Time for Fall...

Every day, I am lucky enough to drive through one of the most beautiful areas in the country--the Menominee Indian Reservation, where sustainable forestry has been in practice for ages. This time of year is most amazing. The Maples have turned to red and orange, the aspens (we call them popple) have just turned yellow, and the oaks will be their ruddy orangish brown soon. Inspired by fall colors, I created this card:

Stamps: Grateful Greetings
Paper: Sweet and Sour Designer Series Paper, Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, More Mustard, Garden Green, Naturals Ivory
Ink: Garden Green
Accessories: Big Shot, Leaves Bigz Die, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Crop-a-dile, Jumbo Eyelet, Hemp Twine, Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon, Dimensionals

I love how I used a bright and sassy Designer Paper that first made me think of summer for a fall card. I know I'll be able to use up my whole pack! The leaves were first cut with the Big Shot and then run through again inside the Square Lattice Embossing folder. Easy and fun.

Happy Stamping!

A Little Tree Trimming...

Christmas trees are my favorite part of Christmas. Decorating the tree is an important tradition in the Mattson household. Each year, my crafty mom would give us an ornament that she had created and we got to pick one out to buy from her annual boutique with her friends. My tree as a single person was all homemade. Now, with Bubba and the Guys, a little less so. This card kind of gets a girl in the mood, you know?

Stamps: Tree Trimmings, Sincere Salutations
Paper: Wild Wasabi, Not Quite Navy, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Not Quite Navy, Riding Hood Red, Basic Black
Accessories: Pearls, Scallop Oval Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Large Oval Punch

Check out that use of Sincere Saluatations-- one of the first stamp sets I bought, along with Lovely as a Tree!

Happy Stamping!

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the wayyyyyy

Again, the Merry Crittermas stamp set is so darn cute, that I had to use this little caroler with the music paper from my Newsprint Designer Series Paper:

Stamps: Merry Crittermas
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Newsprint Designer Series Paper
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Cherry Cobbler and Sahara Sand Markers, Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Large Circle Scallop Punch, 1 3/4 Circle Punch, Big Shot, Polka Dot Embossing Folder

This is one of the cards featured at my Christmas Card Club--see my calender for more details! There's always room for more!

Happy Stamping!

Clear Block Background Technique Shared

Where has September gone? Friday night is my technique class at my house and the date snuck up on me! I haven't shown you last month's techniques yet, let alone this months! Oh well, keep coming back and you'll see them all-eventually! This month, my favorite one was this:

Here is a close up:

Stamps: Vintage Vogue
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Pear Pizazz
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Pear Pizzaz
Accessories: Brights Brads, Paper Piercing Tool, matte, and template, Corner Rounder, Certainly Celery Satin Ribbon

I love this layout because it's so simple, yet elegant. The background was stamped in color on color so that the flowers just added an accent. The Background behind the F was done using my clear block. I just inked it up and voila'! a perfect ink layered background on my focal point!

A special Thanks to Rhonda at Stampin' Addicts and her weekly technique challenges for this great inspiration!

Happy Stamping!

A Tombstone Treat

My camera has been missing for a month and I finally found it Sunday--whew! I knew it was in my bag, but I kept missing a secret pocket! Anyway, I can finally show you this cute little Halloween Treat I designed using Marie Shaughnessy's Tutorialfrom last September.

But that was just the outside! Check out the inside:

Stamps: Batty For You, Grateful Greetings
Paper: Basic Gray, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: 12" Paper Cutter with scoring blade, Sticky Strip, Decorative Label Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Neutrals Brads, Silver Shimmer Paint with Alcohol, Sponge Daubers, Candy

It really was easier than it looks. You start with a strip of paper, make some marks at easy intervals and then make the angles. Marie shows it all, so visit her blog to go into details.

Happy Stamping!

Sweet Season Two Ways

You know how cooking shows call their dishes Some Kind of Tasty Meat Two Ways? Well, today's set of cards make me think of two ways to stamp a card--Same layout, same stamps, different colors, different accessories:

I first made the red one, then thought, I could use the silver waffle paper to make a different colored one! The waffle paper was easy to work with. I just cut 1 1/4ish inch strip and adhered it to the ovals in a ruffle. Sounds hard, but was really easy.

Here is a close up:

Stamps: Sweet Season
Paper: Cranberry Crisp, Whisper White, Gold Waffle Paper, Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper, Old Olive
Ink: Cranberry Crisp, Old Olive
Accessories: Cranberry Crisp Button, Cranberry Crisp Seam Ribbon, Scallop Trim Punch, Big Shot, Ovals Bigz Die

And the blue one:

Stamps: Sweet Season

Paper: Marina Mist, Whisper White, Silver Waffle Paper, Not Quite Navy
Ink: Marina Mist, Not Quite Navy

Accessories: Marina Mist Taffeta Ribbon, Fork Scallop Trim Punch, Big Shot, Ovals Bigz Die


Happy Stamping!

A Treat for a Tree!

Often for papercrafters, the package is prettier than the present. The holidays are a time we can play with our creativity and make great add-ons to gifts. What kid wouldn't like this on their present?

Stamps: Merry Crittermas!
Paper: Very Vanilla, Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Markers, Big Shot, Scallop Squares Duo Bigz Die, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Crop-a-dile

If you want to make this, join me at my Have A Ball in Fall Stamp Camp either September 23rd in Shawano or September 25th in Neenah. Email me at lilyinkpad@yahoo.com for details.

Happy Stamping!

Eat this!

You really can't eat the project I am showing you today, but I am a fan of those Eat this! Not that! books, so that's what popped into my head for a title!

Stamps: none
Paper: none
Ink: none
Accessories: Eat Decor Element, Applicator, tray

I first bought this for the wall in my kitchen, but then thought it was too big for what I wanted to do. Then last winter, when Bubba and went to Ikea, I found this tray and thought it would fit. It doesn't, but the flexibility of decor' elements allow it to look cool this way. I use it for my coffee station -coffee pot, sugar, syrup, mugs, milk for when guest stay over. So very fun!

Happy Stamping! (or Rubbing)!

Frosty the Snowman!

For Christmas and winter, my favorite motif is snowmen, so when I was asked to include a snowman card at my Christmas club, I was super-excited. Until I realized I owned no stamp sets with Snowmen! I got punchy with it and created this:

Stamps: None!
Paper: Marina Mist,Real Red, Old Olive, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black
Ink: None!
Accessories: Curly Label Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Modern Label Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Word Window Punch, Photo Corner Punch, Crimper, Big Shot, Northern Flurry Embossing Folder, Brights Brads, googlie eyes

This Northern Flurry Embossing folder is my new favorite and it was fun to use as a background for Frosty! The punch art process was pretty simple: Punch circles and trim the bottom of one flat. Punch a Modern Label Punch, run it through the crimper, and cut it at the end to make a scarf. I also punched a semi-circle to make it look like a chin was over the scarf. The hat is a Curly Label punch cut in 2/3 and layered with a word window.

Happy Stamping!

Grateful...

As I reflect on my life today, I am one thing- grateful. Grateful for my family, my husband, the guys, my job, and my friends. I am grateful for the love in my life. No matter what troubles we face, we do so with positivity and as my grandma used to say, "We just have to move on. We can handle anything as long as we know what it is." Life goes on and I am grateful for that. So, today, I am showing a thank-you card:

Stamps: Day of Gratitude
Paper: Autumn Spice DSP, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Naturals Ivory, More Mustard
Ink: Cajun Craze, Old Olive, Early Espresso
Accessories: Early Espresso 1/4 Ribbon

Being a basically symmetrical person. I like this sketch, although I don't think I ever made a card like it before! Thanks to Paula at Stampin' Addicts for the Sketch Challenge!

For my customers, we are making this card Saturday, Sept 25th in Neenah at the Have a Ball in Fall Stamp Camp. Choose to start at 10 or 2, pay $15, and make 6 great projects. If you are nearer Shawano, we will make the same projects starting at 6 on September 23rd. Sign up now to reserve your spot!

Happy Stamping!

Merry Crittermas!

Seriously, sometimes stamp sets just call a stamper's name. This particular stamp set called my name and I don't usually like the cute ones! Here is my first (of what will seem like too many) creations with Merry Crittermas!

Stamps: Merry Crittermas
Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Bashful Blue
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Many Marvelous Markers, Smooch Ink, Post-it note

Markers were the way to go for me on this card-- I wanted saturated colors. Watercolors just didn't do it for  me. I also added the white smooch paint to make the snow fancy--I love that stuff. I used masking to get my racoon to be in front of the trees. Easier than ever!

Happy Stamping!

Give Thanks for Great Home Decor!

The Designer paper that Stampin' Up! creates is always amazing. However, it's hard to use it sometimes because I don't want to ruin it or cut it up. Today, I'm showing you how I used one of my favorite papers from the Autumn Spice Collection:

Stamps: Day of Gratitude
Paper: Autumn Spice Designer Series Paper, More Mustard Cardstock, Old Olive Cardstock, Naturals Ivory Cardstock
Ink: Cajun Craze, Old Olive, Early Espresso
Accessories: Hemp Twine, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border, 1/4" Early Espresso Ribbon, Paper Snips, Vintage Brads, Big Shot, Alphabet Simple Letters

I bought this plate/wall hanger at a local store on clearance (how else). I measured the inside and then added the paper. Fortunately, I was inspired by the Stampin' Addicts Technique Challenge last week to use the new Dotted Scallop Border Punch and weave my ribbon through it. I think it adds a cool texture to the frame. Give Thanks is one of my favorite saying for Fall decor and it fit nicely! Oh yeah, I also sponged more mustard over my stamping to give the paper a more mellow look.

Happy Stamping!

Christmas On My Mind--Snowflakes in my Heart!

I love snow. I know, crazy, but I do. Winter is my favorite season. I've been on a Christmas kick lately in my designing for my upcoming camps and Christmas Club. Check out my Calender for details. I found a great sketch on Stamping 411 and decided to go with a extraordinary color combo:

Stamps: Serene Snowflakes, Grateful Greetings
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Pear Pizzaz, Whisper White
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Tempting Turquoise, Pear Pizzaz
Accessories: Northern Flurry Texturzed Embossing Folder, Brights Brads, Vanilla Smooch Spritz, Color Coach

The picture isn't the greatest, as I only have my iphone currently, so the Vanilla Smooch on the Rich Razzleberry looks like rainwater. In person, it's sparkly. I love this color combination as it takes my three faves and puts them all together! How fun!

For the sentiment, I used a Tempting Turquoise marker and just colored the Greetings so I got the right sized sentiment on the front. A little fun that fits the card to me.

The Pear Pizzaz piece seemed boring until I ran it through the Northern Flurry Folder. That little bit of texture just made me happy!

If you want to make this card, join me at Christmas Club this week!

Happy Stamping!

Three Little Acorns Sitting in a Tree...

and fell down onto my card:

Stamps: Day of Gratitude
Paper: More Mustard, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla
Ink: Soft Suede
Accessories: Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Corner Rounder Punch, 3/4" x 15/16" Oval Punch, Word Window Punch, Dimensionals

The little acorn in this set just called out to be used as a focal point on a card. I love this set so much because of it's versatility! This is a 5 minute card, which is also nice!

Happy Stamping!

Sweet and Spicy and Fun!

Time for a color change. I feel as though I have been living in a world of Old Olive, Early Espresso, and Cajun Craze lately during my obsession design period with the new Autumn Spice paper and the Day of Gratitude set. To take a break, I'm showing you a card that can shock the eyes:

Stamps: Greenhouse Garden, Occasional Quotes
Paper: Sweet and Sour Designer Series Paper, Rose Red, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red
Accessories: Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Sponge Daubers

School Starts for my students today and I think this card reminds me of summer!

Happy Stamping!