Inspired Stamps, DT Thursday

Hello, wow can you believe it, by this time next week Christmas will have come and gone.  I am not yet ready.  I have been working diligently for days, but it just seems like there is not enough time.  I don't know about you, but I am always looking for a way to gift goodies for teachers, secretaries, you know all the important people in our lives that do so much each day and sometimes seem to go unnoticed.  I found this cute box template, while surfing the blogosphere and gave it a try.  I wish I could remember where to give credit, but alas no. 

This box requires one sheet of 8.5 X 11 inch paper, score the 11 inch side at .75 inches, 4.5 inches, 6.5 inches and 10.25 inches, score the 8.5 inch side at 2 inches and 6.5 inches.  Crease all the fold lines except the .75 and 10.25 (these are where the top of the box is located, I covered with piece of scalloped green paper, see below). I added a button closure, but you could add handles with ribbon.

I used some dp as background to Winter Ruth (isn't she gorgeous?).  I colored her with Copic Markers and used a sentiment, inked and stamped in pieces from the Perfect Christmas sentiment set, Inspired Stamps.  I added a rosette (Sizzix die) with a button and filled with chocolates.  This is a quick and easy box from one sheet of paper with scores but no cuts that will be perfect for all those treats to tell those people in our lives how special they are.  This is my "last minute" idea for Christmas, since it always seems like I am making these things at the last minute.  I hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, the Inspired Stamps DT will be taking a break for the holidays, but I hope to be back from time to time with posts of my Chirstmas card designs (yes, still working on those too).  Please be sure to check out the other DT posts for their wonderful "last minute" Christmas ideas.  We hope you have been inspired to use these wonderful and inspirational stamps from Inspired Stamps in your holiday crafting.  Enjoy this time with family, friends and the Lord.  Merry Christmas.

Inspired Stamps DT Thursday

 Hello Everyone!  It is time for another Inspired Stamps DT Thursday Christmas card.  This week I chose the HLO Nativity stamp set.  It comes with the manger, star, baby Jesus, Joseph, Mary and three sentiments, one of which I used on the bottom of the card, one I stamped on the inside of the card.  The third is a scripture.  I stamped the manger on the kraft card and woodgrain embossed and inked, but then decided to repeat and cut out the manger and pop dot to the background for more dimension.  I stamped colored (Copic, always seems to be my go to for coloring) and cut out all the images and attached to card.  I didn't know what colors to use for Mary and Joseph, but decided I wanted them to match.

Here is the full front of the card:  the sentiment reads Celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus!
I used a little brown and white Martha Stewart baker's twine.  I now have lots of color choices and hope to be using more and more in the future.  It is a simple card with a BIG message.  I hope you enjoy.  I have about 60 more Christmas cards to make before I am through for this year.  I love making Christmas cards, but my schedule always has me making them at the last minute.  Hope you all have a great day and you find time to get crafty. Please make sure to check out the other talented DT blogs for their creations this week and the inspired stamps blog for more ideas.

Inspired Stamps DT Thursday

Hello Everyone, it is Thursday and time to post the Inspired Stamps DT Thursday project.  Today I used this sweet 1 inch Snowman set again.  I just love the versatility of this set.  So many cute snowmen and snowladies to choose from.  Today I cut some postage stamp shapes, using a Sizzlet die.  I stamped and colored the images, debossed with a snowflake folder (Cuttlebug) and inked with anique linen and walnut distress inks.  I sprayed with frosted shimmer spray and pop dotted to dp when dry.  I believe the dp is MME and used Martha Stewart red ribbon for bow.  Mounted all to red cardbase.  Fun, Christmas card.  Please don't forget to check out the sale going on at Inspired Stamps and check out the other DT creations by visiting links to the right or the Inspired Stamps blog.  Have a great day and have fun working on your Christmas cards.

Inspired Stamps DT Thursday

 Hello everyone.  There are only a few more days to take advantage of the 25% your total purchase at Inspired Stamps Online Store.  Today the DT made Christmas cards that could be made in mulitples.  I came up with three quick and easy designs using three Inspired Stamps sets: Trees and Leaves, Vintage Christmas and 1 inch Snowmen.

 For this first card I used a green card base and stamped a 3 X 4 inch panel which I stamped a branch repeatedly in bamboo leaves.  I added a piece of red glitter ribbon to the panel and adheared to the base.  I stamped the sentiment on a smaller panel and added red punched corners and attached with pop dots.

For this card I used a red cardstock base that I rounded the corners.  I cut a 3 X 4 inch piece of cardstock and stamped same branch as first card in upper left hand corner and stamped a snowman on a separate piece of cardstock used a 1 inch circle punch and colored with Copic markers.  I added a small gold square to top and a piece of red floss for the hanger and pop dotted to the "tree".  I used the sentiment from the 1 inch Snowman set  and rounded the corners.  I added dotted ribbon  around the middle and punched three snowflakes from green glitter paper and attached.

For my last card I went clean and simple.  I embossed a white card base with a snowflake embossing folder (Sizzix).  I cut a 3.5 inch square and used the Martha Stewart Scallop Snowflake anywhere punch and punched four snowflakes.  The punch is great, it has grids for easy alignment.  It is a bit difficult to punch, so make sure you have a nice solid surface to push on.  I stamped the smallest snowman from the 1 inch Snowman set and punched with the 3/4 inch circle punch and attached to center of three snowflakes and stamped the sentiment from this same set and punched with a circle punch and attached to last snowflake.  I placed a piece of the green glitter paper behind the snowflakes for added interest.  All of these cards were easy to make, but with the ribbon, glitter and embossing they still have lots of impact and the recipients will love them.  Remember to head on over to the Inspired Stamps Online Store to add these beauties to your cardmaking goodies and don't forget to head over to the Inspired Stamps blog for another installment of the 12 weeks of Chirstmas gift post tomorrow.  Thanks for stopping by today, I hope you like my cards and are inspired to make some of your own.  Please make sure to check out the other DT blogs to see their wonderful creations as well.

Happy Birthday Inspired Stamps

Happy 2nd Birthday to Inspired Stamps!  Today we are posting birthday cards in celebration of Inspired Stamps 2nd Birthday.  Don't forget to use the 25% off your total order coupon which is good through the end of November to pick up some of your favorite Inspired Stamps sets.  Inspired Stamps are made in the USA and are of great quality.
Today I used Flower Buds and Perfect Sentiments to make my birthday card. I also pulled out a few Sizzlet dies (label and leaf).
I colored the flower with my Copics and pop dotted the center for more dimension.  The dp is from My Minds Eye.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving (the DT will not be posting Thursday).  We have a new installment of the 12 weeks of Chirstmas on Friday, please be sure to check out Inspired Stamps Blog for posting.
We are thankful for Inspired Stamps, the wonderful DT ladies, the opportunity to be creative and spread the love of God.

Inspired Stamps-Thankful

Hello Everyone.  Happy Thursday.  Thanksgiving is one week away and we are thankful here at Inspired Stamps.  The DT has designed "thankful" projects for this week.  Below you can see my card creation using Trees and Leaves and Fall Gratitude, Inspired Stamps. I used Memento inks in rich cocoa, dadelion, tangelo and bamboo leaves.  I inked the image with Distress ink, frayed burlap.  I colored my gems with Copic markers to match the Memento ink colors.  The dp is PTI autumn pack and the brown twill ribbon is Martha Stewart.  On the inside of the card I used the sentiment "I count you twice".  I hope you have people in your life to be thankful for this year and I hope you take the opportunity to let them know.  Have a great week.  Please be sure to take advantage of the 25% off coupon for the month of November and pick up some of your favorite sets and please check out all the other beautiful projects by the other DT members and the next installment of the 12 weeks of Christmas on Friday.

Inspired Stamps Coupon for Month of November

Hello Everyone, I hope you are having a terrific weekend.  I just wanted to share this coupon from Inspired Stamps that is good for orders you place in November.  Ladies, you know how we love a sale, well this one is great, 25% off your entire order for the month of November.  This is the time to stalk up on all your favorite characters, verses and images from Inspired Stamps.
Have a great weekend.

Inspired Stamps- Christmas Ornaments

This week the DT at Inspired Stamps made Christmas ornaments.  I bought a paper machie round ornament (they came in a pack of two) and I stamped and die cut images from the Vintage Christmas set.  I inked the wise men image and then punched a branch from two colors of cardstock and layered them in a wreath pattern and added one fourth inch red circles for berries.  I added some glitter and a bow.  On the back of the ornament I stamped the verse Luke 2:11 and punched more branches, this time in one color and adheared ( I found a little bit of liquid glue works the best).  Finished off with another bow.  This ornament could be hung in either direction.  I love how it turned out, let me know what you think.  Please be sure to check out the other DT members and the Inspired Stamps blog for more beautiful Christmas ornaments.  Please don't forget to check the Inspired Stamps blog on Friday for another installment of the 12 weeks of Christmas gift ideas.

Inspired Stamps October/November Releases

 Hello Everyone.  I hope you have been following the new releases for October/November for Inspired Stamps.  I think this is the fifth release, it is called "Thinking of You Girl".  I colored her with Copic markers and I used my colorless blender to add dimension to her shirt and headband.  (Give her a little plaid, I think she looks sweet).  I don't know if you know this about me but green (olive) is my favorite color, so these colors are a natural draw for me.  I gave her some big brown eyes.  The dp was just kraft and black and I colored in the green stripes with a crushed olive distress pen.

I  made a stairstep card once before last Chirstmas (but that was a whirlwind and I don't remember much about it, so I thought I would give it a go again).  I cut my cardstock to 4.25 X 10.5 inches.  I wanted it to fit in a standard A2 envelope when it was completed.  I scored the cardstock at 1.25, 2.5, 4.25, 6 and 8.25 inches.  I added strips of black cardstock to the two smaller panels.  I used the Fiskars scallop border punch for the front edge and some Prima flowers and a pearl in the center.  I stamped Romans 8:28 (individual scripture stamp) and cut with Spellbinders circle and a piece of olive cardstock with lacey circle to matte and attached this to second step. 
All of the new release stamps will be available this Friday in the Inspired Stamps Online Store, so please be sure to check out the Inspired Stamps Blog for more releases, prizes and coupons ( I believe there is a 40% coupon off your highest priced item in your cart until October 31).  
Thank you for stopping by today.  Let me know if you have ever tried making a stairstep card.  I think I will be making more for Christmas, what a terriffic way of displaying your card.  Have a great day.

Unity Challenge - Pumpkins

I am entering the Unity Challenge- use pumpkins in layout.  I used The Right Words, Unity for the sentiment.  I used the honeycomb embossing strip and score board for straight lines.  I cut the pumpkins with my Sizzix.  I haven't used this die in a long time, so it was nice to dust it off and use it again.  I cut with cardstock and dp and pieced pumpkins and colored stems with Copic marker.  I am using this card as an extra entry to the National Card Making Challenge sponsored by Unity.  I  made all 8 challenges and this extra to earn me an extra entry to try to win the Kit of Month for a Full year.  Woo woo!!
Thank you to Unity for the additional chance to win.  Thanks for stopping by.

Unity- National Card Day Challenges

Unity National Card Day Challenges

I am entering the following eight cards in the Unity Challenge.  The above card was for the Shaped Card Challenge:  I used the Wild Card Cart to cut the heart and stamped Hello My Friend, Itty Bitty.  I added some distress inking and Copic coloring and red twine. 

Challenge 2: It's All about Texture.  I used flocking and dry embossing with twine and die cuts.  Stamps Winter Snowflake, Itty bitty.

 Challenge 3:  Embossing Challenge

I embossed Wishing You Peace, Itty Bitty with clear embossing poweder and then inked with distress inks and added a bow with Martha Stewart ribbon.

  

 Challenge 4:  Sketch  We were to create a card using the provided sketch.  I used Naturally You branch, bird and sentiment, Unity

Challenge 5:  Fall Card  I used So blessed, Itty Bitty and fall colors and leaves.

Challenge 6: Use any non-border stamp to make a border:  I used the envelope from Sending My Love, Unity to create a border for this card and colored with Copics.

Challenge 7:  Coloring  I used a Phyllis Harris image called Brandy and Emma Good Morning and colored with Copic markers and added the verse within the set.

Challenge 8:  Color Challenge Use cream, brown, olive and pumpkin.  I used Gratitude =Joy, and Delight in Beauty

Thank you for stopping by to see my creations for the Card challenge.  I had lots of fun.  Thank you Unity for providing these challenges and giving us a chance to win more great stamps. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think.  Have a great weekend.

Inspired Stamps- 12 weeks of Christmas

Welcome to week 3 of Inspired Stamps 12 weeks of Christmas tutorial.  Today I made a set of coasters and a coffee wrap.  This would make a great gift for any coffee or tea drinker in your life.  Here are the supplies you will need to gather: tiles from the local home improvement store ( I usually buy Rialto white but could not find this time so used Agora almond), Staz-On ink, Staz-On ink cleaner, felt pads, stamps, plain cup wrap, rubbing alcohol.

 I cleaned all the tiles with rubbing alcohol and let dry and then stamped the verse and image on the tile.  Tip:  it is a good idea to leave the rubbing alcohol and a rag (I use old socks) nearby in case the image does not stamp evenly on the tile.  If you move quickly you can "wash" it off and re-try.  After I stamped my set of coasters with Proverbs 3:5 verse and tree from Ask, Seek and Knock set. I baked in the oven at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.  I also seal the coasters with spray acrylic, since wet drinks will be set on them you do not want ink to come off.  I then add the felt pads to the bottom.  This allows them to sit on furniture without scratching.

 Here is the finished wrap and coaster.  You could add a gift card or chocolates or tea bags inside the cup and wrap in a cello bag.  Below you can see my finished set of coasters.  I have seen similar sets in "crafty" shops for much more than it will cost you to make them.  I do suggest that you clean your stamps with Staz-On cleaner as soon as you finish to prevent a build up.

 I also have a stash of chipboard coasters.  I bought them on clearance, thinking I could alter them someday.  So this was the day.  You can see what they looked like to begin with and the finished product. I used Be Still Silhouettes for this coaster and distressed with distress inks.

I cut a piece of 4X4 piece of cardstock and stamped images.

 I used matte and seal by Ranger to attach paper to chipboard and then used sharp scissors to cut off excess and round corners of cardstock.  I also covered the back in the brown striped dp.  I then coated the coasters with more matte and seal to waterproof.  Quick and easy.  Let me know what you think and have a great day.  Be sure to check back each Friday at the Inspired Stamps Blog to see the new post for the 12 weeks of Christmas.  There are sure to be great ideas that you can use to handcraft your own Christmas gifts.  Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.

Inspired Stamps-DT Thursday

 Hello everyone.  It is Thursday, so time for another DT post.  This week I used two sets, Choir boy/Angel and Sing for Joy.  I made a rosette and added the circle to the top.  I added a few leaves (cut from Cricut).  I used a piece of twill tape and washi tape (black with lace) for interest.

Here is the full front of card with dp from MME. I colored the choir boy and used the Sizzix pop up die to added scripture Psalm 47:6.  I stamped the music notes in background.  I think pop up cards are fun for the recipient, a little unexpected surprise.  Thank you for stopping by today and please stop by on Friday for my 12 weeks of Christmas tutorial.  This is week three, if you like to make handmade Christmas gifts for Sunday school teachers, school teachers, friends and family be sure to check out all the tutorials at Inspired Stamps blog.  Also be sure to check out the other DT members for their beautiful creations this week.

Inspired Stamps Thursday DT

Hello everyone.  I used Vintage Christmas to stamp focal image and the sentiment.  I embossed a piece of white cardstock with a Snowflake Sizzix folder and cut it into 3/4 inch strips and cut a notch out of the bottom.  I punched a white circle and stamped the image in rich cocoa, Memento and inked with distress inks.  I cut a larger circle with Spellbinders, lacey circle and a strip cut with scallop border punch.  I added a bit of ribbon over dark brown strip and embossed lines around the sentiment at the bottom for interest.
Thank you for stopping by, please be sure to stop by and see the other DT blogs for their beautiful Christmas creations.  The 12 weeks of Christmas is starting tomorrow with a tutorial, so be sure to check out Inspired Stamps blog for all the details.

Unity-Friends with Flair

Treasure to Me, Unity

Hello Everyone!  It is Friday. It is time to play with Friends with Flair.  I used Unity's Treasure to me set.  I love this girl-y image, which I partially paper pieced and partially colored with my Copic markkers.  I am not a match-y-match-y kind of girl, I usually don't match my shoes and purse with the accessories I am wearing.  Now don't get me wrong, I know not to wear brown shoes with black pants and all that.  I just don't have a pair of shoes and purse for every outfit, but I thought it would be fun to create that with this image.  I used dp from MME blush pack.  I recently picked it up on sale at Michael's and love it.  It is full of double sided girly papers.  I used my Martha Stewart lace border punch and a strip of dp that I cut into a banner, added a bit of pink ribbon, tied into a bow and voila!  I hope you have a great Friday and let me know what you think.  Do you have shoes and purses that match all (or many) of your outfits or do you have a pair of black, brown and neutral (white, cream) that you make go with every outfit, like I do.  Thank you for stopping by today and if you left me a comment then double thanks.  I love hearing from all of you out there. 

Inspired Stamps-DT Thursday Use of Tag

 Hello Everyone!  How is your Thursday?  Today we are making projects with tags.  I used my tag on a card.  I added some burlap, buttons, lace and doilies to soften the card.  I antiqued the tree (Fir Trees, Inspired Stamps) with distress inks  and placed on a white doily.  I placed all on a kraft tag that I added faux stitching and a banner with sentiment from Perfect Christmas Sentiments.  I liked the contrast of the doily, lace with the burlap.  I think it makes a very rustic look.  Please let me know what you think.  We are getting closer to Christmas and if you make all your Christmas cards like me (75+), it is time to get busy.  And if you are giving handmade (homemade) treats this tag would be a perfect addition to your gift.

Enjoy your day and thanks for visiting.  I would love to hear from you and what you plan to make for Christmas (cards, specific treats or gifts).  Share your ideas, because I am sure we are looking for great ideas at this time of the year.  Check out the Inspired Stamps blog and find all your favorite stamp sets at the Inspired Stamps Store.

Inspired Stamps- DT Thursday Easel Card

 Hello and happy Thursday! Today at Inspired Stamps the Thursday DT was asked to make a Christmas easel card.  I chose to use this adorable 1 inch Snowman set, it comes with these cute images and many more (I had trouble choosing which images I wanted to use on the card).  It also comes with the sentiment "There is Snow God like our God". 
To make the card I started with a 4.25 X 11 inch piece of cardstock, which I scored at 5.5 and 8.25 inches.  I folded the card in half (at 5.5 inch mark) and then folded the 8.25 inch section up (this is where you will attach your front panel).  The front panel is 4.25 X 5.5 inches (this is a standard A2 card).  I cut a "wreath" using the second from the largest and the second from the smallest Spellbinder circle dies.  I taped the dies in place and cut them at the same time.  I also cut some snowflakes from the Spellbinder snowflakes dies and punched some with my Martha Stewart snowflake punch.  I used blue and white glitter paper for these snowflakes.  I punched several 1 inch circles and stamped images and colored with Copic markers, as you can see I colored all the snowmen with the same colors for consistency.  I added small red buttons and a double bow to finish off the wreath.
I used Martha Stewart Christmas paper with embossed snowflakes, which I matted with a piece of red cardstock to be consistent with colors used with the coloring of the snow people.
I used a 1.5 inch circle punch to punch out sentiment and placed it on a snowflake for easel part of card.

 To go with this verse I chose a verse from Christmas verses talking about the "uniqueness" of our God.  I hope you enjoyed this project, please be sure to check out all the DT blogs, the Tuesday DT made stair step cards and the Thursday DT made easel cards.  Remember that for every 25.00 spent at Inspired Stamps Store you can choose a free 3.99 stamp, this offer ends at the end of September.  Also check out the Inspired Stamps blog for upcoming events, such as the twelve weeks of Christmas.