Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration Sympathy Cards

Sympathy cards are never fun to make, but they feel good to give. I really like having them on hand because you never know when you will need one. Today at Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration, some of our Design Team members are sharing what they have created. Please take a moment to stop by and check them out!

For this card, I chose to use {Ex Libris} as the background. I think that has to be one of my absolute favorites. It is so elegant. Because the background is fairly busy, I didn't want to over power the card with too many embellishments or layers. Sometimes less is more?

Supplies

Cardstock ~ Smoky Slate, Whisper White

Ink ~ Rose Red, Basic Gray

Stamp Sets ~ Ex Libris, Perfect Pennants

Tools ~ paper trimmer, paper snips, dimensionals, sponges, adhesives, stamp-a-ma-jig

Embellishments ~ Sweet Sorbet Accessory Pack (Pool Party Twine), Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons, Pearls Basic Jewels

Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration ~ Spiral Flower Die Tutorial

Today at Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration, I'm bragging about the new Stampin' Up! Spiral Flower die for the Big Shot. I just love it. I love making flowers, but they're always so time consuming. Stampin' Up! Has come up with a simple way to create gorgeous flowers, without spending hours to do them. 

One of the things that I really love about it, is that each flower is so unique and different. No two are alike! Another thing I love is that it really doesn't take THAT much paper. Just a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" piece. It makes it pretty easy when you're using 8 1/2" x 11" cardstock. 

I am always at a loss when it comes to making wedding cards or gifts. I prefer a classy look, especially for a wedding, so while playing around with the Spiral Flower die it came to me. Lots and lots of flowers, all different sizes, in a few coordinating colors, on top of a box. Perfect! A few weeks ago I created a cute little candy box. The box was simple and quick to put together and I thought it would be the perfect size for this project. It worked out great!

Stampin' Up! Occasions 2014 catalog item# 129379

Supplies

Cardstock ~ whisper white, basic gray, smoky slate, perfect plum, wisteria wonder

Ink ~ White StazOn

Tools ~ embossing folder, paper trimmer, paper snips, spiral flower die, big shot. glue dots, hot glue, boho blossoms punch, flower punch

Embellishments ~ rhinestones basic jewels

Finished size: 4 1/2" x 6" x 1 1/4"

Dimensions

Base box: 6 1/2" x 8" Score @ 1 1/4" on all four sides

Lid: 6 5/8" x 8 1/8" Score @ 1 1/4" on all four sides

Oh, Hello Friday!

Another week has flown by. We're wrapping up week 2 of Harvest. The combine sat at the shop for a better part of the day having a new tire put on. Seems like a simple task right? How about when your tires are taller than you are? I stood around and watched the guys work on the combine for a good 5 minutes before I decided it was just too darn hot for me (even though I was in shorts and a tank top and the guys were all in coveralls). I ran home and locked myself in my woman cave. I wanted to do something with a "wheat" color in it. This just popped into head. I've been wanting to combine these colors for a while. I think it worked out well. I created this card for Fab Friday's challenge #23 and will also double for A.R.T. Card Challenge #7 (Anything Goes).

Supplies Used: 

Paper ~ Wisteria Wonder, Basic Gray, Whisper White

Ink ~ Wisteria Wonder, Basic Gray, So Saffron, White StazOn 

Stamp Sets ~ Daydream Medallions, Oh Hello, Gorgeous Grunge, Chalk Talk

Other Supplies ~ Floral Frames framelits, 1 1/4" circle punch, Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Antique Brads, Brayer tool

Misc. Supplies (non-Stampin' Up!) ~ white linen fabric, tule 

*For the cute little linen flower, I cut a strip of white linen fabric, colored it with So Saffron ink and the Brayer tool and then folded layers onto the Antique Brad. 

*For the Oh, Hello banner, I started off with Whisper White paper, colored it with So Saffron ink and the Brayer tool.  

Christmas in July... and I missed it.

I have been SO behind on my card challenges lately. I haven't had much time at all to create {sad face}. So, I created this card for The Paper Player's Challenge #155. Here is what I came up with. For something different, I tried to stay away from the traditional Christmas colors.

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Sahara Sand, Basic Grey

Ink ~ Early Espresso, Stayz on White

Stamp Sets ~ Come to Bethlehem

Other Supplies ~ Paper doily sizzlits, ovals collection dies, paper piercing tool, lacy brocade embossing folder, two-tone ribbon in basic gray/basic black

*Non-Stampin' Up supplies ~ Sparkle/frost mister (from JoAnn's)

The Paper Players Challenge #151

Just the name of the blog grabbed my attention. The Paper Players. Sounds like a challenge to me!

I stumbled across this blog today on Pinterest. Good ole' Pinterest. I can always count on it for inspiration. This looks like a really fun blog with wonderful challenges. I'm bound and determined to overwhelm myself with as many challenges as possible. I feel like it's the only way I can come up with new stuff. I need a little {push} in the right direction.

Here is the sketch for challenge #151. I will definitely be doing this one. I already have so many ideas in my head.

So... Here is what I came up with. My original idea was already used as an example. Yes, I thought of it before I saw their card. Darn it! I think plan B worked well though! 

Supplies Used:

Paper ~ Fan Fair DSP, Very Vanilla, Sahara Sand

Ink ~ Island Indigo, Summer Starfruit, Not Quite Navy, Crumb Cake

Stamp Sets ~ From My Heart

Other Supplies ~ Comfort Cafe designer fabric, Sizzlits large paper doily, basic grey ribbon, basic pearl jewels