As promised yesterday, I have another project using the a new stamp set, Betsy's Blossom. My favorite part of today's card?  The colors!  Rich Razzleberry, Lucky Limeade and Daffodil Delight...wow.  Had they not been in the Floral District Designer Series Paper, I'm  not sure I would have put them together. 

I wanted to add leaves to my florals but wanted some a little smaller than the one provided in the stamp set, so I made my own!  Here's a little trick anyone can do with any size circle punch.

Punch a circle using your circle punch (the smaller the circle, the smaller the leaf).  In my sample, I used the 1" circle punch.

Re-insert the punched circle back into the punch until the desired size leaf can be seen in the center of the punch.

Punch and enjoy your handmade leaf!

For some added interest, I ran my leaves through the Big Shot using the Square Lattice embossing folder.

Reminder!!  There is less than one week remaining to purchase items in the 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog.  To purchase retiring items, visit my on-line store today!  Don't miss out!

I was able to enjoy some time in my craft room last night and decided to pull out a new stamp set that will be featured in the upcoming Stampin' Up! catalog.  Betsy's Blossom is a fun, whimsical set that has a lot of possibilities!  In addition, I  paired it with some new designer series paper called Floral District.  That, too, will make it's debut in the soon-to-be-released catalog.  The colors is this paper are SO beautiful together!  My project today will give you a nice hint at some of the various patterns available in that paper pack.

I've made a few cards with the Betsy's Blossom stamp set that I will be featuring over the next couple of days. The cards are simple but they will show you many of the images in the set.  Really fun and really versatile.

Have you reserved your copy of th new Stampin' Up! catalog?  No?  Then contact me today!

My project today was inspired by long-time blogging friend, Nancy Riley.  I was sorting through some old files looking for some inspiration and came across a purse card she made several years ago.  With the tab punch set to retire in just over a week, this was a perfect project.

This is the perfect girly-girl card that can be used for a birthday, Mother's Day or just a "thinking of you" kind of card.

The purses are very easy to make. I only used 1/2 half the tab punch to reduce the bulk on the card.  The purse flap is made from the 3/4" square punch and then cut in half.  The purse handle is retired SU elastic cord.  Add a little rhinestone for the clasp and it's done.

The purses are made from left over DSP from the Spring Fever Simply Scrappin' kit.  This kit just retired on April 30 and was in the Occasions mini catalog.  This paper was so pretty I didn't want any of the scraps to go to waste.

Want to add the tab punch to your crafting supplies?  Click here to visit my on-line store now!

Have a great day!

It has been an emotional few weeks at the Reiner house which has contributed to my lack of creativity and posts. I have debated whether to post anything personal on my business stamping blog, and ultimately decided I would simply to explain my sudden absence for awhile. Thank you to those who have sent me emails inquiring about where I have been lately.

For those of you who know me, even remotely, you likely know of the special bond I have with my dog, Kayla.  For more than 12 years we have been a dynamic duo.  Trust me when I say, I realize how incredibly fortunate I am to have my furry friend now that she is well into her mid 80's (in human years). But perhaps it's because of that length of time that has made this past week so difficult.

Kayla has cancer.  Lymphoma to be exact.

And my heart is broken.

The good news, if it can be called that, is that lymphoma can be treated.  Not cured, but treated.  After speaking with many doctors, conventional and holistic, all agree that Kayla is in fact very sick, but by all accounts still has some good days ahead.  No one knows for sure how long or what to expect, but I have committed to the fight for as long as Kayla is willing to fight.  I know, without question, she will tell me when she has had enough. 

For those of you who are not dog owners/lovers, I recognize this post may come across as "over-the-top".  It wouldn't be the first time I have been accused of such a thing.  I'm okay with that.

I will do my best to use stamping as a distraction, and it will be just that.  Kayla has spent endless hours with me in my stamp room and will continue to do so.  We will do our best to come up with something clever to post.

My faith has brought me through some very difficult times and will continue to guide me through the days and months ahead.  Below is one of my favorite quotes and I have had it on my desk for years.  I read it daily and wanted to share it:

"There is nothing -

no circumstance, no trouble,

no testing

that can ever touch me

until it has first come past God

and past Christ,

right through to me.

If it has come that far,

it has come with a great purpose."

- Alan Redpath

Thank you for allowing me to share what has been so heavy on my heart.  I have met so many wonderful friends as a result of this blog and in the stamping community.  I appreciate the concern so many of you have expressed in the last couple of weeks.

There's something pretty amazing that happens when you join Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator.  What starts as excitement about a product discount and endless creative resources quickly turns into a close network of friends around the world...literally.  With my 10 year anniversary quickly approaching I have lost count of the numerous women (and men) that have touched my life as a result of this job.  Strangers become customers, customers become acquaintances, acquaintances quickly turn to friends and then some of those friends become fellow demonstrators.

I have a fantastic team of demonstrators and I am honored that they chose me to be their up-line.  In turn, I too, have a wonderful team of demonstrators who are MY up-line.  They offer assistance when I need it and are generous with their time and support.  I recently received a very nice "act of kindness" from my up line so I made a card to thank her.

This card uses some new products from the new 2012-2013 Stampin' Up! catalog that will be released on June 1st.  That beautiful flourish is from a set called Everything Eleanor.  See that Designer Paper on the left?  That's from a new designer series paper pack called Comfort Cafe.  That same paper showcases a new In-Color called Midnight Muse. There are so many fantastic new additions to the new catalog. You won't be disappointed!

In addition to a new catalog, Stampin' Up! has made a good deal even better!  As I stated above, the benefits to being a Stampin' Up! are numerous but Stampin' Up! now wants to make joining the fun customizable.  YOU pick what YOU want in your starter kit.  It's all about having it YOUR WAY!:

Join Stampin' Up! in your way . . . with our completely customizable Starter Kit for just $99!

Build your own personal kit by picking $125 worth of any of our high-quality traditional or digital products. We'll add in a business supplies pack valued at $65 (to help you get your business up and running), and you've got a customizable kit worth up to $190!

It's that easy.

 CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY TEAM NOW!

I hope to have YOU on the Ink Happens Team soon!

With just a little more than 2 weeks remaining, the current 2011-12 Idea Book and Catalog will soon be history.  Over the past few weeks I have been showcasing and demonstrating the retiring products at every event I have held. 

I generally enjoy this time of year when old products are retiring and new ones are escorted in, but there are a few stamp sets and accessories that I will miss using. Fifth Avenue Floral will definitely be one of them.  There are such beautiful images in this 5 piece set with the rose being my absolute favorite. 

At Ellen's workshop two weeks ago we made this card in time for Mother's Day. Everyone really enjoyed water-coloring the image with Aquapainters and ink. With watercolor paper being so easy to use, everyone's rose came out different, but so pretty.  The card was a hit and hopefully enjoyed by several women on Mother's Day!

Interested in owning this set before it retires on May 31st?  Click here now to go to my on-line store to get it while you can!

Fifth Avenue Floral  113734 
Price: $24.95 
The beautiful, modern flowers in the Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set share the sophistication and styling of its namesake. You can choose to watercolor these line-art images, or leave them uncolored and layer them for a refined floral collection.

Set Quantity: 5

Thanks for stopping by!