SSINKspiration Masculine Monday Meets Fab Friday Sketch Challenge: Traveler

Good morning and Happy Memorial Day!  Enjoying the long extended weekend and remembering all those who sacrificed for the freedoms we now get to enjoy.  We only have a few days left of the current catalog (can't believe it) so for today's SSINKspiration Masculine Monday post I decided to combine it with the Fab Friday sketch challenge and show off some of the wonderful retiring products before you lose out on being able order them, some of my favorites.

I started with Dapper Denim cardstock for the cardbase and then added a piece of Basic Black cardstock as a mat for the Crumb Cake cardfront that was embossed with the Big Shot and the Seaside Embossing Folder (and then sponged over the embossing with some Soft Suede ink).  Next I added a piece of Dapper Denim 3/8" Ruched Ribbon (retiring) and a piece of Urban Underground Speciality Designer Series Paper (retiring).

For the stamped image I used the Traveler Stamp Set (retiring) and stamped the train in Crumb Cake ink on Very Vanilla cardstock before cutting it out with the Big Shot and Stitched Shapes Framelits (I also sponged around the edge with Dapper Denim ink).  The greeting is from the Guy Greetings stamp set and was stamped in Soft Suede ink on Very Vanilla ink and then cut it out with the Big Shot and Layering Ovals Framelits (also sponged the edge with Dapper Denim ink).  Both stamped images were attached to the cardfront with dimensionals.  The final touch was to add a bow out of Basic Black Solid Baker's Twine.

These are both great stamp sets for masculine cards and with Father's Day coming up, as well as year long birthdays, it's always good to let the guys in our lives know how much we love and appreciate them!  The other design team members have made some great masculine cards that will provide further inspiration so go check them out!

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

Product List

Traveler Clear-Mount Stamp Set [134513]	Guy Greetings Clear Stamp Set [138828]	Big Shot [143263]	Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies [145372]	Layering Ovals Framelits Dies [141706]
Dapper Denim 3/8" (1 Cm) Ruched Ribbon [141424]	Dapper Denim 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [141414]	Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [121045]	Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [120953]	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101650]
Urban Underground Specialty Designer Series Paper [142783]	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430]	Basic Black Solid Baker's Twine [141682]

Enjoy!

Diana

New Catalog Sneak Peak: Daisy Delight

Happy Friday!  So excited for the holiday weekend we have some family fun planned, as well as some crafting, and hopefully a little extra sleep.  Today I'm sharing another sneak peak of the Daisy Delight suite that is in the new catalog (that's only 6 days away, yeah!)  I made this card for a swap I was in and is very similar to one of my display projects for OnStage so I'm sharing both versions.

I started with Old Olive cardstock for the cardbase and then took a piece of Pool Party cardstock and embossed it with the Big Shot and Brickwall Embossing Folder and then sponged all over with Old Olive ink.  Next I used the Big Shot and Layering Circles Framelits to cut a piece of designer series paper from the Delightful Daisy DSP package and then a scalloped circle mat using Night of Navy Cardstock. 

I stamped the daisy on Calypso Coral cardstock with the same color ink and then punched it out with the Daisy Punch and after attaching to the cardfront (just by the center of the flower so I could fluff up the petals) I added a Gold Faceted Gem to the center of the flower.

The greeting is from the same stamp set and after stamping it on Whisper White cardstock using Night of Navy ink I cut it out using the Big Shot and Stitched Shapes Framelits (had to cut it twice to get the stitching on all the sides for this smaller piece) and then sponged around the edge with Old Olive ink before attaching it to the cardfront with dimensionals.

The main differences with this card which I made for the display boards at OnStage in April was I used the Polka Dot embossing folder (which is retiring) I did stamp in the center of the polka dots using the small center flower image from the set.  I didn't have the daisy punch and gems so I used a piece of 5/8" Burlap Ribbon and some new Calypso Coral 1/8" Sheer Ribbon (this ribbon is nice and soft, I used the Whisper White on other projects and dyed it to match what I needed and it worked great).






I really love the looks of both cards and how just a couple of changes gives it a different feel (I will say I wished I had gotten the Daisy Punch in my display stamper box, I was struggling how to use that stamp but not now that we have the punch).

Hope you enjoy and are falling in love with this product suite as much as I am!

Below are easy ordering links for the products that you can purchase now:

Product List

Big Shot [143263]	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730]	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430]	Layering Circle Framelits Dies [141705]	5/8" (1.6 Cm) Burlap Ribbon [141487]
Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies [145372]	Polka Dot Textured Impressions Embossing Folder [133739]	Brick Wall Textured Impressions Embossing Folder [138288]	Pool Party 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [122924]	Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100702]
Night Of Navy 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100867]

Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Diana

SSINKspiration New Catalog Preview: This Little Piggy

Good morning!  We're a little less than a week away from the new catalog release (whoo hoo!) so today the SSINKspiration designers have decided to share some fun projects using items from the new catalog to get you excited.  I was honored to be one of the display stampers at OnStage last month so I was able to get a super early advance on some of the products and make samples to share at OnStage.  This set is This Little Piggy and it has such cute images, even Aidan loved it when he saw it siting on my desk.  Because of the fun line images with this set it lends itself nicely to watercoloring but I wanted to show an idea that didn't involve coloring so I did a watercolor wash.  This card also shows of 3 of the 5 new In Colors, Powder Pink, Berry Burst, and Lemon Lime Twist (don't these just sound fun!!)

I started with Lemon Lime Twist cardstock for the cardbase and then added a piece of Delightful Daisy Designer Series Paper (this paper has a fun watercolor wash to the coloring so it looks like it has some movement to it).

For the main image I started by taking a piece of White Shimmer Paper and cut out using the Big Shot and Stitched Shapes Framelits.  Then using my Aqua Painter and ink pads I colored all over the cardstock for the wash effect and then let it dry, completely.  Once it was dry I stamped the pig image using the Tuxedo Black ink.  The little flower is from the Daisy Delight stamp set and was stamped on Berry Burst paper using Basic Black ink and then cut out with Paper Snips before being attached to the oval with a dimensional.  A little rhinestone is the perfect accent to the center of the flower.

Before attaching the stamped image to the cardfront I took some Silver Metallic Thread and looped it around several times so it peaks out from behind the oval.  The greeting is also from the This Little Piggy stamp set and was stamped in Night of Navy ink, cut out with the same Stitched Shapes Framelits and attached to the cardfront with dimensionals.

This card brings a smile to my face when I look at it and know it will to whoever receives it.  While this card looks really complicated it's not, you just need to be patient with the watercoloring and make sure to let it dry completely before stamping your image (I actually let mine sit overnight).  You're going to have lots of fun playing with this set, I can't wait.

Enjoy!

Diana

SSINKspiration Technique Challenge #SSINKTC45: Black Magic

Good morning!  What a crazy weekend, with hubby traveling it was just Aidan and I and we were on the go a lot and then I had a race on Sunday and got back to spend a fun afternoon stamping with a friend (it was a good thing I didn't have to move much, haha!)  It's technique challenge time over on the SSINKspiration blog and this month it's the Black Magic Technique.  I'll admit I've never tried this before, but that's the point of these challenges to stretch and try new things.  This technique reminds me of some of the artwork from the 80's that remember, a little retro and fun!  I also decided to mix things up with a little something new (Ribbon of Courage stamp set) and something retiring (DSP).

I started with a pieces of Thick Whisper White cardstock for the cardbase and then added a piece of Basic Black carstock as a mat for the Melon Mambo Designer Series Paper (from the Brights Designer Series Paper Stack, retiring).









For the main stamped image I used the new Ribbon of Courage stamp set (you will love this set, lots of great images and messages and the fonts are perfect!).  I stamped the solid ribbon image on Basic Black cardstock using Whisper White Craft Ink and then took my Melon Mambo and Bermuda Bay (yeah I know I have a thing for this color combination, love it!) and colored little circle scribbles all over the ribbon.  It' kind of looks like funky chalk board art!  Before attaching this piece to the cardfront I matted it with Bermuda Bay cardstock.

 

The final touch was to add the greeting which was stamped in Bermuda Bay ink on Whisper White cardstock and then cut out with the Big Shot and Layering Ovals Framelits.  Of course I had to mat that as well so I used one of the scalloped oval framelits and a piece of Gold Foil Paper for just a little sparkle, and attached the whole piece to the cardfront with dimensionals.

This technique was fun to try and definitely gives you some fun options for a little retro look, I could see doing something like this for scrapbooking.  Make sure to check out the other cards the design team has made using this technique and then we would love for you to come play along with us and share what you create!

Below are products used on this card that you can order now:

Product List

Big Shot [143263]	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730]	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430]	Layering Circle Framelits Dies [141705]	Gold Foil Sheets [132622]
Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [121045]	Bermuda Bay 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [131197]	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272]	Whisper White Craft Stampin' Ink Refill [101780]

Enjoy! Diana

SSINKspiration Friday Favorites: Retiring Stamp Set

Good morning!  It's another big eventful weekend coming up an this time we're missing one of the gang, Chris is traveling, so Aidan and I are looking forward to lots of fun.  Today the SSINKspiration designers are sharing their favorite retiring stamp sets and given how much we're outside and with scouts I instantly fell in love the Always an Adventure stamp set and am sad to see it retire so soon (but it's staying nice and safe in my studio).  This is one of the cards we'll be making in Sunday's retiring card class and we this set I is great for any occasion, can be changed to a birthday card if you don't need a Father's Day card.

I started with Crumb Cake cardstock for the cardbase and then wrapped a piece of Crushed Curry Baker's Twine (retiring) around the cardfront.  I added a piece of Dapper Denim cardstock as the base for my outdoor setting.  Then using the Outdoor Adventure Framelits (retiring) and the Big Shot I cut the mountains and snow and tree line. 

Using the Always an Adventure stamp set (retiring)  I stamped the tent out of Crushed Curry ink, the bear using Chocolate Chip ink, and the lake using Marina Mist ink.  After cutting the pieces out with the framelits (there isn't a framelit for the lake but it's easy to cut out with Paper Snips) I attached all the pieces to the cardfront using dimensionals.

The final touch was to add the greeting which is from the Guy Greetings stamp set (so happy this is carrying over) and was stamped in Chocolate Chip ink.

This card has lots of little pieces but really doesn't take long to make and it's so fun it's sure to impress.  Can't wait to see how the ladies like this card at this weekends class, I think it will be lots of fun!  Also remember the retiring items will only be available until the end of the month so don't miss out adding them to your stamping toolbox.

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

Product List

Always An Adventure Clear-Mount Bundle [142726]	Guy Greetings Clear Stamp Set [138828]	Big Shot [143263]	Crushed Curry Baker's Twine [134586]	Crumb Cake 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [120953]
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730]	Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100702]	Dapper Denim 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [141414]	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430]

Have a great weekend!

Diana