Papertrey October Blog Hop Challenge

After a much too long hiatus from PTI's Blog Hop, I'm jumping back into the fun today with Painted Poinsettias paired with Holiday Double Cuts dies. Nichole had me @ poinsettia, but  when I saw these fabulous Double Cuts, I knew I had to place a much overdue order.  I seriously needed ink pads and it's pure bliss being surrounded by stacks of luscious colors today!

I finally settled on the 2nd color recipe of Pure Poppy, Raspberry Fizz, Hawaiian Shores and New Leaf.  After much deliberation, I actually worked in Hawaiian Shores in two areas -- can you tell what they are?

The leaf veins are pretty obvious, but my flowers' veins not so much!  To create the leaves without adding a non-palette color, I die cut the leaves from Vintage Cream CS, inked the whole leaf stamp in New Leaf, stamped off once, then huffed and stamped my BG.  Next I stamped just the vein using Hawaiian Shores -- I rather like them this way.

Gold or silver for the holidays is always nice, so I used Danielle Flanders' gold-dipped leaves from a recent MIM, gold on my flower center and gold paper for backing 'Merry'.  A sprinkle of red sequins finishes this holiday card.

It was an early-to-rise day @ our house, so not sure I can make it through the whole hop today, but I will soon, as I'm anxious to drink in all the inspiration I know awaits there!  ;)

Papertry February Blog Hop Challenge

Our challenge for Papertrey Ink's Blog Hop this month: ". . .it's all about being interactive! Show us how you take your cards to the next level, whether you have received your Movers & Shakers dies, or you're just inspired to create a pop up or swinging card without them". My most favorite interactive card for many years now has been this one from a 2005 SCS post here! I just love that it's invitation size card doesn't take up a lot of space, but once opened up, it stands perfectly flat on its base and isn't going to be always falling down or easily knocked over by a breeze or an elbow.  That's why it's an awesome get well card for either a hospitalized or home bound patient, child through adult -- sure to bring a smile when they open it and each time they see it sitting up so beautifully thereafter! Of course it's also perfect for any/every other occasion too! Keep it clean & simple for this one though, as you can't close it with a lot of bulky embellishments -- my photo below shows it in its closed position, ready for an A2 envelope!

PTI Products: CS: Plum Pudding, Lavender Moon; Stamps: Botanical Silhouettes; Inks: Plum Pudding, Lavender Moon, Ripe Avocado, True Black; Dies: Edgers #3
Non-PTI Product: Gems from stash

Sincere Thanks to BossKut & Scrap-Mart: New 'Pink' Lady Gazelle in the House!

This post is long over-due, as I was the unbelievably lucky winner of a fabulous new BossKut Gazelle 12" die cutting machine right before Christmas, thanks to not only BossKut, but Scrap-Mart who sponsored the Blog Hop/give-away!!! I am so grateful to both companies and I've been re-organizing my craft room, learning to use not only my lovely Gazelle but a Smart Phone and new laptop. Talk about technological overload -- LOL! I'm hoping to soon be posting more projects created with my sweet Pink Lady.
Quite a colorful beauty, isn't she? BUT, don't be fooled by her bright feminine exterior, as there's definitely a powerful machine beneath that exterior -- never underestimate a pretty feminine exterior, right Ladies?! She can cut everything from the thinnest vellum to chipboard, magnetic material, balsa wood, shrink plastic, etc. with 500 g of pressure. I've already cut shrink plastic (see some of the wine charms here)! Go here if you want to see all the specs for yourself. I hope to soon add more of the awesome available tools that will further enhance my creativity with the Gaz and I'm very anxious to cut some vinyl. This post shows one of my first cards wherein I created the lattice BG on my card with my Gaz! The possibilities are literally endless -- I'd wanted this machine for a long time, so I'm now ready to delve into all that she can do and it's a LOT more than mentioned here!

Mat partially loaded & both side storage drawers open.

This photo shows the mat partially loaded and both storage drawers slid open. BossKut thought of everything when building her, as we can all use more storage and these perfectly hold the dongle (flash drive that comes with the machine which allows Gaz's use on more than one computer), spare blades, etc. If you're thinking of a die cutting machine, check out the Gaz!!!

Papertrey Ink January Blog Hop: Favorite 2011 Project Challenge

Picking my favorite 2011 Papertrey Ink project wasn't at all difficult, probably because I adore the Half & Half  stamp set, and also love the fabulous fonts from Botanical Silhouettes!

I've followed basically the same LO for today's Blog Hop, but created a totally different look with Turning a New Leaf DP  for my BG and also using the Half & Half die for my sentiment (Inside & Out: Birthday). Perhaps this might work for a 'guy' card?


My focal bird on a branch image (Iconic Images) is fussy cut and Ripe Avocado edging repeats underneath, as well as along the right edge (Edgers #3), which I think helps balance the design.

My only non-PTI products are the green hemp cord from my stash and Antique Linen Distress Ink. Thanks for stopping by & enjoy the Blog Hop; I KNOW I will!!!

Papertrey Ink November, 2011 Blog Hop

For my quick/easy Christmas card inspired by the photo Nichole chose for Papertrey Ink's November Blog Hop, I've used Papertrey's Half & Half die for my main focal piece and stamps from two Christmas sets. I was obviously inspired by the colors in the photo, the red/white checked pillow and the snowflakes. Since my card is quite simple and self-explanatory, I'll just list the supplies below and let you get on your way to the next blog, but thanks so much for stopping by today!

Papers: Pure Poppy, Shimmer, White CS; Holiday Vintage Prints DP
Stamps: 2009 Holiday Tag Collection; Vintage Ornaments (sentiment)
Inks: VersaMark & Ripe Avocado
Die: Half & Half (both for main focus & sentiment tag!)
Other: White Diamond Embossing Powder; Hero Arts Gems; Copic G07 Marker, ribbon from my stash

Papertrey Ink August, 2011 Blog Hop: Inspirational Photo Challenge

An inspirational photo (shown below) challenged us this month for Papertrey Ink's blog hop -- another great photo because it can be interpreted in so many ways! My inspiration came from the lady's checked dress and the bouquet of flowers. Every product used on my very CAS card is available at Papertrey Ink with the exception of the DMC embroidery floss and Sakura Jelly Roll glitter pen.
Using PTI's Stampers Select White CS for my 1/4 fold card, I die cut the right edge with Edger's #3 Die. Bitty Box Basics paper was used to cut a Half & Half die shape, as well as a 1" piece with the Edger's die. I glued this inside my card's right edge so it just peeks out for a tiny pop of color. LOVE the Half & Half and edger dies and I will use the larger edger on my envelope's edge too!
My stem, flower and sentiment from Botanical Silhouettes are stamped with Landscape and Raspberry Fizz inks. I think the Jelly Roll glitter pen adds a nice touch to my bloom! Then I simply tied embroidery floss through a PTI button for a very quick and simple finish.

Thanks for coming by and have a hopping good time today!!!

Papertrey Ink July 2011 Blog Hop: Inspirational Photo Challenge

Hooray -- it's time for Papertrey Ink's July Blog Hop! Needing a masculine birthday card, I felt these inspiration colors would be perfect! Taking inspiration from the blinds on the window, I die cut Mat Stack 1 from balsa wood. With Dark Chocolate ink, I simply picked the ink up on a stiff-bristled brush and "dry brushed" it onto my die to better simulate the blinds. I then die cut Spellbinders Labels Eleven from Orange Zest CS, embossed lines with a Cuttlebug folder (based on the slats in the blinds and the stripes on one pillow).
All papers, stamps, inks and Mat Stack Die are PTI!

 

I'm so excited to see what everyone else created!

Papertrey Ink's Stamp-a-faire Challenge 6

EDITED TO ADD: Oops, I was a bit too late to get this one posted at PTI -- had a blast anyway!!!  ;-)

For the last challenge from Papertrey Ink tonight for me, I chose to do a very simple Christmas Card, using Wreath for all Seasons, stamped in Ripe Avocado Ink on PTI's gorgeous Gold CS and using a Merry Christmas sentiment from the same stamp set.

The challenge here was to use a "notch" of some type (your choice) to secure your ribbon/trim of choice in place. There are truly so many options for this fun embellishment "holder", but I simply used a 1/4" punch to securely hold my 1/4" red satin ribbon in this instance.


I had sooo much fun today/tonight playing in all the challenges issued but one -- wish I had just a bit more time to also do that challenge, but I'm a  "slow" stamper as a rule, so feel pretty good that I got this many finished.

Thanks for your visits!!!!

Papertrey Ink's Stamp-a-faire Challenge 8

For Challenge 8 today, I wanted to create a soft, subtle card, with just a pop of glitter to spice it up. Need to send this to a friend who's having a rough time -- always nice to know you're in someone's thoughts!
I took my cue from the colors Nichole used and then added Turquoise and Diamond glitter glue to the Friends Til the End flower center and to my fun edge created with Background Basics: Tin Types. I just love doing a card with this fun edge technique and must remember to do so more often -- it can add sooo much!!!
Finishing it all off, I took a length of PTI's 1/4" silk ribbon, added it to a snack-size baggie, rubbed my BG15 Aqua Copic along the inside of the bag, spritzed it with Copic Colorless Blender and sealed it. I then smushed it around until my ribbon was the perfect shade, dried it for a minute under the ceiling fan (because the Copic solution is alcohol-based, drying time is very fast!), wrapped it around my card and tied my bow.
Six challenges down, four to go -- doubt I'll finish them all in less than two hours, but it's been sooo FUN!!!

Papertrey Ink's Stamp-a-faire Challenge 7

For Nichole's 7th challenge of the day we were to try to combine 2 or 3 images from different sets together. I don't have a lot of the fabby newer sets (sadly), but I love finding ways to combine those I do have.

Here I've used the large leafy image from Four of a Kind with the flower from Botanical Silhouettes, as well as my sentiment and the grass on the right side. The sweet little birdie is from Everyday Classics -- YIKES, I seem to be a "bird" roll today! All papers, stamps, inks are Papertrey Ink.

Off to see what challenge I can try next -- I just love doing these and only wish we had the chance more often, as it's really fun to get on a crafting roll (and even more so when there's a fabulous prize to be won)!!! Thanks for stopping in!

Papertrey Ink's Stamp-a-faire Challenge 5

My faux border for this challenge was created using a solid flower stamp from Papertrey Ink's Four of a Kind stamp set, placed along my left edge in Raspberry Fizz ink. I then stamped the vine in Ripe Avocado ink from Turning a New Leaf, added the floral burst image and my sentiment from Botanical Silhouettes. 

The addition of leaf ribbon along the edge and a little bird from Colorbok's Flea Market line finished off this challenge card -- wish I thought I'd be able to complete all today's great challenges, but I don't think it will be possible, sadly! ;~(  Sooo much fun to try though!!!

Papertrey Ink's Stamp-a-faire Challenge 1

My decorative element strip for this challenge (here) is made using Guide Lines and for the very first time (though I purchased it looong ago) I've used Guide Lines Grid Sheets for my CS -- who woulda thought?!  LOL!!!

I also chose to do a strip of a fav patterned paper from PTI, Dotty Biscotti punched with Fiskars Upper Crest punch.

PTI's Round & Round stamps are what I chose for my focal image as well as for my birthday greeting which I stamped on a Spellbinders' banner die.

All papers, stamps, ink are by PTI and the ribbon is something unknown that's been in my stash forever (right alongside that grid paper). Now that I've used it, it's likely to become a fav.

Papertrey Ink's Stamp-a-faire Challenge 3

For this fun challenge today (here) I wanted to use one of my fav stamps from Everyday Button Bits. The challenge is to punch a window from your card cover and tie ribbon or twine from the window to the side of your card. As it turned out, the only PTI buttons large enough in my stash for my bicycle were pale yellow, but I really LOVE the soft color palette I ended up with!!!

Paper: PTI's Kraft and Fine Linen CS; Dotty Biscotti DP
Stamps: Everyday Button Bits
Ink: Dark Chocolate
Accessories: PTI's Mat Stack 1 Die and Spring Mix Vintage Button Collection; Martha Stewart Ribbon; Copic Marker E31

Papertrey Ink's Stamp-a-faire Challenge 2

Since Dawn McVey's card and signature color are featured for this challenge, I've used her Scattered Showers' stamp set for my simple card. I chose the sentiment to let everyone at Stamp-a-faire in Cincinnati today know how happy I am that you were able to share in the fun we at home know you're having! We're also happy to be able to share in that fun via Twitter and Nichole's blog!!!  This is the first challenge (of many I hope) to enter a card for today, so had to make it one for all of you out there like me who LOVE PTI!

Paper: Raspberry Fizz, Smokey Shadow, White CS; Bitty Dot Basics DP
Stamps: Scattered Showers
Ink:  Charcoal; Raspberry Fizz
Accessories: Tag Sale #1 Die, Rickrack Border; Copic Marker C-5; heart gem from stash

Papertrey Ink June 2011 Blog Hop: Color Inspiration

I took my inspiration for Papertrey Ink's June 2011 Blog Hop from the colors in the wall and the tulle on the dance wear in the inspiration photo. Using various widths of PTI CS and DPs, I zig-zag stitched them together to form my card's BG.

I next cut 2 white tags from Tag Sale #1 die and after stamping my sentiment and decorative details and adding pearls to one tag, I ran a basting stitch through a piece of tulle, gathered it and folded it to create two layers. Then I adhered the tulle with Scor-Tape along the back edges of the stamped tag and used Scor-Tape to adhere the 2nd tag to the back to finish it. Ribbon and tulle through the tag's top finish it off.

I'm very anxious to see what fabulous creations everyone else posts today!

All CS/DP, stamps, ink (Papertrey Ink)
Pearls (ZVA Creative)
Ribbon & Tulle (from stash)

Papertrey Ink May 2011 Blog Hop: Flowers

Papertrey Ink's monthly Blog Hop time again and this was a very fun one, as the theme was your favorite take on flowers! I was the lucky giveaway winner of the Limited Edition CHA 2010 stamp set, Four of a Kind. This set features these awesome big flowers and large-scale sentiments -- perfect for what I wanted to create -- a Shrinky Dink keychain tag. Don't you just love seeing the scale of the stamps on the accompanying card versus those on the tag, knowing both were made with the exact same stamps? So fun!
Needing a large die, I chose #3 (#1 being the smallest) Spellbinders' Grand Scalloped Oval, using it for both tag and card. Cutting my polyshrink plastic first, I then punched a large hole and stamped with Ripe Avocado, Raspberry Fizz and True Black inks. No need to let dry as heating with my heat gun to shrink sets the ink. I just love how it turned out! I simply die cut another scalloped oval with the same die, stamped my card (5" x 6 1/2") and finished it off by rounding the corners,  adding knotted PTI Swiss Dot ribbon and then ZVA Creative Pearls to both card and tag and it's all ready to give away! Anxious to see all the creative ideas I KNOW will appear throughout this Blog Hop today!!!

Papertrey Ink March 2011 Blog Hop: Embroidery Floss and CR84FN20 Color Challenge

Papertrey Ink's Blog Hop challenge this month is to use embroidery floss in a fun and inventive way on
your project. I kept my spring project fairly CAS, but had fun creating a much-needed birthday card for my stash in the process.
I chose Lavender Moon CS, stamping Background Basics: Petal Power in VersaMark Ink on the right side and added Bitty Box Basics in Lavender Moon on the left. After punching small holes in the points of all my Beautiful Blooms II die-cut flower petals, I laced DMC Floss #3836 through the petals and added a floss star burst to the center. A tiny purple gem completes my flower. The stem and leaves are die cut with the rickrack border die and my Everyday Button Bits sentiment is stamped on a Spellbinders die and secured with embroidery floss.
Enjoy the hop -- I cannot wait to see what everyone else came up with for this fun challenge!
ETA:  Due to a couple sweet suggestions from friends/commenters (thanks, Ladies!), I am also entering this card in the following fabulous weekly challenge: CR84FN20 Color Challenge!

Papertrey Ink January 2011 Blog Hop "Wannabe" Sweet Love Valentine

Had I had a chance to participate yesterday this would have been my Papertrey Ink card for their January Blog Hop, but family came first and my card is "a day late and a dollar short", as my sweet Mother used to say -- Sigh!!! I really enjoyed pulling out this little used PTI Sweet Love set and inking it up. You can't go wrong with Raspberry Fizz and black, so I simply stamped the swirly BG and sentiment in True Black ink, added 2 heart-shaped Amuse twinkles colored with Copic RV19 to a vellum Mat Stack 1 die cut. Then my centerpiece was added to a silver doily from my stash and mounted front & center over black velvet ribbon!

Papertrey Ink December 2010 Blog Hop: Holiday Leftovers

Papertrey Ink's December Blog Hop challenge is to recycle holiday leftovers -- the wrapping paper, ribbon, tags, etc. -- into a new creation. For this challenge I used gorgeous pine cone wrapping paper in coppery brown, cream and gold to die cut one large pine cone, framing it with metallic gold foil cut from the largest Spellbinders' Lacey Square. I then cut my PTI Vintage Cream CS into a 5 1/4" square card, cutting off the lower tip of the "diamond" so it will stand. I stamped my Happy Winter sentiment from PTI's Wreath for All Seasons in Dark Chocolate ink on a Spellbinders' tag. I altered the end of the tag by snipping off the right ribbon slot with my curved scissors and slipped it onto cream raffia that had been tied to the handles of a wine/cheese gift bag we received this year. I ran the raffia through the lacey slots on the left and right at the top of my frame, tied a bow, and it's all ready to be given away to brighten someone's day!

Papertrey Ink November 2010 Blog Hop: Holiday Tags

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in the USA and greetings to everyone in other lands!
For Papertrey Ink's Blog Hop, I chose red, gold and cream to create my 2010 Christmas Tags. I love gold this time of year and have included it here in the forms of some favorite gold paper from years ago, with the Peace, Love, Joy stamp from 2009 Holiday Tag Collection stamped in VersaMark and embossed with gold EP.
It is pop dotted over my Mat Stack 1 die cut from Vintage Cream CS and gold embossed with the swirly BG stamp from Round & Round. This is finally pop dotted to a Pure Poppy CS tag die cut with the Tag Sale #1 die for my simple tag.