On A Roll...It's Ribbon!

Today our focus is ribbon. I have used lots of ribbon on lots of cards over the years. I'd say it's probably my favorite embellishment. However, it was always "straight across as one of the layers." For the past year or so, I've started branching out and using it in different ways.

For instance, a ribbon wreath:

 

I found this idea online, and then changed it up a little bit to make it my own. I used the 1-1/4" circle and punched out a piece of cardstock. I saved that piece to use on some project later. I then took the 1-3/4" circle and punched around where I had already punched, creating a ring. Next, I cut approximately 20" of the Pistachio Pudding 3/8" Ruffle Stretch Trim. This ribbon is easy to work with for projects like this, and gives the wreath dimension. I wrapped the Ruffle Trim around the ring, securing it with glue dots. The knot is 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon in Raspberry Ripple. 

This was a fun card to make. I hope you enjoyed it. While I didn't have help while making it (which is surprising; especially when I dropped the spool of ribbon), I did have help as I was preparing to take the picture. 

Head over to SSINK to see some other ribbon creations!

Put Some Sparkle In It

I'm so excited, it's finally starting to begin to look like fall outside. One of my favorite nature views is leaves changing colors on the trees.

Speaking of changing color, that was my favorite trick on my WOW! card that I have to share with you today.

 

Our challenge at Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration today was to create a WOW! card using at least four layers. I feel that we can't ever have enough Thank You cards, especially this time of year; so I wanted to inkspire you today with one. 

The cardstock and ink colors I used today are Tangerine Tango and Soft Suede. The stamp sets are Thankful, ABC-123, and Gently Falling.

Have you figured out my color change yet? I wanted to give my card some extra sparkle, but I didn't feel that any of our glimmer paper colors (silver, red, champagne) really went with a fall themed card. So, I grabbed my silver glimmer paper, a Stampin' Spritzer and the Cajun Craze ink refill. I mixed the Cajun Craze with a little rubbing alcohol in the spritzer, and sprayed it on the glimmer paper. Voila! 

A tip when using glimmer paper: always use sticky strip to adhere your layers on top of it. That guarantees they aren't going anywhere. In this case, I also used the sticky strip to glue the glimmer paper to the Soft Suede layer, as I had saturated it pretty good when I spritzed it. 

Make sure to head over to SSINK to see the other WOW! cards!

What's My Favorite?

It's Friday! It's Friday Favorites Friday!

I think my favorites 99% of the time are the framelits. There is so much you can do with them.

Our polaroid camera was one of my favorite things as I child. I loved getting to watch the picture "come to life." And of course, who didn't love shaking the picture? (because you know, it made it so much faster!) I also remember not being a fan of the 35mm cameras because I hated having to wait to see the pictures we took!

So of course, when I started seeing all of these polaroid cards popping up all over the place, I couldn't wait to make some! I finally got the square framelits last week, so I'm all set!

 

Supplies:

Cardstock: So Saffron, Calypso Coral, Whisper White

DSP: I Am Me

Ink: Smoky Slate, Calypso Coral

Stamp sets: Secret Garden, Sweet Essentials

Tools: Big Shot, Square Collection framelits, Sponge Dauber, Paper Snips

Embellishment: So Saffron Candy Dots

If you haven't already; head over to Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration to see what the other designer's favorite products or techniques are today! 

A Painting We Will Go?

Painting? On a card? Well, not technically. But this card was lots of fun and SUPER easy!

So, our bathroom remodel is finally complete! Bathroom remodel=painting the new walls=having to buy a whole roll of painter's tape (because who knows where the last one ran off to in the last eight years)=most of a roll of tape left because our bathroom is really small.

After coat one

I know, I know. You're thinking, "What on earth does your bathroom remodel have to do with making a card?" Well...

 

I used Painter's Tape to "stamp" with! Have you tried it yet? If not, you press the tape (sticky side down) on to your ink pad, and then put it down on your cardstock and rub a little. Be prepared, your fingers might get a little inky if you aren't careful! I got a little heavy-handed rubbing the tape, both while it was on the ink pad and while it was on my cardstock. I was still happy with the outcome. It has a really cool texture and feel. It almost feels like paint on your card. 

When my husband's grandma asks me to make cards for her, she almost always requests sympathy cards because as she puts it, "she seems to need more and more of them these days." Sadly, I am learning where she's coming from as I seem to need more in recent months. The image and the greeting are both from the Simply Sketched set. I really like this set and feel it lends itself well to cards for the grandparent generation (and me!). 

The other supplies for this one:

Cardstock: So Saffron, Baked Brown Sugar, Whisper White

Ink: Pear Pizazz, Wisteria Wonder, So Saffron, Baked Brown Sugar

See what I mean when I said this was an easy card?! Plus with so few supplies, clean up was a breeze! I have a feeling since I have so much of the roll of painter's tape left, I'll be making many styles and colors of this type of card.

Twas the Night Before Christmas Sketching

Today I have a fun, and easy to mass produce, Christmas card for you. This card features the CCMC273 Sketch Challenge from Create with Connie & Mary.

And here is what I made with it:

 

The supplies I used are:

Cardstock: Pistachio Pudding and Real Red

DSP: Winter Frost Specialty and 2012-2014 In Color DSP Stack (Gumball Green)

Ink: Real Red

Stamps: Perfectly You

Tools: Big Shot, Holiday Ornaments framelits, Paper Snips, 2 1/2" Circle punch

Embellishments:Large Rhinestones Basic Jewels

It is lots of fun looking at how many variations there can be of virtually the same card. None of them look the same! Check them out by clicking on the CCMC link above.

This card also serves as my Design Team card for Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration today. Make sure to check out the other designer's cards as well! There are some cute, cute, cute ones! 

I'll see you tomorrow when I will be sharing a simple card that I loved making! Also, you definitely don't want to miss out Friday when SSINK will feature our Friday Favorites!

Thinking Sketch Color October

After stamping for 10 years, I have just started participating in Color Challenges and Sketch Challenges. Guess what? I really enjoy doing them! There are some days that they make creating really easy because you know "what" you're doing when you sit down. Other days they can be really challenging, because you have to make sure it fits within the challenge instructions. It is on these days that I'm usually inspired to make two or three other projects as well, as the ideas start spinning off about other things that I could do.

Today's card fits in with two challenges. Color challenge #47 at CAS Colours and Sketches, and DS123 at deconstructing jen.

Here is my creation:

 

I will be doing a "Make A Difference" series here in the near future, so I've really been focusing on "Thinking of You" type cards. Since the creators of the color combo had Breast Cancer Awareness Month in mind when they created the challenge; I thought this was an appropriate sentiment. 

In addition to the colors listed above, I also used Very Vanilla cardstock. The flowers are from Flower Shop, and punched out using the coordinating Pansy punch. The sentiments is from Sweet Essentials. I ran the Rose Red cardstock through the Big Shot with the Framed Tulips embossing folder. A few strategically placed Basic Pearls, and the card was complete.

Scrapbook Layout Sketch

The third Monday of the month means that it is time for the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration Scrapbook Layout Challenge. This is our layout challenge for October:

This is the page I created in My Digital Studio:

Last Wednesday I posted another page that I made for the same album. Again, I do love our annual zoo trips. This was the first zoo we've visited that has ostrich, and it was fun watching them run and strut.

In My Digital Studio, the background paper is from the Lap of Luxury collection. The banners and scallop trim were all filled with paper from the Shades of Spring Collection. The matting on each of the pictures was created by using the "Picker" tool on the "Change Color" page. Often, I pick a color out of the picture(s) on the page for my mat. On this particular page the color was pulled from the tree in the upper left picture.

I hope you enjoyed my take on the layout challenge. If you haven't tried My Digital Studio yet, I highly recommend it. It maybe took me 10 minutes top to create this page and most of that time I spent clicking through the paper prints to decide what I liked best. Be sure to stop in at SSINK to see some of the other designers' pages.

Sweet Labels

Halloween is just around the corner, so a few of the designers at SSINKspiration wanted to give you some ideas for packaging candy for your favorite ghouls and goblins this year.

Today I used the Labels Collection framelits to package my candy bars.

To create your packaging, you will need to cut two of the labels in the same size. As in the second picture, line the second "dip" up with the cutting track on your Paper Trimmer and cut this piece off. You will do this on both framelit cut-outs. Next, place the cut edge against the left side of your Simply Scored and score at 3/4". You will do this on both pieces. The final picture shows both pieces cut and scored. Next adhere together with sticky strip by layering one flap over the other.

One great thing about the framelits, is that since you have various, nesting sizes in the collection, you can use them to create for any size project.

For the XL size Symphony bar, I used the largest size framelit. I used some of the paper from the Modern Medley Designer Series Paper package to wrap around the candy bar to dress it up. I used the third largest framelit to cut a piece of the DSP to layer on my label. 

For the "regular" size candy bar, I used the second largest framelit. To create the handle, I used the Large Oval punch. Out of the three, this one definitely stands up by itself the best.

For the fun size candy bars, I used the fourth largest framelit. To secure the top, I used a Pumpkin Pie brad from the Brights Glimmer Brads. I'm now taking bets on whether my husband will eat the other 57 fun size bars in this bag, or if we'll have some left to hand out to trick or treaters. 

As you can see, the possibilities are endless with this one for size and embellishing. I hope this has inkspired you to create some outside the box packaging for your sweet treats this year! Be sure to Pin It so you can reference it later. Clicking the Pin It button at the top will let you choose any of the pictures in this post to pin. Then head on over to SSInkspiration to check out more great ideas! 

One Day Sale!

For today only, Stampin' Up! is offering five punches at 25% off! You can get all of these punches for $11.96 each! Just head over to stampinup.com, and choose Darcy Johnson as your demonstrator. I will be placing an order this evening, so if you want to save a few dollars on shipping, email me your order before 7pm!

Bitty Butterfly

Pansy

Hexagon

Artisan Label

Mosaic

Scrapbooking-MDS style

In lieu of going on a "real" honeymoon when we got married, my husband and I decided that we would go on an anniversary trip each year instead. Each year we have gone to a different zoo. It's definitely a fun day out, just spending the day together walking around. While we do spend some time watching the animals, most of it is spent taking pictures of EVERYTHING so I can scrapbook it when we get home.

Each year I have created a 5x5 album using My Digital Studio, and had it printed through Stampin' Up!'s professional printing service. It's really nice having a collection of albums to show that don't take up a lot of space and are easy to transport if we want to show them to someone. Plus, it is a great momento for us.

I have just started on this year's trip. Here is one of the pages I've created.

My favorite element on this page is the burlap ribbon. I already had all the pictures on the page, and when I added the ribbon, it happened that it was "folded" in just the right places!

I will continue to share pages throughout the year, and will also share a picture of the completed albums in a future post.

Weekly Deals

It's Tuesday, which means another round of great weekly deals from Stampin' Up! Here are the deal items for this week. The sale prices are valid until Monday, October 21st at midnight MT, or while supplies last. Make sure to visit Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration tomorrow, as our designers will have some great projects featuring these items.

	Argyle Textured Impressions Item # 127750   Regular Price: $7.95 US/$9.95 CAN Discounted Price: $5.96 US/$7.46 CAN
	Basic Pearl Jewels Item #119247 Regular Price: $4.95 US/$6.50 CAN Discounted Price: $3.71 US/$4.87 CAN
	Deco Labels Collection Framelits Dies Item # 130102 Regular Price: $24.95 US/$30.95 CAN Discounted Price: $18.71 US/$23.21 CAN
	In Color Dahlia's Item # 127556 Regular Price: $7.95 US/$9.95 CAN Discounted Price: $5.96 US/7.46 CAN
	Sophisticated Spook Ensemble Digital Download Item #131513 Regular Price: $14.95 US/$16.50 CAN Discounted Price: $7.48 US /$8.25 CAN
	Sweet Treat Cups Item #116802 Regular Price: $2.95 US/$3.95 CAN Discounted Price: $2.21 US/$2.96 CAN

  To order, just head to stampinup.com and choose Darcy Johnson as your demo. As always, the discount will appear at checkout!

Card Sketch Monday

Happy Monday! The second Monday of each month, Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration has a card sketch challenge. Here is October's sketch:

A close friend had her baby shower this past weekend, and I thought this card sketch was a perfect inspiration for the card to go along with her gift.

Supplies used:
Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Naturals Ivory, Strawberry Slush
DSP: Afternoon Picnic
Ink: Smoky Slate, Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, So Saffron, Calypso Coral, Strawberry Slush
Stamp sets: Storytime, Sweet Essentials
Tools: Big Shot, Polka Dot Embossing folder, Blender Pen, Modern Label punch

I was extra cautious when inking the stamps from Storytime so that I only inked the image and not the words that are also on each stamp. I then colored each animal using our ink pads and a blender pen.

Thanks for taking time to check out my take on the card sketch. Be sure to stop by SSINKspiration to see what the other ladies have created with the sketch. We'd also love to have you play along. You'll see a spot at the bottom of the post at SSINK to link up with.

Punching Up New Cards

Have you tried out our new Envelope Punch Board yet? I love it!

To be honest with you, I've only used it to make one envelope. However, it's gotten lots of use making cards. Making cards, you say?

Supplies:
5.5” X 8.5” Always Artichoke Cardstock
4.25” X 5.5” DSP (Season of Style)
2” X 2.5” Whisper White Cardstock plus big scrap for image
2.25” x 2.75” Early Espresso Cardstock
1.5” x 2” Always Artichoke cardstock
approx. 4.5” Whisper White 5/8” Organza Ribbon
Merry Little Christmas stamp set
Scentsational Season stamp set with Holiday Collection framelits (retired)

Instructions:
Score card base in half (4.25”), fold and crease with bone folder
Glue DSP to front of card (Anywhere Glue Stick)
With the Envelope Punch Board, line left side of card front with left side of opening, punch. Line left side of card front with 3” mark and punch again. Flip card over and repeat for card back.
Use Paper Trimmer to cut from middle dimple down to remove excess piece.
Use corner rounder on Envelope Punch Board to round corners.
Attach ribbon using Sticky Strip
Stamp greeting in Cherry Cobbler on Whisper White cardstock. Attach to Early Espresso cardstock.
Stamp desired image on Whisper White cardstock scrap, cut with framelits.
Adhere to Always Artichoke cardstock with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
Attach elements to card front.

 

I even used it to make a gift card holder.

Supplies:
4.25” X 11” Wild Wasabi Cardstock (card base)
3.75” X 6.5” Very Vanilla Cardstock (insert)
2.25” X 2.25” Cherry Cobbler Cardstock
2” X 2” Very Vanilla Cardstock
Season of Style Designer Washi Tape
Very Vanilla scrap cardstock
More Merry Messages stamp set
Scentsational Season stamp set (retired)

Instructions:
Score card base at 2”, 7 ¼”, 7 3/8”, fold and crease with bone folder
Score insert at 1 ¾” and 6”. Fold small flap in opposite direction.
Use Washi Tape to hold “pocket” together on card base.
Use Envelope Punch Board on top flap of card base at 1” & 3.25”.
Stamp on “pocket” of insert if you desire.
Put Sticky Strip on small flap of insert. Slide insert pocket into card base pocket.
Remove backing on Sticky Strip and close card to attach.
Stamp image on Very Vanilla cardstock with Wild Wasbi ink.
Layer onto Cherry Cobbler Cardstock.
Stamp greeting in Wild Wasabi on to  scrap of Very Vanilla. Punch with Modern Label Punch.
Attach greeting over top of washi tape.

 

All of these cards I created and made kits for the attendees of my card buffet on World Card Making Day. 

Thanks for stopping by! If you'd like to see a picture tutorial or video tutorial; leave a comment below and you may just see your wish granted very soon. ;)