The Creativity Cave

SIP Challenge: Christmas In July

^{Oh my gosh, I cannot believe I am making a Christmas Card in July!!!! What has this world come to?  I hope you understand how wrong this feels--today was 90 degrees and about 90% humidity so it was hot and wet!  You know when they talk about a "dry heat" in places like Vegas...they are referring to the fact that if you were in Iowa on a 90/90 day you would not want to be outside because it feels like a steam bath! It may sound fun, but really it is no good--especially for stamping Christmas Cards! ;) Ok, my weather-related-Christmas-in-July-stamping is wrong-RANT is over! :)}

^{Despite my rant, I really like my card and the pictures do NOT do it justice!  This card sparkles!  Just watch the video an you'll see!!  It is so pretty!}  

 

^{Gather your supplies:} 

• ^{1/2 sheet of Sahara Sand, plus a 3 7/8 x 5 1/8" piece of Sahara Sand}
• ^{4 x 5 1/4" cherry Cobbler cardstock}
• ^{Sahara Sand Pad}
• ^{White ink and embossing powder}
• ^{embossing buddy}
• ^{Thankful Branches Stamp set (and framelits)}
• ^{Linen Thread}
• ^Sponge
• ^{Wink of Stella}

^{I started from the bottom and worked my way up, stamping! I embossed the ground first, then stamped the tree, using the embossing buddy between each step.}

^{I sponged the "halo" on the tree, and filled in the ground, adding Wink of Stella on top, and making the star on the tree "twinkle"}

Add the Christmas Cardinal and some linen thread and layer it up!  Easy!

This is truly a gorgeous set, and I love that there are so many possibilities with this versatile set!  As I mentioned in the video, during the month of July, for every $50 you spend, you earn a $5 coupon toward a purchase in August, and GUESS when this set is available?  That's right: Just during the month of August!!  You can see all the details on the special by clicking the pic below. The set is not listed in my supplies (as it is not available until August 2nd, 2016), but add it to your wish list.  It is called Thoughful Branches.

Thanks so much for stamping with me today!  Can't wait to have you back soon!  And thank you so much for stopping by The Creativity Cave! If you have loved these projects and can't wait to get some of the things I've used, I would be so grateful if you would purchase them through my online store!  Every time you order through The Creativity Cave, my heart soars, and I think of more ways to inspire you through my awesomeness and amazing stamping projects!  I would really appreciate your business!  It helps keep amazing projects coming to you every week! I have a fantastic VIP Rewards program for you with all kinds of perks including access to my VIP Rewards Page with exclusive projects, videos, tutorials, contests and more! I also love to send Thank You Cards for orders!!  You can read about the VIP Rewards program here. Don't forget to use JULY's Hostess Code: KSWBMQD6

It means so much to me that you let me into your craft rooms and devices! ;) I love that I can share my passion with you! Could you also please share my post on your favorite Social Media!  THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT--I am so grateful for each of you!!  Happy Stamping!

Product List

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141897	141337	103083	103683	104430
129026

 

Friday Quickie Techniques and Tips: How to get your Mojo Back!

So I think one of the biggest stumbling blocks to stamping is when you just sit and stare at the paper, stamps, ink, whatever.  BLANK.  Nothing comes to you, nothing works.  I think that is a very common problem, and while the more I stamp, the less I have that problem, it still gets me!  After all these years I still go through bouts of NO MOJO!  That is bad for a girl who is trying to make her living sharing her creativity (creative juices are required for this, at least every now and then).  Often times I have this problem at he start of a new catalog.  I usually have an influx of new products to play with and picking one or two to zone in on is actually harder than it may seem.  I know, I know, poor me!  So many supplies, so little time, I can't figure out where to start!  What is a girl to do?

Many people will tell you to search the web or Pinterest.  While that is a good idea, sometimes the same problem arises--there is simply too much to choose from and it doesn't get you back to what you want to do-just create! So, several months ago, I started my Stampin Up Inspiration Board.  I've talked about it before (remember this post?)  I like the board because very little of it is specifically stamping or Stampin Up cards/projects.  Most of it is colors, patterns and designs.  So here is the pic I found and wanted to work with:

 

So this to me, looks like (from L to R) Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo, Night of Navy, Whisper White, Wisteria Wonder, and either So Saffron  or Gold (as in Gold Foil paper). Check out the video (but I'll post some more ideas on getting out of your funk below, too)

 

Gather your supplies:

• 1/2 sheet Melon Mambo Cardstock
• 4 x 5 1/4" Gold Foil Paper (don't forget to cut out shapes as shown in video before adhering)
• 3 7/8 x 5 1/8" Whisper White (plus scraps for diecuting)
• scrap of vellum for diecutting
• Banners for you bundle
• Pads in colors listed above
• Night of Navy Marker
• Gold Metallic Thread
• dimensionals

The stamping is so easy to do once you add the vellum banner as a guide!  I like how nicely it comes together when you just build up the images!

I think that this is a basic design that can work with any number of color combinations.  It just turned out that by using my Inspiration Pinterest Board, I was able to come up with some much needed inspiration to get my mojo going again.  Now, it isn't always this simple (and this is actually the second revision of the card--the first was just not quite right--which is why I added the velum mask to help with placement.)  I really love the way it came out and like I said it was just what I needed to get going!

More ideas for getting out of your Stamping Funk:

The next card I made was using the left overs from the first (ok, just the banner) but I wanted to play with those colors a bit more.  So I decided to use some strips of cardstock. Remember this post?  I combined this idea with my color combo and the stamp set I was using to make this little beauty!  I find another way to get your juices flowing is to go back to a card that you really loved that you already made to CASE. So I cut 1/4 sheets of the Melon, Pumpkin, Navy, Gold, and Wisteria to create this card.  I felt the So Saffron was the wrong shade for this idea, so I went with the Gold Foil paper.  Each strip is either 1/2", 3/4" or 1" wide by 3 7/8" long.  I alternated them on a white panel (3 7/8 x 5 1/8") and then added the punches and finally that left-over banner.

Finished it off with some Gold Metallic Enamel Shapes (ooooh, those are fun!!)

In the video, I mention that I feel like the stripes remind me of a Kate Spade Purse (seriously!!) and I just love the look of these colors.  The bold strips remind me of things that Kate Spade does--though I am impartial to the black and white polka-dot motif she uses often.  So fun and bright, and happy!

Oh so much fun!!  I sure hope you enjoyed these projects and that the video gave you some ideas on how to get out of your stamping funk! :) I think it does help to know that it happens to everyone, but like so many things, the more you stamp, the easier it is to be inspired and keep those creative juices flowing! :)

Thanks so much for stamping with me today!  Can't wait to have you back soon!  And thank you so much for stopping by The Creativity Cave! If you have loved these projects and can't wait to get some of the things I've used, I would be so grateful if you would purchase them through my online store!  Every time you order through The Creativity Cave, my heart soars, and I think of more ways to inspire you through my awesomeness and amazing stamping projects!  I would really appreciate your business!  It helps keep amazing projects coming to you every week! I have a fantastic VIP Rewards program for you with all kinds of perks including access to my VIP Rewards Page with exclusive projects, videos, tutorials, contests and more! I also love to send Thank You Cards for orders!!  You can read about the VIP Rewards program here. Don't forget to use JULY's Hostess Code: KSWBMQD6

It means so much to me that you let me into your craft rooms and devices! ;) I love that I can share my passion with you! Could you also please share my post on your favorite Social Media!  THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT--I am so grateful for each of you!!  Happy Stamping!

Product List

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Bonus Days In July!!

_{**this will be kept at the top of my blog during July--scroll down to see more posts!**}

_{Oh My Gosh!!!  We have an awesome special going on right now!!  When you shop my online store, you'll get a coupon for $5 off in August, for every $50 you spend from now until July 31st!  That is an awesome deal!!  And it is the perfect reason to get some of the fun goodies off your New Catalog Wish List!  Make sure you shop through my online store to become a Creativity Cave VIP Member!  Lots of fantastic perks to take advantage of when you are part of my EXCLUSIVE Customer Rewards program!  Let me know if you have questions, or check out the details here!}

_{Here is the flyer with all the info:}

_{Download Bonusdays_demo_july0716_us}

_{Now, in case you were wondering what you may want to use your coupons for....check out this EXCLUSIVE bundle available only from August 2-31st:}

_{Click on the image above to see the stamp set and framelit images!}

_{Local customers, if you would like to take advantage, either shop my online store or drop me a line with your order!  HAPPY SHOPPING!}

Thank you so much for stopping by The Creativity Cave! I would be so grateful if you would purchase your stamping supplies through my online store!  Every time you order through The Creativity Cave, my heart soars, and I think of more ways to inspire you through my awesomeness and amazing stamping projects!  I would really appreciate your business!  It helps keep amazing projects and videos coming to you every week! I have a fantastic VIP Rewards program for you with all kinds of perks including access to my VIP Rewards Page with exclusive projects, videos, tutorials, contests and more! I also love to send Thank You Cards for orders!!  You can read about the VIP Rewards program here. Don't forget to use JULY's Hostess Code: KSWBMQD6

It means so much to me that you let me into your craft rooms and devices! ;) I love that I can share my passion with you! Could you also please share my post on your favorite Social Media!  THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT--I am so grateful for each of you!!  Happy Stamping!

WWYS 71: Falling Flowers

I am so excited with how my card turned out for this stamp set!!  The neutral background with the colored flowers is so pretty--and even prettier with the Wink of Stella accents!! Best of all, it is super easy to create and pretty quick to make once you do your diecutting!

 

Gather your supplies:

• 1/2 Sheet Crumb Cake Cardstock
• scraps of Pool Party, So Saffron, Flirty Flamingo and Pool Party cardstock (or colors of your choice)
• Coordinating ink pads
• Baker's Twine
• Stamps and framelits

The card comes together so easily once you have stamped and die cut the flowers! I love how fun it is to position the flowers in different configurations to decide the "look" that I want to achieve.  I think this card would be so easy to recreate using different color pallets and flower sizes.  I am anxious to CASE myself on this one! :)

Thanks so much for stamping with me today!  Can't wait to have you back soon!  And thank you so much for stopping by The Creativity Cave! If you have loved these projects and can't wait to get some of the things I've used, I would be so grateful if you would purchase them through my online store!  Every time you order through The Creativity Cave, my heart soars, and I think of more ways to inspire you through my awesomeness and amazing stamping projects!  I would really appreciate your business!  It helps keep amazing projects coming to you every week! I have a fantastic VIP Rewards program for you with all kinds of perks including access to my VIP Rewards Page with exclusive projects, videos, tutorials, contests and more! I also love to send Thank You Cards for orders!!  You can read about the VIP Rewards program here. Don't forget to use JULY's Hostess Code: KSWBMQD6

It means so much to me that you let me into your craft rooms and devices! ;) I love that I can share my passion with you! Could you also please share my post on your favorite Social Media!  THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT--I am so grateful for each of you!!  Happy Stamping!

Make sure you head over to Cindy's amazing blog--she inspires me every time I see what she has come up with and I can't wait to see her projects this month! HAPPY STAMPING!!

Product List

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126982	141897	124262	104430

 

Creation Station Blog Hop: Gifts from the Garden

Welcome to The Creation Station Blog Hop!  Whether this is your first stop or you have just come from my dear friend, Liz's amazing page, I am so thrilled that you are here and can enjoy some really fun projects from the new catalog! Our theme is Gifts from The Garden and I knew that I wanted to use the set, Jar of Love and I just love the card that I came up with!

This card was really easy to put together and I love the look of the purple and yellows with the gray tones!

It is such a great spectrum of color, isn't it?

 

Gather your supplies:

• 1/2 sheet of Sweet Sugarplum
• 3 1/2 x 4 3/4" Whisper White plus scraps to cut flowers
• 3 5/8 x 4 7/8" basic gray
• White Baker's Twine
• Ink pads
• dimensionals
• stamps and framelits
• embossing folder (I used the new Sparkle folder)

The stamping is a piece of cake!  Start with the jar (in Smoky Slate) and add the water (in Pool Party) and then add the greenery (in Pear Pizzazz).  I added the "love" which is so cute--just like the Ball Jar Logo in Basic Gray. I stamped the larger flowers in stamped off Sweet Sugarplum and then added full-strength Sugarplum and Rich Razzleberry highlights.  I cut them out with the framelits which are awesome....and did you catch my horrible story in the video about my set of framelits???  It is still killing me!

Last but not least, I added the "pick" with about an inch of a tooth pick held in with glue dots.  SO fun! 

Thanks so much for stamping with me today!  Can't wait to have you back soon!  And thank you so much for stopping by The Creativity Cave! If you have loved these projects and can't wait to get some of the things I've used, I would be so grateful if you would purchase them through my online store!  Every time you order through The Creativity Cave, my heart soars, and I think of more ways to inspire you through my awesomeness and amazing stamping projects!  I would really appreciate your business!  It helps keep amazing projects coming to you every week! I have a fantastic VIP Rewards program for you with all kinds of perks including access to my VIP Rewards Page with exclusive projects, videos, tutorials, contests and more! I also love to send Thank You Cards for orders!!  You can read about the VIP Rewards program here. Don't forget to use JULY's Hostess Code: KSWBMQD6

It means so much to me that you let me into your craft rooms and devices! ;) I love that I can share my passion with you! Could you also please share my post on your favorite Social Media!  THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT--I am so grateful for each of you!!  Happy Stamping!

Make sure you head over to Cindy's amazing blog--she inspires me every time I see what she has come up with and I can't wait to see her projects this month! HAPPY STAMPING!!

 

Product List

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Friday Quickie Techniques and Tips: Washi Words!!

This week's Friday Quickie is Washi Meets Words! :) That may sound a little goofy but I ABSOLUTELY love the look!  I combined one of the most awesome new sets in the catalog with our Floral Bouquet Washi Tape for an amazing look!

 

Gather your supplies:

• 1/2 sheet Whisper White Cardstock
• 3 1/2 x 4 3/4" Whisper White plus scraps for diecutting
• 3 5/8 x 4 7/8 Night of Navy plus scraps for diecutting
• Night of Navy Pad
• Washi Tape
• Sunshine Sayings Bundle (set and framelits)
• Clear Wink of Stella

I love the look of the Washi on this project!  It is so fun and the Sunshine Sayings Framelits seem to go perfectly! :)

I had 2 versions from the photo above this one--the "left-hand" one is in the pic at the top of my post. This pic is the "right-hand" one.  The difference is this has an extra layer of washi (The top layer) and I also put Wink of Stella on the words for this one and left the words plain on the other.  Which is your fav?  Let me know!

I also wanted to try a different color/washi combo so I pulled out the Pop of Pink.  The dimensions are about the same for this card but I used Basic Black and Melon Mambo.  The words are cut with Gold Glimmer (AMAZING!!) and I think the card is totally adorable!  For my VIP Rewards members, I have another video with 2 more samples and great tips so make sure to check it out.  Not a VIP yet?  What are you waiting for?  All you have to do to become one is place an order through me!  Details below!

Thanks so much for stamping with me today!  Can't wait to have you back soon!  

Thank you so much for stopping by The Creativity Cave! If you have loved these projects and can't wait to get some of the things I've used, I would be so grateful if you would purchase them through my online store!  Every time you order through The Creativity Cave, my heart soars, and I think of more ways to inspire you through my awesomeness and amazing stamping projects!  I would really appreciate your business!  It helps keep amazing projects coming to you every week! I have a fantastic VIP Rewards program for you with all kinds of perks including access to my VIP Rewards Page with exclusive projects, videos, tutorials, contests and more! I also love to send Thank You Cards for orders!!  You can read about the VIP Rewards program here. Don't forget to use JULY's Hostess Code: KSWBMQD6

It means so much to me that you let me into your craft rooms and devices! ;) I love that I can share my passion with you! Could you also please share my post on your favorite Social Media!  THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT--I am so grateful for each of you!!  Happy Stamping!

Product List

142339	100730	100867	141664	141897
100867	104430	129026	115320	121045
140931	141649	133719