Project Life & Fishies

Sadly I'm way behind on my scrapbooking. Like a year behind. :(
*cue Stage Left* Enter Project Life by Stampin' Up! I was able to create this page in nothing flat thanks to the ease of use and great card collections that we offer! The two cards and all of the embellishments on this page came from the Let's Get Away collection.

In the past I have struggled with this particular layout because of the smaller pockets, and not having many pictures I could cut down that small. I saw a great idea on Pinterest that I can't believe I didn't think of. Simply cut one of your 4" x 6" pictures in half and insert them side by side in those smaller pockets! Super easy and brought some more life to my page. I will admit I spent the most time looking for the perfect picture to cut down the middle. Most of them would have meant chopping a shark or other fish in half!

We've got plenty more Project Life inspiration for you today at Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration. Check it out!

#SSINKCS23: Card Sketch

The day has finally arrived! It's the second Monday of July, so that means it is time for the July Card Sketch Challenge at SSINK! Bree sure did give me a run for my money with this one. I grabbed this challenge by the horns and am pretty happy with the outcome!

Seriously, when I first looked at this sketch I thought, "what on earth am I going to do with this?" Then I thought that I just needed to create a shape in the center of my card. Framelits were my first thought, but I wanted to challenge myself a bit more. I had just finished up my blog hop card for last week, and had thought that I should use the "left over" pieces from the Banner Triple Punch. While I didn't use those actual left over pieces, I created some new ones for this card with Pacific Point and Real Red. Then I used the punch for the banner in the center as well.

Play along with our Design Team at Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration.

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Product Focus: Designer Series Paper

The Bohemian Designer Series Paper was the very first item that went on my Stampin' Up! preorder. It is very eye-catching. Apparently my husband thinks so too. I showed him the five cards that I made for this week, and this one was his favorite. When asked why, he replied, "I just like the colors."

What do you think? I love that it is so bold it can serve as the focal point of the card. I finally used the White Jute Ribbon that I've had for a while, and I have a tip. If you use the new Tear & Tape Adhesive with the Jute, it will stay put and you can't see it through the ribbon. At least I can't on this card.

The Design Team is featuring a variety of Designer Series Paper Packs, as well as a variety of ways to use the paper over at Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration.

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

SSINK Hop: Up For Anything

I spent much of my three day weekend last weekend being crafty and creating projects for this month's posts. I haven't had much time to create lately, so I enjoyed it a lot, plus I got to play with my new goodies that I received last week. I spent so much time working on specific themed projects, that I had a hard time creating this card! You would think that with a blog hop theme of "anything goes," it would not have been so difficult.

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 #4 on the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration Blog Hop ~ Stampin' with Kim. As you hop along, if a link doesn't work, or you get off track the participant list is at the bottom of this post.

I really wanted to play the new Banner Punch, so I used it to create part of my background with the Mint Macaron, Tip Top Taupe, and Tangerine Tango Designer Series Papers. I embossed the flower in gold before coloring it and cutting it out.

Thanks for stopping by! Head on over to Tobe's blog next, and make sure to stop by tomorrow when I am featuring more Designer Series Paper!

Blog Hop Participant List:

1. Jenny at Jenny G Paper Crafts 
2. Diana at Stampin Fun with Diana
3. Leanne at Literally My Joy
4. Kim at Stamping with Kim
5. Darcy at Dj's Stampin Place
6. Tobe at The Craft Sea
7. Melissa at Stamp Doc
8. Donna at Organized Chaos
9. Bree at Craft-Somnia Momma
10. Jennifer at Happy 2 Scrap 4 Life

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Single Layer Dahlia

Today we are featuring single layer cards at Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration. While I'm a fairly simplistic stamper, single layer cards have always been something I have struggled with. One of our new background stamps to the rescue!

I see lots of potential and ink on the new Definitely Dahlia stamp. Here I stamped it on Very Vanilla with Blushing Bride. The "Friends" stamp is from the new Garden In Bloom set. Want to know a little crafter's secret? One line of the rhinestones is covering up an oops where I got ink where it didn't belong. My motto: "Every mistake can be fixed." Well, at least in the paper crafting world!

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Technique Tuesday: Bargello

When Donna suggested that we do the Bargello technique for our Technique Tuesday at SSINK this month, I had no idea what she was talking about! Thanks to Google and a tutorial I was able to play along with this fun challenge!

I used my new favorite stamp, Watercolor Wash, and stamped it in four different colors on 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" pieces of Whisper White Cardstock. Then I cut those in to one inch strips and glued them down on another piece of white cardstock. I cut those in to smaller strips and glued them in my bargello pattern on yet another piece of white. At this point I had to bust my table top paper cutter out of storage, as it was getting a little thick to cut with the Stampin' Trimmer. This definitely made a fun background that pops.

You can find a more in depth tutorial, as well as other samples from the Design Team today at Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration.

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

#SSINKCC23: Color Challenge

This month's color challenge features another one of the 2015-2017 In Colors, Watermelon Wonder. Straight out of the pack, this is probably my least favorite color. However, when used with the right color combination, it actually becomes pretty fabulous! 

I was so excited to use some new products on this card. The Lots of Labels framelits and the Happy Patterns Decorative Masks. This is the first time I've had a positive experience with the Sequin Trim, and I think it might be my favorite part of this card! 

Make sure to check out more great creations inspired by my latest color challenge at Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration. You can also play along with us on this week's challenge! 

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog