New Stuff!

 

I love the quirky look of my "new stuff' card.  I have pulled together lots of new products from the Spring Catalog and the Sale-A-Bration brochure to make this eclectic and chunky card.  I started with the Honeycomb TEIF and then added More Amore DSP pieces to accent the folder.  A fluffy flower of More Amore DSP and a four loop bow of Baja Breeze Seam Binding were the next embellishments I added to the card.  The to balance the entire shabang I tucked a Builder Brad and a greeting from Bloomin' Marvelous, a SAB stamp set.  

Myself and the design team at Create with Connie and Mary are busy putting together projects and tutorials for the next Spring Occasions Edition.  So get ready for lots of fresh new looks and fun!

It's time to announce that we've started the Early Bird Pricing on the new & upcoming SPRING OCCASIONS EDITION 2013!  The five week session will feature items from the Spring Mini catalog…a little Valentines, Spring AND Sale-A-Bration projects featuring those Spring Mini products!  Right now you can sign up for $29.95…that's $5 off the regular subscription price of $34.95…for over 30 step-by-step tutorials at less than $1 each!  Don't miss out!  Check out the Create with Connie and Mary site for more information! 

Neighbor Gifts

Last night we had a fun time delivering gifts to our friends.  We had a couple fun inpromptu visits which were a total blast.  After, we hit Super Taqueria for dinner--I love a great taco!

For my homemade raspberry-pear jam I jazzed up the lid with a few bells.  I had to copy Connie Collins because I just loved her bell and tag additions to her jars.  You can see them if you click here.

Blue Berry Candy Canes

Just a quick post to share my blue berry candy cane pockets.

I used these this year to package and present gift cards.

Cinnamon Candy Canes

These candy cane treats were made with left over pieces from my stamp class last week and ribbons from a bin of wrapping goodies.  I thought the ribbons and pipe cleaners were the perfect addition for my No Peeking tag plus I was using up what I had.  Remember my commitment to "use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without."

We gave these to the young girls at church as a cute and simple Christmas gift.  I found the candy canes at Orchard Supply Hardware.  They are unique and pretty good sized.

Enjoy the Holidays, Elizabeth

Kraft Aqua and Cream

Yum, these colors are some of my favorites.  Crumb Cake, which I still can't seem to stop saying Kraft, Pool Party, and Very Vanilla make for an eye appealing palette for any occasion.  For this tag I used three stamp sets.  The first stamped layers were completed with the Affection Collection set.  The main greeting is the Heart of Christmas stamp and the holly detail is from the Bells and Boughs stamp set.

Enjoy the season and making pretty packages!

Can Cards be Delicious?

I ask can a greeting card be delicious?  My answer is a definite yes they can.  The 'in real life' details of this card are absolutely yummy and so tasty.  I started with the "Baby Wipe" technique (this week's challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments) and instead of using my inked baby wipe to as a stamp pad to ink an image, I used the wipe in a direct to paper technique.  I like this technique best with glossy white card stock and that is the base of my card.  The reinker colors I used were Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze, (this week's color challenge at The Shabby Tea Room) and Certainly Celery.

I decided to do a New Years Holiday card and was inspired by The Shabby Tea Room photo #145.  The challenge is to use pink, aqua, white/cream, and glitter--yah those are some of my most favorites!  And as a side note, If I could have this room I would be a very happy camper. 

Once I colored my card stock with the wipe I ran the piece through the new Honeycomb TIEF.  (That folder is a new delectable morsel in my stash of accessories).  Then I sanded the raised edges to really make the textured pattern stand out.  After that is where I went a bit indulgent in my design process; next I rubbed the card stock with an Illuminate ink pad and then embossed the piece with Iridescent Ice EP (see the bottom right corner in the photo below).  That touch alone made the card fabulous.

My next step was to wrap the card with Crumb Cake Scalloped Tulle and the new Natural Trim.  I tied off the right side with Pool Party Bakers Twine and then I got a bit crazy.  If you know me you know that I always have a can of Aqua Net and a salt shaker of Dazzling Diamonds Glitter on hand.  What I did on this card was to coat the two ribbons with hair spray and then sprinkle on the Iridescent Ice EP.  I melted the powder and it gave the ribbons and twine a beautiful stiffness.

A few punched stars, the number 2013, and a banner came together for a perfect focal point.  The "Celebrate" greeting is from one of the Sale-a-bration stamp sets called Feeling Sentimental.  I used Platinum Shimmer Paint on a sponge to ink up the image and while it was still wet I hit it with Iridescent Ice EP.  This card is so pretty and I think I will tuck it into a frame and enjoy it myself as a bit of New Years decor.

Simply Sweet...

...and so precious!  This card was made by one of my most favorite friends ever in the whole wide world.  That's right Julie Beltramo made this gorgeous card which was on display at all my classes this fall and let me tell you there were many oos and ahs and "I want to make that card this year."  I also have to give a REAL BIG SHOUT OUT to Julie to say,

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRLFRIEND!"

Thank You

What a great challenge this week over at Hand Stamped Sentiments, you should go check it out.  It's all about thank you cards or what ever suits your fancy.  It just has to be about thanking someone.

One of my favorite items to have on hand are Stampin' Up!'s Simply Scrappin' Kits.  They are chuck full of stuff like 12' x 12" card stock and DSP.  They also come with tons of card stock sticker pages.  For my "thank you" card today I used pieces from the Pinwheels on Parade kit.  It may be tricky to see all the dimension in the layers but I used lots of Stampin' Dimensionals to give lift and visual drama.  I also included a Paper Daisy flower, another great accessory to have in your stash of stamp goodies.  Speaking of stamp goodies the greeting is from Itty Bitty Banners and was cut using the matching framelits.

Totally Cute and Super Easy

I made these adorable vintage tinsel trees in a faux globe style setting.  Here is exactly what I did:

1. Wrap a small wooden spool with First Edition DSP.
2. Insert a wooden dowel into the spool.
3. Hot glue to a Mason Jar lid.
4. Twist various lengths of silver pipe cleaners around the dowel.
5. Trim the pipe cleaners to make the perfect tree and to fit into the jar.
6. Punch two Merry Minis Star from Champagne Glimmer Paper and hot glue to the top of the tree.
7. Stamp the "Merry Christmas" greeting from Open Sleigh on Very Vanilla card stock with Early Espresso ink and then edge with Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.
8. Hot glue banner in place.
9. Add a pinch of Mica Flakes and tiny handful of fake snow to a pint-sized Mason Jar.
10. Insert the tree, add sealing ring, flip up-side down, and enjoy. 

We made these with the 8-11 year old girls at church and were done in about a half an hour.  Each one turned out super cute!

SPARKLE...

...and boy does this garland shine, glisten, glow, twinkle, sparkle, and make me smile.  I absolutely love how it lends to my mantel decor.  Lately, I am in this "use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without" mood.  With that said I put together this adorable garland to go with my vintage snowmen collection using up a couple things in my stash of craft goodies and my Stampin' Up! supplies.

I had these old chipboard letters that I transformed from a pale aqua color to a bright silver.  I painted each letter with Silver Shimmer Paint and then sprinkled tons of Dazzling Diamonds Glitter on them while the paint was still wet.  Each letter is layered on Very Vanilla 1 3/4" circles and then on Brushed Silver Scalloped Circles.  I am excited that Stampin' Up! will be offering doilies in the Spring Catalog, but for this project I used every old doily I had from my stash.  I crinkled and gathered the centers to give some dimension and interest.  The First Edition DSP pieces are cut from a retired SU! die called Pennant Bigz XL Die.  That die was/is so versatile I can't ever see myself getting rid of it.

The bottom tip of each pennant is adorned with a crumpled layered flower punched from the Boho Blossom Punch.  I used the doily paper, Very Vanilla, and First Edition for these cuties.  Each flower is embellished with a Basic Rhinestone and a bauble.  Remember the Pretties Kit?  These kits are retired, but just recently they were in the SU! Clearance Rack sale.  I pulled my old kit out to "use what I have" to add a jewel finish to each banner.  When I was all done I added lots more Dazzling Diamonds Glitter and let me say it's spectacular in person.

 

I love the neutral tone on tone, monochromatic color combination for my garland.  I once heard this rule to never mix your neutrals, but I am one for breaking rules and there are times when white and ivory work.  This is one of those occasions.  Join us at Hand Stamped Sentiments for our monochromatic color challenge--it's a fun one!  Click over and see what the design team has created.

She Sold Me!

I absolutely LOVE this card designed and made by Dena Rekow!  I am so intrigued by it that I bought the set and I never, barely ever do that.  Seriously check out all the details you'll love it too.

Glitter is My #1

It's Tuesday and time for a fabulous challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments.  Check out the photo above at the glittered Christmas ornaments--they are covered in sparkle and that just makes me smile.  If you haven't noticed I love glitter, it is my number one all time favorite.  For the ornament on my card I added a single drop of Pacific Point Ink Refill on a scrap of Silver Glimmer Paper.  Then I spread the ink and covered the paper with an Aqua Painter filled with plain water.  I let the paper dry before I punched any pieces.  Of course my colors: Lucky Limeade, Melon Mambo,and Pacific Point are totally based on the inspiration photo.  What would you create using this picture as your inspiration?  Show it off at Hand Stamped Sentiments!

So Shelli Creative Challenge

This month over at So Shelli the Creative Challenge is to share holiday table decoration projects.  Wahoo that's right up my alley!  She said we could do name cards, place settings, table decorations. . . whatever we want to share--just one project or an entire table ensemble.  Here's the deal, I wanted to participate, but I also wanted a second challenge and that was to use what I have.  Many times we think we have to go out and shop or make new, but that is not what I did.  I pulled from things I have made recently.  So scroll down to see what I pulled together for a festive Be of Good Cheer table design.

I started with seven sheets of paper for added color and interest.  I included a mix of First Edition and Be of Good Cheer.

For softness and even more texture I made a no fuss runner with the Scalloped Edged Tulle Ribbon, in all three colors of course.  (If you have it use it!)

I had a tree which I decorated with a collection of ornaments made using all Stampin' Up! products for the Santa Clara Scrapbook Expo.  I re-displayed the tree at my "Only Ornaments" class last month so in the spirit of "use what I have" I pulled them all off the tree and added them to the center of my table.

I based the tablescape with a pair of candle sticks and three Mason Jars to give me some levels.  On each of those I added one of my flower poofs.  (These flowers were made for the Pleasanton Scrapbook Expo).  I used lots of layers of the packing paper from a SU! order and First Edition DSP cut in the Big Shot with the Scallop Circle Bigz Die.  I then placed a few more at table level.  To fill the rest of the table I added my stash of Designer Rosette ornaments.  They add brilliant color, pattern, and dimension.

In each of the flower poofs I nested a Red Glimmer Paper bird cut from the Elegant Bird Bigz Die.  I only have eight of the birds, so in the empty nests I tucked the Felt Ornaments because the colors were a perfect match and again, if you have it use it!

My favorite touch to the table design is that inside the Mason jars I added a battery operated tealight along with a Greetings of the Season two-sided apothecary label.  A few more tealights in short glass holders add a pop of glow and glisten.  Come Christmas dinner I will use real candles in the holders as I have a love hate relationship with fake tealights.  There are times when they are necessary and times when they should be left out.

A gorgeous ornament simply placed at each place setting continues the decor and make for a festive party favor for everyone.  I posted this favor a few weeks back, here is the link to learn a bit more.

Happy Holiday planning and decorating from SeeingInkSpots.

Merry Christmas,

four fold

I have said it before and it's this..."it's Tuesday and you know what that means, another Hand Stamped Sentiments challenge."  And what a cool challenge it is it's Fancy Folds.  A cool fold that I like to pull out of my bag of tricks every now and again is what I call the card board box fold or the four fold.

Here is how simple it is:

1.  Cut four squares any size.  I used the Scallop Square Bigz Die.

2.  Fold each square in half, open it up, and fold it in half the opposite direction.

3.  Adhere the four squares together as shown in the photo below.

4.  Fold the four halves inward and close as you would a card board box.

Bottom view of how to adhere the four squares together.

Open view.

All supplies are from Stampin' Up!

• Stamps: More Merry Messages
• Inks: Cherry Cobbler & Gumball Green Stampin' Write Markers, Whisper White Ink Pad
• Paper: Be of Good Cheer DSP, Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green, & Very Vanilla Card Stock, Silver Glimmer Paper
• Accessories: Scallop Square Bigz Die, 1 1/4" Scallop Circle, 1" Circle, 3/4" Circle Punches, & Merry Minis Punch Pack, Basic Rhinestones, Linen Thread, Stampin' Dimensionals, & Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

Vintage Chic for Pink Paper Bakery

Happy Monday and welcome to my SeeingInkSpots blog.  I am totally thrilled to be sharing with you all today that I am a guest blogger at a fabulous paper crafting site called Pink Paper Bakery.  With the holidays quickly approaching I thought I would share a card I made using one of my all-time favorite stamp sets Greeting Card Kids.  Why is this set so appealing to me?  Because I can't enough of anything vintage, antique, and retro.

For the focal point of this card I pulled out my Aqua Painter and several of my "go to" ink pad colors: Crumb Cake, Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery, and Jet Black Staz On.  I first stamped the image twice on Very Vanilla card stock with Staz On and let them dry thoroughly.  Then I gave each of the ink pads a squeeze to collect ink in the lid.  From that I picked up the ink with an Aqua Painter to watercolor the images.  

Once they were dry I punched one of the images out using a 2 1/2" Circle Punch and from the second image I detail cut the girl out to include her face, hat (not the pom pom), scarf, and coat (minus the left arm).  On the 2 1/2" circle piece and with a clean Aqua Painter I painted a halo of water around the girl and the tree.  While the water was still wet I gently sponged/dabbed Crumb Cake ink to create a unique aged look (that's my favorite step).  I repeated that step to create a floor and define the space.  Once dry I added the detail cut layer with Stampin' Dimensionals to the circle punched layer.

The greeting comes from the stamp set Bells and Boughs and was stamped on Very Vanilla with Jet Black Staz On.  I fishtailed and sponged the piece with Crumb Cake ink and then curled and distressed the banner with a bone folder. 

Some of the finishing touches include Basic Pearls and punched snowflakes, but I have to say I started the entire card with the Framed Tulip TIEF.  Of course I pre-inked the folder before I ran it through my Big Shot to give it lots more interest.  I also delicately splattered the card base with my Color Spritzer Tool again for more depth and interest.

I tied four loops of Crumb Cake Seam Binding which I secured with a hat pin and Linen Thread tied in a shoestring bow.  Before I added the bow to the card I shaped it by getting it damp with water.  Once the entire card was assembled I spritzed it with hair spray and Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.  The hair spray step is not only great for adhering a dusting of glitter, but it stiffens the seam binding--it's magic.

My hope is that you have enjoyed learning a bit more about my method of achieving a vintage style.

Smiles and Happy Holiday Craftin', Elizabeth