Ink & Paper Cafe'

Beautiful Card Box

This was the final make-n-take that we received at Convention this year in Salt Lake City.  This is a NEW BOX that will be featured in the Holiday Mini Catalog.  I can't WAIT to share more great ideas from this upcoming Mini!  It's chock-full of sigh-worthy delights.  Exciting!!!

         

On Monday, October 24th, I'm holding a Decorated Card Box Class to make a box similar to this (along with a few cards).  We will be using a different color scheme (something from the Holiday Mini Catalog...cannot show you product-pics until September 1st) and a slightly different flower, but the general idea will be the same.  It's stunning and I am looking forward to this class.

Won't you join me?  You can RSVP by clicking on that option when you open the link noted above.  The cost is only $30 and includes ALL supplies to make a completely decorated Card Box PLUS a few cards for the inside.  This would make a GREAT holiday gift!

Hope to see you then~

 

DIVA Swap

Every quarter, there is a DIVA Swap that I participate in and this time the theme was New Catalog Items.  I received a BUNCH of freebies from the New Catalog and this stamp set (My Friend) is one of those freebies.  Stampin' Up! has revamped their reward program for demonstrators and it began with the New Idea Book & Catalog season.  I get over $300 in freebies EACH QUARTER!!!  This is title based and begins with earning the opportunity to receive a pre-selected bundle at a 20% Discount.  The next step is a 40% Discount, then they become FREE.  There are three total bundles each new catalog season (including the Mini Catalogs).  I got even more with the Holiday Mini Catalog (samples will come later).  I LOVE FREE STAMPIN' STUFF!!

    

This card has lots of shimmer because I got happy with my Shimmery Paint mixture (take a hand-sanitizer atomizer-make sure the alcohol is 65% or so - 90% won't work) and drop in 5-8 drops of Shimmer Paint into the atomizer.  Shake, then spritz.  Be sure to use the Color Catcher to keep your work area clean.  Mine is thick with paint and shimmer, but it works perfectly AND it folds up for easy transport.

This color combo is Crumb Cake, Pool Party and Pear Pizzazz along with Confetti White.  There is plenty of visual and actual texture - I hope you enjoy!

 

122587   My Friend (clear-mount)   $19.95

 

120893   Tasteful Trim Die   $42.95

 

116806   Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint   $5.95
116854   Frost White Shimmer Paint   $5.95
116807   Platinum Shimmer Paint   $5.95

 

121093   Color Catcher   $5.95

 

118481   Victoria Lace Trim   $6.95

CUUUUTE!!!

This adorable Furry Folk stamp set just makes me smile!  I don't typically choose cutesy stamp sets, but this one called my name.  I was able to pick SEVEN free stamp sets during our Sale-a-Bration redemption period.  As a demonstrator, I accumulate points during the Sale-a-Bration period that I may exchange for FREE STAMPS!!!  And, they let us wait until the NEW Catalog comes out so that we may select the latest and greatest. 

    

Furry Folk was one set that I chose.  I also selected wood-mount (vs. clear-mount) since many of the stamps are tiny.  I prefer the wood-mount for the smaller stamps because they are permanently attached to the wood.  Plus, there are quite a lot of stamps in the set using the same size block which makes it easier to use.

One of my favorite color combos is Crumb Cake/Soft Suede/Pink.  And the Mini Brads compliment the tiny stature of the adorable hedgehog.  I hope you like him!!! 

Have a wonderful stampin' day!

 

122273   Furry Folk   $23.95

 

122941   Mini Brads (silver)   $5.50

 

School Has Begun...

A week ago, our oldest son ventured off to college.  What a WILD ride this has been - the emotions of my "first baby" going off to college coupled with impending menopause is just cruel.  The timing stinks and I'm sure many of you can agree.  And many more will have your own time with this in the future...call me if you need a shoulder to cry on.  Ü

The campus is simply beautiful.  He's living in an engineering dorm that's part of a quad with an amazing courtyard as the "common area".  It brings back memories of my years at Colorado State University - I loved college and know that he will, too.  I'm excited for him (although brief crying fits currently are fitting into my schedule) because he's beginning a new part of his life.  Another part is also closing - that's the part that really bums me out.

For all of you who have kids leaving the nest in one form or another, I'm sending lots of virtual hugs your way.  Here's a toast to the future!!

    

Okay...now for a cheery project to share!  We made these flower cards at my July Hostess Club.  I received a swap from Jan Myers, one of my Ink, Inc. teammates while at Convention and fell in love!  Since I didn't have exactly what she did to replicate, I did alter slightly.  For Hostess Club, we made 4 of these cards: using shades from the NEW 2011-2013 In Color line (Pool Party, Island Indigo and Calypso Coral - the Wisteria Wonder is not shown).  I love these!!

         

These cards use one of my very favorite dies: Fun Flowers.  There are two layers to the flowers plus a layer of petals using the NEW Ruffled Ribbon (LOVE it!!!).  And don't forget about the Designer Printed Brads! 

Have a blessed day and thank you for looking!

 

121812   Fun Flowers Die   $32.95

 

122976   Calypso Coral Ruffled Ribbon   $9.95
122974   Island Indigo Ruffled Ribbon   $9.95
122975   Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon   $9.95
122973   Wisteria Wonder Ruffled Ribbon   $9.95

(not used on this project):
122977   Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon   $9.95

 

122940   Designer Printed Brads   $7.95

WOW! Make-n-Takes from Convention

We had some amazing projects to make at Convention.  A few weekends ago, I cleaned up my ENTIRE office (reminiscent of the Clean Up Video from last year) and then completed the make-n-takes from Convention.  Barely made a dent in them while in SLC (and we worked the whole time!) and I thought I'd do something I don't usually do...complete them once I got home!! 

This project is a banner, but each piece is its own project.  Very creative!!  I have it hanging up in my office - I really enjoy the colors and the details.  Lovely!!

There is SO much texture on this banner.  Lots of crumpling, and distressing, punching, layering, and adding dimension.  The second picture below is a card that is draped over the cord (Natural Hemp) and uses the new set Raining Flowers (that set is used throughout this project).  LOVE the new ruffled ribbon!!!!

    

The first picture is another card that is draped over the cord.  The second picture was supposed to drap over, but I assembled it incorrectly so attached it to the cord with a Library Clip.  Love that, too!

    

Here's the Raining Flowers stamp set (available in clear- and wood-mount) and Perfect Pennants Die that we used for this project.  You may visit My Store for more details.

    

Let me know what you think!!  Thank you for looking~

 

 

Check Out These Adorable Mini Milk Cartons!!

We made this "tote" of Milk Cartons at my latest Hostess Club this month.  Aren't they adorable?  They stand about 3 1/4" tall and both of them fit into this cute little carrier.  I found the carrier pattern online - it's super easy and two can be made from one sheet of 8.5x11" cardstock.  If you make two carriers and glue them together (back to back), then you can put four cartons in the carrier.

      

What can you put in these, you ask?  Candy, coins, crumpled up paper $, jewelry, snacks...use your imagination!  I played with a variety of Designer Papers and colors, but turned to a more elegant look using Shimmery White Cardstock (love that stuff!) and the NEW Mocha Morning Specialty Designer Paper.  It's stunning!!!  We embellished the cartons with flowers punched from scraps of Shimmery White and Soft Suede. 

When creating the cartons, follow this process:

1. Run the Shimmery White Cardstock through the Big Shot using the Mini Milk Carton Die (one piece at a time).  I usually use the Crease Pad when die-cutting images with score lines.  However, I found it worked much better when I used two of the Cutting Mats and skipped the Crease Pad.
2. Fold along EVERY score line - note that there are two sections at the top that only have ONE diagonal score line, while the other two sections have two diagonal score lines each.  ***Save the instructions that come with the die.***
3. Choose your embossing Folder (I used Vintage Wallpaper) and place the prepared cardstock into the folder, embossing about 1/2 of it at a time.  The other part may hang out the side - turn the embossing folder so that it goes through the Big Shot sideways (it's made to fit this way, too).  Take out and repeat for remaining cardstock.
4. Seal the side and one flap at the bottom with Sticky Strip.  Fold in/out along score lines per pattern.  Decorate as desired.

Carrier Pattern

This pattern was found online.  Please note the measurements noted are from the bottom of the cardstock panel on up to score/cut line.  Score/Fold on dotted lines.  Cut on solid lines.  Close up sides of carrier using a small piece of Sticky Strip and decorate as desired. 

The handle is actually punched out from the top of the carrier - it sort of looks like a piece of paper layered on top in the picture.

Hope you enjoy!!!

113439   Big Shot Die-Cut Machine   $99.95

 

117310   Mini Milk Carton Die   $32.95

 

120175   Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder   $7.95

 

122366   Mocha Morning Specialty Designer Paper   $12.95

LOTS of Catching Up to Do!

I've been in "catch up" mode for a solid week now - worked on straightening up my office, setting up my new computer (it's SWEET!), sending out thank you's (I was woefully behind...), updating my contact list (whew!) and streamlining everything. It's been a work-in-progress. Definitely still have more to do, but am feeling like it's **finally** coming together.

Being in a home with three teenagers has it's own brand of adventure. There has been plenty of that over the past few weeks (really...it's been much longer than that, but I've had a few "aha" moments recently where some lingering questions have seen the light). I feel like I've aged 10 years in the last year. Yikes! I need some stamping therapy!!!

Got home from Convention two weeks ago and LOVED IT (of course!)!! I was blown away when I got an award. WOOOHOOO! I placed in the Top 100 Demos (#81) which means I've been invited to Founder's Circle in Sourthern Utah this fall. There have been two years when I've missed out (and I survived both times!) - truly didn't expect to get anything this year, so was pleasantly surprised. Glad I had my roomies there with me to watch me shake like a leaf when they handed me a special purse!

      

Today's share is the card that I gave to my teammates (those on my Ink, Inc. Team) along with a certificate entitling them to freebies when they hit certain sales/recruiting milestones. This uses the NEW Sunflower Background Stamp (love this stamp!) along with Rich Razzleberry and Baja Breeze elements. It's a simple card that is snazzed up a bit with bling and the 3-D banner. Hope you like it!

I'll be back soon!!