Inspired Stamps- New Year Project

 The New Year is upon us and the Inspired Stamps DT was asked to do a project for the New Year.  I decided to make an organizational project which I found here to make a file folder notebook.  In the New Year we are always trying to do things a little better than we did last year.  Part of that for me is to be better organized, so I thought a cute notebook to jot down notes and a pocket to keep important papers would be great.  I used a scripture verse Proverbs 3:3 from Bind and Stitch set, Inspired Stamps. 

I picked up the file folder at Hobby Lobby on clearance.  I recently found some cute file folders at the Dollar Tree.  I was going to matte the verse with black cardstock but it interfered with the flap, so I decided to ink the ivory cardstock with Old paper Distress ink instead.  The ribbon is from Hobby Lobby and I added a cream button.
This could be a great notebook for keeping notes for your daily devotional or for notes on your bible study.  I hope you try to make one for yourself and please check out the other great ideas from the DT.  Have a blessed day!

Closed file folder notebook with Inspired Stamps verse
Proverbs 3:3

File folder notebook open, with a strip of extra file folder on top edge of mini notepad.
I used a Velcro circle as a closure.

Nativity Kids Christmas Card

Merry Christmas to all.   I hope everyone had a Wonderful Christmas sharing time with family and friends.  This time of the year seems to go by so quickly, since there is so much to do: bake, make cards, wrap presents, on and on.
I did not get my Christmas cards completed, so I was still working on them the week of Christmas.   I loved this stamp set by Recollections because it reminded me of the sweet plays with the children playing all the roles.  I chose a stairstep card to showcase all the images.  This was very time consuming to color, so this was the only one I made like this.  I do love it and would love to improve on it and make more for next year.  I hope you enjoy.  I will be posting more cards that I made in the next few days.  Have a great day.

Inspired Stamps, Christmas Girl Ornament

Inspired Stamps, HLO Christmas girl and sentiments

Hello Everyone!  I hope this finds everyone well, I have been a bit (well ok, more than a bit under the weather).  I have made an ornament for today's post.  This is one of those papier mache shapes, which I painted white and stamped the sentiment directly on the ornament.  I paper pieced the girls outfit from Me and My Big Idea papers and colored the rest of the girl with Copic markers.  I popped up the holly leaves for more dimension.  The wired ribbon is from Michael's and I cut holly leaves from Sizzix die.  I think she is very sweet and she will find a nice home on the Christmas tree this year.  Thank you for looking.  Please be sure to check out my fellow DT members blogs for their Christmas creations.  Have a joyous day with family and friends.

Inspired Stamps- Christmas Boy

HLO Christmas Boy and sentiment,  Inspired Stamps

I made a Christmas tree shaped card with the HLO Christmas boy, Inspired Stamps.  I embossed the tree with tree boughs Sizzix die and sanded surface for texture.  I then spritzed tree with glimmer mist.  I tried something new for me this time and paper pieced the boy's clothes, I used a festive blue snowflake paper for his sweater and buckaroo blue cardstock for pants.  I colored the rest with Copic markers.  I used the sentiment that comes with Christmas boy and stamped onto a Spellbinders label that I inked with Distress ink.  I added the pom pom trim for some texture and dimension.  I still have lots to do before Christmas, how about you.  Who has all their Christmas cards finished?
Please let me know what you think and check out the other DT for some fun Christmas projects.  Have a great day and stay warm.
Update:  Check out the coupon available until December 18. 

Fishn' Thank you

Hello Everyone!  Christmas is fast approaching, there never seems to be enough time to do all the crafting I would like to do as well as all the stuff I am supposed to do.  So who is like me and way behind on making the Christmas cards?  I hope to get some made later this week.  I know this card has nothing to do with Christmas, but I was going through pictures to make a few presents and I came across this.  I made this card for a sweet family, who when they heard my DS liked to fish invited him and my DH to go out on their boat.  I made it and it never got sent.  What would you do, months have elapsed and we never sent a thank you.  I made this immediately and then it was never sent.  Would you send it still, sort of belated?  Let me know.  This was made with a Prima set, they are very sweet images.  Have a great week.  I hope you are productive in your crafting endeavors as Christmas approaches.  Anyone have any awesome teacher gift ideas?

Inspired Stamps- Pocket Christmas Card

Cardstock is cranberry crisp and buckaroo blue, SU!, dp
My Mind's Eye, large snowflake Spellbinder die, small glitter
snowflake from kit, with glitter button embellie

 Hello everyone.  I hope you are all having a great week.  Today I have a pocket fold Christmas card to share with you.  I used Inspired Stamp set released last Friday called Ask, Seek, Knock and Winter Ruth set for the sentiment.  I paper pieced the tree and the bird house and I used twine to hang the bird house from the branch.  The little bird on the tag is also from this set.

 Here is the inside of the card.  I used a sentiment from Winter Ruth.  The tree and bird are from Ask, Seek, Knock set.  I added white enamel paint on trees (this one and the one on front of card) to appear like snow.

Here are both parts together.  I also faux stiched the dp to the outside and inside of the card. I enjoyed making this card.  Let me know what you think and please visit the other DT members to see their beautiful Christmas creations.  Have a great day!

Please do not forget to go to Antoinette's blog and register for the "Secret Stamp Giveaweay"

Inspired Stamps December Release

HLO Winter Girl, Vintage Christmas, Inspired Stamps

Hello Everyone.  This week is Inspired Stamps December release week, you want to be sure to check out all the great projects made with this months newly released sets.  These stamps will be available at noon on Friday at the Inspired Stamps online store.
I made a tri-fold card and embossed it with a Sizzix flower embossing folder.  The paper is by Coordinations. I sanded the embossed image to reveal the inner core color.  I used the newly released HLO Winter Girl, I colored her with Copic markers, I chose colors that were Christmas festive, but also tried to match the core color of paper.  I used the sentiment and star image on tag from Vintage Christmas set.  I used a clear rhinestone that I colored yellow to match star.  I punched the same Coordinations (opposite side) cardstock with a SU! punch and embossed .  I embellished the card with ribbon and felt holly leaves and clear rhinestones colored with Copic markers to match core color of paper.  I just love those big, sweet eyes and the sentiment "believe".  Thank you for visiting today and please check out the other DT members beautiful projects.  Have a great day!

Heartfelt Thanks

Hello Everyone.  I thought I would share a quick and easy card with you today and also remind you all to check out the Inspired Stamps DT blogs for the December stamp releases.  I will post my project on Thursday, so please come back and visit again then.  This card is not my usual card.  I received this stamp in a Kaiser Crafts goodie bag from CHA in Chicago last July.  I decided that I wanted to use fine black embossing powder to emboss this very intricate image.  I like how it worked out.  I am out of practice embossing because my tools were always buried, but now that I have redesigned my space I always have access, so I will have to practice some more soon.  Who knows maybe on Christmas cards.  I hope you like it, leave my a comment.  Thanks for visiting and remember come back to see me on Thursday when I reveal another Inspired Stamps December release. Visit the Inspired Stamps website for a last chance to use the 40% coupon off the most expensive item in your cart.  Enjoy your day and I hope you have an opportunity to get creative.



Kraft card stock, Kaiser Crafts clear floral stamp, Fiskars die



Happy Thanksgiving-Cricut Indian scene

 Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!  I hope that you take time to really reflect on what you are thankful for this year.  I know we go through the motions of each day and we forget how truly blessed we are.  I wanted to share a little project I helped my dd with for her "Indian project" at school.  She worked in a group on research about the Indians, but then each child had to do something on their own to share.  She had great plans, like I make her a costume or I make her doll a costume.  I am not very confident with my sewing skills so that made me shake a little.  I had resigned that we would make her doll an Indian outfit, had Indian looking doll, and different colors of felt in hand to go the checkout, where what do I spot? Cricut carts for sale at checkout and that led me to remember that I owned the Cricut cart for the dress up paper dolls and that their were Indians.  So this is what transpired.  Love the Cricut.  It had the pots, baskets, corn, tepees, canoe, paddle, bow and arrow, headdresses and clothes for a boy and girl.  Then we just cut and glued the pieces together.  My dd likes paper dolls so I put the girls on craft sticks so she can play with them by moving them around the scene (scene was attached to outside of shoebox). She loved it.  Sorry pictures are so bad, but I had to take them quickly before she left for school and lighting was not so good.  I am thankful for my Cricut and all the great images that were perfect for this school project.  Thank you for visiting.  Have a great Thanksgiving.

Happy First Birthday Inspired Stamps

Display board purchased for less than $6.00 at Wal Mart

 Hello Everyone,  it is Inspired Stamps First Birthday and below you will find a coupon for this weekend only to celebrate.

 I used Inspired Stamps to decorate my multi-purpose board.  I made this one for my dd, shhh! don't tell her.

A few tips.  I used three coats of chalk board paint (I purchased paint at Wal Mart along with board).

I let each coat of paint dry for 1 hour before applying each coat.  I used self adhesive dp to cover some of the panels, but you could use white glue or a strong adhesive.  I used a sheet of cork and applied to panel with red line tape.  I covered binder clips with same dp and attached to panel with red line tape.  You can use the clips for photos or items you do not want to attach with thumb tack. I applied velcro to each panel to attach to board, this secures them in place and also allows you to move panels as you see fit.  This was a lot of fun and easy to do.  Who knows I might do a few more.  Let me know if you have any other questions.  I will probably paint outside before I give it to my dd.  Enjoy your weekend! 

Finished display board.  I painted three panels with three coats of chalk board paint.
Four panels were covered with dp, three panels I put on a cork piece.

I added dp on mini binder clips and attached to panel with red line tape.



I printed calendar from Antoinette's blog where
she did a coaster tutorial.



Images and sentiments
 are all from Inspired Stamps.



Happy Birthday Inspired Stamps

Go to Inspired Stamps site and leave a comment or wish them a Happy Birthday for a chance to win a free stamp set.

Inspired Stamps Christmas Tag- Blog Hop

Hello Everyone.  Today we have something fun in store for you.  We are having a Christmas tag Blog Hop.  We (the DT) were asked to create some Christmas tags to share.  I always have trouble only making one item, so I have made three very different tags to share with you today.  All the sentiments and images are Inspired Stamps.  Please check out the Inspired Stamps store to see these beautiful images. I just love coloring the HLO stamps.  There is still a chance for you to save 40% on your most expensive item in your cart, this coupon expires on Friday.  On Saturday it is Inspired Stamps birthday so please check out our blogs for some favorite projects using Inspired Stamps, also make sure to check out Antoinette's blog, there might be some Birthday Celebration Fun.

HLO Christmas boy and Vintage Christmas sentiment, Inspired Stamps.
I cut the tree from dp, DCWV added glittered snowflake.
Embossed sentiment in silver embossing powder and colored
HLO with Copic markers and glittered his ornament. Used mini pearls and silver beads, with glittered
punched circles on tree for ornaments.



Doily Christmas Tree with glitter snowflake embellishement.
Sentiment is from Vintage Christmas stamp set.  I inked the edges
of doily with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.



Ornament Tag:  Vintage Christmas stamp set, Inspired Stamps
Embossed vanilla cardstock with Sizzix snowflake embossing folder.
Spellbinders circled die for ornament and EK Success square punch,
Martha Stewart flower punch with DCWV glitter paper, dp My Mind's Eye, and organdy ribbon.

Thank you for stopping by today, please check out Deneen's blog next. If you started from my blog, please start at the beginning of the hop by going to Inspired stamps blog and hop through the entire DT.   Let us know what you think by leaving us a comment, we love to hear from you all and hope you enjoy the Hop!  Please let me know which of my tags is your favorite and why?  Have a great day!

Crafty Christmas gifts- Earring "Tree"

Custom made earring "tree" from a photo tree

 Hello Everyone, I made a gift for dd that I wanted to share with everyone.  My dd loves earrings and was running out of places to store them.  I went out shopping to try to find a solution but many of the earring trees were too small for her collection.  I kept looking trying to come up with a way to craft a solution.  I found this Photo Tree at Michael's.  Purchased it at 50% off and bought a piece of fine mesh canvas.  I took the ovals apart, removing the plastic film (that would protect your photos). I used it to trace ovals on the fine mesh canvas.  There was a piece of foam in the frame to fill the space and I kept it as a stabilizer for the earrings.  The ovals can support both studs and dangling earrings.  Some of her earrings had a levered post, so they did not fit in canvas supports, so we just hooked them over the several nodes in the tree (see photo below).

This is working quite well for her, she can easily remove and put back the earrings.  I hope you find this post useful, please let me know what you think.  I always love hearing from you.

A close up view of oval earring holders and nodes on tree for lever backed earrings.

Inspired Stamps HLO Christmas Girl

Hello Everyone.  Today the DT made projects with His Little Ones (HLO) and scripture.  I chose to use the new HLO Christmas girl.  I colored her with Copic markers in festive Christmas colors.  I used a Sizzix wreath embossing folding with Coordinations paper (which I sanded and cut out leaves to fit over oval).  I used scripture from Christmas verses set.


HLO Christmas Girl and scripture from Christmas verses, Inspired Stamps.

   I made the paper roses and added bling.  Please check out the other DT blogs for more beautiful designs.

Remember there is a 40% off the most expensive item in your cart at www.inspiredstamps.com so if you have been wanting to try out these beautiful character stamps and scripture or you are waiting to buy something off your wishlist, now is the time.  The coupon is good through next Friday, November 18.
Please check out Antoinette's blog for wonderful Christmas projects and contests.
Please feel free to leave a comment, I love to hear from everyone and thanks for stopping by.

Inspired Stamps- November Release

 Hello Everyone, it is Thursday and today we have some sneak peaks of Inspired Stamps November Release.  Please make sure to check out what the other Inspired Stamps DT have made with the new releases.  Check out Antoinette's blog to see who Inspired Stamps has partnered with and how you can get involved.  I have  made two cards today, I could not decide which of the sets I wanted to use, so I used both.  The first card is a telescoping card, I saw this pattern this week on Splitcoaststampers.com.  I used Vintage Christmas, Inspired Stamps with verses Luke 2:10 and 2:11 and shepherd image.  This set was perfect for this unique card.

Closed telescoping card.  I used Vintage Christmas stamp set by Inspired Stamps.

I used Spellbinder circles and eyelet circles.

I masked image to sponge background color. This is the card fully open.

This is Winter Ruth, Inspired Stamps.  The main image has her hands in her pockets,
but you can add other images, like this one of her holding a present.  I love this set and you will too.

Here she is upclose.  I colored her with Copic markers and used pop dots to raise up present.
I embossed and spritzed background with Shimmer spray.  The card base is DCWV and dp is Colorbok.

Are you ready for some great news:

;:;

Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think of these cards, these wonderful new stamps sets, which will be released at noon on Friday, November 4 at http://www.inspiredstamps.com/.

Inspired Stamps with a Diamond Fold card



Here is the closed diamond fold card.  I used HLO choir angel and sentiment from HLO Nativity set, Inspired Stamps

Hello Everyone, it's Thursday and today we have an exciting post for you.  Each Inspired Stamps DT member has posted an uniquely folded Christmas card with instructions using Inspired Stamps images and verses.  Please be sure to stop by everyone's blog and get some inspiration for those Christmas cards. Please also check out Antoinette's October Stamping challenge on her blog for more details at www.inspiredstamps.blogspot.com.  The contest ends October 31, so head on over and enter your creations to win some great prizes

I used My Mind's Eye, Bohemia ds cardstock and Coordinations cardstock
and Spellbinders dies, snowflakes, squares and Square eyelet.
I embossed Coordination cardstock with snowflake embossing folder
and sanded to reveal core color.  I also used Martha Stewart snowflake punch.

Cut a piece of cardstock to 4" X 12" and score at 2" and 10".

Turn cardstock over and mark at 6" on both sides.

I used a ruler to fold each side down at the 6 " mark and repeat on the other side.

The cardstock  will form a point, turn around 180 degrees and fold down
each side again to form a point again.

Fold in the short sides and pinch to a point.  Repeat on opposite side.

This is what card looks like folded flat.

Here is the card open.  See the two sides we scored at 2" and 10".
Now you have a diamond in center to decorate.  This is a fun fold and as you can
see from the photos, it makes a nice display card.

Here is the same card fold with stamps from HLO Nativity set and Christmas verses, Inspired Stamps.
I used Coordination cardstock and embossed and sanded to reveal core color.

When card is open you can see Mary and Joseph.  I colored the images with Copic markers.
Please remember to check out the other unique fold Christmas cards from the other talented DT
members.  Leave a comment and let me know what you think of this unique card. 
It is easy to make and is a clever way to display your creation.

Hello, I hope you had a great weekend.  I wish it was a bit longer, I still have so much more I need to do and would like to do.  Oh well!!
I needed a card for a young man and masculine cards are difficult for me.  I decided to use the sock monkey stamp (Stampablility) and the crossword puzzle background (Hero Arts).  I need to figure out all the words that would fit in the crossword.  If you have any suggestions let me know. (You see how clever I am I used the word "HI".  What, the monkey looks like he's waving).
I kept it pretty simple, no frills, but I did want the young man to know we were thinking of him.
Any suggestions for me let me know or just say "HI".  Has anyone started on their Christmas cards yet?  The thought sends me swirling.

Inspired Stamps DT Challenge plus Scripture

Scripture stamp is 1Corinthians 13:13, Inspired Stamps

Hello and thank you for visiting.  Today we were asked to design something using Inspired Stamps scripture.  I used 1Corinthians 13:13. These stamps are made in the U.S.A. and usually ship out the  day you place your order.  Please check out the other beautiful projects by our DT and check out the wide range of scripture stamps at www.inspiredstamps.com. 

I decided to make a home dec item today.  I wanted something beautiful and inspirational in my work space. I have a newly remodeled craft space and the storage items are black and white, green is my favorite color and my desk sits in front of a picture window with green, mustard and rust striped curtains, and  so that is how my color scheme was born.  I painted the frame black and crackled to reveal the white base coat.  I am not sure that my picture does it justice, but I really liked how this project turned out.

Project Details:

Stamps: 1 Corinthians 13:13, Inspired stamps;

background stamps from polka dots and paisley, SU!;

clear background stamps, Martha Stewart(used as pattern on flowers and butterflies)

Paper: white cardstock, Wausau; grungeboard, Tim Holtz

Ink: Tuxedo black, Memento; really rust, old olive, more mustard, SU!

Tools: blossom dies, Spellbinders; turning over a new leaf dies, PTI; butterfly die, Spellbinders; butterfly punch, Martha Stewart(Note:  you cannot punch through grungeboard, so I pressed down to get impression and hand cut image).

Embellishments: pearl, Recollections; mini clothespin; wooden frame; Dollar Tree

Please leave me a comment about my project.  This was a lot of fun to make and I think it could make great gifts for those you love at the holidays. It would be a great addition to any ones desk and you can find their favorite scripture verse at www.inspiredstamps.com . Please share your inspiration, what are you planning on making for holiday gifts this year.  Thank you so much for stopping by, have a great day!

Inspired Stamps- Thankful project



Philipians 4:6-7 scripture stamp, Inspired Stamps

 Hello and happy Thursday.  I hope you all are having a great week and that you are thinking about what you are thankful for.  We were asked to make a thankful project this week.  I am thankful that God hears our prayer, but we are reminded to thank God for what He has done and what He will do before we make our requests.
  I used Fall colors (DCWV, papers) and die cut leaves (Sizzix) and added veins using my score board for added dimension.  I used Inspired Stamps Philipians 4:6-7 as my center piece.  I thought this would be a great reminder to my family to be thankful and it fits with the fall decor.
 God is good.  God is faithful.  God is merciful.  God is peace.  He is the same today and He was yesterday.  Please check out the great projects by the other Inspired Stamps DT and please check out the http://www.inspiredstamps.com/ store for the stamps used in these projects. Please leave a comment and let me know what you are most thankful for.

Hydrangea card

I love a good deal, especially if it something I know I will use.  This hydrangea stamp was such a deal, I had gone into Michael's for something else, but I always walk through the papercrafting isles to see what might be new or on sale and this stamp, by Hero Arts was the deal of the day (or week), I now cannot remember.  I had my eye on this stamp for a while and had seen here and there, looking through magazines and on blogs.  I think I can remember seeing it used in much the same way I used it.  Stamping it on Kraft cardstock in Tuxedo black and highlighting the image with a white gel pen.  I inked the edges of the panel and used foam tape to add dimension.  I love how it turned out.  It is so stunning and I think it is a very versatile design.  I could have added any sentiment, but this one is for a friend who is currently away from home and I just wanted to give a bit of encouragement.

Hydrangea stamp, Hero Arts, Sentiment, Cursive Smile, Stampabilities



Have a great day!  Check back tomorrow for more Inspired Stamps.  Leave me a comment, I love to hear from you.