Flowerbug's Inkspot

Thoughts & Prayers

Check out this lovely card we made using the Thoughts & Prayers stamp set.

I stamped the tree and greeting in Soft Suede ink and then placed a 1 3/8" mask over it.  The mask is punched from post-it notes.  Then using a sponge, I added Soft Sky ink in a washing motion.  Do not dab your sponge on to get this pretty soft look!  

The side piece is stamped with our new Hardwood background stamp.  Love it!!

Here's the inside of the card.

Here's the other version.  Here I sponged over the entire small Vanilla layer compared to the first card where I just sponged around the moon and tree.

Everyone at my card clubs really liked this card since it's so easy to make and it's still a wow card.  I hope you like it too!

******Would you like to make cards like these?  You can!  How it Works:

Contact me to let me know you'd like to join my Hostess Cyber Club.  I'll e-mail you at the beginning of each month with the Hostess code.  Then just place an order in My Online Store using that code.  Your minimum order is $30 before tax and shipping.

Then I will send you a free make and take packet with the supplies to make the two Club projects (like above).  I'll also send you step by step instructions via e-mail to make the cards. Make and Take Packets will be sent around the middle of each month. You'll get at least $25 in Hostess Rewards to spend any way you want (after you have participated in my Hostess Code Club and ordered a minimum of $30 each month for six consecutive months). 

E-mail me to participate and make awesome cards like this at home - lagreff at gmail.com

Yay! Paper Pumpkin Refill Kits!!

 Are you a Paper Pumpkin Subscriber?  Yes?  No?  Well if you aren't yet here are a few good reasons to sign up!

• You'll get a free set of In color markers if you sign up by Feb 28th.  2 days left!!
• The monthly kits are so fun to receive; it's a wonderful surprise each month!
• The value has been increased quite a bit so they're even better than before!
• If you are a subscriber you have the opportunity to purchase more kits or refill kits.  So stock up on your favorites!  See below: 
  

Watch this short video to see what we received in our February kit!

  

 And here are the refill kits:

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Did you know we have many different kits in our current catalogs?  Why kits?  It's crafting the easy way with no thinking or planning!  Perfect for gifts, a getaway weekend or just a relaxing few hours of crafting. 

Check them out here.  Click on kits, or see more under the Occasions catalog link.  Or use the item number in your search on the above link.   

New Weekly Deals start today!

Check out these great deals.  Go here to order. 

More Team Shoebox Swaps

Here are more of the awesome cards we made last weekend at my Team Meeting & shoebox swap:

Allison made this one using our new Honeycomb framelit.  Such pretty colors of Basic Gray, Soft Sky & Coastal Cabana. Be sure to add a piece of waxed paper between the metal die and your card stock.  That trick really makes a difference when cutting out intricate dies.   

Jane made this card for us using the Geometrical stamp set & Chevron border punch.  Cute colors from the Retro Fresh dsp and so fun to make a file folder card! 

Here are her measurements:  Start with a 5 1/2 X 7 1/2" card.  Score at 4 1/4".  Using your Envelope punch board place the short side in the punch area so the left edge is right at the metal part under the punch.  Punch once and then move it to the 3" measurement.  Punch again.  Then use your stampin' trimmer to cut off the extra card stock on the top edge.  It might be easier to watch a video on how to do this card.  I'll likely do a picture tutorial in the near future.

Lisa brought this card for us to make.  She used the Perfect Pennants and the Starburst Saying bundles.  Fun layout and the colors of Coastal Cabana, Baked Brown Sugar and Strawberry Slush really pop! 

I'll share the last of them in a few days. 

 

Step-Out Fun-Fold Card with FREE Tutorial!

I promised you a tutorial and template on this card so here it is!  I'm calling it a Step-Out card.  Unless someone knows the name of this fun-fold; that's what I'll go with!

We made it at my Card Clubs in February.  Everyone just loved it!  The colors of Bermuda Bay, Black and White are stunning aren't they?

Here is the Step-out Template for it. You can use either a paper trimmer with a cutting and scoring blade or an exacto knife, ruler and bone folder to create the cuts and folds.

For those that want measurments I've added those to my template here in this photo.  I'm sorry it's a bit sloppy, but there are so many measurements here along with printing.  I may try to add a better one soon. All of the cut and score marks are 1 1/4" or 3" long. 

***You will want to trim off 1/16" off all sides of the template after you cut and score it.  It was just easier to measure, cut & score the template and trim afterwards. 

I love everything about this card.  It's one of my favorites I've made in awhile.  The little banners really stand out in the background don't they? I do like the Sale a Bration Banner Blast stamp set and punch we have now.  So trendy!

Supplies:

• Stamps – Banner Blast, Starburst Sayings, Geometrical (arrow image)
• Card stock – Whisper White, Black, Bermuda Bay cs,
• Ink – Black Stazon, Bermuda Bay Classic ink
• Accessories – 1 ¼” Scallop circle, Banner punch, Merry Mini’s punch pack, Big Shot, Starburst & Circle framelits, White Baker’s twine, dimensionals, rhinestone jewels, Paper Trimmer with scoring blade, mini glue dots

Measurements – Whisper White main card 4 1/8” X 8 3/8” cut and scored using the template below, Bermuda Bay layer 4 ¼” X 5 ½”

If you like what you see here I suggest you do one (or all three) of the following.  All are at the top left column of this post.

• Subscribe to my blog
• Subscribe to my monthly newsletter
• Like my Facebook page!

Would you like to make cards like these?  You can!  How it Works:

Contact me to let me know you'd like to join my Hostess Cyber Club.  I'll e-mail you at the beginning of each month with the Hostess code.  Then just place an order in My Online Store using that code.  Your minimum order is $30 before tax and shipping.

Then I will send you a free make and take packet with the supplies to make the two Club projects (like above).  I'll also send you step by step instructions via e-mail to make the cards. Make and Take Packets will be sent around the middle of each month. You'll get at least $25 in Hostess Rewards to spend any way you want after you have participated in my Cyber Club and ordered a minimum of $30 each month for six consecutive months. 

E-mail me to participate and make awesome cards like this at home - lagreff at gmail.com

Team Meeting & Swap!

Here are a few of the cards we made at our Team Shoebox swap on Saturday.  We focused on the Occasions and Sale a Bration catalogs. 

Mary brought this card for us to make using the Petite Petals and Perfect Pennants stamp sets.  I love the layout and colors here. I believe she got the idea from Ann Stach. Have you seen the Fresh Prints designer paper stack?  It's full of gorgeous patterns using these colors and it's just $6.95.

Marguerite made this card.  Isn't it just so pretty?  The soft colors with that pop of Black really sets it all off.  The stamp set is Happy Watercolor and the paper is Watercolor Wonder.  Both are in the Occasions catalog. 

Candy sent us this one as she lives out of town.  Cute card with fun colors using the See Ya Later set from the Sale a Bration catalog.  She also used the new Decorative Dots embossing folder.  Both of these items are FREE with a $50 order during Sale a Bration.

Stay tuned as I'll share more cards with you soon! 

February Technique Class!

Here are this month's Technique Class projects:  So pretty! 

This is the Layered Markers technique.  It's so pretty with detailed images; it almost looks like tattoo art.  And easy too!  This technique really makes the pretty flower image pop!

A new and unique way to add color to an image - Painters tape!  Do you have some of this laying around from your painting jobs? Now you can use it on your cards!  I believe this card was first made by my friend Karen Duke.  Isn't it fabulous?

And lastly, this is Colored Confetti.  It's textured but not with the Big Shot. Can you guess how I did it?  Vellum!!!  Specifically our card stock vellum.  It's wonderful! 

I have a few openings for this month's Technique class here in Minot.  It's on Tuesday, February 25th at either 3 pm or 6 pm.  I know I'm late posting this but let me know if you can come by Sunday, Feb 23rd please.  it's just $10. 

If you cannot make it to my local class you can make these techniques using my online tutorial.  It costs $4 and includes the following:  Step by Step directions, measurements, photos and supply lists. 

See it here on my Shop.  Just scroll down a bit to find this class.

Here's what Linda had to say about the Technique class tutorials she purchased: 

I have seen another lady who did techniques, but yours are by the far the best.  It has absolutely everything, the notation for the card, how to do the technique card, and a picture of both the technique card and a sample of a card.  Awesome.  I will be sharing this with other demonstrators so they can order too because they have technique classes.  Fantastic job.  I'm very impressed.

Another Control Freaks Blog Hop!

Welcome to the February Control Freaks Blog Hop!

This month's theme is 'anything goes' so it'll be fun to see what everyone created for the tour. 

Whether you started here or came from Cindy's blog keep clicking on the icon at the end of each post and you'll get to see everyone's beautiful projects. 

First up I want to share a card I made playing around with our Gold Vellum specialty paper:

It's quite simple yet so pretty.  The gold striped vellum with the Gold embossed Petite Petals flowers are a perfect pairing with the touch of black. I colored our rhinestones with a Black Sharpie.  The curvy trim is made with my favorite die; the Tasteful Trim Bigz XL die. 

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Next up is a scrapbook layout we made this month:

I found one like it online and just had to recreate it.  It's a bit like puzzle making but once done it's awesome!  I used our Sweet Sorbet Sale a Bration designer paper here with Black, White, Crisp Cantaloupe and a bit of Pool Party.  I'll share measurements here in case anyone wants to try their hand at this puzzle layout. 

• Black layers from left to right: two at 5" X 5 1/2", two at 3 1/2" X 3", one at 3 1/2" X 3 5/8", and 4 1/4" X 5" and 4 1/4" X 5 1/2"
• The triangles start out at 2 3/8" square and most are cut into quarters except the three black patterns on the left page.

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Next is a fun-fold card we made at my February Card Clubs. 

I love these colors!  Black with Bermuda Bay and White. I used two stamp sets here - the Starburst Sayings & Banner Blast (SAB).  Plus the arrow from Perfect Pennants.  The Starburst framelits are awesome! 

I found something like it on Pinterest and created a template for it.  I'll share that with you early next week so stop back in!

Well that's it from me!  Be sure to keep going to see all of the great projects the Freaks come up with.  Next is Wendy! 

 

Geometrical Class to Go!

I'm loving this stamp set and punch bundle!  It's so unique and just plain fun!

Look what I made with it:

Aren't they fun?! This card was cased from a fellow Control Freak, Justin Krieger. Fabulous card!

There are two more great cards included in this Class to Go kit but they'll be a fun surprise when you get your kit!

***Here's how it works:

 

When you order the Geometrical bundle for the Class to Go in clear or wood mount you'll receive the stamp set and Triangle punch plus all of the pre-cut supplies needed to make 5 cards shipped directly to you. You will stamp your images using your new stamp set and your supply of ink pads or markers to finish them like mine.  I will texture or include other punched pieces as needed.

 

The cards kit will be mailed to you with the stamp set via Priority mail in early March. Then you'll receive the photos & step by step directions sent in a pdf document via e-mail.

 

The best part of doing these Class to Go projects is that you'll have 5 great ideas for your new stamp set in the future!  Isn't that what most of us need - creative design ideas? 

 

*** If you are interested be sure to let me know by the date given below.  The kit will be sent out the first week in March.

 

You also have an opportunity to get a free Sale a Bration item with your class to go.  Just add on a bit more in product to get over the $50 before tax & shipping and pick out your free SAB item! The SAB catalog can be seen here.

 

Clear Mount 

 

• Local cost - $43.00
• Priority shipping - $49.00

 

 Wood Mount 

 

• Local cost - $51.00
• Priority Shipping - $57.00

 

If you'd like to order the Geometrical bundle from me & get the full Class to Go cards kit in the mail please contact me at lagreff@gmail dot com by Wednesday, February 26th & I'll send you a PayPal invoice. Or contact me with your credit/debit card information.

 

Upcoming Class to Go Stamp Sets:

 

March - Peaceful Petals

 

April - Petite Petals Bundle

 

May - Happy Watercolor