Time is Running Out

Just a reminder that today is the LAST DAY to send in your application for our Design Team. That will give us a week to sort through the tons of fabulous applications that have been sent in and make our decision. The plan is to choose 8 to 10 Design Team Members this time but it sure is going to be a tough decision!! I sure wish we could take you all!!

In other News: Our 50% off sale has become so popular that we have decided to extend it for one more week!! So if you haven't taken advantage of our sale yet...you have until February 7th to do so. Here is a link to the list of sets on sale. SALE LIST



Quick Card Recipe: Artful Inkables Phoenix Rising stamp set, DCWV decorative paper, Very Vanilla and Blue Bayou card stock, Copic markers, MM silver 'love' slide, blue seed beads and May Arts reversable 3/8" Ribbon in brown and turquoise (can be bought in our store).

An Amazing SALE

From now until the end of the month, we are offering some of your favorite Artful INKables stamps for 50% off. Sets like Daring Duo, Zany Zoo, Stay Cool, Natural Heritage, Thought I'd Bug You and lots, lots more are on sale for HALF OFF! To get this fabulous pricing, be sure to add the code 50% off in the box at the bottom of your shopping cart page labeled "Coupon Code" and click 'recalculate'.

Design Team Call – Become an INKgirl

ARTFUL INKABLES is looking for new design team members! We need your help and enthusiasm promoting our products through your personal blog and online galleries. We are looking for team members who are excited about stamping, and would love being a part of a fun and friendly design environment. No prior design team experience is necessary. If you’ve never been published… Don't worry! We want to encourage you to show us your best, even if you have not been widely recognized as a designer. This call is open to everyone - even if you aren't in the US or Canada you are more than welcome to apply!!**


Application Process

All submissions must be received by 11:59pm MST, January 30, 2009. New design team members will be contacted by February 5, 2009.

Please send an email containing the following information to: artfullyinking@comcast.net

1. Name:

2. Address:

3. Email:

4. Phone number:

5. Blog or website address:

6. Links to any online galleries you may have:

7. Related forums/message boards that you like to visit and participate (we do NOT need your forum nickname):

8. Three (3) items, cards, or layouts using stamps as the main focus. Your submissions don't need to be brand new and do not need to have Artful INKables Stamps used, but should not have been published or submitted for publication for a printed or online magazine. Don’t forget we will be looking at both your work and your photographing abilities here.

9. Please note if you are a current or past design team member for any other companies. (We do not expect you to work solely for us).

10. Please tell us a few words about what you like about stamping, and what would be the most exciting part for you to become a design team member.

11. Want to really impress us? Mail us 1 or 2 pieces you are especially proud of to: 11582 Summerfield Cir. Sandy, UT 84092. Seeing art in person if often much more effective and awe inspiring. ;) This is not required, however.


General Requirements

• Participate for a term of 6 months and sign a contract with Artful Inkables. This Design Team’s Term will run from February 15 to August 15, 2009.

• You will need the ability to photograph or scan your art for submission to Artful INKables Rubber Stamps.

• You will need to have a blog or website with regular updates, and enjoy participating in online challenges in the stamping community. You should be willing to post card samples, contest announcements, challenges and new releases on your blog as well as display the Artful INKables logo on your blog.

• You'll also need to be ready to have some FUN, and enjoy your stamps!!!


Monthly Responsibilities

• You will receive two stamps sets per month and your design team commitment will require you to send back two cards per stamp set and one 3D item. I will require your photos ASAP, but you can snail mail the items at your leisure up until the end of your term.

• Contribute one (1) tutorial during your six month term to be posted on the company blog. This is a step by step guide to creating your favorite card or project. This can also be techniques, and include stamping tips and trends.

• Give feedback and suggestions to AI for new stamps, the blog and marketing ideas.

• Leave occasional comments on DT Member blogs and the company blog.

• Promote Artful INKables Rubber Stamps through your blog, and whenever you see an opportunity.

• If we resume challenges, you will be required to participate in them as well.

What You'll Get From Us

• A great opportunity to work with a fun design team, learning fun, new things.

• Encouragement and monetary compensation for getting published in leading magazines.

• 2 New Artful INKables stamp sets every month and other goodies as they become available.

• 25% off on all store items, during your term!

• Your bio, artwork and gallery will be spotlighted on Artful INKables web site.

** Please note that, we pay shipping but cannot be responsible for customs or duty fees to Canada or if shipped internationally.

Originally Posted on Jan 10, 2009 at 6:27 pm

A Pink Butterfly and Company Updates

Well, we finally have some snow here, almost a foot so far and the bad air is FINALLY gone. But all that balmy weather in the middle of January, really got me in the mood for spring. So what to stamp? When I originally designed the Butterfly Blessings stamp set, I saw it as an autumn set, but with a simple change in color and attitude...you get soft spring.



I blended the pinks and purples of my copic markers together on my Pink Pirouette paper. (The colors I used are shown below.) I'm not that happy with where the light pink and magenta blended, but it still has a nice overall effect.





You cant really see it too well in the first picture, but I traced over the outline and veins of the butterfly with my gelly roll glitter pen which really added a wow factor. (Closeup below)




To finish the card off, I layered the image with multiple pieces of different colored card'stock to mimic the blending on the butterfly. Then I mounted all that on a piece of Basic Grey paper and put it on my purple card. I extended the dots on the paper by adding some of my own dots on the final layer with my gelly roll pen. My flower embellishment is 2 chipboard flowers, one colored purple with markers and one covered with the Basic Grey paper I used on the card. The center is a pink dew drop.

Design Team News: The applications keep on rolling in daily and I have to say we are blown away with all the fabulous talent and variety of stamping styles we are being shown! The variety is especially what impresses me, because that is what we need...a team that can appeal to all types of stampers. So if you haven't applied yet, please be sure you do! We might just be looking for you!!

Sale News: There is less than a week left to take advantage of our 1/2 off sale! Get them while you can!

Got Snow?

It actually hasn't snowed here in quite a bit but we still have some on the ground. Actually, I wish we would get a snow storm soon...it would help clear out this inversion we are currently experiencing. (An inversion, keeps the pollution and bad air stuck here in our bowl-like valley.) Maybe my snowman card will inspire the heavens to drop some snow our way! Ya think?

This card was made using our Frosty Mug Mates stamp set that was released last November. I put 2 of the stamps on the acrylic block at the same time and stamped them together, then I only had to line up one on the end. I colored the mug hats and a bit of shadowing using copic markers. Then to jazz it up a bit, I embellished the edges of my card stock using Diamond Dots stickers by Stampendous and a Heidi Swapp clear snowflake.

Thoughts of Super Woman, Tea, and Clean Slates

Some of you may already know that there is no such thing as Super Woman, but honestly, it was news to me! I generally believe that everything will fall into place, if I can just keep up. I happily run two businesses (AI and our family delivery business), while raising three great kids with the help of my loving hubby. But about 2 months ago, I realized that there are a limited number of hours in a day, a limited number of days in a week, and a lot of people depending on me...and I was slowly falling behind! Add the stress of the holidays and multiple family illnesses and I was sunk! So instead of trying to fit myself into that ever shrinking Super Woman suit, I dug out my loving mommy smile and wore it with pride! I gave my family the part of me they needed and wanted with no strings or stress attached over the holidays and was there for all the memories and excitement. It really was worth the trade off! My businesses didn't suffer, but my creativity and participation here did. I missed you all, and I soooo missed stamping and creating and I cant wait to get back into the swing of things now that things are settling back to the way they should be.
As they new year starts, we all have a clean slate of sorts, a new beginning. To fit in with that feeling, I have given my blog a new, clean look with a banner featuring our Plant Prints and Pressed Petals stamp sets. Be on the look out this month for some more fresh changes, fun ideas and more.


As I worked on my blog today, enjoying a cup of herbal licorice tea, I was inspired to make the card above...my first creation of the year. The background and paper for the teapot, were made using the shaving cream technique...one of my favorite techniques! If you don't know how to achieve this look, click here for a tutorial on Splitcoast Stampers. The colors were inspired by the envelope my teabag came in and the tea set stamp comes from one of our newest sets, Warm Drinks For Cold Days. And there is a little twist...some twisted wire to add some interest to the corners of my main image. Fun, huh?

On a sad note: as the new year begins, it is time to say goodbye to our fabulously talented design team. Their tenure with us is up but I sure hope to see them keep in touch! I am in their debt for doing so much to get the Artful Inkables name out there! Thanks so much ladies!