has officially started for the end of the school year (I know Aidan’s looking forward to summer break).  As we look to the end of school year activities one thing that’s always on my “to do” list is teacher appreciation gifts so today over on the Stylin’Stampin’ INKspiration blog we’re sharing ideas perfect for teacher gifts.  We give Aidan’s teachers gifts all year long for all the holidays so this isn’t the first time we’ve let his teachers know we appreciate they’re service but I like to do something special at the end of the year.  When the Occasions catalog was released and I saw the Berry Basket die an idea immediately popped into my head and this is the result.  I made an uber cute berry basket to hold a set of coordinating note cards.

I used Wild Wasabi cardstock for the basket base and after cutting it out with the Big Shot and Berry Basket Bigz L Die I embossed it using the Delicate Dots Embossing Folder.  I used a piece of DSP from the Painted Blooms Designer Series Paper package for the trim of the basket and used the Mini stapler to assemble the box and attach the trim (the whole box comes together in just a couple of minutes, which is perfect!)  I added a bow using the Whisper White Organza ribbon. 

I made the tag for the box using My Digital Studio (I’m so going to miss this program) and started by using the Decorative Label Punch in MDS and creating the tag inside the punch so I knew when I printed the tag it would perfectly fit in the punch, then I just attached it to front of the box using dimensionals.

To make the matching note cards I started with the Crumb Cake Note Card set (these are perfect since they’re a little smaller than traditional A2 cards and already come precut and scored with matching envelopes.  All I did was add a piece of the coordinating Painted Blooms Designer Series Paper and a piece of Pear Pizzaz Chevron Ribbon.  The greeting is from the Lovely Amazing You and I stamped it in Rich Razzleberry and Pacific Point ink, punched it out with the 2” Circle Punch and then punched out mats using the 2 3/8” Scalloped Circle Punch.  I did use dimensionals to attach the greeting so it popped up over the ribbon.  The final touch was a few rhinestones for a little bling.  I decided to make thank yous for the basket since I’ve noticed we get a lot of notes from teachers so I thought they would get more use out of them.

These are too cute and I love the floral patterns in this DSP (do you know that the DSP was created based on actual watercolor paintings some of the artists in the home office created (awesome!)  Now I have one teacher gift ready to go, just a few more and we’ll be all set.  The designers are sharing more great ideas over on the SSINK blog so check them out for more ideas!

Below are easy ordering links for the products used on today’s card:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Happy crafting,

Diana

Sketch Frenzy Friday Sketch Challenge: Lovely Amazing You

Good morning!  What a rollercoaster of a week, not just getting back to work and school but this weather is crazy, at least we’re looking forward to a nice weekend so that’ll be good.  It’s Friday, which means it’s time for this weeks Sketch Frenzy Friday sketch challenge and this one is special as I have a friend at work who’s leaving today so this is for her.  I’m sad to see her go, but so happy for her and the new opportunity!

I started with Crisp Cantaloupe cardstock and then added a piece of the Gold Soiree Specialty Designer Series Paper (can you believe this is the first I’ve opened the package but boy this this paper beautiful, love all the gold accents!!).  I decided to stamp the greeting directly on the DSP so I heat embossed it using the Lovely Amazing You Photopolymer stamp set, Versamark, Heat Tool, and Gold Embossing Powder (awesome!!!)

For the fun accents I used another piece of the DSP and used the Ornate Tag Topper Punch on the top and tied some Crisp Cantaloupe Thick Baker’s Twine and on the bottom I punched the edges using the Project Life Corner Rounder Punch.  Next I used the Artisan Label Punch to punch a piece of Garden Green cardstock and embossed it with the Big Shot and Fancy Fans Embossing Folder before attaching it behind the tag so it peaks out the side.

Close up of the Greeting

For the main stamped image I used the Bloom with Hope Stamp set stamped it with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink and used my Stampin’ Write Markers to color in the image.  Then I punched it out with the 2” Circle Punch and used the 2 3/8” Scallop Circle Punch to create the mat using Calypso Coral cardstock.  I used lots of dimensionals to pop the different layers up for add height.

This card is so bright and cheery I really hope it expresses how happy I am for my friend.  And now that I know how beautiful this paper is, watch out I’m going to be using it a lot more! 

 

 

 

B
elow are easy ordering links for the products used on today’s card:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 

Have an enjoyable weekend!

Diana