Lily's Ink Pad

My Inky Friends Handmade Holidays Blog Hop: Snowmen Season

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Sat, 14 Dec 2019 01:33:00 +0000

Welcome to the Lily Ink Pad stop for the My Inky Friends Handmade Holidays Blog Hop. You may be starting here, or perhaps you came from Holly's blog where she featured Cup of Christmas. The third option is hopping backwards from Elizabeth's blog.

I've loved snowmen forever, so when Stampin' Up! published the Holiday Catalog with a stamp set and coordinating SNOWMAN PUNCH! So, I've used this set for every event I've had this fall.

Here's my first project:

This card turned out looking patriotic, even though it wasn't my original intention. I really like it, though. The card sketch is fun and helps use both sides of your Designer Series Paper. The Blueberry Bushel rectangle is a great contrast to the Whisper White Snowman. The punch perfectly cuts out the snowman to make your job easy!

Here's my second project:

I wanted to show my stampers how easy it is to make a fun, interactive card. this one just requires attaching the inner message correctly to the image back. The tag is pulled out to reveal the message. I used the magic foaming stuff (I cannot think of the name right now) to add some flair to the snowballs.

My final project is this:

I made the card on the left first. I wanted a quick, simple, and cute care that could easily be mass produced. I do like it, but it's so hard for me to not color the snowman! I then made a colored version. They are so fun!

I hope you like my projects! Now, you can visit Liz's Gold Box to see her projects or go back to Holly's ideas!

Happy Stamping!

Sara

My Inky Friends Suite Designs 2019 Blog Hop: Pressed Petals

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Fri, 09 Aug 2019 15:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the Suite Designs Blog Hop by My Inky Friends. This month, we each picked a suite from the 2019-2020 Annual Catalog. You may be starting here with my Pressed Petals Suite project or perhaps you came from Elizabeth's Come Sail Away projects. After me is Shelley with DinoRoar. How cool is this hop? Super cool.

I chose Pressed Petals because I just can't stop creating with this paper. I love wildflowers, perhaps that's why!

I wanted a reason to show off the lovely Designer Series Paper. Because it's a thinner paper (with a larger quantity of pages), it is PERFECT for this fold:

I used the Petals Label Dies along with the Path of Petals Stamp Set for the sentiment and center piece. They go so well together. I also used the Rococo Rose Gathered Ribbon for a band around the Designer Series Paper. I also added some dimension with the Tufted 3D embossing folder. It's not officially part of the suite, but I think it fits in perfectly.

To do the double drapery fold, I cut a 5 1/2 by 10 inch piece of the Designer Series Paper. I then scored every inch and then 1/2 inch in a repeating pattern so I could fold it. The tricky part is cutting the diagonals, but the real trick is to make a mark along the side and on the middle score lines. Then, you line that up on the paper cutter and slice. It's easier in real life than in words. Trust me. Here's a template to help you visualize.

That's all I have for now, but there's much more in this hop! Click Next to see Shelley's DinoRoar projects or Back to see Elizabeth's projects with Come Sail Away.

Happy Stamping!

Sara

My Inky Friends New In Colors Blog Hop: Purple Posy

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Fri, 12 Jul 2019 13:19:00 +0000

Welcome the Lily Ink Pad Stop of the My Inky Friends 2019-2021 In Colors Blog Hop. Each year, My Inky friends celebrate the release of the new set of In Colors, which add to Stampin' Up!'s color array. Did you just check out Rhonda's use of Seaside Spray? I think I've used that color the most so far. Or maybe you came backwards from Liz's use of Rococo Rose. Either way, you've arrived at my post about Purple Posy. Enjoy!

Purple Posy is a very light lavender--just my kind of color! Unfortunately, the ink pad is not currently available as it inks too dark and foamy. Stampin' Up! is picky about quality control. However, the paper, the markers and the Blends are available, so I was able to produce a great card--and learned something new!

Cool, huh? It's even better in person. This stamp set, Butterfly Wishes, is a DistINKtive stamp set, so is very detailed and basically a solid. I decided to stamp in Smoky Slate, and color in the spaces. It turns out that the Blends color on the Smoky Slate, giving the entire butterfly a very cool look. I used the Dark Purple Posy Blend on the darker parts and the Light Purple Posy Blend on the light parts. I also used the Balmy Blue and Daffodil Delight Blends on the flower images. The Smoky Slate kind of added a hue to the blue, but it looks cool.

I used Highland Heather ink for the sentiment. The frame was created with the Petal Labels Dies. It was an easy card to create, with a great impact. My Stampin' Celebrations Stampers loved it.

To compare the Purple Posy with other purples in the Stampin' Up! line up of colors, I made this pic:

You can see that Purple Posy is supposed to be very light- lighter than Highland Heather, which I also love.

Well, that's what I have for you. Now, you can click on Next to see Liz's Rococo Rose card or click previous to see Rhonda's Seaside Spray.

Happy Hopping!

Sara

My Inky Friends Creativity Is Calling Blog Hop: Rustic Retreat

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Fri, 14 Jun 2019 13:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the Lily Ink Pad stop on the My Inky Friends Creativity is Calling Blog Hop! We've gathered together this month to showcase the new stamp sets and other products from the 2019-2020 Annual Catalog, just released June 4. Did you just come from Shar's work with Floral Essence? Maybe you came from Cindy's Free as a Bird? Or perhaps you are starting here. No matter how you got here, enjoy my post and then click next or previous to move on in a big loop of blog posts!

I've chosen to use the Rustic Retreat Stamp Set, which Mary Polcin (of Shawano) helped design as part of her 2 Million Dollars in Sales Award. She wanted to reflect life in the Northwoods with a Wisconsin deer. I love it!

For my first card, I used the Birch Background in Early Espresso on Gray Granite Cardstock. I am in love with it. I stamped the images in Memento Ink and then colored using my Blends. I layered them and added a Happy Father's Day sentiment inside. Not difficult, but perfect for my own dad.

My second card was created because I wanted to play around and color. I used a 4 x 5 1/4 piece of cardstock and stamped a scene. I then used my Blends to color. I added a Happy Birthday sentiment.

My cards are quick and simple this month- as that's an ok card for my supportive Dad!

That's all I have for now, but as the summer goes on, I hope to be creating a lot!

Click Next to visit Cindy's blog with Free as a Bird or Click Previous to visit Shar's blog with Floral Essence. Enjoy our hop!

Happy Stamping!

Sara

My Inky Friends Last Chance Blog Hop: Lovely as a Tree

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Fri, 10 May 2019 11:44:00 +0000

Welcome to the Lily Ink Pad stop on the My Inky Friends Last Chance Blog Hop. Each of the designers hopping today have chosen a favorite stamp set that is retiring with the end of the 2018-2019 Annual Catalog. If you came from Shelley's blog, she was so creative with Sunny Days! (I don't own it, but want it now) or perhaps you came from Mary's blog with the fun Blow out the Candles! projects! Either way, I'm excited to show you my project featuring Lovely as a Tree!

Lovely as a Tree is the first stamp set I bought in 2005 (I think). It's sad to say goodbye and I want to say good bye, doing the stamp set justice. Here is my creation:

I used the reflecting technique by stamping my trees in Early Espresso and stamping on the silicone craft mat. I then rubbed my paper on the image and Voila'! I got the reflection. Next, I stamped the tree image upright. I decided to create a sunset as these trees remind me of seeing the sunset while in the woods in Northern Wisconsin. After many trials, I used a sponge dauber and Soft Suede, Mossy Meadow, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, and Blueberry Bushel.

I had a cool panel at this point and needed to put the panel on a base. So, I scored my 4 1/4 by 11 Crumb Cake at 5 1/2 and 2 3/4. I flipped the front flap back and stamped the Buffalo Check background in Early Espresso. I also stamped some oak leaves on the inside so they peeked out on the right side under my sunset. Finally, I added a 2 1/4 x 2" inset picture of the trees.

I hope you enjoyed my post. Now you can click Next Blog and see Mary's projects or click Previous to see Shelley's Sunny Days!

Happy Stamping!

Sara

Floral Essence Sneak Peek for My Inky Friends Challenge #17

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Sun, 28 Apr 2019 21:19:00 +0000

I finally have time to stamp! I am not sure how I found it, but I did and I'm so happy to be back blogging. My apologies for the blog silence, but life got in the way,

On April 13, I went to Minneapolis for a Stampin' Up! Event callled OnStage, where the new 2019 Annual Catalog was revealed. I got to order and now I have tons of new stuff to play with-- and I can't seem to create with anything else! So today's post is a sneak peek of products available June 4.

Here's my first share in over two months!

This card uses the new Bird Ballad Laser-Cut cards that come in a cute tin! I used some of the Garden Lane Designer Series Paper as a background for the card. (See my tip about this below) I stamped the Flower image from Floral Essence in Calypso Coral on the Petal Pink Perennial Essence Vellum Cardstock. I stamped the leaves in Mossy Meadow and punched them out with Leaf Punch. The flowers punch out with a new punch called Perennial Flower. All of this works together with the saying on Very Vanilla and a bit of the Petal Pink Organdy Striped Ribbon.

The color combination is this month's My Inky Friends Challenge:

Join us and submit your design!

I promised a tip and here it is:

I just needed a smidgen of adhesive along the edge of my cardstock to fit in that teeny little border, so I applied it along the edge and let half of my adhesive go on the mat-which doesn't stick. It worked so well!

I hope you enjoyed this post and stick with me through the crazy month of May!

Happy Stamping!

Sara

Happy Valentine's Day 2019!

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 20:10:00 +0000

I love all holidays--it's fun to have something to celebrate and a reason to be generous. I know my homeroom students appreciate it! Stampin' Up! came through for me in a big way this year with the January My Paper Pumpkin kit.

This kit was designed to make these cute treat pouches. The stamps were so cute that accompanied these pouches:

Such a cute set. I want to hug the design team!

I wanted to do some cards with a stamping group, so I designed these:

How fun! I cut the boxes so I had rectangles of the Designer Paper and used the diecuts to add the colored elements. I used my Lemon Lime Twist Ink and the stamp set to create a background and add sentiments inside. I love these colors!

During Sale-a-bration, if you buy a prepaid subscription, you also get sale-a-bration rewards, so that's very cool. You can also sign up month by month using my special link: Sara's My Paper Pumpkin Link

Happy Stamping!

Sara

My Inky Friends All Occasions Blog Hop: Geared up Garage

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 14:23:00 +0000

Welcome to the Lily Ink Pad stop of the My Inky Friends All Occasions Blog Hop. Did you check out Shar's projects using Bloom by Bloom on the previous blog? Or perhaps you're traveling backwards and saw Cindy's projects using Climbing Roses? Well, Here at my stop, I am showcasing a couple of manly cards using the Geared Up Garage Stamp Set. No flowers here!

For my first card, I made this one for my hubby. He sold his Harley a couple of years ago, but I think he'll love the humor.

For this card, I used a Pumpkin Pie base and added a 1 inch and a 3 inch strip of Classic Garage 6x6 Designer Series Paper for the background. The Pumpkin Pie strip is actually another 1/4" strip of the same Designer Series paper. I then used the Garage Gears Thinlit Dies to cut out the frame from Silver Foil paper and a Basic Black layer from the largest framelit. The gears are also from Silver Foil. I added some Happiness Blooms Enamel Dots as accents. I left the inside blank so I could write a love note.

My second card is for my Dad. The tool box reminds me of his tool boxes. He used to let me build things and use his tools. How many forts did I create in the driveway?

For this one, I went outside of my comfort level with this sketch. I put the tool paper in the bottom left corner and then added the other elements. I actually really like it--even though it's not centered! I used the Subtle Embossing folder on the black piece, but you can't tell in the picture. I also added some Clear Epoxy Enamel Dots for an accent on this one. Inside, I stamped "Awesome at any age" and "Happy Birthday"from the Itty Bitty Birthdays Stamp Set. I like it.

Well, that's what I have to show you! I hope you like them!

Click Next to visit Cindy's blog or Previous to see Shar's creations. Enjoy!

Happy Stamping!
Sara

Love You to Pieces

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 00:47:00 +0000

Sometimes when I buy a stamp set, I think, "I'm going to use that so much!" and then, OPPS, it just never works out right for the purpose in mind. The Love You to Pieces stamp set has been just that for me. But finally, I found a great reason and a great design:

I do think I found some inspiration on Pinterest, but I did make it my own. The main color is Gorgeous Grape, which I just love. Originally, I had a white background on a white base, but I added the Basic Black and the Gorgeous Grape layers and it really made the card pop. I used the puzzle outline and hearts to add a background. Such fun and not too tricky!

Happy Stamping!

Sara

Meant to Be

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 16:38:00 +0000

Pink really isn't my thing. My sister requested a "blush and rose gold" card she could use for a wedding. So, this is what I designed:

I found that the Grapefruit Grove Foil paper (that I got for FREE as a Sale-a-bration item), looks like Rose gold in small doses. In larger pieces, the paper has a rainbowy flair to it. The camera shows this, but in person, you don't see it. I added Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets to the back before I used the Be Mine Stitched Framelits. This made those tiny little pieces not pop out like I wanted, so I used my paper piercing tool to push them. It was weird-they weren't attached, but just didn't leave the heart without my help. I also discovered, after this card was created, when I was prepping for class, that the heart I used to cut the lacey part, worked as a base IF I put both the Very Vanilla and the Grapefruit Grove foil through the Big Shot at the same time. The Very Vanilla heart was cut with an embossed impression so that the two pieces fit together well.

For the background, I used a spritzer with water and sprayed the paper so it was soggy. I then added Blushing Bride Reinker ink with an Aquapainter. I found that the more playful I was, the cooler it looked. I added the stamped parts in Blushing Bride. I think the MEANT TO BE sentiment would be perfect for a wedding or a personal valentine.

Note: If you buy the Meant to Be Bundle, you can choose the Grapefruit Grove/Lovely Lipstick Foil Paper for FREE!

Happy Stamping!

Sara

My Inky Friends Design Challenge #14: Needlepoint Nook Friend

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 12:09:00 +0000

My Inky Friends have found inspiration from the Occasions Catalog for this month's Sketch Challenge. It felt only fitting that I use a stamp set from the Occasions Catalog for my design. But first, here is the challenge:

Here is my card:

I love the Needlepoint Nook Suite from the Occasions catalog. I've done my fair share of needlework. These images are so very accurate, because Stampin' Up! used real needlework for the Designer Series Paper and a process called photorealism to create the stamps.

I found that my ink pad was better than coloring with markers, so I went with solid images, but varied the colors by adding a Crushed Curry label as a border along the top of my banner, I also used the Needlepoint Elements Thinlits to add dimension to my base with the stitched pattern. Remember using the templates and piercing tool in the past? This is much easier!

For my banner, I cut a 2 3/4 by 3" piece of Designer Series Paper and then hand cut the banner on the bottom. I also used embellishments from this suite- I threaded a piece of Old Olive Linen Thread through a Needlepoint Nook Mini Button and used a mini-glue dot to adhere it to my flower center.

My final touches were to add friend on the front. I used Old Olive and then offset a second stamp in Mossy Meadow. That way, it looks 3D. Inside I added a sentiment and a stitched image for flair.

I hope you like my entry for this challenge! Be sure to check out the other designs by My Inky Friends at the My Inky Friends Blog.

Happy Stamping!

Sara

Embossed Blooms

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 00:26:00 +0000

I love bright colors--when designing. I'm just drawn to bold colors as I was drawn to the Happiness Blooms Designer Series Paper. I really think my mom used some of these patterns when I was a kid to sew my clothes. I just adore them.

When I first sat down to design with the products from the Happiness Blooms Suite, I knew the 2018-2020 In Colors were going to be my focus. Awesomely, I had ordered the 2018-2020 In Color Embossing package earlier in the fall, and had yet to use it. I was psyched to realize that these bold colors would "Pop" when embossed on Night of Navy Cardstock.

Here's my first card:

I combined the Itty Bitty Birthdays with the Bloom by Bloom to stamp this card. To create the multicolored image, I stamped each part in Versamark and embossed in the color I wanted before I stamped the next image in Versamark and embossed in a different color. Static is an issue here in Wisconsin this time of year, and I used a paint brush to wipe away any stray powder. When I used the embossing buddy on it, the cornstarch within left a white trail, so I just tried to be careful. I used the new (and AWESOME) Stitched Rectangle Framelits to make the frames. I used dimensionals (of course) to pop these panels up.

The final touch was adding an embossed image and sentiment to the inside!

My second card is what we made at Stampin' Celebrations. We used the technique--layered embossing- to get the dynamic colors on this card:

This card really is rectangular with 90 degree angles. My photography skills were lacking on this one. But, the card is still very cool. The inner rectangle panel allows room for the background paper to peek through. The rectangle frame was "leftovers" from when I made 12 of the card above.

For the flowers, I used the same- versamark- embossing powder- heat emboss--next stamp in versamark-embossing powder--heat emboss-- next stamp routine, but I also stamped in versamark on top of my already embossed area to layer the colors. What a fun technique!

I loved designing and experimenting to create these cards! If you are interested in recreating these or cards like it, there are links below to my store.

Happy Stamping! Sara

My Inky Friends: Time to Sale-a-brate! Blog Hop

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Fri, 11 Jan 2019 14:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the Lily Ink Pad stop on the My Inky Friends "Time to Sale-a-brate" Blog Hop. Each of the designers have chosen a Sale-a-bration product to feature. At the stop before mine, Kris has shown you the Butterfly Wood Elements in her awesome projects. At the next stop, you'll see this year's chicken set, Home to Roost, with fun projects by Staci.

At this stop, you'll see my projects using my new favorite Designer Series Paper- Botanical Butterfly Designer Series Paper. I am thrilled to be able to share with you two fun fold cards that highlight this amazing paper.

Here is the Accordian Fold Card closed (as if I gave it in a clear envelope.

and here it is opened, like if you loved the card so much, so you displayed it on your desk:

I love how much the paper within the 12 x12 pack coordinates. Plus, I get to to use Highland Heather as a base. I added panels of the Designer Series Paper on 3 levels at different widths. I also added the sentiments from Part of My Story Cling Stamp Set that you can also earn during Sale-a-bration. I stamped in Bashful Blue on Whisper White. I added two more Pretty Label Punched pieces to make thin border around the punch. I used the Butterfly Duet punch to punch the large butterflies from a fourth page of the paper. The tiny butterflies were punched from a fifth page! I made 15 of these cards thus far, and have still only used one package!

Here's the template I used to fold this card.

My other card I want to show you highlights the "other side" of the Botanical Butterfly Designer Series Paper.

All of the back sides are black and white, which allows us to color the images, or use them for contrast! I did a flip fold for this card, which means it opens up with one flap over the other. I used the coordinating stamp set, Butterfly Gala, to stamp the butterflies in black. I then used the Bashful Blue Light and Dark Stampin' Blends to add color. My final touch was adding Gingham Gala Adhesive-Backed Sequins in blue, although, they show up in the photo reflecting light and colored.

Here is the template I used for this card:

I hope you, too, have fallen in love with the Botanical Butterfly.

Click Next to go to see Home to Roost and Previous to go back to Butterfly Elements.

Happy Stamping!

Sara

Best of 2018

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 13:04:00 +0000

Another Amazing, Creative Year! Let's go back down memory lane with my top ten favorites of 2018.

Pick #10:

The card design isn't why I picked this one. My upline Connie designed this set with Stampin' Up! artists and it's meaning is very special.

Pick #9

I loved this whole set, but what I really loved was combing a new product with the set to create this card. I felt like an artist!

Pick #8

This card hits my heartstrings in a whole different way than the others--brings me back to my love of tradition and old fashioned artifacts. The plaid with the metal and wood...so fabulous.

Pick #7:

I love Designer Series Paper and was really happy with how punching out the circles made this card fun. Plus, Unicorn. Mic Drop

Pick # 6:

This is one of a set of cards. I loved playing withe brusho and experimenting. Plus, what a cool card.

Pick #5:

Trees. Wood. Leaves. Cool new colors and a fun fold. Love.

Pick #4

I love the colors in this card plus the unique way to use the Designer Series Paper. It's always fun to try something new!

Pick #3:

This one just tickles my heart. I love that little bear and doing the watercoloring was so much fun.

Pick #2:

For many personal reasons this set is my second favorite of the year--it was for someone special, it was to honor those who cared for him, and it got me stampin' again after a hiatus.

Pick # 1

This is my absolute favorite. I took an idea and made it my own in a very cool way. I love these trees.

Happy 2019!

Sara

My Inky Friends Design Challenge #13: Happy Anniversary!

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 13:46:00 +0000

One year ago I started a challenge as part of my blogging group called My Inky Friends. Stampin' Up1 has celebrated their 30th Anniversary throughout 2018. Today, we are melding the two in this color challenge:

Here's my contribution:

I used products available January 3 as part of the Occasions Catalog and Sale-a-bration offerings. To create this card, I stamped the heart from the Meant to Be Cling Stamp Set in Night of Navy. I then colored the flowers with my Calypso Coral, Mossy Meadow, and Daffodil Delight Dark Stampin' Blends. I cut the bottom edge of the card front off with the edge framelit from the Be Mine Stitched Framelits. Next, I cut the hearts out of the front of my card. I then placed the outlines in the same hole to make it an inlay. I used my sponge and Tombow Glue to gently touch the back of the outlines with glue to hold them in place. I added a piece of Thick Whisper White as an inside panel of the card front and colored the hearts.

Before placing the focal heart, I added the heart scalloped outline behind it. You can see it better in this close up. I also added a folded over and glue dotted strip of 1/4" Organdy Ribbon, which I got for FREE as a Sale-a-bration item.

I hope you join us at the My Inky Friends Challenge this month. The colors compliment each other so well, that a card is easy to make using them!

Remember, Sale-a-bration starts January 3rd! Here's one way to purchase the Organdy Ribbon Pack:

Happy Stamping!

Sara

May Your Christmas Be Bright

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 16:58:00 +0000

The Christmas Tree is my favorite holiday tradition. Growing up (and still now), my parents had the big, colorful bulbs on our tree surrounded by homemade ornaments. They are still my favorite. I was psyched when I saw the Christmas Lightbulb Builder Punch and coordinating stamp sets.

To create this card, I decided to go with the bright hues of the 2018-2020 In Colors. I stamped the string of lights on the Whisper White background first and colored them as randomly as I could with the 2018-2020 Stampin' Write Markers. Next, I stamped the sentiment in Lovely Lipstick and the sparkly circle in Call Me Clover. I added some Pineapple Punch stars for fun. I used my 2018-2020 In Color Designer Series Paper for the paper ribbon and the flag. My final touch was the Call Me Clover and Lovely Lipstick lightbulbs. I used my Chalk Marker to add an accent. The socket is the Galvanized Paper.

I hope you all have a very lovely Christmas!

Happy Stamping!

Sara

Lovely as a Tree Buffalo Check

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 23:35:00 +0000

One thing I love about Stampin' Up! is how on trend each catalog offering is, especially, when the trend I'm noticing is one I love. This card uses the Buffalo Check background stamp, which just makes me want to curl up in my own buffalo check fleece!

I went with traditional black and red with this card--Real Red and Basic Black. I just inked up the background heavily with Stazon Jet Black and then layered that piece on a Real Red base. I added Basic Black Matte layer between the tree focal point and the base. I went with the very first stamp set I ever bought- Lovely as a Tree for this card. I just love this spruce. I embossed with Whisper White Embossing Powder. The sentiment is from Itty Bitty Greetings. The black ribbon is the 1/2" Basic Black Satin ribbon.

All in all, I think it's a very masculine card--perfect for giving for winter birthdays. (or dads who love flannel). Plus, it was quick and easy!

Happy Stamping!

Sara

My Inky Friends: Inking Up the Holidays Blog Hop

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 14:00:00 +0000

Welcome the the My Inky Friends "Inking Up the Holidays" blog hop for 2018. Each stop on this hop features our last minute projects to celebrate the season. Here at Lily's Ink Pad, I am featuring a bundle from the Holiday Catalog called Tags and Tidings. There are only three design team members available this month with all the commitments that December has for families. So, you may have come from Sharleen's blog or from Cindy's blog. Either way, you can link to the other participants at each site!

With this stamp set, I made 11 tags and then added a box with a tag from the Christmas Tidings Punch Box. I had a great time playing around with my punches, the stamped tags, and the Festive Farmhouse burlap ribbon and baker's twine. The stamp is one big piece, so the Stamparatus, was a perfect way to make sure I got every corner covered. All I had to do next was run the panel through my Big Shot one time to cut all the stamped images out!

Here are the tags close up:

I loved the variety and how easy it was!

For my Stampin' Celebrations group, I made a punch cheat sheet so they could punch a bunch and then assemble:

I used a Whisper White backing on them to leave room to write names for the giftees.

I also made a template for my box, which I made using my Envelope Punch Board:

The writing is tough to see, but basically, I used an 8x8 piece of cardstock, started scoring at 2" and 5", and then turned the cardstock 90 degrees. From there, I scored on the previous score line intersection with the edge. Turn again, repeat twice.

The final steps on the box are to punch holes in each flap and cut flaps for folding inward for sides. Then, use a Z pattern to "sew" the box shut! I used the base idea from Sam Donald, a UK Demonstrator, My box had to be bigger than hers, so I changed the dimensions.

Pretty cool, huh? Well, there's more! Click on Previous to see Sharleen's creations or Next to see Cindy's!

Here are the supplies I used:

Happy Stamping!

Sara

My Inky Friends Design Challenge #12: Free Cake!

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 18:00:00 +0000

Check it out! I finally had time to make a card! Around a never ending illness, hunting, holidays, and constantly redoing my lessons each night, I haven't been stamping. But, I got this card designed and photographed this week for the My Inky Friends Challenge!

I just love the Free Cake Stamp Set. It's a little sassy and makes me think of my nephews. I finally got to use it on this card and I love the final product. I stamped the main image in Rich Razzleberry and used my Pool Party, Lemon Lime Twist, and Mango Melody markers to color. The square and matte are from the Squares Framlits. I added some dimension with the Sequin Dynamic Embossing Folder, and then added some velvet Rich Razzleberry Ribbon for some stripes.

We had a great color challenge this month!

Join us!

Happy Stamping!

Sara

My Inky Friends Thankful for ... Blog Hop

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 14:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the November Blog hop with My Inky Friends, This month we are featuring products we are Thankful for. Whether you came from Rhonda's blog showing gratitude for the Stamparatus or from Holly's tribute to Nature's Poem, you are sure to see some amazing projects on this hop Enjoy!

The Lily Ink Pad stop is celebrating the COLORS of Stampin' Up! Well, not all, but how Stampin' Up! enables me to use the colors in unique and brilliant ways. Stampin' Up's Four Color Families coordinate within each family and among each family. The possibilities are endless.

All of Stampin' Up! 's colors are the same whether in an ink pad, cardstock, watercolor pencils, reinkers, Designer Series papers, and accessories! If you are using Merry Merlot, then the color will be the same in all products. How cool.

I couldn't possibly use all the colors in one post, so I decided to use a color combination that started with some inspiration and turned into a really dynamic set of tags.

This was a commissioned set of tags I created to add to a gift basket for a caregiver of a friend's father. Each of them has a cute little saying in it that connects to the present. My colors are Blackberry Bliss, Mint Macaron, Cajun Craze, and Gray Granite. I mixed and matched stamped images from the Follow Your Dreams Stamp Set and diecuts from the Chase Your Dreams Framelits. Each tag has a unique dreamcatcher and I had fun playing around with were my creativity took me!

Next up is Holly's Thankful Post!

Happy Stamping!

Sara

Merry and Bright Bulbs

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Sun, 14 Oct 2018 01:56:00 +0000

Isn't there a Christmas song with the words Merry and Bright sung in a round? If not, there should be, so I can celebrate this card:

When I first sat down to design this card, I was thinking about the wreaths that people make from Christmas light bulbs. I thought that the thin circle stamp in the set would be the perfect wreath and then I realized my final image would be need a bigger template than the one I used before. So, I spent a great deal of time (and math to create this template).

This card would be impossible to make without my trusty friend, the Stamp-a-ratus. I put the word bulbs on the plate and stamped them all at once. I then stamped the star bulb to fill in and the solid one in Mint Macaron. I love the colors on the card--I got them from the Frosted Floral Designer Series paper, so I added a strip on the bottom of the card. I also added shimmer paint to the wreath to balance some glimmer.

I really like these nontraditional colors with this stamp set!

Happy Stamping!

Sara

My Inky Friends 2018 Holiday Catalog Showcase: Alpine Adventure

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 13:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the Lily Ink Pad stop of the 2018 Holiday Catalog Showcase. My Inky Friends and I have all chosen a favorite stamp set from the recently released Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalog to feature on this hop. Just click on the links to hop in a circle to see them all. You may be starting here where I feature the Alpine Adventure Photopolymer Stamp Set, or maybe you came from Rhonda's blog where she featured the cute snowmen from Spirited Snowmen, or maybe you are hopping backwards and are visiting from Tanya's Blog where she showcased Takeout Treats.

When I first saw Alpine Adventure in the Holiday Catalog pdf, I knew it was mine! Again, Stampin' Up! designed a set just for me!

How could I not fall in love? Snowflakes, snowshoes, sleds, skis, and nordic accents. I love it!

Here is my first project to share:

I love snowshoeing with traditional shoes...so this card was my immediate go with the set. I used the Festive Farmhouse Designer Series Paper along with the Alpine Adventure Stamp Set and the Alpine Sports Framelits. The White background is actually the white woodgrain design from the Festive Farmhouse paper. I love the Mossy Meadow strip with the snowflakes. I also added the plaid and grid strips for an element of fun. I knotted the Mossy Meadow Baker's twine for an extra detail The snowflake is actually layered on the wreath piece from the framelits, with the middle in tact. The Let it Snow sentiment fit perfectly along side the elements! Inside, I stamped a nordic pattern.

My second card also uses the Festive Farmhouse Designer Series Paper:

Growing up in Wisconsin with grandparents who farmed, I love traditional Christmases. This card feels like it came out of my memory bank! I cut the sled out of the Wood Textures Designer Series Paper. The Tin Tile Dynamic Textured Embossing Folder is downright amazing. I used it with the Galvanized Metallic Paper, which is transformed when the folder is applied. I used the wreath, the jingle bells, and the bow from the Alpine Sports Framelits and I hand cut the banner.

I hope you enjoyed my projects and are inspired to start working on some Christmas projects!

Click on Next Blog to visit Tanya to see her Takeout Treats projects or click on Previous blog to see Rhonda's Spirited Snowmen. Either way, you will be even more inspired!

Happy Stamping!

Sara

Hello, Little Elephant

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 20:35:00 +0000

I can't believe that I haven't shared this card yet! It's so darn cute!

I stamped the Elephants in Smokey slate and punched them out. To do that, I used a trick--my Stamparatus. I punched a template out of scrap cardstock and placed it over a my piece of Whisper White. I then lined up my elephants on the stamparatus plate and stamped right where they would be punched out! Easy!

I used Soft Sea Foam as my background, but stamped the sentiment and details in Mint Macaron. I used the Stitched Labels Framelits for the sentiment and then added a circle matte.

So cute!

Happy Stamping!

Sara

My Inky Friends Design Challenge #9: Friends Make the Season Shine

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Fri, 31 Aug 2018 13:00:00 +0000

Whew! The end of summer, the beginning of the school year is exhausting and the kids haven't even started yet! I hope I find balance like I did this week, when I found time for this card:

Not my usual thing- bling, but I like I embossed in gold, copper, and silver embossing powder directly on my Basic Black base. The stamps are from a stamp set that you can buy after September 5th from the 2018 Holiday Catalog and it's called Making Spirits Bright. You are going to love it!

The sketch is from the My Inky Friends Design Challenge #9. Pretty cool, huh?

I love the layers of this card.

Follow this sketch to make your own card and post it to the My Inky Friends Linky!

Happy Stamping!

Sara

Delightful Detailed Framed Card

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 00:06:00 +0000

Sometimes, amazing card designs come from practicality. For my Stampin' Celebrations group, I prepare for 48 cards. I knew I wanted to use the Delightfully Detailed Designer Series Paper as it so beautiful. But, how? A card sized overlay is 4 x 5 1/4. There certainly wasn't enough of the pretty, lacy paper for 48 of those. I decided to try a window- using a 3x3 square. I envisioned the paper in each of the 3x3 squares I could create...and I found that every square would make a beautiful overlay!

Here's what I created when I added color:

and the inside:

I decided to go with Coastal Cabana...I just love this color!

I used the Squares Collection framelits--the largest scalloped one and then the square that fit inside with a border (second largest) for my card. I cut the Thick Whisper White first. I ran both framelits through my Big Shot to make the frame. I then added the Delightfully Detailed Designer Series Paper to my backing piece of 4 x 5 1/4 Coastal Cabana. I stamped Best Wishes on the framelit from ... and added a layer of design with the lattice piece. I then added some pearls.

For the gluing, I have a video tip for you:

What do you think? I can picture this card in all of our Stampin' Up! Colors--so very beautiful.

Happy Stamping!

Sara