Friday, July 31, 2009

Spinner Card Tutorial by Joanne Travis

As the Current Design Team's time with Artful INKables swiftly comes to a close I grow sad that I will no longer have weekly or daily contact with such talented ladies as Joanne Travis and the rest of the INKgirls. Joanne has brought super advice, great professionalism and fantastic creations to the table over the last 6 months and she will be greatly missed. As one of her final duties, she had provided us with this fun tutorial on how to make a spinner card. Thanks Joanne!


Three Wishes Spinner Card by Joanne Travis



Punch a hole where desired on the front of your card using a 1 3/8" circle punch.




Center your piece of designer paper over top the card and punch the same size hole directly over the first one.




Punch two circles using your 1 ¼" circle punch. Stamp and decorate as desired. I used the genie lamp from The Artful INKables set Three Wishes.




Sandwich and adhere a strand of dental floss between the two circles. Using a heavy duty tape, adhere both ends to designer paper card back. Make sure the circle is centered and then flip designer paper piece over and adhere to card front. Finish decorating as desired.



Now when you open your card, the Genie's lamp will spin around!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Let's All Welcome the New Recruits!

That's Right! It is time to announce the new Artful INKables INK girls. First let me just say, I am tickled to have such a fun and talented group coming in to work with us for the next six months. I'm sure you all will be as impressed as we were with their talents, style and their personal blogs. So please welcome the new team by leaving them a big hello either here or on their blogs (which can be reached by clicking on their names).

Lisa Kind
Crystal Irwin
Julie Murray
Sherry Campbell
Jen Pahoulis
Jackie Rakoski
Deborah L. Young
Emily Niehaus

I am also happy to announce that both Joy Stagg and Holly McMillen have agreed to stay on as members of our newly formed Senior Design Team. They will be taking the reigns of the DT and adding their own special flair to how we do things around here. In other words, they will be taking some of the load off of me...isn't that sweet of them? :) Seriously though they have some great ideas that we will introduce in the next 6 months and I KNOW they will continue to inspire our readers with their creations as they help make Artful INKables an even greater company.

Though we will soon be saying goodbye to the rest of our current DT we will not make today's happy announcement sad by dwelling on that now. Happily, they will be with us for a few more weeks as they help get the new team acclimated and share some final projects and tutorials with us. So we shall save that thought for another day and add to the the festivities by adding a bit of blog candy into the mix. I will draw a name on Sunday from all those commenting here to welcome the new INKgirls and the winner will get the set of her choice! SO...ON with the CELEBRATIONS!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Design Team Call – Become an INKgirl

Since the deadline for our Design Team Call is looming, I thought it would be a good idea to re-post the DT call.

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, July 27, 2009. New design team members will be contacted by July 31, 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 August 15, 2009 to January 15, 2010.

• 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.

• Participate in AI challenges, Blog Hops and sponsorship challenges as they are presented.

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.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Ribbon Tutorial by Kerri

Hello, Stampers! I have a lovely tutorial to share with you all today by our talented INKgirl, Kerri Michaud. She is sharing how to make beautiful ribbon flower embellishments to use on your cards. Kerri is such a multifaceted talent with an excitement for stamping that she loves to share. We are lucky to have her on our team and will be very sorry to see her go when her term is up in August.

Ribbon Flower Tutorial


Hello! I’m going to teach you how to make one of these beautiful and super easy ribbon flowers. Here’s what you need to begin:
1) 12 inches of ribbon
2) Needle and Thread
3) Whatever you would like to use for the center.

Thread your needle, and tie a large knot at the end. Pull your needle through the ribbon. You are going to keep your stitches along the top edge of the ribbon.



Thread your needle in and out along the edge of the ribbon.
Continue all the way across until you reach the end.

Pull your thread to shape your flower, and stitch the two ends together.


Tie a knot in the back and pick an embellishment for the center.


That’s it! Super easy, and such a pretty embellishment for your projects! Thank you so much for stopping by today : )

Kerri

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Flashback Blog Hop

Today, the INKgirls are having a Blog Hop using their favorite Artful INKables sets. When you create with a set that really speaks to you, you can create some beautiful things and the INKgirls have out done themselves. Please start your hopping experience by visiting Toni's blog and be sure to follow it all the way to the end because, as usual, there will be blog candy to partake of.

Im sorry I was not able to hop this time around, but my family and I are off visiting beautiful Lake Tahoe. Besides, all the sets are my favorites, I could never choose just one...it wouldnt be fair! *grin* Thanks for visiting and have fun at the HOP!!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Vacation Notice

The staff here at Artful INKables will be taking a well deserved vacation from July 8th to July 21st. Any orders placed between these dates will be filled upon our return. We hope this wont be an inconvenience to anyone and rest assured your orders will be our top priority when we return.

And dont despair...the INK Girls and I will be bringing you a Flashback Blog hop on the 15th. So stick around there is more fun on the way!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Guest Tutorial - Gift Card Holder

Looking for the information on the Design Team Call? Look at the next post down or click HERE.

Today we have another special guest tutorial to share by one of our fabulous INK Girls, Cathy Indelicato! I know you have seen Cathy's cards quite a bit over the last few months. She has a wonderful eye for color and simple yet striking layouts! Getting to know her has been a real treat! Be sure to visit her blog to see more of her creations, but for now, on to the tutorial.

Gift Card Holder Tutorial by Cathy Indelicato/Crafty Thoughts

1. Cut 8.5 x 11in. cardstock in half at 4.25
2. Score at 1.5 and 6.5, fold flaps toward each other on score lines





3. The 1.5in. fold will hold the cash/gift card. These sides can be secured with ribbon, staples, brads, two-sided tape or any combo of these items. (See photo as to how I attached my ribbon and then secured the flap closed.)



4. Embellish front and inside as desired.





Quick and easy!! A great way to give last minute gifts.