InspireINK Blog Hop #22

Hi everyone,

For this months InspireINK Blog Hop I think the Back To Basics idea I had was a tough challenge for some of us because it meant we were only allowed to use:-

• 1 Stamp Set
• 1 Ink Pad
• 1 colour of Cardstock
• 1 Punch or 1 Die (not a set of dies)
• Basics Collection cardstock (if needed) Basic Black, Very Vanilla or Whisper White
• Any ribbon, twine, rhinestones, pearls etc. 

To find out how everyone got on with this challenge and see the projects they created click on the Demonstrators logo’s at the bottom of this post.

Why I chose Back to Basics

• To show that you don’t need a lot of supplies to create something beautiful.
• Project ideas for new crafters that have minimal supplies to work with. 
• To offer some advice on what products to buy and to get more out of those products for anyone that’s thinking about making their own cards/3D projects. 

The To Every Season stamp set has images and sentiments that are great for making Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas, Valentines and Thank You cards, tags, 3D projects etc.

At £16 this stamp set is one of the lower priced ones, it’s Photopolymer (clear) so it makes it easy to see where you are stamping and there’s also a set of co-ordinating punches.

I originally chose a circle punch but I changed my mind because you can get so many different labels with the Everyday Label punch. 

Poppy Parade or Real Red cardstock would work with all the different occasions in this stamp set, I went with Poppy Parade and all the stamping was done with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink.

TIP: You may have noticed the Black Cardstock on my projects.   No I didn’t cheat, it’s not actually Black cardstock.  I cut Whisper White cardstock to the size I needed and then dragged the Memento ink pad around the edges, you don’t need to do the centre because it will be covered up.

I stuck to the challenge and I think I did quite well with the minimal amount of supplies, what do you think?

These were my choices:-

• Stamp set – To Every Season stamp set
• Ink pad – Tuxedo Black Memento Ink
• Coloured cardstock – Poppy Parade cardstock
• Punch or Die – Everyday Label Punch
• Basics Collection cardstock – Whisper White cardstock

Below are all the links for everyone taking part in todays hop, click on each image to see all their inspiring projects.

I have also added some tips below that may be useful.

I hope you have a great weekend.

Crafty hugs

Dee x

p.s. Dont forget to turn the clocks back 1 hour tonight.

SOME USEFUL TIPS

Choosing a Stamp set

For me, when it comes to investing in a stamp set I go for versatility and sensibility. 

• Is it a stamp set that can be used all year round or is it one that will only get used once a year – Halloween, Thanksgiving? 
• Do I already have something similar? 
• I love Christmas Baubles but at this time of year I have to keep asking myself How many bauble stamps, dies and punches do I really need?

Get more out of your ink pads

TIP: The Black Christmas card on the left was stamped with 2nd generation ink and the one of the right with 1st Generation.  After inking the stamp I stamped it onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock (1st Generation/full strength ink) and then without re-inking I stamped it onto another piece of Whisper White cardstock.

Ribbon

TIP: I didn’t have any Poppy Parade ribbon so I cut a thin strip of cardstock, made a loop and adhered it behind the label, as shown below.

***

TIP: You can colour ribbon/twine with alcohol markers or by mixing a few drops of reinker with some rubbing alcohol in a bowl and soaking the ribbon/twine for a few minutes.

I hope some of these tips have been useful.

To Every Season Photopolymer Stamp Set (En) [150531] £16.00	Everyday Label Punch [144668] £17.00	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708] £5.50
Poppy Parade A4 Cardstock [121694] £8.25	Whisper White A4 Card Stock [106549] £9.00	Red Rhinestone Basic Jewels [146924] £6.50