Just Because

I've been busy making lots of cards during this Social Distancing period. Crafting helps keep me sane with all the crazy going on in the world. I picked up a new stamp at a stamping trade show earlier this year (BC...Before Covid). I finally had an opportunity to play with it. After I stamped it, it was too pretty to cover up with a lot of other "stuff", so I kept it very, very simple.

The color doesn't show true in this pic. It is actually a soft pink with a sheer pink ribbon.

I started by stamping onto pink cardstock, this beautiful background stamp called Bird and Letter Collage from Technique Junkies. I love their stamps. They are a nice rubber and stamp wonderfully. I used a brown ink and my MISTI to accomplish this. I trimmed down the piece and edged the panel with the same brown ink I used to stamp the image. This finishes off the panel nicely.

I added some delicate pink ribbon to the panel. Then, using rub-on letters, I added the Just Because sentiment. Simple. Elegant.

The panel was then attached to a brown A2 card base (4.25" x 5.5"). This background is so pretty, it didn't need any additional embellishing. 

Well, that's my card for today. Hope you found a little inspiration during this crazy time. If you like this stamp (or any of the other Technique Junkies products), you can save 10% at checkout by entering this never-expiring code below:

Stay safe. Stay healthy.

Til next time,
Keepin' it inky.

What We Do Best Challenge - Card #3

Hey, stampers! I'm back again (this has to be a record...3 days, 3 posts). But I am getting so much enjoyment out of making thank you cards for essential workers that I just can't seem to stop! If you want to see all the details of this challenge, just head over to the Technique Junkies Blog Post.

For this card, I pulled out a few of my favorite French stamps from Technique Junkies and some dies.

I love French-Themed stamps. And these are no exception! The stamps I used were:

FRENCH SENTIMENTS, SET OF 4

FRENCH TEXT

COLLAGE EIFFEL

To create this card, I began with cream cardstock and created an A2 card base. I then stamped all three stamps in black ink on separate pieces of cardstock. Using nesting dies, I cut down each stamped image and black mats for each piece. 

I attached the largest matted image to the card base. I added a ribbon and bow to the second matted image, then attached that to the card. And finally, I attached the matted sentiment. 

For the envelope I simply stamped the collage image again in soft grey ink.

I love the combination of black and one color, in this case cream. It makes a very striking card. And now it's all ready to be sent to someone special.

If you are loving all the TJ Stamps I use, these and many others can be purchased from Technique Junkies. And to save 10%, simply add my code below at checkout. Remember, this code never expires, so keep it handy!

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see your challenge submissions soon!

Til next time,
Keepin' in inky.

What We Do Best Challenge - Card #2

I am still having fun creating submissions for the What We Do Best Challenge (click on the link for all the details) over at Technique Junkies. In case you hadn't heard, they are doing a four week challenge, with a different theme each week, and awarding a $50 gift certificate to the Technique Junkies shop.  Besides the chance of winning some cool prizes, crafting is a great way to pass the time during this social distancing period. The desire to thank hospital staff, police and fire fighters, EMT's, and grocery store workers is a great reason to create a thank you card. Here is my second card made for this challenge.

I used two stamp sets from Technique Junkies:

PENCIL TOP UPPER AND LOWER ALPHABET WITH NUMBERS

CREAKING TREES

I began with an A2 card base. I masked off the top and lower sections of the card with masking tape. Using an Ink Blending Brush, I applied and blended Aladine iZink Dye Inks in three colors: Aurore (Dawn), Cire (Wax), and Rose′ (Pink).

After carefully removing the mask, I added two score lines: one above and one below the inked area. With Amalgam Black Ink, I stamped the trees onto the inked section of the card. On a grided acrylic block, I laid out the sentiment with the letters from the PencilTop Alphabet, then stamped below the bottom score line. 

For the envelope, I applied the Aurore and Cire inks in a strip down the left edge. Then I stamped one of the trees at the bottom. I don't have a photo, but I also stamped a second and third generation of that same tree on the inside of the card in the lower right corner. I chose not to add a sentiment to the inside of the card so I could write my own personal message.

This is a one layer card, which will fit nicely in the coordinating envelope. And it's all ready to be sent to an essential worker to brighten their day.

I hope you come play along with this challenge, and I wish you the best of luck. Stay safe, stay healthy!

Before I go, just want to let you know that you can save 10% off all purchases at Technique Junkies by using my code below. This code never expires, so you may want to keep it handy!

Til next time,
Keepin' it inky!

Thinking of You

I find myself in the need of more Thinking of You cards during this crazy time we are in. Social distancing does not mean you can't keep in touch with those you love. This card is perfect to just let someone know that, even though I can't visit them, they are still on my mind.

I used two stamps from Technique Junkies to create this card:

PARTICLE FLOW

SIMPLE SENTIMENTS 2A

I started off with an A2 card base to which I added a strip of purple cardstock. On a piece of cardstock cut slightly smaller than the card base, I stamped Parcticle Flow four times, using four graduating shades of purple ink. My MISTI helped greatly with this. All I had to do was slide my cardstock ¼" after stamping each color. 

I then stamped the sentiment with Versamark and embossed it with black embossing powder. I attached the panel to the card base and added a few enamel embellishments to finish off the card.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you found some inspiration today. If you like any of these products, you can save 10% off your order by entering the code below at checkout. This code never expires, so you may want to keep it handy!

Til next time,
Keepin' it inky!

What We Do Best Challenge - Technique Junkies

Today, I am playing along with a brand new Challenge Series from Technique Junkies. Each week for the next four weeks, there will be a different theme. And each week there will be one lucky winner of a $50 gift certificate to Technique Junkies! All the details can be found H E R E !

So, for the first week, the challenge is to create a thank you card with matching envelope for an essential worker. Here is my card:

I used three TJ Stamps to create the card (including the inside!) and matching envelope:

BIRD AND LETTER COLLAGE (S710)

THANKS FOR BEING YOU (SDX098)

YOU ARE AMAZING (SDX045)

To create my card, I started with a 5" x 10" card base, scored and folded at 5". I used a die to cut the large black circle and smaller white circle. Using the Bird Collage stamp, I stamped a light background with a tan ink onto the white circle. I stamped and embossed the Thanks sentiment on top of the background.

I added a twine ribbon to the black die cut, attached that onto the card base, then added the white circle using foam tape. 

For the inside of the card, I added a black panel. Then, onto a white panel, I stamped a section of the Bird Collage in light tan, then the sentiment was stamped in black ink.

After creating my envelope with a WRMK Envelope Punch Board, I added more of the Bird Collage stamp in random areas, covering the front of the envelope. I also added that stamp to the inside of the envelope flap to create a finished look.

I love the simplicity of the card. It was a breeze to make!

I encourage you to play along with me! If you want to add to your stash, all product from Technique Junkies can be purchased for 10% off by using the code below (this code never expires, so keep it handy!):

Til next time,
Keepin' it inky!