On this terrific Tuesday, I have several things to share!
First, I wanted to let you know that...

• TODAY is the LAST Day for the Reason to Smile promotion!

Purchase $50 in Stampin' Up! product
and qualify to purchase an exclusive set for only $5!!!

Stampin' Up! Special $5 Stamp Set Ends Today!

• Tomorrow, August 1, 2012, MDS 2 (My Digital Studio 2) debuts!!!

  More than 75 new features for your digital designing!

With this new My Digital Studio software you'll be able to:

• Design in spreads
• Create with custom canvas sizes
• Add more than one color to a single stamp image
• Resize vector stamp images while keeping them crisp
• See color combination suggestions
• And much more

• MORE INFORMATION COMING AFTER I UPGRADE TO THE NEW MDS SOFTWARE!
  
  And, to go along with the release of MDS 2...

• 31% OFF DIGITAL FOR 31 DAYS!!!

  Get 31% off 31 digital content options and most of our print products for all 31 days in August! 
  Haven't tried digital crafting?
  Check out the 30-day FREE trial of the software HERE!
  August is the perfect time to enter the digital designing craze and see what it's all about.

  What's on sale?
  ALL cards, photobooks, individual pages, and tags. That's right: print any photobook, board book, swatchbook, individual pages, greeting card, postcard, trifold card, or tag-all for 31% off.

  Some of our best digital content. 30 downloads and 1 content disc. Yep, that equals 31!

• Have you thought about joining Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator and my ink and inspirations team?
  Sign up between August 1-31 and earn a Free Howl-o-ween Printer's Tray Project Kit!  More info coming tomorrow!

• Now for a bit of personal news...
  The hubs and I have been enjoying a two week vacation with our daughters and their husbands.  What a joy it has been!  We've been fishing, hiking, and enjoying the great outdoors in the beautiful Ozarks.
  I was also able to spend some craft time with both daughters...

• Daughter #1 and I worked on a mini album created with some discontinued Stampin' Up! items.  She loves to have an album ready for photos after special occasions or trips!

• Daughter #2 found an adorable Prayer Box that she wanted to create for a friend. I am hoping to share a video tutorial this week on creating the mini notepad.
  
  

Here are a couple of photos of our time together.  These girls are our hearts. :)  Thanks for letting me share...

• 

  Our Reason to Smile

The 2012 Summer Olympics are well under way!  The determination of the athletes is such an inspiration.  A competition with the world involved and the world watching.  Just to qualify for the games is a fantastic achievement... an achievement of a goal that required countless hours of training and perseverance.

I'd like to salute all the athletes as winners with this card...

2012 Summer Olympics Blue Ribbon Winner

The Stampin' Up! Blue Ribbon set is perfect to create a card on the occasion of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games or to celebrate any winner!  You can get the Blue Ribbon set in the Online Store HERE.

Stampin' Up! Quick and Easy Thank You Card

Sharing a quick and easy thank you card featuring Stampin' Up! Birds of a Feather Designer Series Paper on this hot and sunny Saturday! 

Need to put a card together fast? This is one that uses a few supplies with a clean look in cheery colors.  It's also a bit smaller than a Standard Size A2 card, 3 1/2" x 4 1/4", yet still works with our Standard Size Envelope and perfect for a quick note.

Here's the how-to:

1. Cut card stock for base to 3 1/2" x 8 1/2".  Fold in half.  (Island Indigo)
2. Cut a 4" x 1 1/2" strip of designer paper (Birds of a Feather).
3. Punch one end with a 1 3/8" square punch as seen HERE in this video tutorial.
4. Cut a 1" x 4" strip of Summer Starfruit and punch border. (Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border).
5. Adhere border to one long side of of designer paper. Trim as needed.
6. Stamp sentiment ( Itty Bitty Banners- wood, clear) in Whisper White Craft Ink on Raspberry Ripple.
7. Cut sentiment with Bitty Banners Framelits and Big Shot.
8. Adhere designer paper piece toward either right or left side of base. (see photo)
9. Adhere sentiment,overlapping the designer paper at bit.
10. Draw faux stitching with white gel pen.

There you have it, a quick and easy Stampin' Up! thank you card!

Reminder...Only a few more days for this Stampin' Up! Special!!!

Get the Reason to Smile Set-up to a $20.95 value-for just $5 when you spend $50 on any Stampin' Up! products. (One set per customer.)

***IMPORTANT: Once you reach a $50 product total when placing your order in the ONLINE STORE, enter one of these item numbers to purchase this special set for $5...

Reason to Smile (wood mount-131274)
Reason to Smile (clear mount- 131275)

So, this month, place an order of $50 in product or more and gain an entry on my customer reward 50/50 board with a chance to win a $50 Stampin' Up! Gift Certificate AND have the opportunity to purchase an exclusive stamp set for just $5...A Reason to Smile! 

Let me know if you have questions.  Have a great weekend!

My Blog Readers...You're Amazing!

As a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I enjoy sharing great project ideas and tips using the fabulous products from Stampin' Up!.  I encourage you to sign up for my mailing list so you can to receive my monthly newsletter which contains project ideas exclusively for my subscribers.  You will also periodically receive exclusive bonus videos created especially for those on the mailing list!

My August Newsletter will be delivered to subscribers next week so don't delay!  Can't wait to begin sharing fun creations from the Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalog!

Sign Up for ink and inspirations Mailing List

Thank you again for visiting!

Lisa Brown
ink and inspirations

Stampin' Up! Demonstrator- Shop Online

Stampin' Up! Card Idea- Elements of Style

Sharing a card that I made a while back using the Stampin' Up! Elements of Style
(wood, clear) set and some retired designer paper. This was an anniversary card that I made for my daughter and her husband for their 5th anniversary last month.

The Elements of Style set is versatile and I love using it for the main image and as a background.  Here, I tore one of the Designer Frames 123130 around the textured image.  Then, I stamped a floral image in Crumb Cake ink and the floral vine in Soft Suede over top. 

Some sponging around the torn edges, a Scallop Edge Border 119882, and an Antique Brad add to the vintage feel.  A punched anniversary wish from Teeny Tiny Wishes (wood, clear) and Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon finish the look. 

Try creating your own vintage look on your next card creation and let me know if you have questions by leaving a comment below or on my Facebook business page, Ink and Inspirations with Lisa Brown!

Stampin' Up! Elements of Style Card Idea

Super late post today but wanted to share a bit of news...

Stampin' Up! Hostess Keep Calm and Carry On

The Stampin' Up! Carry On Hostess Stamp Set (126645, 126647, or 128156) is once again available for workshop hostesses to order as part of their hostesses benefits of product totals of $150 or more. 

Did you know that you can also earn Stampin' Rewards with your qualifying online order of $150 or more?

This set is also available for purchase for Stampin' Rewards for online orders  of $150 in product or more as well as items in any of the current Stampin' Up! catalogs. Shop through the online store here!

If you have questions or need help with your order, e-mail me.
I'll be happy to help you. 

As promised, here's a Stampin' Up! video tutorial for the Spooky Bingo Bits Treat Box seen HERE.

Stampin' Up! Video Tutorial Halloween Treat Box

Super fun and easy to put together, I think you'll want to make note of this project to create for many occasions! Enjoy and let me know if you have questions!

Stampin' Up! Video Tutorial- Spooky Bingo Bits Halloween Treat Box

Stampin' Up! Spooky Bingo Bits Treat Box

The Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalog debuts on August 1st which means it's not too early to start planning your Halloween projects!  Here's an easy Halloween treat box that you can adapt for any occasion.

As a surprise, I've used some of the trendy new Houndstooth and Scaringbone Designer Series Paper from the Holiday Catalog that you're going to love for Halloween...AND, the prints and designs are great for any time of year!

Stampin' Up! Spooky Bingo Bits Hallowen Treat Box

Staampin' Up! Spooky Bingo Bits

I've posted peek of another Halloween project that I created with this set on my Facebook page!

Soon, I'll be posting the video tutorial to create this little treat box!  Stay tuned!

  Reason to Smile Promotion Ends July 31st!

Get the Reason to Smile Set-up to a $20.95 value-for just $5 when you spend $50 on any Stampin' Up! products.

Here are the details:

• Spend $50 on any current Stampin' Up! products to get the exclusive Reason to Smile Set for just $5.
• Orders may be placed on these order types--customer, workshop, or online).
• There is a limit of one (1) set per customer.
• If ordering online, you will not be automatically prompted to enter the $5 Item Number for a qualifying purchase. Use the item codes listed below.
  Reason to Smile wood mount- 131274- $5.00
  Reason to Smile clear mount- 131275- $5.00
  
• The Reason to Smile Set is exclusive to this promotion and will not be available after July 31, 2012.

View the Stampin' Up! Reason to Smile Stamp Set Images on the Promotional Flyer!

You can order your Stampin' Up! supplies ONLINE, 24/7...
by email, or, by Phone...409-719-2853.

Praying for all those affected by the Aurora, Colorado tragedy.

Stampin' Up! Postage Due Quick and Easy Card

A quick and easy card for you today using Stampin' Up!'s Postage Due(wood, clear) and Fan Fair Designer Series Paper.

• This stamp set along with the coordinating Postage Stamp Punch is awesome and can be adapted to work both masculine and feminine themed cards.
•  The "hello" greeting is from the designer paper series and cut into a strip to form the border with an accent strip of punched with the Scallop Trim Border Punch. 
• The tone on tone background stamp makes for easy stamping yet ads just the right touch to the base of this 4 1/4" square card.
•  An Antique Brad adds a vintage feel to this friendly greeting card. 

The Fan Fair DSP collection has several typography images that can be used to create quick and easy cards.  Try this technique when you are working on cards that you need in a jiffy!

Stampin' Up! Storytime Designer Series Paper Back to School Notepad

The Stampin' Up! Storytime Designer Series Paper is perfect for back to school or children's projects!  The images are precious and reminiscent of storybook readers of days gone by..."raise your hand" if your remember Sally, Dick, and Jane!

Stampin' Up! Storytime Designer Series Paper Altered Notepad

I started with this notepad that was a freebie at a builder's trade show.  This little jewel has been in my stash for a gosh long time!  When, I received my Storytime DSP, I knew, for sure, that I would be altering this little notepad!

Stampin' Up! Storytime Designer Paper Teacher Gift Notepad

With some cutting and sponging of images from the Storytime Designer Paper, this little notepad came together quickly and would be a sweet Back to School teacher gift. Create yours using the links in the supply list below or by visiting the Online Store.

Supplies

Ink:
Early Espresso
Paper:
Storytime Designer Series Paper
Accessories and Tools:
2 1/2" Circle Punch
Apothecary Accents Framelits
Stampin' Sponges

Inklings:

• Just a little more than a week left in the Reason to Smile promotion from Stampin' Up!  Reason to Smile stamp set---only $5!...Details HERE!
• Enjoy full-length, exclusive online classes at your convenience! 
  Join the Inkspiration Classroom!  Find out how here!
• FREE Holiday Catalog from ink and inspirations with any ONLINE PURCHASE!

Stampin' Up! Masculine Card and Holiday Catalog Sneak Peek

Finally, a sneak peek for you from the Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalog on this masculine card!  This catalog is full of stamps, accessories, and tools that will inspire you to create gifts and decor for the upcoming holiday season.  Products are available for order beginning August 1st!

This masculine card sports several new products that are wonderful for your holiday paper crafting projects. 

• Core'dinations Card Stock is great for creating an antiqued and distressed look.  Outside layers are exclusive Stampin' Up! colors (here in Early Espresso) with a an inside layer in a monochromatic color that is revealed by tearing, distressing, or sanding with...
• ...The Stampin' Sanding System...The Stampin' Sanding Block comes with 4 sheets of sand paper in fine and very fine grit. 
• Collect stray bits of debris from sanding with the Core'dinations Dust Buddy.  This durable and reusable cloth makes the clean up a breeze.
• The Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions Embossing Folder provides the elegant impression on the leaf.
• And, speaking of leaf---I am envisioning so many possibilties for the Autumn Accents Bigz Die!
• The wheeled accent on the lower front is the Estruscan Elegance Wheel from the Howlstooth and Scaringbone Product Suite.  I love that it can be used ANYTIME...not just for Halloween!
• And, finally, the topped created with the 3 1/2" Scalloped Tulle Ribbon. It's a wonderful accent for paper crafting projects and gift wrapping. It will be available in 3 of my favorite colors...Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, and as seen here, Crumb Cake.

If you would like a Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalog and do not have a customer relationship with another demonstrator, place an order in my Online Store by July 31st and I'll send you one ASAP!  You can order online at your convenience!

Stampin' Up! Quick and Easy Card

Need a card in a hurry?  Try this Stampin' Up! card idea and you'll have this quick and easy card ready in minutes!

Supplies:

Stamps:
Four Frames- wood, clear
Teeny Tiny Wishes -wood, clear
Paper:
Raspberry Ripple 4 1/4" x 11" and scrap for stamping and punching
Naturals White 4" x 5 1/4" and scrap for stamping and punching
2012-2014 In Color Designer Patterns Stack 1 1/2" x 5"
Ink:
Raspberry Ripple
Accessories and Tools:
Decorative Label Punch
Modern Label Punch
Word Window Punch
1 3/8" Square Punch (See how-to video HERE.)
Vintage Faceted Buttons

1. Fold Raspberry Ripple card stock in half to create a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card.
2. Adhere Naturals White to card front.
3. Punch end of designer paper strip as seen in video HERE.
4. Stamp sentiment on Naturals White scrap; punch with Word Window Punch.
5. Stamp Frame on Naturals White scrap; punch with Decorative Label Punch.
6. Punch Modern Label from scrap of designer paper.
7. Adhere designer paper and stamped images as shown to center of card front.
8. Adhere button to card front.

Try this card making method using your Stampin' Up! Punches to make a quick and easy card!

Stampin' Up!'s Simply Scored Scoring Tool is a great tool for any paper crafter. Whether scoring folds on cards or creating 3D items, this Simply Scored Tool can be a tremendous time saver.

I had a question the other day regarding reading the measurement marks on the tool so I recorded this video in response.   Watch the video for a few tips and let me know if you have questions!

Stampin' Up! Video Tutorial- Simply Scored Tips

Reminder...Reason to Smile Promotion ends July 31st!

During July, you have the opportunity to purchase an exclusive stamp set, available only through this special offer!

Get the Reason to Smile Set-up to a $20.95 value-for just $5 when you spend $50 on any Stampin' Up! products. (One set per customer.)

***IMPORTANT: Once you reach a $50 product total when placing your order in the ONLINE STORE, enter one of these item numbers to purchase this special set for $5...

Reason to Smile (wood mount-131274)
Reason to Smile (clear mount- 131275)

Shop Online with Lisa Brown, ink and inspirations