Birthday

My philosophy is that you can never have too many birthday cards on hand. For me, it is because I usually remember the day before their birthday, "oh, I need to send (name) a card." If I have them already made, I have a much better chance of getting it in the mail and it not being unfashionably late!

Today I've created a card for you that goes together quickly and is easily duplicated. You can switch out the butterfly for your favorite image or background stamp.

I used the smallest square in the Square Collections Framelits to cut out the Designer Series Paper. The squares measured 1-1/8". I then used my Paper Trimmer to cut the cardstock layers at 1-1/4". For the butterfly layer, the vanilla cardstock is 2-1/2" x 3-3/4". The pink cardstock is 2-5/8" x 3-7/8". The large vanilla layer on the card base is 4-1/8" x 5-3/8".

Supplies used:
  Cardstock: Wisteria Wonder, Pink Pirouette, Very Vanilla
  DSP: Afternoon Picnic
  Stamp sets: Express Yourself, Swallowtail
  Ink: Wisteria Wonder, Pink Pirouette
  Framelits: Square Collection
  Tools: Paper Trimmer, Big Shot, Simply Scored
  Adhesive: SNAIL

Are you looking for more birthday card inspiration? Check out more birthday cards at SSINK.

Special Birthday Fun

A friend is turning 50 next week, so I wanted to make her a special card for her "golden" celebration.

I used the corner rounder on the Envelope Punch Board to round all four corners. While the picture may be a little hard to tell; on the Rose Red cardstock, I stamped the Tape It image in Versamark and used the Heat & Stick Powder and Gold Glitter. Have you ever used the Heat & Stick Powder? Were you scared of it for 9 years like me? Would you like me to post a how to video?
Recently I saw a link for this shirt on Facebook. I, of course, had to share it. My question was, "What if I'm often covered in glitter and cat hair?" Today is one of those days!

Supplies used:
  Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Rose Red
  Stamp Sets: Tape It, Label Love
  Ink: Versamark, Rose Red
  Specialty Paper: Gold Foil Sheet
  Washi Tape: Watercolor Wonder
  Punches: 2-3/8" Scallop Circle, Artisan Label
  Embellishments: Heat & Stick Powder, Gold Stampin' Glitter
  Tools: Paper Trimmer, Simply Scored, Envelope Punch Board, Heat Tool
  Adhesive: SNAIL, Stampin' Dimensionals

Please stop in tomorrow for another birthday card idea! 

One Color Pony

Today started as a little bit of a challenge. When I saw that we were to create a monochromatic card, I was up for the task; though as I sat down to make it, it felt a little daunting. Once I got started though it was easier than it sounded.

I went with Pistachio Pudding as my one color. (Great, now I'm hungry!)

I inked up my embossing folder before placing my cardstock in it to get the depressions inked. For the clay flowers, after I pressed them in the mold and removed them; I let them cure for a few hours. Then I pushed them down into my ink pad to get a little color on them.

Supplies used:
  Cardstock: Pistachio Pudding
  Ink: Pistachio Pudding
  Embellishments: Pistachio Pudding 3/8" Ruffle Stretch Trim, Simply Pressed Clay, Buttons and Blossoms Simply Pressed Clay Molds
  Framelits: Bitty Banners
  Embossing Folder: Chevron
  Tools: Big Shot, Simply Scored, Paper Trimmer
  Adhesive: Glue Dots, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals

Stop over at SSINK today to see what the other designers created with only one color! 

Weekly Deals & More

Stampin' Up! released new weekly deals this morning! You can purchase these items at a discount through Monday, January 20th at stampinup.com. Be sure to choose Darcy Johnson as your demonstrator.

Framed Tulips Embossing Folder 7.95 5.96

Calypso Coral Ink Pad 5.95 4.46

Digital Download-Storytime Ensemble 19.95 11.97

Neutrals Core'dinations Cardstock 23.95 17.96

Chalk Talk Framelits 24.95 18.71

Basic Black 3/4" Chevron Ribbon 8.95 6.71

Alphabet Press Embossing Folder 7.95 5.96

Note Card Envelopes 5.50 4.13

 

My personal recommendation is the Neutrals Core'dination cardstock, along with the Alphabet Press Embossing Folder. Unlike our other cardstock, the Core'dinations is not dyed all the way through. Therefore when you use it with an embossing folder, and then distress it with a sanding block; it gives a really great texture to your project. You can check out a sample here.

Another exciting promotion announced recently is that through February 10th, any new Paper Pumpkin subscriber will receive a FREE set of 2012-2014 In Color Markers. Click on either picture below for more information and to get signed up!

Sketch Challenge

It's time for the January Card Sketch Challenge at SSINK! I hope that you will be inspired by the sketch and play along with us. Make sure to stop over at the SSINK blog to see what the other designers have created and to link up your own take on the challenge.

Here is the sketch:

This is what I was inspired to make from the sketch:

I used the Big Shot and Square Collection Framelits to create the banner for my bird. Here's hoping this sweet little blue bird will make spring come faster; or at least brighten someone's day!

Supplies used:
  Cardstock: Wisteria Wonder, Sahara Sand
  DSP: Afternoon Picnic
  Stamp sets: Express Yourself, Simply Sketched
  Ink: Chocolate Chip, Marina Mist
  Punch: Modern Label
  Framelits: Square Collection
  Embellishments: Early Espresso Baker's Twine, Subtles Candy Dots, Blender Pen
  Tools: Big Shot, Simply Scored, Paper Trimmer
  Adhesive: SNAIL, Stampin' Dimensionals, Glue Dots

Favorite DSP & a Challenge

At Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration our Design Team projects for today were to feature our favorite Designer Series Paper Pack. I realized as I was looking through my stash of DSP that I own almost every current pack; and that I really love all of them!
Today however, I was most drawn to the Modern Medley assortment. The entire package is black and vanilla, which is just as timeless as black and white.

Modern Medley #126926

My layout was inspired by Jen's sketch challenge #DS133 at deconstructing*jen.

Here's my first Valentine's card of the season for you!

Stampin' Up! Supplies used:
  Cardstock: Real Red, Basic Black, Very Vanilla
  DSP: Modern Medley
  Stamp set: A Round Array
  Ink: Real Red
  Punches: 7/8" Scallop Circle, 1-1/4" Scallop Circle, Artisan Label
  Framelits: Hearts Collection
  Embellishments: Large Basic Rhinestones
  Tools: Paper Trimmer, Simply Scored, Big Shot
  Adhesive: SNAIL

Stylin' Stampin' Blog Hop

Thank you so much for joining us for our January Stylin' Stampin' Squad Blog Hop!  Love is in the air and our talented group of design team members have a Whole Lotta Love Goin' On as we are excited to be sharing some NEW Occasions Catalog goodies and some Valentine's Day projects with you this month!

As you hop along, please be sure to comment and show some love on every blog!  We are always excited to hear from our followers!

You should have just left stop number 10 on the Stylin’ Stampin’ Squad  blog hop – Kim of Stamping with Kim. If so, you are in the right spot. If a link doesn’t work or you get off track, you will find  the full blog hop lineup below.

My card today features my favorite Designer Series Paper from the Occasions Catalog. It's called Kaleidoscope. I spent hours playing with my kaleidoscope as a child, and some of the patterns in this pack remind me of that.

Supplies used:
  Cardstock: Basic Gray, Whisper White, Basic Black
  DSP: Kaleidoscope
  Stamp set: Sweet Essentials
  Ink: Strawberry Slush
  Embellishments: Neutrals Candy Dots (Whisper White), Large Scallop Edgelits
  Tools: Big Shot, Paper Trimmer, Simply Scored
  Adhesive: SNAIL

Thanks for joining us on our blog hop today. Use the Next button to head over to Bree's blog now. Stop back in tomorrow when the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration designers will be showcasing our favorite DSP stacks!

Blog Hop Participants:
1. Anastasia R. of Stampin' Blondie
2. Cynthia R. of Ink-a-Doodle Creations
3. Dawn S. of Dawn's Creative Chalet
4. Kathy P of Katrina P's Creative Corner
5. Pamela W. of Stinky Tofu
6. Diana E. of Stampin' Fun with Diana
7. Darla R. & Nancy K. of Stampin With Darla and Sisters
8. Jamie H. of Unique Ink
9. Rose C. of Stamp with Rose
10. Kim R. of Stamping with Kim
11. Darcy J. of DJ's Stampin' Place
12. Bree R. of Craft-Somnia
13. Kristina M. of Mama's Sanity
14. Annie L. of Love Me Cards
15. Jennifer B. of NW Stamper
16. Tonya B. of Stampin' with Tonya
17. Heidi B. of Stuck on Stampin'