Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Upcycled Ornaments

I bought this ornament for my husband (who likes Mountain Dew and bicycles) at a craft fair.


I started talking to the sellers about how they made it and realized that I had the tools at home to make my own. First, I just had to drink some cans of soda. My husband helped me with the task, since I have really cut back on soda the last couple of years.

I used my Big Shot and some wafer thin dies. (The seller at the craft fair used a Cuttlebug machine.) From my stash, I figured that the Butterflies Thinlits Dies would make the best ornaments. I also cut out words from the Hello You Thinlits Dies for some cards. I think that a few other options from Stampin' Up! might work well for this project. I may also check out a wider selection of dies from Simon Says Stamp. (They are based in my home state of Ohio.)




My main tip is to place wax paper between your die and the metal can. I used a craft knife and these scissors to cut my cans. The edges of the cut cans are not too sharp, so this is still a pretty safe project. (This comes from someone who had cut her finger on a paper trimmer before!)

Feel free to ask questions in the comments below. I would love to hear about your upcycled craft projects.

Happy Crafting!

So much paper...

I have been making lots of cards with the Home for Christmas Designer Series Paper, but I still have some leftovers. For today's SSINKspiration post, I thought that I could use some of my holiday paper on a birthday card. I love the versatility of double-sided pattern paper.


Many of Stampin' Up!'s Holiday 2015 products are will be retiring soon. Some items are on sale now and only available while supplies last.


Thank you for visiting my blog!

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Christmas Cards

I am sharing some of this year's Christmas cards today for the SSINKspiration Christmas cards post. I am actually getting handmade cards in the mail this year!




From simple to stepped-up, it is fun to make your own holiday cards. You can stock up on gifts or items for your own stash during the Year-End Sale.


Happy Stamping!

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Snow



I think that I like snow more on my craft projects than in real life. I enjoyed creating this snow card in sunny California for the Paper Players challenge. Some years we still get to see snow when visiting our family and friends in Ohio.


Supplies Used:
Home for Christmas paper
Big Shot
Decorative Dot sembossing folder
Sparkly Season bundle
Pool Party and Real Red Stampin' Write markers
Tangelo Twist ink pad and Blender Pen
Silver Sparkle Dazzling Details
Metallics Sequin Assortment
Home for Christmas enamel dots
Basic Black Archival Ink pad
Real Red, Pear Pizzazz, and Whisper White card stock

Do you enjoy the snow? Whether or not you have snow, I hope that you enjoy your winter season.

Friday, December 4, 2015

Red & Green Card

We are sharing projects with Red & Green today on the SSINKspiration blog. I love the color combination of Real Red and Cucumber Crush!

I made a quick and easy card with the Lots of Joy stamp set from the Stampin' Up! Annual Catalog. I borrowed this set from my friend Pam and am wondering how I overlooked ordering this one. It includes great sentiments for the front and inside of your cards.



Happy stamping & Thank you for visiting my blog!

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Thank You Cards

As we celebrate Thanksgiving in the United States, I am feeling very grateful for what I have. We are sharing Thank You cards today on the SSINKspiration blog.

I think that it is important to say "thank you" to the special people in our lives. I made these cards as samples for next month's Enrichment Day at my son's school. Parents and community members will be sharing our jobs and hobbies with elementary kids. I will be sharing rubber stamping and card making. Each student (from one grade) will make a card. I am asking them to write a message and give the card to someone.

Here are two simple Thank You cards that you can make with just a few supplies:


Supplies:
Watercolor Thank You stamp
Notecards
Island Indigo, Bermuda Bay, Soft Sky, and Crushed Curry ink pads
Washi Tape
Sponge Daubers
Gorgeous Grunge stamp set

Happy Thanksgiving & Thank you for visiting my blog!


Monday, November 23, 2015

#SSINKMC27: Mystery Challenge



It is time for the monthly Mystery Challenge on the SSINKspiration blog. I had fun playing along with this challenge. I managed to use items 1-4 on my card. I hope that you will play along with the challenge!


Click over to the SSINK blog to see more ideas for this challenge. A shot out to Diana who was willing to share some fun cardinals from the Joyful Season stamp set for me to color.

If you are shopping for crafty gifts for others or yourself, check out the Online Extravaganza sale from November 23-30.

Happy Stamping & Happy Shopping!

Friday, November 20, 2015

Favorite Christmas Card (So Far)

I've been using a lot the Home for Christmas designer series paper and the Cozy Christmas stamp set. When I bought the paper, I planned to fussy cut some the cute reindeer and Santa images. The Home for Christmas enamel dots and rhinestones are easy ways to embellish your cards. Last weekend I made my favorite Christmas card of the season (so far).



The card was mailed to Tobe for our Fun 'n Crafty Stampers monthly card swap. You can check out her blog at The Craft Sea.

There are more great Christmas card ideas today on the SSINKspiration blog. I hope that you get some crafty time this weekend and over the Thanksgiving Holiday!


Thank you for visiting my blog!

Friday, November 13, 2015

Use Your Scraps


We are featuring Christmas cards today on the Stampin' Stylin' Inspiration blog. For this card, I used scraps from the Home for Christmas Designer Series Paper and paired them with a stamp from the Cozy Christmas set. I stamped with the Mint Macaron ink and love this color on holiday cards. We will have more Christmas cards on the SSINKspiration blog, so remember to check it Monday through Friday for new posts.

Thank you for visiting my blog!

Monday, November 9, 2015

Card Sketch


It is time for the November card sketch on the Stampin' Stylin' INKspiration blog. I really enjoyed using this sketch and seeing lots of ideas on the blog!




I used more of the Home for Christmas Designer Series Paper on this card and found the greeting in the Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set.

Thank you for visiting my blog!

Friday, October 30, 2015

Friday Favorites



We are featuring our Friday Favorites on the SSINKspiration blog today. The Home for Christmas Designer Series Paper continues to be one of my favorites. I especially like that there is a coordinating stamp set, Cozy Christmas. Here is a card that I made to swap with the Fun 'n Crafty Stampers.


Thank you for visiting my blog!

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

An Owl + For All Things


For today's SSINKspiration post, we are using the awesome stamp set For All Things. I love this stamp set, and I wanted to pair it with something different than in the past. I recently added the popular Owl Builder Punch to my collection, so I figured that I could work a cute owl onto my card.

Here is my card:


Thank you for visiting my blog!

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

It's Hard to Choose a Favorite


For today's SSINKspiration post, we chose a favorite Designer Series Paper. It's hard to choose a favorite! I chose the Cherry on Top Designer Series Paper Stack since it is so fun to mix the patterns. It also coordinates well with the Cherry on Top Washi tape and multiple stamp sets. This is fun paper to add to your collection!

Here is my card:

Thank you for visiting my blog!

Monday, October 19, 2015

Stamp Sale!

From October 19-23, Stampin' Up! is discounting all stamps 15% off (excluding bundles and host sets). This is a great sale! If you have been stamping for a while, I recommend ordering some larger stamps sets to save some money. I am eyeing the Layered Letters Alphabet Set and Watercolor Words set.

If you want to try card making, you can use this sale to order a few stamps. I recommend starting with the single, wood mount stamps. Watercolor Thank You and Kind Koala are two of my favorites. You can add in an ink pad and some notecards to get started stamping.


You can shop online at http://www.stampinup.com/home/en-US/, and choose Sara Grafton as your demonstrator. If you are in the San Jose area, feel free to contact me about coordinating an order.

Thank you for visiting my blog!

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Five Frugal Things

Wow... It's been a while since I posted! Maybe I will write a more in-depth update, but for now I will start with Five Frugal Things.

I have been reading some frugal living blogs, which reminded me that I like blogging about things other than just cards. I have been reading The Frugal Girl and The Non-Consumer Advocate, who regularly posts her list of Five Frugal Things. Here is my list:

1. I sewed the holes in Alex's socks to get some more wear out of them. His feet have been growing like crazy, so he may just need bigger socks soon.

2. I returned a $44 pair of designer jeans to TJ Maxx since they would have needed alterations to fit well. I found a $6 pair of almost new crop jeans at Goodwill instead. These are actually a good option for fall since it is still hot here.

3. I continue to check out books from our library instead of purchasing books.

4. I am still driving the first car that I bought in the fall of 2002. It runs well, but it is not looking as good these days.

5. Even better, some days we ride our bikes around instead of driving.

I found a couple of new-to-me blogs this week to add to my frugal reads. I recommend the Frugalwoods and 1500 Days.

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Technique Tuesday



It's Technique Tuesday over at the SSINKspiration blog. Did you know that you can make watercolor backgrounds with your acrylic blocks? I used my large block E with the Pear Pizzazz ink and an aqua painter to create the background for this card before stamping. You can also mix colors with this technique.

Supplies Used:
Mossy Meadow and Whisper White Card stock
Watercolor Paper
Mossy Meadow, Pear Pizzazz, Real Red, Hello Honey, and Memento Tuxedo Black Ink Pads
Oval Punch
Home for Christmas Designer Series Paper
To You & Yours Too Stamp Set
Gold Glitz Dazzling Details
Block E
Aqua Painter

Thank you for visiting my blog!

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

September Mystery Items


We did another mystery items swap for the SSINKspiration blog. Tobe from The Craft Sea send me three fun items to use. The Black Glimmer Paper is so fun to use. The wooden embellishment and Happy Halloween card are from the Seasonal Snapshot 2015 Project Life cards & accessory pack. I just needed the banner punch, Tangelo Twist card stock, and Tombow glue to complete my card. I love how the Project Life kits are great for memory keeping and quick cards.


Thank you for visiting my blog!

Friday, September 25, 2015

Friday Favorites

Today we are sharing our Friday Favorites on the SSINKspiration blog. I am sharing two of my favorite items for fall crafting: the 2014-2016 In Colors and the For All Things stamp set.

I actually created this card last fall, but it is still one of my favorite cards. I made my own pattern paper by stamping the leaves. I used a watercolor brush directly on the rubber stamp and on the paper to vary the colors.


Here is the finished card:

You can visit the original blog post for this card at 1200somemiles.com.

Thank you for visiting my blog!

Monday, September 7, 2015

Color Challenge


I love the color combination for this month's SSINKspiration Color Challenge!


Supplies Used:
Whisper White, Pool Party, Hello Honey, & Chocolate Chip card stock
Chocolate Chip Ink Pad
Big Shot machine
Crazy About You bundle
Stars embossing folder
Whisper White Ribbon
Candy Dots
Shop online at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/saragrafton/

It's time to get out your paper crafting supplies and play along with this month's challenge. Visit the SSINKspiration blog for more information.

Thank you for visiting my blog!

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Quick and Easy Card


I love using sketches to make quick and easy cards. Even if you do not follow the sketch exactly, it is a great place to start your creative process.


I wanted to try the new sketch from Mojo Monday for my card, but I knew that I would not follow the sketch exactly. I stuck with the standard size card base because I wanted to cut 2 card bases from my sheet of card stock. The other base will be used for a birthday card. I also decided to use two circles that fit with my stamps.


Supplies Used:
Crazy About You stamp set
Watermelon Wonder ink pad
Cherry on Top Designer Series Paper stack
In Color Envelope Paper
Tempting Turquoise and Daffodil Delight card stock
Big Shot & Circles dies
Rhinestone (on sale this week!)
Shop online at http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/default.aspx

Stop by the SSINKspirtation blog to see more quick and easy card ideas!

Thank you for visiting my blog!