Holy Guacamole!

Wow ... April was incredibly fassst!   So May is here folks, and  I've come to enable your grocery list.  Why?  In 3 more days, it will be Cinco de Mayo!  I won't be in Texas that day, but I know the same fun foods can be found up in OK.   I'll admit that one of my favorite snacks is guacamole ... sincerely.  How about you?

My upcoming card was inspired by this week's Freshly Made Sketches #386 challenge.

For the fun angle on the white layer, I first cut card stock to the same 4.25" width as the top-fold card.  Then I drew very light pencil lines to create the angle for trimming in my paper cutter.  For the green texture paste, I put a small amount of white embossing paste onto a large stamp block, then added a couple of drops of ink refill. Once thoroughly mixed, it was ready to be spread across the stencil with a plastic palette spatula.  So easy!  Tex's Tip: Just remember, it's easier to wash texture pastes from your tools & stencils before it dries.  

The only change I made to the sketch was adding a monotone circle frame around the sentiment on both the front and the inside.  

To create the angular shape on the inside, I laid 2 scrap pieces of paper across the bottom part of the inside.  After laying the Happy Dots stencil atop the paper masks, I inked the small masked area with a Clarity brush.   This fun Happy Dots stencil is from A Colorful Life Designs, while all of the cute are from the same Darcie's stamp set, 'Holy Guacamole'.  Use code BevFan10 for a 10% discount on your stencils! 

I hope you found some inspiration here today.  Thanks a bunch for visiting.  

Note:  Compensated affiliate links are used when possible.  When you place an order after clicking one of my links, I receive a small commission at no cost to you.  Thanks so much for using my links and supporting this blog.  

Inky (((huggss))),

Supplies Used:
STAMPS:  'Holy Guacamole' (Darcie's heart & home)
INKS:  Memento Tuxedo, Wild Wasabi
PAPERS:  Neenah Classic Solar White, Pear
ACCESSORIES:  Happy Dots stencil (A Colorful Life Designs), Copic markers (list below), Wendy Vecchi's Embossing Paste, pear ink refill, Clarity stencil brushes, circle dies

Copics used:
E17, E15, E13, E11, E21, G20, Y11, YG00, YG0000, G94, G43, G40

Keep Calm & Behave Yourself!

Today's card is a combination of something old plus something new!  Not only is this an image of a 1950's Corvette, but it's also a  Rubbernecker rubber stamp that I've had since 2009. 

That 'aging' works well for the Retro Rubber Challenge #109!  As such, it's well past time to bring it out to play on the stampy table again.  Takes one right back to those vintage "beach" movies from the 1960's ... Vroom-vroom! 

I love the sense of bold forward motion given by the new 'Mid Century Boomerangs' stencil from A Colorful Life Designs.  Silver Embossing Paste was applied through the stencil for the horizontal metallic + black strip.  Tex's Tip:  When using a texture paste, be sure to wash your stencil right away to easily remove the paste from the stencil.  Soaking in a tray of water will be helpful if a sink isn't readily handy. 

Next I lightly brushed gray ink onto the central area of the white card layer.  Although this layer adds no texture, it does continue the visual flow & direction.

Finally it's all topped off with a cool, single sentiment from Technique Junkies, easily placed with my Misti positioner.  The windshield is shiny & dimensional with Glossy Accents and a Gelly Pen gives a metallic look to the 'chrome' elements.  

Ready, set, Vroom-vroom!

Psssst!  For 10% savings on the stencil, use code BevFan10 .

Compensated affiliate links are used when possible.  When you place an order after clicking one of my links, I receive a small commission at no cost to you.  Thanks so much for using my links and supporting this blog.  

Inky (((hugs))),

Supplies used:

STAMPS:  'Corvette' (Rubbernecker), 'Behave Yourself' (Technique Junkies)

INKS:  Memento Tuxedo, VersaFine Onyx (sentiment), soft gray

PAPERS:  Nina Solar Classic white, black, turquoise

ACCESSORIES:  'Mid Century Boomerangs' stencil (A Colorful Life Designs), Life Changing Blender Brushes (Picket Fence Studios), Wendy Vecchi's Silver Embossing Paste, Adorn-it Jewels, Gelly Pen (silver), Ranger Glossy Accents

CHALLENGE:  RRCB109   Retro Rubber Challenge #109

Blue Blossom of Happy!

Sharing a truly favorite floral stamp set here today!  No .. not my only fave floral, since it's positively impossible for me to have an only in this category.  

It's shameful to admit how many times I've stamped + colored images from the 2-box Remarkable You stamp set ... truly shameful.  My favorite coloring method is using aqua pens, and since it's a technique that is very soothing to me, I tend to do it a LOT ... just because!  Surely that's linked back to my coloring book days.  

Tex's Tip:  When using an aqua pen on regular card stock instead of watercolor paper, do not fill the chamber with water!  It's much easier to control the amount of the water by dipping the brush into a small cup.  Thus, there's less chance of pilling due to too much water.  ;)

   I'm happy to play in the Paper Players Challenge today, in their CAS Floral category!

Images shown are from these stamp sets:

• Remarkable You = blossom and leaves
• Cottage Greetings = sentiment
• Gorgeous Grunge = filler spatters

Hope you like it!  

Inky (((hugggsss))),

Savor the Anticipation!

This card came about simply because I wanted to stamp/create something and decided to  participate in a challenge.  I needed a creative break with paper, ink, and goodies, with no other particular goal in mind.  (Wouldn't it be grand if every day was so simple?!)

I love the way the Christmas Pines bundle (stamps and thinlits) work so easily with the Pine Bough embossing folder and the Presents and Pinecones designer papers.  The coordination really made this come together in a virtual 'snap'!

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Even though the pictures appear to show a golden color to the pinecones, they're actually cut from the rich Copper Foil Sheets found in the Holiday Catalog.  And yes, Gold and Silver Foil sheets are available in the annual catalog.  That shine is a splendid texture contrast!

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As I started grocery shopping this week for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, I realized that this really is the beginning of a 'season of joy' ... joy and thanks.  I rarely have my children and grands altogether on one day at one joint meal, and for me, that is one of a few limited times per year that really touches my innermost heart.  So naturally, I've come to savor the anticipation.  Come to think of it, I should write that as one of my Tex's Tips: Savor the Anticipation!  Hope you're entering a time of anticipation of joys to come as well!

Inky (((hugs))),

Product List

Christmas Pines Photopolymer Bundle [143496] $54.75	Christmas Pines Photopolymer Stamp Set [142049] $35.00	Pretty Pines Thinlits Dies [141851] $26.00	Pine Bough Textured Impressions Embossing Folder [141831] $7.50
Copper Foil Sheets [142020] $4.00	Presents & Pinecones Designer Series Paper [141986] $11.00	Fine-Tip Glue Pen [138309] $7.00	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00
Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad [126949] $6.50	Real Red 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [102482] $8.00	Emerald Envy 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [141415] $8.00	Mint Macaron 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [138337] $8.00
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.00	Big Shot Die Brush [140603] $11.00	Big Shot Platform [142802] $26.00	Big Shot [143263] $110.00

Studio Update? You Got It!

Studio update?
* Still uninhabited by stampers and myself .... but coming right along.

Carpet and tile has been removed, followed by sanding machine + elbow grease + chisels in lots of places.  Walls prepped to fill previous nail holes + that unknown variety of 'what alien oopsie happened there'.  Painting is finished in main room.  Girly room will be last.

 Tex's Tip:  When asking someone to remove your tile and prep for dye/stain .... I'd suggest a fave meal, various promises, and perhaps early-prep-cajoling in advance.  This job is not for the 'quicky'-do person.  And if you have to have it all done by class time in  (ex.) 5 days .... plan it for after that class ... unless you hire multiple worker bees.   

This week is really making a difference ... and this chick is happy-happy about that!

Along with renovation of walls and floors, more changes are in the works for classes.    Eeeeeeps!  

'Nuff said.
Inky (((hugs))),

Diagonally WOW!

Let's go just a wee bit beyond ink + card stock today.
Get out your heat tool, embossing powder, and create some WOW!

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 Even though the Bravo stamp set is retiring, mine is staying in my collection.  Why?  So many ways to share encouragement with this double-loaded stamp set!   
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White satin ribbon brings an unexpected elegance ... and it's also retiring, along with the Bravo stamp set and this designer series paper (dsp).

So, have you figured out which designer series paper I've used?  This is one of those over-looked pieces of fresh 'n lovely tucked within the It's My Party 12"x12" collection!  Lots of party inspired designs, kid-friendly patterns, and the reverse sides are completely multi-use, non-themed designs creating a truly versatile stack of offerings!

As usual for me, my practically-staple stamping accessory is here .... Stampin' Dimensionals and I have a very long history of hanging out together.   Tex's Tip:  Yes ... I often cut mine in half!  I maximize my dimensionals, love the high-tack quality, and 1/2 of a Stampin' Dimensional is still a larger surface area than many 'dots' of foam adhesives.  

Remember!  Our retiring products are available only while supplies last, with the exception of most stamp sets.  If you see something on my recent retiring products posts, gather up your wish list and place your order online by clicking right here!  If you have any questions at all, you are welcome to contact me.   

Inky (((hugs))),

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Product List

Bravo Photopolymer Stamp Set

[135380]

$26.00

Whisper White 5/8" Satin Ribbon

[134549]

$7.00

It's My Party Designer Series Paper Stack

[140552]

$26.00

Mint Macaron 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[138337]

$7.00

White Stampin' Emboss Powder

[109132]

$5.00

Versamark Pad

[102283]

$7.50

Heat Tool

[129053]

$30.00

See This Hug?

It's a beautiful day here in Texas!  A brief but welcome break from colder days, but not quite to the point of having my studio door open ... close ... but that's it.    No complaints here, though!  My sweet friend + fellow stamper up in Kearney, Nebraska said she's expecting 1-15" of snow tomorrow!  OMGosh ... I'm just fine where I am, thanks.

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I welcomed some stamping time for pure pleasure today.  The result is my card for the Stamp, Ink, Paper Challenge #32.   The SIP32 challenge is a fun tic-tac-toe choice in which you choose your own tic-tac-toe line of 3 items as in this diagram ... a fun twist!
It's also drawn from today's Featured Stamper challenge over at Splitcoaststampers, featuring SCS member 'MochaFrap'.  Although I don't know her in person, it didn't take long at all to find inspiration for stamping! 

Not likely to be included in next weekend's Stampin' Saturday class, but now that I have the finished card in hand, I already know who needs to receive this one.  Sometimes, the card just 'tells you'.   Don't you love it when that happens?  Tex's Tip:  Card-making and sharing literally shares a part of you!

The Bear Hugs stamp set and Bear Hugs Framelits dies are available separately, or at a 15% savings in a bundle altogether in the Occasions catalog.  A purchase of the Little Letters Thinlits from page 172 in the annual SU catalog puts you over half-way to earning a free Sale-A-Bration item!

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"HUG" was cut from the front designer series paper panel using the Little Letters Thinlits dies.  Since I had the had the cute positive images from die cutting, I decided to let them spread a smile on the inside of the card.   I simply recreated a bit of the front design for staging the lettering on the inside.
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Psssst!   Did you know that If you would like to join us this coming weekend for 1st Saturday Stampin', please just RSVP via email here, or through my Events schedule, or on my Texas Rubber 'n Ink! Facebook page - Events tab.

I'm ready with answers to any questions via email any time.  Hope to hear from you or stamp with you soon!  Need help setting up your own happy stamping gatherings?  I'm happy to help!

Inky (((hugs))),

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