It's Not All About Stamping...

Hey there crafty peeps! 

Usually you're stopping by here for a creative idea or some crafty inspiration and you KNOW I'm all over that! 

But like most of the rest of you - life in the Merriman household doesn't always revolve around stamping and creating. 

I know - say it isn't SO! 

Yep!

Sometimes, it's all about this: 

And this:

And this: 

My sweet girl gets to live out her passion for synchronized figure skating 3-4 days a week, and her heart beats to the rhythm of the sound of her teammates blades on the ice next to hers. 

This is her 10th season as a National Blade, and also her last. 

She's off to college in the Fall, and yes, she'll continue her skating career there as well. Pursuing her dream of coaching her own synchro team some day. 

The next few days we are at her last Eastern Sectional Championships. Held ironically, in our home state of Virginia. She's skating at the Intermediate level in a jam-packed division. 

Her team is an amazing blend of talented skaters and they work hard both on and off the ice to achieve that perfect skate. That perfect score from the judges. 

But no matter where they place -  she'll leave the ice having left her ALL on the ice. 

Because it's who she is and its what she does. 

And this Mama couldn't be more proud of her girl. 

Hello Birthday Girl!

Isn't this a HAPPY card?

It's like balloon confetti!

Wanna know the BEST part about this card?

You can create this one in less than 10 minutes! 

Yep, there's something to be said for clean and simple - and CUTE!

It also uses one of the fabulous Sale-A-Bration FREE stamp sets. 

Folks, FREE is never bad. LOL! 

Here's a supply list for you: 

As always, click on any of the product photos above and you'll head right into my Online Store to get your shopping done. 

And THANKS for choosing me as your Stampin' Up! demo. Can I just say "You're awesome!"

Apple of My Eye - Inspiration Series Card - Apple

Today's the last day of this Inspiration Series. 

I hope you've enjoyed the cards I've created with this stamp set - it's one of my favorites from the New Occasions Catalog! 

Remember the Birthday Card in THIS blog post? 

Botanical Blooms Birthday Card

Well, today's card was created because of that one!

Can you see the common design element? 

If you didn't click back, here's a peek at the other card: 

On the Birthday card above, I embossed the Whisper White layer in my Big Shot with the Brick Wall Embossing Folder. 

Then I stamped over it with So Saffron ink and the Watercolor Wash background stamp. 

After stamping, the embossed card stock left behind a pattern in the remaining ink on the stamp. So...not wanting to waste a fun background, I stamped it again on a piece of 4" x 5 1/4" Whisper White card stock and created the background for today's card! 

Here, take another look:

The apple was speckled using the same masking technique I detailed for you in this post showcasing the Pear Card. 

Here's a complete supply list for you: 

(If you are reading this blog post via email subscription and aren't seeing the supply list, please visit this post in your browser. I haven't solved the mystery of why it may not show up....)

Shopping for any of these products and more is so easy, simply click on any of the product photos and it will take you right into my Online Store. 

Be sure to check out the Clearance Rack and Weekly Deals while you are there and remember - all orders of $50 or more automatically earn you a choice of a FREE Sale-A-Bration product!

I'm so glad you stopped by today - have you enjoyed the series? Which card was your favorite? 

I'll see you back here tomorrow for some more fresh inspiration!

Apple of My Eye - Inspiration Series - Cherries

Welcome to Day 3 of my first Inspiration Series! 

I'm featuring the new stamp set - Apple of My Eye - one of my personal favorites from Stampin' Up!'s Occasions Catalog 2016. 

Today's card features the Cherries stamp images. (the stem and the cherries are separate stamps) 

Take a look:

I don't know about you, but I {heart} cherries! And cherry flavored anything - I especially like chocolate-covered cherries, but hey, anything covered in chocolate can't be all bad, right? :)

The cherries stamp image in this stamp set is actually a single cherry, meant to be stamped at the end of the stem image. That's cool because you can actually stamp other little round fruits with it as well, like maybe....a bunch of grapes? A bowl of blueberries? What else? 

I think the stamped cherries focal image is pretty self-explanatory, but let me tell you how I stamped the gingham card stock strip. It was SO simple!

1) Ink the Brushstrokes background stamp with Marina Mist ink and stamp on a piece of Whisper White card stock. 

2) Without re-inking the stamp, turn it a 1/4 turn and stamp again on the same card stock. 

Instant Gingham!

Have you ever done that stamping technique before? 

Finish off the card with a touch of Dazzling Diamonds Glitter on the cherries for just a little sparkle!

Here's a list of the supplies I used for this card: 

Shopping for any of these products and more is so easy, simply click on any of the product photos and it will take you right into my Online Store. 

Be sure to check out the Clearance Rack and Weekly Deals while you are there and remember - all orders of $50 or more automatically earn you a choice of a FREE Sale-A-Bration product!

I'm so glad you stopped by today - come back tomorrow for the last card in the series. In the meantime, do any of you have a great recipe for cherries?? 

Share it in the comments!

Tomorrow is the LAST Day of this Inspiration Series - be sure to come back and check out the final card! 

Apple of My Eye - Inspiration Series - Pear

Welcome to Day 2 of my first Inspiration Series! 

I'm featuring the new stamp set - Apple of My Eye - one of my personal favorites from Stampin' Up!'s Occasions Catalog 2016. 

Today's card features the Pear stamp image. Take a look:

So the pear stamp is pretty specific, at least I think so. 

Does it look like it could be any other fruit to you? 

One thing I DO know is that pears oftentimes have little specks of brown on their skin. It was super easy to recreate that look - here's how:

1) Stamp the image on your card stock in the color of your choice. Here, I used Pear Pizzazz. (Of course!)

2) Stamp the image again on a sticky note, close to the top of the sticky area on the back. Use your Paper Snips and trim out the pear image - setting it aside. 

3) Save the sticky note that you trimmed off (the frame of the image) and position it over your stamped image on the card stock, masking the white space around the image. 

4) Use the large speckle stamp image from the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set and ink in Soft Suede ink, stamping off one time on your Grid Paper. 

5) Stamp on top of the masked pear image, creating speckles on your pear. See? Easy!

I used the Hardwood background stamp on a strip of Crumb Cake card stock to give it a rustic feel and I also stamped the speckle image from Gorgeous Grunge randomly on the Mossy Meadow card base in Soft Suede as well. You can see I added a little bit of speckle to the greeting too. :)

The whole thing reminded me of a roadside fruit stand or farmer's market, what do you think? 

Here's the supply list for you: 

(do those of you who read my blog via e-mail actually SEE this supply list? It didn't show up for me today and I was wondering. Sure would love to hear from you if it's not - thanks!)

Shopping for any of these products and more is so easy, simply click on any of the product photos and it will take you right into my Online Store. 

Be sure to check out the Clearance Rack and Weekly Deals while you are there and remember - all orders of $50 or more automatically earn you a choice of a FREE Sale-A-Bration product!

I'm so glad you stopped by today - come back tomorrow for the next card in the series. In the meantime, do any of you have a great recipe for pears?? Share it in the comments!

More inspiration from this stamp set coming your way tomorrow! 

Be sure to come back and visit!

Apple of My Eye - Inspiration Series - Peaches

I've heard that January is a great time for new beginnings. 
So, I've decided to start some new things here on the ol' blog. 
Like this. 
A periodic Inspiration Series featuring a single stamp set. 
What do you think? 
Good Idea?

Over the next four days, I'll be sharing a different project with you featuring the Apple of My Eye stamp set - a fave of mine from the Occasions Catalog - starting with this card here:

One of the stamps in the set can be used for multiple fruits - apples, plums, nectarines, peaches....hmm, what else? 

I used it here for peaches. 

And making them look like peaches was actually really easy!

1) Ink the stamp in So Saffron. 

2) Roll just the outer edges of the stamp in Calypso Coral, being careful to leave a section of the stamp with So Saffron ink on it. 

3) Stamp on Whisper White cardstock and cut out with Paper Snips. The only thing missing is the peach fuzz. :)

I used the Hardwood background stamp in Soft Suede on a Crumb Cake card base, nothing fancy, but it reminded me of a fruit crate. 

In fact, the whole card design is my idea of a modernized fruit crate label. I love vintage fruit crates and that was my inspiration here. 

Here's a complete supply list for you: 

Shopping for any of these products and more is so easy, simply click on any of the product photos and it will take you right into my Online Store. 

Be sure to check out the Clearance Rack and Weekly Deals while you are there and remember - all orders of $50 or more automatically earn you a choice of a FREE Sale-A-Bration product!

I'm so glad you stopped by today - come back tomorrow for the next card in the series. In the meantime, do any of you have a great recipe for peaches?? Share it in the comments!

Happy Mail! A Sweet Thank You Note

It never gets old, opening the mailbox and finding a card inside! 

Among all the advertisements, catalogs and bills, every now and then, there's a little ray of sunshine - just for you! 

And doesn't it just make your day? 

I love that about being card maker - the ability to bring a smile to someone's face with just a few simple crafting supplies. 

It's priceless.

I received this sweet card recently from a member of my downline team and I loved everything about it! Especially the sweet message inside. :) 

It's simple and lovely and fresh - like a sweet summer day all wrapped up in an envelope. 

When's the last time you received a card from someone? Tell me how it made you feel - that's the best part! 

Here are the supplies needed to re-create this sweet, simple card: 

As always, you can click on any of the product photos above and shop immediately in my Online Store - so easy! 

And don't forget about the Weekly Deals this week - the Brights Buttons used in today's project are on sale. 

I'll give you a tip too - snap up a set of the In Color Markers while they are on sale. 

Those colors are retiring this May - when the Retiring Products List is announced in April, anything in those colors will SELL OUT quickly! Don't miss them, and be sure to get ink refills - a MUST for keeping your ink pads alive! 

All orders of $50 or more earn a FREE Sale-A-Bration product too! 

Don't forget!

Be sure to stop back by over the next 4 days - I've got an Inspiration Series coming your way!

Apple of My Eye is a fantastic new stamp set in the Occasions Catalog. I'll be sharing some great designs that will make you fall in LOVE with it!

Are You Missing Inspiration?

If you don't subscribe to my email newsletter, you just might be!

Missing inspiration, that is. :(

Card created with the What I Love stamp set and Birthday Blooms Designer Paper

Each Monday, I send out a different card or project idea with a downloadable and printable tutorial sheet. This goes exclusively to ALL my newsletter subscribers - I don't post it anywhere else online! 

So, you might want to consider subscribing, dontcha think? 

It's simple too. 

Here's a picture of what the Subscribe Box looks like from the right sidebar of this blog: 

Simply fill it out and follow the instructions that arrive in your email confirmation. 

That's all there is to it! 

You'll have an inbox full of weekly inspiration - a GREAT reason to check your email each Monday morning!

Hello! Birthday Blooms - One More Time!

I have always loved the look of watercolored white embossing. 

There's just something about it that whispers "elegant", don't you think? 

And this card, while elegant with the embossing, is still a bit whimsical with the glittery 'hello' and the sweet font of the stamped greeting. 

It just makes me smile! 

The other thing I <3 about this card is the sheer simplicity of it - soft, inviting colors and a quaint, homey feel with very clean lines. 

Neo-vintage at it's best!

To re-create this beauty, simply stamp the floral image on White Shimmer card stock with Versamark and heat emboss with White Embossing Powder and your Heat Tool. Color in using ink refills and your Aqua Painter. 

Sweet and simple! 

Here's a supply list for you: 

To place an order for any of the supplies used, simply click on any of the product photos above. 

You'll go right into my Online Store to do your shopping. 

**Please note! 

If you select the "NO CONTACT" option, I have NO way to see ANY of your information, not even your NAME! 

So I am unable to send a Thank You note or include you in any messaging just for my clients. 

You may think that option is letting me know that you don't have any questions, but it's actually preventing me from servicing you! 

I've received SEVERAL NO CONTACT orders recently and it makes me sad that I can't properly thank you for your patronage. 

That's all for today! 

Be sure to stop back by tomorrow for some more creative inspiration. 

What would YOU like to see me create for you? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Don't forget! 

All orders of $50 or more can select a FREE Sale-A-Bration product from this brochure! 

Dear Friend - Another Birthday Blooms Card!

Hello crafty friends! 

Since a week has gone by without a new post from me I figure I'd better explain....

I woke up Sunday a week ago to no internet at home and in typical fashion, our provider didn't show up to fix it until late Tuesday. So between no internet at home and me working my part time job, no blogging took place. Yeah.....

And then, I flew to Kansas City on Wednesday to meet up with 9 of my dear Stampin' Up! friends for a 4 day planning session. VERY exciting stuff! 

So yes, I've been gone.....

But today.....I'm BACK!!

And I have lots of crafty inspiration to share this week!

Starting with this card, another one using Birthday Blooms: 

I love the crisp simplicity of this card and the fresh colors just pop! The small flower is watercolored with ink refills and an Aqua Painter - easy peasy! 

Here's a supply list for you: 

As always, you can click on any of the product photos above and shop in my Online Store - 24/7! 

I'm so glad you stopped by today - when's the last time you pulled out your Aqua Painters?

Maybe today's the day! Go create something fun!

Last Day for these great Weekly Deals! 

Earn Free Products with EACH $50 purchase! 

Happy Home - You're the Best!

Hey crafty friends! 

Just popping in today with a clean and simple card for you. 

This one uses the new stamp set Happy Home found in the Occasions Catalog. 

It's a great set for those of you who love to watercolor!

This card uses the Shimmer White Cardstock, perfect for watercoloring if you're not using Watercolor Paper itself. It makes a wonderfully sturdy card base too. 

Be sure and add it to your order and try it out next time you do some watercoloring!

I'm still in Lowell, MA with my daughter for her synchronized skating team's competition - they're looking really good today - we're hoping for a great skate tomorrow! 

Have a fantastic day everyone!

Birthday Blooms - Again!

The New Occasions Catalog is chock-full of fantastic NEW stamp sets - 

and if you read my blog every day, you can probably tell there are a few I love!

Like Birthday Blooms. 

It's pretty awesome, just sayin'....

Here, check out this gorgeous card (a gift from a very sweet friend!)

I love the mixture of elements here from the texture of the Watercolor Paper to the silkiness of the lace trim to the little bit of bling peeking out from behind with the Silver Doily. 

All on a Crumb Cake background that gives it a slightly rustic feel. 

A GREAT card! 

And one you'd probably love to get in the mail or make for someone special. :)

I'm on the run this weekend - my daughter has a skating competition in northern Massachusetts so my blog posts are short and sweet for a few days. But I know you'll love the ideas I have to share! 

Have a great weekend everyone - make time to create something fun!

Shop Online 24/7 at my website: 

www.trinitydesignstudio.stampinup.net