control freaks tour - simple and elegant

It's another month for the Tour De Freaks! You should have just arrived from the fabulous Patty Bennett's blog. This month the theme is Simple & Elegant. When I was thinking about what stamp set I could use to showcase an elegant card, I scanned my stamp sets on the shelf and the Daydream Medallions set jumped out at me! I got a little excited about playing with this set since I hadn't used it in a long, long time, so I actually have three cards to share with you today. I hope you will be inspired by what you see...feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions!

First up showcases one of my favorite in-colors right now ~ Blackberry Bliss!! I have always thought the deep purple is one of the most elegant colors you could use, so I kept this card monochromatic. This card opens up differently than a normal card. The two flaps fold to the inside of the card. The card base is cut like a normal card (5-1/2 x 4-1/4), but I scored it while laying lengthwise at 2-1/8" on each side. I love how the layered look of the Daydream Medallions and Floral Frames Framelits coordinate and overlap each other in a striking way. I finished off the middle with a 1/2" circle followed by a Rhinestone Accent.

When opened, this sentiment is on the bottom of the card.

Stamp Sets	Daydream Medallions, A Dozen Thoughts (sentiment)
Ink	Blackberry Bliss
Paper	Blackberry Bliss, Whisper White, 2014-2016 In-Color Paper Stack (Blackberry Bliss polka dots)
Accessories	SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Rhinestones
Tools	Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Floral Frames Framelits, 1/2" Circle Punch

My second card also uses a monochromatic theme using Soft Sky & Lost Lagoon. I decided to create this card 4-1/4 x 4-1/4 as the bottom doily fits perfectly on the square card. I then layered it using the coordinating Floral Frame Framelits. Each of the layers is popped up with a Dimensional (wish I would have taken a picture of the side view!!) This thank you card is intended for one of my customers who took advantage of the Big Shot special this month...she purchased the Big Shot and received the Daydreams Medallions stamp set and coordinating Floral Frames Framelits for FREE!

This up close view gives you a good look of the white embossing.

Stamp Sets	Daydream Medallions, Bitty Banners
Ink	Lost Lagoon, Versamark, White Embossing Powder
Paper	Lost Lagoon, Soft Sky, Whisper White
Accessories	SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Subtles Buttons, Tea Lace Paper Doilies
Tools	Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Floral Frames Framelits, Heat Tool (for embossing)

This last card is my favorite of the three! It's hard to see in the picture, but I actually embossed the black decorative ring. I then used the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to perfectly place the Crisp Cantaloupe image inside.

I think this makes a beautifully elegant wedding card!

You can see I added Pearl Accents around the framed image and used Calypso Coral Blendabilities to color in the trio of pearls on the butterfly then popped up the butterfly with a Dimensional.

Stamp Sets	Daydream Medallions, A Dozen Thoughts (sentiments)
Ink	Crisp Cantaloupe, Calypso Coral, Versamark, Black Embossing Powder, Calypso Coral Blendabilities
Paper	Basic Black, Calypso Coral, Crisp Cantaloupe, Whisper White, Vellum
Accessories	SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Pearl Accents
Tools	Paper Snips, Elegant Butterfly Punch, Bitty Butterfly Punch, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by! I hope you will continue on the hop to visit Deb Currier's blog at Artfelt Impressions.

ssink - two step stamping child's birthday card!

It's Technique Tuesday at the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration blog and I have a quick and easy card to showcase that technique. I used the Zoo Babies stamp set and wanted the bird to sit on the back of the rhinoceros. This is where the two-step stamping comes in. I first stamped the rhino and then the bird on top of him. The set I used was clear mount, but my perfectionistic ways wouldn't allow me just to "wing it", so I pulled out my trusty Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to line the bird up just right!

Two little buddies hanging out together!

I used the Circle Card Thinlits, so the card swings open to reveal the second part of the birthday greeting on the back with just enough room for someone to sign their name.

Stamp Sets	Zoo Babies, Remembering Your Birthday
Ink	Pumpkin Pie, Sahara Sand
Paper	Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Sweet Taffy DSP
Accessories	SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Rhinestones, Brights Candy Dots (Pumpkin Pie)
Tools	Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Circle Card Thinlits, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig

I am also linking up this week for The Paper Players Clean & Simple Challenge featuring a child's birthday theme!! I think this would be the perfect card for a child's birthday!

 Be sure to stop by the SSINK blog for more Two-Step Stamping card inspiration!

ssink - convention swap blog hop

 

The gals of the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration blog are blog hopping today! It's hard to believe, but it's been almost a month since Stampin' Up! Convention where some of our group got the chance to meet each other...many of us for the first time!

Out to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory!

Me, Cynthia, Darla, Pam, Diana, Kim, Bree & Kathy

We had planned ahead of time to meet up to swap cards, so each of us created a card focusing on newer products from the 2014-2015 Catalog.

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 10 on the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration Blog Hop - Bree at Craft-Somnia. 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.

The card I created features the Sweet Stuff stamp set (you can see more of my samples using this set HERE). I also used the Dotty Angles Photopolymer set. When I put these together I visualized a dancer on stage with confetti coming down on her or even just the twinkling of lights all around her. I will admit the trio of thick Baker's Twine may not make this a cheap "mail-able" card, but I think the bow in the middle adds a fun touch!

I added Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the tutu. Ballerinas can never have enough glitter and bling!

Stamp Sets	Sweet Stuff, Dotty Angles
Ink	Black Stazon, Crumb Cake w/ Blender Pen (for shadow), Strawberry Slush, Coastal Cabana, Strawberry Slush, Pink Pirouette & Daffodil Delight (all used with Blender Pen), Blush Blossom Marker (retired)
Paper	Coastal Cabana, Strawberry Slush, Whisper White, Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper (new!)
Accessories	SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, 2-Way Glue Pen, Coastal Cabana, Crisp Cantaloupe & Strawberry Slush Thick Baker's Twine
Tools	1/4" Hole Punch

Keep on hopping along to find out what all the other SSINK designers created for their swap cards. Up next is Pam at Stampin' in the Sun. 

Blog Hop Participant List:

1. Darcy J. of DJ's Stampin' Place
2. Donna S. of Organized Chaos
3. Cynthia R. of Ink-A-Doodle Creations
4. Jennifer C. of Happy 2 Scrap 4 Life
5. Kim R. of Stamping with Kim
6. Diana E. of Stampin' Fun with Diana
7. Tonya B. of Stampin' with Tonya
8. Shellie G. of Craft Smashup
9. Kathy P. of Katrina P's Creative Corner
10. Bree R. of Craft-Somnia
11. Heidi B. of Stuck on Stampin'
12. Pam S. of Stampin' in the Sun
13. Darla R. of Stampin' with Darla
14. Erica B. of Stamping Starlette

ssink one year anniversary - oh happy day!

It's hard to imagine, but the gals over at Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration are celebrating our ONE YEAR anniversary today! It's been such a fun ride being able to get to know some fellow demonstrators from all over the United States and it was truly a treat to meet many of them at this year's Convention! I have also enjoyed this past year of being inspired and helping to inspire within this group! To celebrate today each of the designers are sharing something just for fun. I created this simple card as a shout out to say OH HAPPY DAY for our one year anniversary!

We are also excited to announce that SSINK now has a Facebook group and Pinterest page! Click HERE to follow us on Pinterest and click HERE to request to join our SSINK Facebook group! We would love to get to know our readers better!

Come on over to see what all 15 other SSINK designers are sharing today...it's a free for all, so you never know what kind of inspiration you're gonna get!

Stamp Sets	Starburst Sayings
Ink	Garden Green
Paper	Whisper White, Calypso Coral, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding, Gold Soiree Specialty DSP
Accessories	SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Pearls
Tools	Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Starburst Framelits, Circle Framelits, Large Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack (hearts)

ssink - kinda eclectic

Today at SSINK we are highlighting the many ways to use the Kinda Eclectic stamp set. This is one of the sets we received at the 2014 Inspire. Create. Share. Convention in Salt Lake City, which we then used to create a couple of make n takes while there. This set definitely will have to keep growing on me as I continue to use it, but I am up for the challenge!

To get my creative juices flowing for this card, I used Retro Sketches #126 along with the Hand Stamped Sentiments Inspiration Challenge #191.

Updated 8-12-14

Thank you Hand Stamped Sentiments for choosing my card as one of your picks!!

I just loved the blues, purple, and green in the inspiration collage!

Stamp Sets	Kinda Eclectic, And Many More (sentiment)
Ink	Perfect Plum, Coastal Cabana, Pool Party, Coastal Cabana Blendabilities (to color rhinestones)
Paper	Whisper White, Perfect Plum, Coastal Cabana, Mossy Meadow
Accessories	SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Rhinestones
Tools	Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Bitty Banners Framelits, Bitty Butterfly Punch, Elegant Butterfly Punch

stamp into summer continued

It's about time I share the rest of the make n takes I created at our team "Stamp into Summer" Stamp-a-Stack in June. To give a quick recap a team of fellow demonstrators (my upline, downline, and sidelines) got together for a fun evening of stamping. We each planned a card that we would all make and created 9 cards total. The supplies were cut and ready to stamp just as we would do for a class. So we hopped from table to table stamping each other's cards. I shared my card at the end of June and then two other demo cards I shared for the Fourth of July. And now today I am finally showing you the last six cards!

**Disclaimer: I did change a few of these cards from the original design. Some of them I had stamped at the event and then brought home to finish assembling not remembering quite how the card looked. Oops! ;)

Stamp Set: Vivid Vases

Colors: Rich Razzleberry, Coastal Cabana, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive

Stamp Set: Bloom with Hope, Four You

Colors: Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive

 Stamp Set: I Like You, And Many More (sentiment)

Colors: Crisp Cantaloupe, Calypso Coral, Garden Green

Stamp Set: Blended Bloom, Work of Art

Colors: Blushing Bride, Strawberry Slush, Pistachio Pudding

Stamp Set: Cycle Celebration (sentiment), Petite Petals

Colors: Blackberry Bliss, Hello Honey

(opening up to the inside)

Stamp Set: Work of Art

Colors: Bermuda Bay, Calypso Coral, Smokey Slate, 

If you have any additional questions on any of the cards other than stamp sets used or colors, please let me know in the comments and I am happy to send you an answer if I have one!

SSINK - kind koala color challenge

This little koala came in my favorite brown box last week and I couldn't wait to get him all inky. However, I had to do a little minor adjustment to this single wood mount stamp. You see...he started out looking like this...

 

The words "thinking of YOU" are attached to the stamp.

Although I thought it was cute, I wanted him to be a little more versatile, so before mounting the stamp I trimmed off the words and so now I only have the koala with the flower. I normally don't recommend butchering your stamps, but in this case I knew I would use him more without the words. It was tough to trim off the bottom, so you will see that there is part where it doesn't stamp as crisp as the rest of the outline of the koala. The risk I took! ;)

This card is a little thank you for all of my Craft Cleanout Sale participants and since there were 15 who joined me, I needed a quick and easy card to duplicate 15 times! I opted for using the Whisper White Note Cards & Envelopes. These are smaller cards already pre-cut and folded and include envelopes...20 cards for only $5.95! Easy to whip up a handful of cards lickety-split!

I used the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration August Color Challenge to help inspire me. Not gonna lie...the Mossy Meadow color threw me for a loop (still waiting for the dark green to grow on me!), but in the end the splash of green was a good compliment to the extra heavy Strawberry Slush I used!

Stamp Sets	Kind Koala, Big News (thank you!)
Ink	Black Stazon, Tempting Turquoise, Blender Pen used with Smokey Slate & Crumb Cake ink pads, Strawberry Slush Marker
Paper	Whisper White, Strawberry Slush, Mossy Meadow, 2013-2015 In-Color Background DSP (Strawberry Slush Chevron)
Accessories	SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Brights Candy Dots (Tempting Turquoise)
Tools	Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Bitty Banners Framelits

Come on by to see what the other designers have created with this color combo.We would love for you to come play along, too! We post a new color combo on the 1st Monday of each month. We also have a card sketch on the 2nd Monday and a Layout Sketch on the 3rd Monday.  Click on the badge below to take you to our blog!

the creation station blog hop - amazing birthday

Yay! It's the 1st Sunday of the month which means it's time for The Creation Station to share with you some fun and inspiring ways to use your Stampin' Up! products. You should have just hopped on over from Sara's blog.

For today's hop we were able to choose from the following (any or all!): 

1) Amazing Birthday stamp set

2) All Things PARTY!

3) Tag-A-Bags & Accessory Kit

It was so fun to receive the Amazing Birthday stamp set at Convention this year, so of course I took this opportunity to get it nice and inky (well some of the images anyway)!

To help inspire me, I used this week's Freshly Made Sketches 147.

I stamped the "Happy Happy Happy Happy Birthday to YOU!" sentiment in three different colors (Tangelo Twist, Pistachio Pudding, and Crushed Curry). I chose these three colors to coordinate with the Confetti Celebration DSP strips on the right of the card. After inking the three "happy" words, I cut them apart using my Paper Snips and popped each of them up on Dimensionals. I added the word "birthday" from the photopolymer Endless Birthday Wishes stamp set using Basic Gray ink. I just think it needed some extra whimsy (and I love that font!). The birthday cake image is stamped in Tangelo Twist (I also added some Dazzling Diamonds Glitter to it) and then punched it out with the 1-1/4" Circle Punch with a border of Basic Gray using the 1-3/8" Circle Punch. Finally it's backed by the second smallest Starburst Framelits in Pistachio Pudding. I wrapped a piece of Tangelo Twist Satin Stitched Ribbon around the Bermuda Bay card base and ended it by tying a knot. Lastly I added random Rhinestones throughout the card.

Stamp Sets	Amazing Birthday, Endless Birthday Wishes
Ink	Tangelo Twist, Pistachio Pudding, Crushed Curry, Basic Gray
Paper	Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Basic Gray, Pistachio Pudding, Confetti Celebration DSP
Accessories	SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Rhinestones, Tangelo Twist Satin Stitched Ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter
Tools	Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Starburst Framelits, Paper Snips

My second card focuses on the largest image in the set. I turned to my Color Coach for this color combo of Rich Razzleberry and Pool Party. I decided to also bring in Pear Pizzazz. The main image was stamped in Rich Razzleberry and then trimmed around the edges using my Paper Trimmer. I stamped the image again in Pear Pizzazz but only used the word "AMAZING" by trimming using my Paper Snips. Before popping it up on the front I added a strip of Rich Razzleberry and snipped the ends to create a banner. I added a couple of Rhinestones to each end of the banner. The Pool Party background is embossed with the Polka Dot Embossing Folder (one of my new favorites!) I added the tiny stars (from the Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack) punched out of Silver Glimmer Paper and popped them up with Dimensionals to look like they were spreading from one corner to the other.

Stamp Sets	Amazing Birthday
Ink	Rich Razzleberry, Pear Pizzazz
Paper	Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Pool Party, Silver Glimmer Paper
Accessories	SNAIL Adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Rhinestones
Tools	Paper Snips, Itty Bitty Accents Pack (star)

The last little treat I have to share with you today uses the new Polka Dot Tag-A- Bags and Accessory Kit along with the Amazing Birthday stamp set. Instead of using the bag flat like they come, I created it to be 3-D by simply scoring the two sides and bottom of the bag each at 1". I then folded the bag on the sides and pinched them on the bottom, gluing the flaps to the bottom. (I saw this on Cindee Wilkinson's blog if you need better instructions.) Because I wanted to use this bag for some Bath & Body Works hand soap, I decided to fold down a bit around the top. To do this a little more easily, I had to cut a slit in the sides, but was able to cover it up with the White Thick Baker's Twine that comes with the Accessory Kit. I wanted to keep it somewhat simple, so I inked up the birthday image using Blackberry Bliss, Hello Honey, Coastal Cabana, Calypso Coral, and Basic Gray markers. Each of these colors are featured in the Accessory Kit. I die-cut it out with the Banner Framelits. I then took the pre-cut pennant from the Accessory Kit (in Calypso Coral) and clipped them both together to the bag using the fun clips that come in the kit. To add a little something to the inside, I cut tiny strips of Coastal Cabana cardstock and then crinkled them up to look like "filling" for the bag.

Stamp Sets	Amazing Birthday
Ink	Markers - Blackberry Bliss, Hello Honey, Coastal Cabana, Calypso Coral, Basic Gray
Paper	Whisper White, Coastal Cabana, Calypso Coral pre-cut banner tag
Accessories	SNAIL Adhesive, White Thick Baker's Twine (comes in Tag-A-Bag Accessory Kit), Polka Dot Tag-A-Bags, Calypso Coral binder clip (comes in Tag-A-Bag Accessory Kit)
Tools	Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, Banner Framelits

I hope you're having a fun time on today's hop and that you can't wait to see more! We so appreciate you coming by for a visit and would love for you to leave a comment if you like what you see or if you have any questions on any of the cards or project, please feel free to ask!

Now head on over to Jennifer Frost's blog by clicking the next button below. You're in for some awesome inspiration! If you want to go backwards on the hop, click on the back button to go back to Sara Levin's blog where she is sure to impress, as well!

See you on the 3rd Sunday for another Creation Station Blog Hop!

August Big Shot Promotion ~ FREE Bundle with Big Shot purchase or 15% off Framelit Bundles

Today is a SWEET day!! Not only because it's Friday (who doesn't love the start of a weekend?!) but because today is the day Stampin' Up! begins their August Big Shot promotion. Have you been holding out for awhile wondering if the Big Shot is worth the purchase?! Well...I am here to say ~ yes, it is!! Not only because the Big Shot can take a card from drab to flab, but for this month only if you purchase a Big Shot, you will get a Framelit/Stamp Set bundle for FREE (that's up to $60 in additional product for FREE)!!

Already have the Big Shot and loving it? During the month of August you can purchase any of these bundles for an additional 15% off, including a new stamp set that will be featured in the 2014 Holiday Catalog called Bright & Beautiful.

This is exciting stuff and I don't want you to miss out on this opportunity! Please visit my online website to order yours today (heidiboos.stampinup.net)

When ordering your Big Shot and FREE bundle, be sure to use the product numbers as shown below:

CM = Clear Mount
WM = Wood Mount

Bundle	Item Number	Stamp Set	Framelits	Discounted Price
Sumthin' with Bubbly Words Bundle WM	138923	Sumthin' Sumthin'	Word Bubbles	$33.75
Sumthin' with Bubbly Words Bundle CM	138920	Sumthin' Sumthin'	Word Bubbles	$31.25
Decorative Goodies Bundle WM	138924	Oh My Goodies	Deco Labels Collection	$42.25
Decorative Goodies Bundle CM	138921	Oh My Goodies	Deco Labels Collection	$35.95
Celebrating Chalk Talk Bundle WM	138925	Day of Celebration	Chalk Talk	$43.25
Celebrating Chalk Talk Bundle CM	138922	Day of Celebration	Chalk Talk	$37.25
Flowery Daydream Bundle WM	138911	Daydream Medallions	Floral Collection	$54.25
Flowery Daydream Bundle CM	138910	Daydream Medallions	Floral Collection	$45.75
Bright & Beautiful Stars Bundle WM	138644	Bright & Beautiful	Star	$50.75
Bright & Beautiful Stars Bundle CM	138200	Bright & Beautiful	Star	$43.95