Card in a box day!

Cards by Nerida C, Linda H, Felicity H.

It seems like ages ago, so much happens in a week,

 we had a Team stamping day at Niagara Park Guide hall.

The Inksomniacs team got together to make cards in a box.

Here are some of the cards we made on the day.

 This one is both a sneak peek of a stampset and new white ribbon coming out in the Anunual catalogue in September, which I received at Convention (I love butterflies and just can't wait to order the matching butterfly punch). It also shows the gorgeous lace ribbon border punch, which I have just found out is retiring very soon...  (how can that be?) The scallop ribbon border punch (under the butterfly) is continuing through.

The next card in a box was made by Felicity Hawkins, I just love the white texture on white, loving those butterflies, and the patterned paper stack (purple is still my favourite colour).

 In the afternoon we kept ourselves busy with our own projects and so I stamped away with my Crumb cake and Soft suede inks on Very Vanilla cardstock. Using my Blossom punch and Mixed bunch stampset.

Another retiring stampset used here ... the Medallion is on sale (while stocks last) for $25.46

Linda showed us how it makes a lovely Christmas wreath in Always Artichoke ink and Cherry cobbler.

Or a Thinking of you card on any occasion.

Lace Ribbon Border card

 I love this "Lace Ribbon Border" punch - Dare I say it is one of my favourites?

This card features it so beautifully.

I first saw this card design at Angela Sargeant's "Elite Stampers" Team Training day.

I couldn't wait to get home and try it.

So simple really, and hardly more than a two layer card, or perhaps less since it has so many holes in it.

Card Recipe:
Cardstock: Early espresso, Melon Mambo, whisper white.
Ink: Melon Mambo
Designer Series paper: Cheerful Treat.
Ribbon: Melon Mambo Scallop dot ribbon.
Tools: Lace Ribbon Border, Eyelet Border punch, Large oval, scalloped oval, Boho Blossom punch.
Stampset: "with love" stamp from Field Flowers.

Team challenge

Each month the Inksomniac's team post a stamping, photo inspiration or colour challenge.
This month's challenge was a bowl of curly pasta using the colours: yellow, orange and pink.

 I chose the colours: Daffodil Delight, Calypso Coral, Regal Rose, Melon Mambo and Rose Red.
These colours in cardstock are very bright... which gave me pause for thought.

My card uses the "Summer Solstice" flower stamp with markers direct to rubber. I love the detailed texture in this flower and thought it would brighten up the first edition specialty paper without overpowering the background.

 My daughter brought home this gorgeous pink and yellow camelia .... which inspired me to use the big blossom punch as my focal point on the bottom third of the card. Can you pick the centre shape?
It is cut from the Large lace ribbon border punch and I've used the yellow brad from the Square Fire Rhinestones pack.
In the top right hand corner I used the small boho blossom punch flowers scrunched and layered with a yellow brad.

Enjoy!!!

Gift box wrapping a DVD and making crumpled flowers

 Gift wrapping can be a chore or,
 a creative canvas to express your feelings.

I made this DVD cover from cardstock as a gift for a friend who held a workshop for me recently.

It contained a DVD box with clear stamps in it.

 On the front side I "wheeled" the friendship stamp around the Island indigo cardstock, then scored and folded my box... with the new Stampin' up ScorePal.
 (more on that later).

I added a piece of Concord Crush Embossed houndstooth cardstock and a sentiment:

Just because from the "Notably Ornate" stampset.

 I wrapped it with a piece of lace ribbon punched from Lucky Limeade cardstock.

I think these colours go beautifully together: rich, bright and vibrant.

The box is topped off with a crumpled flower made with the Fancy Flower punch, 5 petal punch and the Boho Blossom punch.

Here's the basic Tutorial for making these pretty flowers.

 You will need:

*Fancy Flower Punch (punch three from vanilla cardstock)

*5-petal punch (punch three from vanilla cardstock)

*Boho Blossoms punch (punch three of the largest blossom)

# Paper piercing tool

# Brad and perhaps a mat pack (so that you dont ruin your table).

# A spray bottle of water or isocol. 

# Dimensional or glue dot to stick to your project.

 1. Layer your punched flowers onto the paper piercer, from largest to smallest blossom.

 2. Then push your brad through the centre hole to hold it together.

 3. Begin scrunching each layer of petals upwards.

If you are finding the cardstock a bit difficult to crumple with your fingers give the whole flower, or each layer a spray with your spray bottle. This makes the paper fibres more pliable, but be gentle they are delicate when wet.

If you used Isocol (rubbing alcohol from the chemist) you can add some shimmer paint and it will dry quicker.

4. When it's almost dry you can unfurl your petals to the desired shape of your bloom.

Just remember the amount you spray will determine how long it takes to dry.

If they are still a little too damp, they wont stick to your adhesive, so set them aside to dry.

 And there you have it crumpled flowers - they look a bit like Gardenias I think.

You can sponge them with ink if you want to deepen the colour or just spray on a bit more shimmer paint for added sparkle.

Enjoy!!!