PTI Make It Monday #182: Mason Jar Stamping

This month's Make-It-Monday challenge is hosted by the Queen of Shabby Goodness, Melissa Phillips.  She has shown us her techniques for creating fun home decor by painting and embossing on mason jars.  If you would like to check things out for yourself, you can find all the info here.

For this challenge, I first painted my mason jar a vintage green color.  Then I stamped using the Autumn Adornments set using white, orange, and red embossing powders.  I decorated a trimmed down Tag Sale #9 with a sentiment from Sunflower Bouquet.  I tied on some ribbon and trims using Melissa's fabulous junk bow technique and lastly, added a few crinkled and inked leaf die cuts to accent.

This technique was much easier than I'd anticipated and it sure gives a lot of bang for your effort!  Thank you, Melissa, for sharing your talent and ideas with us!

Thanks ever so much for stopping by!

PTI September Blog Hop

This month's PTI Blog Hop is an inspiration photo challenge.  Check out the gorgeousness that Nichole Heady has found to inspire us to get crafty:

So what do you think about that photo!  Isn't it just lovely?  I really like the pattern on the pail, the softness of the knit sweater, the purple berries, and the cool color palette.  What's not to like, right?  So let's get to some projects!

I started with the pail as inspiration.  I pulled out some embossing paste, tinted it grey, and used the PTI Twist cover plate as a stencil.

I added a sentiment from the Beautiful Brushstrokes kit, Sweet Life die cuts, Scribble Circle die cuts, some splatters of ink, and finished with a few drops of Glossy Accents to add some interest.

While I had the embossing paste out, I used another stencil to make an angled ombre(ish) pattern for this card:

I kept the card CAS, adding an ombre-inked die cut sentiment and some color-coordinated homemade enamel dots using Betsy Veldman's clever technique.

And, since I had all the stencils out, I decided to try an inking technique to make a colorful background for this card:

I used another sentiment and more die cuts from the Beautiful Brushstrokes kit.  I also crocheted a stand of grey yarn to use for the bow.  I really like the soft touch the yarn lends to the project.

The pattern of the pail made me think of Betsy Veldman's Luxe Letterpress impression plate.  I started with a lavender moon panel and masked off around the center panel to stamp the floral pattern.  When I was done, I decided it was all too monochromatic (i.e. boring :), so I used the coordinating die to cut the center of the panel out and die cut the letter L from the center.  To finish, I positioned the center piece underneath an ivory impressed panel.

Lastly, I have a card using the interesting technique from this week's Make-It-Monday challenge.  Danielle Flanders showed us a neat way to craft with toilet paper.  Yes, I said toilet paper!  Image that!  If you would like to check out the video, the challenge, or the great projects made with toilet paper, you can find it all right here.

I added some color to my toilet paper medallion using splash inks.  I used Marybeth's idea of adding my medallion behind the card's front panel.  I like the finished look doing so lends to the project.  Thanks for the inspiration, Marybeth!

That's all for me today.  Thanks ever so much for stopping by!  Happy Hopping!

PTI Stamp-A-Faire 2014!

The event we've been waiting a year for is finally here!  I've been so excited!!!  There is so much crafty inspiration to be had and tutorials to drool over, I thought my head might explode!  ha!  The posts and videos are still free for the viewing, but the challenges aren't, so let me get right to it!  And, incase you would like to check out all the fun for yourself, you can find it on Nichole Heady's blog.

I got a late start this year, as there was a soccer game that I just couldn't escape!  On the bright side, I was able to get started around noon with a crafty friend by my side this year!  I was thrilled to be able to share in this craziness with someone who GETS it!  Thanks, Mackenzie!  :)

Here is the low down on the projects that were made over the weekend.  I'll be brief for now and edit to fill in with more writing tomorrow!

The Regency Era:

The 1920's Era:

The 1940's Era:

The 1980's Era:

Sadly, that's a SAF 2014 wrap!  I wish I had another week free to complete all the other eras!  I leave you with a photo of all the projects together:

Thanks ever so much for stopping by!

PTI Make It Monday #174: Diamond Wallpaper Stamping

This month's Make-It-Monday challenge is hosted by Ashley Cannon Newell.  She has shown us a technique for using our stamps to make a diamond wallpaper look for our crafting projects.  If you would like to check things out for yourself, you can find all the information here.

I thought this challenge would lend itself perfectly to a nautical theme, so I set about making a monogram card set to gift to my step-mother.  She and my father are happiest when they are cruising around on their boat in the sunshiny summertime.

I created my diamond pattern with New Leaf ink using the same stamp set and technique as Ashley.  I added the anchor image in Spring Rain ink followed by the rope image in Copic-safe Memento Expresso Truffle.  After coloring the rope image with Copics for some definition, the monogram was stamped with Blueberry Sky and Enchanted Evening inks.  The main panel was then added to some dark navy card stock.

While I usually gift card sets of 6 to 12 cards, I petered out after the second card in the set. lol!  The result is beautiful, but the stamping is a bit much.  I have until October to complete this project in time for my step-mother's birthday.  Anybody want to make a wager on whether I manage to make more cards to add to the set?  :)

Thanks ever so much for stopping by!

PTI Make It Monday #173: No Outline Watercolor - Part 2

This month's Make-It-Monday challenge is hosted by the talented Heather Nichols.  She has shown us a special technique for using our stamps to make us all look like watercoloring experts.  If you would like to check things out for yourself, you can find all the info here.

This is my second post for this week's MIM challenge.  If you would like to see some rainbow watercoloring using the No Outline Method, you can see them in this post. 

For this card, I used the PTI Harvest Berries stamp set and Distress Inks (which are turning out to be my favorite watercoloring medium to use for great vibrant colors).  After the watercolored panel was added to the card base, a strip of Pure Poppy was added along with a die cut from the Filigree Border die.  A sentiment from the Mini Blooms stamp set and a few wraps of red bakers twine finished off the project.

All supplies are from PTI (aside from the watercolor paper and Distress Inks).

Thanks ever so much for stopping by!

PTI Make It Monday #173: No Outline Watercolor

This month's Make-It-Monday challenge is hosted by the talented Heather Nichols.  She has shown us a special technique for using our stamps to make us all look like watercoloring experts.  If you would like to check things out for yourself, you can find all the info here.

For this challenge, I was able to make two 3x4 panels to use in my pocket scrapbooking projects.

The first panel uses the largest jar from the PTI Friendship Jar series.  I stamped the jar outline in a light aqua color and then carefully applied water to the entire inside.  Once the area was good and saturated, I used a small brush to apply a rainbow of Distress Ink colors: Festive Berries, Worn Lipstick, Spiced Marmalade, Mustard Seed, Mowed Lawn, Salty Ocean, Shaded Lilac, and Dusty Concord.  Once the panel had completely dried, I went back and stamped tiny stars in the same colors.  And when my order of printable transparencies arrive, I'll overlay a neat sentiment Danielle posted in the forum, "Magic is something you make."  While I love to make cards, I'm happy to be keeping this creation in my scrapbook!  :) 

The second panel is made using the sentiments from the PTI Wet Paint series.  The same Distress Ink colors were used on the "smile" portion of the sentiment.  The second part of the sentiment was stamped with Smokey Shadow ink.

I tried a new-to-me watercolor paper for these projects - Artistico Fabriano Hot Press 140lb (a purchase inspired by Betsy's Beautiful Brushstrokes kit).  I have to say that I regret stocking up on the cheaper stuff I bought at Michaels when it was on sale.  This Fabriano Hot Press paper is SO much better, that I don't think I'll ever go back!  I guess the kids have a new supply of watercolor paper to play with.  *wink*

Thanks ever so much for stopping by!

PTI July Blog Hop

This month's PTI Blog Hop is an inspiration photo challenge.  Check out the gorgeousness that Nichole has found to inspire us to get crafty:

I am really digging this photo!  The color palette, the shabby chicness, the lace doily, weathered wood, fabrics, and flowers … I love it all!  I had so many ideas and simply too little time to execute them all.  I did manage two cards that I'm pretty tickled with.  So glad you're here for me to share them with!

For the first card, I created the background using a base of Stampers Select White card stock swiped with one of my pigment ink pads, back and forth across the front until I reached a weathered wood look.  I accidentally swiped some ink past the folded line onto the backside of the card base.  I decided a little washi tape would cover that up nicely.  haha!  Super Stripes was used to create the plaid panel die cut from the Wine Bottle Tag die.  That was topped with a Circle Scribbles die and a tissue paper flower.  I colored the tissue paper with some Copic markers to get the right colors.  The Tiny Tag tied with twine tops it all off.

The second card uses a kraft panel for the base.  I swiped both white and green Gelatos (and, no, not the ice cream ;) across the front and softening the look by smudging it with a water-wetted finger.  I made the bouquet from the flowers in Betsy's Beautiful Brushstrokes kit (seriously LOVE that kit!), popping some flowers up with dimensional adhesive.  A rustic jute twine bow tops it all off.  No sentiment on this one.  I didn't feel that one fit into the design.  Even a Tiny Tag seemed too big and distracting.  Any suggestions for me in regards to adding a sentiment?

I was so happy to be able to participate in this month's blog hop.  It's been much, much too long!  Thanks ever so much for stopping by!

PTI Supplies:  
Stamps and dies:  Beautiful Brushstrokes, Tiny Tags, Super Stripes, Wine Bottle Tag, Scribbled Circles
Inks:  Berry Sorbet, Pure Poppy, Scarlet Jewel, New Leaf, Pinefeather, Hawaiian Shores
Card Stock:  Stampers Select White, Rustic White, Kraft

PTI Make It Monday #172: Rainbow Medallions

This month's Make-It-Monday challenge is hosted by the lovely Dawn McVey.  She has challenged us to delve into our stamp stash and find stamps to create a rainbow medallion on our cards or other projects.  If you would like to check things out for yourself, you can find all the info here.

I lucked out by finding a great stamp to use in the first set I picked up - Solid Stitches and Swirls.  I started with heat embossing a circle frame for the center of my medallion.  Next, I used a technique Dawn used on one of her recent cards, first stamping in white ink on my kraft card stock before re-stamping over the top with my rainbow of colors.  

Since my "medallion" stamp was actually comprised of two separate stamps, I took advantage of it and stamped with two shades of each rainbow color.

The sentiment from Betsy Veldman's new Beautiful Brushstrokes Make It Market kit fit into the center perfectly!  Have I mentioned just how much I am LOVING that kit??

All supplies are from PTI.  Thanks ever so much for stopping by!

PTI Make It Monday #171: Pop Up Die Cuts

This month's Make-It-Monday challenge is hosted by the very talented Betsy Veldman.  She has shown us a fabulous idea of using our dies to partially cut to create pop-ups for use on our cards or other projects.  If you would like to check things out for yourself, you can find all the info here.

I looked through my stash of dies and untimately decided upon using the same die that Betsy used in her showcase card, as well as the same sentiment.  I started with a white card base and lightly outlined in pencil where the butterfly would go.  I then stamped a floral pattern using the stamps from Betsy's Beautiful Brushstrokes Make It Market kit (LOVING that kit!)

The front panel is cut slightly narrower than the card base and the butterfly was partially die cut from it.  I then used Betsy's clever method to easily attach the contrasting color butterfly die cut and the front panel all in one step.  Here is the final result:

All supplies are from PTI.  Thanks ever so much for stopping by!

PTI Make It Monday #155: Create your own confetti with dies

This month's Make-It-Monday challenge is hosted by the very talented Danielle Flanders.  She has shown us a fabulous idea of using our dies to cut our own confetti for use on our cards or other projects.  If you would like to check things out for yourself, you can find all the info here.

Danielle's showcase card was so fun and festive, I just couldn't help CASEing it … twice!  The first card I made followed Danielle's card quite literally.  I didn't use washi tape as Danielle had, but instead just randomly glued my confetti on the  card.

For the second card, I used clear packaging tape instead of washi to gather a random grouping of confetti.  Then I filled in with some small confetti and topped the remaining sticky spots with clear glitter.  

I love the festive look the glitter adds to the confetti!

I have been making an effort to decorate the inside of my cards lately, and if I remember, decorate the envelope too.  :)

Thanks ever so much for stopping by!

PTI Make It Monday #154: One-layer Cards

This month's Make-It-Monday challenge is hosted by Erin Lincoln.  She is just fabulous and has provided some tips on how to add dimension and interest to our one-layer cards.  If you would like to check things out for yourself, you can find all the info here.

Having just received my new Make-It-Market kit, I couldn't wait to break out that gorgeous impression plate.  I used it here with plain 'ole Stampers Select card stock.  Isn't it gorgeous?!?  I added some colorful flowers from Bold Bouquet along with a pretty script sentiment.

I even went the extra mile to decorate the inside of the card and make a matching envelope as well.

Thanks ever so much for stopping by!