Feeling Productive

#stampinup   #faithfulinkspirations   Even before our quarantine began, I was decluttering and reorganizing parts of my house. I really don't like clutter, but I don't always feel like taking the time to fix a mess--until I get overwhelmed with the mess and then action is called for. Know what I mean? Honestly, sometimes the "crafter-math" in my stampin' room is out of control and I can't create until I put everything back in its place. It's just so calming when everything is put away and prettily organized.

As the Stampin' Up year is coming to and end, I've pulled all my retiring supplies and I'm about ready--but not quite--to pack them up to make way for new stuff. In the process, I also go through my card samples to see which ones will carry over and which ones have stamp sets, designer series paper, and embellishments that have retired. As you can imagine, I have TONS of cards. I usually try to sell them at a local holiday craft fair, but even then, I still have too many to deal with. 

However, I spent time today gathering cards to donate to Operation Gratitude. This non-profit organization supports military, veterans, and first responders. Even with COVID-19 upon us, this organization is taking donations--they'll need  more than just greeting cards--and providing our heroes with the encouragement they so deserve. I hope you'll check out their website and see what YOU can donate to them.

Since I used all my energy (creative or otherwise) on gathering and fixing cards to donate, I decided to pull a couple of previously made cards to feature on my blog today. Both cards use the adorable, and sadly retiring, 
"Witty-cisms" stamp set from the January-to-June Mini Catalog. Aren't these stinkin' cute?!

Both designs are stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink onto Whisper White Card Stock. The baby buggy is colored with Light and Dark Balmy Blue Stampin' Blends and the strawberry is colored with Light Real Red and Light Mint Macaron Stampin' Blends. The baby buggy image is cut with an oval Stitched Shape Die and adhered to a Balmy Blue scalloped oval cut with a Layering Ovals Die. The strawberry is cut with one of the Stitched So Sweetly Dies.

Both cards have a 4" by 5-1/4" Whisper White Card Stock panel that I embossed with the Subtle Embossing Folder. I adhered everything to a matching card base--either Balmy Blue or Mint Macaron.

These cards were so quick and easy to make--and if you'd like the "Witty-cism" stamp set (retiring) in your collection, order before it retires on June 2. FYI: stamp sets are only guaranteed to be available until May 22. When they're gone, they're gone. 

 

tams# 44404

Product List

Witty-Cisms Cling Stamp Set [151686] $22.00	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] $6.00	Mint Macaron 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [138337] $8.75	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730] $9.75
Real Red Combo Pack Stampin' Blends [147935] $9.00	Mint Macaron Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [147283] $9.00	Balmy Blue Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [148544] $9.00	Subtle Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder [143706] $10.00
Stitched So Sweetly Dies [151690] $32.00	Stitched Shapes Dies [152323] $30.00	Layering Ovals Dies [151771] $35.00	Whisper White 1/4" (6.4 Mm) Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon [151326] $7.50
Whisper White 5/8" (1.6 Cm) Polka Dot Tulle Ribbon [146912] $7.50	Basic Adhesive-Backed Sequins [146933] $7.00	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00

Creation Station: Mad as a Hatter Mash Up

#creationstation   #stampinup   #faithfulinkspirations   
Hi there, everyone! I hope everyone is safe from this virus and that you are keeping yourself busy while we're at home. I've been crafting and reading and relaxing. It's nice to have my family around...but I'm praying that we can get this situation under control with treatments and prevention so we can get back to what is our new normal.

Our blog hop today challenges us to create something unexpected. I attempted to use a crazy color palette, but it turned out so pretty (at least I think so)! I used a technique called "watercolor bokeh" and it was really fun. Here's how I made the cards--you can do it, too!

For the first card, I used three soon-to-retire In Colors: Pineapple Punch, Lovely Lipstick, and Grapefruit Grove. I used embellishment box lids (I save everything!) to mix my colors: 10 drops of water (I used my Aqua Painter* to squeeze out the drops) to 3 drops of reinker.

*Aqua Painters are sold out; a new replacement product will be in the new catalog

I used painters tape to secure a 4" by 5-1/4" piece of our Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper to a cardboard "palette" (I save all the designer series paper cardboard inserts). I wet the entire surface thoroughly with an Aqua Painter. Then I picked up some ink from the lids and lightly touched the surface of the watercolor paper, letting the ink spread. Clean your brush when you switch colors. PROTIP: Start with the lightest color first. (I didn't for my first card--but I figured it out by the second card.)

I filled the entire surface with color. And, because I am impatient, I used my Heat Tool to dry the paper.

Next, I used the Layering Circles Dies to cut a variety of circles from a 4" by 5" Window Sheet.

I used this as a stencil as I applied Whisper White Craft Ink with a Sponge Dauber. For some circles, I tapped the ink onto the paper and for others, I scrubbed the ink. This gives a different saturation to your bokeh circles.

I used my Heat Tool again to set the craft ink on the watercolor paper. I carefully removed the painters tape (to save to use for the next card) and trimmed the piece to 3-3/4" by 5" so that it layered nicely on a 3-7/8" by 5-1/4" Whisper White mat.

Next, I used the Stamparatus to stamp a sentiment from the "Rooted in Nature" stamp set in Lovely Lipstick Ink onto the bokeh design. The Stamparatus allowed me to stamp the sentiment several times so that it filled in over the bumpy Watercolor Paper surface. While the ink was still wet, I quickly sprinkled on some Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder and set it with my Heat Tool. PROTIP: Clear embossing powder allows you to emboss with any ink color!

For a final effect, I used the cap of the Clear Wink of Stella Glitter Brush to flick some glitter onto the card. The photos don't do it justice--the flecks really sparkle in the sunlight!

Here's the finished card.

Because that was so much fun, I made a second card using Pacific Point, Granny Apple Green, and Bermuda Bay reinkers.

I hope you enjoyed my "mashed-up" cards and watercolor bokeh technique and I hope you'll try it yourself!  

Next up is the awesomely creative Kerstin Kreuzer! I can't wait to see what she has in store for us!

Stay safe! Stay healthy! Stay home!

tams# 44215

Product List

Rooted In Nature Clear-Mount Stamp Set [146482] $42.00	Lovely Lipstick Classic Stampin' Pad [147140] $7.50	Pacific Point Classic Stampin' Pad [147098] $7.50	Uninked Stampin’ Craft Pad & Whisper White Refill [147277] $9.50
Lovely Lipstick Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [147179] $3.75	Grapefruit Grove Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [147181] $3.75	Pineapple Punch Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [147180] $3.75	Pacific Point Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [111840] $3.75
Granny Apple Green Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [147163] $3.75	Bermuda Bay Classic Stampin' Ink Refill [131156] $3.75	Lovely Lipstick 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146970] $8.75	Pineapple Punch 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146971] $8.75
Granny Apple Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146990] $8.75	Pacific Point 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [111350] $8.75	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [100730] $9.75	Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper [149612] $9.00
Window Sheets [142314] $5.00	Layering Circles Dies [151770] $35.00	Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder [109130] $6.00	Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush [141897] $8.00
Sponge Daubers [133773] $5.00	Stamparatus [146276] $49.00	Heat Tool (Us And Canada) [129053] $30.00	Aqua Painters [sold out] [103954] $17.00

Bird of Friendship

#stampinup   #faithfulinkspirations   One of the benefits of being on home quarantine is that I'm awakened each morning to a plethora of birdsong.  Our house backs to a wooded creek and the trees are starting to sprout their leaves. It's like living in a tree house. It's such a pleasure to be awakened by the singing birds--they must be happy for spring to have finally arrived! (We have one male woodpecker who insists on pecking on our house at precisely 6:30 AM on Sundays--he's not so welcomed! We just pound on our wall and "Woody" flies back to his tree.)

Since the lovely Bird Ballad Designer Series Paper and Laser-Cut Cards & Tin are on the retiring list, I thought I'd make a card using these products. I also used a bit of Parisian Blossoms DSP (retiring) on the card and envelope. Have a look.

I adhered a 4-1/4" by 5" piece of Pool Party floral Parisian Blossoms DSP (retiring) to the inside of a Bird Ballad Laser-Cut Card (retiring). While I was listening to a podcast, I fussy cut a spray of flowers and a bird from the Bird Ballad DSP (retiring). I adhered this directly to the card front, with Multipurpose Liquid Glue.

I stamped a sentiment from the "Free as a Bird" stamp set in Soft Suede Ink onto Very Vanilla Card Stock and cut it out with one of the Stitched Nested Labels Dies. PROTIP: While both the "Free as a Bird" stamp set and Stitched Nested Labels Dies will carry over to the new catalog, they will no longer be offered as a bundle for 10% off. If these are on your wish list, get them before June 2nd!

I adhered the label to the card with Stampin' Dimensionals and tucked in a bit of Petal Pink Organdy Striped Ribbon for a pretty accent.

I also adhered a bit of Parisian Blossoms DSP (retiring) to the flap of the Bird Ballad envelope and trimmed the scalloped edge. That gives a nice coordinating flair to the set.

This Sunday is the first Sunday of the month, and our Creation Station blog hop will be live about 9AM EDT. You won't want to miss that--you'll see awesome projects created by Stampin' Up demonstrators from around the world! Come back to my blog where you can start on the hop!

Stay safe! Stay healthy! Stay home!

tams# 44285

Product List

Free As A Bird Bundle [151123] $51.25	Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad [147115] $7.50	Bird Ballad Laser-Cut Cards & Tin [149595] $18.00	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [101650] $9.75
Bird Ballad Designer Series Paper [149592] $11.50	Parisian Blossoms Specialty Designer Series Paper [151192] $14.50	Petal Pink 5/8" (1.6 Cm) Organdy Striped Ribbon [149441] $8.00	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00
Multipurpose Liquid Glue [110755] $4.00	Paper Snips [103579] $10.00