Stylin' Stampin' SSINKspiration Card Sketch Challenge ~ Worldly Travels

Happy Monday! Today at Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration we have a new card sketch! It is a super fun sketch with lots of room for creativity!

Here is my take on the sketch:

Supplies

Cardstock ~ Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Baked Brown Sugar

Ink ~ Summer Starfruit, Cherry Cobbler, Midnight Muse, Marina Mist, Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise, Baked Brown Sugar, Early Espresso, Soft Suede

Stamp Sets ~ World Map, Gorgeous Grunge, Postage Due, Postage Collection, Lovely Little Labels, By the Tide, The Open Sea

Tools ~ Postage Stamp punch, Paper Snips, Paper Trimmer, Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack, Postage Stamp punch, Blender Pen, Dimensionals, Honeycomb embossing folder, lighter

Embellishnments ~ Denim Jean Ribbon

World Map

$13.95

Gorgeous Grunge Clear-Mount Stamp Set

$17.95

Postage Due Clear-Mount Stamp Set

$16.95

Postage Collection

$12.00

Lovely Little Labels Clear-Mount Stamp Set

$10.95

By The Tide Clear-Mount Stamp Set

$19.95

The Open Sea - Clear-Mount Stamp

$18.95

Punch Pack

$16.95

Honeycomb Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

$7.95

Blender Pens

$9.95

Postage Stamp Punch

$15.95

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

Liebster Award Nomination!

So, this morning I was notified that I was given the Liebster Award. What is that? Well, it's a really fun award given to you by someone that thinks your blog rocks! It kind of reminds me of Friendship Bread. Ha! Kind of a weird way to look at it I guess. But you get the idea. Pass it along, share the love, and inspire till your heart is content! Thank you Cynthia from Ink-a-Doodle Creations for passing on this opportunity to me! 

There are "rules" to follow for this nomination, and here they are:
1. Be sure to thank the blog that nominated you and be sure to link back to their blog;
2. Answer the 11 questions the blogger asked you;
3. Nominate 11 of your favorite blogs with under 500 followers and ask your 11 questions;
4. Make sure to let each blogger know about your Liebster Award nomination on their blog (leave a comment and link back to your Liebster Blog post).

Now, I get to choose 11 blogs to share with you. These are some pretty amazingly talented ladies. It actually was really difficult to choose just 11. I have SO many blogs that I draw inspiration from. I hope you can check out each and every one of these blogs. Leave a little love, and sit back and just {be} inspired! 

1.  Breelin Renwick at Craft-Somnia Momma
2.  Heidi Boos at Stuck on Stampin'
3.  Diana Eichfeld at Stampin' Fun with Diana
4.  Erica Bass at Stamping Starlette
5.  Jenny Engelke at Giddy Stamper
6.  Melanie Schulenberg at Pockets of Inspiration
7. Cindy Brumbach at CindyLeeBeeDesigns
8.  Lisa Hensley at The Shabby Stamper
9.  Mui Hoang at Something for Everyone
10.  Karen Squires at Stampin' By The Bay
11.  Tanya Boser at Tinkerin In Ink with Tanya

Here are Cynthia's questions:

1.  How long have you been a demo with Stampin' Up!?
I have technically been a "Stampin' Up! Demonstrator" for 2 years. I don't really call myself a "Demonstrator" though. I think of myself as more of a Professional Crafter.

2.  What other hobbies do you enjoy besides paper crafting?
Ooooo that's a tough one. I think a list of the ones I don't do would be shorter. I enjoy just about ANYTHING that falls into the "crafting" category. Pinterest keeps me quite busy! I always have too many irons in the fire!

3.  What is your FAVORITE stamp set ever you just can't part with?
Hands down, Gorgeous Grunge! I use it for almost EVERY card I create!

4.  What is your favorite color combos to use?
This is a really difficult one for me because every new color combination I play around with becomes my new favorite. My CURRENT pick would have to be Strawberry Slush, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pool Party and Baked Brown Sugar.

5.  Where do you paper craft in your home (do you have your own room)?
Much to my husband's dismay, I've taken over his "Man Cave" Now, the only traces of Men are his bear rug and his buck hanging on the wall. Which, I'm working on moving. 

6.  What is your favorite technique to use on cards?
Distressing. I love to smudge, scrunch, tear, age, burn, roll corners and purposely destroy everything!

7.  Do you keep all your stamp sets when they retire?
Yes and no. I keep the ones that I continually use. The ones that go along with my "style" of stamping. I sell the ones I don't use at all. I keep a sticky note on each one and write the date last used. It's a little weird, but if I don't do that, I can't remember!

8.  Have you ever been to Convention with Stampin' Up!, if so how many times have you been?
Sadly, no. My husband is a Wheat Farmer and that is our busiest time of the year. With two little ones at home, it's impossible to sneak away for a week. I hope I can go in the next year or so when they're a bit older and easier on Grandma.

9.  How often do you get to paper craft?
Almost everyday. I CRAVE it. I am a night owl, so I sneak out to my craft room as soon as every one is in bed.

10. What is your favorite type of ribbon to use?
Hmmmm, that's a tough one for me. I don't use a lot of it. I guess I would say the Ruffled Trim. I've used it on the last few cards. It's so fun and versatile!

11. What is your favorite DSP to use?
As I look through all of my recent cards, I see a lot of Sweet Sorbet. It is SUCH a fun and colorful series!

Okay, now it's your turn. Here are your questions. I can't wait to see your answers!

1. What do you enjoy most about being a part of Stampin' Up!
2. Where do you draw most of your inspiration from?
3. What is your main style?
4. Do you participate in card challenges (sketch or color)?
5. How do you share your creations?
6. What is your favorite stamp set?
7. Do you prefer wood or clear stamp sets?
8. What tools or stamps would you hate to see retired?
9. Do you like to make 3-D projects? 
10. What Holiday is your favorite to create for?
11. What is your "go to" product?

Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration Color Challenge!

It's color challenge time at Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration! I love color challenges. They push me out of my comfort zone, and I really NEED that sometimes! 

Today's colors are gorgeous. Perfect for springtime!

Here is what I came up with! I'm a rebel, so I added a few extra colors. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to do that though. he he!

Supplies

Cardstock ~ Whisper White, Marina Mist

Ink ~ Marina Mist, Perfect Plum, Rose Red, Lucky Limeade, Old Olive

Stamp Sets ~ Pleasant Poppies, Delightful Dozen, Happy Watercolor

Tools ~ Paper Trimmer, Paper Snips, Decorative Label punch, Oval Framelits, White Emboss powder, Heat Tool, Blender Pen, Sponges

Embellishments ~ White ribbon

Pleasant Poppies Clear-Mount Stamp Set

$13.95

Delightful Dozen - Clear-Mount Stamp

$24.95

Happy Watercolor

$21.95

Ovals Collection Framelits Dies

$26.95

Decorative Label Punch

$16.95

Stamping Sponges

$3.50

Blender Pens

$9.95

White Stampin' Emboss Powder

$4.75

Heat Tool

$29.95

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

Emboss it!

Today at Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration, we're focusing on Embossing. I love heat embossing and I love texture embossing. So, I decided to do both for this card. 

I'm in SPRING mode. I can't wait for green grass, flowers and sunny skies! I just love this new little stamp set {Petite Petals} from the Stampin' Up! Occasions catalog. There is also a coordinating punch to go with it. This was perfect for this card!

I got to try the {Stained Glass} technique for this card. I've never done it before, so it was a little challenging, but once I figured it out, I was on FIRE! 

Stained Glass Technique:

1. Stamp the image onto Vellum with VersaMark. 

2. Emboss with White Embossing powder and a heat gun. 

3. Punch the image out. 

4. Turn the image over and sponge/color the back side with ink or markers. 

* To make the stained glass flowers really pop, I backed them with white cardstock.

Supplies

Cardstock ~ sahara sand, whisper white

Ink ~ strawberry slush, pumpkin pie, lucky limeade

Stamp Sets ~ chalk talk, petite petals, everything eleanor

Tools ~ paper trimmer, paper snips, petite petals flower punch, arrows embossing folder, dimensionals, anywhere glue stick, glue dots, 1 1/4" circle punch, white emboss powder, heat gun, vellum, corner punch

Embellishments ~ pink yarn

Chalk Talk

$18.95

Everything Eleanor Clear-Mount Stamp Set

$26.95

Petite Petals

$11.95

Petite Petals Punch

$12.95

Arrows Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

$7.95

3/16 Inch Corner Punch

$6.95

Heat Tool

$29.95

White Stampin' Emboss Powder

$4.75

White Vellum 8-1/2X11 Card Stock

$6.50

Blender Pens

$9.95

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

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

Retro Sketch Sunday #103

There is a new sketch challenge at Retro Sketches today. It is a fun little sketch. A tag! I love tags, they're something that you can use anytime. They are so much fun to make. This sketch was fun because it had a lot of room for creativity. I'm in love with Nautical themes, I needed a masculine tag, and I needed something for Father's Day (yes, I know it's early). This was the perfect project to fill those requirements!

The Sketch:

Here's my take:

Supplies

Cardstock ~ Crumb Cake, Island Indigo, Very Vanilla, Baked Brown Sugar

Ink ~ Real Red, Cherry Cobbler, Midnight Muse, Night of Navy, Baked Brown Sugar, Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie

Stamp Sets ~ Off the Grid, The Open Sea, By the Tide, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Tools ~ Paper Trimmer, Paper Snips, Itty Bitty Shapes punch, Word Window punch, Itty Bitty Banner Framelits, Dimensionals, Adhesives, Blender Pen, Distress Tool

Embellishments ~ Stampin' Up! Eyelets (retired), Antique Brads, Bakers Twine

Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration ~ Create a Box!

Today at Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration, we're creating boxes! I know Valentine's Day is over, but who doesn't love to receive a cute little box of chocolates? I know I wouldn't turn it down!!!! Especially something as cute as this! I decided I wanted to be able to SEE inside the box without opening it. What better way than to use a window sheet? It was perfect for this little project. This was such a simple, quick to put together box, and so much FUN!

Supplies

Cardstock ~ Sahara Sand, Early Espresso, Whisper White, Crisp Cantaloupe

Ink ~ Crisp Cantaloupe

Stamp Sets ~ Petite Petals, Itty Bitty Banners

Tools ~ Paper Trimmer, Paper Snips, Big Shot, Deco Labels Framelits, Petite Petals punch, Itty Bitty Banner Framelits, Window Sheet, Adhesives, Boho Blossoms punch, Dimensionals

Embellishments ~ Linen Thread, Pearls Basic Jewels

Measurements

Finished box measures 3" x 3" x 1 1/2"

Sahara sand CS ~ 5" x 5"

Early Espresso CS ~ 5 7/8" x 5 7/8"