Monday, October 29, 2012

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.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

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.

Friday, October 19, 2012

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.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

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.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

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.

Friday, October 5, 2012

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. 

Thursday, October 4, 2012

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.