PERFECT level of crafty inventory

 

Today, I've got two things going on.

First,  I've got 6 questions to ask ourselves when we're trying to optimize our crafty inventory levels. Whatever the 'perfect' level is for you - these questions can help!

Second, while I was chatting about all that, I made my own temporary layering stencils for simple shapes! I created a fun pattern with an Altenew tulip stamp. I stamped it again on 3 post it notes, and then used them to create temporary stencils for ink blending!

Amazing Daisies

Welcome to this week's LIMES inspiration post!

I chose this card as my inspiration from the gallery of this week's Splitcoaststampers' Featured Stamper!

LIST: Colours (green, pink, orange, purple, blue, white), Techniques (stamping, fussy cutting), Elements (lots of white space, coloured sentiments, coloured stamping)

INCLUDE: green, pink, purple, white, stamping, white space

MODIFY: orientation of floral, stamped in black and coloured, left some uncoloured to keep a light feeling, black reverse sentiment (fussy cutting to create mask!), popped up whole circle panel

EXCLUDE:

SPIN: circle panel on square card

I loved the airiness of the inspiration cards. And I just got a super-pretty floral stamp set. This is a type of card I really haven't made in quite a while - stamped and coloured with copics. I wanted to try combining two of the stamps in the border set so I stamped the daisy border on my panel, then stamped it again on some 2 inch post-it tape, to create a mask. 

I then stamped a leaf-only stamp from the same set twice, once extending above, and once below the daisies. 

I coloured just the image from the first stamp, leaving the leaves from the second stamp white (and I realized my Copics need a spa day to be cleaned up and refilled!)

I trimmed the panel down with a circle die, to get rid of a smudge, and then added a reverse sentiment and popped up the panel before adding crystal glaze to the flower centres.

Old Favourites, New Ideas!

 

Recently I completely re-organized my stamps, dies, stencils and embossing folders, both physically and electronically, and while I was doing that, I came across some old items that I've been holding onto but not using. I decided to challenge myself to use a few  of them, in a new way to decide whether it was time for them to go to a new home.

If you want to know more about my reorganization as well as why (and how!) I changed from Evernote to Air Table, join us at the FREE Paper Crafters Get Organized Summit next weekend!

Illusion Love You

Welcome to this week's LIMES inspiration post!

I chose this card as my inspiration from the gallery of this week's Splitcoaststampers' Featured Stamper!

LIST: Colours (pink, white, gold), Techniques (die cutting), Elements (mosaic background, darker frame, 3 glitter hearts, valentine's theme, pink cardbase)

INCLUDE: pink, white, gold, die cut glitter hearts

MODIFY: valentine to 'love you', used masking and stencilling for background, one big white heart, 5 small gold hearts, added black and yellow/orange

EXCLUDE: 

SPIN:

Darlene's inspiration card is full of energy and love. I masked a large heart on my panel and then I blended pinks and one orangey-yellow ink through my illusion Rippled Squares stencil from A Colorful Life Designs. I trimmed it down to follow the ripples and stamped a bold black sentiment before putting it on a black rectangle mat. I added 5 little gold glitter heart die cuts as my embellishments. 

Craft Room Splurges

Today I'm talking about some of the splurges or investments I've made in my craft room. 

Recently, I made a BIG change to the pocket system I was using to store my stamps and dies, and that's the topic of my presentation at the upcoming Paper Crafters Get Organized summit, happening April 19-21. Not only will I show you my old and new system, but I'll be sharing 5 steps for how you can find YOUR perfect storage solution. You can register for a free ticket HERE.

Dahlia Thinking of You

Welcome to this week's LIMES inspiration post!

I chose this card as my inspiration from the gallery of this week's Splitcoaststampers' Featured Stamper!

LIST: Colours (orange, pink blue, beige), Techniques (copic colouring), Elements (big 'flower burst' in background, ballerina)

INCLUDE: orange, pink, blue, big flower burst 

MODIFY: stenciled instead of coloured, added die cut sentiment and sparkle

EXCLUDE: Ballerina

 I loved the drama on the inspiration card - the energy from the background really caught my eye. I stencilled some pink and yellow/orange ink through a dahlia stencil, blended blue ink around the edges and then added some gold watercolor splatter.

Instead of a ballerina, I die cut a sentiment from white cardstock and added some gems for sparkle

Old School, Still Cool

Today I'm showing how to use some old school tools to make cool cards. This one's my favourite, but there's 6 more - which one do you like best?