too excited to sleep

Using an Experience Homework

2012-01-17T18:00:00.002-06:00

This is for the Alisa Burke Sketch Class, "Using an Experience" homework. I chose a pic from our cruise to Puerto Rico. I don't really know what I was doing with the floating trees, but there they are.

More Repeating Shapes

2012-01-15T07:36:00.001-06:00

Just another quick try for the repeating shapes homework from the Alisa Burke sketch class. I love that this is only a Micron pen and an aquapen used for this and I still got some good shading.

this is my inspiration for this sketch. it is a chair from West Elm.

Cool Tools Week: Embossing & Debossing Challenge

2012-01-14T20:57:00.004-06:00

This is for the Moxie Fab Cool Tools Week: Embossing & Debossing Challenge. I just received my new PTI Filigree Border die. I used a rubber mat to see what it would look like embossed, and loved the back side better: debossed!
I stamped the sentiment from PTI Take Three: Summer, then stamped off 2x. The flower is A Muse Marigold Solid that I stamped in Memento Lady Bug then used Versamark and clear embossing powder and then cut out the whole flower.
So, this card has the border DEBOSSED and the flower is clear EMBOSSED! It has both!!

Class Challenge: Repeating shapes

2011-12-24T10:46:00.006-06:00

This is my inspiration pic for my latest sketch class challenge. The pillow is from The Textile Blog which has some pretty cool shapes and pattern work.

We were supposed to draw a repeating pattern, and make it go to the edges of the paper. I was trying to make it look like it has depth, and found I liked using watercolor to make shadows better than pen/crosshatches.

One Layer Card

2011-12-11T08:04:00.000-06:00

I loved this painting when I saw it in a Pier 1 ad, and had to keep it for inspiration. This is the card that resulted.

I NEVER do one layer cards. They are so difficult for me. But I am loving this one. I used a PTI Mat Stack die on a post-it note, to make a mask. Then i used the straight edge of other post-its(I went thru quite a few!) to mask off stripes and sponged.
I have been inspired by the Alisa Burke sketch class that I am taking to go out on a limb and paint on this card, instead of stamp. I then sponged PTI tea dye around the edges, and off the top of the mask too, to bring the color up to the top. (It was really a mistake, but a happy one, I went ahead and sponged a mix of colors all the way across, and like the way it turned out.)

Mushroom Sketch

2011-12-10T15:36:00.003-06:00

I was inspired by a pic that I saw on Flickr, for this sketch. The homework for Alisa Burke's class was repetition of shapes. I don't think this what she had in mind, but this is all I could think of that was my own idea, and not copying hers. I also like the way she did her shadows very dark. So that is the thought behind this one.

CFC 30

2011-12-07T17:27:00.003-06:00

As soon as I saw this Tic Tac Toe challenge from CASual Fridays, I thought : I love the orange and aqua combo! I just had to try it! (especially when Michelle said she would never use it in a million years! This one's for you!) This one uses SEI Dill Blossom paper, an old SU stamp.

Our local scrapbooking store is going out of business, and I just had to get these bright orange jumbo eyelets. I would like to put something in the center of that eyelet on the flower, just not sure what?!

Pot Pourri Challenge

2011-12-04T17:29:00.003-06:00

this is for the Moxie Fab Get Inspired: Pot Pourri challenge. i wanted to do a cream on cream card with hints of black and silver. so i stamped the PTI Medallion in Sand ink to make it represent the doily in the pic.

the big silver brad is from SU, and the patterned paper is recycled packaging from an Amazon Kindle (not mine :(, unfortunately)

Sketch Class

2011-12-03T17:34:00.008-06:00

I am taking Alisa Burke's online sketch class. I have been having fun doing the homework. I didn't realize that a regular pen would run when you add water with a watercolor brush.

This is the assignment for finding shapes, I liked the dried blooms on this hydrangea. I changed the background a little. (who wants a parking lot in a sketch?!!)

PPA 121 Pearls

2011-11-25T19:21:00.003-06:00

This is for the CAS Elements of Style: Pearls. These are from a Pearl Pen. And I am loving this new color from Papertrey: Autumn Rose.

Etsy

2011-11-22T06:53:00.000-06:00

I am so excited!! I made my first etsy sale! It was my purple/pink/gray/black ruffle scarf. And I just had to make tag to match it.

Stamps: PTI: Background Basics: Houndstooth, Daydreamer, Fillable Frames #10, Just for You
Paper: PTI: Autumn Rose, Smoky Shadow, White, A Muse: Blackberry
Ink: PTI: Snow White, A Muse: Blackberry
Other: A Muse Blackberry buttons, PTI FF 10 die

Clean & Simple 167

2011-11-21T17:53:00.007-06:00

This card is for the Clean & Simple #167 challenge. I know it is not much stamping, but stamping on vellum is not always easy, there was some effort involved. ;)

The sentiment is from My Favorite Things, and the brad is SU.

I took the picture below at my mom's new house, this is one of 2 bushes on each side of the front door. We don't know what kind of bushes these are, but they resemble grapes. So I was playing with my 100 Cameras app on my iphone, and got the above picture. Dave said it was hard to discern what it was, but I liked the abstract look.

Got Published!!

2011-11-14T07:14:00.000-06:00

I am so excited!! I hate to be a bragger ;) but look at page 124. This card is my first publication.

My boss knows about my love of paper and card making, so when he saw the packaging on his Ipad, he gave it to me to play with. So, I made a Boss' Day Card.

The ribbon is A Muse, the library clip is Stampin Up. I printed the sentiment off the computer, used nestabilities to cut it out, and left the nestie on the die cut, then sponged ink on it to leave a white frame. The lines on the clipped layer is from PTI's Mini Scrapbooking Series:Library Ledger.
Hey Michelle! Look, I used kraft paper. I usually never use kraft paper, but it matched the letters, and I tried sponging the edges with PTI snow white ink to cover some of that kraft up.

CFC 28

2011-11-13T16:38:00.006-06:00

I am not sure this qualifies for a Clean and Simple Tag, but I had fun making it for the CASual Friday challenge. The flower is from A Muse. I stamped it in Memento Ladybug, cut it out, then pressed it into the Versamark, and covered it with Utee thick clear embossing powder.

The card base is a about an inch shorter than the standard card size, because i folded it up for the bottom pocket.

All the background stamps are from PTI, and the cream patterned paper is from SEI Moonrise pad.

Pay It Forward Challenge

2011-11-13T12:46:00.002-06:00

This card is for Moxie Fab's Pay It Forward challenge, the Day of Encouragement card. I stamped PTI's Background Basics: Houndstooth on one edge in Ocean Tides ink. All of the patterned papers are from My Mind's Eye Lime Twist:Happy Go Lucky 6x6 pad.
I stamped the A Muse Mad for Plaid zig zag stamp, then stamped it again on the green check paper, then lined it up on the card, so that I wouldn't get one of those gaps of no ink like you get when you stamp on the edge of 2 layers. The butterflies are A Muse dies that Michelle let me use. She is sweet that way! The sentiment is from PTI Everyday Button Bits set.

Masculine Sympathy Card

2011-11-06T13:36:00.002-06:00

I needed a masculine sympathy card, and thought this SEI Moonrise paper worked well. The sentiment is PTI Fillable Frames Additions set stamped in black on PTI vintage cream cardstock.

Make It Monday #39 & Tuesday Trigger

2011-11-05T21:05:00.004-05:00

I combined 3 challenges for today's card. This is for the Make It Monday challenge to make a multi stamp background, and i used some of the colors from the Tues Trigger Beads pic. Also the Ribbon Carousel challenge 27 to use any ribbon or twine. I tied button twine thru the button, then instead of trimming, let it stay as part of the ribbon strip.

For the background, I used PTI's Harvest Berries stamp set for the leaves in pink (see the pink leaves in the trigger pic?) I also used PTI's Daydreamer set for the aqua mist blooms(for that big bluish-green bead in the center of the trigger pic), and the snow white trio of beads (taken after the pearls in the trigger pic).

Crocheted Flower

2011-10-30T16:13:00.002-05:00

Can you tell that I have been crocheting more than card making? I have been having fun.

Ruffle Scarf

2011-10-30T15:06:00.002-05:00

I learned to crochet just so I could make this ruffly scarf. I love it! I had enough yarn leftover to make a second one, and have put it in my etsy store, if anyone is interested.

CPS 238 & Timeless Tues

2011-10-07T17:54:00.002-05:00

This is the card that I did for the CPS 238 sketch challenge, and the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday pic challenge. I loved all that green in the photo, so I did a multi green card.
The base is SU old olive, with PTI spring moss strips stamped in Memento Bamboo Leaves, and the image matted in PTI ripe avocado.

Make It Monday #34: Chipboard Accents

2011-10-02T21:56:00.002-05:00

this is for Make It Monday 34 :Chipboard Accents. it's a gift tag for one of my latest creations, a crocheted ruffle scarf. i did 3 layers of cardboard plus a cardstock layer for the leaf/vine die cut.

World Card Making Day

2011-10-01T18:38:00.003-05:00

This is a no stamping card, just patterned paper, and a little die cutting. A very quick card, thanks to My Mind's Eye paper, and Papertrey Ink dies!

Crochet Crazy!

2011-09-30T15:37:00.006-05:00

This card is for 2 challenges. One sketch challenge from Paper Players, and a ribbon challenge from the Ribbon Carousel blog.

I took a "learn to crochet" class at our new Joann's store this week, and I am hooked! (pun intended ;)
So I crocheted some purple ribbon from Hobby Lobby, and wrapped it around itself to make this flower with tails. It looks really cool in real life, if I say so myself.

Paper: Happy Go Lucky: Lime Twist: My Mind's Eye
Stamps: PTI Turning a New Leaf & Fillable Frames sentiment

PTI's Make it Monday #33

2011-09-23T21:04:00.004-05:00

This is my card for the Make it Monday Frosted Images challenge. The only craft ink that I have is a SU Old Olive stampin' spot. (I tried the technique with this card, with Memento Rhubarb and white, and when it didn't work, I sponged over it.)

Rubbing the PTI Snow White ink over the top of the old olive did change the color a little, but I like the look with the PTI avocado paper & ribbon. The background paper is from My Mind's Eye: Lost & Found.
I am trying to get used to my new Big Shot, since I blew out the side of my Cuttlebug. I don't know all the sandwiches for everything, so my PTI Impression plate didn't impress very much. Anybody have any tips? Thanks.

Stamps: PTI Turning a New Leaf, and Take Three:Summer sentiment

PP #64 & Friends with Flair

2011-09-23T20:14:00.006-05:00

This is my card for the Paper Players Challenge # 64 to use a plant or animal, and the Unity blog's Friends with Flair. So I chose Unity's Feel the Joy flower. I stamped it in Memento Rhubarb, and then sponged Sand ink around it.

The wonderful background patterned paper is by My Mind's Eye: Lost & Found. It is definitely a new "found" favorite! The back side is the black & cream polka dot.

One Layer Wed

2011-09-20T19:10:00.003-05:00

trying to make the deadline for One Layer Wednesday Challenge: Color It.
I used AMuse stamps, colored with my aquapen in SU Tempting Turquoise.

CFC 20 & Moxie Fab Sketch

2011-09-16T13:23:00.006-05:00

This is my card for these 2 challenges: Moxie Fab Square Card Sketch Challenge, and CAS-ual Friday's CFC #20 Mini Card Challenge.

It is 2 5/8" square. The flower is PTI's Bloom Builders 3 dies, on cream paper, with sponging of Memento Sand ink and SU Close to Cocoa, so that it looks darker at the center.

The background is PTI's Houndstooth in Memento Bamboo Leaves on Cream. The banner is SU Old Olive with PTI Fillable Frames sentiment stamped in PTI Snow White.

It is topped off with a PTI New Leaf button tied with twine.
Happy Anniversary! Michelle & Corey.

Make It Monday 31 & CR Color Challenge

2011-09-05T16:00:00.004-05:00

This is my card for the Make It Monday #31, Creating Backgrounds challenge and CR84FN37 color challenge.
I used PTI's Just for You stamp set, stamped in SU soft sky & cool caribbean. The sentiment is from PTI's Everyday Button Bits in cool caribbean. And the strip is SU soft sky paper with A Muse Mad for Plaid stamp in cool caribbean.

Moxie Fab Horizontal & CFC 17

2011-08-26T19:30:00.005-05:00

HI! this is my take on the Moxie Fab Horizontal Sketch. I also did this for the CAS-ual Fridays Stuck on You challenge. I used rub-on numbers from Making Memories over the sentiment from PTI Fillable Frames #4.
The background is new from PTI Houndstooth stamped in Versamark on Hawaiian Shores, and the main images are PTI Take Three: Summer stamped in Enchanted Evening on Hawaiian Shores. These are matted in a navy houndstooth from My Mind's Eye Lime Twist.

PTI August Blog Hop & Cosmo Cricket Sketch

2011-08-25T16:24:00.003-05:00

this is my card for the PTI Blog Hop, and the Cosmo Cricket Sketch challenge. it has been a while since i have made any cards, so i thought i would combine some challenges.

did you see that great ribbon around the jar in the PTI inspiration photo? this is my take on it. i used the PTI Daydreamer set for the main image and the ribbon. all the patterned paper is Cosmo Cricket: Early Bird.

CASual Friday Challenge CFC15

2011-08-13T18:17:00.005-05:00

It has been a while since I have done a challenge, so I liked the idea of doing a clean & simple one. When I saw the sketch challenge over on CASual Friday's blog, I just had to try it.
I saw on someone's blog, their inspiration of a splash of paint, and it intrigued me. I got out my watercolor paper, and chalk ink, spritzed a little water, and dripped away! I stamped the A Muse stamp in Brilliance black, then PTI Take Three: Summer sentiment in Memento Sweet Plum. The cardstock is blackberry by A Muse.

Fossil Purse Reconstruction Trial Run

2011-07-24T13:53:00.008-05:00

Did I ever tell you this was my fav purse ever?! Well, it was! And I must tell you before you scroll down, prepare yourself for the horror!

AHHHH! I was just sick. I set it on the carpeted floor of a restaurant, not knowing the carpet was wet. This is the result the next day. It looked like it molded overnight. The restaurant said that I couldn't prove it happened there. (He had a lot of nerve!)
Well, I occasionally still look at it and remember all the good times we had together (in the 3 months we were together). SO! I decided to try to make my own in this same style. I would never dream that I could make a leather purse.

So I tore the lining out, and used it as a template to make a trial purse, to see if I would like it.

Notice the pleats on the front(they are on the back too).

I wanted a little hardware on there too, so I used some D-rings on the straps. And put a big Papertrey Ink brown button as the closure. I want to make a zippered one, but couldn't wrap my mind around it yet. Maybe the next one!

The only thing that I am not happy with is the way the bottom is kind of boxy, I would like my next one to be more rounded, so I am going to work on that too.
This fabric was something I had laying around that I had seen in the precut bargain bin for $1.00. Not bad for an afternoon of work!

Stamp a faire Challenge 3

2011-07-23T21:56:00.004-05:00

This card was done for the PTI Stamp a faire Challenge #3, use a punched hole, and tie ribbon or twine thru it. When I got out my winnings from Pink Paisley Soiree, I really thought this twine was green and gold, but in this photo, it looks yellow & gray?? Don't know what that is about. But it is 10:00 at night, and I don't usually stamp this late, but I had to do at least one challenge from the PTI Stamp Fair!!

This is PTI white & avocado paper, PTI Daydreamers & Mat Stack 4, A Muse Mad for Plaid stamp sets, and A Muse blackberry & Memento bamboo leaves inks.

Fanatical About Botanical 2

2011-07-17T15:51:00.002-05:00

I thought I would do a series of botanicals, I enjoyed the first one so much. (well, I don't know if 2 count as a series, ha! I may do more) This is for the Moxie Fab Fanatical About Botanical challenge. I had practiced the background, but some of the ink from the first vellum image damaged it, so I cut it off, and this is what is left. So I decided to do the poppy from the SU Botanical set.

I have ALWAYS been of the opinion that a poppy should be red! I know there are different colors of poppies, but when I think of one, they are always red in my mind. So, this one is very different for me. I colored it the same way that I colored the butterfly in the previous card. I used markers on the backside of the vellum, then added the brighter highlights to the front. Again, the flower in the background is done with an aquapen.

Fanatical About Botanical

2011-07-16T16:03:00.004-05:00

This is for Moxie Fab's Fanatical About Botanical challenge. I pulled out some retired Stampin Up stamp sets for this one, Botanicals & God's Beauty. I stamped some background in SU creamy caramel, added the leaves in old olive. I stamped the butterfly in Brillance black on PTI vellum, and then colored the back of the vellum with pumpkin pie, and then added the brighter highlights to the front.

I wanted the flower to bring some of the orange up to the top, so I used the aquapen and smeared some outside the lines. I am tickled pink at how it turned out.

Plenty of Pockets Travel Tote

2011-07-14T19:03:00.009-05:00

OK! Let me say, I know I went crazy with the pictures, but I love this bag so much, I wanted you see all the details.
This was an online pattern from Sew4home. And it was very easy to follow!

I wanted to show the size by putting a few things in the pockets.

The buttons are from Papertrey, they are Ocean Tides & New Leaf.

This is one of the changes I made from the pattern, they used a double needle for side by side stitching, and I decided to use one of my new sewing machines' decorative stitches, the vine.

Stamp It Cards Week

2011-07-08T10:47:00.002-05:00

This is for the Moxie Fab Stamp It Cards Week Challenge. This is all stamping! almost one layer! The PTI Mat Stack is stamped in Memento Rich Cocoa on a PTI white base. I stamped the PTI Daydreamers flowers, punched it, and popped it up. Then stamped another large flower and cut it out, and curled the petal edges before I attached it. I also used a ribbon punch to cut a slit in the edge of the card for the PTI ribbon.

Clean & Simple 146 & StampIT Cards Week

2011-06-30T16:00:00.004-05:00

this is for several challenges this week. First, i loved the sketch challenge at the Clean & Simple blog. Second, i tried to do all stamping for the Stamp It Cards Week challenge over on the Moxie Fab blog.

The stamped background is from A Muse, Mad for Plaids. The papers are all several shades of soothing blues, PTI ocean tides, SU soft sky, and cool caribbean. And the inks are SU soft sky and PTI snow white. The sentiment is PTI Everyday Button Bits in PTI enchanted evening ink. I used my cropodile to make all the holes across the edges, and then added some PTI ocean tides buttons tied with PTI twine.

Pumpkin Daydreams

2011-06-24T21:06:00.002-05:00

i went for a clean & simple card here. i tried to match the flower colors to the striped paper(SEI).

Blended Medallions

2011-06-24T20:59:00.002-05:00

For this card, I blended SU Celery, Sage, & blue inks on the new PTI Medallion stamps, then spritzed it with water and stamped. The main sentiment has the sage sponged on the edges.

Dahlia Sympathy

2011-06-16T17:53:00.002-05:00

Unfortunately, I needed some sympathy cards. So this is one that was quick, clean and simple. This is PTI's Berry Sorbet paper and ink, Jumbo Dahlia from Stampendous, Fillable Frames Additions sentiment, and SU God's Beauty set. I thought it needed a little bling, so I added red twinkles from A Muse.

Tooty Fruity Challenge

2011-06-04T15:26:00.003-05:00

This is for the Unity Tooty Fruity Challenge. I just got this Pear of a Recipe stamp, and thought I would do the Spotlight technique. It wasn't until I had the whole card made(and glued) that I realized my spotlighted circle was just a hair off (the "p" doesn't line up with the "ear"). Oh well, I had fun making it! The spotlight is stamped in Memento Pear Tart, the perfect color for this!! Also used PTI spring moss paper, and PTI Take Three: Summer for the sentiment stamped in Snow. That is also a faux notepad top, I just set the guide on the Crop o dile, and punched holes at the same depth all the way across the paper.
I also love the smoky gray with the moss, my new fav color combo!

CFC #5 & Unity Friends with Flair

2011-06-03T15:44:00.005-05:00

This one is probably a stretch for CASual Friday's sketch, altho I did get the strip across the top, and I tried to do the blooms in a half circle, but I got carried a way. I used SU old olive marker to do the stems and the blooms are AMuse blackberry. Then I misted it to give a watercolor effect, but I needed more, I think.

This is also for Unity's Friends with Flair. This is my first entry for Unity, and I am not sure what the requirements are. And a third Challenge from The Paper Players: Anything Goes.

ETA: oops, I forgot to put what stamps I used. Unity: Feel the Joy & Vintage Ledger, and PTI Everyday Button Bits for the sentiment. The buttons is blackberry from A Muse also.

Make It Monday 17: Cracked Glass

2011-05-30T17:54:00.004-05:00

Since I was off today, I decided to start bright and early on PTI's Make It Monday Challenge 17: Cracked Glass. Little did I know, that it would take me all day to finally finish a card. This is my third attempt, and I am not new to cracked glass. The first ended up with too much chamomile tea ink in a crack and it bled under the "glass" and made a huge smear. The second, I decided to do a sentiment under the "glass", and didn't think ahead...the crack went right over the top of a couple letters, and couldn't be read.

So I decided to try a completely different stamp, and go with my new Unity, Feel the Joy stamp. Underneath that, is the PTI Fillable Frames, and Turning a New Leaf die cut in A Muse gingham. The far right is PTI Spring Moss paper with Polka Dot Basics II, and the Linen Impression Plate.

Embellish Text Color Challenge

2011-05-29T15:54:00.004-05:00

This is for the Embellish Text Color Challenge. Ever since I saw Kim's book print flower, I knew I had to try one for myself. So, I tore some pages from our Webster's dictionary, hopefully I won't need the A's anymore. ;) I used a mix of circle scallop nesties, and scallop punches.

The background is Vintage Ledger from Unity, stamped in Memento London Fog ink. Also used are PTI's Fillable Frames Additions, and Polka Dot Basics II.

Make It Monday #16: Sympathy

2011-05-26T10:30:00.004-05:00

This card is for Make It Monday 16: Sympathy card challenge. I masked PTI's Year of Flowers: Violets, and then used my aquapen with A Muse Blackberry ink, and added some A Muse twinkles. The cardstock is also A Muse blackberry, and the sentiment is from PTI's Fillable Frames Addition 1 set.

I also shaded around the flowers with a gray Koh-i-nor pencil and then blended.

OHS Grad Card

2011-05-26T09:45:00.000-05:00

This one is for Owensboro High School colors, I used Memento Ladybug red, and the paper is Bazzill textured. I have been wanting to do a window card for a while, so I thought I would try this out, and added a little pocket for money or a gift card.

This is the Mat Stack 4 stamps & die, with the sentiment from Take Three: Summer.

Apollo Grad Card

2011-05-25T21:37:00.003-05:00

I had a friend request 2 graduation cards, so I worked on those today. This one is SU Brilliant Blue for Apollo High School. I used PTI stamps, Mat Stack 4(& die), Polka Dot Basics II, and sentiment from Take Three: Summer. And included a matching envelope.

I put a gift card/money pocket on the inside.

Polka Dot Ocean

2011-05-22T13:31:00.002-05:00

this is the first card i made that has sewing on it from my new sewing machine. i love the polka dot center of the Pansy from PTI's Year of Flowers set. i added a little ocean tides ink as shadows to the flower with my aquapen. it also has some pearl pen and white gel pen in the center.

Chevron Chic Challenge

2011-05-17T20:23:00.005-05:00

this card is for the Moxie Fab's Chevron Chic Challenge. I didn't have any chevron paper, that I know of, so I thought I would make my own, using PTI's rickrack die. I put a line of glue on each side of the paper, then I placed the die cuts farther apart at the bottom, and closer together at the top.

Then I spritzed some Black Magic Glimmer Mist over the whole thing, took the strips off, and trimmed the edges.

I dried it with a heat gun, and added a sentiment in black, a PTI Turning a New Leaf die cut and a button. I don't know if it qualifies for a chevron, but I thought I would give it a try.

SILHOUETTE MACHINE GIVEAWAY!!!!

2011-05-17T18:00:00.000-05:00

SILHOUETTE MACHINE GIVEAWAY!!!!

how exciting is this!! i would love to have one. check out that cute birdie quilt that she did!

Clean & Simple Challenge

2011-05-15T15:16:00.002-05:00

again, i am not sure this is clean & simple. it has a lot of empty space, so i think it could be. this is for the new CAS-ual Fridays CFC#2 challenge: Buttons & Twine. i used the twine to sew the buttons on the choc cardstock.
the main image is Sweet Bee from Cornish Heritage Farms, the sentiment is from PTI Everyday Button Bits, and the zigzag stamp is from A Muse.

Embellish Square Card Challenge

2011-05-09T19:27:00.002-05:00

this is for Embellish square card / color challenge. it is about 3 1/2 inches square. the second shade of pink is very light in the background. i used Michelle's new A Muse stamps and inks, thank you very much. the ribbon is Kim's new May Arts looped sheer ribbon, such a cool shape, thank you too, for letting us play with it. and the paper is MME Stella & Rose.

SEI Link Party 8

2011-04-28T18:46:00.005-05:00

this is for the SEI Link Party over on the SEI blog. i am in love with this SEI Sunday Brunch: Bridgeport paper. it is wide striped on the flip side, and just as pretty.

it is wrapped in white organza ribbon, then topped with a small vellum envelope that i handmade without a template. (i'm kinda proud of that! ;) ) it has a little piece of card stock inside that has "wonderful friend" stamped on it. the sentiments are from PTI.

the little banner tag sticking out from the double buttons is the flip side of the SEI sunday brunch paper.

Turning New Leaf Die

2011-04-27T19:01:00.003-05:00

Michelle has been using so many cute A Muse papers lately, that i decided to get some of mine out. (can't wait for my A Muse order to come in!) I was playing with my new PTI leaf die, and loved the way the A Muse Madeira paper looked thru the negative.

super easy card, just stamped the sentiment from PTI in snow white, and tied some A Muse ribbon around it too.

just added a word window punch and button to this A Muse vintage paper, and its done!

Make It Monday 11 & 12

2011-04-26T18:12:00.005-05:00

this is for Papertrey's Make It Monday 12. but i loved the one for last week(#11) and didn't get to do one, so i decided to combine the two challenges.
i have seen this done using a nestie as a border. i think it works as long as i have one big enough, and i don't have to mess with pencil marks and erasing.

this is PTI's Everyday Button Bits stamp set, and the PTI cloud dies.
this is in tribute to my very first bike, it was pink and white and named Pepper! ah, the memories!

Dahlia Card Set with Box

2011-04-15T15:11:00.008-05:00

i am addicted to this new Stampendous Jumbo Dahlia stamp. so i made this set for the Card Set Challenge over on the Moxie Fab blog. this also qualifies for the PPA89 challenge, Cards with Flowers.

the blue is SU cool caribbean, with SU groovy guava.

can you tell i couldn't decide which pics to upload? so i did one from every angle!

the box is from these instructions from Splitcoaststampers. i stamped the flowers on the cardstock before i scored it for folding, so that the flower would be wrapped around the edges. i love the look of the corner.

i also stamped it on SU groovy guava paper with Versamark and clear embossed it. then used my aquapen to darken the petals with SU groovy guava and really rust inks.

i made the tag on top with PTI's Fillable Frames & buttons with twine. i stamped off the center of the dahlia stamp and then stamped it again on the die cut. i wanted it to be lighter in the center so that i could stamp the sentiment. then realized that all of the cards and box lid were on PTI vintage cream paper, and i did the tag with white paper. so i darkened the edges with PTI's tea dye. i think the sentiment stands out even more that way.

My Beautiful Balloon

2011-04-13T17:54:00.003-05:00

i did this card for the My Beautiful Balloon Challenge over on the Moxie Fab blog. the stamp set is from PTI's Everyday Button Bits, and the clouds are cream felt from PTI and the PTI cloud dies. the paper is My Mind's Eye Stella & Rose. i wanted it to look like the mountains below were flower covered.

Spring is Here

2011-04-07T20:10:00.004-05:00

steph's tulips are blooming again. i used photography app to "grunge" up these 2 pics. i think i love the dandelion pic the best.

this one has the color splash app. i just love hyacinth.

Social Graces - Nashville

2011-03-31T19:24:00.008-05:00

on our recent trip to Nashville, when we were downtown, we stumbled upon this PAPER store! of course, i had to go in! Social Graces mostly does invitations, but it is great inspiration for card making!

i bought some of this handmade paper from Spain. and i loved the way they packaged it with some melting wax and twine.

so i tried it myself. Mom bought me a silver melting wax a few years ago, and i got a new R at this store.
i just need to practice a bit more, i think i needed more wax.

i packaged a couple of cards in a plastic sleeve and then put a PTI Fillable Frames die cut as a thank you for the purchase. i tied it with twine and added the wax. it was a fun project. maybe it will inspire you too.

Tues Trigger : Farm Fresh

2011-03-30T16:22:00.004-05:00

thought i would play along with the Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger this week. in fact, as usual, i was lying awake thinking about stamping last night.

i wanted to play with my new Stampendous Jumbo stamps, this one is Dahlia. i inked it in SU groovy guava with a PTI berry sorbet center. and then shaded under a few of the petals with a gray Koh-i-noor pencil. i loved all the white in the trigger picture with all of the shadows. so i decided to go clean and simple, which is not me, but i like it.

Dill Blossom Strips

2011-03-17T18:17:00.002-05:00

this was one of the rejected cards from the sketch challenges from PaperCrafts mag. dave thought it was too busy. i used paper from the SEI Dill Blossom paper pad, so they all went together. but maybe i used too many different patterns.

no, this is not blurry. i stamped 2x, i wanted it pear tart, but it blended in with the paper strips, so i stamped again in bamboo leaves, i love that it looks shadowed.

The Copper Kettle

2011-03-15T19:46:00.000-05:00

last year, we found this great place called The Copper Kettle, on Peabody St, downtown Nashville. they have a great Sunday Brunch! they also have these cool garage doors that open the whole side of the restaurant, and you can see all of downtown, even the Titans Stadium.

i just had to show you all of the pastries, and cheeses in the above 2 pics. dave loved the Gouda, and the fried cheese below, is on a salad with fresh strawberries and mango slices.

they had eggs benedict, and an omelette bar, biscuits, gravy, meats, cheesy grits and much more. (i didn't get pics of any of those). let's get straight to the desserts!

i thought michelle would love the little creme brulee's. (sorry i can't spell!) they had choc dipped strawberries, and individual banana puddings, and when i asked what another was they said, cookies n cream. i remember loving it the last time, so i got it again! i was real oatmeal choc chip cookies crumbled in cream, it TASTED LIKE a bowl of LITTLE DEBBIE OATMEAL PIES!! IT WAS HEAVEN!

did i make you drool? i am just looking at all of these again!

100 Cameras

2011-03-14T13:44:00.004-05:00

we went to the Franklin TN Galleria on Saturday. Dave told me about this app for my iphone called 100 Cameras, and it gives different techniques and textures to photos. and this is one i was playing with when we needed a break from all that shopping! ;)

each filter has a funny name like the above pic is Clouds of Jupiter.

i couldn't remember this filter's name, but others are : a feeling of conflict & discomfort; knowing that warm apple pie is waiting for you; the part of the song we both like; the feeling of an extra hour of sleep... you will prob be seeing more of these(just a warning, tee hee).

Mat Stacked 2

2011-03-13T07:40:00.001-05:00

still loving the new Mat Stack set from PTI. i used Memento summer sky ink and then went over the top with the rich cocoa, i like the blue showing thru. the paper is Tres Jolie from MME.

Mat Stacked

2011-03-12T07:34:00.000-06:00

this is another set from my old fav paper Tres Jolie from My Mind's Eye. i used the new Mat Stack stamp set & die from PTI, and used the frame on the other card. the ribbon is SU soft sky.

Amy Butler & PTI

2011-03-11T07:08:00.000-06:00

this is a set that was commissioned, the only request was : blue. (get wells & thank yous)
i just love these little birdies.

altho i love these Pear Tart leaves from Turning a New Leaf(PTI).

and i think this last card is my fav of the four. i didn't have the ticket corner punch, so i just used a small circle punch on the corners. it works.

More Dill Blossom

2011-03-10T19:04:00.001-06:00

i know you have seen the one card before, but just thought i would show you the matching card to finish out this set. the paper is Dill Blossom by SEI.

Faux Watercolor Spritz

2011-03-06T15:16:00.003-06:00

this is my all time favorite technique: ink the stamp, spritz, stamp! so this is for the Stamping with Shimmer Sprays Challenge over on the Moxie Fab blog. so i inked the left one with Memento Pear Tart ink, spritzed with Smooch Spritz, Pearl, and stamped. the right one is stamped in Memento Bamboo Leaves, spritzed and stamped. the center is inked with both colors and then spritzed and stamped. the spritzing gives the illusion of watercoloring because it blends the ink for you. and the great thing about the Smooch Spritz is that is gives this great shimmer!!

i just wish you could see the shimmer! the background paper is SEI, and sentiment is from PTI Fillable Frames.

Crayon Resist Class

2011-02-24T17:47:00.002-06:00

This is another card for my March class. It is Crayon Resist, and that's all the info I will share ;) if you would like to make this card, please, sign up for the class at Scrapbook Haven.

Shimmery Resist

2011-02-19T07:20:00.003-06:00

In March, I will be doing a Resist Class at Scrapbook Haven. This is one of the cards. This also is for the Stamping with Shimmer Sprays over on the Moxie Fab blog. I stamped solid stamps from CTMH in Versamark and used clear embossing powder, then sprayed with a green Smooch Spritz. I just wish you could see the shimmer, that is so hard to see in a photo!

MFT & PTI Challenges in One

2011-02-17T18:27:00.002-06:00

I combined 2 challenges in this card. MFT's Sketch Challenge and PTI's Make It Monday: Vellum Strip Sentiment Challenge.

The black/white paper is SEI Black Orchid , and the little circles are the flipside of this paper. The flower is a Violet from PTI's Year of Flowers, the center is colored with a white pencil, and a silver pen.

PTI's Think Big Challenge

2011-02-12T16:06:00.003-06:00

This is for Papertrey's Anniversary Challenge today, Think Big. So I got out my biggest stamp from PTI, Year in Stamps: Violet. I saved this Color Challenge from several weeks ago, and now I can't remember from which website I found it.

I used my aquapen to color the flower, with SU So Saffron, Apricot, Pumpkin, Rust, and did some shadows with Soft Sky. The paper is all PTI.

I even finished out the inside, I didn't think I would be able to write on the Smoky Shadow.

PTI Tag & Frame Challenge

2011-02-11T17:12:00.003-06:00

this is for PTI's Anniversary Week of challenges. Today is to make a tag with a frame.
i have been embossing lots of things lately. i had forgotten how much i love the look. this tag has a strip of background done in clear on spring moss paper.

i fell in love with PTI's download tag challenge, this one is Heather's tag, and i printed it on vellum. but i loved it on white paper too!

PTI Make it Monday

2011-02-10T17:48:00.002-06:00

this is my version of the PTI's Go To Sentiment challenge. it combines a lot of sentiments from several different stamp sets. i have been trying to do this ribbon folding technique, and i love how it looks, but it is harder than it looks(for me at least). i think my stapler is too tight, it is wrinkling the ribbon. maybe i need one of those Tim Holtz's attachers? ;)

PTI Button Challenge

2011-02-10T15:49:00.002-06:00

Papertrey's Anniversary Day's are so exciting, I have loved their challenges. Today is for buttons. I loved yesterday's color combo challenge so much, I used it for this one too.

I opened up one end of a large paperclip, and added a few buttons from PTI's mix.

PTI Color Combo Challenge

2011-02-09T18:17:00.002-06:00

i knew i would have trouble having time to post a card to PTI's Color Combo Challenge today. so before work, i picked my favorite combo, Erin's pictured above.

i was surprised to find i had 2 PTI ribbons. and they were in 2 of the colors in this combo. it really is my fav! so i got right to stamping when i got home early from work. when is this snow going to end?!

PTI Flower Tag

2011-02-06T18:42:00.003-06:00

this is my last entry for the PTI Tag Challenge, and this one is dave's favorite. i printed it on PTI vellum, and colored Alli's flower with a Koh-i-noor pencil, and then layered it with a PTI die.

PTI Thinking of You Tag

2011-02-06T18:31:00.002-06:00

this is for PTI's Tag Challenge Contest Day 2. and this is Heather's tag. i am loving the colors. i used Versamark on the Turning a New Leaf set on Spring Moss paper, with Berry Sorbet ribbon.

PTI Tag for Candle

2011-02-06T18:21:00.002-06:00

this is for Nichole's Tag Challenge Contest Day 2.
this is Tiffany's tag that i colored with Koh-i-noor pencils and added some gold rhinestones. the candle has Turning a New Leaf stamp set.

Favorite PTI Creation from 2010

2011-02-05T09:48:00.002-06:00

this post is for Nichole's request for our favorite creation using Papertrey products from 2010. i like this one because of all the white space, and the doodling was fun to do.

i have been enjoying dave's pics that he has altered, so i thought since this was supposed to be a creation from the past, i would alter this one. it was fun to do.

CPS 203

2011-02-04T18:11:00.003-06:00

mom and i stamped together today. i tried this sketch from CPS with mom's SU background stamp. i love that Medallion for mixing inks. i put SU apricot, bordering blue, and artichoke all on the stamp and then misted it with Pearl White Smooch Spritz to mix the inks and then my spritzer clogged. don't know what i will do with it now, hopefully i can get it to work again! i love the color with a hint of sparkle!

Dill Blossom Paper SEI

2011-01-31T07:28:00.000-06:00

i am in love with SEI's Dill Blossom paper. i bought the little 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 pad mix. it is textured paper! and feels so nice. the little flower on the envelope is from CTMH.

Metallic Color Challenge

2011-01-30T17:59:00.005-06:00

i did this card for the Metallic Color Challenge for Card Makers Week over on the Moxie Fab blog.

i had a bit of trouble deciding what to do with pink and gold! then i saw the paper that i bought from SEI called Moonrise, and thought i could do the gold embossing and just change the colors. so this is what came out.

i soaked the paper with water, then added ink and let it spread where it wanted to. then i cut it out, whew! that took a while! but i like how it looks curled up on the edges.
i also used my plaid maker stamp from SU, and just did one strip of stripes.
i wanted it to be a clean & simple card. is it? i don't know, is embossing considered simple?

Feb Class/Paper Piecing

2011-01-29T16:58:00.002-06:00

i know this is a blurry pic, but i wanted you to see what the 3rd card in the Feb class is going to be. the smaller it is the better the pic looks. i made this at the Scrapbook Haven, and i forgot my camera. this is from my phone, and it is not as good as Dave's phone's camera, that's for sure!

we are using Sea Salt Bazzill, Bo Bunny's Raspberry Dot, a brown plaid that we used in another card, and Close to My Heart stamp set: Let's Shop. on her shoes, and necklace are Hot Pink Rhinestones.

Feb Masking Class

2011-01-28T18:12:00.003-06:00

this is another card we are making in our Feb Techniques class. it has Close to My Heart "With Love" stamps and Bazzil brown and blue papers, and Bo Bunny Raspberry Dot double sided paper. i just love those spiral brads! and that ribbon is wire edged, love that too.

"Green" Bow

2011-01-27T04:56:00.000-06:00

I recently ordered some paper on sale from SEI, and it was packed with this wad of paper, it looked like a big brown piece of ribbon candy in the box. So I took it and wrapped some wire around the center to hold the shape. Then added a few things to the center and called it done. I just wish I would've taken before and during pictures, sorry I can't share that with you, but here is the finished box. It is a little larger than 12 inches.

Pretty Pastels Challenge

2011-01-26T07:30:00.005-06:00

I combined 2 challenges for this card. The colors are from the Pretty Pastels Color Challenge for Card Makers Week over on the Moxie Fab blog. And the sketch is from MFT Getting Sketchy #3. I just love the My Mind's Eye paper, it makes the perfect wallpaper behind her, don't ya think?

Masking & PPA77 Sketch Challenge

2011-01-24T18:39:00.005-06:00

This card accomplishes 2 things: Sketch Challenge PPA77 over on the Pals Paper Arts blog, & is a sample for my next class.

This is a quick card to help learn masking. The stamps are from Close to my Heart, called Welcome Home. The paper is SEI Chickadoo: Jibber Jabber, and Echo Park: Happy Holidays(brown plaid). The last class lasted a little longer than planned, because coloring takes time. So this one is going to be shorter and much more fun! Hope to you soon!

Neutrals Challenge & Anniversary

2011-01-22T10:02:00.006-06:00

My parents 41st anniversary is on Monday, and I thought I would try this challenge on their card. This is for the Neutrals Color Challenge for Card Makers Week over on the Moxie Fab blog.
I seem to have trouble with color challenges, I find I need a picture inspiration. So I saw this ad in an email newsletter from west elm, and it led to this card. I love sheets! and have a problem with buying a lot of them. ;)

I used the speckled cream paper from PTI, and the new Fillable Frames 10 for the sentiment frame. PTI Rickrack die was the perfect thing to use for the zigzag sheets. The twig paper has PTI Polka Dot Basics II stamped on it to copy the headboard look. And for the hanging shells in the corner: I used a shell button that one of my friends gave me that was on a magnet, but the glue didn't hold, so I recycled the shells. I used my circle scalloped nestabilities and clipped "petals" on the blue one and then bent them up around the button.

Clean & Simple??

2011-01-19T18:02:00.004-06:00

I have not done any clean & simple cards in a while, so I think this is it.
When we girls got together to stamp, Kim brought her new PTI stamps and dies, and I went crazy doing little birdies! So you will be seeing a few more birdie cards in the next few days.

2nd Try Bold & Bright Challenge

2011-01-16T18:05:00.005-06:00

This is my 2nd try at this color challenge over on the Moxie Fab blog.
It is for the Bold & Bright Color Challenge for Card Makers Week.
I had forgotten that I intended to use this fabric pic as my inspiration for this challenge, so I decided to do another try. The fabric swatch is from a newsletter from my fav online fabric company : quilthome.com.

I used PTI Fresh Snow ink on the A Muse Marigold solid stamp, and SU Pink Passion on the A Muse Marigold outline stamp. I love the look of the white against the colored paper. I need to remember to do this more often. The black ribbon is silk, and was recycled from the gift that Kim gave us mentioned in the previous post. That silk is amazing! I love the feel of it, so lightweight!

Bright & Bold Color Challenge

2011-01-16T07:41:00.000-06:00

This is the card that I did for the Bright & Bold Color Challenge for Card Makers Week over on the Moxie Fab blog. I was having trouble trying to decide again what colors to use that would match these. I ended up finding some Bazzill textured paper from years ago, so I don't know what the exact color is, but I think it is pretty close to the Tangelo listed in the challenge.

The last time the girls got together, Kim brought us some pleated ribbon from May Arts, and this is the first time that I played with it. It is very cool ribbon! Thanks again, Kim.
The stamp is from PTI Everyday Button Bits, and the buttons are from PTI too. The crocheted flower is something that I bought off Etsy.

MFTWSC2 Plus Jewel Tones Color Challenge

2011-01-15T20:27:00.007-06:00

This week I combined 2 challenges into one. The Jewel Tones Color Challenge for Card Makers Week on the Moxie Fab Blog, and the MFT Weekly Sketch Challenge 2. I just love these colors the most from the 4 color challenges over on Moxie Fab, and I had to try them first! And I think I love the Sketch Challenges the most.

When they gave the names of the Bazzill colors, I checked out my local scrapbooking store, and couldn't find any of these colors. So I set out to find the best matches in what I already had. For the "Sugar Cookie", I thought of the PTI Rustic White, so that is the base and the center image with the stamps from MFT Polka Dots Die-namics. The "Pansy" is SU elegant eggplant with PTI Polka Dots Basics II. The "Calypso" is a retired SU color, but I am not sure which that has been embossed and then edged in PTI Fresh Snow ink. The "Sunshine" is SU So Saffron that is embossed with Swiss Dots.
And then, of course, it is called the Jewel Tones, I had to add some jewels! They are some SU brads.

Gray is the New Black Challenge

2011-01-09T15:14:00.005-06:00

i did this card for the Gray is the New Black Challenge over on the Moxie Fab Blog. i have loved this double sided Amy Butler paper. when i saw the green and gray room in the challenge post, i thought of this paper. it is matted with PTI smoky gray, and the center image is PTI Fillable Frames #10, with a vine from PTI Turning a New Leaf set, and then finished with some Pearl Pen pearls.

MME Challenge 19

2011-01-06T20:03:00.004-06:00

this is for the My Mind's Eye Blog Challenge 19-Card.

the card base is from the Tres Jolie line, it is a textured double sided cardstock weight, that i have loved so much that i hate to use it. i want to horde all of it. i even went back to the lss and bought them out of all this line when they were clearing it out for the new line.

Kim brought her new stamps to play today. we had so much fun, and i went to town stamping these fun birdies from PTI Little Bitty Birdies. I used my aqua pen to add leaves and shadows to the bird, and sponged the edges.

Part 2 : Spotlighted Lavender

2010-12-29T08:46:00.000-06:00

This is the 3rd card we will be making in the Jan 14th class. After we will have learned the techniques with the Aquapen and colored pencils/blender, you can choose which one you want to use on the third card, and then we will spotlight it! This one is using the Aquapen.

Sneak Peek: Jan Class- Lavender

2010-12-28T15:43:00.000-06:00

You are just getting a peek today!

PPA74 Sketch Challenge

2010-12-26T18:42:00.003-06:00

I loved this sketch because it was so easy to come up with what I wanted to stamp. I used Basic Grey: Mellow designer paper. I have a stash of precut dies from PTI, so it is quick and easy to use. This one is Fillable Frames #5, with a sentiment from #10. The designer paper has a chalky blue polka dot, so I used one of my light blue chalk inks to do the polka dot frame on the diecut. Then I used my fav A Muse blooms in pumpkin pie ink from SU.

Next Peek : Sunflower Scene

2010-12-26T08:29:00.000-06:00

This is another card that we will do in the Jan 14th class. The next technique is using colored pencils with blending medium and stumps. It also has some faux stitching on it.