SSINKspiration Mystery Challenge #SSINKMC28: Groovy Love Birthday

Good morning!  If you're like me and on the East coast we spent the weekend hunkering down and waiting out the snow storm and then working to dig out (I'm still so sore, can barely lift my arms).  Since it's the start of a new week it's time for a new challenge over on the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration blog, this time it's the mystery challenge.  We were given 5 items that we needed to incorporate any combination of in a project, I decided to go with gusto and use all 5 elements, not as easy as it sounds.

I started with Whisper White Thick cardstock for the cardbase (this stuff is great) and then added a piece of Bermuda Bay cardstock and then Watermelon Wonder cardstock that was embossed with the Big Shot and the Happy Heart Embossing Folder.  Next I took a piece of Wild Wasabi cardstock and the Hearts Border Punch and then added Silver Glimmer Paper behind it so the hearts sparkle and then I added a piece of 1 1/4" Bermuda Bay Striped Grosgrain Ribbon that I punched up by attaching with Fast Fuse adhesive.

For the heart stamped image I started by taking a piece of Whisper White cardstock and heat embossed the heart from the Groovy Love stamp set using the heat tool and Whisper White Embossing Powder.  Next I good ink in my 3 colors and sponge daubers and applied the ink so it has a tye-dyed effect before cutting it out with the Big Shot and Circle Collection Framelits and then matted it with a piece of Whisper White cardstock that I cut out with the 2 1/2" Circle Punch.  The greeting is from the new Suite Sayings stamp set and was stamped in Wild Wasabi ink on Whisper White cardstock before cutting it out with the XL Oval Punch and then sponging the edges with Watermelon Wonder ink before attaching the greeting to the cardfront with dimensionals.

This card is lots of fun and I made it for a young girl and thought the bright colors and tye-dyed look is so fresh and fun, she'll love it!  The other designers are sharing some great ideas for inspiration and then come join us and play along!

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Enjoy,

Diana

Hand Stamped Sentiments Color Challenge: Botanicals for You

Happy Friday!  Another weekend is just about here which always makes for something to look forward to.  A friend had a birthday earlier this week so I decided to use the Hand Stamped SentimentsColor challenge as the starting point for her card (and since her birthday is already past I’m good to share her card since I really liked how it turned out).

For this card I started with Sahara Sand cardstock for the cardbase and then added a piece of Elegant Eggplant cardstock that was embossed with the Big Shot and the Polka Dot Embossing Folder.  Next I added a piece of Typeset Speciality Designer Series Paper and sponged all over it with Elegant Eggplant ink.  For the greeting I used the Botanicals for You stamp set (FREE during Sale-a-bration) and stamped the words in Elegant Eggplant on Sahara Sand cardstock.  I also used the little stem type stamp from the stamp to stamp some designs around the edge using Always Artichoke ink.  This piece was sponged around the edge with Sahara Sand ink and then matted with Always Artichoke cardstock.  Then I added the rest of the greeting on a smaller flag piece using Very Vanilla cardstock and Always Artichoke ink.  I used my bone folder to curl the ribbon so when it was attached to the card it looks like its waving and has some movement.  As a final touch I added a Very Vintage Designer Button and tied a bow using Gold Baker’s Twine in the center of the bow.

 

 

 

This card has a fun mix of retro elements along with the more modern fonts of the text that changes things up, I hope my friend enjoyed her card!

 

 

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!

Diana

Mashup: SSINKspiration Valentine's Meetings Proverbial Stampers Sketch Challenge

 Good morning!  It’s another freezing cold day here in VA but we’re  sharing Valentine’s projects today over on the Stylin' Stampin' INKspirationblog which always warms me up.  I also decided to combine this theme and use the Proverbial Stampers Sketch Challenge since as soon as I saw it I knew it would work perfectly for hearts.  I also had fun mixing old and new stamp sets for a really fun card.

I started with Cherry Cobbler cardstock for the cardbase (not something I usually reach for on Valentine’s but it works great with the warmer Very Vanilla cardbase so I knew it would work.  Next I took a piece of Basic Black cardstock to mat the Very Vanilla cardbase and then used the new Timeless Textures stamp set (this set is sure to be a classic along with Gorgeous Grunge) to stamp several different images using Crumb Cake, Basic Black, and Cherry Cobbler ink.  Next I took the Sweetheart Punch and punched out a heart using the Basic Black DSP (from the Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stack and sponged it to soften the white text, a couple of hearts using the Kraft Corrugated cardstock (I haven’t used this paper much and it’s fabulous!!).  For the final two hearts I stamped them using the Groovy Love stamp set.  I layered all the hearts together and used a dimensional just on the middle heart so it pops up!  Before attaching the cardfront to the cardbase I wrapped a piece of Gold Baker’s Twine around the layers and tied a small bow in the top.

For the greeting I used the Going Global stamp set and stamped it in Cherry Cobbler ink on Very Vanilla cardstock and then punched it out with the Oval Punch.  I layered it with an oval punched using the same punch and some Gold Glimmer Paper.  Dimensionals were used to pop up the top layer of the greeting.

This is such an elegant card that isn’t over the top with bling but all the colors and textures really work well together, I love it!!  There are some other great Valentine’s cards being shared by the design team make sure to check them out, I’m sure you’ll find just the right inspiration for your next project.

 

 

 

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 Enjoy,

Diana

Paper Craft Crew Sketch Challenge: 2016 SAB and Remembering Your Birthday

Good afternoon!  Oh boy, the week is starting off crazy, I completely forgot to schedule today’s post and I always like to provide some Monday inspiration so I figure better late than never.  I decided to use this weeks Paper Craft Crew sketch challenge as the inspiration for a super fun and cheery birthday card (perfect since it’s super cold today to help brighten the day), it also uses some of the beautiful designer series paper you can earn FREE during Sale-a-bration, which is awesome and makes is easy to pull together a beautiful card in no time!

I started with Calypso Coral cardstock for the cardbase and then added a piece of Botanical Gardens Designer Series Paper (FREE during Sale-a-bration).  Next I took a piece of Hello Honey cardstock and cut it out with the Big Shot and the Floral Frames Framelits and then embossed it with the Delicate Dots Embossing Folder as a base before adding another strip of coordinating Designer Series Paper.  The greeting is from the Remember Your Birthday stamp set and was stamped in Old Olive ink on Whisper White cardstock and attached it to the cardfront with dimensionals. 

I added a couple fun elements to finish off the card, a small banner at the bottom left of the greeting using the Banner Punch and the same designer series paper package.  In the top right of the design element I cut a circle using the 7/8” Scallop Circle Punch and Calypso Coral cardstock as a mat for an Old Olive Button (from the Brights Designer Buttons) and tied a bow using Crushed CurryBaker’s Twine.  The final touch was to add a few rhinestones around the design element (you know me and my need for bling!)

I don’t know about you but I’m always in need of birthday cards (frequently at the last minute) so it’s good to have a variety in my card stash ready to go and this card will be perfect for anyone of the springtime birthday’s I have coming up!

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 Have a great evening!

Diana

SSINKspiration Blop Hop: Occasions Favorites

Good morning, boy has winter arrived and really made his presence known, it’s cold!  Despite the cold weather things are hot right now in the studio with the arrival of the Occasions catalog and the start of Sale-a-bration (this is a great time of year!)  It’s also time for the first blog hop of the year for the Stylin’ Stampin’ INKspiration team and for this months blog hop we’re sharing our favorite items from the Occasions catalog and I can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with.  There are so many great items in the Occasions catalog but the Going Places product suite was a must have on my early preorder so I’ve been able to really have fun with these items and have a couple of great projects I’m sharing today.

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 #3 on the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration Blog Hop - Jennifer at Jenny G's Paper Crafts. 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.

To start I’m sharing this beautiful card that has lots of great texture and bling that really dresses it up.  I started with Delightful Dijon cardstock and then embossed a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock (for the embossing, I used the new, and super fabulous World Traveler Embossing Folder (trust me, you want this embossing folder in your toolbox, this awesome!) and before embossing I inked the front side of the embossing folder with Soft Suede ink and then ran it through the Big Shot so the ink was transferred to the debossed parts of the image.  Ok, so let me be honest, if you’re not careful you can get a little ink transfer in the raised parts if you don’t notice ink in that part of the folder before you emboss as happened in this case, my solution??  This super glittery star strategically placed and I used Gold Glimmer Paper and the start punch from the Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack to fix my boo-boo!

Next I added a piece of Going Places Designer Series Paper (this paper stack has some great images for lots of different uses) and then added a piece of Mossy Meadow 3/8” Stitched Cotton Ribbon.  I used the coordinating Going Global Stamp set to stamp the compass on Lost Lagoon cardstock with Mossy Meadow ink and then punched it out with the 2” Circle Punch and added a single gold sequin from the Metallics Sequin Pack in the center of the compass.  The greeting was stamped on Crumb Cake cardstock, also with Mossy Meadow ink and then I used Paper Snips to cut the tails and then sponged the piece with Soft Suede ink before attaching it to the cardfront with dimensionals.

I decided to make a second item, this time a box, using the same stamp set and different papers for a pretty Valentine’s gift package.  I started by taking a piece of Basic Black cardstock and made a box using the Gift Box Punch Board (these punch boards are really great for making lots of different boxes of all different sizes and dimensions (FYI…this size box used an 8 x 8 piece of cardstock and will hold a gift card and lots of pieces of candy, perfect for Valentine’s).  Then I added pieces of Love Blossoms Designer Series Paper to really help soften the black and then I tied a piece of Gold Satin Ribbon around the box with a big, fat bow!  For the tag I used the Going Global stamp set and stamped the globe image using Real Red Ink on Pink Pirouette cardstock and then punched it out with the 2” Circle Punch.  I stamped the greeting in Basic Black after punching out the tag and added a few of the heart shaped sequins (also in the Metallics Sequin Pack)  for some bling and then punched a hole using a handheld punch and tied the tag on using Gold Baker’s Twine.

 

 

 

 

This Going Global stamp set has so many uses, I’ll definitely be using it for lots of my Valentine’s projects, love its versatility.

 

 

 

 

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

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 Kim’s site but you can also access any of the hopper’s site from the full blog list below.

 

Blog Hop Participant List:

1. Darcy at Dj's Stampin Place
2. Tobe at The Craft Sea
3. Jennifer at Jenny G's Paper Crafts
4. Diana at Stampin' Fun with Diana
5. Kim at Stamping with Kim
6. Leanne at Literally My Joy
7. Heidi at Stuck on Stampin'

Enjoy,

Diana

Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration Card Sketch SSINKCS29: Oh My Goodies

Happy Monday!  One of the things I absolute love to celebrate (and I love celebrations of all kinds) are birthdays because we all have them and what's not to love about your birthday?  I have a dear friend who's birthday was yesterday so I decided to use this month's card sketch over on the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration blog (I also use lots of goodies from the Occasions catalog which was fun!).

I started with Smoky Slate cardstock for the cardbase and then took a piece of Mint Macaron (I'm seriously in love with this color, oh my!!) and embossed it with the Big Shot and the Lovely Lace Embossing Folder.  Next I took a piece of Whisper White cardstock and Love Blossoms Designer Series Paper and offset them and then added a couple pieces of It's My Party Washi Tape on the edges.

For the greeting I used the Oh My Goodies stamp set and stamped it twice, once using Mint Macaron ink on Whisper White cardstock (and cut it out with the Big Shot and Deco Labels Framelits) and a second time with Basic Black ink on Smoky Slate cardstock and cut out just the center of the greeting using Paper Snips.  Behind the greeting I added a flower I cut out of Blushing Bride Glimmer Paper and the Floral Frames Framelits.  Dimensionals were used on both layers of the greeting and the final touch was a small bow tied with the Melon Mambo Baker's Twine from the Baker's Twine Combo Pack.

I had so much fun with this card and my friend love the glitter paper and different elements, it's going to go on her piano at home, how cool!!  The design team is sharing some other great cards using this sketch so go check them out and then play and long and share so we can enjoy your creation!

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

SSINKspiration Birthday: Party Wishes Project Life Style

Happy Friday!  I am completely in love with the great products in this year's Occasions catalog, if you've seen it you know what I mean.  One of the first things that really caught my eye and I knew I had to have were the products in the It's My Birthday suite, come on birthdays, bright colors, what's not to love?  Today over on the  SSINKspiration blog it's all about birthdays (let's be honest it's something we celebrate all year long and need to be ready for) but instead of a card I decided to change things up and show a couple of cards I made that would work perfectly for Project Life memory keeping, using these awesome birthday products.

I made a 3x4 and 4x6 card that coordinate and the great thing about doing this is that you can completely personalize your cards for the colors and occasion that suit you.

For the 3x4 card I started with a piece of Melon Mambo cardstock and stamped the Happy Birthday greeting from the Party Wishes stamp set using Tuxedo Black Memento ink.  Then I added a couple of pieces of designer series paper from the It's My Party Designer Series Paper Stack (this package has everything, and it comes in 12x12 which is awesome!  I used my Triple Banner Punch to make the flag tails and then added a bow I tied using the Baker's Twine Combo Pack for an accent.

For the 4x6 card I wanted to make it so you could either add a picture, or add journaling depending on your needs.  I started with Sahara Sand Cardstock and then added a piece of the It's My Party Designer Series Paper Stack.  For the decorative piece I used the same Party Wishes stamp set and stamped the cake in Sahara Sand ink on Whisper White cardstock and then stamped the saying (really this saying is awesome and I completely agree!!!) using the Tuxedo Black Memento ink and then cut it out using the Big Shot and Circle Collection Framelits.  I used the same framelits to cut out a mat using Crushed Curry cardstock and then attached it the card with dimensionals (I used dimensionals on the far right side only so you could slide a picture under part of the circle if you wanted when you were making your page).  For a final element I tied a knot using the Mint Macaron Lace Trim and attached it using a glue dot.

The beauty of these cards is that they are really easy to make, and if you decided you didn't want them for a Project Life page you could easily add them to a cardbase for an easy card that will still impress!  Don't forget Sale-a-bration is going on so for every $50 you spend you get an item from the SAB brochure for FREE (this is a great time to add the items from the Occasions catalog to your stamping toolbox and earn something for FREE!!!)

Below are easy ordering links to the products used on today's project:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Have a great weekend!

Diana

Sale-a-bration Starts Today: The Sky is the Limit!

Good afternoon happy stamper, that day has arrived!!  The Occasions Catalog and Sale-a-bration sale starts today and I'm so excited (I got up extra early to get my first order in.  Thanks for stopping by today, I am so excited to be participating in a New Catalog Countdown with SSInkspiration.   Today is the last day of the countdown and we have many sneak peek samples for you HERE!"

I decided to do another card focusing on the Sale-a-bration items that you can earn for FREE with each $50 you purchase.  Now there is something different this year that you need to notice in the brochure, there are several pages in the back with limited time offerings, which means these items will only be available through February 15, 2016 and then some additional items will be release that you can purchase up until the end of March.  Products on pages 4-15 can be earned during the entire Sale-a-bration period.

 

 

For this card I started with Early Espresso cardstock for the cardbase and then added a piece of Perfectly Artistic Designer Series Paper (SAB item) as well as a piece of Rose Red cardstock that I embossed with the Big Shot and Hearts Embossing folder.  Before attaching the DSP to the card I stamped the clouds from the Sky is the Limit Stamp set (SAB item) using Whisper White Craft ink.  I also stamped the smoke trail image using Early Espresso ink and then colored it in using the Gold Wink of Stella Pen (this thing is awesome and a perfect way to add a little shimmer to your projects!!)  I also wrapped a piece of Whisper White 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon around the layers to hide the seam.

 

I absolutely love this little plane image so I stamped him on Pink Pirouette cardstock using Early Espresso ink and cut it out using Paper Snips before attaching it to the cardfront with dimensionals (I also added a single silver sequin to the propeller of a the plane.  The greeting is from the same stamp set and was stamped in Rose Red ink and then punched out with the XL Oval Punch and attached to the carfront with dimenionals.

 

You are going to love the FREE SAB items this year and there are a ton of great new items in the Occasions catalog, perfect for any occasion.  Make sure to check out the great new catalogs and place your order early so you have more time to play.  Remember, Sale-a-bration is also a great time to stock up on all those essentials, cardstock, adhesives, etc. so you can get something for FREE (that's what I do every year!!!)

 

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

 

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Enjoy!

 

Diana

Occasions Catalog Sneak Peak: Party Wishes

Good afternoon!!  I'm back with a bonus project today since I'm continuing to participate in a New Catalog Countdown with SSInkspiration.   Today is the fourth day of the countdown (only one more day to go) and we have many sneak peek samples for you HERE!"

Today I'm sharing a birthday gift tag I made using products from the It's My Party Product Suite (one of my favorites in this catalog!!) 

I started with a piece of Basic Black cardstock and embossed it with the Confetti Embossing Folder and Big Shot (since I added the circle elements I was able to hide the oval part of the embossing folder that doesn't emboss).  Then I used the Ornate Tag Topper Punch for the top and tied a piece of Melon Mambo/Basic Black Baker's Twine (this combo back is great!)

Next I cut a circle out of Gold Glimmer Paper using the 1 1/4" Circle Punch, and another circle using the It's My Party Designer Series Paper Stack and the 2" Circle Punch.

For the greeting I used the Party Wishes stamp set and used Stampin' Write Markers to color the image before stamping on Sahara Sand cardstock, cut it out with the Circle Collections Framelits and used the 1 3/4" Circle Punch and Mint Macaron cardstock for the mat.

This tag was super easy to pull together and you could easily take this design and elements and turn it into a card.

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Have a great afternoon!

Diana

Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration Color Challenge SSINKCC29: Tag Talk

Good morning!  It's the first Monday of the year so we're all back to school and work (boo, I miss vacation already) and it also means that it's time for a fresh set of challenges over on the SSINKspiration blog, today we have the color challenge.  We were given these great colors that I have to admit I have never considered combining together and really like the result.  I also decided to use another one of the cards from the Memories in the Making Project Life Speciality Card collection for some more emboss resist fun using the challenge colors.

 I stared with Smoky Slate cardstock for the cardbase and after coloring the embossed piece I matted it with Perfect Plum cardstock.  Before attaching this piece to the cardfront I added several loops of Gold Metallic Thread behind it so the loops peak out the side (the gold reminds me of the Delightful Dijon).

For the greeting I used the Tag Talk stamp set (my first time using this set) and stamped it twice once in Delightful Dijon and once in Perfect Plum (on Smoky Slate cardstock) for the different layers.  I used the Label Bracket Punch for the larger piece and then trimmed the square using Paper Snips and dimensionals were use to pop up both layers.  For a final touch I wanted to add a piece of ribbon but didn't have the color I wanted so I took a piece of Whisper White 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon and dyed it using Perfect Plum ink before attaching it to the cardfront.



These colors work really well together,  and it's fun to make a card for such happy occasions (I'll be all set the next time I need a wedding card!)  The designers are sharing some additional cards for inspiration so go check them out and we would love for you to 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

Sale-a-bration 2016 Sneak Peak: Perfect Pairings and Project Life

Good afternoon stampers!!  I hope the start of 2016 is treating you well.  Thanks for stopping by today, I am so excited to be participating in a New Catalog Countdown with SSInkspiration.   Today is the second day of the countdown and we have many sneak peek samples for you HERE!"

I decided to focus on Sale-a-bration products for today's card because, let's face it we all love things for FREE and there are some great products you can earn during this sale, in this case I used the Perfect Pairings Stamp set and Memories in the Memories in the Making Project Life Specialty Card Collection.

 

I started with Tip Top Toupe cardstock for the cardbase and then used one of the pieces from the Memories in the Making Project Life Specialty Card Collection kit (this one is great since all the pieces are either acetate with metallic elements or UV resist, like this one which is perfect for the emboss resist technique) so I used a sponge to rub ink in stripes along the cardstock using Tip Top Toupe, Mint Macaron, and Watermelon Wonder ink (then I used a paper towel to rub off the extra ink and the embossed image really stands out).  Next I wrapped a piece of Tip Top Toupe 1" Lace Trim around the cardfront before attaching it to the cardbase and then tied a knot around the lace trim with some Watermelon Wonder 1" Lace Trim.

 

For stamped image I used the Perfect Pairings stamp set (another SAB freebie) and stamped the birthday greeting using Watermelon Wonder ink on Whisper White cardstock and then cut it out using the Big Shot and Oval Collection Framelits.  I used the same framelits to cut out  mat for the greeting using Mint Macaron cardstock and then embossed it using the Decorative Dots Embossing Folder and then sponged all over the mat using Mint Macaron ink.  I used dimensionals to attach the greeting to the cardfront and then added a strip of rhinestones along the bottom of the greeting for a little bling.

 

These Project Life cards are so versatile, no just for Project Life memory keeping but for cards, gift tags, packaging, etc. and I was so excited that they are one of the SAB offerings so I can stock up! 

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Enjoy!

Diana