Getting back to crafting, and a tag....

I've done a little crafting here and there the past year, but only usually for a specific project.  I've really missed the outlet of just playing around without the pressure for my project to come out right-or even look decent!

I spent some time creating over this past long weekend and plan on sharing some things here.  I'm not sure if anyone still reads here as I'm so inconsistent at posting.  Sorry about that for any of you who still hang around!

Starting off simple to get back into things, here's a little tag:

 

Cardstock, button, stamps(Mini Blooms), bakers twine, and tag die: PTI
Ribbon and ink: SU!

Sparkle and Shine Shaker

I'm having a lot of fun so far with these PTI Sparkle and Shine dies!

FMS26

I hope everyone had a great St. Patrick's Day weekend!  After my fill of one of my most favorite foods ever, corned beef, I had plenty of energy to get a bit crafty.

The ladies over at Freshly Made Sketches have yet another fun sketch to try out this week.  Here is the sketch:

And here is my go at it:

I've never been terribly good at following rules, so that is why I really enjoy a lot of the sketch challenges out there.  You don't have to re-create the sketch exactly, but just create something based on your interpretation of it.  I didn't change this sketch up too much but I was having a difficult time with the strip across the top so I opted to shorten the strip a bit and move it down toward the center.  Not too bad, eh?

Stamps: PTI Rosie Posie, Text Style, Mat Stack 1(sentiment)
Ink: SU! Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Rose Red, So Saffron
Paper: SU! Soft Sky, Very Vanilla.  PTI white, fine linen.

FSM23 and PDCC 120

When I'm out of mojo, I love to combine a sketch challenge with a color challenge to make the planning of a project so much easier.  With all the colors and layout picked for me, I just get to do the fun part and get inky!

This week I worked with Freshly Made Sketches #23:

And the Play Date Cafe Challenge #120:

And here is my take on the two challenges:

I used a cute little $5 set from PTI to bring together a really quick and easy card.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Blog Candy!

 Hello everyone!  Today I have some blog candy up for grabs!  It is a brand new set of beautiful thank you stamps from Papertrey Ink. 

This little set is not available for purchase as it was a nice thank you gift they included in some recent orders.  I was lucky enough to get one in my December order, and one again in my January order.  Seeing how it's almost Valentine's day, I thought I'd share the love---and the stamps!

Here is a card made with the larger image from the set.  It fits perfectly on a die-cut of Mat Stack 5.  I simply adhered it with dimensional adhesive on top of a background I stamped using "Rosie Posie".

Cardstock: PTI Kraft, Stampers Select White

Stamps: PTI Rosie Posie, A Big Thank You

Ink: SU! Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, So Saffron, Perfect Plum, Pink Pirouette

Here is the set up for grabs:

It's a little difficult to see the actual images since the stamps are clear, but the larger image is the one featured on my card above, and also seen on the back of the package.  The smaller image can be seen as the sentiment in black on my card HERE.
 
All you have to do to win is leave a comment on this post.  I'll use the random number generator to pick a winner next Monday, February 20th.  I'd also love for you to follow me, though it's not a requirement to win.  I'm always looking for new blogs to follow as well!

OLW76

Teal is my favorite color.  Gray and teal work so beautifully together so it was no question as to what color I wanted to use for Susan's One Layer Wednesday challenge this week.

First up though is some color inspiration I have in my file using these colors together.  This watercolor painting is simply gorgeous!

                                                                     PHOTO SOURCE


Here is my project for the challenge:
(I'm horrible at photographing my cards at night under artificial light.  Sorry!)

 Just a tiny touch of teal:

I stamped the medallion and the sentiment in ColorBox pigment ink in 'Wild Hare' and heat-embossed both with clear embossing powder.  It gave a nice polished look and gave a bit of dimension to an otherwise flat one layer card.

I had to resist the urge to stamp the sentiment in black, but after seeing Susan's cards with grey sentiments I was totally inspired to try it.  Not bad, eh?

Stamps: PTI Mehndi Medallion, Botanical Silhouettes

Ink: ColorBox 'Wild Hare'

Cardstock: PTI white



Super Simple Sunday

I have just a quick, super simple project to share today.  It is a one-layer card with a little added dimension by use of rhinestones in the middle of each medallion shape.

Something I've really been loving about clear stamps is how easy it is to line them up an see exactly where you want them to go.  Add in a grid-lined acrylic block, and it's so easy even I can do it!

Stamps: PTI Mehndi Medallions, bonus free Thank You set
Ink: SU! Perfect Plum, Tempting Turquoise, Momento black
Other: SU! clear rhinestones

FMS19 and CTD176

Freshly Made Sketches  has a great new sketch to try this week.  The scalloped border immediately made me want to use my newest border die, so I was all ready to get started.


Then I saw the Color Throwdown Challenge for this week and just love these colors together! The bed in the inspiration photo is really beautiful, too! 


And here is my project combining the two challenges.  It isn't exactly what I planned in my head, but it's not too horrible :)

Stamps: PTI Botanical Sihouettes, Mehndi Medallion

Ink: SU! Rose Red, Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip

Cardstock: SU! Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Rose Red DP, PTI white

Dies: PTI Mat Stack 5, Mat Stack 1, hearts border, filigree border

Whimsy and Mojo meet again...

The gals over at Mojo Monday had another great sketch this week and, of course, I had to play along!  If you haven't checked out their site yet, I encourage you to go take a visit.  They keep all the sketches and corresponding projects on-line so you're sure to find plenty of inspiration over there.

Here's the sketch:

And here's my interpretation:

I kept the main elements of the sketch the same, but I did make a small change of taking the bottom rectangle layer on the right of the sketch and rotating it and moving it to the bottom.  Instead of a photo corner I thought it would be fun to make a triangle out of adhesive pearls.

This "Coffee Girl" image is available in the Whimsy and Stars Studio's Etsy site for only $3.00!  Really, you can't beat that for a super cute image that you can resize to fit many different projects and use over and over again!

The paper here is Echo Park's "Life is Good" line.  Such pretty and happy colors in this collection!  I also used my favorite background stamp from Papertrey Ink named "Text Style".

Thanks for stopping by today!

Happy 50th!!!

One of my favorite people is celebrating a birthday this week.  Yep. The big 5-0. 

I wanted to make a little something different than just a card to attach to her birthday gift, so I had the idea to make this little banner.

The base started out with some die cut tags.  I really like this particular die because it has two parts.  The main base of the tag and a little circle to fold over the top across the hole.  After I glued the tags onto the twine, I covered up the holes with some buttons so you couldn't see the hole.

 A die cut leaf and butterflies added onto each end:

Papertrey Ink's 'By the Numbers' dies are so perfect for birthday decorations as you can customize your 

project for any age.  I adhered the numbers with dimensional foam on top of these fun fan-folded dimensional flowers. 

 

I thought it was kind of fun that you can take it off the gift and hang it up as a little party decoration!

Thanks for stopping by today and if you have a birthday this week, then happy birthday to you, too!


Paper: My Mind's Eye: "Stella and Rose", PTI kraft
Leaf Die: Sizzix
Small butterfly: MS Crafts punch
All other dies and buttons: PTI

Stamp-a-Faire Challenge 8

The challenge for this round was to create a card with the cover cut back a bit to reveal a portion of the bottom of the base.  I really liked trying this one out because I learned how easy it is to give a lot more depth and interest to a card just by using this technique.

Another fun little thing I've discovered about using clear stamps is the ability to emboss pretty much any color using only clear embossing powder.  I stamped the poppy images here in red ink, cleaned my stamp, then stamped right over the original image using versamark ink and embossed with clear powder.  With the clear stamp I was able to stamp right on top of the original image without using any special tools.  This also totally eliminates the need to have powders in every color.

Stamp-a-Faire Challenge 4

The challenge for this round was to create a project using these colors:

I wish I had taken the time to take and edit a better photo because I really did use two different greens between the leaves of the flowers and the green strip on the left.  I promise!  I would have loved to participate in all the challenges today but I was super short on time as I had to use the kids' nap-time to do a little stamping then jump in the shower before we headed to town for the rest of the day.

  This challenge stuck out to me as one I really wanted to try because of the use of two very similar colors.

Here's what I came up with:

PTI Make it Monday

This weeks Make it Monday theme is sympathy cards.  I don't think these are ever easy to make and luckily there was nobody in particular in mind while I was making this one.  I suppose it is better to just have this in my stash should it be needed, rather than trying to make one during a difficult time.

I have never really made a sympathy card before and I'm wondering if this is even close to how one should look.  I meant for the two clouds to represent me and the person it would be for, almost as if saying, "I'm here for you."  I'm not sure if that was clearly conveyed, though. 

The good thing about this card is it only took about 10 minutes to make, which would be a bonus if you were making it during time when your mind might not be necessarily on creating.  I stamped the bottom with the polka dots in versamark then heat-embossed with clear embossing powder.  Next, I just stamped the sentiment above the row of dots then wrapped some baker's twine around the card a few times, tying it off with a button.  The clouds were die-cut from one of the paper bands which come wrapped around the outside of a PTI stamp set then placed onto the card using dimensional foam dots.  Quick and done.
 

Stamps: PTI 'Round and Round'
Cardstock: PTI kraft, cardstock band from stamp set packaging (clouds)
Ink: SU Chocolate Chip, Versamark
Other: PTI baker's twine, button, cloud die, clear embossing powder

PTI May Blog Hop!

It's that time again.  The 25th of each month means Papertrey Ink's monthly blog hop!  If you haven't participated before, or even checked it out for that matter, I highly encourage you to take a look at the beautiful projects put out each month by all of those who love them some PTI :)
The theme for this month's hop is.......flowers!  Easy enough, right?
For my project this month I was hoping to make my whole overall card shape look like a flower.  I cut the card base using a nestabilities scalloped circle die and added another cut circle to the center.  Kinda' resembles a flower...maybe?  :)  I still think it turned out pretty cute!

Stamps: PTI Mat Stack One, Button Boutique
Dies: PTI Beautiful Blooms 3, Mat Stack One
Other: PTI baker's twine

 As always, there is so much great talent on this blog hop each month so if you somehow made it to my little ole' blog....Thank you so much for stopping by!

More barrettes!

Oh no.  Just what I needed.  Another addiction!  :)  The newest for me is PTI's soft and beautiful felt.  As it's 100% wool, it cuts absolutely beautifully and clean. 

Here are some more flower barrettes I whipped up using this lovely felt:

Using the various dies, it was easy to mix and match different sizes, colors, and shapes of die-cut felt and stitch together to create some super simple barrettes. Place them onto some tags made with the Button Boutiqe set and I think it makes a pretty cute gift for any adorable girl you know :)

Papertrey Ink April Blog Hop!

This month's blog hop challenge was to create a project with a masculine theme, which is definitely not my usual style.  I'm glad to have played along though as it got me to step out of my creative box a bit.  I don't think it turned out too bad!

Debby of Lime Doodle creates some absolutely fabulous cards and when I saw this one, I just had to CASE it!  I loved the look of the rounded corners on the squares and it reminded me a lot of Maile Belles recent PTI set: Modern Basics.
I just broke the design down to minimal layers, putting the rounded sqares flat on the base then adding the sentiment and gift embellishment on top with dimensional adhesive dots.  The skinny little sentiments in PTI's Mat Stack sets are perfect for creating banners.  This sentiment is from the Mat Stack 1 set.

I know there are TONS of beautiful projects to see on the hop, so if you've found your way here, thanks so much for stopping by!

Color Q Challenge 81 + Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger

When perusing the challenges this week, I knew right away that these two would be a perfect match!
The Color Q Challenge #81 draws inspiration from these adorable little knit bunnies.  They look so cuddly and come in a great variety of spring colors.

The Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger reminded me of the colors of bunnies.  I was thinking Old Olive leaves, soft pink blooms, and a bit of sunshine added in with So Saffron.  I could also envision a Soft Sky background behind this beautiful boquet.

Just this week I picked up this fun leaves on a branch die from Sizzix.  I wasn't even looking for dies, but at 40% off at J's I figured I might as well go down that aisle.  This little die jumped out at me as perfect for Spring projects and at sale price it was just over $4.  What a steal!

I wanted to base my card around the leaves and a bouquet of sorts seemed to be the right idea.  It was really easy to arrange them around one of the fun doily die cuts from PTI.  Hand-rolling my own flowers has been a challenge, but I think I'm starting to get the hang of it.  What do you think? :)

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Stamps: PTI Tiny Tags

Cardstock: SU Soft Sky, So Saffron, Old Olive, Pink Pirouette, PTI white

Ink: SU Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky, Pink Pirouette

Dies: PTI Mat Stack 4 and Tiny Tags, Doily Details Sizzix leaf

Other: PTI bakers twine, i-rock rhinestones, Making Memories paper flowers (white)

Happily Ever After Challenged #16 - Sweet Sixteen!

Ted over at Happily Ever Crafter has a fun challenge going on in honor of his 44th birthday.  The challenge was to incorporate purple and green into a project and to use four of something. 

This challenge was right up my alley because I also love purple and green together!  Add four bright and shiny rhinestones and I've got it covered!

Here is the LINK if you'd like to participate, too!

Happy Birthday, Ted!!!  May all your wishes come true!

Stamps: PTI Mat Stack One, Mat Stack Four
Cardstock: PTI white, Royal Velvet
Ink: SU Wild Wasabi, Momento black
Other: PTI doily die, Mat Stack Four die, SU rhinestones

A try at vintage...

I've never really tried the vintage look before but I've fallen in love with all the PTI sets which have recently come out that are geared around the vintage look.  I had fun mixing and matching these sets to come up with this card.  The tea dye duo inks made it really easy to add some aging and depth to the edges of the elements.

I think I'm going to like this whole vintage thing!

Stamps: PTI: Postmarks, Mat Stack 4, Tiny Tags, Background Basics Text Style.
Cardstock: PTI: Kraft, White.  SU: Baja Breeze, Groovy Guava.
Ink: SU: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip.  PTI: Chai (tea dye duo)
Other: PTI dies: Doily Details, Postage, Tiny Tags, Mat Stack 4. Cricut: hearts.  Martha Stewart butterfly punch. PTI: bakers twine. Flower: hand-rolled. 

Faith Flowers

I'm back with a project using another one of Mabelle's beautiful images from Whimsy and Stars Studio.  This sweet little girl with her pot of flowers is called "Faith Flowers" .  It looked like Spring had finally sprung around here today so I was inspired to make a cheery, bright, and flowery card.

A lot of times when using images of people, I can't figure out where to put the sentiment.  The fabulous new set Tiny Tags from Papertrey ink makes it so easy to add a sentiment as a little tag.  It's super easy too because there is a matching die to cut out all the little shapes of tags.

For this little tag I just threaded the tag with some baker's twine and hung it from behind the felt flowers.  You can't tell from the still photo, but it's kind-of fun how the little tag just dangles and swings free. 

I hope all of you were able to enjoy a bit of sunshine today and here's fingers crossed for more to come! Yay for Spring!

Stamps: "Faith Flowers" by Whimsy and Stars Studio, Tiny Tags by Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Stampin Up Baja Breeze, Perfect Plum, Melon Mambo
Ink: Perfect Plum (SU), Memento black, Copics
Other: Doily Details die (PTI), Tiny Tags die (PTI), i-rock tool and rhinestones, baker's twine (PTI), felt flowers (Making Memories), Cuttlebug dots embossing folder