UDI Inspiration Challenge - Colorful Fun!

Welcome to Thursday stampin' friends! I am so glad to be getting back into my normal routine. I missed last week's Inspiration Challenge for the UDI Blog, because honestly, when I got back from Utah, I was just plain pooped! All my best laid plans to create my project when I got in from the airport dissolved into my pillow as soon as I got my suitcase in the door! LOL!
After an incredibly busy 6 days working and playing catch up - here we are again at another Inspiration Challenge!
I was so happy to see this photo today:

First of all, it makes me smile - I LOVE bubble gum and this cute old-fashioned machine just makes me want a penny to put in it!
But, I was really excited because two projects that I'd made before I left for Utah really fit the challenge well, and gave me the perfect opportunity to show them to you!

Here is the first of the two projects, a fun gift bag!

One of the Advisory Board traditions is to create a bag for each member and Shelli of "My Favorite Things". We exchange them during the retreat. I love this because it gives each of us a glimpse of our personalities beyond what we already know - stamping!
I made 9 of these bags - the one I'm showing you is mine, you can tell by the initials on the tag.

I'm really having a blast using the new Candy Cane Lane Designer Series Paper and the coordinating fabrics! In fact, both my projects today highlight that collection!
Here is a close up of the tag - all made with my Big Shot!

I stamped on the Whisper White cardstock with the Teahouse background stamp. It was glued to a thin piece of cardboard before I cut the letters out. (I save the backers from my packs of DSP for just this purpose!)

The front of the bag was so easy!

I just used Whisper White and Real Red cardstock, the Candy Cane Lane DSP, Whisper White 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon and some of the new Candy Cane Big Designer Buttons. The White cardstock was punched with the Eyelet Border punch.

All the girls just loved their bags - I had so much fun making them for each one! I'm so glad they enjoyed them!

My next project was created after seeing the instructions for it on my Canadian friend Dawn Pritchard's blog. She is also an amazing scrapbooker, so you should certainly check out her stuff!

Isn't it cute?!!
I love having my very own Coffee Cup Cozy to whip out everytime I visit my favorite coffee shop!
Here is a close up of it off the cup:

And here is the back side:

It is entirely no sew and super easy to make! Dawn's directions are way simple to follow - thank goodness! And thanks Dawn!

So, there you have it - two very fun projects that really - I think - play so well off the inspiration photo this week. Be sure to visit the UDI Blog and see what the other design team members have created! I know you'll be glad you did!

Stamped blessings,
~~Robin