I'm baaaaaaack

It's been along time since I've posted. Sorry about that. It didn't help that I had a pretty nasty computer crash in October either. Life is what happens when you're making other plans and that happened at our house.

It's been a busy time here with lots of changes, ups & downs and all the bits & pieces that make up life. Over the next few days I'll be posting what I've been up to for the last 6 months and hopefully even have a few new things to share with you.

October is a busy birthday month in our family and we have several friends that have had major life events in October as well. Here are a few of the cards that I made during October of 2012.

The above card was created for a couple of my nephews and one of my nieces. I saw the basic idea on Pinterest and knew I had to give it a shot. So very much loved making these. I giggled the whole time I was rolling up the $$$ to make the candles. The embossing folder is an oldie but a goodie - Happy Birthday by Cuttlebug. Papers are from my stash. The Happy Birthday Stamp is from Stampin' Up! set " Wacky Wishes".  Ribbon is from Stampin' Up! in Early Espresso.

Unfortunately I needed several sympathy cards in October. This one was created using Stampin' Up!'s Bigz Autumn Accents die cut - the maple leaf section. Cut in Pumpkin Pie card stock, embossed with Swirl embossing folder by Cuttlebug. The leaf is inked using Walnut Stain by Tim Holtz. The button is from my stash with a scrap of ribbon tied thru the holes. The background was created using  the stamp " Distressed Background by Stampabilities (one of my favorites), stamped in Walnut Stain by Tim Holtz. The brown label was paper from my stash punched with the Modern Label punch and the sentiment label was punched on a scrap of white using the Modern Window label. The sentiment is from the Teeny Tiny Phrases stamp set by Stampin' Up! All pieces were attached to the card base which is a medium brown from my stash.

This card was created using Crumb Cake card stock as the base with corners rounded using  We R Memory Keepers Crop-a-dile corner chomper tool. For my money it's the best corner rounders on the market. I used the 1/2" side. The images were stamped on white card stock that had been sponged using Pumpkin Pie ink and Crumb Cake ink, both by Stampin' Up! All corners on the sponged piece were rounded using the We R Memory Keepers Crop-a-dile corner chomper on the 1/2" side. The sentiment was stamped in Basic Black ink by Stampin' Up! The set used was by Clearly Inspired by Paper Inspirations. I'm not sure if it's still available as the copy write date on the set says 2006. I got mine at my local Hobby Lobby some years ago. The leaf image is from another set: Encouraging Words by Stampendous. This is one of my go to sets for Sympathy cards. I picked this one up some years ago at Hobby Lobby also. Ribbon is by Stampin' Up! in Early Espresso.

Stay tuned for more of my October cards tomorrow.

Take some time today to let out your creative side and get your pinky inky.

Triple Time Stamping

Hi Stampers!

I've been seeing these great cards all over the internet. I was so intrigued and I went in search of how to make one for myself. I watched a great video by Frenchie Stamps  and figured out how. OH MY GOODNESS is this fun! I will admit to being a bit intimated at first, but once the first card was made ... the rest was history. Unfortunately I've needed too many sympathy cards this year and needed to make yet another one. Thankfully this method is wonderful for so many occasions that require cards. I'm looking forward to play around with this technique. Stay tuned for the results in the coming weeks. But for now ... here's the info. 

To make a card that looks like mine, you’ll need the following supplies. Remember, if you need any of these supplies, just click on the name of the item and it will take you directly to my shop.

Supplies:

Whisper White card stock

Midnight Muse card stock

Raspberry Ripple card stock

Midnight Muse ink

Raspberry Ripple ink

Basic Gray ink

Everything Eleanor stamp set (clear mount)

Extra-large oval punch

Sentiment stamps are from various Stampin' Up! sets that are retired.

Cut paper sizes:

White paper -

4 x 5 1/4 (you need 2, one for inside and one for the outside)

3 x 4 1/4

2 x 3 1/4

Colored mats -

5 1/2 x 8 1/2 - fold in half ... this is your card base

3 1/4 x 4 1/2

2 1/4 x 3 1/2

For the how to - watch Frenchie's video.

I'll be making some videos of my own soon. Another reason to stay tuned.

Are you getting inspiration from this blog?   One way you can help support it is to order your Stampin’ Up products through me.   Click HERE to place an order and have your order delivered directly to your door step from Stampin’ Up!

Take some time to get your pinky inky today!

My Mom Rocks!

I received a handmade card from my Mom for my birthday. I LOVE getting handmade cards, especially from my family. It means something when I receive a card that someone took the time to make. What makes this card so special is that not only did my Mom make the card, but my Mom is 82 years old and still making things! That's important. Working on crafts is an important task for keeping your brain active and healthy. You need hand/eye coordination to make things  and continuing to use your hand/eye coordination strengthens your ability. Continuing to make things as we mature into our Golden Years is just one more step along the road to Healthy Aging. Crafting keeps all those little neurons firing in your brain ... and you want that! Both sides of the brain are involved because you use one side for the math of figuring paper sizes and measuring. You use the other side to work through color choices and design ideas.

My Mom has arthritis in her hands. Some days she can work the punches just fine and other days my sister punches things out for her. It's nice that they are a team like that. LOVE that they craft together. I miss that living so far away, but it gives me a warm feeling to think of them sitting around the kitchen table working, chatting and laughing ... there's always laughter!

So THANKS MOM for making me such a sweet card. I wanted to highlight it here to show off how MY MOM still crafts! You're the best!

Take a moment and create a one of a kinds treasure for someone that you TREASURE. These are the kinds of things we keep and hold dear. Give someone that pleasure today.

Serene Silhouette

This card is smaller than the traditional size, but is still big enough to go through the US mail. It's a fun non-traditional kinda card that a nice change of pace.

To make a card that looks like mine, you’ll need the following supplies. Remember, if you need any of these supplies, just click on the name of the item and it will take you directly to my shop.

• Soft Suede card stock – 3½” x 9”, score @ 5” inched
• Comfort Cafe DSP cut 3½” x 4”
• Night of Navy or Summer Starfruit  cardstock– cut 3 ½” x 4 1/8”, attach to the inside left of  the card, should hang over a bit from the DSP.
• Night of Navy punched with 1 ¾” punch, cut circles in half.
• Stamp circle image from Serene Silhouettes stamp set using Night of Navy ink (or Midnight Muse ink) on to Very Vanilla card stock. Punch out with 1 3/8” cicrle punch.
• Cut Soft Suede Taffeta ribbon 2½”
• Attach half circle to the top and bottom of the card with the ribbon running in between.
• Attach punched out stamped image to center of the ribbon area with dimensional.

Are you getting inspiration from this blog?   One way you can help support it is to order your Stampin’ Up products through me.   Click HERE to place an order and have your order delivered directly to your door step from Stampin’ Up!

Flashback Friday

I love Fall and Halloween. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays! I made these Halloween cards for a swap with some friends last Fall.

The little witch image is from the Greeting Card Kids stamp set.

The ribbon is ribbon that I had. If I were making this today I'd use Scallop Dots Ribbon.

I stamped her on Whisper White and colored her with colored pencils. (I LOVE to use colored pencils.)

In the first card I punched out the image with the 2 1/2" Circle Punch. Then cut a 3" circle out of Basic Black card stock. After mounting the image I used the Paper Piercer and the Paper-Piercing Pack to pierce around the circle. I liked the rougher look of the backside and used that.

In the second card, after punching out the image with the 1 3/4" punch, I mounted the image on Pumpkin Pie card stock and trimmed to make the mat. I matted Halloween paper on Basic Black card stock. I'm thinking of making this card again using  Howlstooth & Scaringbone Designer Series Paper from the new Holiday catalog.

Are you getting inspiration from this blog?   One way you can help support it is to order your Stampin’ Up products through me.   Click HERE to place an order and have your order delivered directly to your door step from Stampin’ Up!

Take some time to get your pinky inky today!

A day late ...

I'm making my Monday post on Tuesday. :(  I live in Oklahoma and it's hot here ... no not just hot ... really hot ... like melt the rubber of your flip-flops hot. We're the hottest place in the nation today - probably all week. This heat just zaps all your energy ... which is why your Monday post is on Tuesday.

Despite the heat, we had our Birthday Bash class last week. I must say, we had a lovely time creating and visiting. It was a sweet cool spot in the midst of all this heat! Such lovely ladies I have to craft with, they just brighten your day.

We made 3 cards this time. Aren't they just darling? Everyone did a great job and had fun in the process.

Birthday Bash Card Class

Fun cards that were pretty quick. The best part is that the design for 2 of the 3 cards can be used almost any occasion by just changing the sentiment.

Watch for our August class dates. We'll be embarking on a scrapbook class entitled "The Story of Us".

Watch for more details soon.

Take some time to get your pinky inky today.

Birthday in Crumb Cake - Fast Card Friday

To make a card that looks like mine, you’ll need the following supplies. Remember, if you need any of these supplies, just click on the name of the item and it will take you directly to my shop.

Supplies:

Crumb Cake card stock

Soft Suede card stock

Naturals Ivory card stock

Crumb Cake ink

Perfectly Penned stamp set

Designer Series Paper – ComfortCare

Designer Series Buttons – NeutralsCollection

Diminesionals

Snail Adhesive

Thread of choice

Directions:

Crumb Cake card base is standard size.
Soft Suede mat is 1 3/4 x 3 3/4
Comfort Care mat is 1 1/2 x  3 5/8
Adhere Comfort Care mat to Soft Suede mat.
Attach mats to card using photo as guide for placement.
Stamp Happy Birthday from Perfectly Penned stamp set on Naturals Ivory card stock using Crumb Cake ink.
Cut out sentiment and mount on mats using dimensionals.
Using thread for your choice, tie thread through holes in button and trim off excess.
Attach button to card using dimensional.

Are you getting inspiration from this blog?   One way you can help support it is to order your Stampin’ Up products through me.   Click HERE to place an order and have your order delivered directly to your door step from Stampin’ Up!

Take some time to get your pinky inky today.

God is Love

A little card for a Monday. 

To make a card that looks like mine, you’ll need the following supplies. Remember, if you need any of these supplies, just click on the name of the item and it will take you directly to my shop.

Supplies:

Whisper White card stock
Midnight Muse card stock
Comfort Care Designer Series Paper
Patio Party Designer Series Paper
Boho Blossom punch
Corner Rounder punch
Owl Punch - use small circle from the Owl Punch
white ribbon - craft shop
Trust God stamp set
Midnight Muse ink
Dimensionals
Snail Adhesive

The card base on this card is tent style - which means the fold is at the top.
Card base measures 4 1/4 x 11 - fold at 5 1/2.
Strip grouping measures 1 1/2.
Attach strips with Snail adhesive.
Strips are from the striped piece of DSP from the Patio Party set. You could use any grouping of strips that works for you.
The heart is hand drawn and cut out of Comfort Card DSP and the mat is from Midnight Muse.
Mount heart & mat with Snail Adhesive.
Stamp sentiment in Midnight Muse ink.
Tie ribbon with knot in center.
Attach ribbon with glue dot.
Punch flowers from Boho Blossom and centers of flowers from Owl Punch.
Arrange flowers and attach with Snail.
Round corners of card.

Are you getting inspiration from this blog?   One way you can help support it is to order your Stampin’ Up products through me.   Click HERE to place an order and have your order delivered directly to your door step from Stampin’ Up!

Take some time to get your pinky inky today.

For The Newlyweds - Fast Card Friday

A dear friend of the family got married last Saturday to a darling young lady. We’re so happy for Jeff & Natasha and wish them a long and happy life together. This is the tiny card I made to go with their gift. It was super fast but doesn’t look like something rushed or thrown together.

To make a card that looks like mine, you’ll need the following supplies. Remember, if you need any of these supplies, just click on the name of the item and it will take you directly to my shop.

Supplies:

 Whisper White card stock

Night of Navy card stock

Brushed Silver card stock

Curly Label punch

Large Oval punch

Fancy corner punch

Whisper White craft ink

Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set

Pearls Basic Jewels

Snail Adhesive

Directions:

• Whisper White card base is cut at 6 x 3, scored a 3 to create a 3 x 3 gift card.
• Punch all corners using a fancy corner punch of your choosing.
• With the Curly Label punch, punch the Brushed Silver card stock.
• Adhere silver curly label to center of card.
• Stamp sentiment from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set on to Night of Navy card stock using Whisper White craft ink.
• Once the ink is dry use the Large Oval punch to punch the Night of Navy card stock, being sure to center the sentiment within the punch area.
• Attach oval to curly label.
• Adhere small pearls to the corners of the curly label punch.

 Are you getting inspiration from this blog?   One way you can help support it is to order your Stampin’ Up products through me.   Click HERE to place an order and have your order delivered directly to your door step from Stampin’ Up!

Take some time to get your pinky inky today.

Celebrate Today

The Inky Pinky household is heading into another busy birthday season. I’m going to  need a bunch of birthday cards. That’s lucky for you since you’ll get to see them all! LOL

To make a card that looks like mine, you’ll need the following supplies. Remember, if you need any of these supplies, just click on the name of the item and it will take you directly to my shop.

Supplies:

Apothecary Accents Labels framelits

Perfectly Penned stamp set

Designer Series Paper Patterns Stack – brights collection

Whisper White card stock

Old Olive card stock

White Gel Pen

Stazon Black ink

Essentials Paper Piercing Pack

Paper Piercer

2011 In Color Designer Printed Brad

Dimensionals

Big Shot

Snail Adhesive

Directions:

• Whisper White card base is standard size
• Use the labels that match the ones in the photo from the Apothecary Accents Label framelits.
• Use the smaller label and a piece of DSP from the Brights Collection, run through the Big Shot.
• Use the larger label and a piece of Old Olive card stock, and run through the Big Shot.
• With the Paper Piercing tool and the Essentials Paper Piercing pack, pierce around the Old Olive piece.
• Once all the piercing is done, use the white gel pen in each piercing to make dots.
• Looking at placement in photo, place and adhere Old Olive piece to the card base. Trim excess edge.
• Use piercer to create opening for brad and place brad in DSP label.
• Adhere DSP label to Old Olive piece with dimensional.
• Stamp sentiment using Stazon Ink and sentiment from Curly Cute.
• Trim sentiment piece.
• Cut a strip of Tangerine Tango DSP as a mat for the sentiment piece.
• Adhere Tangerine Tango and sentiment together.
• Attach Tangerine Tango piece to card with dimensional using photo as reference for placement.

Are you getting inspiration from this blog?   One way you can help support it is to order your Stampin’ Up products through me.   Click HERE to place an order and have your order delivered directly to your door step from Stampin’ Up!

Take some time to get your pinky inky today!

Technique Tuesday - creating a sponging stencil

I needed a couple of Sympathy cards last week. These are the hardest cards for me to make. I can come up with stuff for men easier than ideas for sympathy cards. I'm never sure if the image conveys my feelings. I finally figured out that simple is better. I go with simple clean images and a simple message. This card says "With Sympathy" inside. That's it. It works.

To make a card that looks like mine, you’ll need the following supplies. Remember, if you need any of these supplies, just click on the name of the item and it will take you directly to my shop.

Supplies:

Bordering on Romance stamp set

Whisper White card stock

Wisteria Wonder card stock

Wisteria Wonder ink

Stazon Ink

Wisteria Wonder marker

Lucky Limeade marker

Island Indigo marker

Calypso Coral marker

Apothecary Accents Framelits

Big Shot 

Pearls Basic Jewels

Sponge Dauber

Snail Adhesive

corner rounder

white ribbon

your choice of sentiments for the inside of the card

Directions:

• Wisteria Wonder card base is standard size.
• Whisper White mat is cat at 4 x 5 1/4.
• Round corners of Whisper White card stock.
• Select image from Bordering on Romance stamp set.
• Stamp in center of Whisper White card stock using Stazon ink.
• Using the Big Shot and the Apothecary labels framelits, choose the one that matched the image above. Cut the label using scrap paper. 
•  Use NEGATIVE part of the label cut out to create a stencil. Center the "stencil" on Whisper White card stock over the stamped image. Using a sponge dauber and Wisteria Wonder ink to sponge inside the stencil but NOT on top of the image.
• Be sure the sponged ink is dry before moving on.
• Color image.
• Add pearls to the inside of the 3 largest flowers.
• Adhere the mat to the card base
• Tie ribbon around card

Are you getting inspiration from this blog?   One way you can help support it is to order your Stampin’ Up products through me.   Click HERE to place an order and have your order delivered directly to your door step from Stampin’ Up! 

Take some time to get your pinky inky today!

Sympathy card in Night of Navy

I needed several sympathy cards last week. I wanted something elegant, but not cluttered. Here's what I created.

To make a card that looks like mine, you’ll need the following supplies. Remember, if you need any of these supplies, just click on the name of the item and it will take you directly to my shop.

Supplies:

Night of Navy card stock

Naturals Ivory card stock

Night of Navy ink

Crumb Cake ink

Everything Eleanor stamp set

En Francais stamp set

Boho Blossom punch

Pearls Basic Jewels

Sponge 

glue dots

snail adhesive

Directions:

• Night of Navy card base is standard size.
• Naturals Ivory mat is 4 x 5 1/4.
• Ink En Francais stamp in Crumb Cake ink and gently wipe dab off some of the ink so image is light.
• Stamp En Francais on to Naturals Ivory mat.
• Stamp blossom from Everything Eleanor stamp set in Night of Navy - stamp off on a piece of scrap paper first ... remember we want these images to be light.
• Stamp flourish from Everything Eleanor stamp set in Night of Navy - DO NOT stamp off this image. This is one image we want to stand out.
• Adhere mat to card base.
• Using the Boho Blossom punch, punch out 5 small blossoms from Night of Navy.
• Cup each blossom in the palm of your hand, one by one.
• Taking a pen with a rounded cap, gently push capped pen in the center of the flower in a round motion. This will make the blossom stand up more and cup the pearl.
• Adhere blossoms to the image with glue dots.
• Adhere pearls.
• stamp sentiment of choice inside

Are you getting inspiration from this blog?   One way you can help support it is to order your Stampin’ Up products through me.   Click HERE to place an order and have your order delivered directly to your door step from Stampin’ Up!


Take some time to get your pinky inky today!

Red White & Blue

Hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July! We had a wonderful & relaxing time with friends and truly enjoyed our day.

In keeping the the idea of our nation's birthday, I created this card in red, white & blue and used the En Francais background stamp in Midnight Muse. Kinda looks a bit like the style of writing from the Declaration of Independence doesn't it.

To make a card that looks like mine, you’ll need the following supplies. Remember, if you need any of these supplies, just click on the name of the item and it will take you directly to my shop.

This is a pretty straight forward design. Just follow reference the photo for placement if you want yours to look like mine. Here's what I used.

Pacific Point card stock

Real Red card stock

Whisper White card stock

Old Olive card stock

Bird punch – for leaf branch

Boho Blossoms - punch for flowers

Scallop Trim Border punch

Basic Jewels Pearls

En Francais stamp – background

Midnight Muse ink

Dimensionals – for some of the flowers

Are you getting inspiration from this blog?   One way you can help support it is to order your Stampin’ Up products through me.   Click HERE to place an order and have your order delivered directly to your door step from Stampin’ Up!


Take some time to get your pinky inky!