Always in Style

Vintage- that is. At Stampin' Up!'s Leadership Conference in early January, the CoFounder and CEO of Stampin' Up! Shelli Gardner showed projects in the Vintage style. Shelli is classy and an amazing leader, so her presentations are always the best. She inspired me to try this vintage style out. For my January Stamp Club, I designed this card:

Stamps: Always, Whimsical Words, Vintage Labels, Vintage Wheel

Paper: Kraft, Very Vanilla, Rich Razzleberry

Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Pretties Kit, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/4 inch Circle Punch, 1 1/4 Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Sponge Daubers, Jumbo Handle, Jumbo Chocolate Chip Ink Cartridge

Layers, antique looks, mixing and matching are all qualities of a Vintage card and I think I did pretty well for my first attempt!

Happy Stamping!

The Hardest Card to Make

Sympathy cards, of course, are the hardest to make, especially when you have none in reserve and have to make one at the moment the grief is most present. Each January, I make sure I have a few ready to go, by making some at my All-Occasions Stamp-a-Stack. Here is the one we made last weekend:

Stamps: Thoughts and Prayers

Paper: So Saffron, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Pack

Ink: Old Olive, Brocade Blue

Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note Bigz Die, Paper Snips

Simple, yet solemn with plenty of room to write a personal message inside. Just the way I like my sympathy cards to look.

Happy Stamping (and may you not need many of these this year),

Butterflies to Beat the Winter Blues!

January is my worst month of the year. I know Bubba (my husband) may think every month has it's challenges, but really, January is a hard one to get through for me. I love winter weather. I walk outside in the coldest of temperatures and snowiest of days, but the clouds get to me. What does this have to do with today's card? Well, I love to design with bright colors under my sun lamp(s), and celebrate the bright side of life.

Stamps: Whimsical Words

Paper: Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Pack,Taken with Teal, Hugs Note, Taken with Teal, Pumpkin Pie

Ink: Taken with Teal

Accessories: Hugs Note, Big Shot, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Mini Glue Dots

One of my biggest issues with January is that I lose my creative mojo. What does any good stamper do? CASE. What's that? Copy And Share Everything! I cased Gretchen Barron, an amazing demonstrator and designer's layout. Check out her example here on her blog.

This is one of the cards at my last Stamp-a-Stack. To save time (and get a cute effect), we used the Hugs notes from the Occasions Mini Collection for the white layer. These are precut cards that can also be used as layers!

Happy Stamping!

Baby Onesies, Oh My!

As I've mentioned before, my sister's sister-in-law and I planned my sister's baby shower. I am not into those dorky games, but Nancy had a great idea- to stamp on onsies! Off to the store I went to get the onsies. I had to call my sister to make sure I had the right thing, since the label called them "wiggle in bodysuits." Did I have the right thing? Yep.

We had 15 in all and everyone got to make 1-3. Whoever had the inspiration, did the work. Aren't they all cute? We used Bold Bright Craft Spots and my stamp collection. After stamping, we ironed the onsies to heat set the ink. Easy and cute.

Here is a close up of two. Mine is on the right. My cousin's Tracy is on the left. Can you identify the stamps we used? I used the Fox and Friends and the flower from the With All My Heart Set. Tracy used the Something Sweet Set. How fun!

Happy Stamping!

Baby Shower Thank-you Cards

As my sister's sister-in-law and I were scheming the way were going to handle my sister's baby shower, we also decided to make her thank-you cards--right in front of her at the last Green Bay Stamp Group in December. He He he. Very sneaky of us.

Stamps: Teeney Tiny Wishes

Paper: Pretty in Pink, Very Vanilla, Rich Razzleberry, Sending Love Speciality Paper

Ink: Rich Razzleberry

Accessories: Scallop Trim Corner Punch, Beautiful Wings Embosslit Die, Scallops Bigz Die, Big Shot

What good is a set of cards without a fabulous package to put them in?

Stamps: None

Paper: Sending Love Specialty Paper, Rich Razzleberry

Ink: none

Accessories: Chocolate Chip Wide Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Big Shot

Happy Stamping!

Stampin' Up! Responds to Call to Action

Stampin' Up! is an amazing company to be associated with and I am proud to announce that Stampin' Up! has directed efforts to raise money for relief in Haiti.

On January 12, 2010 a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, leaving in its wake devastation so overwhelming that the Haitian people and their leaders can only look for help from the outside to cope. As a Stampin′ Up! demonstrator, you can help make a difference in the lives of those who continue to suffer from the effects of this earthquake by purchasing, and more importantly selling, the I {Heart} Hearts stamp set.

From now until February 28, 2010, $2 from every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set bought will be donated to the American Red Cross’ Haiti Relif and Development Fund. The Red Cross is already well-established in Haiti, and this money will be used to provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.

Product Name	Item #	Price
I {Heart} Hearts – clear-mount (block D recommended)	118571	$18.95
I {Heart} Hearts – wood-mount	117010	$26.95

In the past, when terrorists attacked the Twin Towers, when a tsunami struck Indonesia, when a hurricane destroyed New Orleans, and when wildfires ravaged Australia, Stampin′ Up! demonstrators have stepped forward and showed their commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. This time is no different.

Visit my online store from my Stampin' Up! Website to order or send me an email to lilyinkpad@yahoo.com. I will be placing orders on Monday, January 25th or can do so individually at any time!

Baby Shower Decorations...SU! style

My sister is going to have a baby! WHO HOO! It's big news around here, so my cousins (plus my mom and my aunt), got together for a Girls Weekend at my house here in Shawano. Part of the festivities (which included quilting, stamping, auction boards, and reading), was a baby shower for my sister. Now, those of you who know me, I am not a typical girly girl. Not at all. Pink is not my thing. However, this whole baby niece thing has me going ga-ga over all the cute clothes and stuff for girls in the stores! (mostly how Melon Mambo and flowers are all around), so as hostess, I decorated with SU!

Now, don't get distracted by the yummy treats my Cousin Amy created. Check out that cute tablecloth--I used a baby blanket I found that matched Stampin' Up!'s new flower punch!

These are the cute sock cupcakes I created. I saw the idea online, bought cute socks that weren't the right kind, and then made up my own wrap one around the other technique. I think they turned out cute. Yet, cupcakes aren't complete unless there is a cupcake topper!

Stamps: With All My Heart

Paper: Mambo Melon, Rich Razzleberry

Ink: Rose Red

Accessories: Extra Large Fancy Flower Punch, Stampin' Up! Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, Mini Glue Dots

Here is my beautiful sister and the cutest outfit I could find for a baby. It has frogs all over and frog feet! Oh my gosh! I am going to go broke buying stuff for this kid. Keep me out of the baby sections!

Happy Stamping!

Just Football Star Decoration Tutorial

As promised, here is the Star Decoration Tutorial.

You'll need:

The Big Shot, with extended cutting plates

Pennant Die

Sticky Strip

Ruler

Paper Snips

5 sheets of 12 x 12 paper

What to Do:

1. Cut 10 pendants from 12 x 12 cardstock. You can get two per page:

I cut the paper in along that line (which created two trapezoids) folded it in half and then got two pennants per page. Sometimes part of the pennant tips got cut off, but this really doesn't matter since you cut them off.

2. Place the pennant in front of you horizontally with the tip to the left and the wide end to the right. Measure 6 3/4 inches from the tip along the score line and place a dot. Then, draw a straight line from the center point to the place where the two score lines meet in the corner.

On a math note (as I teach middles school math): I found that my sample (from a store) had 3/4 ratio of the center length to the edge length, so I measured our pennant, which is 9" long. This meant my center line needed to be 6 3/4 inches.

4. Trim along this line on 5 pennants.

5. On the other five pennants, draw a parallel line along the line you just made, about 1/4 inch apart. This is important because you want a place for the sticky strip to stick.

6. Trim along the line you just drew and fold along the inner line. You want to hide this black line inside, so flip it over. Cut the center line to create two flaps:

7. Stamp as desired.

8. Take two pennants. Apply sticky strip to the edge where the scallops are on one. Stick both together along the scallops. Trim the excess sticky strip between scallops. This makes a cone shape. Repeat 4 more times, so you have all 5 cones.

9. Fold the tabs up on the bottom. Apply sticky strip to the top of the tabs. Carefully, (as sticky strip once applied is hard to remove), hold a cone in each hand and connect the tab of one pennant to the non-tabbed side of the other pennant. Continue until you create the entire star.

10. Hang and display!

Somehow that seems harder than it was. Good luck!

Happy Stamping!

Sale-o-bration Blog Hop: Just Football!

Welcome to Lily's Ink Pad and the Stampin' Addicts Sale-a-bration Blog Hop! You may have just come from Allison Ohran's blog, or maybe you found me on your own, but you are in a for a treat. After you read my blog, you can travel to Lisa Naples' blog and from there see other demonstrator projects using Sale-a-bration projects in a big circle!

WHOOO HOOO! I love Sale-a-bration each year. Who doesn't like FREE STAMPS! This year Stampin' Up! has started something new-- we can choose from a list of current stamps from the catalog! How Cool!

I chose to use the stamp set Just Football as my husband is a huge football guy. Not just football- Raider Football. Me, I really don't care much at all. In fact the year, we first met, I didn't even know the Superbowl was on the day he asked me about i! Ever since, the annual tradition of watching the Superbowl is upheld by Bubba with me around somewhere stamping. To honor this tradition, I decided to use the Just Football stamp set:

Stamps: Just Football

Paper: Old Olive, Creamy Caramel, Basic Gray

Ink: Old Olive, Creamy Caramel, Basic Gray

Accessories: Big Shot, Pennant Die, Sticky Strip, Paper Snips, Corner Rounder Punch, Round Tab Punch, scallop punch, 1 3/8 Circle Punch, Scallop Die, Felt, Paper Cutter with Scoring Blade, Stampin' Up! Journaling marker, Two Tags Bigz Die

The star decoration idea came from a lamp I found at store made of paper. I knew I could recreate it with the pennant die. Come back next week for a tutorial on how to make it!

I also made invites for Bubba's Party. He doesn't like things too fancy, so I kept it simple. Plus, if I was to send them out, I needed quick and easy. I made the football pop up by cutting a circle into a spiral. I used my marker to write the info on the invite, because it seemed more personal that way.

The food tags are essential for people like me with food issues, so we can identify what we plan to put in our mouths! I simply used the Two Tags Die to cut out a tag and folded it on it's crease, so that it stands! The scallop circles are for cupcakes or cake decorations. The felt scallop was a quick way to make coasters that can easily be washed or discarded after the game! I used classic ink; craft would have been better.

I hope you are inspired by this blog hop and enjoy your Sale-a-bration. Be sure to check out the next stop at Lisa Naples' Blog.

Stampin' Addicts is a great resource for any Stampin' Up! Fan. Be sure to visit!

Go Stampin' Up!

Celebrating with Fox and Friends

For a while, I've seen these cards around that open in such a cool way. I just never really got around to trying it out. That is, until I found the beauty of the Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper. I had to showcase how cool it really is so here you go:

Stamps: Fox and Friends, On Your Birthday

Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Pumpkin Pie, Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper, Whisper White

Ink: Taken With Teal, Rich Razzleberry

Accessories: 12" paper cutter with scoring blade, 3/4 circle punch, 1" circle punch, flower brads

This is a really fun card to make and receive and all it takes is a few folds and a few cuts!

Here is a link to a tutorial on this card. It's not the one I first found, but it's the same idea!

Happy Stamping!

Big Shot Butterfly Pin

I love making three-dimensional items and I love recieving them as swaps. For the Leadership Conference, I

created 40 of these adorable butterflies! I also plan to use them as favors at an upcoming baby shower.

Stamps: None

Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Garden Green, Medium Window Sheets

Ink: None

Accessories: Butterfly Embosslit, Big Shot, Basic Gray Satin Ribbon, Paper Crimper, Crystal Effects

These little guys are durable. They were packed in a bag in my carry on and another in my checked luggage, were hauled around for three days in Pheonix and all of them stuck together. I used Crystal effects to adhere each layer and it was quite effective!

Happy Gift Making!

A Simple Swap

I love clean and simple cards. I love using bright colors contrasted with neutrals. I love Fox and Friends. When I saw this owl, I knew I needed to pair him with this saying from On Your Birthday. Somehow, it just fits.

Stamps: Fox and Friends, On Your Birthday

Paper: Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper, Kraft, Whisper White, Taken with Teal

Ink: Taken with Teal

Accessories: Old Olive Striped Ribbon

If you like this card and want to attend my All-Occasions Stamp-a-Stack, you can make this card!

January 23, 2010
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

My House in Neenah

OR

January 28th, 2010

6-8 pm

My House in Shawano

Need a stack of birthday, thank-you, sympathy, and all-occasion cards? At this event you'll leave with a dozen cards- 3 each of 4 designs featuring products from our Occasions Mini-catalog. Stamper's Fee is $15. Remember, it's Sale-o-bration, so any $50 order qualifies for free products. This is also a Mystery Hostess event. Anyone who places a $50 order will get an entry into the Mystery Hostess drawing and earn Hostess Benefits for FREE! (Your cards will take about two hours, pick a time to attend that works for you).

I also used this card as my general swap card at the Leadership Conference!

I won!!!!!

This cute mailbox!



At the Stampin' addicts dinner at Stampin' Up leadership conference in Pheonix! My roommate and hostess with the mostess Barbara made it for table favors. Check out the Designer Series paper on that! You can find it in the new Occasions mini catalog!

A Happy Heart in PINK

I know. Pink. The color I hate, or used to. Stampin' has changed that a bit. The new Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Paper from the Occasions Mini Catalog inspired me to make this card:

Stamps: A Happy Heart

Paper: Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Paper, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, and Kraft

Ink: Pretty in Pink, Versamark

Accessories: Scallop Oval Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Pretty in Pink Brad, Paper Piercing Tool and Matte, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Check it- GLITTER, too! I think I was possessed by my sister on this one! One of the cool aspects of this Designer Series Paper is the glitter is already there! Since the background was glittery, I had to glitterize my main image.

How?

First, I stamped my image by placing the Stamp-a-ma-jig imaging sheet in the corner of the T of the Stamp-a-ma-jig. Next, I placed my paper in the same corner, as it matched where I wanted my image to be! Lucky me! I then placed my stamp against the Stamp-a-ma-jig and stamped my image in Pretty in Pink. I let that dry and cleaned my stamp. I repositioned my paper in the corner of the Stamp-a-ma-jig and stamped in Versamark. Next, I embossed with Iridescent Ice. Glitzy and Glamorous!

Currently, I am playing hooky from my day job and celebrating Stampin' Up! with an amazing group of demonstrators at Leadership in Phoenix Arizona. This is one of my swaps!

Happy Stamping!

Welcome Baby!

Babies have been on my mind lately. Not mine, my soon to be niece! The little giraffe in my new Fox and Friends stamp set was calling me to make a baby card.

Stamps: Fox and Friends, Teeney Weeny Wishes

Paper: Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper, So Saffron, Kraft, Whisper White, and Taken with Teal

Ink: So Saffron, Taken with Teal

Accessories: Photo Corner Punch, So Saffron Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Modern Label Punch, So Saffron Brad, Paper Piercing Tool and Matte

Isn't the Sweet Pea the cutest? You are going to get sick of seeing me use it. I love the colors, the patterns, and the diversity. Each pack has 48 sheets. How cool.

Tomorrow (January 5th) is the first day you can order from the Occasions Mini Catalog. Be careful, once you see it, you'll be spending money! It's amazing! Remember, Sale-a-bration also starts tomorrow (January 5th). You can earn FREE product with every $50 you spend!

Happy Stamping!

Fox and Friends!

Welcome to the lilyinkpad stop on the Stampin' Addicts Occasions Mini Catalog Blog Hop!

The Occasions mini catalog rocked my December. I had planned to be budget conscious, buy very little, and not go crazy when I got a sneak peek at the new Mini Catalog. Then, reality hit. WHAT AN AMAZING COLLECTION OF PRODUCTS! I immediately had a wish list the length of my to do list paper and had to sweat and work to windle it down to a manageable order! My nephew Nathan, the frugal one, helped me out a bit when he suggested I needed a new animal set. Why not? Fox and Friends became mine! I couldn't wait to play and here is what I created:

Stamps: Fox and Friends

Paper: Sweat Pea Designer Paper, Taken with Teal, Whisper White, Rose Red

Ink: Taken with Teal

Accessories: Big Shot, Flower Layers with Leaf Bigz Die, Scallop Circle #2 Die, 1 3/4 Circle Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, 12" Paper Trimmer with Scoring Blade, Rose Red Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon Sweet Pea Felt Flowers, Crop-o-dile, Sticky strip, Mini Glue Dots, SNAIL

The box was my own design. I simply scored a 12x12 piece of designer paper at 1 3/4", 5 3/4", 7 1/2", and 11 1/2". I then scored a 1 3/4 from the bottom and trimmed off some off the top. I scalloped the edge and put the box together.

The pen was fun to cover. I just cut a piece of DSP that would fit and sticky stripped it down. I then added the ornament for fun. I used my Big Shot to cut out flowers and used them as background layers for the bookmark and accent on the little notepad.

This is a great gift for a friend who reads!

What's a gift without a card? Boring! So, I had to make a card:

Stamps: Fox and Friends, Birthday Greetings

Paper: Rose Red, Whisper White, Taken with Teal, Chocolate Chip, Apricot Appeal

Ink: Taken with Teal, Rose Red

Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Texturz Impressions Folder, Flower Layers with Leaf Bigz Die, 1 3/4 Circle Punch, Lacey Edge Punch, Rose Red Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon Sweet Pea Stitched Felt Flowers, Corner Rounder Punch, Chocolate Chip Corduroy Button

I love using white as background color, so I ran it through the Big Shot with the new Texturz Impressions Folder, which I love. I used the flowers again to make accents for my stamped images and layered them up! To anchor my images, I added a thin strip of Chocolate Chip at the top of the ribbon and an Apricot Appeal punched layer at the bottom for extra cuteness!

If you got here via Lyssa's amazing blog you can click here to go onward to Twila's use of the Sweet Pea paper!

Have a great stampin' Day!