Seaside INKspirations

Birthday Bakery Sketch Challenge

Hi Stampers,

I need a lot of birthday cards for November, so last night I sat down and made my first 6 using a sketch from a challenge on SUDSOL, a Demonstrator only group.  To learn more about SUDSOL, click the link on the lower left.

Stampin' Up! has some great Hostess sets* this year.  This is one called Birthday Bakery. Another Hostess option is the In Colors Designer Series Paper Patterns Pack.*  Now that's a mouthful...LOL.  

I made it in two color ways, Poppy Parade and Blushing Bride.  It's a simple sketch and goes together quickly once your coloring is finished.  I used the exact same supplies on both cards, except for the colors.

The first uses the Poppy Parade card stock as its base.  The second card uses Blushing Bride card stock as its base. 

The next layer is Whisper White card stock.  The bottom portion is topped with a pattern from the Designer Series Paper Patterns Pack.  Each has a piece of the 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon in the coordinating colors.

The cake stands image is stamped on Whisper White card stock using Jet Black Stazon Ink.  I used a Blender Pen and the matching Classic Inks, Poppy Parade and Blushing Bride, as well as Soft Suede Classic Ink to color the cakes and icing.  A Real Red Stampin' Write marker was used to color the assorted toppings on the cake.  The cake stands are colored using a Sahara Sand Stampin' Write Marker.

This panel is layered on the appropriate color mat and attached to the card front using Stampin' Dimensionals.  The birthday greeting is from the stamp set, Perfect Punches.  I used Stampin' Write Markers to color only the words on the stamp.

This is a fast and easily reproducible card to make and look how great it turns out.  All supplies used are Stampin' Up!  I used the Clear Mount stamp sets, so I will include the Acrylic Blocks I used.  Please leave a comment and let me know how you like it.

TIP:  When using your Blender Pens, make a pallet with your Classic Ink Pad by squeezing  the center of the case before opening.  When you open it, you will have ink on the inside lid.  Use your Blender Pen to pick up ink from there.  Repeat the process as necessary.

Supplies:

Stamps:  Birthday Bakery (C-120115, W-117034)  Hostess Exclusive;  Perfect Punches (C-120516, W-117022)

Paper:  Poppy Parade (119793);  Blushing Bride (119796);  Whisper White (100730); Designer Series Paper Pack - In Color (Level 1 Exclusive to Hostesses)

Ink:  Poppy Parade Classic Ink (119782);  Blushing Bride (119786);  Poppy Parade and Blushing Bride Stampin' Write Markers (119801 [set of 5]);  Soft Suede Classic Ink (115657);  Sahara Sand Stampin' Write Marker (105105);  Jet Black Stazon (101406)

Accessories:  Blender Pens (102845);  Poppy Parade 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon (119263);  Blushing Bride 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon (119267); Acrylic Block "H" (118490);  Acrylic block "D" (118485);  Stampin' Dimensionals (104430);  SNAIL Adhesive (104332)

*  Stampin' Up! has exclusive sets available only to hostesses.  You can host a Workshop/Party, Class, Catalog Party or be your own hostess by placing a minimum order of $150 (merchandise only).  Contact me for more information.

Thanks for stopping by today!  You can find out more information about hosting your own party by visiting my website HERE.  While you're there, stop and check out the Clearance Rack where bargains abound.  See you next time!

Mary Davidson

Holiday Bells

Hi Stampers,

Here's a card I made for a sketch challenge.  It uses a brand new stamp set from Stampin' Up! called Bells and Boughs.  I've used three of the four images that come in this set.  I love making holiday cards.  

Let's start with the focal image.  I stamped the bells using Jet Black Stazon ink and Watercolor Paper.  To color the image I used an Aqua Painter and Classic Ink in Cherry Cobbler and Always Artichoke.  I made a pallet for each color by opening my ink pad just a little and squeezing in the center of the case.  Open completely and you will see ink on the lid for you to pick up with your Aqua Painter or brush.  This way the water doesn't get into your ink pad.  After water coloring each section, wait a little bit to give the edges a chance to dry before moving on so the next color doesn't run into the previous one.

For the bells, I used Smooch Spritz® in Gold Glow.  Be sure and shake it up really well before spraying.  I sprayed into a small dish and used my Aqua Painter to pick up the Spritz and paint the bells.  I added several layers of the Spritz and they have a beautiful shimmer to them.  I used a Stampin' Write marker in More Mustard to add some accent on the details.

The base of the card is Always Artichoke card stock, cut 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" and scored at 4-1/4".  The next two layers are Brushed Gold  card stock.  The top left piece was run through the Big Shot using the Lattice Square Embossing Folder.  Three Gold Brads are added.  The lower piece has been stamped using the Holly Sprig from the set in Versamark on the Brushed Gold card stock.  It is heat embossed in Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder.  I used the Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Write marker to color in the berries for a subtle look of color.

The greeting is also from Bells & Boughs and was also stamped in Versamark and heat embossed with the Gold.  I clipped the legs off another Gold Brad and adhered it with Multipurpose Liquid Glue to hide a little smudge I made with the Versamark.  You see there are no mistakes in rubber stamping, only opportunities for embellishment...LOL.

These are attached using SNAIL Adhesive and/or Stampin' Dimensionals.  The focal image is attached using Dimensionals. 

The photo doesn't do it justice.  It turned out beautifully and I'm very pleased with the results.  Here's a question for you!  Do you make your own holiday cards?  Please leave a comment and let me know.

Here's a look at all the images from the set.

Supplies:

Stamps: Bells & Boughs (WM-120832, CM-121142) *

Paper:  Always Artichoke (105119);  Brushed Gold (102935);  Watercolor Paper (105019)

Ink:  Always Artichoke (105219);  Cherry Cobbler (119669);  More Mustard Stampin' Write marker (100076);  Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Write marker (119681);  Versamark (102283); 

Accessories:  Gold Brads (104337);  Heat Tool (100005);  Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder (109129);  Aqua Painter-set of 2  (103954);  Gold Glow Smooch Spritz (118770);  Big Shot (113439);  Square Lattice Embossing Folder (119976);  SNAIL Adhesive (104332);  Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755);  Stampin' Dimensionals (104430);  Clear Acrylic Block "D" (118485) **

* Bells & Boughs is also available in a Spanish version called Tradiciones Navideñas in both Clear Mount-121742 and Wood Mount-121731.

**  Block "E" (118484) will be needed to accommodate the Pine Bough and Poinsettia image in this set.

If you scroll down the page, you will see a button on the right for Clear Block Templates.  Print onto Vellum, tracing paper or other thin paper.  This allows you to place the templates over the images in the catalog to determine the size you will need for your clear blocks.

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by today.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me and I will get back to you as soon as possible.  If you would like a copy of the new Holiday Mini Catalog, include this in your email or click on the Holiday Mini Button on the right.

See you next time!

Mary Davidson

Celebrating 50 Years of Wedded Bliss!

Hi Stampers,

Here's a card I made for my dear friends who are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this month.  I apologize for the quality of the photo.  All supplies used are © Stampin' Up!, although several items are retired.  You know I love Sketch Challenges, so I decided to use this Mojo Monday sketch. 

The card base is Whisper White card stock.  I was very sorry to see the Bride Specialty Paper retire, so I've been saving what I have left and using it sparingly.  It was perfect for this card to honor 50 years of marriage.  I added a scallop edge to the bottom of the piece using Brushed Gold card stock and the Scallop Edge Punch.  A piece of the Whisper White 5/8" Satin Ribbon is adhered to the top center back and carried to the front.

The focal image is Whisper White card stock layered on Brushed Gold card stock.  One of the floral images from the stamp set, Watercolor Trio, is stamped in Versamark, dusted with Stampin' Up!'s Gold Embossing Powder and heated using their Heat Tool.

The "Happy Anniversary" greeting is from a retired set called Hugs & Wishes.  It is also stamped in Versamark, embossed in Gold and layered on Brushed Gold.  Both the focal image and the greeting are adhered using Stampin' Dimensionals.

The Gold Elastic Cording is retired as well.  I used double strands to tie a bow and attached to the satin ribbon tail using a Mini Glue Dot. 

This card is so elegant!  All the Brushed Gold card stock I used are scraps I had saved (my new supply should arrive any day now), so the lesson is...save everything!!  You never know when you will need just a little piece or strip you might have otherwise tossed.

The Watercolor Trio stamp set is featured in the Summer Mini Catalog.  This Mini expires on August 31st.  The stamp set can be used on all kinds of cards and projects...embossed in gold for an elegant look or used on watercolor paper for a very casual look.  It's a great set that will soon be no longer available.  Don't miss out!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Watercolor Trio (CM-129084, WM-117050);  Hugs & Wishes (retired)

Paper:  Whisper White (100730);  Brushed Gold (102935);  Bride Specialty Paper (retired)

Ink:  Versamark (102283)

Accessories:  *Clear Acrylic Block "D" (118485);  Heat Tool (100005);  Embossing Buddy (103083);  Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder (109129);  5/8" Whisper White Satin Ribbon (114616);  Scallop Edge Border Punch (119882);  SNAIL Adhesive (104332);  Stampin' Dimensionals (104430);  Mini Glue Dots (103683);  Elastic Gold Cording (retired)

*I have been using Stampin' Up!'s Clear Mount stamps a lot and I absolutely love them.  If you haven't tried them yet, check them out.  The stamps are the same high quality rubber as our Wood Mount stamps.  The Clear Acrylic Blocks are fabulous.  They have smooth, beveled edges with a groove all the way around for easy gripping. 

I've had some questions about using the Clear Blocks from some of you not familiar with these types of stamps.  You use the Clear Blocks over and over again.  A cling mount label allows the stamp to stick to the blocks.  The stamps are removed from the blocks and returned to the DVD-type boxes they come in when you are finished.  You do not buy blocks for each of your stamps.  You have a much better view of where you are placing your stamped image, not to mention that storage is as easy as lining up a DVD collection.

There is a button in the right hand column to print out templates for the Clear Blocks that are available. If you print on Vellum or any see through paper, you can lay the template over the images in the catalog that offer a Clear Mount option and see what size block you would need. 

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  If you need anything, please contact me or stop by my website where the store is open 24/7 for your shopping needs.  See you next time!

Mary Davidson

Fall Thank Yous

Hi Stampers,

I spent a little while making thank you cards for my October and November orders.  These are so fast and easy.  They measure 3" x 3".  The Mini Square Envelopes come in Whisper White, so that's the card stock color I used.  First I scored a line at 3" down the long side of several pieces of Whisper White card stock.  Then I cut each sheet at 6".  I, then, turned these pieces so the 11" side faced the top of my paper cutter and cut 3" segments.  I repeated this on each sheet of Whisper White until I had a pile of 3" x 6" pieces.  I folded on the score line and creased with my bone folder.

I cut 3" x 5/8" strips of DSP from the Autumn Meadows collection in the Holiday Mini collection and layered these on strips of Taken With Teal card stock cut at 3" x 3/4".  I used SNAIL to attach these to the mini cards.  "thank you" is from Teeny Tiny Wishes (have I said I love this set...LOL) and stamped in Taken with Teal Classic Ink...Done!  These small cards are perfect for little notes, gift tags, etc.  Make them with a holiday design and attach to Hostess gifts.  They have so many uses.  Make a little mini pizza box*, stamp a few cards, include envelopes and you have a wonderful little gift!  What do you think?  They couldn't be any easier.  The mini envelopes come in a set of 40 for $7.50.  Forty envelopes go a loooong way!  Make a bunch and always have some on hand for when you need one.  You could pay up to $3 each for a little card like this!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)

Paper:  Whisper White Card Stock (100730);   Autumn Meadows Designer Series Paper (116769);  Taken With Teal Card Stock (101584)

Ink:  Taken With Teal Classic Ink (103257)

Accessories:  SNAIL Adhesive (104332);  Mini Square Envelopes (107309);  Bone Folder (102300);  Fiskar Paper Cutter (104152);  Scoring Blade/Cutting Blade (104154)

* Tutorial will follow for the Mini Pizza Box to hold 3" x 3" cards.

Thanks for stopping by today!  Visit my website to check out all the current specials from Stampin' Up! or click on the side bar buttons to be taken directly to that information.

Mary Davidson

Autumn Days Pine Bough Workshop Card

Hi Stampers!

Here's another card from a recent workshop.  Autumn Days stamp set is so versatile!  From the name of it you wouldn't expect to be able to create a Christmas/Holiday card, would you?  This is another quick one and I love the clean look to it. 

The card base is Whisper White card stock, as is the image panel.  This time I used Stampin' Write Markers to ink up the stamp - Chocolate Chip and Garden Green.  This is inked and stamped twice, once on the image panel and once on a scrap piece of Whisper White.  I did extend the stem on the image panel so I could add the bow and still see the stem.  I cut just the pine cones out of the scrap piece image and added Stampin' Dimensionals. 

I used the 2-Way Glue pen to randomly dot the image and added Dazzling Diamonds Glitter for some sparkle.

I tied a little bow * (you do have to fuss with making a bow no matter how long you've been doing it) using 1/4" Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon and attached using a Mini Glue Dot.  This is layered onto Real Red, then Garden Green card stock.  I used Stampin' Dimensionals to add this element to the card base, but you can simply use SNAIL adhesive.

Merry Christmas is from the set, Teeny Tiny Wishes (my fav!) and stamped in Garden Green Classic Ink (marker).  I did use the Stamp-a-ma-jig to get it exactly where I wanted it.  I love that thing!  And that's it!  Of course, you would stamp or write a sentiment inside. 

Even with trimming out the pine cones, this is a fast and easy card.  Hope you like it!  Here's what I used:

Supplies:

Stamps:  Autumn Days (115452);  Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)

Paper:  Whisper White (100730);  Real Red (102482);  Garden Green (102584)

Ink:  Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker (100071);  Garden Green Stampin' Write Marker (100080)

Accessories:  Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049);  Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (109034); Stampin' Dimensionals (104430);  Mini Glue Dots (103683);  2-Way Glue Pen (100425);  Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (102023);  SNAIL Adhesive (104332)

* Tip:  Whether you have a lot of small bows to make or just one, rather than cutting ribbon for each bow, tie your bow right from the spool.  You still have a long end to make it easier to maneuver your ribbon, and you can trim off close to the bow using less ribbon.  The whole bow tying process goes a lot more quickly.

All supplies are available by contacting me or visiting my Demonstrator Website.  Remember, my Website is open 24/7.  I love shopping on line.  That's how I buy my supplies.  You can shop in your jammies and it comes right to your door.  What more could a shopper want?  LOL!  Thanks for stopping in today.

Mary Davidson