jungle fever...

Well, I hope you are as excited as I am for some of the new things coming from this blog... and the best part is there is more to come! *hows that for a teaser...=)*

In the meantime, our DT has some fabulous Jungle inspiration for you! Yup, I made them look to the jungle for this weeks challenge. And just look at what they came up with! Click on the designers name to get more info on their great projects!

Kendra

Barbara

Kassi

Aren't they FAB!

Now... a few reminders... You can find the Creative Inspirations paint here.

You can find great tutorials and ideas for CI paints by clicking on the "tutorial" label on this blog. We are always adding more ideas there!

We want to see your projects using CI paint! Please link your project to our blog using the link button on the top of our sidebar. Who knows, you may be our next guest designer!

We have some exciting things in the works, so don't forget to check back often!

Have a glamourous day!

~Kassi

Let Us Feature YOU!

Hi there! This is Ashley from the Creative Inspirations Paint design team. I wanted to stop by and let you all know of a new EXCITING feature that we will be hosting on this blog.

Every Wednesday, we will be featuring a person on this blog who uses Creative Inspirations Paints on their projects. EVERY single week! How cool is that? We will start next week.

Would YOU like to be featured on the weekly feature?? Who wouldn't?!? All you have to do is link your creation(s) on the Inlinkz to the right here. >>>>> If you are chosen, I will contact you. How easy is that?? I can't wait to see what you all are creating!

Color Matching + Adding Shimmer to Brads!

Happy Tuesday Everyone!!

We hope you are enjoying the projects we are creating along with all the tutorials and ideas we've been giving you to do with these paints! If you haven't already gotten yourself some of these paints, you should get out the Creative Inspirations Website to see all the wonderful colors to choose from! They sure add some beautiful shimmer to any project!

Now onto my card I made this week. I used a Great Impressions stamp I recieved in my last package from Molly. I really like their stamps.

Look at the shimmer!! Yesterday, Kassi did a tutorial on watercoloring with the paints, which is something I really like to do! I used a water brush with the paints to coloring in this image. I used Autumn Wheat, Burnt Sienna, Tan, Buttercup, Sage, Green Olive and Sea Foam.

A few weeks ago I did a tutorial on altering paper with the CI Paints, which is what I did with the main background piece of this card. The flowers on this sheet of paper where blue and I decided to use Sea Foam to add some shimmer to the background to spice it up a little!

Another thing I really like to do with the paints....is altering my BRADS! You know how it is when you are doing something and don't have the right color brad or can't find the right colored shimmery brads downtown for a project, well CI Paints is to the rescue once again! I used Buttercup to color in the sunflowers in the stamp and thought it would be the perfect color to use to cover my boring plain yellow brads. So not only did they add some pretty shimmer to my brads, but they also now match my project!

The three brads I altered!

This week I wanted to take a closer look at two of the colors I used for this project:

Sage

Green Olive

My goal was to find an ink color that makes the colors as best as possible.

I found that Versa Color 61 Olive matched CI Paint "Sage" perfectly! Along with SU's Sage Shadow. (below is a picture of Versa Color Olive and CI Paint Sage)

As for CI Paint Green Olive, I found the Stampin' Up color Certainly Celery was a great match! (with the flash it looks a tad darker , but it is a great match!)

Thanks for stopping by! Have a shimmery day!

If you already are using the CI Paints, please remember to link your project to our blog, we'd love to see what you are creating!

Kendra

watercolor depth...

Happy Monday blogger land! I hope you are all having a fabulous day! If not, maybe a little Inspiration Monday will help brighten things up...

So, what do I have in store for you today?

Watercoloring!

Ok, everyone knows how popular the Copic marker techniques are... However, I just can't afford those things!

Never fear! Creative Inspirations Paint to the rescue! Ok, so the look isn't quite the same, but it still looks fabulous (and it shimmers!) Since CI paints are a water based paint, they work great for this!

what will you need?

a stamp (mine is from Great Impressions)

VersaMark ink

embossing powder

heat gun

a mister

water

Fantastix

paper

and of course... CI paint in your choice of colors

let's get started!

Step 1: heat emboss your desired image.

*this technique will work on regular cardstock, but I prefer water color paper for this... you get less pills.

*you do not need to emboss, however it will help keep your paint where you want it.

Step 2: *this is important!* Let your Fantastix soak in some water for a few minutes.

Step 3: shake, then open your first color of Creative Inspirations Paint. (here I am using Turquoise so it is easy to see in the picts)

Step 4: dip just the tip of your wet fantastix into the lid of your paint (there is usually a thin layer of paint there from shaking... You don't want too much on your fantastix for this to work

Step 5: lightly mist your stamped image. I have found it helps the paint go on smoother if you keep your image slightly damp (not soaking, just slightly damp!)

Step 6: press the tip of your fantastix against the edge of your image where you want the darkest color. You will need to hold the fantastix at an angle... You want the paint of the tip to fade into the water higher up on your fantastix.

Step 7: paint your image. remember to keep the tip pointed towards where you want the darkest color. (in this case, I am keeping it along the edge of the image.)

Step 8: For more defined shadows, repeat the process using a slightly darker color (I used Sapphire). Use even less paint on the tip for this layer so your dark line is thinner.

Play around with this technique... You can get a lot of different results depending on how much paint, water, and colors you use! It may take a few tries to feel comfortable with it, but it really isn't too difficult... and the end result is amazing!

Ok, so I used blue paint for photographic purposes, but for my actual project, I turned this castle into a sand castle...

Paper: Coredinations, water color paper, plain cardstock

Stamps: Great Impressions

Ink: VersaMark

Creative Inspirations Paint: Carmel, Tan, Chocolate, Copper, Antique Copper, Emerald, Aqua marine, Antique Silver, Coal, Sky Blue

Other: embossing powder, ribbon

Here is a close up

I used lots of different shades of browns to get the depth... Always start with your lightest color, and gradually go darker.

Don't have/want to use stamps? That is fine! This woks on die cuts as well! Place the edge of your fantastix on the edge of your die cut, an paint away! It is a great way to add dimension to a cut!

Want to get your hands on some Creative Inspirations Paint? Click here. Don't forget to throw some Fantastix in your shopping cart while you are there!

Also, don't forget to show us what you are doing with the CI paints by linking your project to us with the button at the top of our side bar.

Have a fabulously colorful day, and I'll be back soon with more inspirations for you!

~Kassi

into the woods...

hey everyone! It's that time again.... Time to share creative projects by our amazing DT! It is a chance for us to show you the Creative Inspirations Paints in use.

The challenge I threw at them for this week was "Into the Woods". I wanted them to find inspiration from the one of my favorite places... the forest! A little shimmer in the forest is always good, right?

I must say that I am in awe of these amazing projects!!! I'm sure you will be too! Click on the designer's name to go to their personal blogs for more info on their projects.

Clare

Lisa

Shelly

Ashley

told ya they were fabulous!

Want to know where you can get your hands on these amazing shimmer paints? Click here.

Already have some and need a little inspiration to get you going? Click on the "tutorial" label on the side bar. There are lots of great ideas! Check back often as we are continually adding new ideas!

Already have paint, inspiration, and a project to show for it? Great!!! We want to see it! If you have a project that uses the Creative Inspirations Paint, click on the "add your link" button at the top of the sidebar and follow the directions.

I'll be back soon with more inspiration for you!

~Kassi

Tulip Cards

Sorry for the late post today, been crazy here both working and we've been having some yucky weather, so my internet connection has been wacky!

This week I am sharing two cards that I recently made that I really like. I recently bought this tulip stamp, which I love, granted I am a sucker for flowers to begin with!!

Just look at the shimmer!! I first stamped the image, then colored the image in using colored pencils and then used CI Paints to paint. I also used the paints to add a little shimmer to the butterfly!

2nd Card:

Have a wonderful day!!

got stamps? part 2

Welcome back to another edition of Inspiration Monday!

As promised, I have another fabulous stamping technique. (for those who don't stamp, never fear... I will be doing techniques in the future that don't require stamps!) If you missed part one, check it out here

Now, are you ready for a stampin' cool color trick? Let's get started!

This is actually a creative inspiration twist on a technique I learned from Tim Holtz.

custom stamp pads

You will need:

a stamp

Creative Inspirations paint of your choice

Ranger Cut n Dry foam

Archival Ink (I know this one works... I don't know if other brands work or not.

Step 1: ink up your stamp with Archival ink.

Step 2: Stamp your image on a piece of Cut n Dry foam. For those who are not familiar with this product, it is a white spongy foam with a rubbery backing so your ink will not go out the bottom. Stamp on the white spongy side

Step 3: allow to dry completely. This may take a few minutes. It will look something like this.

Step 4: using a small brush, dab your first color of paint over the parts of the image you want that color. (in this sample: the berries are done in "Sapphire")

*the cute little brush I am using there is actually a disposable lip brush I found at a beauty supply store for. It works great for the paints. =)*

Step 5: continue adding paint to the different parts of the image. Don't forget, you are making a stamp pad, so don't go too skimpy as you add paint! (I used "Emerald" for the stem)

by now you should have something like this... notice I didn't go for perfection, and it looks a little sloppy. That is fine!!!

Step 6: carefully line up the stamp to match the image on the pad. Ink it up.

Step 7: Stamp.

Pretty cool, huh!

Another great thing about this technique, is you can rinse out your pad (the stamped image should stay put) and load it up with different colors. I have been having tons of fun with this technique lately...

Remember, if you are ever wanting some inspiration for new ways to use the paints, click on the tutorial label. We are adding new things there all the time!

Also, if you have used Creative Inspirations Paint on any of your projects, we want to see them! Link your project to or blog using the "add your link" button on the top of our side bar. We want to start featuring customers work, so yours may be chosen!

Have a sparklin' Monday!

~Kassi

Cards by Karen

This adorable card is by Karen in Spokane.  She has done such a wonderful job using the paints.  This card is even more awesome in person.  Love the designer cardstock but I dont know who it is from.  The paints she used are Tickled Pink, Fuchsia, Tutu Pink, Blush, Rose Quartz, Emerald, Evergreen, Sage, and Buttercup.  

This is Karen's second card she sent to me.  All the letters, big flower and dragonfly is popped up.  I tried to get a good photo showing all the shimmer but it was pretty difficult no matter what I did.  I love how bright this card is in person.  The paints she used are Blush, Bright Yellow, Spring Green, Orange, Lavender, and Buttercup.

Good job Karen, thank you for sharing!  Let us know when you get a blog so we can link to yours.

just deserts...

Hello all! Are you ready for some fabulous inspiration from our amazing DT?

For this week, I asked the girls to find inspiration from yummy deserts. Just look at what they came up with!

Click on their names to hop to their blogs where you will find all the delicious details for these sparkling projects!

Kendra

Barbara

Gerrie

Kassi

So there you go! Don't they just make you hungry?

Also, I want to invite you to share your work with us! If you have used Creative Inspirations Paint on a project, we want to see it! Click on the "Add your link" button at the top of the sidebar and follow the directions from there!

AND...

Don't forget you can always check out the "tutorial" label on the side bar if you want some fun ideas of what you can do with your Creative Inspiration paints. We are adding new tutorials each week!

AND...

Since our last winner never contacted me, I have a new winner!!

Jana said...

Wow these are soo beautiful. I would love to win some green or blue or purple. Oh gee I can't decide they are all so beautiful.

So, Jana, send me an email with your mailing address, and your 5 color choices.

believeinmagic@comcast.net

Have an inspirational day full of lots of color and shimmer!

~Kassi

Baby Shower Card

I thought that I would share the baby shower card I made for my daughters baby shower.  Both stamps are by Great Impressions and I stamped them with a cleaned out pigment ink pad using fuchsia.  I then went back and painted the Giraffes spots and put fun flock by Doodlebug on his mane and tail.  I love the MS double loop punch so I couldn't resist using it.  I had to make 30 of these cards in my spare time so I wanted it simple.  The good thing about stamping it with the paint is if something doesn't stamp just right, you can correct it with a paint brush just like Kendra explained.

Molly

Full of Shimmer and Bling

It's Tuesday! I'm going to try and took a look each week at all the different CI Paints. I've been looking at all the different ink pads I have and have been comparing them to the CI Paints. I have found some very comparable matches. So I'm going to share them with all of you lovely bloggers. I'm taking a look at both Stampin' Up colors (which I don't own all, but a little over a dozen) and other ordinary colors you can get at Hobby Lobby, JoAnn's or Michael's.

It was my parent's anniversary this past weekend, so Saturday morning I went to main little slice of heaven and went to work. I am so pleased with how this card turned out! It's one of those I hate to give away! Of course I used my favorite product, CI Paints, to add shimmer, but also tried my new i-rock tool, which I loved to add bling to this card.

Look at the shimmer! My mom loved it!
I used CI Paints Rustic Red, Antique Silver and Tutu Pink. In the main image I used the paints to accent certion areas of the stamps to give it a little shimmer.

I first stamped my image on a plain piece of cardstock. Notice the black circle in the image below - when I stamped that heart I didn't push down hard enough on the right side over the stencil, so I only got a little ink on that side and I wasn't happy with how it turned out. I used SU's ink pad "Red Riding Hood", so with some experimenting with the CI Paints, I found that "Rustic Red" was an excellent comparison. So I was able to fix my problem!!

You really can't even tell I made a mistake! I was so much happier when I fixed it with the paints!! Before I started comparing the colors I was debating on stamping the whole image over again.
Ink Comparisons:
Stampin' Up "Red Riding Hood" ~ Rustic Red
VersaColor #33 Pink ~ Tutu Pink
Memento London Fog ~ Antique Silver


I used all three of these inks on this card and found that they are almost excellent color matches with the CI Paint colors listed! Now there also can be some variation, depending how think the paint is put on and/or how much ink is transfered to the paper.


I just was so excited that I was able to fix my problem with the paints!


I used a fantastix to paint the shimme on certain pieces of the image as well as cleaning up my mistake.

I also have found that a toothpick works great for smaller detailed areas.

I have always enjoyed using smaller ink pads to use as sponges on my paper or to add ink around the edges. When I was making this card I thought I would play around with cotton balls with the CI Paints to give some detal, but most importantly SHIMMER! I love how it turned out! I first dabbed it on a scrap piece of paper and then on the actual piece, as when you first dabbed the cotton ball in the lid of CI Paint there tends to be too much on the cotton ball.

Once again these paints are truely amazing!! The things you can do with them, is truely amazing!

Have a shimmery day!

Kendra