Blossoms Through a Window

I have this weird OCD where I get a new stamp and I use it over and over and over. Sometimes I don't like what I make so I don't bother to post it here. I was almost not sure of this one, but I really like the idea of a blossom outside of the window. I may need to do it over again. I'll let you know if I do. ;)



This one is also going to Operation Write Home. :)

Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers Dogwood Blossoms, PTI Delightful Dahlia
Ink: Memento Black, Copics
Paper: PTI White, Fine Linen
Misc:  PTI Banner Die, Woodgrain Impression Plate, Poppy Stamps Madison Window Die

Sending You Lots of Love

I just recently purchased some Lawn Fawn for the very first time. I was impressed with the quick shipping, the packaging and the cute little thank you note from Kelly Marie.

I fell in  love with this adorable mailbox and I know I will be using it again and again.
This is another card that is going to Operation Write Home.

Stamps: Lawn Fawn You've Got Mail, PTI Love Birds, PTI Sending You, PTI Love Lives Here
Ink: PTI Pure Poppy, Memento Black
Paper: SU Bordering Blue (??) PTI White
Misc: Twinery Twine

Cas-ual Friday Challenge #44

This week's CAS-ual Friday challenge is to use a pattern, an image and a sentiment.
I heat embossed this gorgeous Cherry Blossom branch in a color similar to the Vintage Cream card base. Then I inked the edges a bit and them impressed it with PTI's Woodgrain Plate.
Stamped a simple sentiment on the bottom. Viola, CAS.

I also made a similar card that is not so Clean and Simple. Added some satin ribbon and a butterfly. (I'm sure y'all probably sick of seeing butterflies on here. Sorry, but I can't help it. I love them!)



 I'll be sending these off to Operation Write Home. The Mother's Day Deadline is March 31st if anyone wants to send some out!

Stamps: Flourishes Cherry Blossoms, PTI Delightful Dahlia
Ink: Versamark, PTI Kraft
Paper: PTI Vintage Cream, Fine Linen, Sweet Blush
Misc: PTI Sweet Blush Satin Ribbon, Woodgrain Impression Plate, AMuse Butterfly Die, Ranger Seafoam Embossing Powder 

Spring Bling Challenge

The Paper Dolls have a challenge up on the blog. Check it out here.
Renee has some blog candy up for grabs! Join in the fun until April 9th!

We were to use something Spring-y with some Bling.
I chose a new dogwood stamp that I just recently bought. I love dogwoods!
I colored the leaves and centers with copic markers and added some stickles in the middle.
I cut out the flowers and popped them up for dimension. I added some bling to the tiny butterfly too!
I'm sending this card off to Janelle to try to lift her spirits and let her know that she is in my prayers.



I'll be back with some more Dogwoods soon. Hope it's warming up where you are!

Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers Dogwood Blossom
Ink: Memento Black, AMuse Papaya, Copics
Paper: PTI Summer Sunrise, White
Misc: Diamond Stickles, pop dots

Superior Cardstock!

I found some really great cardstock that I wanted to share with you all. I bought a sampler pack at an Etsy store called Lilly Belle's Paperie. It came with 17 different colors and matching envelopes. I've never had matching envelopes before so I am REALLY excited to make some cards sets with these.

Look at all of those delicious colors!!

The first thing I did when I received the order was to compare the color and thickness to Papertrey Ink's cardstock. I was so excited to see, or should I say feel, that Lilly Belle's paper is just as thick and sturdy as PTI's!!! And a lot of the colors I received are so similar to PTI's you can't tell the difference.

So far I found that this paper is a perfect color match for:

Pure Poppy

Raspberry Fizz

Sweet Blush

New Leaf

Hawaiian Shores

Kraft

You can see them closer below. (And you can always click on the image for a larger picture)
 I put them next to my PTI color samples (that I hang on a binder ring).

 I was SO excited that my beloved Sweet Blush is an exact match to their Ballerina.

And the Hawaiian Shores matches exactly to their Caribbean. The Kraft is an exact color match too. But it's a hair thinner. But I like that because PTI's Kraft is too thick for my liking.
The brown is PTI's Dark Chocolate. I have nothing to compare it to yet. Lilly Belle's paper above the DK Chocolate is their black which is really nice.

I will be ordering more from them very soon!!

And no, I wasn't compensated in any way for this post. I just really needed another cardstock source and I am really happy to have found one!!

A Big Thank you

One more try with the Playdate Cafe's color challenge.

This week's colors to use are:

Charcoal, Ash, Butter

So this is the other card that I was working on. I think it's way too busy and the sentiment seems off balance but thought I'd share it anyway. I really enjoyed using these 3 colors together. I've seen so much of it lately on design blogs and Pinterest. Maybe I'll use this combo again sometime soon. :) 

Stamps: Stampin Up Fabulous Florets, Hero Arts Antique Flowers and Butterflies, PTI Thank you

Ink: Versafine Black, Amuse Slate, Memento Dandelion

Paper: PTI Lemon Tart, Rustic Cream, Vintage Cream

Misc: Hero Arts sizzix die, PTI Banner die

Shower Curtain Inspiration

I was searching online for a new shower curtain and stumbled upon this one.

I instantly saw PTI's Botanical Silhouette and Larger than life sets. So I just had to make a card!

I really need to get out more often. Lol!



Stamps: PTI Botanical Silhouettes, Delightful Dahlia and Larger than Life
Ink: Amuse Lime, Memento Black, Tim Holtz Spiced Marmalade
Paper: PTI Spring Moss, misc black and white cardstock
Misc: PTI Banner die, summer sunrise satin ribbon

Play Date Cafe (PDCC122)

I thought I was overdue for a color challenge. I really don't do well with color challenges because they are usually out of my comfort zone. Today is no different. The Play Date Cafe's colors to use are:

Charcoal, Ash, Butter

I would love to tell you that I whipped this card up in no time. But it took me a VERY long time. It was frustrating and I had/have 2 other cards sitting on my desk that just aren't working out. Yet! I kept going between the 3 of them and making changes here and there. I also had to sew and re-sew, then cut the mistakes off the paper, re-sew again, rearrange the layout....but I'm happy with how it came out in the end. Next I hope to finish off the 2 cards that are staring at me and mocking me right now. We'll see who wins.

I will be mass producing this card and sending them off to Operation Write Home. The deadline is
March 31st for Mother's Day cards if anyone is interested!



Stamps: Hero Arts, Verve, Stampin Up
Ink: Tim Holtz Black Soot, Amuse Slate, Memento Dandelion
Paper: PTI Vintage Cream and Rustic Cream, Bazzill, Vellum, October Afternoon Sidewalks
Misc: PTI Die, Hero Arts Die, sewing machine

Shabby Shutters

I decided that while I was waiting for the new shutter dies by Poppy Stamps, I would try to make my own. First I cut some kraft paper 1-1/2" x 2-3/4". Then I impressed them with PTI's Woodgrain Impression plate. Next I cut them into 3 equal pieces, inked the edges and roughed them up a bit with my kraft knife. I did the same techniques with the horizontal wood pieces and then glued them on. Behind the shutters I used 2 pop dots stacked on top of each other to add dimension, but I also adhered the cardstock closest to the window with my glue.

That butterfly landed there because I got an ink smudge on the window.
Of course the smudge happened after I put the card together. 

I hope you are having a great day! I'm going back to procrastinating on what I should be doing today.

Stamps: PTI Tiny Tags, unknown brick background stamp
Ink: PTI Kraft
Paper: PTI Vintage Cream, Spring Rain and Kraft, SU Ruby Red, Vellum
Misc: PTI Kraft Satin Ribbon, Amuse Butterfly Die, Poppy Stamps Window Die, 
PTI Woodgrain Impression Plate

Sending you Sunshine

Finally the sun is shining today! So I thought it only appropriate to share this card.

{All products PTI}


And I'd also like to share some exciting news. I am now a part of a wonderful group of bloggers. I have always admired them. They all exude a class and dignity that I really appreciate. Especially these days. You can visit their blogs via my left sidebar.

Be on the lookout for monthly challenges! The first one will be next month. I can't wait!