A Happy Bag

#stampinup   #faithfulinkspirations   Earlier this month, I got a commission to make some holiday gift bags. I quickly mocked up a bag using some Naturally Eclectic Designer Series Paper and the Gift Bag Punch board, just so my customer could get an idea of how the bags would turn out. (You can see them here.) Not one to let a good thing go to waste, I decided to go ahead and finish the bag with a cute little tag.

I stamped one of the adorable piggies from the "This Little Piggy" stamp set in Basic Gray Archival Ink onto a scrap of Thick Whisper White Card Stock. Then I got out my new Stampin' Blends alcohol markers to play with.

What's that?! Stampin' Up has alcohol markers?! Why, yes, they do! Stampin' Up recently introduced high-quality, dual-tip alcohol markers in 12 exclusive Stampin' Up colors, each with a light and dark shade. Theses markers make it so easy to blend colors and create lovely works of art. Even I, who hates to color, love these markers--they make coloring and blending so easy! You can purchase them singly, or in a two-pack, or get all of them in one bundle!


I used both the light and dark Pink Pirouette Stampin' Blend markers on the pig's body, the light Old Olive Stampin' Blend on the grass and stem of the flower, and light and dark Pool Party on the flower. This is my first attempt using the Stampin' Blends and it turned out pretty cute, if I do say so myself. I need a bit more practice to get to a more expert level--but you can see what a novice can do with these awesome Stampin' Blends!

After I colored the pig, I cut it out with an oval Stitched Shapes Framelit, attached a piece of Delicate Doily, and then adhered this to a Night of Navy scalloped oval cut with one of the Layering Ovals Framelits. I punched a hole in the top of the tag with the 1/8" Handheld Circle Punch and tied the tag onto the bag with a length of Lemon Lime Twist Ombre Ribbon. So cute!

 

tams# 18699

Product List

This Little Piggy Clear-Mount Stamp Set [143922] $20.00	Basic Gray Archival Stampin’ Pad [140932] $7.00	Pink Pirouette Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144604] $9.00	Old Olive Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144597] $9.00
Pool Party Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144605] $9.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272] $7.00	Night Of Navy 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100867] $8.00	Naturally Eclectic Designer Series Paper [144185] $11.00
Layering Ovals Framelits Dies [141706] $35.00	Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies [145372] $30.00	1/8" Circle Handheld Punch [134365] $9.00	Lemon Lime Twist 1/4" Ombre Ribbon [144234] $7.00
Delicate White Doilies [141701] $3.00	Gift Bag Punch Board [135862] $20.00	Tear & Tape Adhesive [138995] $7.00	Stampin' Blends Markers Collection [147475] $121.50

It's a Red Box Challenge!!

#stampinup   #faithfulinkspirations   #paperpumpkin   #redboxchallenge   Stampin' Up is kicking off 2018 with a super fun giveaway that they're calling the Red Box Challenge. To enter, all YOU have to do is put together a WOW project using a past Paper Pumpkin kit and post an image of your project on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #redboxchallenge and you'll be entered into a random drawing to win a Paper Pumpkin kit. The random winners will receive the upcoming Paper Pumpkin fifth anniversary March kit--before anyone else! How fun is that?! See the terms and conditions at the end of this blog post.

I'm up for the challenge! I created a couple of projects from the September 2017 "Layered Leaves" Paper Pumpkin kit. First, I made a cool fall banner with the supplies in the kit.

I also made up the 3" by 3" cards in accordance with the kit instructions--and then used the Envelope Punch Board to make a box and belly band to hold four cards.

You should get in on the fun, too, by subscribing to Paper Pumpkin--so you don't miss out on the fabulous kits in 2018 or on the fifth anniversary kit. Just click on the button on the right side of this blog and you'll go straight to my Paper Pumpkin page where you can sign up. (Psst! You might want to wait until January 3, 2018--because if you sign up for a 3- 6- or 12-month prepaid subscription, you can earn Sale-a- Bration credits for FREE SAB items. Contact me today for details.)

Here's a little video from Stampin' Up that shows how to put together the December 2017 kit. It's so quick and easy and you end up with some great projects.



Here are my December cards. Aren't they sweet?

If you don't have any past Paper Pumpkin kits, you can buy a past kit in my online store. I hope you'll join the Red Box Challenge!!

All the challenge deets!

By using the hashtag #redboxchallenge with your entry you agree to the terms and conditions below.

• Choose a past Paper Pumpkin kit (any kit prior to January 2018) and create an alternate project. If you wish, you may use other Stampin' Up products to enhance your creation.
• Post a photo of your past kit alternative project on Facebook or Instagram and use the hashtag #redboxchallenge.
• One entry per person.
• Must be 18 years of age or older to enter the drawing.
• Open to everyone.
• No purchase necessary.
• Submissions must be posted by January 31, 2018 at 11:59 PM MT.
• Ten winners will be randomly selected from the entries.
• Winners will be notified by email or instant message no later than February 5, 2018 at 11:59 PM MT.
• The March Paper Pumpkin kit prize is valued at $19.95.
• By submitting an image of your project with the hashtag #redboxchallenge, you are giving Stampin' Up! permission to use, post, and share the image in Stampin' Up! publications

Good luck!

Happy (Almost) New Year!

#stampinup   #faithfulinkspirations   I've been spending loads of time with my family over the holidays. It's great to have all three kids home. The twins did very well during their first semester of college and I can see signs of maturity in both of them. They've been a pleasure to have around. And I've got to say that it was a pleasure opening Christmas gifts at noon rather than 6 AM! Much more civilized that way!

So while I've been cocooning here at home with the family, I've neglected my blog. I've actually been stamping a lot--getting those Christmas cards finished and sent out. I made about 90 this year. I always think I'm going to start earlier, but it never works out. I figure as long as they're in the mail before Christmas, they're on time, right?

I'm hoping to turn over a new leaf and blog more regularly this new year. Not only is it almost 2018--but it's almost time for Stampin' Up's Occasions catalog and Sale-a-Bration (starts January 3, 2018)! I have so many fun things to show you and so many fun products in those catalogs to play with!! But we still have a few days left of the Holiday catalog, so I have one last card using product from that catalog that you can still purchase (through January 2, 2018)--and some product that will be carrying over and some from the annual catalog. This card is a three-fer!

I started by stamping three snowflakes from the "Snowflakes Sentiments" stamp set (carrying over) in Versamark onto a 3-3/4" by 5" Whisper White panel. I added some Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder (annual catalog) and set it with my heat tool. I also stamped a sentiment from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" stamp set (annual catalog) in Versamark and embossed it with Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder. I adhered a 2" by 3-3/4" strip of Year of Cheer Specialty Series Paper (retiring) and a length of Silver Metallic-Edge Ribbon (annual catalog) before adhering it to a 3-7/8" by 5-1/8" Silver Foil panel. I adhered this panel to a Thick Whisper White Card Stock (annual catalog) card base, cut lengthwise, using Stampin' Dimensionals (annual catalog).

I love how sparkly this card is and I think it's a great blend of Winter and "fireworks"--perfect for New Year's wishes.

tams# 18658

Product List

Snowflake Sentiments Clear-Mount Stamp Set [144820] $22.00	Teeny Tiny Wishes Wood Stamp Set [128748] $37.00	Versamark Pad [102283] $8.50	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272] $7.00
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.00	Silver Foil Sheets [132178] $4.00	Year Of Cheer Specialty Designer Series Paper [144640] $13.00	Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder [109131] $5.00
Silver 3/8" Metallic-Edge Ribbon [144213] $7.00	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00	Heat Tool [129053] $30.00

Holiday Goodie Bags

#stampinup   #faithfulinkspirations   Back in November, I had a table at a local craft show. I have tons of cards and other paper crafts that need to find good homes, so I do one craft show a year. My hope is to interest new people to the joy of paper crafting by introducing them to Stampin' Up's fabulous line of products.

I met a wonderful woman who loved my creations and bought several items. She recently reached out to me to ask me if I could make some holiday goodie bags for a party she was giving. I was happy to do so! And very pleased that she liked my work enough to ask me to make something especially for her!

I had several sheets of the beautiful Year of Cheer Specialty Series Paper and several gold and silver Foil Snowflakes that I thought would make some pretty bags. I also had to use one of the gold sheets from the Eastern Palace Specialty Series Papers. I designed one bag as a sample and she ordered 10 bags!

I started with a 10" by 6" piece of DSP and used the Gift Bag Punch Board to make a small gift bag. I tied on some Silver Metallic-Edge Ribbon to close the bag. Then I stamped a sentiment from the "Festive Phrases" stamp set in Versamark onto a piece of Whisper White Card Stock and embossed it with Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder. I cut this out with the largest circle from the Stitched Shapes Framelits and adhered it to a Basic Black Card Stock scallop circle cut with one of the Layering Circles Framelits. I attached this to a large gold paper clip using Stampin' Dimensionals. I punched a 2" Circle of Whisper White Card Stock and adhered it to the gold Foil Snowflake to give it some stability. I adhered this to the back side of the embossed image. I think this bag turned out rather cute, if I do say so myself (and I do)!

I made a variety of bags in gold and silver. I also used a sentiment from the "Watercolor Christmas" stamp set. Here are all the bags.

My new friend was pleased with these bags as well--so pleased that she ordered a Punch Board and lots of other goodies. I'm looking forward to stamping with her soon!

 

tams# 18370

Product List

Festive Phrases Clear-Mount Stamp Set [144960] $17.00	Watercolor Christmas Clear-Mount Stamp Set [144838] $18.00	Versamark Pad [102283] $8.50	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.00
Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [121045] $8.00	Year Of Cheer Specialty Designer Series Paper [144640] $13.00	Eastern Palace Specialty Designer Series Paper [144147] $13.00	Gift Bag Punch Board [135862] $20.00
Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies [145372] $30.00	Layering Circle Framelits Dies [141705] $35.00	2" Circle Punch [133782] $18.00	Foil Snowflakes [144642] $6.00
Silver 3/8" Metallic-Edge Ribbon [144213] $7.00	Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder [109129] $5.00	Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder [109131] $5.00	Tear & Tape Adhesive [138995] $7.00
Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00