Congrats Balloon Card

I was asked by my father to make a graduation card for my niece who is graduating 8th grade. Unfortunately I rarely see her and don't know much about her. So I thought some sparkly balloons were in order.

I stamped each image in Versamark and then used either Martha Stewart glitter embossing powder, or SU's irridescent ice. I cut out each balloon and tied matching twine to each one. I tried to make the sentiment look like it was wearing the graduation cap. It looked much better in my mind!

 

Inside I used a 3x3 envelope so that my parents can insert some cash. I was stumped as to what to dio inside since I don't own many Graduation stamps so I just continued the balloon theme and left room for my parents to write something.

I wrapped some gorgeous gray twine around the envelope and added a tiny tag.

I made another card for my other niece. But that will have to wait until tomorrow because I have to make dinner now. Blah. I'd rather be stamping. :)

Stamps: Studio G (cap), PTI Signature Greetings and Tiny Tags

Ink: Versamark, Versafine Turquiose Gem and Black, Memento Rosebud

Paper: PTI Select White, Sweet Blush, Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise, Plum Pudding, Chartreuse,  

Misc: Twine for various sources, SU 3x3 envelope, PTI Tiny Tags die cuts, MS EP, SU Irridescent Ice, pop dots

Make It Monday #12 Line Frame

I've only attempted this technique a few times. I am just too impatient I guess. But I figured out a way to do it real quick and easy. I used my T-Square ruler. Just started drawing a line 1/4" in from the first side, then stop 1/4" from then end of the other side. So for this card it started at 1/4" on the left and ended at 5-1/4" on the right. Then turned the card, drew the line up to the 4" mark. Repeat that process until you are done. I also did it that way for my second card, only I started drawing 1/2" from the side and repeated the process.

Stamps: PTI Signature Greeting, There She Goes Poppies

Ink: Memento Black, Copics, Precision Pen

Paper: PTI Vintage Cream, Select White

Misc: Stickles

For this card I thought I would change things up a bit. Instead of using a black marker, I used a copic marker that was the same color as my Memento ink that I used. I wasn't too sure how it would turn out, but I think it looks okay. I definitely need to fine tune my framing skills.

Thanks for looking and I hope to be back soon with something completely different. {Hint: I am working with fabirc, felt and dies!}


Stamps: PTI Floral Fusion, Signature Greetings
Ink: Versamagic Pretty Petunia, Memento Bamboo Leaves, Copic Marker
Paper: PTI Select White
Misc: Stickles

Missing My Brother

I miss my brother. I haven't been able to see him in a very long time. So I made him this card to let him know.

First, I inked up PTI's Woodgrain Impression plate with some white craft ink. I ran it through my Big Shot with some Kraft Paper. Then I cut out a circle using my Nestabilities. On the Vintage Cream cardstock, I stamped the tree image and then the bird. I received some gorgeous Divine Twine from my friend Cathy and used it to tie on the Tiny Tag. I don't own the Tiny Tags set or dies, but was able to borrow them from a wonderful friend, Noora.

I stamped the other bird on top of the heart and the sentiment miss you. See how those cute birdies are separated? That's how I feel without seeing my beloved brother in such a long time. Hopefully I'll be able to visit him this summer. I miss his smiling face.

That's it for now. I have other projects in the works but I'm not sure when I'll be posting them. I really, REALLY want to get my craft room re-painted. Right now it is beige and red with a black and white border. It used to be a boy's room before we moved in. Not a very inspiring environment. Well, 3 years later and I still haven't redecorated it. Ideally I would like to get it done before the summer arrives. Crossing my fingers!

Stamps: PTI Through the Trees, Love Birds
Ink: Versacolor, Colorbox, PTI Pure Poppy
Paper: PTI Vintage Cream, Kraft
Misc: PTI Woodgrain Impression Plate, Divine Twine, pop dots, PTI Tiny Tags die

An Off Color card not for the Easily Offended

A wonderful and super generous friend of mine, Kelli Jo, sent me several of her unloved There She Goes stamp sets. One of the sets is "Loads of Fun". It has images of laundry, laundry baskets, a washer and dryer and some of the funniest sentiments. I know I'm going to have fun with this set!!

So I wanted to make her a thank you card. But it had to be a very unique, humorus and a bit crazy of a card to fit her personality. ;-) The idea came to me almost instantly.

Now be warned, it is not for the pearl clutchers. Although I don't think any of them follow my blog. ;-) I just don't want anyone to be offended by this.  It is just done in good "clean" fun.

In order for the sentiment to work, I had to ink up half of one sentiment for the beginning of the sentence and half of another for the end of the sentence. I'm hoping she will get a good laugh out of it. And I hope you did too! If not, you can let go of your pearls now. lol!

Stamps: There She Goes "Loads of Fun" and The Greeting Farm Cheeky Girl
Ink: Memento black, Versacolor Turquiose Gem, Copic markers
Paper: PTI Aqua Mist, Hawaiian Shores, Raspberry Fizz, Vellum
Misc: tiny wooden clothespins, pop dots

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