Honeycomb Happiness & Bloomin' Love for HSS230

Pin It Now! It's about time for creating Valentines!  Love the soft pink and blue of Blushing Bride & Soft Sky.  Using the latest sketch from Hand Stamped Sentiments, here's my first Valentine of 2016 :D  But scroll all the way down, there are 2 cards for this sketch!

The sketch: Click on the pic to visit HSS for more inspiration!

I love this suite from the Spring Mini! Not just for Valentine's Day, this one can be used just for an all occasion card for a friend.  

I thought the sketch was so much fun, I decided to make one more with it! 

How do you like this SWEET chick?!  It would make anyone's day brighter. Honeycomb Happiness is a Sale-A-Bration set that you can get for FREE with any $50 order.  I'll be making a bunch of cards up with this fun set. I'm thinkin' Easter...

Don't forget to check out Hand Stamped Sentiments for this quick and easy sketch!  I'd love to see what you do!

SUPPLY LIST:

STAMPS: Honeycomb Happiness, Bloomin' Love

A Stamp Rewind for My Anniversary

Pin It Now! You hoard retired stamp sets like me, don't you? I'm not alone here?!  As a demo, I find myself trying to use the current sets because, of course, they're fresh and new. But for my 15th Anniversary this week, I found myself at a loss for a perfect stamp. But looking around my room, I saw that I had amazing stamps...they're everywhere!

This was more or less the sketch from last week's challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments, and I CASE'd the style of Diana Eichfeld with her pretty challenge winner. 

My husband collects clocks, so the cuckoo clock from Forever Young was perfect. And "Love always" was layered from a retired Valentine set, Affection Collection. I used an interesting die cut that complemented the shaped of the clock, and added woodgrain embossing. 

I think what he said was, "Wow, baby, you really did a nice job!"  :D I get that a lot. Haha. 

So, pull out those old stamp sets, blow off the dust, and ink them up!

SUPPLIES:

STAMPS: Forever Young, Affection Collection (both retired)

INK: Blackberry Bliss, Gold Stampin' Emboss, Versamark, 

PAPER: Blackberry Bliss, Brushed Gold, Watercolor paper

EMBELLISHMENTS: Gold Sequin Trim, Apothecary Labels Thinlits dies, 2-1/2" circle punch, Mossy Measow striped satin ribbon, Naturals button, corner round punch, Woodgrain embossing folder

"LOVE" this Geometric Card!

Pin It Now! There's a fun color combo that's so appropriate for Valentine's Day that I wouldn't dare call it a "challenge"!  Here I have made a card from triangles for one of my sons - even with the Melon Mambo, I think it'll pass for masculine.

The card base is 5-1/4" square, layering white on black.  Then I added a layer of vellum to soften it up a bit.  The sentiment was heat embossed with Melon Mambo Stampin' Emboss (so glad I have that on hand!) and I placed a 1-3/8" circle punch of white behind it to give it a little frame.  The squares are 1", cut in half diagonally, using Basic Black, Melon Mambo, and Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer.

Inside, a retired sentiment that I use a lot.  Sweet and simple.  

I'm also waiting for my spring order to come in...I'm late to the party!  Had so many other responsibilities calling my name this month!  

You simply have to play along this time - who doesn't need to make a Valentine for someone?  

Thanks for stopping by!

SUPPLY LIST:

STAMPS:  Something to Say

INK:  Versamark, Melon Mambo Stampin' Emboss powder, Basic Black

PAPER:  Basic Black, Whisper White, Vellum, Melon Mambo, Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer paper, Vintage Typeset DSP (diagonal stripe)

EMBELLISHMENTS:  Strawberry Slush thick twine, Basic Rhinestones

Paper Pumpkin Love Notes Kit January 2014 - My Take!

Pin It Now! I wanted to share what I did with January's My Paper Pumpkin Kit.  This package includes reversible cardstock - kraft on one side, Calypso Coral and Bermuda Bay on reverse.  Here's the kit, right out of the box:

And here are my finished projects.  They went a long way!

I have done all these projects, with plenty of leftover supplies, PLUS the stamps to keep forever, and a FREE box of In-Color Embellishments as a GIFT from Stampin' Up! as a thanks for my membership!

* Birthday card for a teenager

* 12 Valentines for my son's party!

* Get well card for a guy

I got February's kit in the mail yesterday, and it's AWESOME.  Gift bags to personalize!  Tons of ribbon, circle stamps, and round die cuts to layer.  I see a banner in my near future~

Have a blessed and creative day! ~ Erika

Geek Love Valentines - My Sons' Projects

Pin It Now! I'm a homeschool mom of two boys, (almost) 10 and 13 years old.  So when it came to Valentine cards they said, "Yes" but "only if they're cool".  These are the cards we came up with for the homeschool group party!

This is CJ's card.  He wanted I LIKE YOU, not LOVE.  So we went with this simple card front.
- Starburst Sayings bundle (stamp, circle die)
- On Film Framelits Die (arrow)
- Chevron embossing and ribbon

The cool part is the inside...a 3D pop up heart!

You can find the printable template to make this pop up insert on my Pinterest here. 

Ryan is my crafty guy.  He's the one that always finds me when I sneak off to my room.  He wanted a card that would showcase his Perler Bead creations - these cool little hearts that he made all on his own!

So I used January's Paper Pumpkin Kit!  I cut the cards up into colorful little 2.75" squares and embellished them with the die cuts and stamps included in the kit. 

I love the input I got from the guys.  They'll be proud to give them out.  They're not too sappy, but they're homemade and definitely from the heart.

Here's the Paper Pumpkin Kit:

If you join now, SU will include a Stampin' Write Marker set!  Email me at inkypinkies at hotmail dot com if you're interested and I can give you more details!  $20. a month, delivered to your door!  Fabulous kits, stamps, and accessories!

Have a blessed and creative day!

Mini Coffee Cup Valentines & Birthday Favors

Pin It Now! By now you've probably seen these adorable mini coffee cups! They are too, too sweet!

I wanted to share a couple of projects I've made with them this week.

The first is a set of Valentine's Day treat cups I made for my card swap ladies. Inside each one is a big ol' Rafaello Coconut Truffle.  Mmm, luscious! 

Here's a little secret-the stir sticks are from Krispy Kreme.  Shhhhh! Cut them in half, they're the perfect size. 

Here are some little birthday favors for twin sisters!  

The Valentine cups are decorated using the Sweet Valentine Sacks kit available for a limited time. I got the idea from fellow demo Deseree Krumm. 

Also, there are some easy templates available to print, cut, and trace onto your choice of papers here.  

Thanks to these ladies for the inspiration!  

Have a blessed and creative day ~ Erika

His & Hers Clean & Simple Valentines

Pin It Now!

Happy Friday to you!  Today I'm sharing a clean and simple card that can be used as a Valentine, Thank You, or simply a "thinking of you".  

I first made the pink one, liked it, and wondered what it would look like in more masculine colors...because though my man is secure in his masculinity, he'd probably prefer a more rugged card.  So I believe I've got my hubby's Valentine done!  

This is a versatile layout that anyone can rock!  I got my inspiration for the layout from a card on my CAS Pinterest board.  

Here's a quick list of measurements:

Card base, standard 4-1/4 x 11, score at 5-1/2" to make a lengthwise card.

DSP: 2" x 4-1/4".  

2-1/2" circle punch for the sentiment. 

The little notches for the baker's twine is the 3/8" circle punch.

That's it!  Embellish as you please!

Here's a closer look:  The masculine card has a small loop of Basic Black Chevron ribbon and a little wooden heart (Wooden Elements, Spring 2014 mini).

The strawberry one is trimmed with Coastal Cabana Stretch Ruffle Trim, and a tiny heart punched with the Owl Punch. 

Have a blessed and creative day!  ~Erika

Supplies:

Stamps:  See Ya Later (Saleabration 2014)

Ink:  basic Black, Coastal Cabana, Real Red

Paper:  Brights DSP, In Color DSP, Strawberry Slush, Basic Black, Whisper White

Embellies:  wooden Elements, Basic Black Chevron Ribbon, Gold Twine

Punches:  2-1/2" circle, corner rounder, 3/8" circle punch, Owl Builder Punch

Big Shot:  decorative dots TIEF 

Ruffled Flowerfull Heart Valentine's Day Cards

Pin It Now! I sat down to make a handful of Valentines using Freshly Made Sketches #120,  a great clean & simple sketch. I loved the elements of this card, and decided to make each one just a little different.

They all use the same elements - Strawberry Slush Stretch ruffled ribbon, polka dot paper, embossing, and that pretty Flowerfull Heart that SU has introduced for Valentine's Day 2014.   But I don't like to repeat myself too many times, so to keep the creativity flowing in the snowed in craft room, I simply shifted things around on each card.  

I think this next one is my personal favorite!

No, maybe this one is...I think my mom will get this pretty one!

This one was made with hearts that were laying on my desk from this valentine card from last week.  

Here's a look at the sketch.  You should pay a visit to Freshly Made Sketches, and get ahead on your Valentine card making, too!  

File Folder Valentine, Hearts A Flutter

Pin It Now! Hello, crafty friend!  I have another Valentine card to share today.  I'm making LOTS of Valentines this year, because I'm determined to send them out all over the place this year!

Here's a file folder card made with the Envelope Punch Board.  These are SO fun to make, and only take a minute more than a standard card to make.  I used these instructions from a printable I found on Pinterest.

I love the color combo from the current challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments:

Strawberry Slush

Coastal Cabana

Wisteria Wonder

What a fresh color pallette!  

Closer up, you can see I've used the heart framelit from Hearts A Flutter for the cute doily heart stamped in Wisteria Wonder, heat embossed  "sweet little you" from Perfectly You, punched a chevron banner with the Chevron punch, and sprinkled hearts about with SU's heart punch (retired, why do they do that?!). The little floral strip that you see under the chevron banner is DSP from the Mini Memories Simply Created Mini Album (Spring 2014). 

Inside, from Perfectly You and colored with Stampin' Write markers and Aqua painter. 

I've used the sketch from Create with Connie & Mary, turning it on its side. Super cool sketch, I wouldn't have added the glitter hearts if they hadn't suggested it in the sketch!  Love it!

SUPPLIES:

STAMPS:  Perfectly You, Hearts A flutter, Delightful Dozen (retired)

INK: Wisteria Wonder, Jet Black Staz On, Coastal Cabana, Strawberry Slush

PAPER:  Strawberry Slush CS, Whisper White CS, In Color 13-15 DSP Stack, Coastal Cabana CS, Silver Glimmer, DSP floral print from Mini Memories Simply Created Mini Album (Spring 2014)

EMBELLISHMENTS:  Pool Party Twine (SAB 2014), 

PUNCHES: chevron punch, hearts punch

BIG SHOT:  Hearts a Flutter Framelits

ENVELOPE PUNCH BOARD, CROP A DILE

Banner Blast Valentine's Day Cards

Pin It Now! Hey crafty friend!  Are you keeping warm?  It's minus 5 degrees outside as I'm writing!  But I'm cozied up in my craft room with a hot chai latte'.  Warm puppy at my feet.  Ahhhh.

My first Valentine of the season!  Boy, am I glad to see fresh, bright colors like these.  Have a little peek at some upcoming Sale-A-Bration items.

The cute little banners are made with the SAB Banner Blast stamp set (the center banner) and coordinating banner punch.  No more worrying over crooked banner ends!  Just punch, punch, punch. 

The center stamp, "Love", is covered with Iridescent Ice heat embossing powder to give a little oomph. 

Patterned paper is Fresh Prints Designer Paper Stack.  These 4.5 x 6.5 papers are just the right size and easy to store!

I think I like this red background  best.

Be My Valentine is from Delightful Dozen (#122652 $24.95). It's just right with a red Glimmer heart!

I'm playing with the Monday Lunchtime Sketch TSSC296. Nice sketch, I love clean sketches, you can literally go anywhere with them!  Love the inspiration from the designers, too!  Heck, who doesn't love a banner?!

Have a blessed & creative day!  Stay cozy ~ Erika

Valentine's Soda Pop Treat Hanger {Template}

Pin It Now! Here's what I gave to my boys for Valentine's Day.

They're really into Cheerwine in the retro glass bottle, and it does make a cute treat holder! Normally I'd use a bottled water, but today is a sweet day.

This hang tag is just the right size for a full size bag of M&Ms. Here's the template, rough but it's all there :).

Have you got all your loved ones a sweet surprise today? There's still time!

Have a sweet, CHEERful day!

Quickie Valentine Treats

Pin It Now! Here's a super quick project to put together for a class or a group of friends. My 8 year old and I put a dozen of these together in 15 minutes before youth group tonight!

Just a little Polka Dot Parade DSP, 4" x 1-1/2", punched on the end, and a layer of scallop circle punched Glimmer Paper with a circle punched image from Mixed Medley hostess set.

Have a willing assistant stuff 12 conversation hearts in each cello bag and you're out the door, no more than 10 minutes late :) My friends know that is Right On Time for me.

Have a lovely Valentine's Day! Erika

My Guy Valentine

Pin It Now! Here's the Valentine I made for my husband.

I love this Sale-A-Bration set, Feeling Sentimental.  So far, I've only used it for more masculine cards, but I'd love to try it with a pink card.

Here's the inside, from Affection Collection.

Here are some simple note cards I made using all the images in this set.  They're for sale in my Etsy shop!

I hope you're having a nice Valentine's Day.  Don't forget to do something nice for someone particularly special - yourself!  

Mini Envelopes Valentine's Banner

Pin It Now! I love Valentine's Day, now that I have a sweet husband and two lovely sons, who think I'm number 1!  Not so much stress involved, I like it that way :)

I set out to make a sort of countdown to Valentine's Day this year, and came up with this little trio of banners made with SU's mini envelope Bigz die.

I cut envelopes from alternating white and two patterns from the super pretty Tea Time DSP. Added lots of embellishments from the Artisan Embellishments kit and a couple of the little tiny Pop Top embellishments.  Also some of the delicate Flower Trim (oh, how I love that stuff).

 I strung them onto the new Natural ribbon from the spring mini, it's very much like burlap, but nice and neat.

I plan to fill them with tiny candy treats and "Love You Because" type of notes.  I think it's especially important to let people know not only that you love them, but specifically why you love them as individuals.  Now I have more than one day to get my points across :)

Have a lovely day, my crafty friend!  ~Erika