Artistic Snowflakes

Written by Leave a Comment

When I think of winter I think of snow.  Maybe it’s because I feel the most at home in the mountains – especially on a wintery snowy day.  Yes, that’s totally my element.  So why do you live in Florida, you may ask?  Well, my husband is not at home in the snow.  So I will have to make due with a winter vacation each year and the memories of living in New York, Utah and California – well, skiing there.

So what does that have to do with stamping you may ask?  I have fallen in love with the stamp set Snowflake Soiree from the Holiday Catalog.  You can probably tell, I can’t stop using it!  This morning I wanted to have the feel of that crisp chill that you feel on a cold snowy day.  So I took out my brayer and got to work.

First I brayered a quick layer of Bashful Blue.  I tried to keep some of the white in there as well.  I then added a layer of Pool Party, a color that really has the hue of water.  For a little depth I topped it off with a quick coat of Island Indigo.  This is the end result:

I added the three smaller snowflakes from this set in Not Quite Navy, Midnight Muse, and Night of Navy.  I kept quite a bit of distance between the flakes, because snow falls like that – it’s not always clumped together.  To help the background keep its lightness I added a 1 1/16th mat of Whisper White before matting it to Midnight Muse.  I played with a few sayings and ultimately I wanted something thin so that it wouldn’t take away from the beauty of the brayered background.  A quick thin banner popped up on dimensionals is the perfect finishing touch along with a Rhinestone Jewel, snowflakes after all do sparkle!

The Midnight Muse is a bit dark to write on, so I added a quick card front to the inside with a snowflake.  These photos just do not capture the beauty of the background like in real life.  I encourage you to take out your brayers and have a little fun today!

Creatively yours –

Ingrid

To Shop 24/7 in the Creative Store – Click here!

Stamp Sets – Snowflake Soiree (127925), Sweet Essentials (128315) Paper – Whisper White (100730), Midnight Muse (126843) Ink – Midnight Muse (126860), Island Indigo (126986), Pool Party (126982), Bashful Blue (126961), Not Quite Navy (126971), Night Of Navy (126970) Cool Tools –Brayer (102395), 1” square punch The Perfect Finish – Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430), Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246)

Snowflake Soiree 127925L

Untitled-12

Filed Under: Cards, Inspiration, Techniques Tagged: , , , , ,

Re-inventing a Good Idea

Written by Leave a Comment

I love to design scrapbook pages.  Even more – I love to re-invent scrapbook pages!  This design is a re-invented Easter layout of mine.  My inspiration began with the idea of color blocking.  I wanted my new layout to be fun, colorful and have a different twist on the traditional spring colors. 

My Easter layout below is quite traditional.  But you can see I kept several of the main ideas in place, just with a little twist.  The color blocked shared mat on the left was changed to have fewer stripes, but make a bigger impact with a wide shared color between the photos.

I used several embossing folders for backgrounds on the smaller shared mat in the Easter layout, while keeping the spring layout clean.  The journaling blocks were jazzed up a bit by using the Decorative Label punch.  To keep with the torn edge theme from the grass, I added a torn edge to the top of the spring layout. 

The flowers were made using the Floral Fusion Sizzlit and curling up the edges a bit before adding Pearl Basic Jewel Accents.  The leaves for the flowers are the punched out pieces from the Lattice BigZ die.  I LOVE using pieces that are just throw aways! 🙂

The main journaling block is the Crumb Cake banner above.  I wanted it to almost look like a mantle holding a portrait of the photo above it.  The title below was made with the now retired Timeless Type Medium Alphabet (Sniff…Sniff – I LOVE those dies).

I love the end result, and overall – I love getting two layouts from one idea!  I challenge you to bring out your inner creative and re-design one of your own layouts!

Creatively yours –

Ingrid

To Shop 24/7 in the Creative Store – Click here!

Stamp Sets – shockingly none! Paper – Very Vanilla (101650), 12×12 Not Quite Navy – Regal Assortment Pack (119709), 12×12 Old Olive (124284), Night of Navy (100867), So Saffron (105118), Cherry Cobbler (119685), Rich Razzleberry (115316), Old Olive (100702), Crumb Cake (120953)  Ink – shockingly none! Cool Tools – Beautiful Wings Embosslits Dies (118138), Timeless Type Junior Alphabet Medium Sizzlits – retired, Lattice BigZ (115958), Decorative Label Punch (120907) The Perfect Finish – Pearl Basic Jewels (119247)

Filed Under: Big Shot, Inspiration, Scrapbooking, Uncategorized Tagged: , , , , , ,

French Foliage Thoughts

Written by Leave a Comment

Every fall I think about the time I lived in New York for 7 years.  As a teen I always knew I would live in the North East one day.  I never knew why, but I think it had something to do with my love of trees and the amazing pictures I always saw in magazines and movies of the colors of a New England Fall.  The foliage is amazing!  So when I saw that Stampin’ Up! had a Foliage set, I just HAD to have it.  It was the first set I actually purchased (rather than earned for free – click here to find out how).

This card reflects the beauty in the magic of the fall.  I rocked n rolled each stamp in a few colors to give them depth, and the largest I actually used three – More Mustard, Rich Razzleberry and Midnight Muse.  To add depth to this card I used our Gold Glow Smootch Spritz to give the leaves and cardstock that special glimmer of this magical season.  I just love the final result.

I made a simple banner for the Thinking of You saying using a square punch and then backed it with my go to perfect Apothecary Accents Framelits – it is that little perfect something to complete this card.  I carried over the triple rocked n rolled large stamp to the front of my envelope. 

These close ups show you the differences in my rocked n rolled techniques – some were heavy, some light, some two colors and some three.  I stamped the French writing in Cajun Craze on the Apothecary Accents Framelits – if you look closely you can see it.  Lastly – I lightly sponged the edge of the card and the saying banner in Cajun Craze to give a pop to the card.  Several of the accents are small and quiet, but really pull the whole project together.

I just love looking at this card so much, so I had to make another one just for myself, as this one I’m sending to my friend Sharon. I hope you enjoy my little glimpse into a special time of year, just around the corner!

Creatively yours –

Ingrid

To Shop 24/7 in the Creative Store – Click here!

Stamp Sets – French Foliage (121166), Sweet Essentials (126457) Paper – Whisper White (100730), More Mustard (100946), Cajun Craze (119685), Ink – Gold Glow Smooch Spritz (118770), More Mustard (126964), Cajun Craze (126965), So Saffron (126957), Rich Razzleberry (126950), Midnight Muse (126860) Cool Tools – Big Shot (113439), Apothecary Accents Framelits Dies (127003), 1” Square Punch (124094) The Perfect Finish – Basic Pearl Jewel Accents (119247), Gold Glow Smootch Spritz  (118770), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430), Stampin’ Sponges (101610)

Untitled-12

Filed Under: Cards, Inspiration, Techniques, Uncategorized Tagged: , , ,

A New Twist

Written by 4 Comments

Don’t you just love it when an idea comes together in a few minutes?  I was cleaning off my workspace and needed to do something with some left over supplies from a Stamp A Stack.  I have been wanting to use my new Merry and Type stamp set, and I thought – why not use what I have to as Tim Gunn says – Make it Work!  Here is the final result.  Check out this blog post for my original card derived from a color inspired photograph of Elephants in the Serengeti. 

I used the same base supplies and tweaked the top for the saying.  I just love layering the Framelits with Punches.  I used the Labels Framelits for the saying, punch one Modern Label punch in Not Quite Navy, cut it apart and layered that on top of one of the Apothecary Accents Framelits – my go to background matte for many things.

 

I of course used our newest must have tools the Stampin’ Pierce Mat and Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack.  I absolutely love these and they are quite the value!  The guides are great and easy to use.  But most of all, I love the variety they give.  They fit so many of our Framelits and Punches.  It’s the perfect finishing touch that takes about a minute.

The color combination is neutral and masculine, which I love.  Most of all, I love the new Midnight Muse color that I stamped all my images in.  It’s the perfect shade to compliment Not Quite Navy.  I wanted the ornaments to really pop, so tone on tone was not going to be enough, but Night of Navy would have been too dark.  Enter the new In Color – Midnight Muse.  I also switched up the Garden Green from my original sample to the  new In Color Gumball Green.  It’s a bit more vibrant, and really made my card pop.

I hope you love this card!  I’ll be featuring it as one of my upcoming Holiday Stamp A Stack cards.  It’s a quick one to mass produce!

Create Away –

Ingrid

To Shop 24/7 in the Creative Store – Click here!

Stamp Sets – Merry and Type (122552) Paper – Sahara Sand (121043), Basic Grey (121044), Not Quite Navy (101722), Gumball Green (126840); Ink – Midnight Muse (126860) Cool Tools – Stamping Sponges (101610), Paper Piercing Tool (126189), Essentials Mat Pack (126187), Stampin’ Pierce Mat (126199), Modern Label Punch (119849), Labels Collection Framelits (125598), Apothecary Accents Framelits (127003) The Perfect Finish – Pearl Basic Jewels (119247), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430)

Filed Under: Christmas, Inspiration, Masculine Tagged: , ,

Playing with Others

Written by Leave a Comment

One of the benefits of being a demonstrator is the relationships.  I love that I don’t have to come up with everything myself.  I have great relationships not only with my customers, but with so many stamping sisters all across the world!  Here are a few projects that my good friend Karen Mickel made.  She is truly an incredibly talented scrapbooker and stamper.  And to think I remember the day her hands shook because she was afraid she would ruin the stamped image. 

I just LOVE this little box Karen made.  She put a few candy treats in there when she made it originally – but I would never want to open it – it’s TOO pretty!  The leaves are made with felt.

A card she cased (duplicated).  The detail on it is unbelievable.  I loved the way she dusted the pink with brown.  It creates a beautiful antique look.

The cutest little valentine tag ever!  I just love this little guy – Imagine the holiday and occasion possibilities!

So my hat’s off to you Karen.  Your work always takes my breath away.  I’m so glad that the world of Stamping and Scrapbooking has brought us together.  But even more – I’m proud to call you friend!  Thanks for a great day of crafting!

Create away…

Ingrid

To Shop 24/7 in the Creative Store – Click here!

Filed Under: 3D Projects, Cards, Inspiration Tagged: ,

Color Inspiration

Written by 1 Comment

I love to pull inspiration from everything in life.  Lately I’ve been saving pictures and color swatches to one of my boards on Pinterest.  (Click here if you want to follow my Pinterest Color Inspiration board)

I found this striking picture of the Serengeti while going through the photography boards.  The colors jumped out at me right away.  I like the drama of the deep sky and dark grey Elephants against the freshness of the green and neutral grasses.  I immediately went to my cardstock and began pulling colors.

02.12.12 elephants-serengeti-nichols

I still only have my one image stamp set, so I pulled out my Baroque Motifs and went to work with tone on tone images.  The only one that varies is the Basic Grey I used to stamp the Sincere Salutations saying – Thinking of You.

02.12

To me it’s a classic and simple card that can be done in minutes.  I hope you enjoy!

Happy Creating –

Ingrid

To Shop 24/7 in the Creative Store – Click here!

Stamp Sets – Baroque Motifs (113490) Sincere Salutations (115068); Paper – Sahara Sand (121043), Basic Grey (121044), Not Quite Navy (101722), Garden Green (102584); Ink – Basic Grey (109120), Garden Green (102272), Sahara Sand (105208); Cool Tools – Stamping Sponges (101610), Paper Piercing Tool (116631) Mat Pack (105826); The Perfect Finish – Stamping Dimensionals (104430)

Elephant Photo by Michael Nichols – National Geographic

Click here if you want more information about visiting the Serengeti, Africa

Filed Under: Cards, Clean and Simple, Inspiration Tagged: , ,

Inspiration Challenge

Written by 1 Comment

Inspiration can be found everywhere.  And I love to look at photos and advertisements in magazines when I am lacking natural inspiration.  I just re-started my Stampin’ Up business two days ago and find myself in a new position – I only have one set of image stamps and one set of saying stamps.  So, I have to make due with what I have until my new kit arrives.

I decided to go to one of my favorite places – Pinterest for some inspiration.  I pinned several ideas to some of my boards (This one I put on my Card Inspiration Board) and then I stumbled upon this photo of a gorgeous wood gate with scrolled ironwork.  I loved the colors together and decided that I would use this as inspiration for my next card.

02.10.11 Inspiration

I chose the color River Rock as my base to work with black.  I couldn’t get the classic ink dark enough, so I decided to emboss with my Stampin’ Emboss Powder.  This stamp set is quite detailed, so make sure to use an Embossing Buddy.  I used the Bravo Burgundy as my brick inspiration for the card itself, but chose to stay with the Basic Black and River Rock as the main parts to the card.  Be sure to thoroughly allow the image to dry before cutting it into strips.  I sponged the edges of the strips with Classic Black Ink for a little more depth.

02.10

I embossed the edges of the saying, distressed the black edges it’s matted upon with the cutter kit, and popped The River Rock Saying up on Stampin’ Dimensionals for a little pop.  I hope you love the creative result.  If you would like the specific dimensions for the card – please click here to contact me!

02.10

Now break out your Baroque Motifs set and show me what creative path this picture takes you!

Happy Creating –

Ingrid

To Shop 24/7 in the Creative Store – Click here!

Stamp Sets – Baroque Motifs (113490) Sincere Salutations (115068); Paper – River Rock (108640), Basic Black (121045), Bravo Burgundy (105123); Ink – Versamark (102283), Classic Basic Black (101179); Cool Tools – Stamping Sponges (101610), Black Stamping Emboss Powder (109133), Embossing Buddy (103083) Heat Tool (100005), Powder Pals (102197; The Perfect Finish – Stamping Dimensionals (104430), Cutter Kit (106958)

Baroque Motifs Stamp Images copy

Filed Under: Cards, Inspiration Tagged: ,

A Clean Slate

Written by Leave a Comment

I love to create.

There is not other way to put it – at my core…I’m a creative person.  By day I blog and plan travel for Elite Travel Planners, and by night I sell Silpada sterling silver jewelry.  While I can call Travel one of my passions, I have found that recently I’ve been missing another one of my passions – stamping and scrapbooking.  You see, I worked in the crafts industry – specifically teaching scrapbooking and then adding the art of stamping when I became a Stampin’ Up! independent consultant in 2002.  After 6 1/2 years, I needed a change.  So I walked away to pursue other interests.  And I stayed away for 3 1/2 years.  What I found was that although I do love many other industries – I am a crafter.  There, I’ve said it.  I love to create, inspire and most of all – share.  Ironic that that is Stampin’ Up’s tag line.

So… I’m starting this blog to share my love of stamping and scrapbooking with you.  I’ve been scrapbooking since the mid 90’s and stamping for the past 11 years.  And today I’ve discovered that I love digital scrapbooking – and I think I’m going to quickly become an addict!

Here are a few projects that I’ve been working on lately.  This is a simple card (very Ingrid), but I love the effect the stipple brushes give over the image.  The depth it creates (hard to see) is magical.  I love this set – it was a hostess set years ago, but this image works for just about any occasion.  Of course – if you know my work, you’ll recognize one of my trademarks – the strip (Tip #1).  I can’t stand all that white space – to me the cards usually need something breaking all that space up!  Simple, but elegant.

Europe Sympathy Card 2

This next 3D project was a fun one – and super easy.  I’m sad that Stampin’ Up! doesn’t carry these chipboard clipboards anymore, but you can use any clip board.  The key is to sand down the edges for a worn look, and layer all the papers first before attaching to the board.  I just love these colors together.  What’s better than Christmas!

I used mod podge over it to protect the paper from wear and tear.  To get the cardstock perfectly tucked behind, I make a 1/2 inch slit in the center at the top of my cardstock and cut out to the distance of the clip.  I cut two small openings in the shape of the clip and tuck the rest underneath once I have it around the clip.  Another Ingrid Tip – and that one’s a keeper! 🙂

I will add more projects and tips as I keep digging out all my favorite supplies.  I hope you enjoy the creative path with me!

Happy crafting! 🙂

Ingrid

These are original projects of mine.  I’d love your feedback!  And feel free to share! If you are interested in ordering any of these products, let me know!  I know a ton of people who can help you out…lol! 🙂

If you would like help with any upcoming travel – even just advice – contact me!

Filed Under: 3D Projects, Cards, Clean and Simple, Inspiration Tagged: , , , ,
« Previous Page