First Christmas Card of the Year

Last year I did not mail out Christmas cards since we were preparing for a local move. This year I am excited to make and send handmade Christmas cards, but I know that I need to get an early start on this task. Here is my first Christmas card this year:

Tip: When I had my Lovely as a Tree and Petite Pairs stamp sets out to make a birthday card, I also stamped pieces for Christmas cards. I find it easy to make a couple of cards at a time when I have some supplies out.

I love the vibrant green of Cucumber Crush (a 2015-2017 In Color) and plans to use it for more holiday crafting. Head over to the SSINKspiration blog for more Christmas card ideas.

Supplies Used:
Lovely as a Tree & Petite Pairs stamp sets
Crushed Curry ink pad
2015-2017 In Color Markers
Cherry Cobbler, Cucumber Crush, Tip Top Taupe, & Whisper White card stock
Cherry on Top Washi Tape
Regals Candy Dots
Big Shot & Circles Framelits

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Butterflies

I love using butterflies on my cards, and for this card I really wanted to focus on the beautiful, new Mint Macaron color.

Tip: The Stampin' Up! bundles are a great deal, and I will list two of my favorites below in the supply list.

Head over to the SSINKspiration blog to see more fabulous ways to use butterflies on your cards!

Supplies Used:
Butterfly Basics bundle
Big Shot
Decorative dots embossing folder
2015-2017 In Color bundle
Elegant Butterfly punch
In Color envelope paper
Build a Birthday stamp set
Whisper White card stock

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Crazy About You

I am impressed with the versatility of the Crazy About You stamp set and the Hello You thinlit dies. When it was time to make a card for today's SSINKpiration blog post, I was not sure where to start. I narrowed my options down to a birthday card and broke into the Cherry on Top 8x8 Paper Pad.

Tip: I love finding craft supplies that give me a lot of "bang for my buck" since I have a limited craft budget. I like the value of the new Envelope Paper. I used the In Color paper to die cut the word for this card, and it is also great for layering on cards. The Whisper White baker's twine is another versatile supply for a great price.

Supplies Used:
Crazy About You bundle
Big Shot
Cherry on Top 8x8 paper pack
In Color Envelope Paper
Whisper White card stock
Watermelon Wonder Dotted Lace trim
Whisper White baker's twine
Cucumber Crush ink pad
Regals candy dots

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SU! Updates

There is a lot to share from Stampin' Up! these days. For regular updates, please follow my Facebook page. Here are three things that I am excited to share with you.

Stampin' Up! continues to offer new Weekly Deals each Tuesday. The items at this sale price are limited, so order yours early in the week. I use this tag topper punch often, and I am eyeing the washi tape that is on sale this week.

Don't miss the Project Ideas page on the Stampin' Up! website. This is a great resource to see the supplies that are needed to create projects from cards to home decor to gift packaging. Some projects are labeled "Quick & Easy," and these projects are perfect for any level of crafter.

I am super excited about the upcoming Holiday catalog from Stampin' Up! If you do not have a demonstrator, feel free to email me at sara(dot)grafton(at)gmail(dot)com for your free catalog. I am impressed by the attention to detail that goes into our products. I will share more about the new products as September approaches since customers may begin ordering from this catalog on 9/1/15.

After a few weeks off from crafting, I am happy to be working on cards again.

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Oldie but Goodie

Even with all of my excitement about new Stampin' Up! products, it is still fun to use some of the "Oldie but Goodie" stamp sets that have been around for a while. For this card, I chose to use the Lovely as a Tree and Petite Pairs stamp sets. Head over to the SSINKpiration blog to see more of our "Oldie but Goodie" stamp sets.

Tip: For the tree I inked the entire image with a Cucumber Crush ink pad and then I used the brush tip of a Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker to go over the trunk. You can layer the darker inks over the lighter inks from Stampin' Up! without damaging your ink pads or markers.

Supplies Used:
Lovely as a Tree & Petite Pairs stamp sets
Cucumber Crush, Tip Top Taupe, & Crushed Curry ink pads
Cucumber Crush, Tip Top Taupe, & Whisper White card stock
Cherry on Top Washi Tape
Regals Candy Dots
Stamping Sponge
Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write marker
Big Shot & Circles Framelits

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Butterfly Basics Birthday Card

We are featuring birthday cards today on the SSINKspiration blog. You can never have too many birthday cards on hand! Today I have a feminine birthday card to share.

I recently ordered the Butterfly Basics Bundle including the stamp set and framelit dies and am wondering why I did not order it sooner. I mainly wanted the dies, and I really love using this stamp set. Here is a birthday card that I made with this beautiful and versatile stamp set:

Supplies Used:
Butterfly Basics stamp set
Whisper White card stock
Blushing Bride, Watermelon Wonder & Cucumber Crush ink pads
Watermelon Wonder & Cucumber Crush markers
Blushing Bride ink refill & Stampin' Spritzer
Watermelon Wonder dotted lace trim
Stamping Sponge
Big Shot & Oval Framelits

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You Rock

My husband and son recently started learning guitar, so I love the little guitar and the "You Rock" sentiment from the Skating By stamp set. I wanted to create a masculine card for our recent card swap in the Fun 'n Crafty Stampers group. The Brick Wall embossing folder is also quickly becoming one of my favorites.

I made eight of these cards for our group swap:

Tip: The Paper Snips are great for fussy cutting images such as this guitar. After I cut out an image stamped in black ink, I run the brush tip of a black marker along the edges for a more finished look.

Supplies Used:
Skating By & Gorgeous Grunge stamp sets
Tip top Taupe & Cajun Craze card stock
Memento Tuxedo Black & Crumb Cake ink
Tip Top Taupe & Basic Black markers
Stamping Sponge
Paper Snips scissors
Big Shot
Banners Framelits
Brick Wall embossing folder
Linen Thread


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