Simply 'Happy Mother's Day!'

I was playing around with my Watercolor Trio stamp set, getting ready for my Open House today, and made this wondrerfully simple card. I used my markers to 'color' the stamp, mist with water and stamped on my cardstock. I didn't want my greeting to be too dark, so I inked my stamp with Close to Cocoa classic ink. I liked the way this simple, yet pretty card turned out.

What do you think? Like it, love it, too simple for your taste? Let me know. Post a comment. I'd love to hear what other's think.

Saturday's Open House

These are the cards you will make at my Open House on Saturday, May 8th. Please arrive between 12 noon and 3p, so you will have plenty of time to finish, and visit. I have two different cards, both with different techniques on purpose.

The first card, uses 4 different techniques, with a host of different products. I wanted a card that used alot of product and many different techniques.

The second card is a minimalist card - quick and easy. One layer, uses one stamp set & markers.

There is a supply fee of $5 to attend. Come out, make some cards, and see the new Stampin' Up! products in the Summer Mini catalog. You will use both clear mount and wood mount stamps, a stencil, some Smooch sprays, meet some wonderful ladies who like to paper craft, and be eligible to win a door prize!

Can't make it? Purchase a kit! Kits come with all the card stock cut and scored, along with any embellishments, a supply list, and complete instructions (including color photos). Don't live in Albuquerque, there is a $5 shipping fee.

Want to make the cards with your friends? Have a workshop/private party! Share with your friends the joy of paper crafting!

Contact me for details! Come back tomorrow to see some last minute, quick and easy Mother's Day cards.

Bunco/Bunko

I play Bunco/Bunko, and I have a wonderful time. If you aren't familiar with this game, it is a dice game that requires 12 people (usually women) to play. I just so happen to play with an awesome group of ladies. And, as you all know, Mother's Day is right around the corner. So, I have made each lady a 'Happy Mother's Day' card, and a book mark.

I made the book marks out of mega paper clips, and in a variety of colors. That way, each lady could select their favorite color. (I also included a close-up). At the centers of the flowers on the book marks, there is a silver brad to hold all the layers of card stock (petals) together. Some of the centers have clear rhinestones on top of the silver brads, and others have half-pearls. Just in case you wanted some bling, or not.

All the Mother's Day cards are the same -its easier when mass producing. However, one lady we play with doesn't have children. I didn't want her to feel left out, so her card say 'for you'. So she knows that she is valued and loved, even if she's not a mom.

All products used are stampin' up! I used Pale Plum & Mellow Moss card stock and classic inks. The flower for the cards, is from the 5th Ave. Floral stamp set. I did the 'water wash' technique on them. If you have any questions, please post it here, or email me.

Happy Mother's Day

Mother's Day is one week away. I'm more organized this year than last. But, I am still not 100% done :/ I have made my Mother, her card. But I'm not too sure she will like it, and I'm not sure if its 'done'. I was thinking of putting a rhinestone flourish on the upper right corner, or some sort of sparkle detail on the digital image printed on linen. But I'm not sure if it will be too much, or give it the right amount of sparkle. Post your opinion on the rhinestone flourish, or the added sparkle to the flowers in the digital image. I need to mail it out by Wednesday, so I'll take your advice until then.

I used several, (and I mean several) company's to make this card. I will do my best, to get everyone mentioned. Here it goes:

Stamps: Stampin' Up! (Bella Toile, Medallion, All Holidays)

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! and Paper Trey Ink (Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Confetti White, Kraft, & Aqua Mist)

Ink: Stampin' Up! & Paper Trey Ink (craft white, craft chocolate chip, Close to Cocoa classic ink, & Aqua Mist)

Spray Ink: Clear Snap (Vanilla, and Log Cabin)

Embossing powders: stampamania (ultra detail clear, and ultra detail glacier white)

Punches: Stampin' Up! & Martha Stewart (Boho Blossom, 2 step bird & coral)

Embossing folder: Stampin' Up! (square lattice)

Die cuts: Sizzix & Spellbinders (Top Note & classic scalloped ovals)

Buttons: My Favorite Things (chocolate kiss)

Ribbon: Stampin' Up! (Flirty)

Half Pearls: Crystal Strickers (3mm Pearl)

Brads: Paper Studio (silver)

Digital Image: The Vintage Workshop (May's free image)

Printable Linen: Milliken (Printed Treasures)

Rub-On: Karen Russell (Narratives - swatch book)

Post your opinion on the rhinestone flourish at the upper right corner, or the added sparkle to the digital flowers. Or, if neither is what will complete this card. I'm open to any suggestion.

Of The Earth

I have a friend who selected the Of The Earth hostess stamp set when we closed her workshop. But, she was uncertain as to what to do with this stamp set, so I broke mine out. I have made her 3 different cards, to give her some inspiration. I wanted to use colors and pattern papers that would be easy to change, and random stamps that could be easy to change also. The card recipes follow, along with suggestions as to what to change.

From left to right: I used Sage Shadow card stock. I stamped the text in Basic Brown classic ink. The text stamp is from Charming stamp set. But, you could easily change that to any text, or random image. I stamped the flower repeatedly in Sage Shadow classic ink. I stamped the bird image in Close to Cocoa classic ink on a scrap piece of Sahara Sand card stock, and cut it out. Punched a scallop square and attached. To change this, just use your favorite color card stock, and accent with any neutral.

This card is easy. The card base is Kraft. I used a piece of chipboard and my bone folder to create the outline box on the inside of the card, to create the raised area on the outside of the card. I used another piece of chipboard and drew some light pencil lines. Stamped my words in craft white ink, and heat embossed with white embossing powder. Erased my pencil lines and used my white gel pen to outline the box. I inked the flower in Basic Black classic ink and stamped near the bottom line. Stamped the butterfly in Basic Black classic ink on a scrap piece of Kraft card stock, cut it out. Used my stylus to give the wing a bit of a curl, and attached with a glue dot. To change this, use any color base card stock, and use neutrals for your outline and stamped images. The neutrals don't have to be opposites, you can use coordinating colors - you just want some visual interest.

I used two coordinating scrap pieces of recently retired DSP. Matted those onto a piece of Sahara Sand card stock. Wrapped a scrap piece of ribbon around this matted piece. I gave the ribbon a little fold and added a brad for interest. I stamped Simply Thanks in the center of a scrap piece of white card stock. I colored the floral image with markers, huffed and stamped. I matted this piece onto 2 scraps of coordinating card stock. To change this card, use any two coordinating pattern papers. Add interest to the over lap pieces, either with ribbon, or a strip of card stock. To change the words, use any words. If your text is small, when you stamp your floral image, make this a second generation stamp.

Thanks so much for looking. Today is the First day to order out of the Summer Mini Catalog! Have your order sent to your home, by ordering off my website: www.InkWithSharon.stampinup.net

Bea loves Tea

So, let me start by apologizing for not posting on my blog for a week. I should have posted these cards when they were finished, instead of waiting till the end. Hind sight.

I know this wonderful woman. She is very kind, giving, and generous with her time. She will be there for you, let you lean on her, she is just Great. Her birthday is this month, and yes it has passed. But, there is a small group of us, who get together for our birthdays. And tonight we are getting together to celebrate her birthday! As honorer, you get to pick the location, and if its lunch or dinner. (So, I am in the process of getting ready and posting this, its been a busy day.)

For those of you who know me, know I love coffee. So much so, I had to purchase my own super automatic espresso machine. I buy my bean whole. Well, my friend Bea is just as passionate about her tea. I saw this stamp set by Verve and its so perfect for Bea. So, I bought two. One to give her, and one to use to make her some cards.

The solid card stock, ink, background stamp, punches, and ribbon is from Stampin' Up! and the pattern paper is from Basic Grey (Cappella collection).

Thanks for looking. Have a wonderful weekend, and post a comment. Share your thoughts.