My Sheri Crafts Challenge #155: Mother's Day

With Mother's Day just around the corner, we're asking you to create "something girly" for this go-round @ My Sheri Crafts!  I'm glad we're able to do something feminine, but not specifically for a Mother.

My inspiration began with a couple Spellbinders' dies today, quickly followed by three MORE Spellbinders' dies and NO stamping -- LOL!  I began by cutting poppies from Asters and Poppies Die D-Lites in Papertrey Ink's Spring Moss, then in Pure Poppy and using a bit of creative cutting to add them for my buds/flowers.  Next up I used Labels Fourteen for my sentiment, cut from Spellbinders' in'spire word die IN-012, and adding Want2Scrap's Labels Fourteen Lime Green gem border.

Then my PTI Vintage Cream card base seemed too plain, so I took my A-2 Fancy Ribbon Threader and did partial cutting twice, first cutting out the top, then reversing to cut the top again for my bottom edge by matching some of my previous cut-outs. To get a perfect border, I then lined up my A2 Matting Basics A die #5 (#1 being the smallest) and cut out the middle.  I'd not done partial die cutting in awhile, but it was just what my card needed today!

I'll be anxious to see your 'girly' creations posted over @ My Sheri Crafts!  ;~)

My Sheri Crafts #150: Cherry Pie Day!

In honor of Cherry Pie Day, coming up on February 20th, our latest challenge @ My Sheri Crafts is to create a project featuring EITHER a cherry or a pie.

I created a very CAS card for this challenge by stamping my cherry stamp onto watercolor paper in Papertrey Ink's Ripe Avocado and Pure Poppy inks (yes, my two FAV colors).  I then fussy cut and mounted them onto a Spellbinders' Petite Oval in Ripe Avocado and white Petite Scalloped Oval die cuts.  My base card is PTI's Stampers Select White layered with Pure Poppy CS and rounded @ the bottom corners.  A strip of cheery cherry plaid ribbon finishes off this fun little top-fold A2 card.

Please consider joining us with your cherry or pie project @ My Sheri Crafts for a chance to be our next Guest Designer!

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #147: Oh Christmas Tree

For our final challenge before taking a holiday break, we're asking you to create a Christmas card which MUST include a tree!

In my never-ending attempts to create pretty, but simple-to-mail cards for the holiday that are Post Office friendly, I created a card for this challenge! You see, most of my cards make my husband fret and worry that they'll never arrive or instead arrive in a plastic bag containing torn shreds of a formerly lovingly hand-made, signed and addressed personal card -- because that's happened once or twice. One dear friend saved his lovingly handmade birthday card and brought it from several states away to share w/us on a trip to AZ -- all contained in a plastic bag after being painstakingly put back together as best his wife could so that they could even begin to tell what it had possibly once actually looked like -- LOL!!!

Sooo, today's clean and simple card is one of those basically flat, unobstructed and easy-to-mail cards that my Hubby prefers and will likely go to one of our children.  I used Rubber Stampede's
"Evergreen" from 2001 stamped in Papertrey Ink's Ripe Avacado.  After first coloring just the trunk with a Tombow Mocha marker, I used a stamp positioner to stamp it onto my oval die cut. Then I inked it up in green and stamped again, following that with gold Stickles.  A piece of ribbon from Target's $1 bin ties through my Spellbinders' Grommet Tag, which I stamped with Papertrey Ink's Painted Poinsettias stamp set.

Sooo, create your very own simple or not-so-simple Christmas tree card and join in @ My Sheri Crafts Challenge!  ;)

Papertrey Ink: Painted Poinsettias in Neutral Shades

Just playing around today with my new PTI Painted Poinsettias and inks I recently purchased.  Wanted to take Nichole Heady's suggestion in the set's included 'tips' to try unconventional colors. Always a few on my list I know will appreciate non-traditional shades more than reds/greens.

I had neutral colors in mind, but added a hint of soft pink to my flower by embossing the stamp's petal layer in Desert Tapestry EP.  LOVE how it turned out!

From there I first stamped my sentiment in PTI's Classic Kraft ink, then VersaMark ink, offsetting it just a bit so when I heat embossed the Kraft would still show.  Like the effect that technique gave and how it ties in with my petals. My leaves were cut from PTI's Fine Linen CS and then the 'shading' inked in VersaMark and heat set. Next, the veins were stamped in Classic Kraft.

Finishing it off are a few Hero Arts sequins I've had forever (found when adding shelving in my craft closet) and a baker's twine bow from The Twinery.

I'm entering my card @ Christmas Card Challenges for Challenge #48 -- Anything Goes.

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!  ;)

Summer Card Camp 2: Week 2, Day 5

I was so taken with Jessica Witty's Layered Vellum card (and actually had two stamp sets used) that I just HAD to make my own. Once again, I pretty much CASEd her card, except I used a different color combo, mine being #4 of the 6 we were given on Friday.  Had a bit of trouble with ALL the hot pinks/raspberry ink shades I own on my vellum, both dye and pigment inks  -- NOT sure why? They only wanted to pool up/look splotchy on my flowers -- even after cleaning them extra well AND rubbing over them with a white eraser?! In the end, I used different flowers from the same set which where were a bit better.
Jessica's card layers begin with white CS. Stamp your first flowers near the center bottom in your neutral color, so that they basically look like a shadow in the BG. Mine is Memento's London Fog. Next, stamp a vellum piece the same size as your white base with grass/blooms a bit off the left edge. Finally, another vellum piece with stems/blooms at the right side and your sentiment near the top. My sentiment should have been about a half-inch or so lower, but I still think it's a sweet little card. I colored white crochet thread sporadically with a Cool Gray (C-5) Copic and wrapped it just at the edge of my vellum.

Wish I was a great photographer to truly do this card justice -- SIGH! I plan to create this card again in different colors as a sympathy card because I think it has such a peaceful, serene tone -- LOVE it!!!

Supplies:
Paper: Grey Bazzill CS; vellum
Stamps: PTI (Botanical Silhouettes); Technique Tuesday (Growing Wild & Long-Stemmed Sentiments)
Inks: Memento's London Fog & Pear Tart; PTI's Raspberry Fizz; VersaColor's Marigold

Summer Card Camp 2: Week 1, Day 1

(Updated version!)

Following Jennifer's colors and her sketch
quite literally for a flap-style card (wherein the recipient's greeting will go underneath the flap) and building a dimensional die cut, this is my first 'homework' for class -- life got crazy again! I love the 'chevron'-style BG stamping she taught us in her video -- really FUN and quite easy to achieve with her tips/tricks.
EDITED to add: New updated photo of same card, but I added orange gems (colored with a Copic marker) and ribbon -- after looking at this card for a couple days and battling allergy symptoms ever since Card Camp began, I felt this needed a 'punch', so here's my changes. Sure I'm not the only one who likes her cards better after a change or two?!

(Original version)

SUPPLIES: 
Paper: PTI's Aqua Mist & Spring Moss; white CS from stash
Stamps: PTI's Beautiful Blooms II and Everyday Button Bits (sentiment)
Ink: Memento Rose Bud, Tangelo & Dandelion
Dies: QuicKutz/Lifestyle Crafts Spring 2011 Gift Set (Alpha Letters)

Summer Card Camp 2: Pre-Class Challenge 2

For our 2nd Pre-Class Challenge for Summer Card Camp, we were given a sketch -- really had fun working on this as my fav style is classy & elegant, which I think this is!

Working with Papertrey Ink's Mehndi Medallion stamp set, I first began with Spellbinders' Radiant Rectangles, which I inked with Memento's Dandelion ink prior to embossing. Once my 'frame' was done I stamped the three medallions in Memento's Rich Cocoa, Dandelion and Pear Tart ink.

Next, I cut my sentiment banner with Spellbinders' Nested Pennants, inked the edge and stamped my sentiment from Papertrey Ink's Iconic Images in Rich Cocoa, then added a small medallion from each stamp set. Finishing it off, I adhered my Vintage Cream CS piece to a Dark Chocolate card and colored clear gems with Copic Markers and a brown Sharpie to add to each medallion.

So excited to see what fun we'll have when our actual classes begin tomorrow -- thanks for coming by for a peek!

My Sheri Crafts Challenge #112: Summer Solstice - Longest Day

For our new challenge @ My Sheri Crafts we're requesting you make a card or project with a summer evening in mind. It could be a sunset or a view from your porch -- just whatever says 'summer evening' to you!

My summer evening card involves a quiet bike ride -- time to enjoy nature and often here in the desert SW we'll see fascinating hot air balloons floating by! One of my favorite times is late evening just before the sun goes down! 

My card was stamped exclusively with Papertrey Ink stamps (Everyday Button Bits and Out on a Limb Revised) and inks (Dark Chocolate and Lavender Moon). A bit of colored pencil for my bike and PTI buttons for wheels and balloons, plus a touch of Antique Linen Distress inking along the edges of my PTI Vintage Cream CS and it was ready to attach to a Kraft card base.

Can't wait to see all the ideas everyone comes up with on this fun challenge, so please post yours @ My Sheri Crafts!!!

IBSIC#14: Sketch Challenge & Blog Candy

I had wanted to do this new challenge I found a couple of days ago & THEN discovered today that a sweet friend, Sue Lelli, is actually their Guest Designer for the challenge -- woo-hoo, Sue!!! Then I discovered I only had 2 hours 40 minutes left to get a card made. IF you know me, I'm normally a very s-l-o-w crafter, so this was truly a RUSH job, but I did know what I wanted to do (a badly-needed male get well card) and I knew what papers I was going to use! So here is my very first Inspired by Stamping Inspiration Challenge entry:

This card is for a very dear friend of ours who just had his second knee replacement surgery (shhh--don't tell him, Marilyn)! I'll be mailing it tomorrow! We are only too familiar with that surgery here, since me beloved hubby has had both his knees done also. These two guys will now be able to enjoy more golf together this coming winter, I'm sure!

For John's card I've followed the fabulous sketch from ISBIC (one I'll surely be using again!) and layered fun papers I just recently found from 7 Gypsies "Venice" 6x6" paper pad. My card stock BG paper is Dark Chocolate from Papertrey Ink and my Grand Labels Eleven is cut from both PTI Kraft and Venice paper, offset at the top a bit from each other. Atop that I cut 2 tags from Ribbon Tags Trio 3 in orange and more Venice DP and then simply trimmed away a bit @ the top/bottom to reveal my orange Bazzill beneath. The reverse side of the striped paper is then laced through my tag. Finishing off this quick/simple card are orange Bazzill buttons threaded with fibers from SEI's Madera Island line.

That's it -- thanks for coming by and let me know how you like my 'less than 2-hour masculine get well card' and be sure to stop by and check out this FUN challenge here and leave the other ladies posting there some LOVE -- I know I will later this evening!!!

BBTB2 Rose Challenge

My sweet DT teammate Glenda is hosting a challenge @ by Bitten By The Bug 2. Since my neighbor Elaine has left her spare Cricut at my house, I thought it would be fun to see IF I had something that would work on the few cartridges of hers I've borrowed. The requirement is to use a rose on your project.

Since I'm a Cricut novice, I kept my card very simple. The rose is cut from the Wild Card cartridge, using text-weight shimmer paper another thoughtful friend Marilyn sent me. Using a Spellbinders grommet tag (cut in half), I stamped a sentiment from Papertrey Ink's Mixed Messages, tied on some embroidery floss and then tucked it underneath my rose that's mounted onto a doily from my stash. Finishing off my card is a gorgeous lace given to me by my very sweet DT teammate Charlotte, a piece of ribbon and a few Want2Scrap pearls.

Wow -- re-reading this, I realize I'm a very lucky lady between Glenda, Elaine, Marilyn, Charlotte and all my fabulous DT teammates and our amazing Team Leader Sheri (who made sure I knew about this challenge) -- I'm totally counting my many blessings today!!!

Masculine Get Well: Tim Holtz and JustRite Style

We've had a bunch of family/friends with various health concerns lately and I'm very hopeful it's over already! I needed a couple masculine cards and thought this would bring a smile to both intended recipients' faces. I chose PTI's Kraft CS, a staple for me when doing masculine themes, as well as darker colors.
I started with a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card base and using Spellbinders' Labels Seven, die cut a piece of Core'dinations' Ebony & Ivory with Kraft core and embossed with Diamonds in the Rough EF just along the edge, sanding lightly for more dimension. I stamped Tim Holtz fabulous old pickup truck in VersaFine Onyx Black, die cut again with Labels Seven and attached off center to my previous label. Next I used JustRite's Times New Roman 15-pt. Alpha stamps to create my sentiment (both inside and out), die cutting the front one with SBs' retired Labels 5, distressed with Black Soot ink, added screw brads and attached with foam tape.

Here's my stamped inside sentiment:

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

Papertrey Ink's Movers & Shakers Challenge

I made a card similar to this for my MIL in 2008 and loved the concept of the spiral inside that opens up to surprise the recipient and now Nichole @ Papertrey Ink has come out with several fabulous dies that will make all types of interactive cards -- so FUN!!!  Her challenge for us was to create an interactive card today! Again it's late, so keeping it short -- be back soon!!!



PTI Products:  CS: Lavendar Moon, Plum Pudding, Spring Moss & White; Ink: True Black; Stamps: Autumn Blessings & Four of a Kind (sentiments), Beautiful Blooms II (flowers); Dies: Mat Stack 1, Beautiful Blooms II, Edgers #3
Non-PTI Products: Spellbinders' Oval die; Sticko Dimensional Stickers

Papertrey Sketch Challenge

I chose this very simple Papertrey Ink Fifth Anniversary sketch to create a thank you card I needed, using Papertrey's Vintage Cream, Dark Chocolate and Spring Rain CS, and a sentiment from Iconic Images stamped in Dark Chocolate. Side tabs were cut from Spellbinders' Nested Lacey Pennants, Making Memories square buttons were sewn on with DMC embroidery floss and a line of holes was pierced below my sentiment for added interest. That's it -- short & sweet!

Papertrey & Pinterest: Masculine Valentine Card

Front of Card

My Papertrey challenge inspiration came from the adorable birdie card created by Heather Nichols shown below, which I found here (3rd from left) on Pinterest. It's a FAV place of mine to hang out & peruse the unbelievable inspiration!
I wanted to create a masculine Valentine card and I'm not one who can use any pink or frilly items on my guy cards! I think this will fit the bill perfectly since it's for a close family member.

Inside of Card

I've used Papertrey's Kraft, True Black & Pure Poppy CS; Bitty Box Basics Smokey Shadow DP; and "Forever" from Everyday Classics stamp set.
Other products include red twill tape, black button and black twine from my stash, as well as JustRite Alpha stamps on the inside to complete my sentiment, and Spellbinders' Nested heart die.

Papertrey Ink: Color Challenge

Papertrey Ink's Fifth Anniversary celebration continues today with a Color Challenge. Using DT member Danielle Flanders' fav color combo shown below:




my card includes PTI's Raspberry Fizz, Hawaiian Shores, Summer Sunrise CS and Pure Poppy Ink, as well as Vintage Labels, Sweet Love and Heartfelt Basics stamp sets. My DP is Martha Stewart's Enchanted Woodland and the ribbon is from my stash.





The fun continues right through Papertrey's February release on the 15th, so I hope to have a chance to enter another challenge or two!  The hour is late, my brain is tired, so I'm keeping this 'short & sweet', but I always sooo appreciate your coming by!  ;~)

Papertrey Ink & Our Favorite Things

One of my FAV times each year is here: Papertrey Ink's Anniversary celebration (#5 this year)! Sooo much fun, sooo many fabulous prizes and SOOO much awesome inspiration -- be sure to check it out & perhaps join in between today and the monthly new product reveal on the 15th!

Today Nichole is highlighting her awesome DT members and each one chose her top 5 favorite products. Our challenge is to choose one designer's favorite pictured project and create our own inspired by it. I chose Jessica Witty's gorgeous card shown below.

LOVE her embossed doily and since I need more valentines, I played off that and two of my FAV 2011 products: Half & Half dies and Edgers #3 dies, as it's just hard to NOT use them (again)! Thank you, Jessica, for such fabulous inspiration -- I LOVE my card & it all began with your gorgeous card!!! All you PTI DT Ladies are so inspiring every day -- thanks for ALL you do!!!
PTI Product: Stamps: Background Basics: Text Style & Sweet Love (Sentiment); Dies: Half & Half & Edgers #2; CS: Pure Poppy & Stamper's Select White; Ink: True Black
Non-PTI Product: Want2Scrap Pearl Nestabling; Martha Stewart Doily; Making Memories Stick Pin & Baker's Twine; Spellbinders' Classic Heart die; pearls from stash

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!!!