Lily's Ink Pad

Happy Roller-Birthday!

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Sun, 19 May 2013 11:32:00 +0000

Happy Sunday! Often, Sundays are my days to catch up, but sometimes I go to St. Mary of the Angels Roller Rink in Green Bay to see my family. It's a great family place to visit! Here's a card for any of those roller-skaters in your life:

Stamps: Best of Birthdays, Bring on the Cake
Paper: Whisper White, Tangerine Tango, Pacific Point
Ink: Basic Black, Tangerine Tango Marker, Rich Razzleberry Marker, Pacific Point Marker, Daffodil Delight Marker, Tempting Turquoise Marker
Accessories: Big Shot, Stocking Bigz Die, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Glimmer Brads, Corner Rounder Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch

I used the Stocking Bigz die to CASE (copy and share everything) from Aimee Cretsinger, a demonstrator who shared this on Stampin' Connection, a demonstrator-only site for sharing ideas!

To make any kind of card using a die cut, where the fold doesn't get cut, all you have to do is fold your paper where you want it and then place that fold below the top cut line.

Be quick about CASING this card, as the Stocking Die and Glimmer Brads are on the Retiring Accessory list!

Happy Stamping!

Color Reorganization Done!

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Fri, 17 May 2013 11:19:00 +0000

Stampin' Up! is renovating it's color choices and I spent time last weekend reorganizing as a result. I sorted all my paper and decided to relabel my drawers and ink caddy. I used MDS to create labels. Here is a jpeg that is linked a pdf of my labels.

I don't have the actual colors for the new In Colors, so I left them blank for now. I also just used a light gray for Smokey Slate, which isn't quite right.

I used the Modern Label Punch on MDS for the shape, but it does not fit the punch. I made these so that two colors fit in each drawer I have:

Here's a close up of one cube:

I put two colors in each drawer. The colors mix, but it doesn't matter as it is easy to tell them apart.

I also relabeled my color caddy. I found that if I had a label of on the top of each column, I could track where each color is and know if I had it somewhere else or not. It's really helpful to me. I just count down the list-- 4th down, so the ink pad is in the 4th slot down.

Once things are organized, I have so much more stamping time!

Happy Stamping!

Happy Birthday to MEEEE!

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:53:00 +0000

I'm the Bomb! Well, I feel that way today. My students were very happy to celebrate my birthday with a treat in class. My husband wished me a Happy Birthday first in the am. My family texted, emailed and called. Friends gave me gifts and filled my Facebook Feed. Life is great! Here's a card I could have sent to myself:

Stamps: Bombs Away Photopolymer Stamp Set
Paper: Whisper White, Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper, Tempting Turquoise, Basic Gray
Ink: Basic Black, Basic Gray
Accessories: Big Shot, Chevron Embossing Folder, Brights Buttons, Basic Gray Stitched Ribbon

Some of my stampers used glimmer brads instead of the button and it looked cool!

You can order this photopolymer stamp online at my Stampin' Up! Store.

Happy Stamping!

Retirement 2013 Blog Hop Recap

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:53:00 +0000

Weren't those projects at the Stampin' Addicts Blog Hop fantastic? If you missed it you can go back through at any time. We have links that will still work forever. Go back to my post if you want to check it out again: A Fond Farwell: Stampin' Addicts Blog Hop.

Retiring Stamp Sets are available until May 31st. Retiring Accessories are available while supplies last. For the most up to date, availability, check out my online store.

I used Baja Breeze and Not Quite Navy on this card as both are retiring. I'll miss both as they made a great team together. This a card in my "easy" category. Stamp and watercolor. Easy.

Stamps: Elements of Style, Best of Love, Four Frames
Paper: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Newsprint Designer Series Paper
Ink: Basic Black, Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Certainly Celery
Accessories: Decorative Label Punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Aquapainters

Stamps: Elements of Style
Paper: Primrose Petals. Raspberry Ripple, Basic Black, Crumb Cake
Ink: Whisper White Craft Ink
Accessories: Labels Collection Framelits, Tea Lace Paper Doily, Vintage Faceted Buttons, Raspberry Ripple Stitched Ribbon, Big Shot, Stampin' Sponge

The chalkboard technique is simply stamping in our Whisper White craft ink on Basic Black Paper and then using a sponge to add some chalk dust. The fine detail inside the solid shapes makes this stamp set a great candidate for this technique.

This card got more positive feedback than I expected. See, I made the white part and everything on it to fit a frame. When I put it in the frame, it didn't look right. Being late the night before the hop, I decided to switch it back to a card. I, literally, just adhered my white part onto a card base and added the sentiment. I think its' crazy how mistakes can be made into a miracles. A true benefit of stamping is that creativity is more than just colors, but making the best of a bad situation!

Stamps: Elements of Style, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White
Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Wisteria Wonder
Accessories: Big Shot, Designer Frames Embossing Folder, Delicate Designs Embossing Folder, Daffodil Delight 1/8" Daffodil Delight Ribbon

Happy Stamping!

A Fond Farewell: Stampin' Addicts Retiring Sets Blog Hop

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Goodbyes are always hard, so my friends and I at Stampin' Addicts have decided to hostess a blog hop featuring Retiring Stamp Sets! Did you come from Mary's Blog featuring Circle Circus? Maybe you are starting here. Your next stop will be at Heidi's blog featuring Forever Young and you can hop your away back around to my blog again.

My set is Elements of Style, a set that I have used many, many times for beautiful cards that seem to put themselves together. With that in mind, I have three cards to share!

The chalkboard technique is one of my new favorites and this set is made for it!

The front of this card started for a picture frame, but it looked too confined in there, so I brought it out into the open!

Beautiful Blues. My stamping group loved this one last Tuesday!

I'll post recipes on my blog Monday, so come back! Until then, go forward to Heidi's tribute to Forever Young. If you want to go backwards, check out Mary's Circle Circus projects. If you get lost along the way, feel free to check out the thread at Stampin' Addicts, a great site for all things stamping.

Happy Stamping!

Camping Memories

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Mon, 06 May 2013 01:36:00 +0000

Nope. Not a scrapbook page. I just had to get one more Father's Day card in using More Mustard:

Why is More Mustard so important you ask? Well, let me explain. Growing up, we had a canvas tent we camped in as a family--MORE MUSTARD AND OLD OLIVE. I have fond memories of riding out storms, floods, and bears in that tent. I wanted one more card to send to my dad before More Mustard retired.

Stamps: The Great Outdoors
Paper: More Mustard, Crumb Cake, Midnight Muse, Garden Green.
Ink: More Mustard, Midnight Muse, Garden Green
Accessories: Big Shot, Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Paper Cutter

Come make this card Tuesday Night at Stampin' Celebrations!

Happy Stamping!

This and That Notes

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Fri, 03 May 2013 22:48:00 +0000

Life is good. I just spent two days at the Green Lake Conference Center at the Wisconsin Math Council Conference. Spotty internet, limited cell phone. No TVs. Peace and Quiet. Good Food. Fun colleagues. Great sessions.

I had to do a bit of notetaking. I find that I write stuff down to help me listen, but I rarely look back. This morning, I knew I needed a way to remember what the big ideas, so I took out my This and That Journal and created this:

Wow. It felt so great to summarize the big ideas floating in my head and then the smaller tid bits to take back to my teaching. This is definitely something I will try again.

Plus, I got to play with stickers!

Happy Stamping!

May News!

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Thu, 02 May 2013 23:23:00 +0000

25% off Digital
Celebrate National Scrapbooking Month with 25% off Digital Content and Print Products!

Digital content includes: ALL ensemble, calendar, photobook, and swatchbook digital content.
Print products include: ALL photobooks, swatchbooks, cards, tags, individual pages, and calendars.
Happy Scrapbooking!

You can check it all out through my Stampin' Up! Store.

Best of Babies and Brides:

Aren't these images sweet? I love those little bears. This set is just $14.95 and available until March 31, 2014!

You can order online at www.lilyinkpad.stampinup.net

Happy Stamping!

Happy May Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Wed, 01 May 2013 12:30:00 +0000

May is here! I love May-- spring flowers, my birthday, outdoor recess, my birthday, a new Stampin' Up! catalog, my birthday.... Here's the calender of the month. Feel free to print, or right click and download as your own wallpaper.

I used the This and That Digital Kit. I loved the whole.

Happy Stamping!

April Paper Pumpkin, Seriously!

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:40:00 +0000

My paper pumpkin kit arrived last week. At least I hope it was last week and not the week before, or I've really lost my mind. This kit is a perfect way to wind down from a rough day and re-set my brain. Easy, but I could still be creative.

Here's the sequence of me opening the box:

Now the inside:

What's that? Bubba snuck his big old hands into the box before I could. He's so proud of himself!

Luckily, he let me have my stuff unbothered.

This month we got 4 card bases, sticker layers, buttons, and linen thread. The stamps say, SERIOUSLY, love your guts, and you kick booty. These are perfect cards for my students! I can't wait to give them out!

I made one like directions said, and then switched up the other three:

Happy Stamping!

Happy Birthday, MDS style!

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 00:27:00 +0000

It's been a crazy week here at the Mattson-Blume Household. Bubba went to a conference for three days so I thought I'd get more time for stamping. Somehow it didn't work out that way! Instead, I got ready for the Stamping and Scrapbooking Sale Saturday. It was a blast. Thanks to all who came! Saturday night, we celebrated my nephew Tim's 14th Birthday--Taco Bell and Ice Cream Cake. Bubba and I gave him a gift that couldn't be wrapped, so I made a card with My Digital Studio:

I printed on my own printer and adhered it to a Gumball Green Base. It's a certificate for Drum Lesson this summer. We got a smile and a "Cool!" from him, so I think it was a hit.

Happy Stamping!

Retirement Lists Posted Today!

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 22:37:00 +0000

Out with the old in with the new! The Stampin' Up! catalog year is coming to an end May 31! Check out the lists to make sure you have the supplies, stamps, and papers you want!

Retirement Stamp List

Retiring Accessories List

Order fast via my online Stampin' Up! store at www.lilyinkpad.stampinup.net. or directly here.

Creativity Journal #2: Be a kid again

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 23:01:00 +0000

Sunday, I found some time to craft something I liked to do as a kid. Well, teenager. I made a daisy chain bracelet and journaled about it in my This and That Journal.

My task was to remember what I loved as a kid and try it again.

All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.--Pablo Picasso

I love the washi tape. I used it to adhere my bracelet into my book until I get a photo printed! Very cool. I also added more stickers and had some fun with HANDWRITING-- what a novel idea.

Happy Stamping!

Out comes the Sun!

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 12:23:00 +0000

Hopefully! At least in Wisconsin, we hope this every day in spring!

Stamps: Boo-tiful
Paper: Bashful Blue, Night of Navy, Whisper White, Floral District Designer Series Paper
Ink: Night of Navy, Bashful Blue
Accessories: Big Shot, Cloudy Day Embossing Folder, Brights Buttons, Daffodil Delight Stitched Ribbon, Blender Pen or Aquapainter.

For this card, I wanted to mimic the clouds in the boots with the embossing folder, so I also added a sun for contrast! We stamped and colored the image with a blender pen to get a nice blue on the boot. Other than that, it was a pretty straightforward card!

Happy Stamping!

Purse Treat Favor

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 12:12:00 +0000

I have share today that I have totally forgotten to share-- favors for my sister's birthday workshop.

I used the purse die to make a simple purse filled with M&M's, her favorite candy.

Stamps: Pretty Petites
Paper: Primrose Petals, Raspberry Ripple, Whisper White
Ink: Primrose Petals
Accessories: Subtles Brads, Petite Label Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Big Shot, Cello Bags, Scallop Pretty In Pink Ribbon

Can you see the little layer behind the YUM tag? You might be thinking that, "Stampin' Up! doesn't have that size punch, do they?" Well, you're right. I used the Decorative label punch to shorten a punched decorative label. See:

Happy Stamping!

Dolled-Up Birthday Kit Available

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 23:09:00 +0000

Like kits? This one is for you!

Direct from Stampin' Up!: "We're excited to introduce our second Submit a Project kit--the Dolled-Up Birthday Kit--voted on by you via our Facebook page. This gorgeous birthday card was created by Chris Gilmore, a manager from Coshocton, Ohio. Congratulations, Chris!
The Dolled-Up Birthday kit includes the following:

Dolled-Up Birthday Photopolymer Stamp (1)
8-1/2" x 5-1/2" Crumb Cake Cardstock (6 pieces)
2" x 4-1/4" Very Vanilla Cardstock (6 pieces)
Very Vanilla Medium Envelopes (6)
Tea Lace Paper Doilies (6)
Dress Up die-cuts (6)
Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Spot (1)
Vanilla 5/8" Flower Trim (6 pieces)
Sponge Dauber (1)

Get everything you need to make six cards for only $15.95 (item 133913)!"

How cool! Go to my website--www.lilyinkpad.stampinup.net to order!

Happy Stamping!

Happy Birthday with Many Candles!

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:34:00 +0000

Boy Birthdays are on order for my Stamping Celebrations group, so here is one I designed that could easily be a "boy" card.

Stamps: Best of Birthdays
Paper: Island Indigo, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Designer Series Paper Stack
Ink: Island Indigo, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise
Accessories: Real Red Striped Ribbon, Argyle Embossing Folder, Big Shot

I made this a quick and easy and cute card, so that my group could make multiples in a hurry.

Happy Stamping!

This and That! Journal Just for Me!

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 23:16:00 +0000

I was super-excited to share with you today what I worked on last weekend. My very own creativity journal got it's start today even though I've had the idea for probably two years. I used the BRAND NEW This and That Journal Bundle as my start. Here's the cover:

I cut out all of those hexagons from the Designer Series Paper. Funny, later I found that one design included hexagons. I could have used those! I figured out that with my bone folder, I could trace the shape I wanted to cut it. It got easier as I went. I finished it off with Washi Tape, and stickers.

This is the back cover. I added a single page of Designer Paper and then dollied it up with more stickers.

Here is the inside cover and first section--QUOTES.

Again, I used one Designer Paper Design on the inner cover with a sticker. I then used the stickers I could fold in half for a tab--and made Quotes my number one section. Here's my first layout:

I picked out favorite quotes, wrote them in my own handwriting (I prefer to type lately) and then decorated it up with my doodles. I added a few stickers and I tried the date stamp. This was so much fun. I felt like a kid again and that was nice.

Stay tuned for more pages as I work on them!

Happy Stamping!

Join or Hostess with Stampin Up! and Get MORE!

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 22:42:00 +0000

Stampin' Up! announced today, a recruiting promotion where you get $30 more for the $99 starter kit! If you prefer to hostess, get $30 more hostess dollars with a $350 workshop! Contact me today to book a workshop or join my team!

Happy Stamping!

April Snows Bring Mother's Day Flowers!

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 13:04:00 +0000

Ok. So I know that's not the way that the saying goes, but in Wisconsin, Spring can bring a lot of things--like snow and ice and my 7th and 8th snow day of the school year this week! To celebrate the fact that spring flowers will appear before August, here's a mother's day card:

I totally cased this card from Kim Cagle at Stamp and Sew for Fun. It turns out she cased it from SandI MacIver! Stampin' Up! demonstrators love to share ideas and new techniques and this one caught my eye right away. In fact, I was choosing between Sandi and Kim's cards before I went with Rich Razzleberry!

This technique is pretty cool. You emboss in white. Then use a blender pen to apply White Craft Ink to the flowers. Finally, you use a blender pen to add color to the flowers. I love this.

On a personal note. Today is my grandma Leone's birthday. She passed a couple of years ago and I miss her dearly every spring. She loved Spring. Her favorite flowers were Jonquils and the wildflowers in the woods. She would have liked this card for it's colors.

Happy Stamping!

Another Change!

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 15:42:00 +0000

But it's a great one! Stampin' Up! announced yesterday that wood stamp sets would be getting new packaging, better for storage! How awesome!

These cases will fit on the same shelves as Clear Mount. Who wants to tell Bubba that I need a new bookcase? I think a trip to Ikea might be in order! he he he. I love this idea as right now I hide my wood mount stamps in metal shoeboxes! You can also buy the new cases in the new catalog and switch all of your old sets. You'll also be able to download a template to print your own labels. Of course, that is all with the new Stampin' Up! catalog released May 31!

Happy Stamping!

Best Mother Card

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 13:10:00 +0000

I love the flowers that Stampin' Up! chose for their Best of Flowers Collection to celebrate 25 years of Stampin' Up! I never earned this hydrangea when it was released as a Hostess stamp as a much larger image. I think I prefer it small.

Stamps: Best of Flowers, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Wisteria Wonder, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White
Ink: Elegant Eggplant and Lucky Limeade Markers
Accessories: Crumb Cake Seam Binding, Oval Framelits, Needlepoint Border Embossing folder, Simply Scored, Simply Scored Diagonal Plate, Blender Pen, Big Shot

To stamp the Hydrangea, I used markers directly on the stamp, and then used a blender pen to add more color the image.

To make the lattice, I first sent the background through the Big Shot, so the Needlepoint Border was even across the bottom. I placed my background upside down on the diagonal plate and scored at every inch. Next, I rotated my paper and scored again at 1" increments. Easy and a neat effect!

Happy Stamping!

Bomb's Away!

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 19:23:00 +0000

New Photopolymer Stamp set released today by Stampin' Up! and it's funny!

Order online today! www.lilyinkpad.stampinup.net

Happy Stamping!

New Digital Downloads for Mom

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 23:40:00 +0000

or at least ideas to use to make fabulous gifts for mom!

Cool-- I love the idea of a coupon book that's quick and easy to put together!

Great card ideas!

for the graduate!

You can purchase digital downloads from my online store at www.lilyinkpad.stampinup.net

Happy Designing!

Black and White

noreply@blogger.com (Sara Mattson-Blume) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 12:37:00 +0000

After all that color this weekend, how about I show you something in black and white?

Stamps: Blue Ribbon
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Silver Glimmer Paper
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Big Shot, Hexagon Embossing Folder, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Finishing Touches Edgelits, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch

I used the Hexagon Embossing Folder 3/4 of the way across the Whisper White. Then, I added the layers and stamped images.

I finally figured out how to punch out the Medallion without cutting off my tails!

I first cut out the tails and then slipped them up when I put the stamped image in the punch and punched! It's way easier than it looks!

Happy Stamping!