Creating masculine cards can be difficult for some people to make.  I struggle with it too.  There are a decent amount of suitable images out there, but I think what stumps me is that I like to add a lot of embellishments.  And some of my embellishments aren't very manly.

Thanks to a recent post from Dawn Olchefske making my Father's Day card this year just got a little easier.  With a new twist on an "old" card fold, this card came together quickly and easily.  And, with the re-emergence of the Open Seas stamp set in the new Stampin' Up! catalog, this became a great masculine card.

With the recent addition of Label Framelits(125598) to the Stampin' Up! accessory line, images can be enhanced and showcased on any card front.  I really like how the ship and the map fit so perfectly within this framelit.  I was even able to add a button embellishment with some linen thread!

It's been a wet week here in Orlando and the weekend doesn't show much promise of it drying up. It will be a great opportunity for me to try out some of my new Stampin' Up! products that landed on my doorstep yesterday.

Do you have the new Stampin' Up! catalog yet?  If not, contact me!

I'm really enjoying the new stamp set, Betsy's Blossom. With so many different images available, it's easy to make completely different projects every time you ink a stamp. 

Today's project didn't turn out exactly how I intended it to and at one point I was pretty frustrated that my vision wasn't coming to fruition.  Then last weekend I had a couple of stamping friends over and they commented how much they liked it.  Really?  They insisted that they did. 

It just so happens that one of those friends had a birthday yesterday, so guess what?  She got this card! So whether she really liked it or not, it ended up in her mailbox!

The technique I used is called emerging color. This is a technique that highlights the colors or images underneath a stamped image that is embossed in clear embossing powder. After embossing, you brayer color over the entire card and those areas that were not embossed are essentially hidden.  When the excess color is removed from the clear embossed images, the colors or images "emerge" from behind. 

The images that are "emerging" is the new designer series paper called Comfort Cafe (#126898).  I really love the warm colors in this paper pack. Pretty anytime of the year, but I can see really enjoying this in the Fall.

So, happy birthday to my friend, Carolyn!  I hope you enjoyed your day AND your birthday card too!

Ready to shop the new catalog?  Click here to see all great new products!

The flurry of activity surrounding yesterday's release of the new 2012-2013 Stampin' Up! catalog was exciting in of itself, but adding a promotion for new demonstrators too just made it even better!

If you are thinking of joining this wonderful company, consider this:

In addition to the all of the fantastic products in your fully customizable started kit, Stampin' Up! is adding additional products to "sweeten" things up! You will get select products from the brand new Patio Party Suite for FREE! All of this for $99!

 Click to view the pdf and to JOIN THE FUN 

I would love to have you join my Ink Happens team!

Wow, another year come and gone...amazing how fast the catalogs come and go!

Welcome to a brand new catalog with loads of new accessories and stamps and some fresh, new colors too!  The new catalog is sleek, bright and as inspiring as it has ever been in the past. I'm SO excited that the new catalog has finally started!

Haven't seen the new catalog yet?  Go check it out NOW!

Isn't the cover lovely?  Oh, my favorite color pink is everywhere! 

Interested in placing an order?  On-line ordering will be available beginning 2pm EST. Contact me if you have any questions!

Happy Shopping!