One Layer Wednesday...on Tuesday

(ETA: Thank you Jennifer Styles to alerting me that my picture wasn't showing up! Should be fixed now.)

Nothing like getting this completed at the last minute. I attempted to do the Double Embossing technique. Thanks to several different tutorials, and a couple of hours to waste, I was able to make this CAS card. (Only today instead of "S" standing for "Simple", for me it was "Struggling".) But overall I'm glad I tried this technique. I'll definitely do it again. As long as I can find my sticky notes directions underneath all of the rubble on my table.

Hope you are all having a fantastic week and I'll see you soon!!

Stamps: There She Goes "Buttercup"
Ink: PTI Dark Chocolate, Memento Bamboo Leaves, Copic Markers
Paper: PTI Vintage Cream
Misc: PTI Impression Plate, Mat Stack Die

WPlus9 Color Cue Challenge #13

This is my first time participating in Wplus9's color challenge. These aren't my normal go to colors so it was a challenge. But I had fun and I know I'll be using this combo again!

I'm trying to get some Mother's Day cards made for Operation Write Home. The deadline is March 31st so I'll be cranking out quite a few of these in the next week and a half. I wanted to keep the design simple so I could replicate them quickly, but with a bit of elegance.

I also made a couple more to see how other colors would look.

I'll be in my craft room cranking out more Mother's Day cards for OWH. Hope to be back soon!

Stamps: SU Fifth Avenue Floral, Verve Because of You
Ink: Black Memento, Copic Markers
Paper: PTI White and Spring Moss, Bazzill Gray (1st card)
Misc: Swiss Dots CB folder, PTI Satin Ribbon

Dogwood Sympathy

Unfortunately I needed another sympathy card last week. I wanted to keep it simple and serene but not boring. I stamped a couple of extra flowers, hand cut them out and folded the petals over a bit for some more of a 3-D effect.

I stamped a sentiment inside and added a butterfly from A Muse's Flutterby Flock stamp.

It's Spring Break week here and I hope to stay in my pj's longer than I should, leave the housework until it's unbearable and stamp the days away. See you soon!

Stamps: Hero Arts Dogwood, With Sympathy
Ink: Memento London Fog, Colorbox Fresh Green, Copics
Paper: PTI Spring Rain, Select White
Misc: Pop Dots

Look Ma, No Tape!

The great thing about having a clean crafting area is that it helps me focus better. I was browsing the incredible Susan Raihla's Blog the other day and saw a couple of challenges that I was definitely up for.

The first one is for Mark's Finest Paper. Susan's challenge was to use Gray, Lime and make the card One Layer. I wasn't sure I even owned anything lime! Luckily I had a copic marker and some ink close enough.



Stamps: Hero Arts Dogwood, PTI Gladiolus
Ink: Memento London Fog, Colorbox Fresh Green
Paper: Gina K

The other challenge is for her One Layer Wednesday. I found this picture as my inspiration. Rainbow Twine

Please don't look to closely at these cards. It's the first time I tried scoring on one layer and it ain't pretty. It was also the first time I used a template which I cut out using a craft knife. It wasn't pretty either. It's also dark and dreary today plus my camera is on it's last legs. But the good news is that these cards will be added to my box that I'll be shipping over to Operation Write Home.

Stamps: PTI Background Basics: Hearts, Love Birds
Ink: Memento: Angel Pink, Lady Bug, Tangelo, Canteloupe, Colorbox Fresh Green, Versamagic Night Sky and Pretty Petunia
Paper: PTI Select White
Misc: Martha Stewart Score Board 

Stamps: PTI Background Basics: Hearts, Love Birds
Ink: Memento Lady Bug, Tangelo, Canteloupe, Colorbox Fresh Green, Versamagic Pretty Petunia
Paper: PTI Select White
Misc: Martha Stewart Score Board

Flutterby Thank You

While I was on Splitcoast Stampers asking questions about the A Muse change, I inquired about a certain stamp that I had been yearning for. I've been wanting it for a while but never hit that buy it button. I always thought, "Oh I could do it later." Well later turned into, "Guess what? It's not available anymore!". WHY am I such a procrastinator?!

Krystie Lee pm'd me and offered to send me hers. I was flabbergasted!!! And so very touched. She wouldn't take any money for it so I felt the least I could do was send her a thank you card. I just hope she likes it.

Stamps: A Muse Flutterby Flock, PTI Friendship Jar, Floral Fusion
Ink: Versamagic Purple Petunia
Paper: SU Lovely Lilac, PTI Select White
Misc: pop dots

I Almost Took the Plunge!

Last week A muse Stamps announced that they are now going to be a home party based business. I've always loved the A Muse style, cute and simple. I took a look at their online catalog and fell in love with all of their products. I was thisclose to signing up with them. But after careful thought (aka: using my OCD over analyzing skills) I decided it just wasn't the best timing. I'm hoping that in the near future I will be able to sign up with them.

Spring Break is approaching next week and I don't even have an eye twitch. Yet. ;-)

Stamps: A Muse sentiment and swimmer images, PTI Friendship Jar
Ink: Black Memento, copics
Paper: PTI Select White
Misc: PTI Friendship Jar Die

More Glads!

Oh I am in LOVE with this set. I've wanted it since it first came out, but there was always something higher up on the wish list. So glad I finally got it. (haha, pun not intended!)

I stamped with Memento ink and colored the leaves and the center of the flowers with my copics. I added some stickles to the center. Cut out the flowers, die cut the jar and ahered them. Easy peasy. I love when only a few images can make a big bang.

Have a wonderful week!!
Stamps: PTI Communique Sentiments, Friendship Jar, YOF: Gladiolus
Ink: Black Memento, Versamagic Sky blue, Copics
Paper: PTI White Select
Misc: Stickles

Gladiolus Sympathy

I can't believe it's been almost a month since I last posted. I've been busy at home but also decided to rearrange my crafting room. I have 2 desks that are made from Ikea kitchen cabinets that are VERY heavy. I didn't want to wait for dh so I moved them myself. One inch at a time. It took me over 30 minutes to move one of them. LOL! I was determined. Anyway you can imagine the disarray when you tear apart all of your craft supplies to re-organize. The good news is that I was able to make a card today. The bad news is that it is a Sympathy card for a good friend.

I wasn't too sure about the cream ribbon with the white base, but I recently read in a design magazine that you can match the two together. So I'm going with it. Plus, I don't have any white ribbon. ;-)

Inside I kept it basic but added a touch of the white dove. What do you think?

I'm going to hand deliver this today. So I chose to add the stamp to the envelope in a matching blue. This is my first time using PTI's YOF: Gladiolus and I just love it.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. And give your family members an extra big hug today.

Stamps: PTI Year of Flowers: Gladiolus, Communique Sentiments, Hero Arts With Sympathy
Ink: Colorbox Frost White and Sky Blue, Versamagic Blue
Paper: PTI White Select and Spring Rain
Misc: PTI Vintage Cream Twill Ribbon, PTI Envelope, PTI Dove Die, white EP

Guess Who Loves You

First, I want to thank everyone for your kind comments on my previous post. I don't like to be negative but it was really bothering me. You all made me feel better so thank you!

I absolutely LOVE that PTI now has a Monday Challenge. But I struggled with this particular concept all week long. I threw away a lot of cardstock with this challenge! I just couldn't get my sentiments to look like what I had in my head. I finally was able to come up with something that I liked.

I used the Mat Stack Die to cut through the Spring Moss and Old Olive paper.




So when you open the card you can see the negative space from the die.

 

Inside you can see the sentiment that I stamped on Vintage Cream, also die cut with the Mat Stack die.

I'll be giving this card to my hubby for Valentine's day tomorrow. Good thing he doesn't read my blog! ;-)



Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: PTI Love Birds, Signature Greetings, Tiny Treats Valentine

Ink: Adirondack Lettuce

Paper: SU Old Olive, PTI Vintage Cream, Spring Moss and Avocado Bitty Dots

Misc: PTI Rustic Twine, Vintage Cream Twill Ribbon, Mat Stack Die, Nestabilities tag die

Papertrey Ink Forum Valentine Swap

Over on the Papertrey Ink Forum, some of us members joined a Valentine's Day Swap. I was very excited to be able to participate this time! We were to send a small gift to our swap partner. I chose to use the Be Mine treat box that I posted about HERE.

Inside I filled it to the brim with Hershey's chocolate nuggets. Each nugget was wrapped with a sticker label that was stamped using all of the stamps from Background Basics: Hearts. I also included a bag with an assortment of PTI Buttons, a glassine bag with 4 hand painted, altered clothespins and a card.





I had SO much fun creating the card! I used the Friendship Jar and the cute trio of hearts from Love Birds. I just love how they look like they are floating out of the jar.

Since my swap partner chose not to thank me or answer any of my inquiries about the safe delivery of the gifts, it has soured me on a desire to enter any more swaps. Next time I think I will choose someone who will appreciate the time, effort and money I put into a special package. Someone like one of you nice folks who leave me sweet comments here on my blog. SOOOOO....if anyone out there would like to receive a RAK, send me a quick email with your mailing address to madskydesigns@gmail.com. I would LOVE to reverse the effects of the bad taste in my mouth that the swap left. And I could spread a little sunshine in the meantime. :)


I hope you are almost ready for Valentine's Day! I have a few projects to finish up and then I hope to share them on Monday. Have a great weekend!

(Supplies for card:)
Stamps: PTI Friendship Jar, Love Birds
Ink: PTI Pure Poppy, Smokey Shadow, SU White craft ink, Ranger Distress Ink in Tumbled Glass
Paper: PTI Select White, Kraft
Misc: SU White embossing powder, PTI Jar Die