Birthday Fishes

I just can't get enough of the Whale of a Time Suite.  The paper is so fun!  I found a great sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches:

This sketch has a more contemporary feel than I usually go for, so I thought it would be good to stretch myself creatively.  Here is my card:

I started with a Granny Apple Green card base and then I layered on the fishy DSP.  I cut some Pacific Point triangles and embossed them with the Seabed embossing folder.  I stamped the sentiment with Pacific point and added some stamped fish in Calypso Coral onto some Whisper White punched with the Timeless Label punch.  I finished the card off with some sequins and some Pool Party ribbon.  

Here is a peek inside:

I added some seaweed DSP and a turtle stamped in Just Jade.

I just love this whole suite so much.  Thanks for visiting!

A Magical Birthday

I just love the Whale of a Time Suite!  I decided to mix it up with the lovely Magical Mermaid stamp set that retired last year.  And I saw a perfect sketch over at Try Stampin' On Tuesday with a Make a Splash optional theme.  Here is the sketch:

  

I was very inspired all those fabulous designers but wanted to try to do something different.  Here is my card:

I started with a Pool Party card base and embossed the front with the Seabed 3-D embossing folder.  I layered some of the Whale of a Time DSP on some Pretty Peacock card stock, corner rounded on the bottom.  I stamped the mermaid with Memento and colored her in with Stampin' Blends (Bermuda Bay Light and Dark, Ivory and Calypso Coral Dark), fussy cut her out and put her in the water with dimensionals.  I stamped the sentiment in Calypso Coral and layered that on top of a strip of coral print DSP.  I finished the card off with some sequins in her hair and shells to anchor the sentiment.  I also coated the mermaid's scales with the Wink of Stella Glitter Pen.

I love when I can pair a great sketch with some old and new stampin' goodies!  Thanks so much for stopping by today!

        

My Favorite New Ribbon and Fond Farewell

Today over at SSI the designers are sharing their favorite new accessory from the 2017-2018 Annual Catalog.  For me it has to be the Finely Woven Ribbon in the 2017-2019 In Colors.  I have a few projects showcasing each one of these fabulous colors and a different way to use the ribbon.  Some are projects you have seen before.  Up first is a card from my open house:

Here I just took the Berry Burst Finely Woven ribbon and used it to break up the pattern of the Fresh Florals Designer Series Paper.  I didn't tie a bow or anything, just kept it simple.  Also, how fabulous is this color combo?  I also used an awesome new bundle, Label Me Pretty which has a great new punch!  I added a bit of shine with half of a silver metallic doily.  

You have already seen this card, but here is the same ribbon in the Fresh Fig color where I just tied a simple knot.  

I had already shared this card as well, but wanted to show it off again!  How pretty is this bow?  

Now how about some projects that aren't card?  I gave away little goodie bags at my open house and used a lot of this fun ribbon!  Here is my bookmark:

This was simple, just cut a two inch piece of card stock and use the Scalloped Tag Topper Punch.  The punch already makes a space to thread your ribbon through.  I paired Fresh Pig with lemon Lime Twist here and didn't really fuss too much with ribbon.  The flower stamp is from the Blooms and Wishes set.    

Finally here is a little tea bag holder made with my favorite tool, the Envelope Punch Board!

The Fresh Florals DSP is definitely one of my favorite and it worked great to make a little envelope for a tea bag.  I also used some other favorite new products, listed below.  

Finally I have to finish off this post with a Fond Farewell to the fabulous ladies over at Stylin' Stampin' Inkspiration!  I have truly enjoyed creating with you, but it is time for me to step down off the team to spend more time with my family and working on my stampin' business!  I hope to create along with your challenges and wish everyone the best.  Head over to SSI right now to see the other designers favorite accessories.  

Happy Birthday Gorgeous!

Happy Birthday Gorgeous is a great bundle because of all the birthday sentiments and that fabulous thinlit.  Although this set was available to pre-order, I was a little late to falling n love with it.  But now I am so glad I did!  Check out this card I made with a color combo that had been in my head waiting to be used:

I just LOVE Lemon Lime Twist and thought it would pair nicely with Island Indigo.  I cut out my Happy Birthday from some Island Indigo and layered it over some of the Lemon Lime Twist Fresh Florals DSP.  I then made a small bouquet of balloons.  Now if you are wondering where I got the Island Indigo Glimmer Paper, I MADE it!  You can use the Dazzling Diamonds glimmer paper and add any color you like with reinker and spritzer or a sponge and ink pad (which is what I did).  I made sure to use a white sparkly balloon too!  Did you see how I dotted the "i" in Birthday?  Love the enamel shapes so much!  Here is the inside of the card:

Ok, here is a confession.  I didn't stamp my sentiment in the middle. So I added a strip of Lemon Lime Twist with some of the Blues washi tape (this one happens to be Island Indigo of course!).  I love all the fabulous color coordination that Stampin' Up! does for us.  

For more Birthday cards, head over to SSI!

  

Magical Mermaid

The new 2017-2018 Annual Catalog has not one mermaid stamps, but two!  I was so excited, I had to have them both.  Today I am sharing with you a card I made with Magical Mermaid.  First have a look at the awesome stamp set:

So pretty right?  And I feel like some of the fabulous new in colors just say MERMAID!  So here is my card:

I started with a Fresh Fig card base and layered on some Soft Sky that was embossed with the Seaside embossing folder.  I stamped the mermaid on Whisper White with the Basic Black Archival Ink and used my blender pens to color her in with Tranquil Tide, Powder Pink and Soft Suede.  It might be hard to see but I added some Wink of Stella Glitter so she shimmers.  I popped her up with dimensionals.  For the sentiment, I stamped the dotty sea-life in Soft Sky in the background and then added the sentiment in Fresh Fig over top.  I added a bit of Tranquil Tide in the background and finished the card off with some Perfect White Accents.  

Check out some of the other favorite new stamp sets from the other designers over at SSI.

   

For My Brother

I have a tool-rific card to share with you today using the Nailed It Bundle, which sold out WAY too fast.  I am glad I got it when I did and it goes to show you that is you like something then you should get it right away.  June is a very busy month for birthdays in my family, we have three of them with both of my brothers and my sister in law.  Here is a card I made for my brother:

I love the combination of the Urban Underground Designer Series Paper with the Nailed It stamp set and Framelits.  I played around with lots of the patterns but settled on these.  I did stamp on some Silver Foil sheets with the Basic Black Archival Ink and pieced together some of the tools.  For my sentiment I used the "Brother" from the Guy Greetings stamp set.  Here is a peek at the inside:  

The "Happy Birthday" came from the Guy Greetings set, but the rest of the sentiment came from the Nailed It set.  I added the little hexagon background stamps from the Urban District stamp set.  This really is a great set of products, perfect for all the masculine cards you  might need!  For more Masculine Cards, head over to SSI.

Let's Celebrate with Balloon Adventures!

I love the Party Animal Suite and it is still available while supplies last.  I used the Designer Series Paper along with the Balloon Adventures stamp set and coordinating thinlits to make a fun birthday card that also uses the Mojo Monday sketch:

Here is my card:

Instead of using the pop up thinlit in the inside of the card I fusst cut around it and used it as a die cut for my card front.  I love this fun bright colors in this suite, it would be perfect for anyone!  Here is a peek inside:

Full disclosure here...the confetti was added to cover a smudge that got on my inside but I really like how it frames the sentiment.  I added a strip of the coordinating washi tape as well.  

For more birthday card inspirations, head over to SSI.

Farewell Moroccan Designer Series Paper

Stampin' Up! really puts out fantastic Designer Series Paper.  I pretty much love most of them.  So when the time came for the designers to pick a favorite retiring DSP, I had a hard time selecting one.  I love so many of them.  At the end of the day I selected the Moroccan DSP because of the rich colors and fun patterns.  I made 5 cards using this DSP.  Check them out:

This uses one of my favorite sketches from our sketch challenge back in October.  It is a great sketch to show off DSP and I made it really easy by adding a Hello die cut.  

Next up is a Gate Fold card:

This was pretty easy although not what I initially intended to do.  I was going to use the large medallion from the stamp set but I ended up using the lanterns instead.  I do like how it turned out.  And a Gate-Fold card is so easy!

Here is some more Emerald Envy:

Although not a coordinating product, I thought the Boho Chic embossing folder went perfectly with this DSP.  I decided to make this a fun birthday card.  

This one is my favorite and it is by far the simplest:

I just love this fancy chair from the In This World stamp set.  I stamped it in Early Espresso and used Stampin' Write markers to color it in. Just a sheet of the kaleidoscope paper with coordinating colors in the background is all I needed for this card.   

And my final card, which was actually the first one I created:

I just did my best to place my circle framelit around the center of one of the color bursts and layered it over some of the more muted patterns in the Designer Series Paper.   

Hopefully you can see how universal the Moroccan Designer Series Paper is.  I created five very different cards for all sorts of different occasions.  To see some of the other favorite retiring Designer Series Papers, head over to SSI.

May Color Challenge

I am so excited it is May!  The weather is getting warmer, the days are getting longer, the new annual catalog for Stampin' Up is closer to getting released.  So many exciting things.  We are starting off the month of May with a fun color challenge with a retiring in color unexpectedly combined with a color from our Brights collection.  Check it out:

I knew I wanted to use the Happy Celebrations stamp set since I bought it awhile ago but hadn't gotten any ink on it yet.  Here is my card:

I love the brightness of the Pacific Point paired with the richness of Delightful Dijon.  I used the Celebrations Duo Embossing Folder and stamped over it with the fun "smudge" stamp.  I also stamped the rest of my sentiment right on the DSP because there is no rule saying you can't!  That is one of the things I love about crafting...there aren't any rules!  I knew it needed something else, so I added a balloon with some baker's twine twirled up.  This card was definitely quick and easy.

I hope you will take part in our weekly challenge.  Head over to SSI for more cards to INKspire you and upload your creation!  

April Sketch Challenge

Well this weekend was a lot busier than I thought it was going to be.  Unfortunately I didn't have too much time to head down in my studio and craft.  I was able to whip something up given our fabulous sketch challenge for the month over at SSI.  Check it out:

So I knew right away I wanted to use the Succulent Garden DSP.  I have been obsessed with it since I got it!  In fact I finally had to put it away and use something else, well for now at least!  Here is my card:

You don't get much more quick and easy then this!  I started with a Mint Macaron card base and added the Sweet Sugarplum gingham check paper.  I added a strip of the colorful succulent flowers and a stitched circle from the white speckled sheet.  For a sentiment I chose the Enjoy Your Day from Badges and Banners and used the badge punch,  I added a little bow of the Calypso Coral thick twine to finish the card off.  

This really is a great sketch, I am definitely going to come back to it and take another crack at it.  I can't wait to see what you can make now!  Head over to SSI and upload your card using this sketch.   

A Yummy Cupcake with Sprinkles!

Happy Hump Day!  I don't know about you, but this week is flying by for me.  I was thinking to myself that I can't wait until life slows down, but I am starting to realize that with two kids, a part time job and a husband and house to keep up with; this just might be life from here on out.  But at least I can steal away a few moments to my studio to create.  It really is my happy place.  Check out today's project inspired by the Cupcake theme over at SSI:

I decided that I should be focusing on the amazing and retiring 2015-2017 In Colors and today I am using Watermelon Wonder and a little bit of Tip Top Taupe.  I made the cupcake first with the Sweet Cupcake bundle.  I used So Saffron for the bottom part of the cupcake with some tone on tone stamping along with stamping off to get all the different shades of yellow.  For the frosting, I started off with some stamped off Flirty Flamingo for the bottom layer, followed by full strength Flirty Flamingo and then topped off with Watermelon Wonder.  I dotted some Fine Tip Glue and sprinkled some of the Sprinkles from the Frozen Treats Suite.  I layered my cupcake on some of the Stitched Shapes framelits and Layering Ovals Framelits.  I embossed my background with Confetti embossing folder, since I realized I hadn't used that in awhile.  I added a few more enamel shapes and a strip of striped ribbon to finish off my card.  

Well now I really want a yummy strawberry cupcake!  For more sweet inkspiration, head over too SSI.

  

CASEing Bree

I love being a Design Team Member for the Stampin' Stylin' Inkspiration blog.  Our team is chock full of super talented stampers.  So when the time came for us to CASE each other, I knew I had to participate in that!  CASE stands for Copy And Share Everything.  It can be recreating an exact card that someone made or just pulling a few elements from it, the colors, the theme, the sketch, etc.  I CASE'd a card from Bree.  I pinned it awhile ago and knew it would be a great card to CASE.

Here is my version:

Instead of the masculine Congrats card, I made a floral and feminine Birthday card.  I love the simple elements of this card with the special touches.  I just layered three circle, but did you spot the stitching on the circles?  The Happy is cut from the Sweet Sugarplum Glimmer paper but is also stamped in the background.  I also added some splotches for some texture and there is a bit of shine with the silver thread looped behind.  For a complete supply list, check out below.  For more CASE'd cards, head over to SSI!

  

Happy Birthday Gorgeous!

I love me some sparkle and shine.  So when I saw the theme for the blog over at SSI was all that glitters and shines, I had to create for it.  My initial idea was to use the Bermuda Bay Glimmer paper with some Copper Foil, but I ended up changing it to Silver.  I love how it turned out:

I will take you through how I created this, because I don't always start with the base of my card.  Everything started with stamping that fancy lady!  I stamped her first on Whisper White and die cut her out with an oval stitches framelit.  Then stamped her on some of the floral patterned Bermua Bay paper from the  Brights Designer Series Paper Stack and fussy cut her dress out and pieced it together.  I cut some Bermuda Bay Glimmer paper with a scalloped oval to layer underneath for a bit of sparkle.  Then I grabbed some Silver Foil and embossed it with the Sparkle Embossing Folder.  If you haven't tried embossing the foil sheets, you have to!  It creates such an awesome effect!  I stamped my sentiment on a strip of Whisper White and added some of the Bermuda Bay sequin trim over top.  I finished it off with a sparkly flower and shiny leaf cut with the Botanical Builders Framelits and a metal rimmed pearl.  Although it wasn't the card I had thought I was going to make, I do love how it turned out!  

For more sparkly and shine cards, head over to SSI.

Some Blooms and Wishes for Spring!

It is hard to believe that spring is here, mostly because my deck is still covered with snow from the big March storm we had last week.  But I am a big believer in mind over matter.  So I have a fun floral, spring inspired card to share with you today:

I searched my stamp collection and found the stamp set Blooms and Wishes, a set I bought awhile ago but haven't put a lot of ink on it.  It pairs perfectly with the Blooms & Bliss Designer Series Paper, an absolutle favorite of mine.  I just love all the colors in it, the purple and pinks are so lovely and make me think of spring.  And of course I just love the touch of Mint Macaron, an in-color that I know is retiring but I don't want to talk about it!!!  I added touches of that amazing color with the Assorted Glimmer Paper pack from Sale-A-Bration and the striped ribbon.  And of course I had to use my go to framelits, the Stitched Shapes.  Seriously, if you don't have these framelits, what are you waiting for?  They are amazing....the stitching adds such a nice touch to any project.  I used an oval and then layered it with a scalloped oval from the Layering Ovals framelits.  I added a few enamel dots in the center of the flowers I stamped.  

Thank you so much for stopping by today.  For more spring cards, head over to SSI!   

March Card Sketch Challenge

Another Monday and another great challenge for you over at SSI.  This time we have our card sketch challenge and it is a great one:

Here is my take on this sketch:

This came together so very quickly.  When you have great DSP and a great sketch a fabulous stamp set to go with it, that happens!  I decided to use the Sparkle Embossing folder for my white background.  I love the presents and the candles paper from the Party Animal Designer Series Paper.  I used the Layering Circles along with the Stitched Shapes framelits for my sentiment.  I knew I needed something else so I added a few balloons and finished it off with some enamel shapes.  Here is the inside:

I decided to use the Pop Up Die that goes with this Suite of products.  It is so easy to work with and the coordinating stamp set is photopolymer which makes stamping on the die cut so easy!  Thanks so much for stopping by.  For a complete supply list, see below.  I can't wait to see what you do with this sketch.  Create your project and upload your card over at SSI!    

Party On You Party Animal!

I feel like I haven't really made that many birthday cards recently so when I saw that the focus on SSI was going to be Birthday cards, I had to participate!  I definitely haven't given the Party Animal Suite much love, which is a shame since I have the whole suite.  I needed a little help so I decided to check out one of the great sketch challenges out there: CAS(E) this Sketch.  Have a look:

Pretty fun, right?  Here is my take on it:

I love all the fun patterns in this Designer Series Paper pack.  I thought the Polka Dots would be a perfect background on the Crumb Cake card base.  I liked the little dots on the Crumb Cake on the bottom part because they almost act as a neutral.  And come on, the Party Animal paper?  Love me some Party Animals complete with hats!  I added a layer of Pacific Point card stock and layered on some of the Party Animal Designer Series Washi Tape.  I fussy cut the banner and finished the card off with the Emerald Envy Taffeta ribbon and a little Party Hat embellishment tied on.  Here is the inside:

For the inside I kept it simple with ink and washi tape.  For a complete list of products check out below.  For more birthday cards, head over to SSI!

  

March Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration March Blog Hop where we are having a Sale-A-Bration!  There is just under one month left of Sale-A-Bration left and Stampin' Up! released a few more special Sale-A-Bration items that you can earn with a qualifying purchase along with their already amazing line up of fabulous products.  Today I have a few projects to share showing off 9 of these fabulous goodies!

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 4 on the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration Blog Hop - Cathy A at Maine Mountain Stamper. 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.

Up first is a quick and easy card:

This first card uses the Avant Garden and Delicate Details stamp sets.  I started with some Tip Top Taupe and did some tone on tone stamping with the lace.  I added some Perfect Plum splatters in the background too.  The flowers is stamped with Perfect Plum and Garden Green.  I finished it off with a little bit of actual lace one the card.  These two stamp sets were made for each other!  

I have seen several cards like this one on Pinterest so this is my spin on it.  I used the Reverse Words stamp set in Blushing Bride (stamped off first) and Sweet Sugarplum (full strength) to get this cool effect.  I added strips of glimmer paper in both Sweet Sugarplum and Blushing Bride.  I love the Assorted Glimmer Pack...the colors are so amazing!   

I used the Any Occasion Sale-A-Bration stamp along with the Playful Palette DSP stack to create a fun little banner.  I definitely forgot about this paper pack and was happy to use some of it for this playful card!  

I just love the Carried Away DSP, it is so bright and whimsical.  I thought it would pair nicely with the Designer Tee stamp set, especially the sentiment, Don't Quit Your Day Dream.  And this fit perfectly on a Watermelon Wonder doily, I just love those!  

And finally this card was a little bit of therapy for me.  I cut up the Inside The Lines DSP and sat and colored it with the Watercolor Pencils.  I also added some of the Metallic Ribbon in the silver and white as well under my sentiment.  

So you can see the Sale-A-Bration offerings this year come in all shapes, styles, and types.  Hopefully you caught my post yesterday on the fabulous Make a Medallion stamp set.  Thanks so much for stopping by today.  Up next is Jen Guarino at Faith.Grace.Stamp.  I can't wait to see what she has in store for us!  

Blog Hop Participant List:

1. Tobe B. ~ The Craft Sea
2. Diana E. ~ Stampin' Fun with Diana
3. Darla R. ~ Stampin' with Darla
4. Cathy A. ~ Maine Mountain Stamper
5. Jennifer G. ~ Jenny G Paper Crafts
6. Jen G. ~ Faith.Grace.Stamp
7. Nichole L. ~ Scrappy Stamps & Ink
8. Kim R. ~ Stampin' with Kim
9. Darcy J. ~ Dj's Stampin' Place
10. Pamela W. ~ Stinky Tofu
11. Donna S. ~ Geek Squad Crafting
12. Cheryl H. ~ Create with Cheryl

A Tasty Cupcake Truck

I was so excited when I saw the Tasty Truck stamp set in the Sale-A-Bration brochure.  But unfortunately I got excited about a lot of things in that brochure and the 2017 Occasions Catalog.  I am featuring the Tasty Trucks stamp set at my Open House this weekend and I have a quick and easy card I made with this set to share:

I started with the Thick Whisper White for my card base and added a layer of Tempting Turquoise card stock.  I used the streamer print from the Festive Birthday Designer Series Paper.  I stamped the truck on some more Whisper White and layered it on some Melon Mambo.  I colored my cupcake truck with the amazing Watercolor Pencils and used a blender pen to blend the color in.  I finished the card off with some Crushed Curry Baker's Twine.  I think this would be a sweet card for any cupcake loving person to get!  

This is one of my favorite Sale-A-Bration stamp sets.  To see some of the other favorites from the designers over at SSI, head there!  

A Sweet Ferris Wheel

One of my favorite suites from the 2017 Occasions Catalog is the Cupcakes and Carousels Suite.  The Designer Series Paper Stack has super fun patterns in yummy colors.  And the stamp set is absolutely adorable.  I had already played with the carousel horse several times and this time I wanted to show off the delicious cupcake ferris wheel: 

I decided to make a gate fold card.  I chose the fun striped pattern on the one side and the Bermuda Bay Glimmer Paper (new Sale-A-Bration offering!).  I stamped the ferris wheel with Early Espresso and added the cupcakes using the Up & Away framelit dies.  I stamped the sentiment underneath in Calypso Coral.  Here is the inside: 

I used a sheet of the Cupcakes and Carousels DSP and layered on some Very Vanilla stamped with the fun tent and the sentiment.  This suite of products is so fun.  For more INKspiration, head over to SSI where our designers are showing what they can do with this fabulous suite!

Avant Garden

Sale-A-Bration truly is the best time of the year.  I love that we get to earn free stamps and other goodies with a qualifying purchase.  And with the amazing Occasions Catalog, it is so easy to get that qualifying order.  Today I am showing off the Avant Garden stamp set:

The set doesn't look like too much, but there are so much collage stamping potential in this set.  I used some last year's new in colors (by the by, they will be retiring at the end of May, so get those ink refills now or you will be sad!).

If you have the Sale-A-Bration brochure handy, you will see that this card is loosely CASED from a sample in there.  I got different shades of the Cucumber Crush and Watermelon Wonder by stamping twice without reinking my stamp.  I really love these colors together...the bright colors with that fabulous neutral.  This card came together super quick.  Did you spot I still used the Stitched Shaped Framelits, I can't get enough of those!!!  Seriously my favorite framelits!  

We are talking all about our favorite Sale-A-Bration stamp set over at SSI, head there for more great INKspiration.