Happy New Year

Wow!! Another year has past and I don't know where it went!! I guess I have accomplished a lot of new things and started some pending projects but for the most part this year has flown by sooo fast. I think part of it is having my son turn 2 and with him you have no time to stop. But I am not complaining because other than stamping he is what keeps me grounded *smile* For this coming year I have lots of tasks that I would love to accomplish. One big one is to lose my "so I like to call it" baby weight "I know he's already 2!!" but it makes me feel better to blame it on him *hehehe* I know I always say that every year but who knows this might be my WOW year. Well back to stamping. I realized as I decided I wanted to make a New Year's Eve card that I don't have many stamps with that theme. I guess its really not worth it since its only a one night event. Anyhow I came up with this card. I'm not to crazy about it but it works. I used the Marigold, Vintage Violet, Chocolate Chip, and Bashful Blue card stock for the card. I also used the stamp set "Along the Same Lines" which was one of last years hostess sets. The crosshatch background was also used. I also added some ribbon and finally used my new designer label punch set. To finish it I added my favorite detail, crystal effects. I also did some paper piercing and sponged the edges. Finally I want to wish everyone a happy and safe New Year!! Here is to 2007!! *Cheers from Ana*

Baby Joy

Since venturing online I have gotten to meet some incredible people that share so many of the many things I love to do. One such site is SCS where I have met a bunch of gals that always make my day *smile* One of the gals just had a beautiful baby boy so I thought I would send her a welcome home baby card. I have been wanting to use the "Wild about You" set and the "Letterpress" bg since I first saw it done by a very talented person on SCS. "Once I find out her name I will put a link to her gallery since she deserves all the credit." I used my new Cool Caribbean and Marigold card stock from Stampin Up. To finish it off I added some hodgepodge hardware, gingham ribbon, and copper cord. I also popped the lions mane "which I also got the idea from SCS" and added some Crystal Effects. I think it came out pretty cute and I hope my new online friend likes it!

Friendly Friday

One of my good friends just made a huge step with her fiance and bought a new house. I am so excited for them and to see them so happy makes it even better. I always love when you start off a new chapter in your life whether it be a new home, new baby, or new job. It is always an exciting journey that gives you quite a ride. Hopefully mostly good..but I have much faith in their relationship and wish them the best of luck. For this card I decided to make a gift card holder since I included a Bed Bath and Beyond gift card. I got the great sketch idea from my trusty SCS site. "They Rock" I used Certain Celery and Bashful Blue card stock. The house stamp is from the dollar section in Micheal's *smile* love a great deal. I am not sure if you can tell on in the picture *I know its a horrible picture* but I used some Crystal Effects and glitter on the bushes by the house. I also used my new scalloped punch. The other stamp is the set of Polka Dots and Paisley that Stampin Up sent to all the demonstrators as a gift. "Its my favorite set right now!!" Well I can't wait to send it out tomorrow.

Thank you Thursday

This holiday season we have been so blessed to have received so many thoughtful gifts from family and friends that I just really thought I needed to send some "Thank you" cards. I am sure that if you are a Stampin' Up demo then you too have received this beautiful set of Polka Dots and Paisley. For this card I broke into my new set and used Sage Shadow and Bravo Burgundy cardstock. I also used the little flower from the Simply Said set. I thought it looked alot like the flower in the middle of the paisley. I got the sketch from the SCS card challenge this week. Which really is a GREAT sketch that works with any set or occasion. I also want to thank all my loyal blog viewers that really motivate me to keep stamping. You really are my inspiration. Love Ana

Whatever Goes Wednesday

Hey ya'll...what a great Christmas we had. I hope yours was just as wonderful. I have not been stamping to much lately but I have had to make some much need "thank you' notes to hand out to certain people that really went all out for us this year. I decided to use the SCS color and sketch challenge to motivate me since I am lacking ALOT of it lately. *stressed* Well this is what I came up with. I am really not feeling it but it is what it is and it will be sent postal tomorrow! I used my new set I got from Stampin Up and added the crystal effects and glitter. To finish it off I used a pirma flower, some paper piercing, and ribbon. I also stamped on the twill. OK now we stampers need to get ready for the New Years festivities. *Geez* we never stop *smile*

Stocking Stuffers

My sister just started a new job at a bank a few months ago. She loves it and really likes her co-workers. So since she is totally creative challenged *smile* and I got all the creative genes *smirk* I promised I would help her come up with a cute gift to give all her co-workers. I was going to go the cookie route but she said that they were overflowing with cookies from customers so off I went a searching at the SCS gallery for unique ideas. Once again I was not let down by my trusty SCS site and found this cute "Snowman Soup" poem and recipe. I thought this is easy and adorable. My sister was so thrilled with the idea. This is what they came out looking like.To make the tags I used Stampin' Up Festive Four.


Inside the bags...Hot Cocoa, Candy Cane, Marshmallows, Hershey Kisses

The poem reads...
I was told you've been real good this year Always glad to hear! With freezing weather drawing near You'll need to warm the spirit. So here's a little Snowman Soup Complete with stirring stick, Just add hot water, sip it slow, Its sure to do the trick!!

Another Holiday Card

This week I am going to be doing nothing but Christmas cards since I cant believe it will end on Monday. *sniff* This year I have gotten so many new Christmas stamps that I have not had a chance to use them all. That is why I want to make as many cards as I can before they get put up until next year. This one stamp is from the Canadian Maple Company. I used the same sort of layout from the "presents card" I made on Saturday. But I think this card sketch works really good for long stamp images. I also added some Christmas lights ribbon I found at Micheal's in the dollar section. I thought it would go perfectly with this stamp. I think this card will go to the little old nice couple on my street. They really are adorable.

Mail Out Monday

I think this is one of the cutest stamps I have. I just love how the lion is hugging the other animals. I always wanted to use it as a "Peace on Earth" card since that is what it symbolizes to me. The stamp is from Close to My Heart and the aged wood background is from Stampin' Up. I also used Stampin' Ups new True Thyme card stock. I also added some scraps of Chatterbox pattern paper. I thought it went great with the card. I was not sure if I could use it as a Christmas card but I think I will send it to my uncle who is an organist at a beautiful church in Charleston. I think he would like this card better than a traditional Santa card. I think it has a more religious meaning to it. I popped the mane and tail of the lion and added some glitter. To finish it off I also used another one of my holiday rub-on sayings.

Just Another Holiday Card

I know its Scrapin' Saturday but I am so in the Christmas spirit that I really want to continue to make Christmas cards before I put all my holiday stamps up :( This one set from Stampin' Up has been on my shelve for two Christmas sessions and has never been used. I thought I would wipe off the dust and make something out of it. It was a challenge and I am not sure what I think of it but it works. I popped some of the presents on dimensionals and added some Crystal effects on the others. I also used my holiday rub-ons I purchased last week at Hobby Lobby for 50% off. I love a great bargain *smile*

Techniquein' Thursday

For this weeks technique I used one of my favorite products in the market in my opinion. Its called Iridescent Ice embossing powder. I thought I would use it with the last of the Marshmallow friends I have left. This image is the Marshmallow Santa. Like it says it embosses and adds glitter in one step. That means there is less mess to pick up. The only thing that is need is the Versa Mark which is also a great product. Once you stamp the image on the versamark you transfer the image on paper which leaves a water based image. You pour the embossing powder and heat set it and you get a wonderfully shinny and extraordinary Christmas card.

Whatever Goes Wednesday

I thought I would use one of my other Marshmallow friends today. I just love this little Rudy!! He is so cute. I am not sure if you can tell but I added glitter on his nose and popped him up. The "Joy" sticker is a hallographic sticker. I really like the retro feel of this card. I used my new Stampin' Up Cool Carribean paper and Chocolate Chip. You can never go wrong with those color combos. I also used some left over scrap paper from my SEI "Granny's Kitchen" collection. Next up is my Marshmallow Santa.

Template Tuesday

When I first saw this project I just knew I wanted to try it. Its such a neat way to display pictures with materials you already have or could get for cheap. I found the tutorial from the ever so talented Beate on SCS. She always comes up with the most interesting projects ever!! I decided I would make these for the grandparents for Christmas. I thought I would make a coaster brag book of my sons pictures. This is my first attempt at the coaster mini album and trust me it wont be my last. They are so easy and fun. For this album I used SEI "Granny's Kitchen" and once I adhered the paper to the coasters I sanded the edges down to add a weathered look. I added some primas and hardware for added texture and finished it with some pretty brown ribbon. Here is the link for the mini coaster tutorials.

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/coasterminibook.php

Mail Out Monday

I am finally starting to feel a little better!! Yay!! The flu bug really got me good. Although I did not do much stamping the last couple of days I did do some shopping. Hobby Lobby was having this awesome sale on their stamps so I could not resist and grabbed a few new stamps to add to the ever growing collection. *smile* My favorites were the Stampabilities marshmellow collection. The only ones left where the penguin, raindeer, and santa claus. I could not choose between them so I bought them ALL. This is the first card I made with this new stamp. I used the marshmellow penguin and the Stampin' Up tall tales alpha. I just love that set of alphabets for the Christmas season. I embossed the word SNOW with white ep. Then I added a tag with a snowflake stamp I got at the dollor section in Micheals and added some ribbon and brads. I think this one will be given to my SIL who loves penguins.

Still feeling under the weather. Since I had not had the time to make the tutorial of the ornament I search for one online. I found this site with great instructions and great projects as well. Let me know if you made one so I can check it out. Say a little prayer for me and I hope you are enjoying your holidays. Love Ana

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf54541769.tip.html

So sorry for not posting and being MIA but I have not been feeling well. I am starting to get better so once I do I will post some super cool projects and cards for you guys. Just bare and keep checking my blog because I have great ideas that you wont want to miss!!!
Ana

Whatever Goes Wednesday

Sorry I have not posted in a few days but I have been crazy busy with family and the holidays. I have not had a lot of time to stamp but bare with me..I will be back on schedule very soon. I wanted to share with everyone my son's Christmas pictures. I am still trying to figure out which one to send with my Christmas cards. Which do you guys like the best?

Template Tuesday

What a fun, fun. project. Sorry I took so long to post but although the star burst ornament was fun to make it did take me longer than expected. It is a bit time consuming but I really think it is worth the trouble. I think the end result is AMAZING and you can make it out of any left over paper or Christmas wrapping paper. I will post a tutorial soon so be on the lookout if you want the instructions. I used some of my extra scrapbook papers to make mine. I think I will give this to my mother so she can display it on her desk at work.

Mail Out Monday

I got this wonderful idea from this weekend's SCS limited supplies "Home for the Holidays" challenge. It was hosted by the wonderfully talented Jen70. One of the challenges was to make children Christmas cards. Thats when I decided I would send the kids personal cards this holiday season. I know I get excited when I get letters (not bills..hehehe) in the mail so I can only imagine how excited a child would be to get their own Christmas card. For these special cards I wanted to find a really cute and sweet stamp. I went digging in my scrap room and found this darling Rudy stamp from Canadian Maple Collections. I bought it at Hobby Lobby on sale last year and never used it before. I wanted to go all out on these cards so I decided adding some jingle bells would be the perfect touch. I also added some glitter on Rudy's shiney nose. I have to say I am most excited about sending out these cards.

Cardstock: SU Elegant Eggplant, So Saffron, Very Vanilla, Old Olive
Stamps: SU Print Pattern, Canvas, CMC Rudy

Scrappin' Layout

Today's layout is all about creating a story out of the pictures you are going to scrap. My example is about the time we went to the Livestock Show & Rodeo this year. The rodeo is one of my favorite events to go to so I wanted to display it in a special way. Plus, my son had such a great time, capturing great pictures of him was so simple. The highlight of the day was when we went to the petting zoo. My son was so excited to see all the animals that I knew I would make a story out of the pictures I took.
The page reads : "When we arrived at the Rodeo we went to the petting zoo first. As we got to the gate we were greeted by hungry goats and crying children. Worried that you might get scared I slowly put you down. Then you...

1. Attempted to grab a pigs tail
2. pulled on a goats ear
3. cornered some animals
4. and poked a deer.

As we left I realized the ones's scared were the animals!!"

Techniquein' Thursday & Fresh Find Friday

I have officially recovered from Thanksgiving. I ate so much yummy food and I loved every moment!! I have so much to be thankful for and it was so nice to celebrate this wonderful holiday with my family and friends. I hope your Thanksgiving was splendid as well.
Ok back to stamping..I know yesterday was Thursday but I really wanted to share this technique with you guys even if I am late on posting. I also thought I would combine it with today's Fresh Find. I bet alot of you guys already know the versatility of twill. That is my fresh find this week because I can't seem to put mine down. I just love everything you can do with it. Stampin' Up sells it in a pack of three sizes. For the technique this week I wanted to showcase stamping on twill. It is such a great way to personalize ribbon and one of the many things you can do with twill. On this card I stamped my twill with a new stamp I got at the dollar spot in Micheal's. I think it really finished and completed this card. If you have not tried stamping on twill I bet once you do you will be as addicted as I am!!

Whatever Goes Wednesday

I had a baby shower to attend this past weekend for a friend and I really wanted to give her something handmade. I was especially excited since I got some really cool baby girl stamps and ideas. I had some baby onsies already made so I went with that theme. I decided she would need some "thank you" cards so I made some along with envelopes. I tied them together with some ribbon and added those to the basket. I must stop myself here and tell you about the basket because it was such a great find. I found it at the Dollar Tree!! Yes, you heard me it was only one dollar. It looks much more expensive and it is really sturdy and well made. I love finding things like that. Anyways, back to the gifts. I also found a cute picture frame and altered it by adding some really darling pattern paper. I think it is from Chatterbox. I tied some ribbon around the frame and distressed it a bit with sponges and ink. Finally I added some baby stamps I found at the dollar spot in Micheal's. When my friend opened my gift she got so excited. She loved it and was so happy that I had taken the time to make her baby something special. It was great fun.
I did not take a close up of the basket but when I do I will post it up so you can tell me if you think it looks like it was one dollar.
Happy Thanksgiving

Template Tuesday

I have gotten so many request for the measurements of this accordian tag book. I made this book for a Christmas tag book swap I was in. It was sooo easy to make. It is 3 x 10 and scored at every 2 1/2inches. Then you just embellish as you want. I used the Stampin' Up Flaky Friends, Paisly BG, and Holiday Wishes set. I also cut up some pockets with mellow moss cardstock so you can add pictures or gift cards inside. Overall, it was super easy and fun to make.

Fresh Find Friday

I am sure every card and scrapbooking fanatic knows about prima flowers. But since I can't seem to get enough of them I thought I would showcase them today. Who knows I might get someone else hooked on buying these oh so cute embellishments. I always feel that when something is missing from a card or scrap page I can never go wrong with adding some primas. They always go with everything and they make such a big statement. They come in very color, size, and shape. I think my next purchase will be these lipstick Gerber daisy. They retail for about $3.50.

Inkastamp Weekly Agenda

Alright here is the new agenda for the Inkastamp blog.

• Mail Out- MONDAYS (creating cards to mail out to special people)

• Template- TUESDAYS (download the latest template)

• Whatever Goes- WEDNESDAYS (no limit on project)

• Techniquein' - THURSDAYS (try out a new technique)

• Fresh Find- FRIDAY (featured item of the week)

• Scrappin'- SATURDAY (layout sketch and example)

I think this will be a fun challenge for me to do. I hope you check it out and even add your own version of the project. Any suggestions are also welcome to be featured on the blog. If you have favorite layout or product you want to share leave a comment and watch to see if it gets posted.

Lets get stamping!!

Birthday Cake Card

Today I am featuring the Birthday Cake Card. I got the inspiration for this card from a magazine "Better Homes" I was reading. I made it up as I went and loved how it came out. It took a bit of time but it was worth it because everyone loved it. I have placed it in my SplitCoastStampers gallery and have gotten lots of request for a template so I went ahead and made one up. Since I created the template I am not sure if it is easy to follow so if you have any questions just send me a message or leave a comment and I will try to help the best I can. Just click picture to enlarge.

New!! Email Subscriber

I have just installed the email subsciber !!! It is located below the profile description on the left side of the page. Now when you subcribe you will get instant notifications of all updates. It should be fun because I have tons of ideas to share. Also if you know anyone who would be interested in my blog please send them a link with my address. Thanks Ana

Hello Everyone!!
I felt that I have been kept in the closet to long so I have decided to give this blog thing a shot. Well let me begin by introducing myself. My name is Ana and I am a stay at home mommy to a beautiful 2 year old son. He is my everything!! I also have a loving husband of three and a half years and still going strong. I love my life and I am thankful everyday for having such wonderful people I can call family and friends. I am a Stampin Up demonstrator for 1 year now. I love the company because it gives me the oppertunity to teach and share my ideas with other wonderful people. I have made many new friends as a result that also share my same passion for creativity. For my blog I will be posting tutorials and classes for some of my "whimiscal card creations" I am always looking for new techniques and when I find them I love to share with anyone who is interested. I have great plans for this blog and hopefully I can also convince you to make handmade gifts that come and are made from the heart with me.