Ink & Paper Cafe'

No, I Didn't Kill a Smurf

Uhhhh...don't do this! I will be going to work with "smurfy" fingers - holy ink refills, Batman!! What I DID do was dye some Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon using Pacific Point Ink Refill/water. I thought for sure this would wash off quickly. Not so much.

 

Because I ran out of one color of paper from the NEW and UPCOMING (Summer Mini Catalog) Beyond the Garden Designer Paper, I used another and created my own ribbon using the reinker/water-soaking technique.  As you can see, gloves are recommended.  :-D  This is a SUPER simple card and perfect for showcasing the Designer Paper.  I also used the Happy Greetings set to stamp the sentiment.  By getting this in the Clear-Mount variety, I was able to stamp the greeting straight each and every time.  Woohoo!

 

Now for a tip - the Pacific Point ink doesn't come out as dark as one might like.  I soaked the ribbon in a very strong solution (check out those fingers!) for over a day and my ribbon came out looking like...Bashful Blue.  And guess what?!  We HAVE Bashful Blue Taffeta Ribbon!  The joke is very clearly on me, but I did use the ribbon I created because...it was there.  :-D 

     

A better idea would have been to sponge on the ink using the Pacific Point Ink Pad and a Stamping Sponge.  Next time!  In the meantime...enjoy!

Supplies Used: Whisper White, Pacific Point, Wild Wasabi, and Pumpkin Pie Cardstocks; Beyong the Garden Designer Paper; Scalloped Circles #2 Die; Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder; Big Shot; Scallop Edge Border Punch; Basic Rhinestones; Dimensionals; Pumpkin Pie and Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon; Pacific Point Ink Refill; Happy Greetings; Black StazOn Ink

 

Spring is Blossoming Sneak Peek ~ Almost Over!

April 30th is the LAST DAY to take advantage of this great Sneak Peek!  We made this project this month at Hostess Club and features the Paisley Petals Designer Paper and Four Frames stamp set.  You may purchase either or both once you select $20+ in regular priced items first.  OR, you receive both FREE when you hostess a catalog-party subtotaling $350+...but only through April 30th!  Plus, if you purchase the paper now, you will save $1 over the price in the upcoming 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog - saves an additional 10%.

 

The tins were available through the Clearance Rack, but they've exhausted their supply.  That's why it's a good idea to get what you want when you can before the items are gone.  As a reminder, Clearance Rack and Grab Bags are ONLY available with ONLINE orders.  Inside the tins are some post-it notes and a mini-pencil or pen.  You may choose to fill up your tin (I'm sure you can find these elsewhere, just google) with tags, notecards, etc.  What a sweet gift!!

Supplies Used: Paisley Petals Designer Paper; Cherry Cobbler, Peach Parfait, Baja Breeze, and Whisper White Cardstocks; Four Frames and All Holidays stamp sets; Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding; Decorative Label Punch; Boho Blossoms Punch; Paper Piercer & Foam Mat; Rhinestone Brads; Mini Glue Dots; Corner Rounder; Black StazOn Ink; Baja Breeze and Cajun Craze Ink Pads; Blender Pen

Spring Fever

I love this time of year - and I'm particularly happy that we've had some rain! Contrary to what my friend Kat (love you!) believes, we don't get much snow and this year was particularly sparse in the metro area, so the rain is DELIGHTFUL. They do say that "April showers bring May flowers"...so bring on the blooms!!!

 

This card idea came from the VERY talented Michelle Selburg - she is a member of my team and a wonderful lady! We made this card at Hostess Club and it features punched images (using the 2 3/8" Scalloped Circle and the 1 3/4" Scalloped Circle punches) that are then "feathered" by using the 1/4" Circle Punch to punch each scallop. This gives it a much more delicate look than the scallops alone.

This technique works so much better when the cardstock is thinner, so here's a NIFTY tip! Instead of scraping the Bone Folder (like you're curling ribbon) along the cardstock, simply run it through your Paper Crimper 5-6 times at different angles. This breaks down the fibers of the cardstock and makes it EASY to separate! Man...sure wish we would've know this trick before Stamp Camp!!! :-D

Lightly dampen each layer using Stampin' Mist then crumple up. Unfold and stack (with the sueded side up), poking through the center and inserting the Rhinestone Brad (or any other large brad will work beautifully). Use your Heat Tool to fluff and "set" the layers into place - make it distressed looking! Once dry, spritz with the alcohol (70%)/Champagne Shimmer Paint solution.

To make the flowers fluff up a bit more, add smaller layers in between some of the larger layers and end with small layers. Don't you love it??!!!

 

Supplies Used: Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green Cardstocks; Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon; 2 3/8" and 1 3/4" Scalloped Circle Punches; 1/4" Circle Punch; Decorative Label Punch; Clear Rhinestone Brads; Paper Piercer; Foam Mat; Stampin' Mist; Afterthoughts Stamp Set (Hostess Level 1); Basic Pearls; Big Shot; Elegant Lines Embossing Folder; Mini Glue Dots; Dimensionals; Paper Crimper; Heat Tool

Grab Bags & Clearance Rack

Holy Stampin' Supplies, Batman!  Have you checked out the latest updates??? 

The new (and available only while supplies last!!!) Grab Bags are amazing!  You may choose from:
$5 Grab Bag = $20 value (the package standing up, in front)
$10 Grab Bag = $40 value (the package standing up, in back)
$15 Grab Bag = $60 value (contents of this package are spread out on the table)

 

Each Grab Bag is stuffed full of pre-cut cardstock, ribbons, embellishments, Designer Paper, Card Kits, etc.  What a treat!  Bags may be the same or different - it's a Grab Bag, after all.  :-) 

Our Clearance Rack has bargains galore!  Along with the Grab Bags, all Clearance Rack items must be ordered online through my website: www.tarabazata.stampinup.net.  These may not be added to a Hostess Workshop - supplies are limited, so order soon before they are all gone.  Remember, when you place a $50+ order with me via Online Ordering (via my website), you will receive a treat in the mail.  Yes, I am way behind (see yesterday's post to see what's keeping me busier than usual), but I WILL get your thank you's out to you.  I promise!

Don't forget about the Spring is Blossoming special.  Come back to see a great project using these sneak-peek items.  Lovely!!!

That's all for now...have a wonderful Wednesday!!!

Hello Again!

It's been a really FAST month!  I can't believe how the time is flying.  This is due in large part to the very busy spring we are having.

Connor's swim team has been going on for nearly 2 months, he's gone through a serious bout of mono (what a nasty illness), and he's still playing catch-up with his school work and getting back into swimming.  Still working on driving hours and now it's time to look for a summer job. 

Seth is pushing through the final month of school with some major projects plus working in some swim-team practices.  He's also looking for a summer job. 

Devin.  It's Devin's senior year and it's been a FAST year.  Doug and I have driven through his future college-home headed to a couple of swim meets and it makes me misty EACH time.  I look at that beautiful campus and see all of the students and simply cannot believe he's old enough (much less Doug and I!) to be going to college in the fall.  He's been offered a full-time job on campus during the summers plus continuous part-time work during school.  It's a GREAT opportunity and he's really excited about it.  His dorm/roommate assignment has arrived and the countdown is definitely "on" for the final weeks of school.  I'm definitely headed toward a full-on cry-session about him moving on, but I will do this privately.  He's a young man and this is how it should be, but I feel a good cry is okay, too.

Instead of purchasing the pricey announcements from the school, I opted to make them myself (at about $1 each).  Since traditional stamping is way too "girly" for the boys, I used My Digital Studio to make Devin's announcements.  Here's a tip: make a complete card (did you know you can remove the MDS logo on the back?  I didn't either until I tried it!), with Pages 1 & 2 duplicated onto Pages 3 & 4.  That way, you get two cards out of one.  I chose to make them like postcards (single layer, printed on the front and back), but you could mount them onto a folded card or another piece of coordinating cardstock.  I am very happy with how they came out and the best part is they got Devin's approval.  Right on!

     

I will be switching out my method of sending e-vites, etc. plus hope to post more on my blog.  I really do love working on this blog.  However, it's a very busy time for us so thank you for your patience!

For those of you who have graduating seniors...Congratulations and enjoy these moments!!