You Crack Me Up!

Hee hee hee...I had a ball creating this fun little card on Periscope Friday.  I just received my freebie Egg Die and I had to get to it and play!  It paired well with the little "chocolate" bunny too!

 I colored the egg with Pan Pastels and then cut it using a crack zig-zag cut.

If you want to check out the process of making this card, check out my video below.

FSJ Items featured in this post:  

• DI-0286 Egg Party Die Set (Free with $50.00 purchase)
• DI-0268 Notebook Page Die Set
• PP-0040 Eggcellent Prints 6x6 Printed Paper Pad
• AT-0232 Bunny Bum ATS
• SS-0414 Eggspressions Sentiment Stamp Set
• Whip Cream Cardstock
• Pineapple Smoothie Cardstock
• Hazelnut Blend Cardstock (Chocolate bunny)
• Pool Play Cardstock (for "Easter grass")
• Pan Pastel (Confectionary Days and Rich Sorbets)
• Foam Squares
• Craft Glue
• Silver, Bubblegum and Cosmic Grape
• Watermelon Fusion Satin Ribbon
• Clear Pigment Ink
• Clear Embossing Powder
• Black Licorice Ink

Farewell Bao Bao...

ETA:  The eye strip was bugging me.  It wasn't the iconic panda eyes...So I tweaked it with my Silhouette so she didn't look like a raccoon LOL.:  

Well, it is that time to say goodbye to one of the most adorable little ladies the Smithsonian Zoo has ever raised.  Bao Bao the panda will leave to fulfill her destiny as a panda ambassador in China on Tuesday, February 21.  She's been preparing for this journey home for many months and will travel with her keepers via a FedEx aircraft in the morning.  I send my grateful heart to her keepers and all of those who worked and lived every day for her.  They are in my heart as they send her off to do what she was born to do.  August 23, 2013 was an exciting day and I remember watching the live cam when she was born.  Since then, I've watched her grow, explore, play and LOVE...She does it all so very well!  

The anticipation of her departure has been all over the news and of course, the zoo is going ALL OUT to give her a beautiful sendoff!  I decided to join them in the celebration by creating this adorable little treat box!  The pink flowers are perfectly suited for this sweet little lady, don't you think?  She's got a BIG job to do in China, and I send her luck and happiness!

Bao Bao has helped give fans worldwide (and particularly in the USA) a closer look into this spectacular species and has helped to improve understanding of how these beautiful creatures survive, grow, and interact with others.  

Now her journey to her motherland of China begins...  It's quite bittersweet indeed.  I'm grateful to the many caretakers and keepers who have supported her growth and development.  Bao Bao has indeed developed into a beautiful young lady!  I'm sure her legacy and that of the great Giant Panda will continue in China and I hope her offspring will help continue to educate and improve conservation of this beautiful species.  

So long Bao, Bao...Have a happy and healthy life!  #byebyeBaoBao

Every little lady (hopeful mommy) loves bling and sparkle right???

A cascade of spring posies flow over the edge of the box!  

You can find out more about the Keepers favorite Bao Bao memories here:  Memories:  Bao Bao 

What did I use to create this adorable treat box?

The Create-a-Pal Host Exclusive reward can be purchased for a limited time when you have a qualifying $400 party order.  So get your friends together and start shopping!  

Treat Box (Pack of 10)

Spring Bloom Minis

Bubblegum Cardstock

Sweet Berry Cardstock

Black Licorice Cardstock

Whip Cream Cardstock

Sparkle Dust

Journey Glaze

Bubblegum Satin Ribbon

River Stone Satin Ribbon

Bubblegum Journey Thread

Twinkle Trim

Sparkle Drops

Small Foam Squares

Gold Silk

Bubblegum Silk

Brush Gold PanPastel

**4 inch circle on Whip Cream Cardstock cut using Silhouette Cameo

Sunday Sip and Share...Tea Treats!

Hello there coffee loving friends!  It's Kerry here with another installment of Sunday Sip and Share. This week I thought I'd play around with a cute little bunny set that I just received.  It's the most adorable bunny set called Easter Wishes!  I paired it up with a fun little Note-velope die that allowed me to make a little tea-bag holder gift.  It'll be a perfect little treat in an Easter basket!

I stamped the stacked cups/bunny using Black Licorice Ink onto Whip Cream cardstock.  After coloring with my Color Splash Watercolor Pencils, I cut out the image and cut the all-in-one card/envelope with my Journey Platinum.  This is such a great die that's perfectly suited for a little treat bag treat!  

Isn't he cute?!?!  After coloring the little cups, I added some Journey Glaze and Sparkle Dust onto the heart and polka dots on the cups.  

In this photo, you can see the shimmer from the Brush Gold PanPastel.  I stamped the fun Easter Eggstravagant (eggs) stamp set using Pool Play Ink onto Pool Play Cardstock then rubbed some Brush Gold PanPastel over that with my finger.  I love how the PanPastel attaches itself to the ink and makes a gorgeous shimmery image.  

To finish the inside of the card, I stamped the eggs again with Pool Play ink.  I rubbed the PanPastel over that.  I stamped the sentiment on top using Black Licorice Ink.  Before closing the Note-velope with some Bubblegum Satin Ribbon, I tucked a pack of my favorite Bigelow peppermint tea inside. YUM!  

I hope you enjoyed seeing this little creation.  I'll be back again tomorrow to share a few more adorable projects created with this set!  Until then, let's check out the sketch for the week!  Since I created an all in one card/envelope, I hoped to create a sketch that demonstrates this aspect.  

We would love for you to join us in creating something fun that is inspired by this sketch.  Just link a photo of your creation to the inlinkz below.  At the end of the month, I'll randomly select a winner to receive a yummy coffee-loving prize!  

An InLinkz Link-up

Live At Five! Valentines with my teamies!

Hey there inky friends!

This weekend I went live on my team (Join Itchin' Inkers today!) Facebook page to share a few Valentine creations using the fabulous 30 packs of cards/envies I found at the Target Dollar Spot!  I was so excited to find these blank cards and knew they would come in handy for creating cards all year long so I picked up quite a few packs!  I think they'll be fabulous additions to my crafty booths at vendor fairs too!

I created these two card projects live and had so much fun!

I used an oldie but goodie ATS stamp called Doily Heart to create the yummy background.  I first stamped the heart using Cocoa Powder ink, then rubbed Brush Gold PanPastel over that with my finger. Applying the PanPastel softened the cocoa color and gave the card a beautiful shimmer.  I splattered Gold, Bubble Gum and Cranberry Bliss Silk onto the card.

After creating the stamped panel, I made a little banner using some Corrugated Cardstock and some graph paper.  I wrapped some Bubble Gum Thread around it and attached a little wooden Forever Heart Chips.  I applied some Journey Glaze and Sparkle Dust to the heart and added a few pearls to finish it off!  And YES! I made the macarons too!  They're so yummy! 

For the Masculine (Boy) card, I dug into my "retired" stash to find a fun ATS stamp called Don't Sink!  (available for a short time in a mini catalog-Hope it reappears in our next catalog!)  that was playful and child-like enough for this fun kiddie holiday.  

The white card base was a little glossy and textured with a bit of a canvas/linen texture and I knew from prior experience, that this paper would have difficulty "gripping" ink and allowing it to dry quickly.  SOOO...I decided to fix that problem by using my FINGER as my stamp!  LOL.  I use Orange Creamsicle and Limeade Splash for the color.  I also used my fingerprints to color the adorable little floatie.  

This fabulous Window Pocket Die works perfectly to hold a gift card, OR to be used as a slider card. I just cut out a piece of (retired) green chevron cardstock then added some Whip Cream cardstock for the sentiments.  I attached the floatie to the top layer, used some Natural Journey Thread to tie on some Citrus Cooler ribbon and Sparkle Trim!  Check out how it works here:  

Are you interested in joining the Fun Stampers Journey Family?  If so, I'd love to have you join the Itchin' Inkers team!  We've got some amazing sign up specials that are currently running until the end of February!  Check out our current PERKS if you sign up as a coach today:  

1.  $50.00 discount on your Amaze or Platinum starter kit

2.  Set of label charms (not yet released)

3.  Bird Melody stamp set (not yet released)

4.  20% discount on all orders

5.  Commission on all sales

6.  $150 quarterly minimum requirement to maintain active coach status!

If you're interested in joining the FSJ Family, please contact me for more information or click the sidebar button over there ------>

February Bloom Box: Bold Wings is in the house!

Hello there inky friends!  WOOP WOOP!  I got my February Bloom Box in the mail today and I just HAD to ink this beauty of a stamp set up right away!  Forget about reading the directions and using the kit contents right now, I'll save those for the weekend!  

Check out the inaugural inking of my new BIG AND BEAUTIFUL Butterfly set!!!

Want to know how I created this beauty?  Alrighty, let's go!

I started out with a piece of Oatmeal Cookie cardstock.  I stamped the butterfly (offset) onto it using some Clear Pigment ink.  I then used some Journey Gold Embossing powder to emboss the butterfly. After that, I took some of my Pan Pastel in several colors:  Confectionary Days (4:00 and Center) and Rich Sorbets (2:00 and 4:00)

After rubbing the PanPastel onto the cardstock with my finger, I cut the butterfly out with my Detail Pro Shears.  I embossed a piece of Oatmeal Cookie cardstock using the Marrakesh Texture Plate and left just the bottom edge free from the folder.  I used a bit of the "minty" colored PanPastel for to colorize the embossed texture too.  After that, I mounted the butterfly onto this panel (making sure to just glue the right wing to the paper so there is a bit of lift to the left wing.  

After that, I used my sewing machine to stitch over some Green Olive Satin Ribbon (On sale now!). I gathered the ribbon a bit by pulling one thread.  This piece of "puckered" ribbon was attached to the card panel using White Liner Tape.  I added a tie of Black Journey Twine to the ribbon so that I could attach the sentiment tag (stamped with Black Licorice Ink and covered in Journey Glaze).  A little Pearl finished the bow off.  

I took some Pretty Pansy cardstock and stamped the butterflies on the background cardstock  using the same color ink.  I attached the top Oatmeal cookie panel to this layer in a "wonky" layout, then mounted the whole thing to a Kiwi Slice Card base with some foam squares. 

Now I can't wait for the weekend so I can play with this kit some more!  Do you subscribe to the kit? If not, you're missing out!  Join the Bloom Box Kit club today!