Merry & Bright Honeycomb Ornament Card

This was the most fun card I've made ALLLLLL day. I've been Pinning tons of handmade paper ornaments lately, and my scrappin' sista & I are determined to get them all made. I taught myself today to make the honeycomb ornament after my son opened a card at the store yesterday & exclaimed how cool it was because it had a tissue paper ornament that opened out in it.  I *gently* slapped his hand and said, "I can make that! Put it back! Five dollars! Sheesh."

So here's my (better than store bought) card...




I learned the ornament fold on Amazing Paper Grace's blog post.  I punched about 20 pieces from the Ornament Punch from Spice Cake DSP and folded it out only halfway to adhere it to the card, instead of going all the way around and making a full hangable ornament. 

Note! The link for the tutorial is broken, here is the website page so you can copy and paste: http://www.amazingpapergrace.com/honeycomb-ornament-tutorial-2/


Here are the steps to make this card:
Card base is Early Espresso 11" x 4-1/4"
Whisper White 4-1/8" x 5-3/8"
Whisper White 4 x 5-1/4", run thru big Shot with Snowburst Embossing Folder, smeared with Pool Party ink on the debossed side of the folder.  Then I sponged Frost White Shimmer Paint onto the embossed snowflakes.
Round corners on all three layers and adhere.
Punch 3 layers of CS with Scallop Border Punch in alternating Pool Party & Whisper White.
Adhere a strip of Dotted Scallop Chocolate Chip Ribbon over top and adhere with Dimensionals.
On a scrap of Whisper White, stamp Jolly Jingles Jumbo Roller in Pool Party.  Now, I don't use the ink cartridges for most of my cards.  I simply roll the wheel across the ink pad, brayer-style, and run it over the CS, then trim as I like.  Sponge the edges with Pool Party, and mount onto Early Espresso CS. 
Adhere sentiment under ribbon embellishment.
Next, create the ornament.
Dont forget the GLITTER!  Apply silver Galaxy Glitter with Two-Way Glue.
Embellish with a strip of Rhinestones, and one large Rhinestone at the base of the ornament.
I also sponged the edges of the card base with Frost White Shimmer Paint. 



Inside of the card, I punched an ornament from an extra scrap of the embossed snowflake paper.
These are the two awesome challenges I was inspired by to make this card...





I hope you'll give one a try this week!  There's nothing more fun than creating something beautiful and sharing it with your friends.


Have a blessed & creative day! Erika. www.erikaclark.stampinup.net

Tags, Bags, Boxes & Bows...TAGS!

I'm holding a Tags, Bags, Boxes & Bows gathering at Wittman UMC on Sunday, Dec 12th. We'll have a dozen beautiful little projects to choose from, and I'm going to post all of them over the next week.

Here are my first sets of gift tags!




This first set is a sparkly but elegant tag set with glimmer paper and Bells and Boughs. A little satin ribbon & popping up. Pretty and pretty easy!



Next up is a gorgeous velvety combo. Mocha Morning is so rich and elegant. The tag is a CASE from UstampWithDawn's I Heart the Holidays event, by the fabulously talented Gretchen Barron, and I created a wine bottle tag to go with it.



Third set is a super quick & easy group made with antiqued Very Vanilla, the Ticket Corner punch & quilted ribbon trim. With the right supplies, even a one-minute tag can make your gifts look SO put together!



Can't wait to get together with all my wonderful friends and neighbors. This is what it's all about <3

I'll be posting gift bags next!

Have a blessed & creative day! Erika. www.erikaclark.stampinup.net

Clean & Simple White Christmas

Oh, how I love clean & simple cards, but they're SO hard for me to do! A couple of reasons-
1) I can't keep anything clean &
2) I can't keep anything simple.
Inkypinkies is truly what I am, I get ink on everything. And isn't it easier to keep adding things to a card til you're satisfied that it's brilliant?! {sigh}

But I digress. A clean & simple color palette paired with a beautiful sketch made a Christmas card as fresh as the driven snow...


I wanted to use almost exclusively white for this card, with just a touch of Night of Navy, so to give it the punch it needed but keep it monochromatic, it needed two things: Texture (Simply Scored) and Lighting (Stampin' Dimensionals).

The quilting effect on the background was done by scoring a sheet of Whisper White into 1/2" squares, then cutting down to the size I needed. I popped that background off of the card.

The rosette is a 1-1/2" of Whisper White, scallop punched along one end. Then scored at the dip in each scallop to give it a nice, uniform look. The centerpiece layers are (1) a 1/2" circle punch of white, (2) a silver glimmer snowflake and white snowflake layered with dimensionals, and (3) a medium Basic Rhinestone.

I used Crystal Effects to adhere everything, it tacks up quickly and is truly clear and doesn't leave a residue.

The vertical strip is a 1-1/2 x 5 strip of white, double scored along both sides, and embellished with silver glimmer paper snowflakes. 



The Joy (from The Sounding Joy) was first stamped onto Whisper White, then run thru the Big Shot with one of the Designer Frames embossing folders. Then hand cut and adhered with dimensionals.



Here are the two challenges I was inspired by...


   
An aside...
Every time I create something, I place it somewhere conspicuous so I can love on it every time I walk by (LOL, don't you do the same thing??!!!)  My son has started doing the same thing.  He created this catapult out of K'Nex, and here's what I saw when I walked by my srsly retro den this morning...

Haha!  He's just like his momma!

...and yes, those are reel to reels. And a TV from 1957.

Have a blessed & creative day! Erika. www.erikaclark.stampinup.net

Saturday Snowman Fun SSC230

I got up early, early this morning, before the rest of the house was up.  It's the time of day I can think most clearly, I'm most relaxed and not exhausted from the day.  I know some friends who stamp into the wee hours of the morning, but not me!  I like my coffee and the sunrise to get creative. 

I took on the Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge, SSC230.  Had some fun with Frosty!

I had a blast making this! 

I used the XL Scallop Square Die, and made it into a shadow box with dollar store weatherstripping foam. It's about 1/4" wide and just the right depth. Cut the square out of the middle with a craft knife.

Then was the fun part! 

I stamped frosty twice, once on a square of Pool Party, and again on Whisper White.  Colored and cut him, and pieced him onto the Pool Party image.

I used Diamond Effects on his coal buttons,

A Jingle Bell on his hat.

Nestled him on layers of silver Glimmer Paper.

Added snow to the background with a gel pen.

Threw some mica flakes in for good measure!

Here's how he looks close up.

...and the inside of the card.

Here's the sketch...

I was also inspired by Lisa Foster's wonderful collection of snowmen from

U Stamp With Dawn and Friends.  Her choice of color was wonderful!

SUPPLIES:

CARDSTOCK: Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Island Indigo, Glimmer Paper, Whisper White

STAMPS: Snow Much Fun

ACCESSORIES:  Mica Flakes, Cherry Cobbler Quilted Ribbon, polka dot brads, jingle bells, snowburst embossing folder, window sheets, gel pen, crystal effects, Stampin' Dimensionals, sponges.

Sparkling Simply Adorned HSSTC93

The current Hand Stamped Sentiments Challenge is to use the Bargello technique. This is done using strips of paper, fabric, etc and aligning them to form interesting patterns. I've been meaning to make a new insert for my Simply Adorned charm, so I used the technique on a striped paper from Holly Berry Bouquet DSP.



The stripes are trimmed at 1/8" and 1/16" wide and spaced to form a block pattern behind the glimmery snowflake. It does add interest and texture, which I like in that tiny space. Lots of sparkle!



The other side is a scrap of Cherry Cobbler embossed with Snowburst folder. I layered 'wish' from Pennant Parade with a scrap of silver Glimmer Paper. The I stamped the little girl silhouette from Welcome Christmas and punched her out by cutting the image into a strip and feeding it into the Modern Label punch, one side at a time to the size I like.

Added a Bauble and a Trinket Key, with a scrap of Very Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon.

I wore it today & already got compliments :) I heard my first Christmas song on the radio today too, it was Last Christmas by Wham or George Michael. LOL. Not my favorite but I was still excited!! So it begins!

Here's the info on the challenge, maybe you'd like to give it a go?








Have a blessed & creative day! Erika. www.erikaclark.stampinup.net

SIMPLY SPARKLING SSC229

Help! I need an intervention! I should be doing SO many other things, but I'm hooked on making Christmas cards. I was actually dreaming about this sketch. Thinking about it during the sermon at church. While cooking bacon. So the only way to get it off my mind was just to do something about it!

The glimmer paper makes this wreath so dreamy! A few punches from the bird punch, a few glue dots, and some red glimmer holly berries from the owl punch. Finished off with a bow of Real Red 1/4" grosgrain & a rhinestone brad. I wish I had one like this to hang in my house!

The sentiment is from The Sounding Joy. I stamped it on a piece of Whisper White, then trimmed evenly around the word, leaving enough room around all 4 sides to run 2 score lines down each side. The Simply Scored tool makes it look so well finished.

Here's the Stamping 411 sketch...


Can you tell that I do my blogging on my iPhone?!

The main card base is from a Simply Sent kit. These kits are great! Precut, embossed, scalloped. Envelopes & sentiment trim included.


Here's the bird punch that the wreath leaves came from. The wrap & interlock so nicely.


Happy Sunday to all! I'm decorating for Christmas this weekend to leave more time in December for the good stuff.

Have a blessed & creative day! Erika. www.erikaclark.stampinup.net

THE SOUNDING JOY OF JINGLE BELLS!

Today's card is a result of three challenges I was inspired by. I am already so much into the Christmas spirit that I'm all over the web looking at gorgeous, festive crafts & decor.

I made my very own wreath of jingle bells last night! It's only 1-1/2" wide!

It really was easy. I strung Stampin' Up jingle bells onto a length of craft wire and then formed them into a loop. The naturally nestle together in pairs, giving them a nice rounded wreath shape. I then ran one end of the craft wire through the last jingle bell on the opposite end, gently pulled them together, and twisted the craft wire to secure. Like magic! Then I looped some cherry cobbler seam binding ribbon to "hang" it on the card, & embellished with a long, soft Pear Pizzazz bow. This wreath took about 43 bells. The come in a pack of 48 for $2.95, so it's almost a pack. Not bad for a pretty one-of-a-kind card!

I just love the regal look of The Sounding Joy. It is a really elegant set, and makes it easy to create a beautiful looking card.

Here are the challenges I used for inspiration...




PPA119 Pals Paper Arts. I loved her fair, glowing skin tone against the traditional evergreen & dark reds. And look! There are bells in there!



DEEsigns by Nina Dee. If you ever need inspiration, check out her blog. It's brimming with beauty. My long banner of Cherry Cobbler striped grosgrain was perfect for her challenge.



SUPPLY LIST:
PAPER:
Wild Wasabi, Shimmer White
STAMPS:
The Sounding Joy
ACCESSORIES:
Jingle Bells, Basic Rhinestones, Seam Binding Ribbon in Cherry Cobbler & Pear Pizzazz, Striped Grosgrain Ribbon in Cherry Cobbler, Sponges, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Snowburst Embossing Folder
OTHER:
Craft Wire, Oval cutting tool.


Have a blessed & creative day! Erika. www.erikaclark.stampinup.net

NOEL SHADOWBOX FRAME SSC228

I squeezed in a little scrapbooking time today between work, school, mom-taxiing, & laundry. It's framed, but still counts as scrappin', right?

I used a Dollar Tree frame and scrap burlap. Burlap is everywhere right now in the crafty world! Check out Pinterest for lots of ideas. Then I used Stamping 411's sketch challenge as a guide.




Here's the sketch...




I was able to tuck a lot of layers and texture into this little frame. Here's a piece of Stitched Felt Winter Wishes dusted with Galaxy Glitter (gold & silver mixed), trimmed with a Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon bow and Jingle Bells. The backdrop of the wreath is from Delicate Doilies.




The Noel stamp is from Many Merry Messages. I backed it with a few scraps from Deck The Halls DSP cut into flags. I brushed a little glitter on the lettering for good measure! Glitter always helps :)




I love this photo, a sweet memory from last Christmas of going out after school to the paint-your-own-pottery store. If it's the only picture I scrap all season, it'll be enough to keep happy thoughts about!

I'd love to see you try the challenge, if you'd like to try, here's Stamping 411's site.  They not only offer fun challenges, but there are TONS of tutorials there. 

Supply list for shadowbox frame:
Stamps: Delicate Doilies, Many Merry Messages
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake
Paper: Deck The Halls DSP, Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler
Accessories:  Stitched Felt Winter Wishes, Tasteful Trim Bigz Die, Big Shot, Jingle Bells, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon, Galaxy Glitter silver & gold.
Etc: Shadow box frame (dollar tree), burlap (JoAnn Fabrics)


Have a blessed & creative day! Erika. www.erikaclark.stampinup.net

SWEETCAKES BIRTHDAY SET!



WOW, did I have fun making this birthday suite!  An easel card with a tealight birthday cake & box of chocolates tucked inside, gift box, bow, tag, and cupcake wrapper and pick!

First, I LOVE the Domestic Goddess DSP and plan to do so much with it!  The patterns are retro (which I love), yet versatile.  Like the delicate floral patterns I used on this project. Second, I LOVE the Greeting Card Kids.  I can't get enough of their sweet little faces :o)

Third, I LOVE PUNCHES!  This project incorporates over TEN Stampin' Up! Punches.  If you would like to check out a full tutorial on my project, as well as dozens more wonderfully tempting projects for all seasons (just in time for Christmas!!), check out UStampWithDawnandFriends Knock Out Punches!  You will be amazed and instantly hooked on the exciting atmosphere there.  It's a party! Come on over!

Have a Blessed and creative day!  Erika

Tis the Season for Sharing More Swaps!

I just love a good swap! Checking out my tin of swap cards for days afterward, the fruit of so many talented crafty labors! I hosted my first SU! only swap recently. I've shared my Fall themed cards, and now here are all the Christmas!!! Cards!!!! 47 days till Santa comes, y'know.

The first is from Betsy, my upline. This card blew me away because she hand-cut ALL those little postage stamp indentations from the Deck The Halls DSP. The effect was so worthwhile, her card is CUTE!




Here's Judyanne's card. She is the very best at coloring & blending. So much talent! She used Beautiful Season.




Elsie used the very versatile Delicate Doilies set. So pretty with all that texture!




Christmas Lodge was Rachel's pick! This tree is grand enough to stand alone, but hers is shimmery & distressed, and propped up on an easel card with bling. Love it!




I love circles! I have my own board dedicated to them on Pinterest. And I love Lisa's card with circles, rounded corners & lush velvet trim.




Pretty in plaid! Frosted Lodge DSP makes this snowy cabin look so cozy. Wrapped all up with Cherry Cobbler quilted ribbon. Nicely done, Heather!




There. Are you feeling a little Christmas Cheer?!


Have a blessed & creative day! Erika. www.erikaclark.stampinup.net

Sharing Soiree Swaps!

I recently hosted a swap with a bunch of truly talented ladies, and I wanted to share their cards with you. Hopefully you'll be inspired to create, as I certainly was!

The first batch is Fall themed, and tomorrow I'll share the Winter/Christmas.

First up is JoAnn, who made this lovely scallop circle card. It's held together with a cute little belly band, and opens to reveal a little Pool Party message!




Spice cake looks so fresh against Crumb Cake CS!


Next up is Wendy's card. Don't you just love that medallion?! Why haven't I bought that stamp set yet? Those witchy feet are so cute! Love all the punching & techniques. Wicked Cool stamps, wicked cool card!


This card was done by my very talented friend Danyelle.  I LOVE her blog, you have to check it out.She always makes me laugh, but she's sweet too, and so creative!I love this message of gratitude and the lovely tree with just a touch of bling.Hand Penned Holidays, Lovely as a Tree. 

Here is a beautifully detailed card from my friend Iris. Lots of paper piecing and layering here. She always decorates the insides & envelopes to match.



Here's Rose's card. We've been swapping cards for over 4 years! This wreath is from a hostess set in the Holiday Mini. She used the new Dazzling Details to add sparkle to the leaves.




Here's a bunch of chocolate minis I wrapped in Pick Your Poison DSP and plunked them in a dollar bin bucket with dollar bin moss. I know Halloween's over but I think I may do this for Christmas too!



Hope you enjoyed! Please message if you have any questions on supplies used.

Have a blessed & creative day! Erika. www.erikaclark.stampinup.net