Coloring this image with Stampin' Blends alcohol markers was so much fun!  Isn't this wonderful Noah's Ark depiction?  

This image is from the Perfectly Paired stamp set from the Stampin' Up! Occasions Catalog.  It is a retiring set so if it touches your heart like it did mine, you must get it!

This is a set that I will keep in my collection forever.  I help coordinate a Caring Cards Ministry for our parish family at church and this is a great set for that ministry!  I think it's appropriate for any age!

Today's video tutorial focuses on the coloring with the Stampin' Blends.  The video is 2x the normal speed but I think it will be fine for you to see the process.  Let's take a look...

If you'd like to make a sweet card like this, here are the Stampin' Blends that you'll need! Just click on the links to shop my Online Store.

Product List

Perfectly Paired Cling Stamp Set [148712]	Flirty Flamingo Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [147278]	Old Olive Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144597]
Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144599]	Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144603]	Smoky Slate Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [145058]
Soft Suede Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [147273]	Crumb Cake Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144582]	Balmy Blue Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [148544]
Basic Black Light Stampin' Blends [147940]	Pool Party Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144595]	Stampin' Blends Color Lifter [144608]
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Refill [133456]

Lisa's Inklings:

• Stampin' Blends make coloring very easy.  Try them!
• As you can see, I do not have any special technique for coloring.  The more you do it, the more FUN it gets!
• If you can only get a few colors to start, I've got some advice on getting started HERE.

Hope you've enjoyed watching me color with Stampin' Blends and realize you need this Perfectly Paired Stamp Set from Stampin' Up!

Are you following Ink and Inspirations with Lisa Brown on Facebook?  If not, here are three of the best reasons that you definitely should!

1. Most every Thursday evening, we go LIVE to create one or two projects!  See the process in real time with "bloopers" and all!  Can't join LIVE at the specified time?  The recording remains!  
2.  SHARE my Thursday Facebook videos on your Facebook page and be entered in a random drawing to win a prize!
3.  Get a glimpse into my life's adventures!  Some are exciting...some, not so much!

Don't miss out!  Head on over to my Facebook business page, Ink and Inspirations with Lisa Brown and LIKE my page.  Then, click on Follow, drop down and check SEE FIRST and Notifications ON.  (See below.)

Hope to see you soon on Ink and Inspirations with Lisa Brown on Facebook!

Here she is...the much loved Lovely As A Tree from Stampin' Up! 

This awesome and iconic set debuted in 2001!  2001!  Sadly, this beautiful and versatile set is retiring this year and will only be guaranteed available through May 24, 2019. 

If you do not have this set, you MUST! NO wood mount stamp sets will be available beginning with the new Stampin' Up! catalog so consider ordering it in wood mount.  I predict it will be a highly sought-after stamp set and a valued one for collections.

Yesterday evening, my Facebook Live focused on this stamp set and a style of card that I have created many times through the years.

Dimensions for cutting: DSP 4" x 5 1/4",
Card Base 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", Whisper White 2 1/4" x 4 1/2",
Cardstock layer behind image 2 1/2" x 4 3/4"

Below is a recording of that video...

Buy Lovely As A Tree in Wood Mount or Clear Mount!

Lovely As A Tree Wood-Mount Stamp Set [128655] $28.00

Lovely As A Tree Clear-Mount Stamp Set [127793] $20.00

Here are some other cards created over the years with this amazing set!

• This card and video are my most viewed on YouTube!
• Here's a remake of that card in Emerald Envy and a similar one is gold!
• Here's one with the technique used in the Facebook LIVE broadcast.
• Simple silver embossing...
• Love the plaid in this simple design.

Dimensions for cutting: Base 5 1/2" x 8 1/2",
Embossed cardstock layer 4" x 5 1/4",
Whisper White 2" x 4 1/2" and 2 1/4" x 4 3/4",
Basic Black 2 1/8" x 4 5/8"

Are you convinced that you must add this set to your collection?  I don't want you to miss out. Here's what you do next!

1. Visit the Online Store at this link.
2. Or, go directly to Lovely As A Tree (wood mount) or Lovely As A Tree (clear mount).  Add to your cart.
3. Order some new Sponge Daubers and Stamping Sponges to use for this technique.
4. Look through the paper and ink sections to be sure you have the colors that you need.
5. Add Host Code MJKMNESH to your order if your total is less than $150 before shipping and tax.  (If $150 or more before shipping and tax, DO NOT use the code.  I will send your gift AND you will receive Stampin' Rewards for your order.)
6. Wait patiently for your order to arrive then make some fabulous cards!

Thank you for joining in on this tribute to Stampin' Up! Lovely As A Tree and hope you will e-mail me a photo of your cards made with this wonderful set!

Live with Lisa on Facebook will take place tonight at 6:00 PM Central Time (7:00 PM Eastern,5:00 PM MT, 4:00 PT). I will be going LIVE on my Ink and Inspirations Facebook business page.

You may CLICK HERE to go there at 6:00 PM Central.  When you check in at that time and do not see the LIVE video in progress, please refresh your page.

If you are unable to join us for the LIVE broadcast, not to worry! You may watch the recording which will be posted there immediately following.

We will be creating with an "old friend"!  ;)

Please join us on Facebook tonight at 6:00 PM Central!

If you have ever dreamed of starting your own stamping business then here are three great reasons to encourage you to do so!

1. Flexibility- Work "when you want" and "how much you want"!  Run your business your way!
2. Earn Extra Income- Whether you want to earn money to help pay bills, for a vacation, for your children's extra curricular activities, your retirement fund, or to make this your career, Stampin' Up! offers a fabulous opportunity!
3. SU!pport- Receive creative and business support from Stampin' Up! and from me as your team leader!
   
   • Stampin' Up! will provide you with a demonstrator only site with creative and business ideas, and...
   • a quarterly magazine with loads of information, project ideas, and tips, and...
   • a "hotline" called Demonstrator Support with friendly staff that are eager to offer assistance and answer questions!...and,
   • As a member of the Ink and Inspirations Stars Team, you will gain access to a members only Facebook page with information, inspiration, and a community to help you with your business! You will also receive tips and information from me via email at least once a week.
   • You'll also be invited to monthly team meetings which are held virtually online via ZOOM.

Join Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator and the choice is yours to put together a kit with any of our current high-quality products.  You can choose up to $125 worth of any Stampin' Up! products! You'll also receive a business supplies pack with order forms and catalogs and a Paper Pumpkin kit.  All this for $99 and with FREE Shipping!

Contact me for more information. You may e-mail me or call 409-719-2853. I will return your call or respond to your email with 24 hours.

If you've been considering starting your own stamping business for a while and are ready! JOIN NOW!

There are lots of greats reasons to start your own stamping business as an Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator so give it a try!

What must-have tool for cardmaking and paper crafting do I recommend?  This is a question that I often receive so here's my video response!  If you are a beginning crafter, it is my hope that you will find this information helpful. 

Circle Punches mentioned in the video:

2-1/4" (5.7 Cm) Circle Punch [143720]	1" Circle Punch [119868]	2" Circle Punch [133782]
1-1/2" Circle Punch [138299]

These circle punches are retiring and only available while supplies last!

Retiring Circle Punches

3/4" Circle Punch [119873]

1-1/4" Circle Punch [119861]

1-3/4" Circle Punch [119850]

My circle punches are the most used tools in my crafting studio...other than the basics mentioned in today's video.  These punches are especially helpful when you are mass producing cards such as birthday or holiday cards.  Punches speed up the process quite a bit!

If you enjoyed this post, please read on and be sure to...

• Receive more paper crafting and card making ideas and tips from me. 
• Earn a FREE stamp set with my Ink and Inspirations Customer Loyalty Rewards Program.
• New items added! Check out the Clearance Rack where you can save up to 60%!
• Save 10% when you purchase one of the Stampin' Up! coordinating product bundles.
• Find over 800 paper crafting and cardmaking video tutorials on my YouTube channel!
• Follow me on Pinterest.
• Follow me on Instagram.

Details:

• Orders $50-$149.99: You must apply the host code to receive the FREE gift.
• Orders $150: Do not use the Host Code! You will automatically qualify for my FREE gift and you will earn Stampin' Rewards.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  If I can help you with anything, please let me know.  If you are looking for a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, I will be honored to serve you.  You can shop online anytime here in my Online Store.  You may also call or e-mail me.

If you have a favorite must-have tool for paper crafting or cardmaking, leave a comment below and let us know!

Here's a Stampin' Up! the project idea and video tutorial for a fun gift bag with a sweet nature theme.

It's a lot of fun to make our gift packaging for our loved ones and friends.  You'll see how easy it can be with today video and how-to for this gift bag.  

Let's take a look at the process then read on for the details.

Lisa's Inklings:

• You'll start with a 12" x 12" piece of designer paper. 
• Score one side at 2", 5-3/4", 7-3/4", and 11-1/2".
• Make one turn and score this side at 2" and 10".
• Burnish your score lines well with your Bone Folder.
• Assemble per video instructions.

That darling squirrel is from the Fable Friends Cling Stamp Set [148670] in the Occasions Catalog.  The images are adorable!  Don't you love this bunny?

Need some supplies to complete this project?  Take a look at the links below.

Product List

Fable Friends Cling Stamp Set [148670]	Paper Snips Scissors [103579]	Simply Scored [122334]
2" Circle Punch [133782]	Starburst Punch [143717]	SNAIL Permanent Adhesive [104332]
Bone Folder [102300]	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730]	Nature's Poem Designer Series Paper [146338]
Shaded Spruce 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146981]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Refill [133456]
Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144603]	Calypso Coral Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144045]	Shaded Spruce Combo Pack Stampin' Blends [147938]
Crumb Cake Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144601]	Tear & Tape Adhesive [138995]	Detailed Trio Punch [146320]
Metallic Ribbon Combo Pack [146329]

Host Code Details

When you shop the Online Store, be sure to use the Host Code, MJKMNESH, to receive a FREE gift from me!  If your order totals, $150 or more before shipping and tax, no need to use the code.  You will earn Stampin' Rewards from Stampin' Up! and I will still send your gift!

Thanks for stopping by for a "visit" today! I hope you'll give this project idea a try. For whom will you be making this nature-themed gift bag?

Wishing you and your families a blessed and glorious Easter!

This cute little Easter treats pouch is one that you can make today!

We put this little gem together on my Facebook Live on Thursday afternoon. It can hold those little snack size bags of Halloween treats.   This little bunny is from a much-loved retiring stamp set, A Good Day, that is on the Stampin' Up! Last Chance List.

Want to see a few more samples with this set?

• Here are a sweet gift box and card.
• Take a look at this Mini Easter Basket!
• How about a sweet card for a friend?

These are some fun ideas, right?  Now, let's take a look at the how-to for our featured project!

Easter Treat Product List

A Good Day Wood-Mount Stamp Set [145870]	A Good Day Clear-Mount Stamp Set [145873]	1-1/8" (2.9 Cm) Scallop Circle Punch [146138]
1-3/8" (3.5 Cm) Scallop Circle Punch [146139]	Twine Baker's Whisper White [124262]	Simply Scored [122334]
Gingham Gala 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper [148554]	Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush [141897]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]
Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Refill [133456]	Petal Pink Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [147272]	Highland Heather Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [147276]
Balmy Blue Stampin' Blends Combo Pack [148544]	Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220]	Classic Label Punch [141491]
Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730]	Highland Heather Classic Stampin' Pad [147103]	Highland Heather 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146986]
Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad [147105]	Balmy Blue 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146982]

Here are some details of the project to help you put the actual pouch together:

• Cut paper 4" x 6".
• Score at 1 3/4" and 4 1/2".
• Turn and score at 3 1/2". This will be the bottom.
  

Hope you've enjoyed the last minute Easter treat idea and will make a few today!

In this "Your Questions Answered" video, we address the Stampin' Up! Alcohol Markers and which colors are best to start your collection.

Stampin' Up! offers a wide range of our colors in these beautiful markers.   You can see them all HERE.

Let's talk a little more about it, shall we?

Here are the Stampin' Blends colors that I recommend in the video:

Product List

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Refill [133456]	Crumb Cake Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144601]
Old Olive Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144597]	Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144603]	Pool Party Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144605]
Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144598]	Calypso Coral Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [144045]	Smoky Slate Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack [145058]
Ivory Stampin' Blends Marker [144606]	Bronze Stampin' Blends Marker [144607]	Stampin' Blends Color Lifter [144608]

If you would like to add to your collection one marker at a time, the Stampin' Blends are available in singles.  The combo item numbers listed above are configured that way for ease in ordering.  Here is the list of singles and the item numbers.

Product List

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Refill [133456]	Ivory Stampin' Blends Marker [144606]
Bronze Stampin' Blends Marker [144607]	Stampin' Blends Color Lifter [144608]	Crumb Cake Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144582]
Crumb Cake Dark Stampin' Blends Marker [144581]	Old Olive Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144574]	Old Olive Dark Stampin' Blends Marker [144573]
Daffodil Delight Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144586]	Daffodil Delight Dark Stampin' Blends Marker [144585]	Pool Party Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144595]
Pool Party Dark Stampin' Blends Marker [144594]	Cherry Cobbler Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144576]	Cherry Cobbler Dark Stampin' Blends Marker [144575]
Calypso Coral Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144042]	Calypso Coral Dark Stampin' Blends Marker [144044]	Smoky Slate Light Stampin' Blends Marker [145054]
Smoky Slate Dark Stampin' Blends Marker [145055]

You can see some Stampin' Blends samples on this Easter treat basket and this Easter card!

I hope this "Your Questions Answered" video on Stampin' Blends has been helpful to you and you are inspired to start or add your collection!

Last night on our Facebook LIVE broadcast, we made this fun fold card idea with the Little Twinkle stamp set from Stampin' Up!  It's an easy assembly and I hope you'll give it a try. 

Here's the recording of the Live video along with a little Stampin' Up! news at the beginning. Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy!

Lisa's Inklings:

• The card base is 5 1/2" x 4 1/4".
• Use the same color of card base for the inside piece of card 1 3/4" x 4 1/2".
• The contrasting layer is 5 1/4" x 4".
• You will need scrap pieces of both colors of cardstock for punching circles and starburst.
• Cut Designer Paper to 6" x 2" and score at 3/4" on the 6" side.

Here's a photo of the inside of the finished card...

Supplies used for creating this fun-fold card:

Product List

Little Twinkle Clear-Mount Bundle [148414]	Little Twinkle Wood-Mount Bundle [148413]	Night Of Navy 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100867]
Petal Pink 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock [146985]	Twinkle Twinkle Designer Series Paper [146284]	Neutrals Stampin' Write Markers [147158]
Stampin' Trimmer [126889]	Starburst Punch [143717]	2" Circle Punch [133782]
1-1/2" Circle Punch [138299]	1-3/4" Circle Punch [119850]	Embossing Buddy [103083]
White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132]	Heat Tool [129053]	Silver & Petal Pink Baker's Twine [146288]
Glue Dots [103683]	Liquid Multipurpose Glue [110755]	SNAIL Permanent Adhesive [104332]

Host Code Details- MJKMNESH

When you shop the Online Store, be sure to use the Host Code, MJKMNESH, to receive a FREE gift from me!  If your order totals, $150 or more before shipping and tax, no need to use the code.  You will earn Stampin' Rewards from Stampin' Up! and I will still send your gift!

Thanks for stopping by to take a look at today's project!  Now that you've seen the video, try this fun-fold card technique on your next cardmaking project then visit Ink and Inspirations with Lisa Brown on Facebook, LIKE my page, click on Follow and SEE First so you can get notifications when I am LIVE!

Live with Lisa on Facebook will take place tonight at 6:30 PM Central Time (7:30 PM Eastern,5:30 PM MT, 4:30 PT). I will be going LIVE on my Ink and Inspirations Facebook business page.

You may CLICK HERE to go there at 6:30 PM Central.  When you check in at that time and do not see the LIVE video in progress, please refresh your page.

If you are unable to join us for the LIVE broadcast, not to worry! You may watch the recording which will be posted there immediately following.

We will be making an easy fun-fold card!

Please join us on Facebook tonight at 6:30 PM Central!

I suppose we all have our own story on the "why" we started stamping.   Mine is quite common but just in case you're interested, here's my story.

When our girls were in high school, they were in MANY extracurricular activities and we took lots of pictures.  Both girls were also involved in dance classes outside of school and of course, we had lots of photos of  that activity as well.

So I decided to start doing something with those photos.  I had done some scrapbooking as a young girl but it had been years since I had done any.type of real memory keeping.

I had a lot of fun doing those elaborate pages that took hours to do and really made some nice layouts and albums. 

One day in the spring of 2006, my daughter wanted me to attend a party that her friend was giving... a rubber stamping party, she said.  Stamping Up, she said. Reluctantly, I agreed. I had never heard of Stampin' Up! and I secretly thought "who needs rubber stamps"?  I know...that's pretty funny, right?

All it took was putting that first stamp to ink and then to paper.  That's it.  We made a cute card and I thought how clever that was.  I could always use cards.  So my daughter and I placed an order together. We could share our new "stuff". 

Then one day, that same demonstrator who gave that party called and told me I could get lots more goodies if I just purchased the Starter Kit.  I think there may have been a special.  I know I paid a lot more that $99. But, I was thrilled to get my hands on more stuff.  And, the demo told me, you will be a demonstrator.  I told her I never planned on demonstrating anything.  :)

I got my kit and was super excited to use my stamps in my scrapbooking and of course, make some cards.   Then one day my demonstrator friend asked me to conduct a "party" that she wasn't able to do.  I couldn't do that, I said.  She insisted and I fell in love with the whole process and almost 13 years later, I am still sharing something that I love to do! 

I'd love to hear your "Why I Started Stamping" story so just share in the comment section below or email me!