Young Crafter's Unite - Thankful for You

Did you know that Oct 5 was World Teacher's Day?

Well, I found out only after the fact.

The timing was very close to (Canadian) Thanksgiving but I forgot to give my son's teacher a shout-out for that, too!

I'm making it up to her (hopefully!) with this card, along with a pumpkin loaf.

Worked with patterned papers for this card! I also used my Tim Holtz Mini Rosettes die.

Before I put the twine on, I was examining my card before taping everything all up. The card reminded me of Karen Baker's style, which gave me the idea to add the twine.

How about that? Embellishing via association! ;)

I'm trying to remember to coordinate my envelopes with my cards. I usually add a liner to my envies but stamping has such a wonderful effect and Young Crafter's Unite is hosting a challenge on this right now!

I forgot to ink the edges of the envelope but oh well...

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: kraft, Fine Linen
• Patterned Paper: __________ (coming soon)
• Stamps: 2009 Autumn Tags, Tag-Its #5
• Ink: Frayed Burlap, Brushed Corduroy, Walnut Stain
• Dies: Mini Rosette Tim Holtz (Sizzix), Pinking Circles (Spellbinders)
• Other Tools: jute twine

Sending Hugs

It's been awhile!!

I've been keeping busy trying to organize my house... If you're interested, feel free to check out my little projects here.

I managed to squeeze a card in today for a friend who's unwell. Even though I usually keep track of blog challenges that I'd like to participate in, I didn't have anything in mind for this other than using some PTI that I haven't yet used (Papertrey Playhouse challenge here). It turned out amazing! ;)

I based my card on the Half & Half stamps/dies. Loved this idea by Nichole (and still do)! I stamped the pattern with Aqua Mist ink and the flourishes and sentiment in Dark Chocolate. I inked around the die cut and the Vintage White card base with Dark Chocolate ink. I scored between the lines of the sentiment and used it as a guide to place a string of pearls. I also placed a pearl in the center of the flourishes.

The sunflowers were die cut, stamped in Memento Cantaloupe ink and edged with Tea Dye Tim Holtz Distress Ink. I didn't like the amount of white around the petals (since I ended up going with a Vintage White card base) and so trimmed them up. The leaves are Ripe Avocado ink and the center is, once again, Dark Chocolate.

The card accompanied some delicious Pumpkin Loaf! I usually make this type of stuff from scratch, but this was a pre-mix from Costco and SOOO delicious!

Looking at this, I wish that I had remembered to coordinate the envelope... It would've been so much prettier!

Thanks for stopping by!

[Edited to add:] Linking this up to the Bling challenge at Lily Pad Cards!

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: Vintage White, Stamper's Select White
• Stamps: Half & Half, Simple Sunflower
• Ink: Aqua Mist, Dark Chocolate, Ripe Avocado, Memento Cantaloupe (Tsukineko), Tea Dye Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Ranger)
• Dies: Half & Half, Simple Sunflower
• Other Tools: pearls, ink blending foam (Inkssentials)

Embellish Color Trends and Misting

A birthday card for a dear friend:

Embellish's fab colors include a green turquoise, gray, brown and cream (or maybe white). I created my own turquoise green Glimmer Mist by combining Turquoise Blue and some English Ivy and then used it to "dye" my bloomer ribbon as well as mist the card panel. The sentiment, stamped in brown ink, is from Paper Smooches "Word Up." The pins are Maya Road (Vintage Black Pearl) and Making Memories (clear head).

You can tell I misted the interior, as well, which made it too pretty to write in! ;) I misted the envelope and still have lots of leftover mist!

Thanks so much for stopping by! We appreciate every one of your comments!

[Edited to add:] This card was included in Embellish's What's Hot (kind of like an honorable mention)!! I'm so ecstatic!!

I'm that last thumbnail!! Yippee!!

[Edited to add:] I'm linking this to Lily Pad Cards bling challenge here.

{Supplies}

• Cardstock: Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink)
• Stamps: Word Up (Paper Smooches)
• Ink: Dark Chocolate (Papertrey Ink)
• Glimmer Mist: Turquoise Blue and English Ivy (Tattered Angels)
• Ribbon: white bloomer (American Crafts)
• Other Tools: Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers), vintage pins (Maya Road and Making Memories)

Flourishes, Jay Gee's Nook and Stampendous

I knew what I wanted to do with Stampendous's sketch the moment I saw it! I used the beautiful yellow from Jay Gee's Nook challenge and made the card with Flourishes The Beauty of Color challenge in mind (all graphics below).

Using my MFT Rolled Flower die, I created 9 little flowers made up of Bitty Dot and Bitty Box papers. Can't really tell any difference between the two when they're rolled up like that but whatever. Added little pearls to the centers and attached them to a piece of white cardstock that I textured with the Linen side of my impression plate.

The leaves were cut with the largest Turning a New Leaf die and were also impressed with Linen.

A banner of yellow Swiss Dot ribbon, a bow wrapped with a pearl brad finishes off the sketch.

This Flourishes sentiment from April Showers worked perfectly for this card. I embellished it with some tiny pearls.

Disclaimer: While the Flourishes challenge asks for monochromatic color schemes, I noticed that the sample cards had bits of other colors within them and so I felt comfortable adding the leaves to my flowers. There was also green within the Jay Gee's Nook inspiration photo. I decided to include my "before leaves" pic, just in case!

Thanks for stopping by!!

{Supplies}

• Cardstock: Lemon Tart, New Leaf, Stamper's Select White (Papertrey Ink)
• Patterned Paper: Bitty Dot and Bitty Box Basics (Papertrey Ink)
• Stamps: April Showers (Flourishes)
• Ribbon: Lemon Tart Swiss Dot (Papertrey Ink)
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
• Dies: Rolled Flower (My Favorite Things), Turning a New Leaf (Papertrey Ink)
• Other Tools: Linen & Canvas impression plate (Papertrey Ink), Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers), pearls (dollar store), pearl brad (unknown)

"Use It" Challenges at Papertrey Playhouse/Use It Tuesday and Freshly Made Sketches

I volunteered to fill up a month-long gap between challenges we had over at Papertrey Playhouse. I decided that I wanted to use this opportunity to give my uninked Papertrey Ink stamp sets some love! So...

Weeks 1 & 2: Create a project that uses a stamp from a stamp set that has never seen any ink!

(The beaks and legs don't look green IRL!)

I used two previously unloved stamp sets here: Bundle of Love and Mini Scrapbook Series: Tabs. As this is the first multiples card I've had the pleasure of creating, this sentiment has never seen ink either.

I set the scene with a whole lot of paper-piecing! My favorite little feature is the "bow" I stamped on baby girl's head using the tiny hearts from Bundle of Love. It's difficult to tell in the photograph, but there is the teeniest pink rhinestone I've ever worked with at the junction! And check out those cute little rosy cheeks peeking out! I'm gushing like an idiot...  ;)

After laying the focal point on the card base (sometimes I remember not to stick everything together right away!), I decided I didn't like all that white space. Too much white just didn't work with this card! The problem was that I couldn't find a substitute card base color that I cared for. So as a Papertrey fanatic, what did I do? Stamped it, of course! The tab image worked absolutely perfectly around the square focal point! It looks like whimsical lace or something.

I may go back and round the corners... Anyone for? Against? Love feedback!

The interior of the card (not pictured) uses Fillable Frames #5, another stamp set that hadn't been used.

This sketch also works wonderfully for this week's Freshly Made Sketches: 

Thanks so much for stopping by... I hope you'll make sure your crafting money hasn't been wasted along with me!

Incidentally, if you're not a PTI owner, this challenge is still a terrific idea! Head on over to Use It Tuesday where they have the same challenge on a more general level. I've certainly entered into it!

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: Stamper's Select White, Lemon Tart
• Patterned Paper: Bitty Box Basics, Pretty Pastels, Polka Dot Parade
• Stamps: Bundle of Love, Mini Scrapbook Series: Tabs, Bitty Baby Blessings, Up, Up & Away
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, VersaMagic Mango Madness and Brilliance Pearlescent Orchid (all Tsukineko), Fresh Snow
• Copics: E000 & R30 (baby faces), B0000 (not noticeable on the baby wraps), W1 (birds), T1 (shading on baby carrier blankets--will probably darken with T3)
• Other Tools: sewing machine/thread, grass punch (Fiskars), iRock/rhinestone (Imaginisce)

Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger and CARDS Challenge

I LOVE the Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger photo this week...

So rustic and charming!

It works perfectly with this week's CARDS challenge... Woodgrain!!

Here is my take on it...

Another evening light photo that I tried touching up... Makes it look more rustic anyway!

I started with a Rustic Cream card base and added a die cut from Spellbinders Labels 17 that I had impressed with Papertrey Ink's Woodgrain impression plate and inked up with some Vintage Photo and Antique Linen Distress Inks. I wrapped some Vintage Cream button twine around it and added a Tiny Tag and petite paper rose.

The banner is Purple Onion Designs, which I stamped with Vintage Cream ink and heat embossed with clear powder. I cut it out with scissors, using a craft knife on the interior bits. I tied little bows with silk ribbon and glued them to the ends of the banner.

Thanks for looking!

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: Rustic Cream, Kraft, textured brown (unknown brand)
• Stamps: Hearts on a String (Purple Onion Designs), Tiny Tags
• Ink: Vintage Photo and Antique Linen Tim Holtz Distress Inks (Ranger), Vintage Cream
• Dies: Labels 17 (Spellbinders), Tiny Tags
• Other Tools: Woodgrain impression plate, clear embossing powder (Filigree), paper rose (Recollections), 1/8" silk ribbon and Vintage Cream button twine

Embellish Color Trends and Moxie Fab Square Sketch Challenge

I'm squeezing in my Embellish Color Trends card right before the deadline...

I combined it with Moxie Fab's Square Sketch Challenge. I totally {heart} this sketch!!

Bit of work for this one with all the fussy-cutting. Still nothing compared to this!!

I actually spent some time going through my patterned papers to see what might fit the Embellish color inspiration. This sheet obviously made my cut. I think it goes perfectly with that Italian villa sort of look.

I inked the edges with some Frayed Burlap Distress Ink and then sewed it to some New Leaf cardstock with cream-colored thread. Slapped the whole thing on a square kraft card base.

I know that the embellishment in the corner didn't have to be a flower but I've been wanting to do a poinsettia card since I saw this. I pulled out my new Shabby White Embossing Enamel (Stampendous UTEE) since I was certain the color would go well with the palette. The consistency is different from the usual embossing powder in that it has very thick granules as well as the finer stuff and some gold-ish glitter. It's also best to heat from underneath rather than over top (as indicated on the bottle). It ended up working out quite well, even though glitter is, as always, a pain to work with. It's difficult to get a sense of the glimmer on this card through a photograph... It's really quite stunning!

The sentiment panel is cut from one of Tim Holtz's Tattered Banners and inked with Antique Linen and Frayed Burlap. The sentiment is stamped in Frayed Burlap, as well.

I think I will be going back and adding some Stardust gel pen to the centers of the flowers.

Thanks for stopping by!

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: Kraft, New Leaf, Pure Poppy, white (generic)
• Patterned Paper: Nook & Pantry - Strawberry Shortcake (Basic Grey)
• Stamps: Year of Flowers: Poinsettia
• Ink: Versamark (Tsukineko), Antique Linen and Frayed Burlap Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Ranger)
• Dies: Tattered Banners (Sizzix by Tim Holtz)
• Other Tools: sewing machine/thread, Shabby White Embossing Enamel (Stampendous UTEE), ink blending foam and applicator (Inkssentials)

Waltzingmouse Sketch and CAS-ual Fridays: Embossing

This card started out as this project but was set aside as other ideas took over. I turned it into this week's Waltzingmouse Sketch. It's supposed to be a layout sketch rather than a card sketch, but I preferred it and so adapted it. Only one or 2 liberties have been taken!  ;)

It also works wonderfully well for this week's CAS-ual Friday challenge: embossing. I used heat embossing a couple of times on this. Such a fun challenge that I don't doubt I'll be back for more!

I am loving these Funky Town papers!  ;)

After die cutting a frame with Spellbinders Labels 2, I stitched the patterned paper to the pink cardstock. I heat embossed the lovely frame with clear and then heat embossed the sentiment with white.

I die cut and rolled the flowers with coordinating papers, making one a bit larger than the other. Added a few leaves.

I then added a couple of rhinestone swirls that I sorta regret. They're not terrible, they just don't add anything.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

{Supplies}

• Cardstock: Stamper's Select White, Raspberry Fizz (both Papertrey Ink)
• Patterned Paper: Funky Town (Papertrey Ink)
• Stamps: Very Vintage Labels No. 2 and Fancy Phrases (both Waltzingmouse Stamps)
• Ink: Versamark (Tsukineko)
• Dies: Labels 2 (Spellbinders), Rolled Flower (My Favorite Things), Sending You leaves (Papertrey Ink)
• Other Tools: rhinestone swirls (Recollections), sewing machine/thread, pink and blue rhinestones (dollar store), clear/white embossing powder (Filigree)

For a Gracious Hostess

No challenge this time... I just sat down to craft! A quicky CAS card using inspiration from Maile's Gracious Vases release posts (you can start here).

I love this stamp set because the style is so ME!

After reviewing some of Maile's inspiration, I decided that I definitely need to add Glossy Accents to the primary vase!

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: Stamper's Select White
• Stamps: Gracious Vases
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Summer Sunrise, Sweet Blush, Simply Chartreuse, Spring Rain
• Copics: RV10, RV11, R(V?)0000
• Other Tools: black embroidery floss, Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers)

Playing in Paradise Challenge 24: Coloring!

Another Playing in Paradise challenge is live over at the Scrapbooker's Paradise blog! This one's mine!

I completely thought I was going to do a project based on Copics but ended up trying something that I've been intrigued with for some time... Painting with Glimmer Mist!

I first heard of this through Maile Belles's post here (scroll down a bit). Such a gorgeous project!! I made my project so much simpler by using a negative background stamp... No worries about coloring outside the lines!!

(Since photographing this card, I moved the scalloped rectangle upwards to even out the layout a bit.)

After die-cutting a rectangle and scalloped rectangle, I stamped my negative background image with Versamark ink and heat embossed it with black powder. I sprayed some Viva Pink Glimmer Mist on my craft mat and used a paint brush to apply it to the flowers. I did the same thing for the stems in green Glimmer Mist. Any imperfections in the embossed background were then covered up using careful application of my Copic Multiliner pen.

I adhered the rectangle to the scalloped rectangle using my Xyron for perfect adhesive coverage. I wanted this to look like one piece rather than two.

Using a stapler, I attached the Glitz tulle to my card front, cut it and tied a knot. I attached a little paper rose and some twine to a button and hid the knot. A small stamped tag and some pins finished off my project.

Be sure to check out the other DT projects!

Allison

Ally

Nancy

And introducing...

Angie 

Merlie

Tracy

Welcome, ladies!!

This week's prize is a pkg of supplies from the Imaginisce Happy Camper line!  Two snag em stamps, die cuts, sticker stackers and chipboard stickers (an approx value of $23)!!

How to Play:

1. You have until noon on Thursday, July 21st to link your entries for this challenge at the Scrapbooker's Paradise blog.

2. Please link directly to your entry photo or your specific blog post featuring your project, not a general link. We reserve the right to remove invalid links. If you're uploading to a public forum, please use the keyword PPC24 so we can find you!

3. Please fill in your name (not the name of your card or the name of the challenge) as the caption/label within the linky tool.

Thanks for stopping by!

{Supplies}

• Cardstock: True Black, Stamper's Select White (both Papertrey Ink)
• Stamps: Wild Flowers (Hampton Art), Tiny Tags (Papertrey Ink)
• Ink: Versamark, Brilliance Pearlescent Orchid (both Tsukineko)
• Glimmer Mist: Viva Pink, Meadow Green (Tattered Angels)
• Dies: Rectangles, Scalloped Rectangles (Spellbinders), Tiny Tags (Papertrey Ink)
• Other Tools: tulle (Glitz), paper rose (Recollections), rustic cream button twine (Papertrey Ink), pins (dollar store), black embossing powder (Stampendous), Copic Multiliner pen

Teacher Gift

This is the first thing that I tried to get published in PaperCrafts Magazine. It was for the Holiday Gifts issue and then the Nov/Dec issue. It didn't make it but I forgot to post about it until now.

It's a gift I made for my son's Kindergarten teacher. I gave it to her along with this card.

I'm still really proud of this. I cut out every one of those leaves by hand, obviously. ;) The acorns were clear embossed and cut out as well.

Here is the back:

The felt die-cut hides the staples I used to affix a piece of twill ribbon between the back of the project and the stand.

Thanks for stopping by!

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: Dark Chocolate, Rustic White, Ripe Avocado
• Stamps: Teacher's Apple, Falling Leaves, Background Basics: Woodgrain
• Ink: Scarlet Jewel, Dark Chocolate, Terracotta Tile, Versamark (Tsukineko)
• Dies: Grand Labels and Labels 8 (Spellbinders), leaf (Cuttlebug)
• Ribbon (not pictured): Fine Linen twill
• Felt: Fine Linen
• Other Tools: clear embossing powder (Filigree), staples

PTI MIM: Rock and Roll Technique

This week's Papertrey Ink Make it Monday is using the rock and roll technique. I hadn't tried double-inking in some time but love the effect of this technique!

I decided to use this technique for a birthday card I needed to make using one of Nichole's favorite color combinations (I also used this week's Scrapbooker's Paradise challenge).

For instructions and supplies, please see this post (the only addition is the clear rhinestones that I colored with Copic BG75).

Thanks for stopping by!

Playing in Paradise Challenge 17: Sketch

Welcome to another Playing in Paradise challenge over at the Scrapbooker's Paradise blog! This week, Allison has created another lovely sketch for us to work with.

I think this is my favorite so far! I even considered an actual scrapbook page but had to get another project out of the way so used this sketch for my tags.

Have you ever heard of (Amish) friendship bread? It's a bag of batter that you mush for several days, add more ingredients and mush for another few days. On "baking day," you add more ingredients and make more batter bags. The leftover batter gets mixed with still more ingredients and makes the most delicious, most fabulous cake bread EVER!

I had four starter bags left from my last batch of friendship bread. With "bake day" looming, I really wanted to get rid of a few of them. I thought of my son's Kindergarten teachers (he has one regular teacher, but they often combine with the two other classes for activities such as music and gym). So as a sort of Thank You treat, I packaged off three friendship bread starter bags...

I didn't have a lot of time to decorate the bags but felt the elaborate tags would make up for it. ;)

Here's how I made up the tags:

I cut the kraft tags out with my Cricut, Gypsy and Birthday Bash cartridge. I stamped them with Versamark ink and the Hero Arts Old World Lettering stamp.

I die cut and embossed three Blossom 4 Spellbinders. Leaving the die on, I stamped the swirl image with Versamark ink and heat embossed with clear powder. I then stamped the solid flower image over top with Versamagic Oasis Green ink.

After stamping the sentiment onto the tag with Versamagic Jumbo Java ink, I adhered the stamped die cuts.

Using 1/8" Scor-tape, I adhered some trims from Webster's Pages and Tim Holtz's Lavish Trimmings. Fabulous stuff!!

Lastly, I taped the kraft bags shut with Martha Stewart decorative tape and tied the tags on with some raffia. I added tiny tags with the word "Thanks" on them using cream twine.

Be sure to check out the other DT projects!

Allison

Ally

Carla

Julie

Nancy

The deadline to enter your project is noon on Thursday, June 2nd. This week's prize is Fancy Pants Beach Babe - Flowers and Trim Journal Pieces, an approx retail value of $16!

Thanks for stopping by!

{Supplies}

• Cardstock: Kraft and Rustic Cream (Papertrey Ink)
• Stamps: Old World Lettering (Hero Arts), Spiral Bouquet and Tiny Tags (Papertrey Ink)
• Ink: Versamark, Versamagic Oasis Green and Jumbo Java (all Tsukineko)
• Die: Blossom 4 (Spellbinders)
• Other Tools: Cricut/Gypsy/Birthday Bash cartridge, clear embossing powder/Marvy heat tool, various trims (Webster's Pages and Tim Holtz), decorative tape (Martha Stewart), rustic cream button twine (Papertrey Ink), kraft bags (dollar store), raffia (unknown)