Pink Passion for Papertrey Birds of a Feather

I'm posting this card as my entry for this week's Pink Passion challenge @: http://caardvarks.blogspot.com/.

Since I just received my first Papertrey Ink order, I wanted to play with the Birds of a Feather set. I have to say, "I just LOVE it"!!! These stamps are so detailed and just so sweet! There are so many phrases included to use in so many ways!!!

Did I say yet that I just LOVE these stamps?!!! If you're not familiar, go immediately (do not pass GO, do not collect $200 -- though you're surely going to wish you could spend that $200 when you get here): http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/ for her wonderful blog & to the left you'll see her store -- enter at your own risk, as I'm warning you, you're going to fall in love too!!! ;-) I also have to say that I love that their stamps sets include a matching "hand stamped by" phrase to coordinate with that set!!!
To make this little card I actually used this tutorial: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ee/index.php/resources/tutorials/camis_trifold_card/.

Paper: DCWV's Pink #1 cardstock; white cardstock

Stamps: Papertrey Ink's Birds of a Feather set

Inks: Papertrey Ink's Custom Palette Hybrid Inks: Spring Moss, Berry Sorbet & Summer Sunrise

Ribbon: Martha Stewart's Valentine Ribbons

Tools: Crop-a-Dile II; SU's Slit Punch

Happy Birthday, Gwen!!!

Tomorrow is my friend Gwen's birthday, so here's the card I made for her. I felt it still needed something else, but couldn't quite figure out what, so had to just get it mailed! I don't know why, but cards for those I'm closest to are the hardest cards to make, even if the recipient isn't a papercrafter, tho Gwen is a fabulous papercrafter, as well as being THE BIRTHDAY GIRL! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GWEN!!!

Paper: Neenah Paper's Classic Columns Solar White Cover; brown scrap & pink metallic scrap

Embellishments: Creative Imaginations Epoxy Flowers; Making Memories Curling Tags

Tools: Making Memories Tag Curler; Crop-a-dile; Stampin'Up's Slit Punch

Black & Cream Linen Damask Card

A very simple card done on black & cream linen card stock using JudiKins Regal Damask stamp. It didn't turn out quite like I'd envisioned, probably due to how the Versafine ink looks on the linen textured paper. I might like it better on smooth paper, but I decided I'd just add the double-scalloped edge & keep it simple. I think this stamp could be used for many occasions and have a couple more ideas in mind to try.

Baroque Fleur de Lis

I really like the scalloped edge made with the Stampin' Up slit punch! This card was stamped with Stampin' Up's Baroque background and fleur de lis from the Carte Postale set. Once again I've used the Palette Stamp & Stick Gluepad and gold leafing. The double-sided white-core cardstock purchased from Costco has coordinating colors on each side.

Slit Punch Tutorial Cards

This first card was sent to our dear friends in MN as a thank you for their wonderful hospitality when we visited them during our summer vacation in August. They have an awesome home with breathtaking views right on Lake Minnetonka. This card was inspired by Julia Stainton's Slit Punch Tutorial and uses the same DS Stampin'Up papers and stamps she used. I was amazed to see that she had used the papers I'd just ordered when I found her tutorial explaining the scalloped edge with a punch I'd had for quite awhile. How exciting to have a new technique for a tool you already own! The card design is unique too, in that it opens below the scallops & holds a gift card in the bottom inside pocket -- perfect for my needs! The green/blue/brown card was my creation to share with our card group in September and uses Bohemia DS papers by My Minds Eye (one of my favorites) I found at Hobby Lobby while vacationing. I love that you can do so many things with these scallops: leave plain, add jewels, punch small holes only or add rivets or brads -- the possibilities limited only by our imaginations! An awesome card with a unique opening rather than the "same old/same old" as Gwen so aptly pointed out!