CAS-ual Fridays CFC62 - Take 2

CAS-ual Fridays CFC62:  Create a Clean And Simple card using a black card base.

This week's CAS-ual Fridays challenge is to create a clean and simple card using a black card base.  If you would like to play along, you can find out all about it here.

For this card, I stamped my sentiment with Versamark ink and heat embossed it in white.  I colored the word "happy" with some Copic markers, matted the panel onto Summer Sunrise card stock, and then mounted it with foam dimensionals to my black card base.

Aside from those already mentioned, all supplies are from PTI.


Thanks ever so much for stopping by!

PTI July Blog Hop - Take 3

This month's PTI Blog Hop challenge is to gleam inspiration from the above photo and use it to create a project!  The photo looks so light and airy.  The color palette is a soft and citrus-y.  Isn't it just lovely inspiration?  If you would like to check things out for yourself, you can find out all about it here.

For my project I colored a pretty bouquet of flowers from TSG, paired with PTI's Rustic White card stock and a sentiment from Gracious Vases.

Thanks ever so much for stopping by!

PTI July Blog Hop - Take 2

This month's PTI Blog Hop challenge is to gleam inspiration from the above photo and use it to create a project!  The photo looks so light and airy.  The color palette is a soft and citrus-y.  Isn't it just lovely inspiration?  If you would like to check things out for yourself, you can find out all about it here.

I knew I wanted to make a card that focused on the gorgeous bouquet.  I went through my stash and decided to give the flower from Lily of the Valley a try.  I pulled out my watercolor paper, stamped the flower in Versamark ink, and heat embossed it with gold embossing powder.  I used a Q-Tip to rub some Snow White ink onto the flower buds and heat embossed them with a clear embossing powder.  I colored the flower with Copic markers, then broke out my distress inks and sponged around the flower with various colors.

This is the fun (and kinda scary) part ... spritz the entire piece with water until it is good and saturated.  I learned this technique from Betsy Veldman's post here.

Then, you set the project aside and wait.  I'd never spritzed over Copic marker before, but it didn't seem to affect it one little bit.  Whew!


I let the paper dry overnight, then stamped the sentiment and added a gold pen border to create a little distinction from the Melon Berry card base.  I think the gold border added that little something extra that the project really needed.  Thanks to Nichole Heady for that idea - she adds gold borders to her projects from time to time.

Other than those mentioned already, all supplies are from PTI.

Thanks ever so much for stopping by!

PTI July Blog Hop

This month's PTI Blog Hop challenge is to gleam inspiration from the above photo and use it to create a project!  The photo looks so light and airy.  The color palette is a soft and citrus-y.  Isn't it just lovely inspiration?  If you would like to check things out for yourself, you can find out all about it here.


I knew I wanted to make a card that focused on the gorgeous bouquet.  I decided to use the beautiful tulip bouquet in the Friendship Jar Spring Fillers set.  I also knew that I wanted to incorporate vellum to give that light and airy feel to my card.  My original idea was to create a gorgeous color wash for a background and overlay my bouquet on vellum.  I thought if I colored a bouquet and laid it over a color wash, that it would end up too busy, so I decided on an embossed bouquet outline.  I pulled out my watercolor paper and distress inks and I think I made a half dozen color washes before getting one that I liked.  

Next, I stamped the sentiment on vellum and let it dry well before stamping the bouquet in Versamark ink.  I sprinkled on some satin pearl embossing powder from A*Muse and carefully removed any embossing powder that was over the sentiment.  The result wasn't quite bright enough to stand out against the color-washed background, so I repeated the process, but this time with white embossing powder.  I mounted the color-washed piece to a Berry Sorbet card base and attached the vellum overlay.

I went back to the satin pearl embossed bouquet and decided to experiment with some Copic markers.  I really like the results as it gives a sort of watercolor look.  I attached the vellum to a Stamper's Select White card base.  I like this card so much better than my original idea!  Funny how that works sometimes.  I have a need to send this card out right away, so I'm planning to make another one soon to keep in my stash.  :)

Other than those mentioned, all supplies are from PTI.


Thanks ever so much for stopping by!

PTI Stamp-a-faire: Closing Ceremony

What a weekend!  I loved it all!

PTI Stamp-a-faire: Camp Card Set Challenge

Ahhhh, the weekend I've been waiting a year for!  Last year was Papertrey Ink's first annual Stamp-a-faire event.  It was held in Cincinnati and I was so fortunate to be able to attend.  It was awesome getting to meet in person all the wonderful PTI Gals whose blogs I read on a weekly basis!  I am so thankful that I had (and took) the opportunity to go last year, because ...


This year's Stamp-a-faire event was held online!  The PTI Gals did a fabulous job this year with all of the tutorials, videos, challenges, and forum chatting.  It was even better than I'd expected!  If you would like to check it out for yourself, you can find out all about it here.

The sixth challenge for the day was the Camp Card Set Challenge.  Nichole challenged us to create a card set, to give as a gift or to keep for ourselves, in an effort to keep the tradition of a handwritten note alive!  If you would like to play along, you can find out all about it here.


I knew I wanted to make a card set for my friend who is a Thirty-One consultant/director.  She likes to send her downlines cards from time-to-time and I wanted to make some cards that she could use for that purpose.  After a few failed design attempts, I went to my inspiration file and decided to CASE this card by Dawn McVey.

I wanted to keep the design all pink as that is the signature Thirty-One color.  I used  Bubblegum Glimmer Mist to spritz on the background, stamped a strip of houndstooth in Raspberry Fizz, and topped it with a strip of Raspberry Fizz PP in the leafy vine pattern.  A die cut rectangle out of Hibiscus Burst card stock was layered over a die cut scalloped rectangle of Raspberry Fizz card stock.  I stamped a different sentiment onto each rectangle and heat embossed them in white.  The star from Super Stars was stamped in Raspberry Fizz onto Stamper's Select White card stock and cut it out by hand.  The rectangle and star were both adhered with foam dimensionals.  I love the sentiments for this set - totally uplifting and motivational!  Hopefully my friend and her downlines will feel the same way.  :)

Aside from the Spellbinders dies, mist, and bling-bling, all supplies are from PTI.


Thanks to the PTI Gals for all the great inspiration they have provided today!


Thanks ever so much for stopping by!

PTI Stamp-a-faire: Ribbon Techniques Challenge - Dawn's Technique

Ahhhh, the weekend I've been waiting a year for!  Last year was Papertrey Ink's first annual Stamp-a-faire event.  It was held in Cincinnati and I was so fortunate to be able to attend.  It was awesome getting to meet in person all the wonderful PTI Gals whose blogs I read on a weekly basis!  I am so thankful that I had (and took) the opportunity to go last year, because ...

This year's Stamp-a-faire event was held online!  The PTI Gals did a fabulous job this year with all of the tutorials, videos, challenges, and forum chatting.  It was even better than I'd expected!  If you would like to check it out for yourself, you can find out all about it here.

The first challenge for the day was the Ribbon Techniques Challenge.  Each DT member provided a technique/tutorial utilizing a different ribbon technique and our challenge is to utilize one of them in a replica project or in one of our own.  If you would like to play along, you can find out all about it here.


I tried to do this card for the Limited Supply Challenge, but just couldn't make it work.  So, I changed up a few elements and added one of Dawn's super-fluffy bows as the finishing touch!  Thanks so much for the video tutorial, Dawn!!

Thanks to the PTI Gals for all the great inspiration they have provided today!


Thanks ever so much for stopping by!

CAS-ual Fridays CFC62

CAS-ual Fridays CFC62:  Create a Clean And Simple card using a black card base.

This week's CAS-ual Fridays challenge is to create a clean and simple card using a black card base.  If you would like to play along, you can find out all about it here.

The die cut word "Happy" is backed with a rainbow of chevron ribbon.  I heat embossed the sentiment "BIRTHDAY" in white.  I matted the focal panel on white and then attached that to my black card base with foam adhesive.

That rainbow color "pop" on black just makes me happy!


Thanks ever so much for stopping by!

PTI Stamp-a-faire: Limited Supply Challenge

Ahhhh, the weekend I've been waiting a year for!  Last year was Papertrey Ink's first annual Stamp-a-faire event.  It was held in Cincinnati and I was so fortunate to be able to attend.  It was awesome getting to meet in person all the wonderful PTI Gals whose blogs I read on a weekly basis!  I am so thankful that I had (and took) the opportunity to go last year, because ...

This year's Stamp-a-faire event was held online!  The PTI Gals did a fabulous job this year with all of the tutorials, videos, challenges, and forum chatting.  It was even better than I'd expected!  If you would like to check it out for yourself, you can find out all about it here.

The third challenge for the day was the Limited Supply Challenge.  Nichole provided a list of supplies we were allowed to use: Stamper's Select White, Hawaiian Shores, Aqua Mist, Simply Chartreuse card stocks, Hawaiian Shores Bitty Dot ribbon, Simply Chartreuse buttons, one floral stamp set of our choosing, and any inks, dies, twine, or glitter that we wanted.  Our challenge is to utilize only the supplies allowed to replicate one of the DT's projects or create one of our own.  If you would like to play along, you can find out all about it here.


I found this to be the most difficult of the challenges today - go figure!  I decided to use the Sweet Life stamp set.  I used Aqua Mist, Hawaiian Shores, and Ocean Tides inks on my die cut flowers.  I used New Leaf and Ocean Tides inks on my die cut leaves.  The sentiment is stamped in Smokey Shadow, which is now my new go-to for sentiments!

I adhered the focal image to my card base with removable adhesive so that I can put it on a panel of Aqua Mist impressed with the Giga Guidelines IP after the challenge is over.  ;)


Thanks to the PTI Gals for all the great inspiration they have provided today!

All supplies are from PTI.

Thanks ever so much for stopping by!

PTI Stamp-a-faire: Tie-Dye Techniques - Marbleized Technique

Ahhhh, the weekend I've been waiting a year for!  Last year was Papertrey Ink's first annual Stamp-a-faire event.  It was held in Cincinnati and I was so fortunate to be able to attend.  It was awesome getting to meet in person all the wonderful PTI Gals whose blogs I read on a weekly basis!  I am so thankful that I had (and took) the opportunity to go last year, because ...

This year's Stamp-a-faire event was held online!  The PTI Gals did a fabulous job this year with all of the tutorials, videos, challenges, and forum chatting.  It was even better than I'd expected!  If you would like to check it out for yourself, you can find out all about it here.

The fifth challenge for the day was the Tie Dye Techniques Challenge.  Nichole provided three different techniques/tutorials to achieve a tie-dye effect in our projects.  Our challenge is to utilize one of the techniques in a replica project or in one of our own.  If you would like to play along, you can find out all about it here.


I am completely new to the Marbleized Technique and decided it looked really cool to try.  I pulled out my Pure Poppy, Raspberry Fizz, and Orange Zest re-inkers, gathered a tray, some shaving cream, and my two DDs.  We stood at the kitchen table and watched as the magic happened!  My kids are at the age where tie-dye is all the rage, so I can see this technique being used for many a future birthday party card!  :)

I can't wait to play with the shaving cream again ... but this time with some cool boy colors!  I'm thinking Spring Rain, Spring Moss, and some Smokey Shadow ... hmmm, need to order a  Smokey Shadow re-inker!  ;)


Thanks to the PTI Gals for all the great inspiration they have provided!


Aside from the shaving cream and baker's twine, all supplies are from PTI.


Thanks ever so much for stopping by!

PTI Stamp-a-faire: Tie-Dye Techniques - Dye Ink Technique

Ahhhh, the weekend I've been waiting a year for!  Last year was Papertrey Ink's first annual Stamp-a-faire event.  It was held in Cincinnati and I was so fortunate to be able to attend.  It was awesome getting to meet in person all the wonderful PTI Gals whose blogs I read on a weekly basis!  I am so thankful that I had (and took) the opportunity to go last year, because ...

This year's Stamp-a-faire event was held online!  The PTI Gals did a fabulous job this year with all of the tutorials, videos, challenges, and forum chatting.  It was even better than I'd expected!  If you would like to check it out for yourself, you can find out all about it here.

The fifth challenge for the day was the Tie Dye Techniques Challenge.  Nichole provided three different techniques/tutorials to achieve a tie-dye effect in our projects.  Our challenge is to utilize one of the techniques in a replica project or in one of our own.  If you would like to play along, you can find out all about it here.


I decided to start with the Dye Ink Technique and pulled out a few different shades of yellow.  My first attempt didn't go so well.  For my second attempt, I used Lemon Tart, Harvest Gold, and Summer Sunrise inks, swirled in one large circle.  I added some water rings, as well as a few splatters for good measure.  My hope was to produce something resembling a sun, so that I could create a card using the pretty "Sunshine" sentiment from the Hello Sunshine set.

Thanks to the PTI Gals for all the great inspiration they have provided!


All supplies are from PTI.


Thanks ever so much for stopping by!

PTI Stamp-a-faire: Ribbon Techniques Challenge - Erin's Technique

Ahhhh, the weekend I've been waiting a year for!  Last year was Papertrey Ink's first annual Stamp-a-faire event.  It was held in Cincinnati and I was so fortunate to be able to attend.  It was awesome getting to meet in person all the wonderful PTI Gals whose blogs I read on a weekly basis!  I am so thankful that I had (and took) the opportunity to go last year, because ...

This year's Stamp-a-faire event was held online!  The PTI Gals did a fabulous job this year with all of the tutorials, videos, challenges, and forum chatting.  It was even better than I'd expected!  If you would like to check it out for yourself, you can find out all about it here.

The first challenge for the day was the Ribbon Techniques Challenge.  Each DT member provided a technique/tutorial utilizing a different ribbon technique and our challenge is to utilize one of them in a replica project or in one of our own.  If you would like to play along, you can find out all about it here.


At this point in the day, my 10 yr-old decided that she wanted to get in on the SAF fun, so we worked together and used Erin's technique for this project.  

The third heart is backed with red grosgrain ribbon topped with a stripe of multi-colored grosgrain.  The white panel is "popped" up from the red card base and the heart cut-outs let that red color show through.

Misc. ribbon from my ancient stash, heart die from A*Muse, and the rest of the supplies are from PTI.


Thanks ever so much for stopping by!

PTI Stamp-a-faire: Ribbon Techniques Challenge - Betsy's Technique

Ahhhh, the weekend I've been waiting a year for!  Last year was Papertrey Ink's first annual Stamp-a-faire event.  It was held in Cincinnati and I was so fortunate to be able to attend.  It was awesome getting to meet in person all the wonderful PTI Gals whose blogs I read on a weekly basis!  I am so thankful that I had (and took) the opportunity to go last year, because ...


This year's Stamp-a-faire event was held online!  The PTI Gals did a fabulous job this year with all of the tutorials, videos, challenges, and forum chatting.  It was even better than I'd expected!  If you would like to check it out for yourself, you can find out all about it here.

The first challenge for the day was the Ribbon Techniques Challenge.  Each DT member provided a technique/tutorial utilizing a different ribbon technique and our challenge is to utilize one of them in a replica project or in one of our own.  If you would like to play along, you can find out all about it here.


I chose to do a close replica of Betsy's project with ribbon flowers.  I changed the colors, sentiment, and used a solid satin ribbon instead of the bitty dot.

I used some natural stone beads for the flower centers and they faired the heat from the flame quite well.  These flowers were surprisingly fun to make - and quite magical in the way they just curled up and transformed into a fluffy flower.

I decided to go ahead and make this into a Mother's Day card for my MIL.  Next year, I'll be ahead of the game!  That is if, come next Mother's Day, I can actually find where I stowed the card ...  hehe!

Aside from the ribbon flowers and Mother's Day sentiment, all supplies are by PTI.


Thanks ever so much for stopping by!

PTI Make It Monday #74: Stamping on Texture

In this week's Make It Monday, Heather shows us tips & tricks for stamping on texture.  If you would like to check the challenge out for yourself, you can find all the info here.

For this challenge, I chose to first stamp a white card stock panel with a label basics frame, sentiment, and several floral fusion stamps in black.  Then I spritzed the panel with a little clear glimmer mist and texturized it with the Sunshine impression plate.  After letting it dry for a bit, I stamped additional floral fusion stamps in Harvest Gold, Summer Sunrise, Orange Zest, Berry Sorbet, and Pure Poppy inks.  The leaves are stamped in New Leaf ink.  The last step was to mount the panel onto an Orange Zest card base and wrap with some Charcoal bakers twine.  


I'd intended to place a barrier over the sentiment/label area before applying the impression plate, but, in all my brilliant haste, totally forgot ... oh well!  :)


Thanks ever so much for stopping by today!

PTI Make It Monday #73 & CAS-ual Fridays CFC60

Make It Monday #73:  Stamping on Patterned Paper


In this week's Make It Monday, Ashley shows us tips & tricks for stamping directly onto our patterned papers.  If you would like to check it out for yourself, you can find all the info here.


CAS-ual Fridays CFC60:  Text Me

This week's CAS-ual Fridays challenge is to use text in your Clean And Simple design.  If you would like to check out the challenge for yourself, you can find all the info here.

This card is so easy.  I bought some pre-printed card blanks and added some book print paper that was die cut, stamped, stacked and stitched for the butterflies ala Dawn McVey.  Love how she does that!  My plan is to make a set of these for my DD's teacher this upcoming year.

The supplies from PTI include Love Lives Here dies, Beautiful Butterflies stamps & dies, and New Leaf ink.


Thanks ever so much for stopping by!