Happy Birthday to You!

Today I am sharing a swap card created by fellow demonstrator, Dianne Teslak. This card is created using the Sprinkles of Life Stamp Set. If you have not yet purchased this great stamp set, I encourage you to purchase it soon as it will be retiring! Purchasing this stamp set supports a great cause – the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Find out how purchasing this stamp set helps RMHC.

For your convenience I have provided links to the items used in creating this card. Clicking any of the images below will take you to my 24/7 online store where you can purchase your Sprinkles of Life stamp set for this great cause today! Thanks so much for stopping by.

Inkheaven Weekly Deals March 22-28

Have you had your eye on the Curvy Corner Trio Punch? Now is the time to add it to your punch collection! If you are placing an order, throw on a package of those pearls! Plus, have you checked out the Clearance Rack lately? Sometimes, I forget to do this! There are some great punch deals on the Clearance Rack, too! One of my favorites, the Artisan Label Punch is on there for only $9.59! Wowzer! Great deals on the Thick Baker’s twine at a $1.39 and the Darling Doily Die is only $14.99. Another one of my personal favorites is on there – the Party Pennants Die for $19.77. I love using this for the focal point layer on my cards! I like the nice, clean cut shapes in various sizes for the front of my cards! To see the Clearance Rack and Weekly Deals just go to my 24/7 online store by clicking the Shop Now Tab above! Thank you so much for stopping by!  

What’s so Odd About That?

As promised, we are still exploring the idea of what makes a perfect card. You can see the orignal post by clicking here. This is essentially the same card layout with a different color combo and stamp set. You can visually see that the tone or the mood of the card is different.

Design element is also key to a perfect card. In design, oddly enough, it is odd numbers that bring balance. The Rule of Thirds/Threes is most commonly known, but groupings of five, seven, and nine also work well.

On this card layout, seven of the large polka dots have been highlighted with designer series paper. Three of the seven pieces of designer series paper are the same (I brought the rule of three into my group of 7). I chose the brightly, multi-colored pieces for my three of the seven so I could use those colors in other areas for the card. The other four pieces are pairs of two different colors and patterns.

This grouping of seven designer series dots creates a pattern and makes the card visually appealing. I pulled the brightest color from the designer series paper to be my accent/embellishment with the Baker’s Twin to give the card a nice POP of neon color which happens to be a trend right now.

If I wanted to make the pattern stand out even more, this designer series paper has a patterned Calypso Coral sheet which could be used in place of the more subtle Lost Lagoon. I haven’t tried that yet to see if I like it. It may be a little too much for me. However, if you like really bright and cheerful cards, you may prefer it to be a little bolder!

As you can see by comparing yesterday’s card with today’s card, this design is very easy to duplicate. I have several more stamp sets and designer series papers that will make great cards with design!

For your convenience, I’ve shared the supplies used in making this card below. Click on any of the supplies used to be taken to my 24/7 online store to buy the supplies you need to create this card. Thanks so much for stopping by!


What Makes the Perfect Card?

I love the simplicity of this card! I see many breathtakingly beautiful cards, elaborately done, but I have to confess, I rarely do that sort of stamping! However, I do admire people who have the talent and patience to do so. Sometimes, I even find myself wishing that I was one of them! Then, reality sets in. All that fussiness represents stress to the way my brain is wired and I’m not real motivated to re-wire it! For me, the perfect card has:

  • A great color combo
  • A simple style
  • Is easily duplicated
These three elements are important to me because my goal is to create stamping happiness. I want everyone to be able to create cards that make them proud and happy! This is the criteria that makes it possible. Over the next few posts I will be showing you more examples so be sure to check back! 
For your convenience, I’ve shared the supplies used in making this card below. Click on any of the supplies used to be taken to my 24/7 online store to buy the supplies you need to create this card. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Buy Stock in Kleenex

This is me. I came home Sunday night after having my Open House and visiting family back in my hometown last weekend and did not feel well. Ran a temp for a couple of days. Now I have the sniffles and no energy. I had thought that I might share a swap card with you…but the prospect of taking photos and coming up with something to say about them is, well, daunting. So…I am taking a sick day, or two. I did manage to get the weekly deals and paper pumpkin posts up early this week…but it may have been the feverish delirium that carried me through. Don’t worry though…I have some very nice swaps and my make and takes from my open house to share with you so don’t stray to far, you will need to find your way back! Thanks for stopping by!

Weekly Deals March 15th – 21st

Have you seen all the little punch art bunnies hopping around the social media world? The Festive Flower Builder Punch is good for more things than just building flowers! Many of those perfect punch art bunny ears have been created with this punch!

I have a fun card for you today that I received in a swap from fellow demonstrator Linda Lipchak showcasing the Cherry on Top Cotton Paper Assortment and the Fringe Scissors! The Neon colors of this paper are so on trend right now, too! (Please note that there is no black card stock on the actual card; I placed a black frame around it so it would stand out against the white background.) To purchase any of these items please click on the shop now tab at the top of my blog to be taken to my 24/7 online store. Thank you so much for stopping by!

Share The Fun! Open Houses, Stamping, and Friends!

“The three components of happiness are something to do, someone to love, and something to look forward to.” From: Too soon Old, Too Late Smart, Gordon Livingston.

Giving these ladies something to look forward to and something to do makes me happy because I love them all! Many of us have been stamping together for close to 19 years! Time flies by so fast! Some, I have watched their children grow up into adults and now I am watching their grandchildren grow! I also know that they are a very talented bunch as many of them have other creative pursuits as well! Beading, jewelry, and quilting just to name a few! Sadly, there are a few who are no longer with us. Some who just no longer stamp (which I cannot for the life of me comprehend!), and some are making heaven a brighter place with their gift of creativity. Whatever the reason; it is at these special events that I miss them the most. It is the only touch of sadness in the day; but I thank God for the time I did get to spend with them. As always, there were a few who just could not make the event because the time did not work out for them. I missed them and pray that life is kind to us and that we will be able to have fun together at a future event! Here are few more pictures that I snapped while I watched them enjoy their stamping time together:

I have something new to do – I have a class to plan, I pray for new people to love, and I am looking forward to it; as I hope you all are! Thanks for stopping by and being a part of my Inkheaven!

Lookin’ Sweet – A Bicycle Built for Two!

This card is lookin’ sweet! I love quick and easy cards and this one fits the bill! Pedal Pusher is so popular it was on low inventory status for awhile! Be sure to get another Sale-A-Bration order placed before March 31st so you can get this fun set. I love the sentiments! It’s just a great set to make cards to support and cheer up family and friends! To place your order you can click on any of the items that were used in the making of this card, pictured below, to be taken to my 24/7 online store. Thank you so much for stopping by!

Weekly Deals March 8th -14th!

WOW! Look at the price on the Bow Builder Punch! Again, I am seriously wishing that I had paid that much…if you haven’t added this to your collection now is the time to do it!  I have a fun card below that shows how cute the bows made with the punch are. They are the perfect size for a card! A fantastic deal on our Rhinestone Basic Jewels, too! I may be slightly biased, but ours sparkle and dazzle like no other! True confessions: I go through these things like candy (yes, I need to lay off the sweet stuff!). Stock up now during Sale-A-Bration because a $50 order lets you select a FREE Sale-A-Bration item! Clicking on any of the product images below the card will take you to my 24/7 online store! Thank you so much for stopping by.



Make and Takes Just for You!

I love organizing and putting on stamping events. Some folks will think that I am a bit daft; but I just have fun doing it! Saturday I hosted an open house here in Le Mars; first one ever! The crowd was small but perfect for getting to know one another. I usually host two Open Houses per year; one for the Occasions Catalag and Sale-A-Bration, and then my Grand Annual Open House for the Annual Catalog and Holiday Catalog. Now that I have moved it means four Open Houses per year since I will continue to host these events back in my hometown in Cedar Falls! Every open house is a bit different. My Sale-A-Bration Open House is usually a couple of display boards and two to three make and takes. My Grand Annual Open House has a few more display boards, free card fronts made from retired sets, a rubber rummage sale, and three to four make and takes. Each year I do something a little different. Sometimes I go with a theme using a stamp set which adds to the creative fun for me! This year this fun stamp set, Botanicals for You, inspired me to create these fun Tag-A-Bags for the Make and Take packets for my guests! I will be working on making up a few more of these packets this week as I need quite a few more for next weekend! My make and takes this year feature some of my personal picks and favorites! Timeless Treasures with Suite Sayings, Birthday Blooms, and Flowering Fields with One Big Meaning and Perfect Pairings! I know that there are many of you who just live too far away to attend my Open Houses but I will send you a free make and take packet with your purchase of of these three stamp sets: Timeless Treasures, Birthday Blooms, and One Big Meaning through my 24/7 online store! This purchase will allow you to stamp your make and takes. You will need to choose Flowering Fields item number 141303 as one of your free Sale-A-Bration items (if you do not have it already). I have the sets featured below along with inks that were used in making the cards (just in case you need to purchase one or more of those colors to make your card as featured! Clicking on any of the photos below will take you to my 24/7 online store to make your purchases! (Please do not select NO CONTACT when you place your order or I will not know who to send the packet to!) If you are another demonstrator and would like the packet, you may purchase the packet for $15 plus shipping. Your packet will include the pretty, stamped packaging show above. Please note that this is a limited time offer and will end on March 31st along with Sale-A-Bration. Thank you so much for stopping by!

Who is the Sprinkles on the Cupcake of Life?

Why you are, of course! This fun #justbecause card was a swap I received at convention last year created by fellow demonstrator, Lisa-Marie Hazlet. I absolutely love the simplicity of it! I also love that purchasing the stamp set, Sprinkles of Life, used in creating this card; supports the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Plus, this great set can help you join the #imbringingbirthdaysback movement! A worthy cause, a fun movement, remembering friends and family #justbecause – it just doesn’t get any better than that! You can read all about the RMHC and #imbringingbirthdaysback movement by checking out this post here. To join in on the fun you can click on any of the product images below to be taken to my 24/7 online store and add what you need to your bag! As an added bonus, with a $50 order you get to select a free Sale-a-bration item to add to the fun! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Making A Difference – #imbringingbirthdaysback

This swap card that I received at convention last year created by fellow demonstrator, Yvonne Metz, is perfect for two reasons!

Join in the #imbringingbirthdaysback movement and support the RMHC cause by purchasing the Sprinkles of Life set and start making up your birthday cards today! Clicking any of the images below will take you to my 24/7 online store where you can add this and other items to your bag to get started! Don’t forget! A $50 order means you will get to select a free Sale-A-Bration item (only until March 31st)! Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss – Ink! Ink! Ink!

Here is a little something I wrote a few years back in honor of Dr. Suess. I tried to capture what I thought his description of stamping would be:  
Oh, the things
you can ink up
if only you try!

You can ink up
in yellow
or ink up in blue

You can ink up
a horse
or ink up a sky
with clouds floating by

Oh the things
you can ink up
any thing that you wish

Ink up in bright colors
ink up at night
ink up on a long trip

Oh, the wonder of
ink, ink, ink!
You can ink up a bouquet
to celebrate a birthday!

Oh the things
you can ink up
if only you try!

by Darla Olson

Making A Difference With Ronald McDonald House Charities

Stampin’ Up! partners with Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC) to bring comfort and creativity to the lives of Ronald McDonald House guests. Each year, thousands of families stay at more than 160 independently operated Ronald McDonald Houses in North America. These Houses serve as temporary homes for the families of seriously ill children who are being treated in nearby hospitals.

As part of their commitment to support this organization, Stampin’ Up! designs an exclusive stamp set each year; a portion of the proceeds from the sale of that set will is donated to the organization. This current set is Sprinkles of Life. However, time is running out for this fun set as it will retire at the end of May. Click image for the full-size flyer:

This fun Waterfall Card is created with the Sprinkles of Life set. I received this as a convention swap and the card was created by Lauren Urbanas. 
I have made several Waterfall Cards over the years and I have a template for the Waterfall. Click here for the pdf.
I will be sharing more fun cards with this set and the coordinating punch over the next few days so be sure to check back!
To help Stampin’ Up! in their commitment to support RMHC please click on either one of the product images below to be taken to my 24/7 online store and add them to your shopping bag! 

Weekly Deals for March 1st – March 7th

Have you been on the fence about the Tin of Cards Project Kit? This is a fabulous deal! I am seriously considering getting another tin!!! The cards are convenient & fabulous, and I love the tin! Look at the price on the Ornate Tag Topper Punch! Seriously wishing that I had paid that much for it! lol!  Now is a great time to add these items to your collection if you want them! Don’t forget that a $50 order lets you select a FREE Sale-A-Bration item!

Click here to see the FREE SAB items! Get your order placed before they are GONE! I can’t believe that it is March already! Sale-A-Bration ends on March 31st! See the new ones here! To purchase the Tin of Cards Project Kit click on the image below! If you don’t already have the Tin of Cards coordinating stamp set – be sure to add it to your order as well! It is a fabulous sentiment set (plus the squiggles are awesome!) Thanks for stopping by!