As The Ink Dries

Just Add Cake and Butterflies

Are you wondering what kind of crazy recipe  am I talking about? 

Now does it make sense?  No?  Okay, Just Add Cake is the name of the  DSP (Designer Series Paper). Cute huh?   This was stamped by a demonstrator friend of mine, Pam Stern.  I have known Pam for a long time but it is only been since moving back to Western WA that we have been able to spend some time together. Thanks Pam, I love it!

Stamps: Perfect Punches and Flower Fest
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Peach Parfait, So Saffron
Paper: Just Add Cake (DSP), Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, Peach Parfait, Baja Breeze, Whisper White
Big Shot: Perfect Polka Dots
Punches: Butterfly, Scallop Edge Border, Extra Large Oval

You have just 2 weeks left to take advantage of the Buy 3 ($10.95 value) , Get 1 Free ($10.95 Value) DSP special.   There are so many to choose from and I don't want you to miss out!  

 

It's a Challenge

I want to be  a more creative and  productive stamper.  I have been soliciting advice from other stampers and one piece of advice I have heard a few times is to do challenges.  There are all kinds of challenges from sketch to color, to stamp set and the list continues.   I found  a sketch challenge  by Technostamper.  

Next I had to decide on the stamp and chose the Strength and Hope stamp set.   I have not used this set as much as I had planned, so you will be seeing this a lot more on my blog  in the coming month. Why?  This is an important stamp set because when you purchase it Stampin'Up! will donate $2 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.   The set can be found on the last page (27)  of the  Summer Mini catalog.  You only have until the end of August to purchase this set so don't delay.

Stamps:  Strength and Hope, Delicate Doilies, Hello, Doily
Ink:  Early Espresso, Whisper White Craft pad
Paper:  Blushing Bride, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Cardstock Vellum
Punches:  Scallop Circle, 1-3/8" Circle, 1- 1/4" Circle
Extras: Basic Pearls

Are you wondering where I stamped the Delicate Doilies? 

I am definitely going to do more challenges.   It is so interesting to see what others create starting from the same sketch. 

Thank you for the input on listing stamp set names under the categories.  I will start doing that.  I will go back and categorize the older posts as time permits.  I appreciate your input!  Have a fantastic day and let me know what your favorite challenge site is. 

 

Love & Care and Thanks

I woke up this morning and there was this brightness in the sky that  was almost blinding.  It is vaguely familiar but wait a minute, can it really be?  YES, it is the sun!  It is sunny and bright out today.  I am not complaining since  there are places that have been really suffering through some horrible weather, just happy to see blue skies and sunshine.  Maybe, just maybe Spring has finally arrived!

Mother Nature here's to you!

 

Same elements different layout.

Stamps:  Thank You Kindly and Love & Care
Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red, Old Olive
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Sweet and Sour DSP
Big Shot: Vintage Wallpaper TIEF, Perfect Polka Dots TIEF, Scallop Circles #2
Extra;:Pumpkin Pie Satin Ribbon
(items in Bold are retiring order them now before they are gone!) 

Thank you for stopping by!  Don't forget to let me know if you need a copy of the hottest Summer read aka the 2011-2012  Stampin'Up! Idea Book and Catalog!

 

Delicate Doilies Sneak Peek

I have another sneak peek for you today!  There are actually two new things I used but i already spilled the beans and told you that one of them is Delicate Doilies.  Delicate Doilies is a new stamp set that will be making its debut in the 2011-2012 Stampin'Up! Idea Book and Catalog.   Doilies alwasy remind me of my Grandma.  She was a great crocheter and she made a lot of doilies and table runners.  I am lucky enough to have some of the things she made.  This means of course I had to buy this set.  I cannot show you the actual stamps but I did use 3 of the 4 image so you will get a very good idea of what the set looks like.

Do you see what the other new item I used is?  Here's a clue.

If you guessed a new color than you are right!  Let me introduce Island  Indigo!   What a great new color!  The color combination I used : Island Indigo, Baja Breeze, and Rich Razzleberry.  How did I come up with this combo?  There are new add on cards for the Color Coach with the new In Colors!  So great right?  Does the shape of this doily look familiar?   If you think it looks a lot like the Doily Triple Layer punch that is in the Summer mini Catalog  then you would be right!  Don't you love it when you can punch out an image? 

Hope you liked this little sneak peek. I f you don't already have a demonstrator and would like a 2011-2012 Stampin'Up! Idea Book and Catalog please send me an email  and we will get you fixed up!  It will be the hottest read of the summer so don't delay!

All Squared Away!

I am making my way down my to-do list and that is making me happy.  Don't get me wrong the list is still long but I am definitely making progress.  I still have a few more birthday cards to mail but if your birthday is in June and I missed you (sorry!) please let me know and i will get one in the mail to you.  There's always a little something in your birthday card too!  Here's one of the cards that you might be getting.

 
I love the little squares layered on the scallop square.   This grid look is a favorite of mine!  Here's what I used to make this card.

Stamps:  On a Pedestal( Happy Everything words), Birthday Bliss, Perfect Postage
Ink:  Baja Breeze, Old Olive, Early Espresso  markers
Paper:  Whisper White, Striped DSP from the Nursery Suite Specialty DSP, Baja Breeze, Early Espresso, Old Olive
Punches: 1-1/4" Square punch
Big Shot:  Perfect Polka Dots TIEF, Scallop Squares Duo die and Floral Fusion Sizzlit
Extras:  Circle Ice Rhinestone brad, Early Espresso grosgrain ribbon
(BOLD items are retiring at the end of June!)

Head on over to my As the Ink Dries Facebook page and see another version of this card.  All you have to do is click on the  link on the left hand side column and while you are there become a fan!

 

Thanks for Checking In!

Yes, I fell of the blogwagon but I am making my way back!  I did not plan to take a break  it just happened.  I had some out of town  company,  went on a quick trip and there just wasn't much time to do much else so i decided to just go with it and enjoy.   It has been a crazy month and a half but so many good things just not much stamping.   

Here's something I made yesterday and it pretty well sums up how I feel.

Stamps: Pretty Postage and FYI
Ink:  Concord Crush, Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzaz
Paper:  In Color DSP pack (level 1 Hostess gift), Whisper White and Sahara Sand
Big Shot:  Floral Fusion Sizzlit
Punches: Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack and Postage Stamp
Extras:  Basic Rhinestones
(BOLD indicates retiring product)

I am also late in sending out birthday cards for June.   I am getting them in the mail today!  If you don't get one please drop me an email and let me know so I can fix that right away.  Remember to use your birthday coupon! 

Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate you not giving up on me!

 

Happy Greetings and Butterflies

It has been so beautiful here the past few days.  Anyone visiting would not believe that just a few days ago it was pouring rain.  I hope this means that spring is really here, I have been fooled before.  All the sunshine and blue skies has definitely influenced my stamping, right now I am all about bright colors.

 
Stamps:  Happy Greetings stamp set
Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo
Paper: Daffodil Delight, Whisper White,  Brights Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack,
Big Shot: Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Perfect Polka Dot TIEF
Punches:  Square Scallop punch
Ribbon: Daffodil Delight Tafffeta Ribbon
Bling: Basic Rhinestones
(bold and italicized items are in the Summer mini catalog)

Hope it is sunny where you are and if you haven't seen the Summer mini catalog drop me a line and I will make sure you get one.

Strength and Hope Mosaic

It is  funny how things work out sometimes.  Friday I posted a tutorial about the mosaic technique and in the mail I received a sample of the mosaic technique from fellow SU demonstrator, Linda Macpherson.  I met Linda on the SU! trip to Hawaii.  We started chatting while on one of the little boats that transported us from one part of the resort to another and we've been chatting ever since.  She lives  in the Baltimore area  ( if you live in the Baltimore area and need a demonstrator let me know,  I know a great one!) so I don't get to see her too often but every so often we surprise each other with an envelope full of cards and this was one of the lovely cards she sent me.

 

Stamps:  Strength and Hope and Fundamental Phrases
Ink:  Pacific Point, Basic Gray, VersaMark
Paper: Pacific Point, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Beyond the Garden DSP
Punches: Word Window, Modern Label, Eyelet Border
Ribbon:  Whisper White 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon
Extras: Basic Pearls, Clear Embossing Powder
(items in bold are available in the Summer Mini Catalog 2011)

Isn't it gorgeous?   Thanks again Linda!

Remember, when you purchase the Strength and Hope stamp set or the Strength and Hope digital kit Stampin'Up! will donate $2 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Thanks for checking in with me and remember to check out all the great saving on selected stamp sets and digital downloads Here.

Simple Sunday Share

This is a VERY simple share idea.  In fact I am sure I have shared this before but the other day while I was addressing envelopes when it hit me...I NEED to pretty these up.  It was pouring outside so I did not want to stamp them in case they got wet and I also did not want to spend a lot of time.  Hmmm, what is quick and easy to do, makes a big impact and it doesn't involve ink?  You got it... Textured Impressions Embossing folders!  Since I have my Big Shot out at all times,  I pulled out my Flower Garden TIEF and look how gorgeous this looks and it took maybe 5 seconds to do.

Flower Garden Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

Isn't it so elegant?  It takes no time at all with the Big Shot and the Flower Garden TIEF (page 24 of the Summer Mini Catalog).   I ran this through my Big Shot on "no tabs".  I can also run these ahead of time since this TIEF  isn't  a full card sized design and so I still have a place to address the envelope. 

Here's one to file away for later.

Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

This is the Northern Flurry TIEF ( 120902) and it was first featured in the Holiday Mini Catalog and is still available for purchase. 

The next time you are in your stamp room and waiting for inspiration to hit, grab your TIEF and some envelopes and start prettying up your envelopes.  This is  part of my stamping aerobics workout so make sure you crank with both arms so you will work out each arm evenly!  HAHA!  Wow, stamping and fitness tips all in one blog!  Have a great one and if you need a Big Shot or more Textured Impressions Embossing folders go to my website and order some, consider them exercise equipment you can really use!

Beyond the Garden Scrapbook in a Box

I am excited to share with you the project I designed for Craft Project Central.   

Recognize the baby? Hard to believe he is getting ready to graduate from college!    This is the bonus project for May at Craft Project Central    How do you get access to the bonus project?    You just subscribe to May, and meet one of the other bonus project requirements of, subscribing to two or more months in a row, putting our badge/blinkie on your blog, or referring a friend and letting us know when they subscribe! 

You know what else?  I have  one free gift subscription for the month of  May to Craft Project Central to give away.  Just leave me a comment on this post and I will pick a winner on Tuesday (5/17/)  at 6pm.   I would love to pick you to win so leave me a comment!