Sketch Frenzy Friday Sketch Challenge and SSINK Product Suite Focus: Bravo

Good morning!  Friday is here and it’s going to be a great weekend (other than the heat and humidity) since it’s time for our 8^th Annual Neighborhood BBQ where we have between 80-100 of our friends and neighbors over for a great afternoon (really evening, early morning) time that we look forward to all year.  Of course there’s still a lot to do to get ready but Chris and & are also taking time out tonight for a date and are heading to the movies (without Aidan) so I’m excited.  The weekend is going to be capped off with a card class where we’re going to be making lots of cards for the guys in our lives (today is the last day to RSVP for the class so don’t miss out!!)  Before we get started with all the weekend activities since it’s Friday it’s time for this weeks Sketch Frenzy Friday sketch challenge and I decided to combine this one with the product focus (Cherry on Top Product Suite) over on the Stylin’ Stampin’ INKspiration blog.

I started with Crushed Curry cardstock and then added a piece of Whisper White cardstock and stamped the greeting from the Bravo stamp set using Stampin’ Write Markers to ink up the stamp.  Next I took a piece of Tip Top Toupe and attached three different patterns of the Cherry on Top DSP for the panels.  Before attaching this piece to the cardfront I added a piece of 1 ¼” Bermuda Bay Striped Grosgrain Ribbon for a flag.

For a fun accent I used the Boys will be Boys stamp set (I’ve been working on a lot of boy themed projects lately so all those sets are out on my desk) and stamped the legos in Tuxedo Black Momento Ink on Whisper White cardstock before coloring them in and punching them out with the 2” Circle Punch.  The final touch was to cut a mat using the 2 ½” Circle Punch and Watermelon Wonder cardstock and attaching this piece to the cardfront with dimensionals.

This card is fresh and fun (love the addition of the new colors along with some of our classics) and I’m thinking may be perfect to let a little student I know how proud we are of all his hard work this school year (less than a week to go!!)  The only think I don’t know is if this tips to the more feminine side with the addition of the Watermelon Wonder ink, what do you think?  I like this so much a version of this card will probably be one of our projects for Sunday’s class.  Make sure to check out the other design team members created for inspiration and then play along for some fun this weekend. 

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 

Have an enjoyable weekend and wish me luck!

Diana

Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration Blog Hop: Manly Masculine Madness

Good morning!  It’s the second Thursday of the month, which means it’s time for another blog hop with the Stylin’ Stampin’ INKspiration designers.  Since this month we have Father’s Day we’ve decided to make the theme of this months hop all about the guys in our lives and provide some great inspiration, be it for Father’s Day, Birthday, even graduations we need to celebrate the dudes.  As you hop along, please be sure to comment and show some love on every blog! We are always excited to hear from our followers!

 

You should have just left stop number 8 on the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration Blog Hop - Darcy at Dj's Stampin Place. If so, you are in the right spot. If a link doesn't work or you get off track, you will find the full blog hop lineup below.

I started with Crumb Cake for the cardbase and then added a piece of Cajun Craze cardstock that was embossed with the Big Shot and Stylish Stripes  Embossing Folder, I also sponged all over the cardstock with Crumb Cake ink (actually sponged every layer of this project, just so you know!!)  Next I took The Open Sea stamp set and stamped the journal log in Crumb Cake Ink on Crumb Cake cardstock.  I added a piece of Burlap Ribbon and ¼” Island Indigo Cotton Ribbon to stick out from behind the journal before I attached it to the card front.  Next I stamped the globe image on Very Vanilla Cardstock with Island Indigo ink and punched it out with the 2” Circle Punch and attached it with dimensionals.

 For the greeting I used the Guy Greetings stamp set and stamped it on Very Vanilla Cardstock with Cajun Craze ink and cut it out using the Big Shot and the Project Life Cards and Tags Framelits (these dies are awesome for tags!!!) and attached it to the cardfront with dimensionals for a final touch. 

The mix of regal and neutral colors work great for masculine cards (I can’t wait for my first order from the new catalog to arrive tomorrow so I can get some new DSP’s to work with (love our designer paper and it really makes projects so much fun!!) 

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 

Make sure to check out the rest of the blog hop for lots of other great ideas.  If you click the “Next” button, you’ll go to Cynthia’s site but you can also access any of the hopper’s site from the full blog list below.

 

Blog Hop Participant List:

1. Diana at Stampin Fun with Diana
2. Cynthia at Ink-a-Doodle Creations
3. Melissa at Stamp Doc
4. Jenny at Jenny G Paper Crafts
5. Bree at Craft-Somnia Momma
6. Donna at Organized Chaos
7. Kim at Stamping with Kim
8. Darcy at Dj's Stampin Place

Enjoy,

Diana

Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration Card Sketch: Guy Greetings

Happy Monday!  It was a nice and relaxing weekend but I have to say I will be so happy when school gets out, Aidan was assigned one last major project so we spent most of Sunday working on the project (and no access to my computer for my tasks).  Thankfully Aidan's project is almost finished, we just have a little more to do.  Of course I did take some time to get into the studio and create, including my card for this month's Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration card sketch challenge.  I decided to get really crazy with things and combined the sketch challenge with the Fab Friday color challenge.  I'm in the frame of mind for guy cards with Father's Day coming up so I decided to take a more masculine take for this sketch and the colors work perfectly for this.

I started with Crumb Cake for the cardbase and stamped with the Woodgrain stamp set and then sponged around the edge with the same color ink.  Next I added a piece of Night of Navy cardstock as well as a piece of Hello Honey cardstock that was embossed with the Big Shot and ZigZag Embossing Folder.  Next I used the Guy Greetings stamp set and stamped the antique car image in Marina Mist Ink on Very Vanilla cardstock and cut it out with the Big Shot and Circle Collection Framelits.  I sponged around the edge with Marina Mist ink and then matted the car with the 2 1/2" Circle Punch and Gold Foil Sheets.  I created a second mat using Night of Navy cardstock and the Starburst Framelits.

 

The greeting is from the same stamp set and was stamped with Night of Navy ink and cut out with the Project Life Cards and Labels Framelits.  I also sponged around the edge of the label with Marina Mist ink.  I created a little accent piece behind the greeting by punching out a piece of Marina Mist cardstock and the 1 1/4" Circle Punch.  Of course I used dimensionals to attach the greeting to the cardfront.

 

 

I really like how this card turned out by combining both of these challenges and may have to remake this card and change up the greeting for a Father's Day card.  This months Just Cards Class is going to be "all about the guys" so we'll be making perfect cards for all the dude's in our lives, no matter the age and this will be one of the cards we make so make sure you don't miss out!

 

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Have a great day!

 

Diana

Can You Case it? Design Team - Sketch Challenge CYCI #73

Happy Sunday!  Don’t you just love nice, relaxing weekends?  They are so rare around here I’m definitely enjoying it while I can. Not only does that mean getting some things done around the house, sleeping in, but also a little stamping (honestly I’m still working on pulling my retired products and getting the new items safely in their new homes so some time is needed straightening up the studio.  Before the day gets started since it’s Sunday it’s time for the weekly Can You Case It? Sketch challenge, this week we have a color challenge which gives you a lot of freedom with layout and defines what colors to use.  I decided to pull out a new stamp set, Friendly Wishes as the focus of today’s card.

I started with Pink Pirouette cardstock for the cardbase and then added a couple of pieces of the new DSP from the Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stack (I have to say, you have to get this paper, the prints are wonderful this year and you can get them in any of the four main color families, as well as the two In Color Collections).  I also wrapped a piece of 1/8” Silver Ribbon around the DSP before attaching the DSP to a piece of Basic Black for a mat.  For an accent piece I took a piece of Pink Pirouette cardstock and punched out a circle using the 2 ½” Circle Punch and then embossed it with the Big Shot and the Lovely Lace Embossing Folder.  I also sponged around the edge before attaching it the cardfront and adding a rhinestone to the center of the embossed design. 

The greeting is from the Friendly Wishes Stamp set and after stamping it using Tuxedo Black Momento Ink on Whisper White cardstock I cut it out using the Big Shot and Deco Labels Collection Framelits and then sponged around the edge before attaching it with Dimensionals.

These colors are so soft and I love the little punch of black (always works!!)  The designers are sharing some other great cards so go check them out for further inspiration and come play along, you can use this for any project you need, card, scrapbook page, home décor, etc. 

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 

If you don’t have the new catalog, and don’t already have a demonstrator, please let me know and I can make sure you get one so you can check out all the great new products we have this year (I promise you won’t be disappointed, there is something for everyone!!)

Have an enjoyable Sunday!

Diana

Sketch Frenzy Friday Card Sketch: Any Many More

Good morning!  What a crazy week, I’m really looking forward to the weekend.  Between not feeling well, the hubby traveling, and Aidan busy with school testing it’s been a long week and I need to relax (and let’s be honest get some quality time in the stamp studio!!) 

It’s an exciting week with the release of the new Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog and anytime we can play with new products is always fun and exciting.  Today I’m sharing a card for this weeks Sketch Frenzy Friday Sketch challenge and this card is a combo of old and new products.  I started with Basic Black for the cardbase and then added a piece of Whisper White cardstock that was embossed with the Big Shot and the new Boho Chic Embossing Folder.  Next I added a piece of Basic Black Baker’s Twine across the bottom of the card for my banner as well as a couple of piece of Cherry on Top Washi Tape.  I used the Star Framelits and the star punch from the Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack to cut out the stars using Gold Glimmer Paper, Cherry on Top DSP, and Neutrals DSP.

The greeting is from the And Many More stamp set and I stamped it using Versamark ink on Basic Black cardstock and heat embossed it using the Heat Tool and Gold Embossing Powder.  To cut out the greeting I used the Big Shot and Itty Bitty Framelits and then attached it to the card with dimensionals.  I had an extra gold star I punched out so I added it to the top of the greeting for a little more bling.

The little time that I’ve had to use the new In Colors I have to admit, they a gorgeous and really complement each other and our other colors, it will be fun to see what we come up with!  The design team is sharing some fun cards so make sure to check them out and then come play along with the Sketch Frenzy Friday ladies, we’d love to have you!

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 

Have a wonderful weekend and happy crafting!

Diana

Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration Birthdays: Amazing Birthday

Good morning!  What a difference a couple of days makes, it's much cooler and almost fall-like.  By no means I'm not complaining since any break from the humidity is welcome, besides with the release of the new Annual Catalog yesterday it's hot enough all on it's own.  Really, have you checked out the catalog, there's so much I love I can't wait to get my next order for lots of new goodies to play with.  Today the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration blog design team is sharing lots of great ideas for all the upcoming birthdays you have, I never seem to have enough birthday cards.  For today's card I decided to mix old and new for lots of fun, including several of the new 2015-2017 In Colors, which are fabulous! 

The cardbase is Tip Top Taupe and then I added a piece of Soft Sky cardstock that was embossed with the Big Shot and the Polka Dot Embossing Folder.  During last months preorder period demonstrators were able to purchase select items from the new catalog early so we could begin working with them (love that perk of being a demonstrator!!) and the Cherry on Top Designer Series Paper Stack was one those items and I love all the beautiful colors and prints included, so fun.  I created two flags using the DSP and the new Triple Banner Punch.  For the greeting I used the Amazing Birthday stamp set and using Stampin' Write Markers to ink up the stamp before stamping it on Whisper White cardstock, and then cut it out using the Big Shot and Banner Framelits.  The final touch was to add the bow so I used the 1/4" Handheld Punch to punch a hole in the top and then threaded a piece of 1" Watermelon Wonder Lace Trim through and tied in a knot.

This card and colors just makes me smile, which let's be honest is the whole point of birthday cards.  I know I'm going to really have fun with these new In Colors, and so will you so make sure to order them soon so you don't have to wait to play.

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Enjoy,

Diana

Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration Color Challenge SSINKCC22: Traveler

 Good morning!  It’s hard to believe it’s already June, oh my!  Not only is there just a few short weeks left of school but in the Stampin’ Up! world tomorrow’s a very exciting day, it’s the last day to order from the Occasions and Retiring Products catalogs (including My Digital Studio), plus the new 2015-2016 Annual Catalog is released (there is actually a one day overlap so you’ll be able to order from all of these tomorrow only and take advantage one last time of the current Hostess Rewards (I’ll be placing my order tomorrow and am hoping I’ll have my 2013 and 2014 family albums finished in MDS so I can have them printed by Stampin’ Up! one last time!)  Anyway, since it’s the first Monday of the month it’s time for another color challenge over on the Stylin’ Stampin’ INKspiration blog and this month it’s a mix of old and new colors which is fun.  To go along with the theme of old and new I decided to mix old and new items for this card as well (one last hurray!!) 

I started with Mint Macaron (new In Color) for the cardbase and then added a piece of Night of Navy cardstock that was embossed with the Big Shot and Fancy Fans Embossing Folder (retiring) and matted that with Cajun Craze cardstock.  I took a piece of Cajun Craze cardstock and cut it out with the Big Shot and Chalk Talk Framelits and then stamped on it using the Dictionary Background stamp (retiring) with the same color ink.  I also added a piece of the new 1” Mint Macaron Dotted Lace Trim as a fun accent sticking out from the side of the stamped piece.

For the main stamped image I decided to use one of the Personalized Circle Photopolymer stamps (they also retiring, boo!)  It was stamped on Very Vanilla Cardstock with Mink Macaron ink and then punched out with the 1 ¼” Circle Punch.  I created a mat with the 1 3/8” Circle Punch and Cajun Craze cardstock and then the 1 ¾” Scallop Circle Punch and Mint Macaron cardstock for the final layer (I did add little dots in the scallops using my Night of Navy Stampin’ Write Marker.  Dimensionals were used to attach the greeting medallion to the cardfront.

This was a unique color combination but I like the mix and I can’t wait to use all the new In Colors more over the next couple of years.  It was also really fun to play with the personalized stamp I had made, these make great gifts either for addresses, or just personalized greetings, but remember the last day to order these is tomorrow so don’t forget!   The designers are sharing some other great cards so go check them out for further inspiration and come play along.

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 

Enjoy,

Diana

Can You Case it? Design Team - Sketch Challenge CYCI #72

Good morning!  Just popping in to share with you a fun card for this weeks Can You Case It? Sketch challenge and make one last appeal to you to make sure you don’t miss out on a truly awesome product from the Occasions Catalog that will not be available after June 2, that’s the Adventure Abounds Designer Series Paper Stack.  This package has a ton of super awesome graphic prints, as well as photographic prints that are AMAZING!!!  Plus since this is a small package it’s inexpensive and perfect for card making (as well as home décor pieces).  It’s also great for “dude” cards so run, don’t walk, out to make sure you  have this paper in your crafting toolbox.  This paper is perfect for guys so I decided to use it for a Father’s Day card today.

I started with Island Indigo cardstock for the cardbase and then added a piece of the Adventure Abounds DSP (this woodgrain is beautiful!). Instead of adding embellishment accents I decided to stamp directly on the DSP using the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set to mimic these elements.  For the main stamped image I used the Traveler stamp set (it’s perfect since Chris shares and supports my love of travel) and stamped it with Island Indigo ink and then sponged around the edge using Soft Suede ink before matting it with Early Espresso cardstock.  I used a couple different patterns from the DSP stack for the flags and used the new Banner Builder Punch (you will love this!!) to punch the tails on the flags.  The final touch was to stamp the greeting in Mossy Meadow ink using the Guy Greetings stamp set (I was so excited to see that this set is carrying over to next years Annual Catalog.

 

 

 

I love the colors and textures in this card that that you can really achieve with the DSP, it’s a simple and elegant card, plus it’s mailable, and it’s always a great thing to get a head start on those Father’s Day cards!  Make sure to check out the other design team creations for further inspiration and then come play along, we love to see what others create.

 

 

 

 

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

                                                          

I hope you enjoyed today’s card and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Diana

Sketch Frenzy Friday Sketch Challenge: Perfect Blend

Good morning!  It’s Friday and for the first time this month, I don’t have a race and we’re keeping things nice and quiet here at some so we can just relax and recharge (of course Aidan is already planning on some visits to the pool, big shock!)  Of course since it’s Friday it’s time for another Sketch Frenzy Friday sketch challenge and I’ve also combined this with the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration blog retiring favorites post.  This week I’m sharing the Perfect Blend stamp set, one that I wasn’t sold on when it was first released but it’s come to be a fun favorite. 

I started with Soft Suede for the cardbase and then added a piece of Garden Green and Cherry Cobbler DSP from the Regals Designer Series Paper Stack (retiring).  For the main stamped element I started with Very Vanilla cardstock and I wanted to make it look like there were coffee stains so I started stamping some splotches using Crumb Cake ink and the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set.  For the cup rings I decided to do something crazy and used my water glass and stamped the bottom of it in Soft Suede ink and then “stamped” it on the cardstock so I got these fun rings.  I stamped the greeting using Cherry Cobbler ink.  Some of the corners were rounded on the different DSP and cardstock layers using the Project Life Corner Rounder Punch.

Of course I had to make a super cute coffee cup so I stamped the cup multiple times, on Whisper White (cup lid), Crumb Cake (cup body), and Garden Green DSP (for the coffee sleeve) and cut out the different pieces using Paper Snips and glued them together.  I used dimensionals to attach to the coffee cup to the cardfront. 

Even though I don’t drink coffee, I know lots of friends who love it and this card is so warm that it’s fun to let those special people in our lives how much they mean to us (and you can always have hot cocoa at coffee shops which I do enjoy!).  You check out the other design team cards for further ideas and their retiring favorite items and then play along.

 

 

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Have a great weekend,

Diana

Fab Friday Sketch Challenge: Cheery Hello Wishes

Good morning!  While it was definitely hard to head back to work yesterday after the long holiday weekend the fact that we’re already at Wednesday and the midpoint of this week is a little bonus. Today I decided to change things up and have a little fun with a sketch challenge over on the Fab Friday blog, this is one of the challenge blogs I love to play along with and it’s been awhile so this is fun.  Since we only have a week left to enjoy all the fun things in theis years Occasions catalog, as well as the retiring products I decided to use several of the items in this card for fun. 

I started with Tangelo Twist for the cardbase and then layered a piece of Hello Honey cardstock that was embossed with the Big Shot and Tiny Triangles Embossing Folder.  Next I cut a piece of the Birthday Bash Speciality Designer Series Paper and attached it along the side of the card.  I took another of the DSP prints (this is one of my favorites from this package and matted it with Old Olive cardstock.  I added a bow using the White/Tangerine Tango Two-Tone Trim (love how soft this is). 

 

 

For a little fun, instead of stamping the greeting I used one of the dies from the Label Card Thinlit Die (retiring) and cut it out using Bermuda Bay cardstock.  Since the die doesn’t have a dot for the “i” I thought it would fun to use one of the Bermuda Bay Sequins from the trim as the accent to my “i”.   

What do you think, this card is so bright and cheery, it’s in your face and you can’t help but smile.  Perfect to lift anyone’s day! 

 

 

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Happy Stamping,

Diana

Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration Masculine Monday: Blue Ribbon

Happy Memorial Day! It's going to be a beautiful day to relax, spend time with friends and family, and remember those service members who have and continue to sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy, we are forever grateful!

Today on the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration blog it's all about the guys in our lives and once again the designers have come up with some great ideas to share.  I will admit this was a little last minute for me so I decided to make a graduation card and used lots of retiring products which I've been showcasing this month.

I started with Baked Brown Sugar for the cardbase and then added piece of Hello Honey cardstock that was embossed with the Big Shot and Alphabet Press Embossing Folder, and then I sponged all over it using Baked Brown Sugar ink.  I added a piece of 1 1/4" Burlap Ribbon and 3/8" Mossy Meadow Stitched Satin Ribbon for texture.

Next I stamped on another piece of Baked Brown Sugar cardstock using the Truly Grateful stamp set and Mossy Meadow ink and then sponged it with the same Baked Brown Sugar ink.  The greeting is from the Blue Ribbon stamp set and we used Stampin' Write Markers and Very Vanilla cardstock and then punched it out with the  1 3/8" Circle Punch.  A mat was created with Basic Black cardstock and the Scallop Circle Punch.  Dimensionals were used on both stamped layers for lots of lift and pop.

I love the text of this stamp set and the aged look it provides, perfect to wish the new graduate lots of success in their next adventure.  Make sure to check out the other great cards the design team shared for lots of fun.

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend!

Diana

Can You Case it? Design Team - Sketch Challenge CYCI #71

Happy Sunday!  The start of the holiday weekend has been going great and ready to enjoy two more days.  I know this may shock you but I have another race this morning (I know, after this one there really is a break for awhile, but I couldn’t pass up this opportunity so we’ll see how today goes, at least it’s cooler than last Sunday!  For this weeks Can You Case It? Sketch challenge we were given a color challenge to use at least two of the 2013-2015 In Colors (they will be retiring on June 2) along with gold, and you know my love of bling so this was fun to see what I could come up with, I also used LOTS of retiring products in this card, just because I can!

I started with Baked Brown Sugar cardstock for the cardbase and then added a piece of Pistachio Pudding cardstock that I embossed with the Big Shot and the Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder (this was one of the first embossing folders we ever came out with and I love it and crying inside that it’s retiring (thankfully I not only have mine but a backup so I’ll be polka dot crazy as long as I want!!)  Next I added a piece of Lullaby Designer Series Paper (it’s great using DSP for more than the presented theme) and matted it with Hello Honey cardstock.  I wrapped a piece of Coastal Cabana Thick Baker’s Twine around the DSP layer for fun.

For the main stamped image I used the Bootiful Occasions stamp set and stamped the boot in Baked Brown Sugar ink on Whisper White cardstock and colored it in with Stampin’ Write Markers before cutting it out with the Big Shot and the Label Collection Framelits (also retiring).  I cut a mat for the stamped image using the same framelits and some Gold Foil Cardstock and then embossed it with the Fancy Fans Embossing Folder.  The final touch was to add the greeting; it’s stamped on So Saffron cardstock and punched out with the Large Oval Punch and then matted with Baked Brown Sugar cardstock and the Scalloped Oval Punch. 

I love the colors in this card, these have been some of my favorite in colors as a set and are sad to say goodbye but we have some fun new one’s coming that we will love just as much. Make sure to check out the other design team creations for further inspiration and then come play along, we love to see what others create.

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 

I hope you enjoyed today’s card and have a Happy and Safe Memorial Day!

Diana