Sunday, October 30

TRYING SOME NEW TECHNIQUES THESE PAST FEW DAYS

Hi y'all,

I saw a wonderful technique I wanted to try over at Sandi Maciver's blog.  Thanks for the info, Sandi!  It is clear embossing that resists rubbed ink on the card.  Emboss resist it is called.  I have seen it before, but never really saw any card I HAD to make with it.  But this winter scene made me want to give it a try.

 I used the pine tree group stamp from PLANT HOPE stamp set, with versa mark ink on white card stock, then clear embossing powder.  Then heat set it.

 Next I used a piece of sponge and rubbed on 3 different colors of blue - pool party, marina mist and not quite navy.  I tried to use the darkest color as a shadow around and under the trees.

I didn't like the greenish color of pool party for this card.  Next time I would use Bashful Blue I believe.  But I still like the overall look.  I matted not quite navy and pool party card stock behind the stamped panel.

I have not put any sentiment yet.  I keep cards like this a lot until I need a card.  Then I choose the sentiment I need and attach it then.

Hope you enjoyed this wintery looking card.  A lot of states got snow this weekend so I thought this card was appropriate for them.  BRRRRRR

Have a happy Halloween and be safe to all!!

Friday, October 28

GET A FREE BIG SHOT - ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT!!

ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT FOR THIS AMAZING, FABULOUS OFFER.  BY JOINING STAMPIN' UP! AS ONE OF MY TEAM MEMBERS, YOU WILL NOT ONLY RECEIVE THE FULL STARTER KIT, CUSTOMIZED TO YOUR CHOICES, BUT YOU WILL ALSO RECEIVE A FREE BIG SHOT MACHINE!!  


Never before has this offer happened at SU.  You are getting a $99 new big shot for free by joining Stampin Up, PLUS you get 20% discount on all orders, PLUS you get 30% off your first order of $150 or more, PLUS you get to customize your starter kit, PLUS you get 2 months FREE of a demonstrator order website, PLUS you get STAMPIN SUCCESS, the Demonstrators free magazine full of ideas and samples each month, PLUS you get to know all the SU news, info and new product coming BEFORE your customers.

Not interested in selling?  That's fine and is called a HOBBY DEMO.  You can still get all the above AND the Free Big Shot and not be obligated to purchase any more at any time.  However, I am sure you will at least want to order those products you have been wanting from the current Holiday Mini or the large Idea Book and Catalog - all at 20% discount!!

Contact me this weekend before this amazing offer is over.

We can get INKY FINGERS together!!

Saturday, October 22

I AM BATTY FOR BATS

Last year we drove over to Austin with my son and family to watch the bats leave out from under the bridge at sunset.  There was a lot of teasing towards me because I arranged the trip and at first there were only a few bats to leave.  But then they all woke up and started flying out and down the river.  These are Mexican free tail bats here in Texas. It was fun, even with the teasing.

Not sure what kind of bats these are that I made.  In my card swap group, I received an adorable treat box with an adorable bat on it.  I knew immediately I had to make some of my own.  Here we go:
 Aren't they the CUTEST LITTLE GUYS you have ever seen??!!  I mean, look at those goofy eyes and that funny smile!!  ha ha  They make me laugh every time I see them!

 Here is a closeup to get a better view.  The box is a template I used.  Not sure if there is a die for it or not, but I just used a template. The sponging on the bat and the top of the box was done with vanilla craft ink.  I tried gray first and it didn't even show.  The moon is actually so saffron  1" circle sponged with gray, but the flash washed out the color.  So sorry.

 In this photo above, the box is still "NAKED" on the bottom while I decided what to do to decorate it.
The branch is an sizzlet.

 I decorated the bottom front of the box with designer paper called Cast a Spell.  The "SPOOKY" is from Wicked Cool stamp set, punched out with the 1 3/4 by 7/8 oval punch (called large oval punch in the catalog).  It was stamped with black on pumpkin pie, but here it looks like pumpkin pie on yellow.  Weird what the flash did, huh?  The layer behind it is basic black with the scallop oval punch.


Little Goofy Bat is looking for bugs to eat before he flies off to catch them!  I also used a bat punch in basic black for the bottom of the box.  For the shreds inside, I used white, black and orange.

What is the bat made with you ask?  So glad you asked!!  It is the OWL PUNCH from Stampin' Up!  The wings are his little vest on the same punch!!  The only thing I added to this bat that is NOT the punch is white gel pen for the goofy smile and fangs!!  LOVE THIS PUNCH!!  SEE - NOW you love him even MORE, don't you??!!

So if you NEED to order the OWL PUNCH, the LARGE OVAL PUNCH, the SCALLOP OVAL PUNCH, BASIC BLACK CARD STOCK, PUMPKIN PIE CARD STOCK, or CAST A SPELL DESIGNER SERIES PAPER, just click right below and it will take you to shop at my SU! site - any time and at YOUR convenience!!  Also available to order is the 1" CIRCLE PUNCH and the Sizzlet Little Leaves die.

Everyone who orders from me online this month will get one of these adorable BAT boxes for a THANK YOU GIFT.

Inky fingers y'all and have fun!!

Tuesday, October 18

SWEET COOKIE PRESS - NEW AND EXCITING

Stampin Up! has come up with another amazing idea - rubber stamps for COOKIES!!  Well, a silicon cookie press that is.

Watch this video here for all the information:

I have even MORE information for you - if you cook your cookies first, then when you take them out of the oven, press the stamp into the cookie it works PERFECTLY!!  VOILA as they say.

Contact me to order YOUR cookie press kit, complete with 2 different recipes, or click below to order at your convenience.

Cook away my friends, BE CREATIVE

Sunday, October 16

MY CUTE LITTLE BUDDY

I had an hour before I needed to get ready for church and decided to make this cute little guy below.  I saw it on the Dream, Create and Share website.  It is so stinkin' CUTE.  Perfect to put some candies in it for a quick gift.  It also reminds me of that car commercial where they show the sock monkey, a robot, a teddy bear and something else all in lifesized people and doing funny tricks and stunts.  Have you seen that one?  "how do you like me know?" is the music in the background.  Anyways, here he is:


Isn't he DARLING??!!  Sorry for the shiny glue spot on his ear that shows up on this photo.  I couldn't see it with my naked eye, but the camera caught it for sure!!  He is made with the top note die and the square lattice embossing folder.

I would love to hear your comments.  Hope it gives you a good laugh this morning!!
Thanks for stopping by!

Saturday, October 15

WE HAVE A WINNER OF THE BLOG CANDY!!!

Hi Y'all,

Using Random.org, I now have a winner of my blog candy from our FUN BLOG HOP last week.  it is KATHY, who said:

Beautiful lollies. But, those gift bags knocked my socks off. Love them! Thanks for sharing this week.


Congratulations Kathy!!  I just need your reply to my email I sent to you and I will get your blog candy out to you.  Enjoy the card kits to make the cards from my BLOG HOP!!


Thanks to EVERYONE for your lovely comments.  I sincerely appreciate knowing you enjoyed my efforts.


Don't forget to keep checking regularly, because we will probably do another blog hop in a few weeks.


In the meantime, visit me to see what new projects I have up my sleeve!!  ha


And to all of you, here's hoping YOU get INKY FINGERS y'all!!

Friday, October 14

YNS CHALLENGE #53

Welcome!  This is my FIRST Your New Stamp Challenge AND my first challenge with a DIGI STAMP!!

YNS was kind enough to offer us a choice of FREE digi stamps to participate in this challenge, and I chose the hairy spider with the smile!  What a juxtaposition for sure!!  ha

 I did another of my funky fold cards that I have been enjoying creating this month.  It is a 6 x 11 piece of cardstock cut and scored to fold in an unusual way.  I used pumpkin pie for the cardstock, basic black behind the Stampin Up designer paper.  And the FREE digi stamp from Your New Stamp challenge #53 to create my entry into their challenge.  I colored the spider with basic gray marker and backed it with basic black card stock and fussy cut it out.  It hangs from it's web with TRICK OR TREAT stamped in black at the bottom of the card.

Here is a bit of a side view so you can see the slits that are cut and how it is folded several times to create this FUN and FUNKY card.  Inside I stamped BOO.  After all, what else does a Halloween spider say??

Thanks for stopping by!!  Inky fingers y'all!!

Wednesday, October 12

DAY THREE OF THE GLITTER QUEEN BLOG HOP - FALL HOP

ARE WE HAVING FUN YET?  Didn't you just love those cards at Stephanie's blog?  She is so creative.

More fun is awaiting you here at my blog as well.  I have tackled how to make a medallion or "lolly" as our Canadian friends seem to call them.  The pretty folded materials that are the main part of an award ribbon.  What do you call them?  I call them medallions.  My card below has one of those medallions on it for your viewing pleasure.

 Aren't the colors so fun?  I used Perfect Plum card stock for the base and the "lolly", the designer paper is Cast a Spell, and I also used whisper white and pumpkin pie card stock  I also used pumpkin pie satin ribbon, and the scallop oval and scallop circle punches.  Also the circle punch.

 Here is a nice closeup of my Lolly or Medallion.  I used 1 1/2" wide cs, cut across the width of the paper, or 8 1/2 inches, and used two pieces.  I used my Simply Scored tool (LOVE IT) to score every half inch.  Then I adhered the two pieces together with sticky strip so it will hold well, and bring the ends together to form a circle and adhered them the same way.  Then I pushed down on the middle until it all flattened out into this beautiful rosette medallion.  I TRIED EVERY TAPE AND GLUE UNDER THE SUN, I REALLY DID!! Most would not hold, some held but then popped open later and were a sticky mess.  You know what worked for me and is still holding?  HOT GLUE.  I punched a circle of scrap and put hot glue all over it, then put my rosette medallion on top of it and held it down with my fingers until the glue cooled, just a minute or so.  VOILA.  It was stuck permanently.  No need to worry how the back looks, because it was then glued to the card so it does not show.  I used sticky strip for that part.  It doesn't matter what kind of glue you use for the top decorations because they do not have any stress of the folds pulling because those were taken care of by the hot glue on the back.  LOVE THAT HOT GLUE GUN WHEN YOU NEED SOME MUSCLE!!

On the right side of the rosette medallion, I put some sticky strip and then pinched and pleated some ribbon until it was as full as I wanted it to be.  Looks like I gathered and sewed it, but I did not.  I wanted easy after fighting with all those glues to figure out the lolly!!  ha

The Stamp sets I used were:  Scaredy Cat for the BOOOO, Wicked Cool for the witch hat and boots.  I also used markers to color in the details on the hat and boots.

Here it is again for one final look.  Click on the photo for a large photo to get a good look.

Hope you enjoyed this card.  I saw this idea somewhere on the web and forgot to write down whose it was.  If it is your original idea, please let me know so I can give you credit, ok?

Have you tried the wonderful Simply Scored tool yet?  It is precise and so easy to use.  I LOVE how I can do so many things easily and quickly with it.  Here is an idea with these Lollies, medallions or rosettes.  This is from Stampin' Up!, but I am working on my own version.
LOVE the fall colors of the card stock and Spice Cake designer paper.  AND look at the size of those buttons - these are made to go with the Spice Cake suite of paper and cloth.  Also included is the 1 1/2" espresso ribbon, antique designer brads, other buttons and brads.  FUN FUN FUN.

 Here are some smaller lollies/medallions on goodies bags from a recent party.  The First Edition designer paper with black or black and white striped ribbon is such a classic look.  AND we cut out some vinyl monograms for each person who attended.  CUTE CUTE CUTE
Close up of two of the goodie bags with their lollies on them.  Buttons, large pearl buttons, brads, small ribbon rosettes, etc. can be used for the middle of the lollies.





Another Halloween card but this time NO lollies.  I call it my BAT Masterson Symphony.  I took the Newsprint designer paper sheet that has music notes on it and then I  stamped bats where the notes are and heat embossed black embossing powder mixed with irridescent ice embossing powder.  After I was finished with the bats, I sponged Concord Grape, Wisteria Wonder and Lucky Limeade ink on the music script.  It made it look a bit like a Halloween sunset, I think.  It is a fun card for my grandkids.  SPOOKY



One more idea for Halloween - we got some of those little mini pumpkins and decoupaged newsprint all over them.  Then cut out vinyl Halloween characters to stick onto them.  Black and white ribbons on the stems and we had a hit with all those who attended the party. They took them home for favors when the party was ovet/

You NEED this wonderful tool in your craft room too!!  I am offering a special discounted rate of only $24.99 for the SIMPLY SCORED instead of the regular $29.99 - BUT ONLY TODAY AND TOMORROW IF YOU ORDER AT MY STAMPIN' UP! STORE.  So if you are considering purchasing the Simply Scored, order it today by clicking below.  Once Iyou order, contact me by email and I will send you a $5.00 check rebate.  This is a special for my Blog Hop guests.

Thank you for looking at my creations.  I would love to hear from you - won't you leave me a comment?

Also, if you want to be considered for the BLOG CANDY, don't forget to leave a comment AND be a follower of my blog.  Thanks for visiting!!  Inky Fingers Y'all!! Next stop is HAWAII and Cely's blog.


Tuesday, October 11

DAY TWO OF OUR OCTOBER GLITTER QUEEN BLOG HOP

Happy Fall, Y'All.  Do you remember the stamp set we used to sell with that saying?  I LOVED that stamp.  Made me feel right at home!  ha

How are you enjoying the blog hop so far?  Hope you are getting lots of ideas from our creative gals.  We certainly love to "show off our stuff" for you!!  Did you know we are from all over the United States?  I am in Texas, some are in Michigan, some in California and one even in Hawaii!!  We LOVE the internet so we can communicate with you all and share our ideas!!

For my card today I used the WICKED COOL stamp set.  I LOVE this set.  The boots and the hat are awesome, but so is the candelabra and the word stamps.  I got this idea from my new swap group member.  Didn't she come up with such a FUN idea?

 This is to be like the Witch's dresser or bureau with a mirror.  See the legs of her dresser at the bottom?  I punched those with the decorative punch.  Then I put on 3 "kitty-wampus" drawers to her dresser with dimensionals. (that's Tex-speak for crooked!)  I have mini gold brads as the handles to the drawers.  And look at that - she got stuck inside the dresser upside down!!  It was a wild night, I imagine!!

Her mirror is made with confetti cream card stock, then I sponged some basic gray around the edges, and stamped some spider webs as well.  I added her candelabra just a little crooked to show what a wild night it had been.  Inside, I stamped "Have a Wicked Halloween" also from the same stamp set.  Isn't it a HOOT??!!  LOVE IT.

The card stock colors are concord crush, lucky limeade, confetti cream.  The ink is basic gray and basic black.  Markers were used to color the stamped images.  A tad bit of Crystal Effects looks perfect on her candelabra, even if it doesn't show up well for my camera phone.


Your next stop is all the way over in HAWAII to Cely's Blog.  Get some golden sand in your toes for me while you are there!!

Don't forget to leave a comment and make sure you become a follower of my blog to be eligible for blog candy!!   INKY FINGERS Y'ALL!!

Monday, October 10

WELCOME TO OUR OCTOBER GLITTER QUEENS BLOG HOP - DAY 1

HELLO EVERYONE!!  Welcome to our October Blog Hop.  We had so much fun last month we just had to do it AGAIN.

I am going to be featuring Halloween and Fall cards.  I am wishing for cooler weather here in hot Texas, and I think making fall cards will help, don't you?

My first card I made is called a Funky Fold Card.  It is made by making cuts in the card into 3 sections and then scoring it so that it folds unusually (middle taller than the two sides).  I really like this type of card.

 Here is my daffodil yellow and black card stock card, made with the Wicked Fun DSP from last year.  I made the candy corns by gluing strips of yellow and pumpkin pie onto whisper white card stock, and then punching them out with the pennant punch.  I then coated them with Crystal Effects and put them on dimensionals to have them stand out as the focal point.

 This color combination is my favorite.  The pumpkin pie textured card stock, then a layer of basic black card stock and topped with the Frightful Sight designer paper.  LOVE those little pumpkins on the designer paper.  Those candy corns look almost good enough to pop into your mouth, don't they?  Inside I stamped the word BOO.

Here is my final candy corn card using black card stock as the base of the card, with daffodil yellow layer underneath the Pumpkin Pie designer series paper.  This is the one we made at my Ghoul's Night Out classes I have had this month.  Everyone LOVED the colors.  Since these cards are square, you need to apply a bit more postage - it seems the USPS does NOT like square cards so they charge extra.

Thanks for visiting with me and seeing my FUNKY FOLDS cards with my CANDY CORN.  My sister used to call candy corn TOOTH POUNDERS because they gave her tooth aches when she ate them.  It got stuck down into her teeth and I guess she must have had a cavity there because it hurt her.  I still remember that from so many years ago!!  ha

Make sure you leave a comment AND are a follower of my blog for a chance to win BLOG CANDY.  I have some kits of the cards I am featuring, as well as some other fun things to send to the winners.

On to our next Glitter Queen's Blog, Cely Havens.  Lucky Cely lives in HAWAII.


Friday, October 7

GLITTER QUEEN BLOG HOP COMING MONDAY - 3 DAYS OF AWESOME

Starting Monday, Oct 10th, our GLITTER QUEEN BLOG HOP will begin.  It will be three days of awesome projects AND blog candies.  Come back on the 10th and enjoy our hop.  We are all team members of DAWN GRIFFITH and are anxious to share some wonderful ideas with you.

See you on MONDAY!!

Wednesday, October 5

GHOUL'S NIGHT OUT CLASS - GREAT PARTY IDEAS

Hey Y'all,  I have had two Ghoul's Night Out Halloween classes so far and am loving it.  Halloween is one of my favorite times of year and so much fun.  I love the colors, the treats, the fun, etc.

Here are some treat ideas for YOUR Halloween parties that we either made or I showed them and then gave them as treats at my class.
In the Holiday Mini catalog on page 11 are these fun skinny and tall treat sacks.  Mini treat sacks are what they are really called.  I layered the fall M&M candies in colors organized to make them look even MORE fun.  All the attendees LOVED this idea and many bought the treat sacks so they could do this for their kids, parties, etc.  At only $2.50 for 50 treat sacks, this is a REAL BARGAIN.  I made different kinds of toppers with the hand held punches and a stamp.  FUN FUN FUN

 I am holding another of these treat sacks with candies lined up in it and it has a scallop circle punch topper with bat punches on it.  I left an area blank so that you can write the child's name on it if you wanted.  THE BAT PUNCH IS DEEPLY DISCOUNTED ON THE CLEARANCE RACK FOR ONLY $6.99 IF YOU GO THROUGH MY WEBSITE TO SHOP FOR IT.  WHAT A DEAL!!

On this topper I stamped a pumpkin and colored it in with chalks.  It was punched with the scallop circle punch and then attached to the top.  I sponged ink around the outside of the circle with pumpkin pie ink for some added color.

 I made some of my fun flags as decorations for the candies on the table at my party/class.  This flag is unusual because I used a bat punch and then sponged ink around the punch and removed it.  It created a negative effect with each bat.  I think it is a cool look. The small pennant on top of the flag is made with the pennant punch and I added a bat punched out on it.  ALL THE FLAGS ARE MADE WITH THE NEWSPRINT AND EARLY EDITION DSP.

 This flag was sponged with pumpkin pie ink in the middle to be the harvest moon with the bats flying around it.  I used black and orange plastic straws from the grocery store for the sticks of the flags.  I used the 1/8" black ribbon to tie the flags to the sticks.  Cute, huh?

 More flags to decorate the candies.  This one on the left is sponged with pumpkin pie ink around the edges.

 With the stamp set "Wicked Cool", I stamped and colored the witch hat and then fussy cut it out to glue to my food picks.  I then did some bat punches and glued them to picks as well.  These were stuck in small fudge squares and cheese squares for the refreshment table.  Make sure you use two with the pick in the middle when you make your fun picks.

A closeup of the bats flying near the harvest moon on my foodie flag.

 Take home gifts in brown paper bags decorated with First Edition designer paper, lollies or medallions made with the designer paper, buttons, pearls, brads and rub on monograms.

 Prizes decorated with Wicked Cool stamp set.

 Cute table with black and white table cloth of spooky, boo, etc, as well as black and white decorations.

More fun black and white decorations.  Small pumpkins decoupaged with First Edition designer paper.

Shop with me NOW so you can get your own treat sacks, the clearance rack bat punch and many more fun things from Stampin' Up.  It will come right to your door step once you order, and the delivery is very fast - usually less than a week!!

Inky Fingers Y'all!!