Can You Case it? Design Team - Sketch Challenge CYCI #84

Good morning!  We’re officially home and while we had a fabulous and relaxing vacation school starts tomorrow so we’re trying to get everything in place for an easy transition back to the school routine.  Before all that gets started, it’s time for another edition of the Can You Case It? weekly challenge and this week we have a great sketch challenge that Elizabeth provided and I was excited to use one of the new catalog items that has been delayed for awhile and it finally arrived in the studio so I was excited to use it. I have to admit, when I saw the Sprinkles of Life stamp set as a preorder item for the Annual Catalog I wasn’t completely sold on it but I’ve see so many wonderful cards using it (plus we all know my love of cupcakes and ice cream so this should have been a no brainer!) so I ordered it later in June and then the Tree Building Punch was so popular it’s deliver was a little delayed.  This stamp set is this years Ronald McDonald House Charities set and Stampin’ Up! donates $3 for each stamp set sold to this charity so buying this set really is a “win-win.”

I started with Tip Top Taupe cardstock for the cardbase and then added a piece of Pool Party cardstock and embossed it with the Big Shot and Arrows Embossing Folder.  Next I added a strip of Cherry on Top Designer Series Paper that was matted with Cucumber Crush cardstock.  To frame my cupcakes I added a piece of Whisper White cardstock and matted it with Island Indigo cardstock.  For the cupcake I stamped the cake part in Tip Top Taupe ink directly on my white square and colored it in using my blender pen.  For the cupcake frosting I stamped the image on Watermelon Wonder and Crushed Curry cardstock using the same color ink and then punched it out with the Tree Builder Punch.

The greeting of course uses the same stamp set and I just used the Project Life Tags and Cards Framelits to cut out the shape and added rhinestones to each end before attaching it with dimensionals.

Now I realize I added two layers of frosting on my cupcake, but come on the frosting is the best part so a little more never a bad thing!  I had so much fun with this card and all the products, perfect for a birthday greeting!  The other design team members came up with some great cards you should go check out for inspiration and then play along (try using this sketch for your next project and see how you like it!!)

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Enjoy the last day of freedom before school starts tomorrow!!!

Diana

SSINKspiration Mystery Supply Challenge: Remarkable You

Good morning!  We made it to Vero Beach last night and after several days of being on the go all day, we’re starting the relaxing part of our vacation and looking forward to several days of beach and pool fun.  Today over on the Stylin’Stampin’ INKspiration blog we’re we decided to change things up and do a Mystery Basket Challenge.  This is kind of like “Chopped”, each designer that wanted to participate signed up and we were randomly assigned another designer and we mailed the designer 3 items, could be a stamped image, DSP, ribbon, etc. and incorporating those three items the designer needs to complete a project.  Jenn Campbell was the designer who mailed me my mystery basket and I will admit she stumped me at first with the two metallic items (you know I love my bling but I usually only use one item of bling on each card so I had to think on this one for awhile).

I started with Calypso Coral cardstock for the cardbase and then added a piece of Basic Black cardstock that I embossed with the Big Shot and the Decorative Dots Embossing Folder. I added a piece of Watermelon Wonder paper from the 2015-2017 In Colors Envelope Paper and matted it with Cucumber Crush cardstock and wrapped the 1/8” Silver Taffeta Ribbon around the DSP layer before attaching it to the cardfront.

Jenn had already provided the stamped flower image (from the Remarkable You stamp set) and I colored it in using Calypso Coral, Watermelon Wonder, and Cucumber Crush Stampin’ Write Markers.  I used the Big Shot and Oval Collection Framelits to cut out the image and attached it to the cardfront with dimensionals.  I took the piece of Silver Sequin Trim and folded it in half and tucked it behind the flower piece for the added bling.  The final element was to add the greeting, using the Something to Say stamp set and stamped it in Watermelon Wonder ink, punched it out with the 1 ¼” Circle Punch and then matted it with a Cucumber Crush piece that was punched out with the 1 3/8” Circle Punch and attached with dimensionals.

Adding all the pops of color and splash of black really helped offset the Silver and white elements that was blending with my eye.  I also really enjoyed coloring in the flower since I don’t have this stamp set, thanks Jenn for the challenge.  Make sure to check out the other cards the design team shared.  We had a lot of fun with this “mystery basket” and I can’t wait to do it again.

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

                                                            

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

Diana

2015 Holiday Catalog Preview: Cozy Christmas

Good morning!  One week from today the Holiday catalog will be officially released and everyone can start ordering for their holiday cards and projects.  I have to say that this is one of the best Holiday catalogs I’ve seen, I’m really in love with ALMOST everything in the catalog (yes my wallet is crying!!).  I will say that if there are products, kits, etc. that are on your must have list, please order early to ensure you have all the product you need in time (we’ve seen how popular our kits have been in the past so I would imagine that some of them may have delays in shipments due to backorders (just guessing) and I would hate for you to miss out, so consider yourself warned and order early!

While I was in Salt Lake City for convention last month we had the opportunity see, and play with some of the wonderful products so today I thought I would share one of the Make & Take Projects, using the Cozy Christmas Product Suite, to wet your whistle.

I started with Pool Party cardstock for the cardbase and then added a piece of Old Olive cardstock that I embossed with the Big Shot and Stylish Stripes Embossing Folder. Next I used two pieces of the Home for Christmas Designer Series Pack and offset them.  Next I took a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock and stamped the greeting in Old Olive ink using the Cozy Christmas stamp set.

Isn’t this little Santa cute?  One of the patterns in the DSP package is full of the Santa images and I just cute one out using my Paper Snips and attached him to the cardfront with dimensionals.  This paper is awesome, it is all watercolor inspired and several of prints have the larger images that would be perfect to paper pierce and use as is (other than fussy cutting).  In addition to the Santa, it’s really the new embellishments that really amp up the WOW factor on this card.  I used a piece of Very Vanilla 1 ¼” Subtle Stripes Satin Ribbon (attached with a staple) and one of the new Home for Christmas Designer Buttons (this one looks like a poinsettia) and it has a piece of Old Olive Baker’s Twine tied in the center.

I love all the coordinating elements in this product suite (as well as several others in the catalog) that work so well together and make beautiful cards really easy to make.  You could easily make this card by the dozens if you wanted (enjoy a movie while cutting out all your little Santa’s to really make the time go by).

Below are easy ordering links for the products used on today’s card (links for products in the Holiday catalog will be live on September 1):

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Have a great day!

Diana

SSINKspiration Masculine Monday: Guy Greetings

Good morning!  Even though I’m away there’s always time for a little creativity so this morning I’m back and sharing a super easy card for this months Masculine Monday post over on the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration blog.  I’ll admit these posts are great to help force myself to work on those “dude” cards that aren’t typically our go to theme and since I have a lot of guys in my life I like to make sure I have a stock of cards, perfect for them and any occasion and the Guy Greetings stamp set is so perfect all types of “dude” cards.

I started with Crumb Cake cardstock for the cardbase and then added a piece of  Soft Suede cardstock and I used the shoe image to stamp a line of shoes along the bottom using Soft Suede ink.  Next I added a large piece of Chocolate Chips Designer Series Paper from the Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stack.  Next I took a piece of Delightful Dijon cardstock that I embossed with the Big Shot and the Chevron Embossing Folder (I crumbled it up and then sponged all over the embossed piece with Soft Suede ink to help highlight the chevrons and age the cardstock). 

The greeting is from the same stamp set and was stamped on Whisper White cardstock with soft Suede ink, punched out with the Extra Large Oval Punch and then sponged around the edges before attaching to the cardfrot with dimensionals.  For a final touch a took a Gold Metal Button and threaded two pieces of Early Espresso Baker’s Twine through the button holes and then tied a double bow and attached it to the cardfront with a glue dot.

I’ll admit, I really to have lots of textures and dimensions on cards but especially masculine cards to help elevate them.  Make sure to check out the other cards the design team shared, I’m sure you’ll find the perfect idea for your next dude project. 

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 day!

Diana

Can You Case it? Design Team - Sketch Challenge CYCI #83

Happy Sunday!  We’ve arrived safely and are enjoying the start to vacation.  Today we’re heading to Universal Studios and Harry Potter World will be our first stop (we’ve been looking forward to this experience for the past year!!)  For this weeks Can You Case It? Sketch challenge we were given a theme “school” and were given complete discretion on how we use that theme in our project.  I decided to make a gift for Aidan’s teacher to give on the first day of school, which is just one week away. 

I started with Crumb Cake cardstock and ran it through the Big Shot using the new Baker’s Box Thinlits Die (this thinlit set is awesome, you can customize how you want to close your box and also has lots of little pieces to use to decorate your box or on any other projects you desire). 

After cutting out the box (you need two pieces and can cut a box out of one piece of 8 ½ x 11 cardstock (with a little left over) I stamped both pieces using the Writing Notes stamp set using Tempting Turquoise ink.  Fast Fuse adhesive  made putting this box together a breeze (I have to admit I had a lot of problems with this adhesive when I first got it but once I found out my handle was broken and I got a new one I’ve had no issues and am quite happy with it!).

Once again I used the Schoolhouse Designer Series Paper and wrapped a piece around the box and then used two other patterns for the flags and punched them out using the Banner Punch (small banner) and Triple Banner Punch (larger one).  For the greeting I used the  All Boxed Up stamp set and used Stampin’ Write Markers to ink the stamp before stamping on Whisper White cardstock and then punched out using one of pieces from the Baker’s Box Thinlits Die and attached it with dimensionals.   After filling the box I just closed it using a piece of Pacific Point 3/8” Stitched Satin Ribbon (this ribbon is beautiful and ties so easily!!)

I had a lot of fun with this box and will definitely be using this die set again (the boxes are really easy and it holds quite a lot.)  It has some chocolately treats that I’m sure Aidan’s teacher will enjoy once all the kiddos are back in class, haha!!  The designers are sharing some great projects so go check them out and then see if you can use the inspiration for any of your upcoming projects.

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 

Have a great Sunday and happy crafting!

Diana

SSINKspiration Christmas Cards: Lots of Joy

Happy Friday!  I know there’s a lot going on but I decided that you needed a little more inspiration heading into this weekend and since there are only 17 more Friday’s until Christmas (don’t shoot the messenger) I thought I would share with you a Christmas card I made.  The Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration blog is sharing lots of Christmas ideas today so we’re sure to help get you started thinking about the holidays even as summer is winding down.  It’s the last day of July, can’t believe we’re starting to think about summer winding down.

I started with Cherry Cobbler cardstock for the cardbase and then added a piece of Crumb Cake cardstock that was embossed with the Big Shot and Brick Wall Embossing Folder (I sponged all over it with Crumb Cake ink to really help the bricks pop).  Next I punched out a piece of Merry Moments Designer Series Paper with the 2 ½” Circle Punch for the back circle and used Mossy Meadow cardstock, the Chevron Embossing Folder and the 1 ¾” Circle Punch for the second circle.  The greeting is from the Lots of Joy stamp set and I used Stampin’ Write Markers to color it in and stamped on Whisper White cardstock before punching I out with the 1 3/8” Circle Punch and popping it up with dimensionals.  The final touches on this card are a blingy star using Gold Glimmer Paper and the star punch from the Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack and some Mossy Meadow 5/8” Striped Cotton Ribbon.

I have to say, this card comes together really easily and doesn’t use a ton of supplies so it would be really easy to mass produce and mail easily (and around the holidays things given with a homemade touch that are easy are perfect!)

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

                                                              

I hope this card has you starting to think a little about the holidays and what you want to do to make it special for you and your family.   Take care!

Diana

Sketch Frenzy Friday Sketch Challenge: Words of Truth

Happy Friday!  Last day before vacation and the excitements in the air and my “to do” list is only growing, but it’ll all get done and then we can relax.  Of course I have a little creative inspiration for you today with a new Sketch Frenzy Friday Sketch Challenge.  Elizabeth gave us this great layout and as soon as I saw it thought it would be perfect to showcase a “new to me” stamp set Words of Truth.   This stamp set is so fun, I love the quirky sayings that are light and fun. 

I started with Garden Green cardstock for the cardbase and then added a piece of Tangerine Tango cardstock that was embossed with the Big Shot and the Chevron Embossing Folder.  I added a strip of Schoolhouse Designer Series Paper (I’ve been using this DSP a lot lately and love it!!)  I added come candy dots along the top right side to show off several of the colors in the DSP and used dots from the Brights, Subtles, and Regals Candy Dots packs.

The greeting using the Words of Truth stamp set and was stamped using Pacific Point and Garden Green ink on Whisper White cardstock.  Next I took a piece of Whisper White cardstock and stamped on the one large.  I also used ½ of a Silver Foil Doily under the greeting for a fun, sparkly element.

Every time I see this stamp set and DSP it just makes me happy and smile and can’t wait to share the smiles when I send this card (you’ve got to mail the cards you make so you can spread the joy plus let’s be honest you can only keep so much at your house before they hubby questions the “need” for new things!!).  The design team is also sharing some great designs so go check them out and come 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 Meets SSINKspiration Stamp Set Focus: Writing Notes

Good morning!  The arrival of Wednesday always makes me a little happy since I know I can see the weekend on the horizon, and we have vacation coming up so while there’s a lot to do, I can’t wait.  Today I decided to do double duty and combine this weeks Fab Friday Sketch Challenge with the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration blog stamp set focus, on background stamps.  With all our fabulous designer series paper sometimes our background stamps set overlooked but I love them and today I used one of my favorites Writing Notes.  This set is perfect for all sorts of projects, especially related to school and all the associated fun.

I started with Basic Gray cardstock for the cardbase and then added a piece of Schoolhouse Designer Series Paper (the colors and prints in this pack are so fun, I’m in love!!) and then layered a piece of Whisper White cardstock on top that was stamped with the Writing Notes background stamp (I used Real Red and Pacific Point Stampin’ Write Markers to color in the stamp so you get the classic look of ruled paper.  Along the bottom I added a piece of Pacific Point 3/8” Stitched Satin Ribbon that was ruffled up, along with a star strip that was cut out using Daffodil Delight cardstock and one of the thinlits from the Mini Treatbag Thinlits set.  I also added a red star using a die from the same set and some Real Red Glimmer Paper.

The greeting is from the All Boxed Up stamp set (a new one in my collection), you know I love WhooHoo so this stamp is perfect!  For some added fun I stamped some Legos from the Boys will be Boys stamp set on a piece of scrap paper and after coloring them in cut them out with Paper Snips and then attached them to the cardfront with dimensionals.

I absolutely love how this card turned out and how I could use several different stamp sets and they all worked out, and the colors just scream school (I may have to keep this in my stash to give the little man when we have something to celebrate or just to lift his spirits!!  I had a sneak peak at some of the other design team cards and I love how we used such a variety of background stamps so you’ll get lots of great ideas.

 

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 

Happy Stamping,

Diana

Can You Case it? Design Team - Sketch Challenge CYCI #82

Happy Sunday!  What a nice and relaxing weekend (and a little break in humidity isn’t the worst thing in the world).  Today after my run and Chris’ softball games it’s time for some relaxing at the pool and crafting (is there anything better???)  To get things started it’s time for another edition of the Can You Case It? weekly challenge and I decided to give you sneak peek at some fun new items from the Holiday Catalog to wet your appetite (you’re going to love it!!!)

I started with Tangelo Twist cardstock for the cardbase and then added a piece of Basic Gray cardstock that was embossed with the Big Shot and Decorative Dots Embossing Folder.  Next I added a piece of Happy Haunting Designer Series Paper and matted it with Rich Razzleberry cardstock.  I took another piece of the DSP, matted it with Basic Black cardstock and stamped the greeting from the And Many More stamp set using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink.

I used the new Sweet Hauntings stamp set to stamp the cute little bottle using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink on Rich Razzleberry cardstock and then cut it out with Paper Snips before attaching it with dimensionals.  For a fun little accent I added a little piece of Silver Sequin Trim peeking out from behind the bottle.

This was my first Halloween card for the season and by only using a few of the great new products that are coming up I know there are lots of fun cards and crafts in my future (can we say Black Glimmer Paper???)

 

 

 

 

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Have an enjoyable Sunday!

Diana

Sketch Frenzy Friday Card Sketch: Celebrate Today

Good morning!  It’s another Friday and since this is the last full weekend we have at home before school starts we haven’t jam packed it with activities (yet, I know there’s still time).  Looking forward to some fun this evening stamping with the ladies at my first Paper Pumpkin Play Date (it’s a fun event so if you want to come just send me a text we would love to have you) and then I have a list a mile long of things I would like to get done before vacation.  This week Patrice provided the sketch challenge over on the Sketch Frenzy Friday blog.  I had in mind part of what I wanted to do for this card but I was struggling with the background until I was looking through my pack of Cherry on Top Designer Series Paper that just screamed background, so away I went! 

 

 

I started with Bermuda Bay cardstock for the cardbase and then added a piece of Cherry on Top Designer Series Paper that was matted with Daffodil Delight cardstock for a little extra color.  The stamp set I used for this card is Celebrate Today, the greeting was stamped along the bottom using Cucumber Crush Ink.  To make the balloon I stamped the dots and stars image on Watermelon Wonder cardstock using Whisper White Craft Ink and used my Heat Tool (on the low setting) to set the ink before cutting it out with the Big Shot and Balloons Framelits (so easy!!)  Next I cut a piece of Cucumber Crush 1” Lace Trim and just cut a small piece of the edge off and tied it in a bow and used Whisper White Baker’s Twine to make the balloon strings.  Dimensionals are a must on this card so it isn’t too flat.

I didn’t know how this card would look when I was finished but it’s cute and cheery, perfect to celebrate a happy occasion.  The design team is sharing some other great cards so please, go check them out for further inspiration and then play along and share your creation so we can all enjoy! 

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 

Have a great weekend and enjoy the beautiful weather!

Diana

SSINKspiration Blog Hop: Annual Catalog Bundles

Good morning!  It’s the second Thursday of the month, and while we’re all having lots of summer fun it’s also time for another blog hop with the Stylin’ Stampin’ INKspiration designers.  With the release of the annual catalog there are even more product bundles than ever before help make our projects quick and easy, and save money at the same time (I love it!!!) so for this months hop we’ve decided to showcase each of our favorite bundles.  There are a lot of bundles that I love but anyone who knows me knows I love stars so the Be the Star bundle (stamp set and coordinating Star Framelits) was a no brainer.  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 - Heidi at Stuck on Stampin'.  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 love to send little notes in Aidan’s backpack and lunchbox throughout the year so I decided to use this bundle to make a card to tuck in Aidan’s backpack for the first day of school (a little over two weeks away, oh my!!)  I started with Pool Party cardstock for the cardbase and then added a piece of designer series paper (DSP) from the Schoolhouse Designer Series Paper Package (love the patterns in this package!!)  Next I took a square of Pacific Point cardstock embossed with the Big Shot and Lucky Star Embossing Folder and then crumpled it up for texture.  On top of this I layered another piece of the DSP (you’ll notice I folded the top right corner now, and added a little stapler using the Handheld Stapler for some additional color).  To the top left I used the 1/8” Handheld Circle Punch and punched a hole before threading some Whisper White 3/8” Stitched Satin Ribbon through the hole and tied a bow around the ribbon using some Basic Black Baker’s Twine.

Next I used the Be the Star stamp set and stamped a double star on Daffodil Delight cardstock using Pacific Point ink and I stamped the greeting on Whisper White cardstock using Tangelo Twist ink before cutting them out using the Big Shot and Star Collection Framelits.  I sponged around the greeting using Garden Green ink.  Aidan loves a little glitter and bling (a kid after my heart) so I cut a smaller star using the framelits and Silver Glimmer Paper.  I used dimensionals just to pop up the Silver Glimmer star.  Since Aidan will be starting 5^th grade this year was to add 5 tiny stars that were cut out of Basic Gray cardstock and the Confetti Stars Border Punch.

The colors and textures on this card are so fun and really have that “school” feel, I love it and can’t wait to hear when Aidan finds it.

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 Jennifer’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. Jennifer at Happy 2 Scrap 4 Life
3. Cynthia at Ink-A-Doodle Creations
4. Leanne at Literally My Joy
5. Bree at Craft-Somnia Momma
6. Jenny at Jenny G Paper Crafts
7. Kim at Stamping with Kim
8. Heidi at Stuck on Stampin'

 

Enjoy,

Diana

Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration Sketch Challenge SSINKCC24: Lots of Joy

Good morning and Happy Monday!  What  wonderful and relaxing weekend, you always hate for them to end but I'm looking forward to another great week.  To get things started I have  fun card for this month's Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration blog card sketch and decided to make my first Christmas card of the season (yes the holiday season is right around the corner!!) and mixed some great items from the Annual Catalog as well as a little sneak peak from the upcoming Holiday Catalog, this catalog is awesome you are sure to love it!!!




I started with Cherry Cobbler for the cardbase and then added a piece of Crumb Cake cardstock and embossed it with the Big Shot and Polka Dot embossing folder.  Next I used the 1/2" Circle Punch to create a mask and then used the Hello December 2015 stamp set (from the Holiday Catalog) and stamped a little snowflake in each of the polka dots (love this super easy technique that really adds a little pizzazz to your background.  Next I use the Merry Moments Designer Series Paper and trimmed down several different patterns to different sizes so it looks like packages.  I even wrapped some Old Olive Baker's Twine around the cardfront and tied a double bow for the top of one of the packages.

For the greeting I used the Lots of Joy stamp set and inked it up with Stampin' Write Markers and attached it to the cardfront with dimensionals for the final package.

I had a lot of fun with this card and can't wait for all the great holiday projects are in my future and Stampin' Up! really makes it easy with all the coordinating products, perfect!  You can get further inspiration by checking out the other design team cards 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 day!

Diana