Heartfelt Inkspiration

Spring celebration

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Debra

Saturday we attended the memorial service for my aunt who died a few weeks ago. It was sad but joyous, just the way a funeral should be, I think. It was so good to see my cousins and their families, and the slide show of Phyllis’s life was so fun to watch and talk about.

She was born in May, so it was fun to create really springy birthday cards for her, and I always seemed drawn to pink. This card I actually sent to my sister a few years ago, but it reminds me of Phyllis, too. Many of the supplies are retired Stampin’ Up! products, of course, but I hope you like it anyways!

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Posted in Family, Projects | Tagged Stampin' Up! | 1 Comment

Just messin’ around

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Debra

Or I was when I wasn’t working my head to the bone, as we say in this household. Yesterday was a day with nothing on the docket outside the house, which was a good thing because DH had my car. Luckily I had plenty to do for Super Saturday — only two weeks from Saturday!! I feel a scream rising in my throat.

I got a lot — but not everything — accomplished and had time to think about projects for March camps. This card was inspired by Sandi MacIver. I’m not finished with it yet, but I do love the pocket card (I know, again!) created with the Edgelit Die. This month at camp we’re spending quite a bit of time using those and the matching Adorning Accents embossing folders. I started sharing some tips for success a few weeks ago, and I’ll make sure I come back with more next Tuesday.

Stamps: Mixed Bunch*, Netting

Ink/Color: Certainly Celery, More Mustard, Marina Mist

Paper: Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Whisper White

Other: Big Shot, Adorning Accents Edgelit Die*, Blossom Punch*, Crimper, Glimmer Brad (Basics), 3/4″ Circle Punch

*Occasions Mini Catalog

Posted in 2012 Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog, Big Shot, Projects, Punches | Tagged Big Shot, Edgelits, Stampin' Up! | Leave a comment

About time for some bleach

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Debra

Have you ever stamped using bleach as “ink”? The results are unpredictable, but usually amazing. For example, I’ve stamped a line image in bleach on Not Quite Navy card stock and the image turned out rosy pink! Mostly, however, the image is a pale creamy color, just as you’d expect.

This card is from a camp three years ago; I pulled it out of my stash to mail to a friend for his birthday last Saturday. In addition to the clock face stamped in bleach, a piece of heavy acetate is used as a mat for the three squares with images of gears. The last quadrant has a Jumbo Eyelet.

This card is full of retired Stampin’ Up! product, but it’s still one of my favorites. Time to get the bleach out again!

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Posted in Projects | Tagged Stampin' Up! | 4 Comments

In the pocket

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Debra

This is the second card in my “pocket series” — and who knows where this will end? I’m ready to move on from deep reds into colors more springlike, even though we’ve had such a mild winter that it seems silly to complain. OK, more sun would be nice.

Yesterday was catch-up day after being cooped up with a sick child Monday. I should know better than to plan what he and I will be able to get accomplished. So much for the to-do list.

So I made the pilgrimage to WalMart by myself in between hair and dentist appointments. On the list were seed starting supplies, and now I am ready to start some annuals on March 1, my gardening kick-off. I love the process and the results.

Stamps: Fresh Vintage*, Loving Thoughts**

Ink/Color: Wisteria Wonder, Elegant Eggplant

Paper: Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White, Waffle Paper (White**)

Other: Big Shot, Adorning Accents Edgelits Die**, 1¼” Circle Punch, Basic Pearls, Stampin’ Dimensionals

* FREE with qualifying Sale-A-Bration order
**Occasions Mini Catalog

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Posted in 2012 Sale-A-Bration, 2012 Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog, Big Shot, Projects, Punches, Stampin' Up! Promotions | Tagged Big Shot, Edgelits, Embosslits, Stampin' Up! | Leave a comment

Details, details

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Debra

This was the second card I designed for the Pay-It-Forward House benefit last weekend. When I showed it to DH, he said “Well, that’s nice!” I said, “Nice? You should have said

The colors are so Scandinavian — perfect with the gnome!
I love the way the heart motif is repeated!
It’s so neat that there’s a heart at the bottom of each scallop!
The Sahara Sand outlining around the gnome makes her look like she’s popped up!
How clever of you to distress the edge of the frame to disguise any trimming imperfections!
The sparkle of the Glimmer Paper is perfect in that little heart!
The striped Designer Series Paper is an excellent counterpoint to the ovals of the frame and scallops!”

He just gave me “the look.” Bless his heart!

Stamps: Gnome Sweet Gnome*

Ink/Color: StazOn Jet Black, Stampin’ Write Markers (Blush Blossom, Sahara Sand, Marina Mist, Real Red, Daffodil Delight)

Paper: Marina Mist, Whisper White, Patterns Designer Series Paper (Subtles), Glimmer Paper (Red)

Other: Big Shot, Adorning Accents Edgelit Die*, Adorning Accents Embossing Folder*, Designer Frames Embossing Folder**, Pinking Hearts Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, Stampin’ Dimensionals

*Occasions Mini Catalog
** FREE with qualifying Sale-A-Bration order

Posted in 2012 Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog, Big Shot, Projects, Punches, Stampin' Up! Promotions, Valentine | Tagged Big Shot, Edgelits, Embosslits, Stampin' Up! | 1 Comment

Thinking outside the card front “box”

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Debra

A happy picture calls for a happy layout, and the card I showed yesterday was the perfect choice! Even though this is a 6″ x 6″ page, simply stretching the rick rack was all that was needed to convert the layout from card-front size. I tilted the stamped elements for more fun.

Stamps: Mixed Bunch*, Fabulous Phrases

Ink/Color: Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade, Poppy Parade

Paper: Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White, Vellum Card Stock, Poppy Parade

Other: Big Shot, Tasteful Trim Die, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Blossom Punch, 1¾” Scallop Circle Punch, Designer Button (Brights), Baker’s Twine (Cherry Cobbler), Stampin’ Dimensionals

*Occasions Mini Catalog

Posted in 2012 Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog, Big Shot, Projects, Punches, Uncategorized | Tagged Big Shot, Stampin' Up! | 1 Comment

It’s everywhere!

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Debra

Yes, you’ve seen this card everywhere on the web. Stampin’ Up! demonstrators made this card (and several other fab projects) at Leadership Conference a few weeks ago. I tweaked it just a bit with the addition of the vellum scalloped circle. The slitting of the petals is what makes this card so great; after the flower is firmly adhered to the card front, draw up the petals with your fingers to get the fluffed effect.

We made this card at a home party when I got home from San Antonio, and I also showed how you can turn a card design into a scrapbook layout. Come back tomorrow for that!

Stamps: Mixed Bunch*, Fabulous Phrases

Ink/Color: Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade, Poppy Parade

Paper: Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White, Vellum Card Stock, Poppy Parade

Other: Big Shot, Tasteful Trim Die, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Blossom Punch, 1¾” Scallop Circle Punch, Designer Button (Brights), Baker’s Twine (Cherry Cobbler), Stampin’ Dimensionals

*Occasions Mini Catalog

Posted in 2012 Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog, Big Shot, Projects, Punches | Tagged Big Shot, Stampin' Up! | Leave a comment

A favorite valentine

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Debra

This valentine is from two years ago, but it’s still one of my favorite cards ever. The sentiment is from the 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog, but you can find plenty of current stamps to substitute. You can read more about this card here.

I have a sticky note on my desk that reads, “pink and green.” After days of gray, I need that combo again!

Don’t enjoy the faux diamond dust technique? At this month’s camps we’ll be learning a variation: same sparkle, no heat. Come and stamp with us (see my camp schedule here).

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Posted in Projects, Techniques, Valentine | Tagged Stampin' Up! | 2 Comments

Tuesday Tip: Working with Framelits and Edgelits

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Debra

This is not exactly the Tuesday Tip I had planned, but as you can see I was busy with music lessons yesterday. And with such an adorable music lover, can you blame me for being distracted? (Please note our matching outfits!)

So here’s a partial tip on this subject, one I learned at Leadership a few weeks ago: Because the Framelits and Edgelits are so lightweight (and thin), keep them in place on your project with small pieces of sticky notes (or pieces of light-tack tape, like painters’ tape). I don’t have problems with the Framelits moving as I assemble the sandwich, but the Edgelits seem to want to shift. This takes care of that problem!

Posted in 2012 Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog, Big Shot, Tip | Tagged Big Shot, Embosslits, Framelits, Stampin' Up! | 2 Comments

An afternoon at “the house”

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Debra

Saturday afternoon was our third annual Pay-It-Forward House benefit stamp camp. It was a wonderful time, not that I expected anything but that! (PIFH is our local version of Ronald McDonald House. You can read more about their mission here.) Tina Moore and I are happy to support their work with this event, and clearly our stampers are, also. They donate cards through my monthly sketch/color challenges and at Super Saturday.

This was one of my two cards. I love pocket cards but haven’t designed one in a long time. But the Adorning Accents Edgelits Dies cry out for this kind of flap. I’ll have some advice tomorrow for these new dies.

The insert for the pocket is sandwiched in between two hearts, one die cut with a Framelit and the other punched to make a thin mat. This combo acts as a tab to pull out the insert, full of messages of affection for a sweetheart or birthday girl/guy!

Stamps: Take It to Heart*, Loving Thoughts*, Fresh Vintage**

Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Bravo Burgundy, Not Quite Navy

Paper: Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Bravo Burgundy

Other: Big Shot, Adorning Accents Edgelits Dies*, Hearts Collection Framelits Dies*, Full Heart Punch, Stampin’ Dimensionals

*Occasions Mini Catalog
**Available FREE during Sale-A-Bration