Ink N' Scrap Habits

Another Year Flies By

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer E.) — Wed, 22 May 2013 21:15:00 PDT

The challenge this week on the DRS Designs blog is an easy one...Punches!! We all have paper punches don't we? I know I probably have 15 border punches alone! I used one of them to decorate the horizontal panel in the background of this card. Do you consider Nestabilities as paper punches as well? If so, that's what I used for the bird's matted layer so that would count too.

All of the stamped elements on this card are by DRS Designs--the Bird On A Branch (328K) and the Another Year Flies By sentiment (489F). The bird was colored with Copic Markers and then sponged with beige ink while in a Nestie die. Easy and Cute wouldn't you say?

Please join us on the DRS Designs blog and link up your challenge card for a chance to win $10 gift certificate to their online store. The one lucky winner could be you!

Good Luck!

Smiles,

Jennifer

Teachers

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer E.) — Sun, 19 May 2013 04:00:02 PDT

It is important to think of Mom and Dad this time of year, but as the end of the school year draws near, it's important to remember our teachers too. After all, regular K-12 grade school teachers spend more time with our children then we do! Here's a Teacher's Thank You card that will let your teacher know just how much you appreciate his or her hard work.

All of the stamps on this card are by DRS Designs:
The Teacher Touch A Heart Greeting (475G) was cut out with a Nestie die and sponged lightly with red ink,
the Teacher Tools (792G) image was colored with Copic Markers and fussy cut,
and the background was stamped using a portion of the *new* Double Chevron Card Edger (904P).

Finished card size is 4.25" x 5.5."

Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Jennifer

Graduation Stars

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer E.) — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:15:00 PDT

The school year is almost over so it's time to start thinking of graduation cards. I hope the ConGRADulations challenge on the DRS Designs blog will inspire you to get started too. Here's one I created recently that I love, love, love!!!

All of the stamps I used are by DRS Designs. I started by coloring the Shooting Star (509H) with Copic Markers. Then I cut it and matted it using Nestie dies. I created the large banner panel to go behind it and embossed it with a star embossing folder. The background panel was stamped with the Interlocking Star Background (819H) with yellow ink and then the Starry Background (124H) with black ink. I then created a horizontal banner for the conGRADulations sentiment (867D). As a final touch, I added yellow Stickles to the star. Finished card size is 4.25" x 5.5."

Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Jennifer

For Dad

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer E.) — Tue, 14 May 2013 20:18:31 PDT

Hi Everyone!

For starters, I must apologize for having to turn on word verification. I've been getting tons of spam comments over the last 2 days and I'm hoping this will slow it down or perhaps actually stop it. I promise I won't keep it on for long. Please keep leaving comments for me and bear with me thru this difficult time. Thanks! Now,onto something much more fun...

Since Mother's Day has passed it's now time to think about Dad! I'm loving DRS Designs Argyle Background (438P) and the Solid Diamond (441A) that I used to create my own pattern paper on this card.

The sentiment I used for the focal point of my card is the Father's Day Greeting (782G). I sponged it with blue ink while it was still in the Nestability die and matted as shown. I used the last line of the greeting for the tag sentiment by stamping each word under each other rather than keeping it in one line. The tag was adhered using a brad and I used twine to create the tassel. Finished card size is A2- 5.5" x 4.25."

Hope you have a great day!
Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Jennifer

Big Deal Birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer E.) — Wed, 08 May 2013 21:15:01 PDT

The Circle challenge on the DRS Designs Blog this week is full of endless possibilities! Think circle-shaped stamps, die-cuts, embellishments, pattern designs etc.

Here's a cute CAS pocket card I made for the it using my plain and scalloped Circle Nestability dies.

It's difficult to see, but the pocket was embossed with hearts and then I embellished it with the Five Playing Cards (157D).

The pull-out portion was stamped with the Big Deal Birthday Greeting (852G) so that when it's in the pocket, the lower portion of the greeting is covered by the playing cards image. A red Copic Marker was used to fill in the heart and the diamond was paper pieced to make the "is" stand out.

DRS Designs is giving away 2 FREE stamps of your choice to 1 lucky winner just for playing along. Won't you join us?

Smiles,

Jennifer

Leave A Path

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer E.) — Tue, 07 May 2013 20:38:56 PDT

Way back in 2009 when I was playing around with Alcohol Inks and created this Graduation card I had several practice pieces that were stamped with the Silhouette Hilker (1026G) left over. As with all of my stamping "scraps" I keep them neatly tucked away in a binder in case I can find a future use for them. I was conveniently able to put one of them to use use for this non-traditional graduation card I'm sharing with you today.

The image panel started as glossy white cardstock. I sponged on blue and silver alcohol inks for the sky and the ground was done using greens and gold. I used Staz On ink and my Stamp-a-ma-jig to strategically place the Hiker image along the line where the 2 colors met. I wanted it to look like he was over looking a mountain. I split up the Leave A Path Greeting (860G) and stamped the Hiker Boot Prints (946D) to embellish the bottom of the card front.

Graduation cards don't always have to depict a cap and gown or other school-type images. The stamps I've used on this graduation card make it unique since graduation isn't an ending. It's just beginning of the next chapter in someone's life, and this greeting is all about heading out on your own and making a difference!

I hope I've inspired you today!

Smiles,

Jennifer

Thinking of You

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer E.) — Sat, 04 May 2013 04:00:00 PDT

I recently saw a few cards on SCS that used heat embossing on kraft cardstock with white embossing powder rather than embossing with black on white cardstock. What a beautiful look! I tried this technique and I love the results!

It was also a nice change to color the Flower Border (1076H) with Watercolor pencils and blend them with water rather than use my fave Copic Markers. The background was stamped with Versamark ink using a daisy flower that has been retired and I used a portion of the Sitting Thinking Greeting (398F) for the sentiment. This was definitely "out of the box" for me but I think it turned out very pretty. What do you think?

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Thanks for stoppin' by!

Smiles,

Jennifer

Butterflies

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer E.) — Wed, 01 May 2013 21:15:00 PDT

Things have gotten so crazy lately that I don't know if I'm coming or going, so there hasn't been much stamping time. The small blocks of time that I do have I've been using as stress relievers and I've tried to come up with some CAS cards. I'm happy to be able to show you some of them today! These cards were made with the DRS Designs butterfly challenge in mind and for some swaps that I'm in--I thought it would be best to try to maximize my time and "kill 2 birds with one stone" as they say.

These are 3.5" x 5" note cards. As you can see I stamped the Textured Butterfly (985E) randomly with different combinations of ink for each card. The center butterfly was embellished with pearls or matching rhinestones and the Butterfly Greeting (349F) was stamped at the bottom of each card front. I used foam tape to adhere each front to the same color cardstock base. The extra dimension and butterfly body embellishments really give these cards some simple elegance.

The best part is that these all-occasion cards could be used for any purpose. I've even used this design for birthday and sympathy cards as well, just by changing the greeting!
I love that!

I hope I've inspired you today!
Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Jennifer

Mother's Day Rose

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer E.) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:00:10 PDT

DRS Designs is featuring the fun Argyle Background stamp (438P) this month and today's Mother's Day card shows you how it works!

I first stamped the Argyle Background with black ink. Then I used the Argyle Diamond (441A) to add color to it. To do this, I first stamped the dark black diamonds using a dark pink ink and then I used a lighter pink ink to stamp the dotted diamonds on either side of the dark one. It's so easy, but I can understand if you need more examples. Just click THIS LINK to view other posts on the DRS Designs Blog that feature the Argyle Background.

Here are few more details on the card seen above:
The focal point is the Single Rose (774G). I colored it with Copic Markers and then sponged pink ink around it while it was in a Nestability die. (That's how I got the white frame around it.) I used the Mother's Day Greeting (783G) for the sentiment but split it up and put "Happy Mother's Day" on the banner below the image. A little layering and a border punch helped complete this layout. Finished card size is 4.25" x 5.5"

Hope you enjoyed seeing it!
Have a great day!

Smiles,

Jennifer

First Communion Chalice

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer E.) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 08:38:30 PDT

One of the things I love about DRS Designs is that they have stamps for every occasion that you could ever need a card for! My little cousin is making her first communion next weekend and I was glad I was able to handmake this card for her rather than having to buy one. Thanks for coming to my rescue, DRS Designs!

I've used the Chalice (912K) and the Communion Greeting (401F) on my card front. The chalice was colored with Copic Markers and fussy cut out. I added some Diamond Glaze to the cross on the front of it to make it stand out better and enhance it. Then I adhered it in place over top of the embossed panel. The brown cardstock you see is actually a metallic copper. It really made this card elegant!

Hope your Monday is off to a great start and thanks for taking the time from your busy day to stop by! I appreciate your visit and your comments!

Smiles,

Jennifer

For Your Shower

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer E.) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:15:00 PDT

Here's my challenge card for this week's "Pastels" challenge on the DRS Designs Blog. I know my pink fits, but my blue is stretching it a bit! I didn't have enough baby blue card stock, so "what you see is what you get," as they say! Regardless, it turned out to be a cute baby shower card, don't you think?

All of the stamps on this card are by DRS Designs and were just released over the last few weeks:
Umbrella (817G)
For Your Shower sentiment (835D)
Double Chevron Card Edger (904P)

I colored the umbrella with Copic Markers and then sponged light blue ink around it while it was in a Nestie die. For the background panel, I stamped the solid Chevron with light blue and light pink ink, and the pink panel was embossed using the Swiss Dots Embossing Folder. In the empty space in the bottom right corner, I stamped the shower sentiment. This stamp is actually a one-line sentiment, but to fit the area where I wanted the sentiment to go, I cut my cling-mounted stamp so that each word was separate. Then I arranged them on an acrylic block and stamped them as shown. (I love the versatility of cling-mounted stamps!)

Don't forget to head over to the DRS Blog and check out the Pastels challenge. This weeks prize is a set of 3 stamps that include the adorable Playful Pups (1110H) and 2 sentiments to go with them.

Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Jennifer

Bee-Cause

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer E.) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 05:06:49 PDT

DRS Designs is sponsoring the challenges over at the 365 Cards blog this week. The theme for today is "Throwback from 2011." We can pick any theme they featured in 2011. I've used Day 277, "Pick 3," to use any three scrappy items on your card. I've used glitter, markers, and banner dies.

All of the stamped elements are by DRS Designs:

Bee-Cause You're Special (544F)

Happy Bee (561C)

Bitsy Bumble Bee (1020A)

Each of the small Bitsy Bee images were colored with Copic Markers and fussy cut. The larger Happy Bee was stamped directly on to the yellow cardstock and colored with Copic Markers. Then I stamped it again on white cardstock and paper pieced the wings. Once all of the bees were in place I added some stickles to their wings to dress it up a bit. Finished card size is 4.25" x 5.5."

Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Jennifer

Cat's Meow

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer E.) — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 19:20:06 PDT

I've just returned from a 4 day stamping retreat with the girls from the Stamp Shack. It's an event we do every year and it was wonderful! However, it seems every year the time goes by faster and faster. (They do say "Time flies when you're having fun!") Over the course of the weekend I made about 22 cards!! Below is one of them.

One of the girls there was making "Happy Birthday, you old bag!" cards by actually stamping on a brown paper lunch bag. I thought that was a clever idea and did the same for this card.

To start, I stamped Vicki's Versatile Background (369H) on white and kraft cardstock. I adhered the 2 layers together and covered the seam with some yummy brown ribbon. Next, I stamped the Cat In The Bag (118H) image twice, once on a brown paper lunch bag and then again on white cardstock. The cat was colored with Copic Markers and then the bag in the image was paper pieced with the image that was stamped on the brown bag. I split up the Cat's Meow Birthday Greeting (1125G) and added the "Happy Birthday" portion on a popped up sentiment banner.

Great idea for a great card, don't you think?
Thanks, Angie!

Smiles,

Jennifer

Just Poppin' In

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer E.) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 21:15:00 PDT

It's Thursday already and that means there's a new blog challenge over at DRS Designs! This week's theme...Bows! I made this fun popcorn note card for the challenge.

I used the Bowl of Popcorn (1131G) as the focal image and colored it with Copic Markers. The pattern paper was made by stamping the Popcorn Background (1124H) repeatedly and the kernels were highlighted with Copic Markers as well to make them look like it was topped with movie theater butter, YUM! I used a border punch on the card front to shorten it up a bit and a red ribbon was added above the decorated edge with a bow. The bottom of the red card base was stamped with the beginning portion of the Just Poppin' In Greeting (156D). The inside of this 3.5" x 5" note card reads "to say Hi!"

Smiles,

Jennifer

Best Wishes on Your Shower

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer E.) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 17:00:05 PDT

As someone who makes handmade cards regularly, I really despise having to buy them. I like to be able to plan ahead and make one ahead of time when needed. When I saw that DRS Designs was adding some wedding/baby shower themed stamps, I was over the top excited! These stamps were definitely missing from my collection and I was always buying cards for these occasions.

I stamped up this card to give to one of my friends for her Wedding shower. It uses 2 of the new shower stamps--the Umbrella (817G), and the Rain Down Greeting (837F). (The For Your Shower Greeting (835D) is also new.) I stamped the Raindrops (1012H) in the background. The umbrella was colored with Copic Markers, fussy cut, and then adhered on to a scalloped circle that was embossed with polka dots. The center panel was lined with cardstock that was punched with a border punch. Then after stamping the sentiment on it the bottom portion and adhering the image to it, it was adhered to the card front with foam tape for dimension. A bit of purple and white twine embellished it nicely.

Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Jennifer

Cancer Cannot!

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer E.) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 21:15:00 PDT

Working in the medical field I see cancer patients everyday. I feel that it's my job not only to make sure I get patients through the diagnostic test they are undergoing, but also to help boost their spirit and to help them continue to fight. Because of that, this Cancer Is... poem (113L) means a lot to me. Every person has a story and this message is so true--CANCER IS LIMITED!

I made this card for the sewing challenge that can be found on the DRS Designs Blog this week. I stamped the background repeatedly using the Support Ribbon (063D) and then I colored them pink with Copic Markers for breast cancer awareness. I used the faux stitching technique to qualify this card for the sewing challenge. To do so, I paper pierced along the inside border of the black cardfront and then connected the dots with a white gel pen. Matted layers, sponging, border punching and the use of a nice black ribbon tied in a knot made this card complete!

Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Jennifer

What's Your Suit?

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer E.) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 08:20:09 PDT

DRS Designs is this week's sponsor on the Wicked Wednesday ATC Blog. For playing along with the challenge theme "Show Us Your Suit" you could win a $15 store voucher to DRS Designs. Appropriate images for this challenge would be playing cards, poker images, card suits etc. Remember, you have to create an ATC for this challenge! Here's mine:

This was made using DRS Designs 4 suits vertical (1134F) and the soon to be released Big Deal Birthday Greeting (852D). (Shhh, don't tell anyone I used it! *wink*) Then I used the ATC as a part of this card:

Finished card size is 5.5" x 4.25."

Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Jennifer

Heartfelt Condolences

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer E.) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 07:34:38 PDT

For so many people I know 2013 has not been very kind. Unfortunately, I've needed more sympathy cards this thus far than I care to count. I'm hoping and praying that the second half of 2013 gets better.

Here's another sympathy card I created for a friend. The stamped elements on this card are DRS Designs Single Rose (774G) and the One Line Heartfelt Condolences (321D). I kept things simple--just some sponging, dry embossing with the very elegant Swiss Dots folder, a border punch, and a well tied ribbon made this card complete.

Until next time, have a wonderful day!

Smiles,

Jennifer

3 Little Pigs

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer E.) — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 10:27:14 PDT

Nope, I'm not referring to the children's book here, just this this cute birthday card I whipped up!

I love this image of Leonard Pig's Bathtime Buddies (719K)! Since the mud around them is a solid silhouette, I thought it was best to stamp them with brown ink. Then I added some accents with a pink Copic Marker. The Hogwash sentiment (722E) was also stamped in brown ink. I kept my layout simple and used the Cuttlebug Birthday embossing folder for the background and then sponged Vintage Photo ink over the top of the Kraft cardstock. This panel was then matted with dark brown cardstock that was punched to create a decorative edge. A few brads dressed up this simple 4.25" x 5.5." card nicely.

I've entered this in the 365 Cards challenge for Sponging and Embossing.

Thanks for visiting here today. See you next time!

Smiles,

Jennifer

Fisherman's Birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer E.) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 01:00:04 PDT

Hello Stampers!
Today I have a Clean and (rather) Simple Masculine Birthday card to share with you. I've used the Jumping Fish (325L) and the Tiny Happy Birthday (1081A) sentiment.

I started by stamping and coloring the image with Copic Markers. It was cut out using a decorative Nestie Die that fit the image tightly and then I sponged light blue ink along the top edge of the image to create the sky.

The background panel was matted with green trim and I used an embossing folder to give it texture. The image was adhered in the center and I added 3 Copper brads to the circles on the far left side. I embellished the bottom of the image with some natural twine that was wrapped around twice and tied in a knot. Next, I created a tag using the Birthday sentiment as shown and it was adhered just under the twine knot. The image panel was adhered onto a blue cardstock base that measures 4.45" x 5.5."

Does Dad like to fish? Don't forget that a card like this could easily be turned into a Father's Day card by just changing up the sentiment.

Thanks for visiting here today!

Smiles,

Jennifer

Jelly Beans!

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer E.) — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 01:00:10 PDT

Happy Easter!

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and if you are off of work or school this week, enjoy that too! I unfortunately won't be enjoying either. I have to work today and the rest of this week, but it's ok! I have some time away from work coming up very soon and I'm spending it with a bunch of crafty friends--nothing but stamping for 4 whole days! More on that later. For now how about this fun Jelly Bean Easter card?!?!?

All of the stamps I used on this card are by DRS Designs. I started by stamping the Full Belly Easter Greeting (230H) with dark purple ink. While it was in a Nestie die I sponged the inside edge with pink ink. For the bottom panel, I stamped the Jelly Bean Jumble Background (241D) repeatedly and colored them with Copic Markers in fun Spring-time colors to match.

I also created this card with the DRS Blog challenge in mind this week to use paper flowers. I added a purple Prima flower for the challenge that was embellished with a light pink button that was threaded with purple and white twine bow. The shimmer purple cardstock base measures 4.25" x 5.5."

I hope you have fun hunting for eggs and lovin' up the Easter Bunny!
Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Jennifer

With Faith

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer E.) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 18:20:18 PDT

There's a new challenge this week over at DRS Designs and the theme is "Paper Flowers." I didn't originally plan for this to be my challenge card, but since it's Holy week I thought something with a religious theme was more appropriate. No worries though, you'll see my other challenge card in just a few days!

This is a note card that measures 3.5" x 5." I used the Impossible Faith Greeting (1025G) on the banner for the focal point of my card. I stamped it in 2 colors of ink to highlight the word "Faith." It is popped up to add a bit of dimension. Off to the side of the card front I also stamped the Triple Crosses (510G) using Versamark ink. Can you identify the other 2 stamps I used on this card?

The background design is not designer paper--I stamped it using the Original Plaid Background (641P). Can you see the pattern on the flower petals? That was done with the Material Maker Square (583L). I stamped my cardstock with it before cutting the flowers out with a paper punch. They were also adhered using foam tape. A decorative border punch and some lime-green twine helped finished this card nicely.

I also created this card for this week's Ways To Use It Challenge on SCS to use gingham.

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Smiles,

Jennifer

Under The Weather

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer E.) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 04:00:18 PDT

Looking for another opportunity to win a $15 store voucher to DRS Designs? Use the (Oh, so cute!) inspiration photo below to create a card and then run over to the Cupcake Inspiration Challenge Blog to link it up for your chance to win.

On first glance, I was going to create an Easter card for my challenge project, but I decided on a Get Well card instead using the adorable Ducks Decoration image (565H).

The flower in this image reminded me of an umbrella and it's almost like the Chicks are hiding from the rain. So, I colored the image with Copic Markers, masked it and stamped the Raindrop Background (1012H) over top. I also used the Easy Grass Background (059E) at the bottom. This little scene is perfect for the Under The Weather greeting (047G). Finished card size is 4.25" x 5.5."

Hope you like it!

Smiles,

Jennifer

Easter Lily

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer E.) — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 18:09:10 PDT

Easter is one week away! It's hard to believe that it's even Spring with all of the cold weather and pending snow we have on the way. We may just have to do the Easter Egg Hunt indoors this year.

Today I'm sharing one of my last few Easter cards with you. Both the image and sentiment are by DRS Designs. I colored the Circle Lily (437G) with Copic Markers and fussy cut it. This was rather easy though, since I just cut on the thick black line around the image and then around the lily flowers that stick out beyond the circle. The Abundance of Spring Greeting (527G) was stamped on the background panel next to the image as shown. After layering some pastel cardstock and using a border punch on the bottom-most layer, the card front was adhered on to a pink cardstock base. Finished size measures 5" x 3.5." To add to it's elegant look, I added different sized pearls to the bottom border.

Well, that's it for now. Gotta finish cleaning up my *extremely* messy crafting desk.

Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Jennifer

So Long Winter!

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer E.) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 01:00:00 PDT

Yeah, it's the First Day of Spring!

I'm ready to say "So Long Winter!"

In honor of the big change of seasons, I've created this card. Both the Flower Border (1076H) and the Goodbye Winter Greeting (384G) are from DRS Designs.

The flower border was colored with Copic Markers and fussy cut. Then I adhered them in place above and below the sentiment as shown. The middle flower on the bottom panel was popped up for dimension.

How's the weather in your neck of the woods?
Are you ready to say "So Long" to Winter too?

Smiles,

Jennifer