Pink Persimmon

Who doesn't like cupcakes?

Everyone loves cupcakes, especially ones that don't have calories!  This sweet little card was designed by Kelly Schirmer.  Notice the extra detail with the hand stitching above the "For You" greeting (Mini Banner Greetings stamp set). 

Thank You Card

By Samantha Sibbet

Have you seen Samantha's tutorial on using your clear stamps as a "mask" with spray color mists?  Here's another sample using the Small Banner set where she placed the actual banner stamp on the card, then sprayed with the color mist and allowed it to dry.  She carefully removed the stamps and then went back and stamped the banner outline inside the mask area.  Another fun way to use your stamps!

Happy Summer Card

Happy Summer Card by Kelly Schirmer.  Uses Mini Banner Greetings and Flower Garden Stamp sets along with some October Afternoon paper and Paper Trey Ink cardstock. Kelly used Liquid Pearls as an accent to connect the banner flags. (Click on the image to view larger).

 

Notice how Kelly used the Divine Twine to make the center of the flowers and also the snail's shell! Super cute! 

Giveaway winners and the inspiration list

Congratulations to the following folks who commented on our previous post for the giveaway:

"Great new sets!!! Cant wait to see more of them. I usually find myself turning to the Somerset publications for some inspiration."  Commenter name: theresa forge

"The new stamps are great! I'm a new Grandma, how perfect. I check out lots of blogs for inspiration and Paper Crafts magazine."  Commenter name: Nancy B

"Awww the baby clothesline set is adorable. I get my ideas from my daughter's book of lettering from American Girl (it is awesome!)"  Commenter name: Mimi

"These are adorable. I sure would love to win the banner set. I have a lot of books I like to get inspiration from, but one of my favorites is Scrapbook Page Maps by Becky Flack."  Commenter name: JoAnn Burnham

I have sent you a private email, be sure to respond with your mailing address!  

*********************************

You all had some great idea books, blogs, and magazines that you go to for inspiration.  I love that some of you use sewing books as inspiration for paper crafting! I've compiled all your suggestions here.  If you think of anything new that's not on the list, be sure to let us know in the comments! 

Book Resources

The Book of Us: A Guide to Scrapbooking about Relationships by Angie Pederson

Card A Day by PaperCrafts & Wendy Sue Anderson

Martha Stewarts Encyclopedia of Crafts by Martha Stewart Living Magazine

Best of Becky Higgins Sketches by Becky Higgins

Originals: Handcrafted Cards Made Easy by Jeanette Lyon  (Also "Wishes" a Close to My Heart publication, but I couldn't find a link)

Scrapbook Page Maps by Becky Fleck

A Compendium of Curiosities by Tim Holtz

Pretty Little Things: Collage Jewelry, Trinkets and Keepsakes by Sally Jean Alexander

Fanciful Paper Projects: Making Your Own Posh Little Follies by Sandra Evertson

Vintage Paper Crafts by Anna Corba

Delight in the Details: 40+ Techniques for Charming Embellishments and Accents by Lisa Pace

52 Scrapbooking Challenges by Elsie Flannigan

Love, Elsie Recipe Idea Box by Elsie Flannigan

100 Great Ways To Make Cards by Shirley Toogood

Mixed Mania: Recipes for Delicious Mixed Media Creations by Debbie Crane

Stitched in Time: Memory-Keeping Projects to Sew and Share from the Creator of Posie Gets Cozy by Alicia Paulson

Sew Pretty Homestyle by Tone Finnanger

Anna Griffin Card Crafting Techniques - How to Make Elegant Greeting Cards by Anna Griffin

Life Artist by Ali Edwards

Love Your Handwriting (Creating Keepsakes) by Heidi Swapp

Arteffects (Practical Art Books) by Jean Drysdale Green

Pop-Up Cards: And Other Greetings that Slide, Dangle & Move by Sandi Genovese

Handmade Books: A Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Your Own Books by Kathy Blake and Ted Morrison

Clever Letters: Fun Ways to Wiggle Your Words (American Girl Library) by Laura Allen

Words to the Rescue: The sentiment guide for the tongue tied. 1000 thoughtful things to write on the card when you don't have a clue by Steve Fadie

The Ultimate Paper Crafts Collection by PaperCrafts & Stamp It Magazines

Magazine Resources:

Paper Crafts Magazine

Creating Keepsakes Magazine

Paper Source Catalogs

Cards Magazine

Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine

Stampington Magazines

DIY Magazine

Australian Scrapbook Creations Magazine

****************************

Sample by Linda Beeson, using Baby Clothesline & Baby Greetings. 

Four New Stamp Sets (and a giveaway!)

We are so pleased to share 4 new stamp sets with you!  Watch for new samples from the Creative Team all week.  AND we have a giveaway with this post!  See the bottom of the post for details on how to participate. 

Mini Banner Greetings & Mini Banner Alpha.  These two new sets will become a must-have for your card making.  Perfectly sized for cards, they make great titles for scrapbook layouts too.  Designed by Judi Andersen.

Mini Banner Greetings 4"x6" Stamp Set

Mini Banner Alpha 3"x4" stamp set

Sample by Kelly Schirmer

Baby Clothesline & Baby Greetings.  You will love how cute these little baby clothes look when you attach them to ribbon or twine with the stamped clothespins!  Perfect for any baby shower or congratulations card.  Designed by Peggy Jo Ackley. 

Baby Clothesline 4"x6" Stamp Set

Baby Greetings 3"x4" Stamp Set

Sample by Linda Beeson

Watch for more fun samples this week on the blog! 

WANT TO WIN TWO OF THE NEW STAMP SETS?  We all love to share inspiration. I like to read and collect books that have beautiful photos of projects with instructions on techniques and how-to's.  Do you have a favorite crafting book that you go back to often for inspiration?  Comment in this post with the author and title of your favorite craft/art/inspirational book that has influenced your crafting style.  We'll draw a few names on Sunday 7/11 and the winners will receive either the two mini banner sets, or the two new baby sets.  

One of my favorite new books is by our new stamp designer, Peggy Jo Ackley.  50 Nifty Collage Cards is full of amazing images that will inspire your crafting.  Peggy provides very detailed instructions that are really helpful.  Her use of vintage images and ephemera in her cards is just beautiful. 

OK, now it's your turn!  What's your favorite crafting book?  We'll collect a listing of all the books and put up a new "crafting reference" section at our website!