SSINKspiration Sale-a-bration Preview: Tasty Trucks

Good morning!  Hope you had a enjoyable and relaxing Christmas.  It was nice and quiet for us and we were able to have some fun family experiences that were really special.  Now that Christmas is over it's time to start looking forward to the new year, and for us that means the Stampin' Up! Sale-a-bration is about a week away and it's always an exciting time for this promotion.  Today the SSINKspiration designers are sharing projects made using some of the free Sale-a-bration items to help get you excited for all the fun and today's card uses the Tasty Trucks stamp set and Carried Away Designer Series Paper (both of which can be yours for free).

I started with Mint Macaron cardstock for the cardbase and used the little banner image from the Tasty Trucks stamp set and Mint Macaron ink to stamp the banners along the top.  Next I took a piece of designer series paper from the Carried Away Designer Series Paper and matted it with Basic Black cardstock.  The greeting was stamped directly on the designer series paper using Basic Black ink.  For a little bling I added a few silver enamel starts from the Metallic Enamel Shapes.

For the stamped image I stamped the cute little truck using Basic Black ink on Whisper White cardstock and then cut it out with the Big Shot and Layering Ovals Framelits.  I used our Classic Inks, a Blender Pen, and Stampin' Write Markers to color in the truck and cupcake images before attaching the stamped image to the cardfront with dimensionals.

I had so much fun coloring this image, it's really no wonder the adult coloring fad is so popular it really is very therapeutic, and who doesn't love a tasty cute little cupcake?

 Below are easy ordering links for the products used on today's card (please note SAB product items will be available starting January 4, 2017):

Enjoy!

Diana

SSINKspiration Christmas Cards: Detailed Santa Chalkboard Style!

Happy Friday (and Christmas Eve Eve)! Today’s my last day of work (yeah!) and the guys are joining me this afternoon for my Holiday party at work, Aidan will get one last chance to put in a good word with Santa before the big day!  Today the SSINKspiration designers are sharing what are probably our final Christmas cards of the season (can’t believe it’s already here).  I’ve decided I’ve waited long enough and decided to share our family Christmas card for the year with you (I’m hoping everyone I’ve mailed them to has received them at this point).  I always start designing our family Christmas card over the summer when the Holiday catalog is first released and try to have it all completed (minus the picture) by the end of the summer, some years I’m more successful than others.  This year as soon as I saw the Merry Medley stamp set and Detailed Santa Thinlits I knew they would be on this year’s Christmas card.

I started with Cherry Cobbler cardstock for the cardbase and then added a layer of Basic Black Cardstock that was stamped with the Merry Medley stamp set and Whisper White Craft Ink for the perfect chalkboard effect background.  I used the Candy Cane Lane Baker’s Twine to wrap around the bottom and tie a bow.

Next came the fun part…the Santa.  I used the Big Shot, Detailed Santa Thinlit, and Whisper White cardstock to cut out the Santa.  It’s actually really easy, you just need to poke out all the little pieces of each Santa (did I mentioned I made 70 of these cards?)  After getting the Santa’s all glued on the background I realized it needed a little bling (shocking I know!!)  So I then proceeded to cut Red Glimmer Paper for the little pieces of the ball on Santa’s hat and glue them on (again cut these 70 times, haha yes I am just that crazy!)  The final touch was our picture and after getting family pictures taken it was convenient that we coordinated with the colors of the Christmas card so I just cut them out with the 1 ¾” Circle Punch and attached the picture with dimensionals.

I absolutely love this card!  It has lots of my favorite things and just makes me smile.  I don’t normally make lots of the same card (and when I do it drives me a little batty, but it is so worth it this one time a year).

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

Have a great weekend and a Merry Christmas!

Diana

Star of Light Emboss Resist Greetings

Good morning!  Christmas is almost here and I realized that there are still cards I’ve made and haven’t shared (I know, how is that possible?)  Today I have a really pretty and elegant card that was actually really easy to make (and has a bling factor which always suits me).  The images in the Star of Light stamp set are so elegant and dreamlike I didn’t think it suited my usual style but thought I would give it a try. 

I started with Soft Sky cardstock for the cardbase and then added a piece of Whisper White cardstock for the cardfront.  On this piece I started by stamping the larger swirling image in Versamark ink and then heat embossed it with the Heat Gun and Silver Embossing Power.  Next I took a sponge and rubbed Soft Sky ink all around the embossed image for the emboss resist technique and came up with this really pretty background.  The greeting is stamp in the bottom using Island Indigo ink.

Next I took a piece of Whisper White cardstock and stamped the large star image in Island Indigo ink and then cut it out with the coordinating Starlight Thinlit Dies and the Big Shot.  I used the same die to cut out the detailed star out of Silver Foil Paper to layer on top of the blue star.  The finishing touch was to add a Soft Sky Enamel Dot (from the Subtles Enamel Shapes) to the center of the star.

I love how soft and pretty this card turned out.  It reminds me of snow which it looks like we won’t be getting here this year for Christmas but that’s OK, I’m sure it will be coming soon.

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

Enjoy!

Diana

SSINKspiration Gift Packaging: Cookie Cutter Christmas

Good morning!  We're rapidly approaching Christmas, 4 days to go.  If you're like me you're still working on last minute items on your to do list, including wrapping and packaging gifts.  Today on the SSINKspiration blog we're sharing gift packaging ideas that are perfect to help you with those last minute packaging needs.

I started with our White Gift Boxes and added pieces of Candy Cane Christmas Designer Series Paper on each of the panels for decoration.  These boxes are great since they also come with clear acetate sleeves to go over the box.  Next I took a piece of Real Red 3/4" Stitched Edge Ribbon and tied a bow.

For the tag I started with a piece of Crumb Cake cardstock and then used the Big Shot and Cheerful Tags Framelits to cut the tag.  I added a strip of the designer series paper along the bottom of the tag to dress up the inside.  I used the coordinating Cheerful Tags stamp set to stamp the swirly image using Early Espresso ink.  Next I punched out a piece of Real Red cardstock using the 1 3/4" Circle Punch for the background of my little gingerbread man.  I used the Cookie Cutter Christmas stamp set to stamp the gingy man using Whisper White cardstock and Early Espresso ink and then used the coordinating Cookie Cutter Punch to punch him out.  The greeting is from the same stamp set and was punched out with the 3/4" Circle Punch and both the gingerbread man and greeting were attached with dimensionals.   The final touch was to use a piece of baker's twine from the Candy Cane Christmas Baker's Twine to tie the tag to the package.

These boxes are quite big and will hold a lot and it was super easy to decorate which is perfect for those last minute gifts.  Make sure to go check out the other gift packaging ideas the design team is sharing for even more inspiration.

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

Enjoy!

Diana

SSINKspiration Occasions Bundles: Birthday Blast

Happy Friday!  It's a very big day in our house, one almost a year in the making, and that is the release of the latest Star Wars Movie, Rogue One.  The guys have been counting down for months and are so excited so of course we've already got our tickets and reserved seats to see the movie tonight, yeah!  While the guys have been anxiously anticipating the movie there's something else I've been looking forward to, and that's the release of the upcoming Occasions Catalog which is just a few weeks away.  Demonstrators have been able to preorder products from the catalog since the beginning of the month and today the SSINKspiration designers are sharing projects using their favorite product suites/bundles from the upcoming catalog.  One of the first bundles I knew I needed to have was the Birthday Blast stamp set and coordinating Star Blast Edgelits, perfect for all sorts of birthday greetings.  I've been very busy with Christmas projects but this is the one set of products from the new catalog that I've actually had time to play around with a little.

 

For today's card I started with Dapper Denim cardstock for the cardbase and then added a layer of Whisper White cardstock as a mat for the Basic Black cardfront.  On the basic black I stamped the large star image using Versamark ink and then heat embossed it with the Heat Tool and Gold Embossing Powder.  I used the same to stamp the greeting (I love how the gold pops against the black).

 

 Next I used the Star Blast Edgelits and a piece of Vellum cardstock to cut out the star strip and I wanted it to pop off the page so I only glued along the bottom edge of the velum and the stars naturally rise off the card (it's really cool in real life!)  To finish the edge of the die cut I wrapped a piece of Dapper Denim Ruched Ribbon around the cardfront and then tied a nice simple knot.

I have to admit I absolutely love how this card turned out and it would work equally well for a guy or girl.  And while it has dimension with the raised velum the card is actually very "mailable" which is good for the post office.  If you want some additional ideas using products from the upcoming Occasions catalog make sure to check out the blog to see what the other SSINKspiration designers are sharing!

 

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

Have a great weekend!

Diana

SSINKspiration Blog Hop: Winter Wonderland!

Good morning!  We’re in the middle of all the holiday happenings and while there’s a lot going on I’m really enjoying every moment.  I hate the idea of getting so caught up in everything that you miss the memories (if that makes sense).  Today over on the Stylin’ Stampin’ INKspiration blog it’s time for our monthly blog hop and this month’s theme is winter which is perfect given the cold air that we’re about to get hit by.  There are so many options with this theme but since I’m still working on some last minute Christmas cards (I always tend to need more and just carry them around with me so I can work on them during little bits of time).  I saw this great idea recently to use the jar top to make a snowglobe so I decided to take that a step further and make this super fun shaker card (and it’s got bling!!!)

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 #5 on the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration Blog Hop - Jennifer G. at Jenny G 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.
 

I started with Sweet Sugarplum cardstock for the cardbase and then added a Soft Sky piece of cardstock that’s the base for my shaker with a piece of Whisper White cardstock on top.  I used the Big Shot and Layering Circle Framelits to cut the circle out of the center of the Whisper White piece and then used the snow stamp from the Greetings from Santa and Soft Sky ink to stamp the snowfall in the top left and bottom right corners.  I used the Clear Wink of Stella to add some sparkle to the snowflakes (little tip:  make sure to use the Wink of Stella before stamping the greeting, I didn’t and it the greeting smudged a little).  The greeting was stamped in Early Espresso ink and I attached a piece of Window Film on the back of the cardstock for the shaker window.

 

 Next I took the circle that was cut out and softly drew a line around the edge so I knew where my window would be and stamped on the Soft Sky piece, the snowflakes again in Soft Sky ink, reindeer in Soft Suede (with a little early espresso added for the antlers) and the tress are from the Lovely as a Tree stamp using early espresso ink (just ink part of the stamp to use some of the trees for a smaller image.)  Next I took a foam strip and attached it around the circle to create the boundries for the glitter and added some Fancy Frost Sequins for the snow (there’s my bling!!)  Then I just attached the Whisper White cardfront to seal the shaker (I did add dimensionals to the four corners of the cardfront to the whole later was raised and the same height).  Make sure press really hard to seal you sequins in. 

Of course every snow globe needs a base so I used the Jar of Love stamp set and heat embossed the lid using the Heat Tool, Versamark ink, and some Silver Embossing Power.  After embossing I cut the lid out with the Big Shot and coordinating Everyday Jars Framelits and attached it with dimensionals to the cardfront.  The final touch was to add a couple more of the Fancy Frost Sequins on the front bottom of the cardfront to look like falling snow outside of the snow globe.  

I love the soft feel of these colors, they’re not your traditional Christmas colors but definitely give that cool winter feeling.  And a card you can play with and shake?  Super fun!!

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

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

Blog Hop Participant List:

1. Pamela W. ~ Stinky Tofu

2. Darcy J. ~ Dj's Stampin' Place

3. Tobe B. ~ The Craft Sea

4. Cheryl H. ~ Create with Cheryl

5. Jennifer G. ~ Jenny G Paper Crafts

6. Diana E. ~ Stampin' Fun with Diana

 

Have a great day,

Diana

SSINKspiration Card Sketch SSINKCS40: Jolly Friends

Good morning!  Another weekend full of holiday fun and I really enjoyed all the time spent with friends.  The guys were away at Winter Survival Camping and while being very cold all weekend they're home safe and sound now.  With the start of another week it's time for another challenge on the SSINKspiration blog, this time it's a sketch challenge.  This month's sketch is a really fun design which was fun to play with.

I used Crumb Cake cardstock for the cardbase and then added a piece of Basic Black cardstock that was embossed with the Big Shot and Brickwall Embossing Folder.  Next I added two pieces of designer series paper from the Warmth and Cheer Designer Series Paper Stack.

For the main stamped image I used the Jolly Friends stamp set and stamped the elf head using Basic Black ink on Whisper White cardstock and then punched it out with a circle punch.  I stamped the elf hat on Old Olive cardstock using Old Olive ink and then punched it out using the coordinating Jolly Hat Builder Punch (also on sale).  I attached the had with dimensionals and then added a Mini Jingle Bell to the hat and tied it with a bow using Basic Black Baker's Twine.

The final touch was to add a greeting so I used the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set and stamped using Basic Black ink on Old Olive cardstock and then used Paper Snips to trim the ends before attaching to the cardfront with dimensionals.

The images in this stamp set are so cute, and right now the stamp set is on sale as part of the year end sale so if you don't have this set, now is the perfect time!  The other designers are sharing some other cards using the same sketch for inspiration so go check them out and then play along and share what you create.





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

Enjoy!

Diana

SSINKspiration Daily December: Easily Documenting all the Holiday Memories!

Good morning! Are you ready for the weekend?  With all the holiday happenings it's easy to take lots of pictures, and maybe you get a few posted to Facebook or Instagram but then after the holidays they sit on your phone and not looked at often.  I love all the fun of the holidays but I also love to look back and remember all those memories and enjoy them with my family which means they need to get off my phone and organized, enter the Project Life by Stampin' Up! product line.  Today on the SSINKspiration blog we're sharing ideas using the Daily December product suite and how it makes holiday memory keeping quick and easy.

This is my third year doing a Daily December album and I love it!  I work on the album early (September/October timeframe) so the album is all decorated and the page layouts designed (I'll add sticky notes to the pages with different activities so I have an idea of what I'm doing some days and others are just fun things, like decorations, or just everyday things like basketball practice, the dentist, it's all part of our holiday season) so come December I just need to slide in the pictures, and some journaling and I'm done (awesome!!)  By preworking my album I'm able to have it finished and ready to enjoy before the start of the New Year. 

For the most part I use all the items in the Daily December Card Collection and Accessory Kit (which just a few added pieces here and there).  This means I cut up some cards to use as elements in different pockets and help you get the most bang for the kits.  Below are several pictures of the album and different pages I've finished for you to enjoy!

Album Cover

 

First Page of Album

 

 Visit to Santa (Happens before Thanksgiving, no lines!!)

 

Thanksgiving - Our festivities start before December 1 so I start my album a little early

I hope this has provided some inspiration and you take the plunge to get those pictures off your phones and into albums so you can enjoy them for years to come!

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

 

 Have a great weekend!

 

Diana

SSINKspiration Tags, Tags, and Tags

Good morning!  We made it to the midpoint of the week and I'm sure like me you are in full on holiday preparations and trying to figure out how to get it all done.  One of the things I love to do is make gift packaging special with handmade touches (anyone who knows me is not surprised by this!)  Today the SSINKspiration designers are sharing some fun and easy gift tag ideas to help you put the finishing touches on your packaging.  The great thing about gift tags is that they are small so you don't need a lot to really make them WOW and you can make them very quickly.

I'm sharing two different tags today for your enjoyment.






The first tag uses the Fab Friday Sketch Challenge for inspiration along with several items from the Candy Cane Lane Product Suite (I found out the designer series paper has sold out but you could easily make this card using the Washi Tape for the same look).  I started with a piece of Whisper White cardstock and used the Scallop Tag Topper Punch to punch the top and then threaded a piece of Candy Cane Lane Baker's Twine through the top for the tie.  I used the Tin of Tags stamp set to stamp the greeting in Early Espresso ink and then added two strips of Candy Cane Lane Designer Series Paper along the bottom.

This cute little reindeer is from the Cookie Cutter Christmas stamp set and was stamped on Crumb Cake cardstock with Early Espresso ink before being punched out with the coordinating Cookie Cutter Punch (both the stamp set and punch are carrying over, yeah! but the discounted bundle price is only available through the end of the month so if you haven't added these to your collection make sure to purchase the bundle now to save a little $$).  I used Stampin' Write Marker's to color in the antlers and nose and then used dimensionals to attach him to a Real Red Circle cut with the 1 3/4" Circle Punch.

Nice and easy and still uses the card sketch for inspiration.

The second tag uses the Here's to Cheers stamp set and coordinating Cheerful Tags Framelits (both items are carrying over so like above, purchase them now since the bundle price is only available until the end of the month).  I used a piece of Real Red cardstock, Big Shot, and Cheerful Tags Framelits to cut the base (love that it cuts and scores everything all at once!!) and then added a piece of Washi Tape on the inside bottom (this tape is retired but we have lots of washi tape that would work great so take your pick).  Next I took a piece of Gold Glimmer Paper and cut out the little arched piece using the framelit set.  For the greeting I used Stampin' Write Markers to color directly on the stamp and then stamped on Whisper White cardstock before punching it out with the 1 3/4" Circle Punch.  I attached the greeting with dimensionals and being careful not to cover up the hole for the twine at the top (the circle hangs over the top a little).  I used some Basic Black Baker's Twine as the tie for this tag.

We make this tag at my gift packaging class and used it to decorate one of the large 6"x17" Cello Bags along with some Cucumber Crush Mini Striped Ribbon and it turned out uber cute!!

I hope these tags have provided some inspiration for your gift packaging needs.  I'm hosting a cookie exchange this weekend and think I'll be whipping up some of these tags for the ladies to use on their packaging so it's nice and stress free!

Below are easy ordering links for the product's used on today's tags:

Enjoy!

Diana

Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration Color Challenge SSINKCC40: Layering Love

Happy Monday!  What a wonderful weekend full of fun adventures.  I was able to get a little time in the studio and got to play with some non-holiday items to make my color sketch card for this months challenge over on the SSINKspiration blog.  These are some bright and cheery colors that just make me smile.

I stared with Sahara Sand cardstock for the cardbase and then added a piece of Flirty Flamingo cardstock that was embossed with the Big Shot and Fluttering Embossing Folder.  Next I added a piece of Old Olive designer series paper from the Brights Designer Series Paper Stack.

For the main stamped image I started by stamping the greeting from the Layering Love stamp set using Flirty Flamingo ink on Whisper White cardstock.  Next I used the Big Shot and Stitched Shapes Framelits to cut out the circle.  To soften the white background I used the Timeless Textures stamp set and used the Old Olive ink to stamp the floral image all over (I stamped off first to lighten up the green).  I wanted another element to balance the card so I took a piece of Sahara Sand cardstock and cut out a circle using the Layering Circles Framelits and then embossed it with the Delicate Dots Embossing Folder.  I used dimensionals to attach the greeting circle and the final touch was to tie a bow using the Flirty Flamingo Ruched Ribbon (such a pretty ribbon).





This card is so pretty that it will definitely help brighten someone's day.  Make sure to check out the other design team cards for inspiration (they're so fun) and then we would love for you to play along with us and share what you come up with.






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

Enjoy!

Diana