I Have Moved!

Effective immediately.......

my blog has moved to www.MyInkspirations.com

Make sure you save my new location, and I hope to see you there!!!

I'm Back!

No, I didn't fall off the face of the earth.....I just got lost for a while (If you are still out there!). I had to take a step back and re-think some things. Some family issues came up that I needed to deal with, and some are still going on, but I need to get moving. I'm not going to bore you with any details, so let's get down to business!!!

Back in July I decided to re-join Stampin' Up! I had noticed that since about the beginning of the year I was making more purchases with SU than anyone else...therefore it made sense to me to go back. I am having a blast!!!!

I am holding classes in my home and this is what we will be doing for this months class. It's called Tricks & Treats, so if you are in my area and would like to sign up, you are more than welcome! I first saw these tins on the Papertrey website, but thought it would be way too expensive for me to purchase for class purposes. I did find a much cheaper online resource, I don't have the information right in front of me, but if you are interested I will dig it up. Just let me know. So we have the Nugget Tin and the Tea tin, I was having so much fun with the Nugget tin that I made 2 more bands just for the heck of it. Then I made an A2 card, a 3x3 card, a paperclip bookmark and a magnet. This class is going to be a blast!!!!

All supplies Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Booglie Eyes, Spooky Skyline wheel, Party Punch (hostess) and Web Wishes (retired)

CS: Pumpkin Pie, Wild Wasabi, Basic Black, WW, Basic Gray, Creepy Crawly DSP

Ink: Black, Blue Bayou, Wasabi, Rust, Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, Almost Amethyst, Going Gray, Basic Gray

Accessories: Scalloped Punch, Round Tab Punch, 1 3/8 circle punch, black and pumkin GG ribbon, Blender Pen, DD Glitter. I also made my own black glitter EP by adding DD glitter to black EP, I used it on the spiders!

If you would like to receive my e-newsletter, please send me an email with "newsletter" in the subject line.

Well, I think that's enough for today! I hope you enjoy the pictures, and I'm putting in a disclaimer....If the photo's are all jumbled up, please blame blogspot :))

I am slowly coming back to all of my online duties...so keep an eye out for me!

Just Cuttlebuggin!

I actually created this card some time ago, but as I was browsing my picture files it jumped at me! Super quick, and not stamping involved.

Certainly Celery was embossed with the Cuttlebug folder and highlighted with Versamagic inks. It is then mounted with Basic Black and a Regal Rose card base. The main image is one of the 2x2 embossing folders. I used SU's shimmery white cs, ran it through the bug, then punched it with my Marvy Mega Scalloped Square then layered it onto the black that was punched with the Marvy Giga Scalloped Square. Embossed image was colored with a water brush and watercolor crayons. I added bitty rhinestones and ribbon from my stash to jazz it up!

Enjoy! And thanks for stopping by!

Ooops

Forgot to mention that I have yet to hear from Booty Winner Joan!!!! If I don't here from you by Friday, I will pick a new winner on Saturday :)

Quick & Easy

Hey, I'm back! I'm going to share 2 super quick cards today. Sunday the 24th was my brothers birthday, and I of course waited until the last minute, so I needed to make something without a lot of fuss.....plus, he's a guy....most of them don't like a lot of foof.

All stamps and sentiments are from GinaK Designs.
These are no layer cards. I stamped the images directly onto the white card base with Palette Noir ink and colored them with Prisma pencils and gamsol. The cardstock is from Papertrey ink, it is super sturdy and makes an excellent base! Very Happy with it. For this little guy I also used the small skinny oval from A Muse. I finished it off with True Thyme stitched ribbon from SU!

Mr Crab was finished off with Cranberry Crisp stiched ribbon! Well I hope you enjoyed today's cards. Sometimes quick and easy doesn't have to mean boring...I think they turned out cute!

Thanks for stopping by!!!

New GinaK Stamps

Just wanted to let you all know that Gina has a couple of new summer stamps in her store.

Also, check out her blog for details on her new retail location coming up in the future!!! Sheesh...wish I lived closer.....I just may have to plan a road trip! Oh Greg!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm planning a getaway!!!!!!!!

Blog Booty Winner!!!!

We had thunder boomers come accross yesterday and my DSL went out before I could post everything, but here goes!!

I printed and cut all the comments, folded them up, put them in a box, shook it real good,then picked one out..

Booty Winner is

Joan

Joan said....
Of course you got selected. Your stuff rocks. I haven't had as much time to blog browse as I'd like, but yours was one of the first I had to go check out and see what I was missing!!

So Joan, email me your snail mail addy and the cards a few other goodies will be on it's way to you. my email should be off to the right, but if not it is crafty_mel@yahoo.com Please put Blog Booty in the subject line so I know it's you!!

Hugs!!

Jumped on .............

The Bandwagon!!! The Papertrey Ink bandwagon that is..... Really...which one don't I end up jumping on {wink*} It's a wonder my husband still has hair on his head....oh wait...he's bald :) And, I did resist for a while ( I actually should tell him that one!) but last Monday I broke down and ordered three sets; Paper Tray, Green Thumb and Little Lady.

I've been playing with Little Lady and here is what I came up with

Card base is Pretty in Pink from SU, PP is DCWV's Pocket Full of Posies stack I used my Versamagic Dew Drop inks to stamp everything (love that stuff) Also used SU's Ticket Corner punch, little Prima's and some sheer pink ribbon. Card size is 3x5 1/2.




This next card I really like!!! I think it would be cute for Bridal Shower Invitations..



I got the idea of the "dress" from Papertrey's Gallery. I really need to start looking and thinking "outside" the box, I don't think this idea would have ever occured to me..I used Brilliance inks in Graphite Black and Pearlized Pink. I embossed the the lower half of the dress with a clear glittery EP from Stampendous. The background was stamped with a Flourish stamp from TAC with Pixie Dust Versamagic Ink and embossed with a Clear powder. Heat activated pink rhinestones, Primas, sheer ribbon and a homemade glittery brad were used as accents. CS used: Pretty in Pink, Basic Black and W White.


Adding: Yes, this was supposed to be posted yesterday, but we had thunder boomers come accross and our DSL went down :( What do you use a computer for if your online access is down? I forget!!!

More GinaK Cards

Wow!!! You have all been so kind with all of your comments!!! I have the "warm fuzzies!!!"

I will make a confession to all of you though....it is only "occasionally" when I see some images and immediately know what I want to do with them. Other times I sit and pour over a single card for "hours" Ughhh it can get very frustrating and I hope I am not the only one who suffers from this syndrome.

When I look at Gina's stamps ideas just start popping into my head. I really need to get more of her sentiments though....that is next on my "to purchase" list!

I have 2 more GinaK cards to share with you today.


For this first card I used Gina's Sandcastle stamp (UM) and stamped it with Timber Brown Palette ink; colored it with Prisma pencils and Gamsol; For the "faux" sand I used my Versamarker pen at the bottom of the castle then added Ranger's Distressed EP in Antique Linen..it turned out a little darker than I wanted but the effect is there. I used Stickles to accent the castle and the button in the center of the ribbon knot. The sentiment is Gina's as well, and was punched using SU's Word Window Punch. I used 7/8" White Organdy ribbon and tied some silver cording through the button and secured it to the ribbon knot with a glue dot. Card base is Apricot Appeal from SU and the background is DCWV's Glitter Stack. The accent colors are from Bazzil and I have no idea what the names of the colors are.

This next card I just got finished making.



I used Gina's Chicken Dance (UM) stamp, inked it with Palette Noir and stamped it onto a scrap of Natural Ivory CS. I used re-inkers and a waterbrush to color her in. I then punched 2 Giga Scalloped Squares from Certainly Celery, cut a chunk off of each, and pieced it together to form the perfect border for the Chicken. The base of the card is SU's Certainly Celery and the background CS is "beautiful" stripe from Wild Asparagus. The center strip is "birthday" paisley also from Wild Asparagus and is mounted onto a strip of Marigold Morning from SU trimmed with my Fiskars "Cloud" scissors. I tied a 3/8" Cinnamon organdy ribbon from Offray.

Well I hope you enjoy todays creations, I had a lot of fun making them.

And remember......if you have not left a comment yet in This post yet make sure you do, and be sure to tell a friend!! Like I mentioned before, I will be throwing in a few extra goodies too!!!

Tomorrow 2 more cards!!!!!!!

Can You Believe It??

I am just so excited to have been chosen as Gina's Guest Designer for this month! Back in February I saw her post about guest designer spots, and decided to give it a try. Never having submitted anything for a "designer" position before, I was nervous! I wrapped up my cards, gave my package a hug (you should have seen the look on my husbands face), and sent them on their way to Gina.



Well, Imagine my surprise when I got the call from her! I was screaming and jumping up and down with total delight! I was so EXCITED!!!! And I had to keep this a secret since February....That was a tough one....but I did it!!!


To Celebrate this occasion, some Blog Booty is in order!!!



These are the cards I created as this months Guest Designer for Gina The originals are on their way to her, but I recreated the set to give to one lucky viewer here.

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post by midnight Sunday June the 10th (Eastern Time) and I will pick and announce the winner on Monday! I will also be throwing in some other goodies into the package as well!!


It was such an honor and pleasure to have been chosen as Gina's Guest Designer for June!! She is just the sweetest Gal with some awesome ideas. I am really glad to have had the opportunity to speak with her. I told my husband that I want to move to Wisconsin!! (I'm sure you can guess his response heehee)


Thank You so much Gina!!


All stamps can be found at Gina's store Click Here

Blog Booty!

FYI!!! Stop by Tomorrow for some Blog Booty!!! What's Blog Booty??? Well, it's my version of a Blog Give-away.....My close buds....Hi Patti!!! know that I am a total fan of all the Pirates of Caribbean movies....so to acknowledge my obsession.....all giveaways will be called "Blog Booty" Aaaah Orlando Bloom....Johnny Depp....Orlando Bloom...... Oh Sorry...back to the topic...got lost for a sec....

Anyway, come by tomorrow for some news and Goodies!!!

Two Cards

I have two cards to share tonight!!



Yes, the little sheep again from GinaK Designs
I just love this little Gal!! I used Gina's Wood Graining Technique for the card base, used the Mega and Giga Scalloped Oval punches from Marvy Uchida, Prima Flowers colored over with Twinkling H20's and some rhinestones and American Craft ribbon. I really like this one!!

So on to the next card......The Beauty of A Bella

I think I am Patterned Paper challenged. I buy and buy, but yet when I want to apply it to a card.....I crash and burn...So I ended up using just a smidge to accent this card. The PP is from DCWV's Pocket Full of Posies, a wonderful stack...and yet I am sooooo intimidated by PP's...... I used ...Hello... Cosmobella and the "ground" is the Skinny Oval is from AMuse other cardstock used is Apricot Appeal, Cameo Coral and CertainlyCelery from SU. The background flower and "cheers" sentiment is from TAC...I stamped the background flower with Apricot Appeal Craft Ink and embossed it Rangers Frosted Antiquities EP...looks so cool IRL!!! Fiskars border punch was used on the PP, and the homemade embellished brad is my creation!!!

I hope you enjoyed tonights creations!!! And be sure to tune in tomorrow cause some big news is coming this way.............I have had to keep my mouth shut since February!!!!! And for those that know me.....well let's say it's a challenge {wink}

I think I should consult with Amy R on the patterned paper thing and ask if there is any hope for me!!!!!!

Be Ewe-nique

Here is a card that I had a lot of fun making.

The little sheep is from GinaK designs. I love this little stamp and have used her (to me it's a she) in a few different ways, which I will show you over the next couple of days. I stamped her in a row on white cardstock and colored them Grey with my Prisma Pencils and Gamsol. I then stamped another one on a seperate piece of cardstock and created a reverse mask so I could add a stamped design in the center. I think the card base is Pretty in Pink CS, I used the same color ink to stamp the Paisley background from CHF which you can also get from GinaK (just click the link above) on the card base and on the sheep. The little brads are decorated by me. I start off with a silver brad, scuff it up, smoosh it in a pigment ink (whatever color you want) then I dip it in a sparkly Embossing Powder and blast it with my heatgun. Use Tweezers when doing this!!!!! I then toss them in the freezer for a couple of minutes to harden them, then I add them to my project. The sentiment was created by Me on my computer and then punched out with SU's Word Window punch. I added some rhinestones, Primas and some ribbon and Voila! Well, I think she's cute and I hope you do too!!

Been Busy!

Sorry for the MIA status, but I've been busy working on something that I can't share just yet.....So in the meantime I will make a confession.....I think I have a problem.....an uncontrollable problem.......I think I need to join a 12 step group.......For what you may ask?

FOR THIS!!!


I have a serious Prima Problem. The Pillow Pack Primas are from Jody's Prima Share which is now over by the way, but keep checking her blog for other shares that may be coming. The rest I ordered online and from my local LSS on sale. I think I better start using them more...they are starting to take over my area!!

Butterfly Kisses

Sheesh....I better get my butt moving with posts huh? Todays creation uses this weeks Product Challenge on A Shade of Blue Vellum. I just pulled some out yesterday to play and create this card .
The stamp set is called Butterfly Kisses and from Pink Cat Studio I stamped the Butterflies with Versamark on the vellum and embossed with a glittery white EP. I then painted them from the back withAdirondack inks in Wild Plum and Sunshine Yellow and a waterbrush. It almost looks like stained glass IRL. The peach cardstock is embossed with my precious Cuttlebug and the D'vine Swirl folder. I then went over the embossed areas with my new Stardust Clear Gelly pens. A smidge of ribbon and silver cording and Voila!! I like the way this turned out! Hope you do too!

Just to let you know!!

When I reach 2000 hits on my blog.....there will be some awesome "Give Away Goodies" So spread the word!!!!! {Huge Grin}

Be Brilliant

Happy Friday!!!

The card I'm going to share today is the Seminar 2007 set from The Angel Company called Be Brilliant. I had all intentions of attending this year, but some other things came up and unfortunately I can't be there....waaaaaahhhh
However, someone decided to sell their set {Thank you!!!} and I snatched it up {wink} I just received it today, and made a card immediately!!!!

Now, an element on this card is this weeks Product Challenge on A Shade of Blue can you guess what it is?????


Go check out ASB and see what it is!!!!

The stamp set (seminar set from TAC) is called "Be Brilliant" Love It!!!! Cardstock is Apricot Appeal, Bravo Burgundy and Mellow Moss from SU. The image is stamped with Ranger's Pitch Black Adironkack ink (Awesome Stuff!!!) the image was colored with Prisma Pencils then blended with gamsol. The wording is from SU, it was stamped with a black pigment ink then sprinkled with a glittery EP and punched out. It is secured with an Oval Label Holder! This little goody just fell together and I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. Hope you are too!!!

Happy Mothers Day

Many thoughts and feelings are running through me this morning. I am grateful for so many things, my Mother and Father, my incredible Husband and my 2 beautiful boys (who know just what buttons to push at times!).

Early this morning, as I lay in bed watching the preperations for the Breast Cancer walk in Philadelphia on the news, I had several mixed emotions. I am grateful for everything in my life, yet saddened at the same time. My Mother is a Breast Cancer Survivor and she was just taken off her medication!! All is going extremely well thank goodness!!!

My mind went to a family in our town. My oldest son and her youngest child went through elementary school, middle school and now high school together. She still worked in the library at our elementary school where my youngest still attends, and we would always say hello to eachother whenever we passed in the hallway. She had been battling Breast Cancer for quite some time, and her beautiful life came to an end a few weeks ago. I am so deeply saddened by this. My heart goes out to her family, especially today on Mothers Day. Paula.....if you can here me, You and your Family are in my thoughts and heart always.

Another family in my thoughts on this day (well, very often actually) are the Scott's, a local family as well. I'm sure many of you have heard of Alex's Lemonade Stand Alex was diagnosed with Pediatric Cancer and decided to raise money for research buy selling Lemonade. Check out the link above for her full story and information about the organization. Here is just a smidge of information from the website:

About Alex's Lemonade Stand

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (a registered 501c3 public charity) is a unique foundation that evolved from a young cancer patient's front yard lemonade stand to a nationwide fundraising movement to find a cure for childhood cancer. Since Alexandra "Alex" Scott (1996-2004) set up her front yard stand at the age of four, more than $10 million has been raised towards fulfilling her dream of finding a cure for all children with cancer.

This story just absolutely touched my heart. We live very close to this incredible Family and I had the pleasure to meet Liz Scott a couple of months ago. It all started like this:
At one of Alex's stands I saw a woman who was selling handcrafted "lemon earrings" to raise money along with the lemonade sales, and then it hit me! Why don't I make some cards to raise money for the organization!
So this is what I came up with

I sold the cards for $2.50 each or a package of 5 for $10.00. I did not take any money out for supplies. I sold 13 sets of cards, and when I sent the check I placed it in one of the cards. A few days later I received an email from Cynthia (Hi Cynthia!!), who works for the organization, wanting to order 2 sets of cards. I hand delivered the cards to her, and she then introduced to me Liz {Hi Liz!!}, Alexandra's Mother. What an Incredible and Beautiful person! So if you have a moment, check out link above and read the whole story!

Liz, what an incredible journey Alexandra has started for you and your Family! Happy Mothers Day to you! Big {{{{{HUGS}}}}} are being sent your way!!

I hope to come up with some more creative fund raising ideas for this wonderful organization in the near future! And I challenge you to do the same! Pick an organization that is close to your heart and see what creative ideas you can come up with to help them out!!

Happy Mothers Day to all you mommies out there, and thanks for letting me share!!!

Stamps for a Cause

I'm sure you all know this already but, GinaK has made a stamp set to raise money for Autism Awareness. Though April was officially Autism Awareness Month the fund raising is still going on. $8.00 from every set sold goes to Austism Speaks!

This is a cause that hits very close to home (I'm not going to go into great detail right now) so I of course ordered a set for myself, and these are some things I came up with. I'm not totally jazzed myself but here goes!

Stamp set is Love You to Pieces by GinaK Designs, all cardstock is SU. The puzzle pieces are chipboard that I found on clearance at Joann's some time ago. I didn't know what I would do with them, but thought they were cute at the time, and now hah! what a perfect fit.

Don't forget to check out Joans Blog, she is having a contest for cards made with this set!! And what a prize she is giving away!!!

Flutterby

I made this card a couple of weeks ago and am just getting around to sharing it with you.....I know "gasp"
I really wanted the butterflies to go all in a row, but with the A2 size of the card, it just didn't look right to my eye. I stamped the butterflies with versamark on watercolor paper then embossed them with detail black EP. They are colored in with Twinkling H2O's. Stamp sets used are Flutterby by The Angel Company and Delight in Life by Stampin Up! I don't know if you can really see it in the picture, but the black cardstock is embossed with the D'vine Swirl folder in my Cuttlebug. The yellow cardstock is trimmed with my Fiskars "cloud" scissors and the rose cardstock is pierced and attatched behind the yellow.
Hope you enjoy!!