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

Tag Topper Punch Trifold Card

Pin It Now! I love this new Tag Topper Punch.  I've always had a fascination with tags, and this opens up my cardmaking world to so many new ideas!

Today I want to share another card fold using the tag topper punch.

It's a pretty easy, but a nice surprise of a fold!  The card base is 5-1/2 x 11".  Simply score the left side of the cardstock at 4-1/4 & 8-1/2, and the remaining flap gets the Tag Topper Punch. 

Inside, from Kind and Cozy.  This is appropriate for sympathy, get well, or just - well - Thinking Of You!

DSP:  Sweet Sorbet

STAMP:  Kind & Cozy

Thanks for stopping by!

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!

Spiral Flower on Tag Topper Side Fold Card

Pin It Now! I have pretty colors and fancy folds to show you today!

Here's a trending technique - creating a trifold card with a special closure using the Tag Topper Punch. 

You can find a video here on how this tag topper closure is done.  

I have finished my card using Sweet Sorbet DSP and twine from the matching Accessory Pack available in the Sale-A-Bration brochure going on now!  

Inside: Again, Petal Parade from Sale-A-Bration, but the sentiment is from Another Great Year.

Check out this lovely flower!  It's made in a snap using the new Spiral Flower Originals Die.  I will tell you that there's a learning curve involved with this...don't give up, because when you find your "style" of flower, you'll love it:  Here are a couple of tips:

1 - I found that the Core'dinations paper worked by far the best for holding  the petal shape.

2 - Use a hot glue gun once you get it worked out right.  You don't want this flower falling apart!

3 - Use your bone folder to shape the petals before rolling it up.

4 - This flower is my prettiest one, and it was my eighth try!!!!  I will make more!

With the bulk of this card, it either needs to be hand delivered or sent in a box-type envelope.  I have glassine bags available in my Etsy Shop!  These are great to show off your work.


Have a blessed and creative day!  ~ Erika

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

Hello Friend! Hipster Camera Card

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I'm digging into some new stamp sets this week, and up first is the new bundle featuring the stamp set Peachy Keen!  A super hip, modern set that is sure to please the younger set.  My 9 year old, Ryan, thinks it's cool ;)

The color combo we're challenging you to use this week at Hand Stamped Sentiments is:
Midnight Muse
Smoky Slate
Rose Red.

This one did have me scratching my head for awhile, but a little inky time fixed me up!

The little camera cutout is done with the Envelope Punch Board.  It's a piece of Smoky Slate, 2-3/4" x 4-1/4", and scored at 2-7/8", flip it over, and score again at 2-7/8". Round the corners, and you have a cute centerpiece!

Come on over to Hand Stamped Sentiments and see the inspiration the other designers have posted!  I'd love to see what you make!

Have a blessed and creative day ~ Erika

Supplies:

Stamps:  Peachy Keen

Ink:  Rose Red, Midnight Muse, Basic Black

Paper: Midnight Muse, Smoky Slate, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer

Embellishments:  Hardware Clip, Wooden Elements, White Bakers Twine

Big Shot:  Chevron Embossing Folder

Envelope Punch Board, Corner Rounder Punch

His & Hers Clean & Simple Valentines

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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