Ingenious Inkling

Gucci Inspired Birthday

When I saw the gorgeous Gucci outfit at the Runway Inspired Challenge, I thought it would be fun to make a card where text is the focal point. (did you see I got was a Fabulous Fashionista last week).

I tried using red ink, but didn't have a pad that was juicy  enough to get the coverage I needed (note to self ... get red ink refill), so I used Hero Arts Raspberry Jam Shadow Ink.  Initially, I lined-up all of my stamps on a big block before stamping, but apparently some of the stamps are slightly different heights (who knew) so that approach failed.  Instead, I created my background one stamp at a time using Sentiments from many Paper Smooches Sets including Salutations, Pretty Phrases, Sentiment Sampler, Happy Birthday and We Adore You.

The theme at the December Paper Smooches Challenge is Flowers, so I stamped flowers from Botanicals 3 to fill in some spots in my design and added paper flowers and pearls to embellish.

Red & White Birthday

The topping theme at Seize the Birthday is Red & White.

I started with Simon Says Stamp Full Card Sunshine Die Cut in white cardstock (for the Die Crazy Challenge at Simon Says Stamp).

I backed it with red cardstock before attaching to a white card base.  The circle sentiment is from Gina K. Designs Birthday Go Round Mini Stamp set (love circle sentiments).  I want to try this in other color combinations ... I think it would be a fun masculine design to do in the colors of favorite sports teams.

Merry On

The theme at the Impression Obsession Challenge is Snowy Wishes, which was perfect for pulling out my new Chin Up Snowman and add a little color with Spectrum Noir markers to coordinate with the Cold Snap papers.

I added the Merry On Sentiment using the sketch from As You See It.  

 

I finished with a few snowflake sequins falling from the sky.

Vintage Buttons & Memories

It seems like the holidays make you miss loved ones even more than usual.  When I saw today's Splitcoast Stampers Inspiration Challenge, I actually teared-up a bit because I had really been missing my step-mom this week (who was taken from us much too soon after her courageous battle with leukemia), and one of the things I still have is some of her vintage button collection.

As I strolled through the Button Collection, I thought about how much she would have loved Pinterest and how fun it would have been to look at the buttons together.  I chose this vintage Abalone Button as my inspiration.

I featured one of her big abalone buttons using this week's Mojo Monday Sketch.

I kept the card fairly simple, so the gorgeousness of her big bold button would shine.  I used industrial strength glue dots to adhere the button, and I will make sure it gets mailed in a bubble-wrap envelope.

 

Glittery Peace

I was so excited to see I won $50 at the Ellen Hutson blog, that I immediately sat down to make a card for the current Pin-Sights challenge (actually, I didn't sit down, since I do most of my creating at standing height tables, but you get the picture).

Here's the inspiration:

I was immediately drawn to the glittery silver peace with the bokeh lights, so that's where I started my design ... I also ended-up pulling in some red from the candy canes and holly berries, as well as the blue from the icicles and fun little snowman.

I finished with a wrap of silver twine and some sparkly silver sequins (Brushstroke Peace die cut is from Essentials by Ellen).

 

Thursday Link Love

Another week of blogland discoveries:

• How fun is this DIY Mondo Chess Set
• A Christmas Photo Checklist
• Printable Christmas Tags that you can Color (or maybe hand out crayons with the gifts)
• Make you own Tangram Magnets (shown)
• How to create Marbled Clay (and ornaments too if you want)
• Do you remember the Kookaburra Girl Scout Cookie
• How to fold a 3-D Paper Star
• Pretty Christmas Trees made from Paper Cupcake Cups
• Love this Fringed Holiday Tree
• Craft Table ideas

Have a tremendous Thursday!

Merry Christmas

I was thrilled when I won the Ellen Hutson Things We Love 2015 Giveaway on Kitty's blog.  My goodies arrived and I wanted to ink-up my new Cozy Christmas stamps.

I started with a piece of Color Burst Stenciled watercolor paper and used this week's Freshly Made Sketch to build my design.

12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist - Day 12

The theme for the final day of the 12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist is Ornaments.

Since I still had my Essentials by Ellen Santa's Flight stamps on my studio table, I decided to see if I could create a Santa Ornament.  I went all the way back to this post from 2010 to find my inspiration using the Stampin' Up Top Note Die Cut.

Other than the fact that his rosy cheeks I bit crazy, I think he turned out quite cute.

12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist - Day 11

On Day 11 of the 12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist it was The Night Before Christmas.

I loved the city-scape designs in both of the sample tags, so I incorporated that into my tag design.  I started with a manila tag and layered on two different skyline die cuts from Hero Arts and Savvy.

I added a gold glitter moon and two stamps from Essentials by Ellen Santa's Flight.  I added some red linen ribbon for a pop of color in this neutral design.

12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist - Day 10

Now that I'm back from my travels, I'm going to see if I can finish up my 12 tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist before the impending deadline. Tag number 10 was another great sketch.

I loved Carly's fun little yeti, so I used that as my inspiration ... but swapped for a Holiday Grumpling (and coordinating die cut) instead.

I used Lawn Fawn Bokeh papers and some coordinating sequin embellishments.