Month: May 2022

Sending Smiles Flower Garden with Watercolor Pencils / Last Chance & Retiring Products Beginning June 1

Sending smiles flower garden with watercolor pencils

I realize that not everyone enjoys coloring or enhancing stamped images, but I love it! If you’re like me, you’ll enjoy today’s card project. Of course, the stamped images are lovely on their own if this is not your thing.

I used Stampin’ Up! watercolor pencils to enhance the stamped images for the flowers and leaves on this card. I used the pencils as “pencils” and did not apply any water. As someone who enjoys sketching and watercolor painting, I love to add a touch of realism to images! I can’t help myself!

I paired the Polished Pink card base with a piece of Evening Evergreen paper from the 2021-2023 In Color DSP. Stamped and die cut flowers, leaves and sentiment were added to the card front to resemble a flower bed. Such happy flowers in the Sending Smiles set!

In my project sheet for this card I provide you with some tips on using pencils to enhance images (applies to colored pencils as well as watercolor pencils). I hope you’ll give this technique a try. The results are well worth it!

To view, download and print instructions for today’s card project, click on the link below.

Last Chance & Retiring Products Beginning June 1

The January–June 2022 Mini Catalog will be retiring soon! It’s always bittersweet to see a classic Stampin’ Up! catalog take a trip to retirement. But I’m looking forward to all the new products on their way—and I hope you are, too!

Stock up on your favorite products before they’re gone for good! Save up to 50% on essential craft supplies. Sale prices go into effect on June 1, 2022, but feel free to browse the list now. Last Chance Products are only available while supplies last. Click here to view the pdf version of the list.

Here are all the details:

  • Discounts begin on June 1, 2022.
  • All products are available while supplies last, and there are no purchase limits.
  • Discounted items can be added to a Starter Kit and redeemed as a 50% off item or with Stampin’ Rewards.
  • Only orders opened and closed during the promotion period apply.  
  • Stamp Sets are not guaranteed during this promotion and are while supplies last.
  • The ordering deadline is June 30, 2022 at 11:50 pm (MT)

You can go to my online store to check out the items included in the Last Chance sale. Remember, discounts don’t go into effect until June 1, 2022, though. Happy shopping!

Go to my Online Store

I had a chance to see the new Mini Catalog which will be coming up in July and I’m drooling over all of the wonderful new products that are featured in this catalog! Lots of wonderful Fall and Holiday themed goodies! I can’t wait for you to see the new Mini Catalog! Yes, I used three exclamation points in a row…it’s that good.

If you’d like to purchase any of the products used to create this card, click on any of the links below where you’ll be taken to my online store.

Bottled Happiness Gate Fold

Happy Monday! I hope the day finds you well!

Today’s card is a gate fold with a belly band, and I used the Bottled Happiness stamp set, Tea Boutique Design Series Paper, Deckled Rectangles Dies and the Stylish Shapes Dies to create this card. I also used four of the five new In Colors on the card and I love how the new In Colors play so nicely together!

The sentiments included in the Bottled Happiness stamp set are upbeat and combined with the cheerful In Colors and the beautiful Tea Boutique DSP, this card is sure to bring a smile to the recipient’s face!

You can view, download and print the project sheet for this card by clicking on the icon below.

Wishing you a good day this Memorial Day as we remember and honor service members who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Products used to create today’s card are included below:

Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Subscribe to Paper Pumpkin / Last Chance & Retiring Products Coming Up!

top 10 reasons why you should subscribe to paper pumpkin

I don’t have a Friday Fun Day project for you today per se (check back on Monday), rather I thought I would share the May Paper Pumpkin kit with you…still completely FUN and it is Friday! My kit arrived last week, and I took about an hour to assemble the kit contents. May’s kit highlights the new In Colors…so beautiful! And, can I say that Paper Pumpkin kits contain quality materials! Awesome!

Here are my top 10 reasons why you should subscribe to Paper Pumpkin:

  1. You can subscribe to Paper Pumpkin on a month-to-month basis, a 3 month, 6 month or 12 month subscription so subscriptions are flexible
  2. Pause and resume your subscription at any time – you have control over your subscription
  3. Kit contents are different each month and may include cards or a project so there is lots of variety
  4. Kits arrive around the 20th of each month
  5. The kit includes everything you will need to complete your kit
  6. Instructions are included to complete kits, or you can change things up and add additional elements, rearrange kit components, etc. You have control over how you complete the kit.
  7. Kit materials contain quality products
  8. Kits can be shared with friends, or get the kids involved
  9. Once you complete your kit you will have left over materials that can be used on future projects, such as adhesives, stamps, ink spot, etc. Don’t throw away excess card punch outs…use them on a future project!
  10. Paper Pumpkin kits can be gifted, just purchase a prepaid code at stampinup.com and give it to someone awesome!

Have I convinced you yet? I hope so! Paper Pumpkin kits are such a great value. If you’re a new crafter, it’s also a great way to dive right in and get your feet wet since the kits come with step-by-step instructions.

Ready to subscribe? Click on the photo below to sign up!

In case you’re curious, below is a photo of the May Paper Pumpkin kit contents.

Last Chance & Retiring Products Coming Up!

The January–June 2022 Mini Catalog will be retiring soon! It’s always bittersweet to see a classic Stampin’ Up! catalog take a trip to retirement. But I’m looking forward to all the new products on their way—and I hope you are, too!

Stock up on your favorite products before they’re gone for good! Save up to 50% on essential craft supplies. Sale prices go into effect on June 1, 2022, but feel free to browse the list now. Last Chance Products are only available while supplies last. Click here to view the pdf version of the list.

Here are all the details:

  • Discounts begin on June 1, 2022.
  • All products are available while supplies last, and there are no purchase limits.
  • Discounted items can be added to a Starter Kit and redeemed as a 50% off item or with Stampin’ Rewards.
  • Only orders opened and closed during the promotion period apply.  
  • Stamp Sets are not guaranteed during this promotion and are while supplies last.
  • The ordering deadline is June 30, 2022 at 11:50 pm (MT)

You can go to my online store to check out the items included in the Last Chance sale. Remember, discounts don’t go into effect until June 1, 2022, though. Happy shopping!

Go to my Online Store

Wishing you all an enjoyable weekend. As we gather for get-togethers and BBQ’s this Memorial Day weekend, let’s remember to honor the men and women who died while serving our country. Much respect and love to those who gave their all!

Willow Tree Card / Time is Running Out on the Join Promotion!

Willow tree card

I’m all about creating nature scenes this week. I think because spring is finally here…yay! The birds are busily building nests and some are already raising their young. The grass has greened up, flowers are blooming…it’s a great time of the year!

I love building scenes with stamps and ink and this scene using the Willow Tree bundle turned out really cute! I used just a few ink colors to create this scene, along with the Fabulous Frames Dies and the Charming Sentiments Bundle. All three of these products – the Willow Tree Bundle, Fabulous Frames Dies and Charming Sentiments Bundle – are available in the 2022-2023 Annual Catalog.

The Fabulous Frames Dies really are, well…fabulous! I used the largest rectangular frame die for this card and the center cutout became the panel for this nature scene. I popped up the frame using Stampin’ Dimensionals to frame the scene. This die set also includes a smaller ornate rectangle frame, a small oval frame and a small ornate sentiment label, along with two different decorative corner photo triangles (think old time photo albums where you used the triangular shapes to hold photos into place).

You can check out all the details on the linked project sheet by clicking on the icon below. I hope you give this sweet little card a try!

time is running out on the join promotion!

Time is running out to join the Stampin’ Up! team! If you are thinking about joining Stampin’ Up! as a Demonstrator, the month of May is a great time to pick up the Stampin’ Up! Starter Kit!!  Stampin’ Up! is offering $66.50 in FREE 2022-2024 In Color merchandise when you purchase the Starter Kit between May 3-31!

This great deal is in addition to the $125 of products that you normally get with your Starter Kit. Plus Stampin’ Up! will send you free business supplies and a free Paper Pumpkin Kit and your Starter Kit will be shipped to you for free!

The Starter Kit is only $99 + tax!  If you join between May 3-31, you’ll get:

  • $125 Stampin’ Up! merchandise of your choice
  • $66.50 in 2022-2024 In Color merchandise (see below)
  • free business supplies and catalogs
  • free random past Paper Pumpkin Kit
  • free shipping

The 2022-2024 In Color products included in this offer are shown below.

Many people join Stampin’ Up! as a demonstrator just for the 20-25% discount and sneak peeks on upcoming products and the chance to pre-order new, select products. Others join for the purpose of starting a business. If you’ve been thinking about joining as a demonstrator, now is a great time with the added bonus of the free In Color products! There is no pressure to maintain your demonstrator status – just maintain $300 in sales per quarter. There are no penalties if you are unable to maintain this minimum, you would just go back to being a customer. I would love to have you join my team and I’m always available via email to answer any of your questions. Just email me at inkybeestampers@gmail.com.

You can view this promotion flyer, which contains all of the details by clicking here. If you’re ready to join the team, click here.

Products used to make this card are included below:

Heron Habitat Friendship Card / Kits Collection BOGO 50% Off Promotion

Heron Habitat Friendship Card

On the East Coast of the US in back creeks and estuaries you’ll find Great Blue Herons. Heron’s shy away from populated waterways and prefer quieter waters. They are regal creatures and quite large – constantly keeping their eyes to the water for their next meal. Observing one of these majestic birds in their natural habitat is a real treat!

The Heron Habitat Bundle and DSP from the Hues of Happiness 12″ x 12″ Designer Series Paper were used to create this card. These items are available in the current 2022-2023 Annual Catalog. Multiple dies were used from the Heron Dies set to create the peaceful scene depicted on this card – complete with waves, tidal grass and Cattails!

You can view, download and print the project sheet for this card by clicking on the icon below. I hope you enjoy creating this card as much as I did. Using the Heron bundle reminded me of my younger days when I got to spend time on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay.

Kits Collection BOGO 50% Off Promotion

Get ready—the Kits Collection is having a buy one, get one 50% off promotion. This is the perfect time to #ShareYourMoment and share a kit from the Kits Collection with a friend! As always, the kit selection is based on availability. You can see what’s available in the Kits Collection by visiting my online store here.

Here are the promotion details:

  • Sale runs through 1–30 June 2022.
  • All kits in the Kits Collection by Stampin’ Up! qualify for this sale. 
  • Kit selection is based on availability.
  • You will need at least two kits in your cart for the discount to automatically apply at checkout. 
  • There are no order limits on this promotion.
  • For customers, the discount will automatically apply to the most expensive kit in your cart.

To learn more about the #ShareYourMoment yearlong Stampin’ Up! campaign, watch the short video below. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions.

Click here to download a flyer for the Kits Collection BOGO 50% Off Promotion!

Products used to create today’s card include:

Pretty Cottage Rose Bouquet / Grab Your Stampin’ Up! Swag!

pretty cottage rose bouquet

When I first used the Cottage Flowers die set, I noticed a large die that cut out all of the pieces for a flower bouquet – flowers, stems and leaves. I wondered how I might use this die. This die will cut out all of these images on one of the papers from the Abigail Rose 12″ x 12″ Designer Series Paper, but I wanted to create something different using this die. This is what I came up with. I used the negative of the die cut to help arrange the pieces onto an Evening Evergreen panel. I think the Pale Papaya flowers and Soft Succulent stems and leaves create a soft, pretty bouquet against this dark background!

Each of the flowers, stems and leaves were colored using Stampin’ Blends. On the flowers, I used the darker shade of Pale Papaya to give the suggestion of the rose “bowl” and petal edges for a soft look. A sentiment stamped in Evening Evergreen on a Pale Papaya label was added, along with a strip of Soft Succulent Open Weave Ribbon and a few Heart Pearls…giving this card a romantic look.

Another use of this large bouquet die is to cut out all of the pieces and arrange any way you’d like! This one die in the Cottage Flowers Die set has multiple uses!

You can view, download and print instructions for today’s card by clicking on the icon below.

grab your stampin’ up! swag!

Show the world that you’re a Stampin’ Up! crafter! Stampin’ Up! has released several branded merchandise items for you to choose from. Branded merchandise items are while supplies last but if there is a high demand for a particular item, Stampin’ Up! may evaluate on whether or not to restock the item. Here are the branded products being offered:

  • STAMPIN’ UP! ABIGAIL ROSE POSTER – This poster features the Stampin’ Up! Statement of the Heart: “Love what you do, share what you love” which is a sentiment that resonates deeply with the Stampin’ Up! community. The art design coordinates with the Abigail Rose Suite.  The poster measures 18″ x 24″
  • 2022–2024 IN COLOR GRID PAPER – The grid paper measures 11″ x 17″ and includes a total of 25 sheets – 5 of each In Color
  • ABIGAIL ROSE FILE FOLDERS – 6 folders measuring 9-1/2″ x 14″ – 2 each of 3 designs
  • ABIGAIL ROSE HOODIE – This hoodie features a color-blocking style with florals from the Abigail Rose Suite. Perfect for casual, everyday wear or to wear to a Stampin’ Up! workshop or get together!
  • 2022-2024 IN COLOR TUMBLERS – The insulated tumblers are perfect to take your drinks with you on the go, or to sip comfortably at home. The tumblers are available in each of the new In Colors and feature an ombre design. 20 oz. size. 

To view more information or to place a swag order, click on the image below.

Click image to review or shop!
Products used to make today’s card are included below:

Nature’s Harvest Thank You Card

I hope you had an enjoyable weekend! We had extreme heat this weekend over the mid-Atlantic and it was too hot to do anything outside. I normally launch posts at 6 am but I completely forgot to put my post up this morning so my apologies for the delay!

Today’s card uses the lovely Nature’s Harvest bundle (stamps and dies), along with the Quatrefoil Tile Embossing Folder.  Both of these items are available in the new annual catalog. I love both the antiqued look and the meadow flowers on this card. The card is adorned with tree branches which are extremely life-like, a purple cone flower, goldenrod, and poppies. So pretty!

I first embossed a Very Vanilla card panel then used a sponge dauber to blend Crumb Cake ink over the embossed surface.  This provides the antique look that I was going for.  Next, I die cut several tree branches and flowers.  The flowers were die cut using white cardstock so that I could use Stampin’ Blends to color them in.  I stamped directly onto a length of Natural Finish Ribbon using one of the flower images from the Nature’s Harvest stamp set using Soft Suede ink…what a great look!

You can download and print the project sheet for this card by clicking on the icon below.

Wishing you a wonderful day! Stay crafty!

Products used to make this card are included below:

Friday Fun Day! Making Paper Bows

making paper bows

Happy Friday everyone!

I’ve been wanting to try bow making and came across a video from The Paper Boutique on YouTube…I had to CAS this technique as it is so much fun and very quick and easy! How cool would it be to have your gift bow match your handmade card! If your gift is small enough, you could even use designer series paper to wrap your gift, top it with a coordinating bow, and have a matching card!

You can make a regular sized bow from one sheet of 6″ x 12″ DSP, or one sheet of 8-1/2″ x 11″ cardstock with very little waste and using minimal supplies. I also made a bow from cardstock. I selected a pretty flower stamp from the Happiness Abounds stamp set and stamped repeatedly in Gorgeous Grape onto a piece of Highland Heather cardstock – tone on tone. I also experimented with the circle section of the center of the bow and cut this center strip slightly longer and wider for a different look. I love how both bows turned out. What do you think?

I hope you’ll give bow making a try…it’s loads of fun! You can view, download and print written instructions to make this bow by clicking on the icon below. The written instructions provided are my own.

Products used to make this project are included below.

Garden Birdhouses Welcome Card

Here’s another quick and easy card using the adorable Garden Birdhouses stamp set! I used paper, ink and Stampin’ Blends to complete the card. I chose two of our new In Colors – Parakeet Party and Orchid Oasis – along with Mango Melody, black and white. The color combination provides a bright and cheerful card to welcome a new co-worker, new crafter, new neighbor, etc.

Do you enjoy bird watching? I love this time of year and watching all of the birds in our yard busily building their nests and feeding their young! The Cardinals have already hatched their babies in one of the shrub roses. The sparrows (multiple families) are working on building their nests, and one set of parents has already hatched their first brood. I haven’t checked yet, but I’m sure the Robbins have taken up residence again in one of the bushes at the front of our house. They are busy little birds!

You can access a downloadable and printable project sheet for today’s card by clicking on the icon below.

I hope you’ll give today’s card a try! Be sure to take time to stop and smell the flowers, watch the birds and enjoy nature. Have a wonderful day!

Products used to make today’s card are included below.

Forever Fern Friend Card / Use My May Host Code to Receive a Thank You Gift

forever fern friend card

The Forever Fern stamp set has been around for a bit but I never purchased it. When the stamp set carried over in the new 2022-2023 Annual Catalog I had to grab it up! I don’t know what I was waiting for…the stamped images this set produces are gorgeous! While I didn’t do any die cutting for this card, the Forever Flourishing coordinating dies are also available. You can find both the stamp set and the dies in the annual catalog.

I used several of the stamps from this set to create my own background in earth tone colors set against a Cherry Cobbler mat. Beautiful! A short length of ribbon, a sentiment label, and a few Rustic Metallic Dots were used to finish off the card front. This stamp set used with a Christmas themed stamp set would be lovely…watch for future posts!

You can grab the instructions for this card by clicking on the icon below.

Use my may host code to receive a thank you gift

Shop at my Stampin’ Up! Store and receive a free gift when you spend $25 or more (excluding shipping and tax). You can choose a gift from the current catalog valued up to $5. Use Host Code: ZHHYQM2R. If you spend $150 or more, do not use the supplied host code as you will be eligible to receive Stampin’ Rewards (you’ll still receive the free gift from me, though). Ready to shop? Click the Inky Bee Stampers logo at the top right of the screen!

Products used to create today’s card are included below.
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