Creative Inking Blog Hop: Winter Frolics

Welcome to the Creative Inking Blog Hop!

It's time for some Wintery Fun :)

First a little confession time. I bought these little pinecones right away cause I thought they were super cute! But I have such a hard time putting them on cards. I worry that they will get thrown away (gasp!!) and it makes it harder to mail them. So they sat untouched in my drawer, waiting for some love.

Over Thanksgiving, at my up-line meeting, we made a set of earrings with the pinecones. They were SO CUTE!! I couldn't wait to try playing with jewelry making using them some more :)

So my mom and I decided to split some supplies to make a necklace to match. I've never made jewelry before this, so if I can do it so can you! You will need a chain (we chose a bronze to match the pinecones), some jump rings, and a clasp for the back. Then a needlenose pliers (or even better some jewelry pliers) and you are set.

Didn't it turn out cute! One hint (I got this from a friend on our team that has made jewelry)- when you open the rings you bend them each sideways away from one another. Do Not make the link bigger- that kind of bending stresses the metal and fatigues it. If that didn't make sense... I would check out YouTube videos that explain how to do it. Like I said, super simple.

After finishing the necklace I had just enough chain left to make a bracelet too. Isn't it just a cute set!

So now I have some wintery SU! jewelry I can wear for the next few months when I want to feel festive :) And I don't have to worry that they will get thrown away ;) Bonus!

I hope you enjoyed this idea! The pinecones are being discontinued at the end of the month, and are only available while supplies last until then- so make sure to pick some up now if you want to make your own set.

Now, hop along and see what my fellow stampers have created for you this cold wintery day.

Flutterby again soon!

Creative Inking Blog Hop: Handmade Holiday

Welcome to the Handmade Holiday's edition of the Creative Inking Blog Hop!

Today I'm gonna show you the cards we have been working on in class the last few months. Each month we made 10 cards- 2 designs, 5 each- and they were quick and easy designs. So, if you still need to make your cards for the upcoming holiday season get ready to be inspired! You can easy finish a bunch of these in one sitting and be ready to roll.

All the cards start with a set of notecards & envelopes for the base (they come in white and crumb cake). That makes them even quicker- no prep for the card bases! Also, they are a little smaller than a standard card, which I personally think gives them a bit of 'cuteness' factor (isn't everything small cute :) ).

The first month we used the Santa's Sleigh bundle along with super cute Warmth & Cheer DSP and Washi. A little stamping, a little assembly and it is all done!

For month two we dove into the Christmas Pines bundle. I LOVE this set! We started with a template for masking on the one card, and then were able to use it again and again.

This month we will be using the Star of Light bundle. This was top of my wish list when the holiday catalog came out. Isn't it just divine?! I paired it with my new favorite in color (Dapper Denim- such a fun name) and some Copper paper & string. I think these turned out oh so elegant!

Finally, next month we will be using the stampin rewards set Cozy Critters and one of the Swirly Scribbles dies for a wreath. Isn't that a fun alternative use!

If you haven't made Christmas Cards yet, I hope you are inspired to pick your favorite holiday line and start going. There are a lot of things you can make really fast, that are super pretty and will make your card stand out this year.

Happy Stamping and Flutterby again soon!

Now hop along!

Creative Inking Blog Hop: Spooky Fun

Are you ready for some Spooky Fun on today's blog hop?

Welcome! We hope you enjoy all the Halloween themed projects this month- with plenty of time to create your favorites for friends and family.

Today, I created a scenic card for you, which looks like it is straight out of a halloween flick...

This card features the Spooky Fun Bundle. And although I'm not a huge halloween fan (aside from just having fun with my kiddos) I really love this set. The adorable little tree cutout is perfect for some spooky fun... but also will be great for fall and winter themed scenes. And multi-use sets are a big win in my book.

I also just really love that this is a scene building set. Sure, you could use the pieces as traditional stand alone elements, but when put together like this you can create a full landscape- which I think is so cool. The set also comes with an adorable little fence, which although I decided not to use here, will be really fun to use with other scenes I create :)

The other part I should mention about this card is how to create the fun background. I got the variegation in the sky by sponging it with a dauber. Just tap tap tap it on the ink, and then rub it around on the paper in swirling patterns. So much fun :)

Now hop on over to see what Kristine created for us this month

Or if you've already been there, head back over to Sue (BJ is out this month)

And don't forget- Flutterby again soon!

Sand & Sunshine Release

Today is the day. My kit is finished, and it will be available for free on the Scraps N Pieces forum for the next two weeks! Check out all the finished pieces :) And then follow the link at the end of this post to get it for yourself. Hope you enjoy scrapping with it as much as I did building it!!

To download the kit pieces, visit my gallery post on the Scraps N Pieces forum HERE. Enjoy!

Flutterby again soon!

Creative Inking Blog Hop: Be A Big Shot

Welcome to the July Creative Inking Blog Hop!

This month we are bringing you all things Big Shot. So be ready for some WOW!

The two cards I'm sharing with you today are the hardest I have ever made. Not in technique- that was fairly straightforward- but in subject matter. You see, on July 8th, one of my friends passed away in childbirth. She left behind her hubby and three little children (3 1/2, 2, and newborn)- which pull at my heartstrings as a mother. These are the cards I made for her family.

This first card was one I made for our coworkers to sign. Michelle (my friend) had worked in many different areas of our company, and was well loved by a lot of people. We had multiple cards spread out throughout the building for friends to leave messages and this was my favorite of them.

This next card I made specifically to be from our family. I had become friends with Michelle shortly after we both started working at our company. We had a shared love of Chai teas, and a common wish of starting a family- sooner than the typical female actuary. And in a company where your coworkers all live on opposite suburbs of the city, the two of us actually lived only 10 minutes apart. So along with our hubbies we many fun times together.

While stamping these cards I remember thinking about her family with every step I took. It was nice to be able to do something that I hoped would bring them some joy in this horrible situation. But also very, very hard. Thankfully, though, I managed to not add any tear drops to the cards.

Just a little about the cards- although I know they are fairly straight forward and easy to replicate. Both feature the Flourishing Phrases bundle and the new Dapper Denim In Color. The framelit was used to cutout the vine from vellum- I liked the delicate detail it added to both these cards.

If you are interested in hearing anymore about my friend, or helping out her family and children, please visit her YouCaring website. We are constantly astounded by the outpouring of love for her and her family.

Now, hop on over to Kristine's blog to see what she made with her big shot for us today!

Or if backwards is your grove, head on over and see BJ.

Flutterby again soon!

Sand & Sunshine Digi Elements

I've got another Sand & Sunshine Digi Kit sneak peek for you today. It is the elements- and what cuties they are :)

Since it is for a class, I was trying out all sorts of different types of elements. But I did also try to make sure there were plenty of coordinating items of the same type as well... making the set of puffy stickers were my favorite!

Hope you enjoy!

Flutterby again soon.

Hey Look! It's a Bird!!

So, of all the cards from my Swirly Bird set you haven't seen one bird yet. That is finally going to change today :)

So, at long last, here is the swirly bird :) I used the Chocolate marker to freehand the branch (it really is easy- just take a deep breath, make swipes for the basic shape, and then fatten them up). The next thing I added was the next stamp (a.k.a. the bottom of the boat). Then the birdy and egg, lastly I scattered the leaf stamps in all the space left. And a bright sun up in the corner- although you could just do the swirly framelit and skip that stamp and it would look awesome too!

Just a couple final finishing touches- I added a little gold thread into the sun to fancy it up. Then I cut up the linen thread into a bunch of short little chunks and glued them onto the nest stamp. So you can no longer see the stamp.... but it gave me an excellent idea of the shape to glue them in :)

Hope you've enjoyed this Swirly Bird series! Flutterby again soon :)

Out on a Vine

So are you sick of the close-ups yet of the Swirly Bird class? I hope not- I've got two more to go :)

I almost only made 5 cards for the class... but I couldn't resist this design so I slipped it in at the last minute :) Such a simple design, but I just love the flowering vine. And there is plenty of space to add a sentiment on the right side- big or small it will look awesome.

Only one card left to go. Flutterby again soon!

Sand & Sunshine Digi Papers

And I'm back, ready to show you the papers I've created for my Sand & Sunshine kit.

Aren't they beautiful? If not... I guess don't tell me ;) Cause I'm loving it! I can't wait to share them with you! Elements soon to come too.

Flutterby again soon!

Swirly Flowers

One of the first things I saw when I looked at the Swirly Bird bundle was the swirly flowers from Paper Pumpkin a couple months back. I LOVED those flowers, so I knew I needed to incorporate them into the class.

Funniest part was, after I had added the swirly circle stamps, I didn't even feel the need to add the swirly flower framelit (although I will definitely be making more cards that do incorporate it!). I loved how this card turned out with just paper, stamps, and ink :)

Although, nothing is quite complete without a little *wink*.  Wink of Stella that is! Hoping it shows up well enough in the picture for you to see. I *winked* at all the flowers & leaves, as well as the entire strip of Sugarplum cardstock along the bottom :)

Flutterby again soon!

Swirly Tree

I am in love with the Swirly Bird bundle. There are just so many possibilities to explore. I crammed a ton of them into this month's class (and I've seen sooooo many more than this).

Now, just looking at the framelits, I would not have come up with this idea on my own. But I saw the cute tree on Pinterest and now I can't see this leafy swirl without seeing a tree :) It is the perfect size to coordinate with the tree builder punch trunk.

This was also my first time breaking out 'real' watercolor paper. I've always done my watercoloring on white cardstock before, but this time I tried out the real thing. So Pretty! I'm gonna have to start using this paper more often :) The watercolor look on it just turns out so much better.

Once again I used the fun new in-color ribbon. I ran some fast fuse along the edge of the card and folded the ribbon back and forth on it to create the ruffles. For the ones that wanted to stand straight up I also added some fast fuse on the bottom side of the ruffle to stick it down flat.

Flutterby again soon!

Sand & Sunshine Digi Kit

So, in a prior post I had alluded to the fact that I'm taking a class where I learn how to do some digital designing.

I. Am. Loving. It!!

I still doubt I will have time to actually become a 'real' designer and sell in a store, but making this kit has been seriously fun. And best part (for you) is that it will be available after class at SNP for free :)

So, now that I can really start to see my stuff coming together, I wanted to share with you some snippets of what I've been making.

First step, pick out a kit theme and color scheme.

And check :) Loving these colors and planning to make a lake beach theme to go around with them. Bet you can't wait to see more!

Flutterby again soon!

Boats, Boats, Boats

In our blog hop last week I introduced the Swirly Bird cards I had created for class this month. Now it is time to see another one of these beauties up close.

I'm loving the cute little boat stamp pieces. It is perfect to use the long scribbles as the waves underneath (not that I did that for this card, but an awesome possibility none the less).

This is great for any guy cards you could need. Here I made for a baby boy, but it could be for a boy birthday, and my friend changed up this card to have a father's day sentiment on it as well.

You could easily make this layout with just paper and it would be adorable. But I love how it looks dressed up with the little strips of blingy glimmer paper along the flag. And the new in-color ribbon this year is so fun in all it's ruffled goodness.

Flutterby again soon!