Color Throwdown 204 - Wonderful Friend

I finally seem to be finding a little bit of the mojo that has been lacking for the past few weeks! I've managed to squeak in just under the deadline with this card for the current Color Throwdown Challenge (CTD204):

I translated the colors into PTI as Smokey Shadow, Pure Poppy, Vintage Cream and Orange Zest. I got out PTI's Lovely Layers to play with, and added the "Wonderful friend" sentiment from a Think Big Favorites set on a WPlus9 banner die-cut. The checkered background is from Waltzingmouse Stamps.

I also used PTI's Limitless Layers: Squares dies, and popped up both the squares layer and also the Lovely Layers grouping.

Thanks for the great color combo, Color Throwdown! And thanks for stopping by!

MFT Stamp to Win - Sending You Hugs

I'm excited for my first time to play along with the MFT Wednesday Stamp to Win challenge! I've admired MFT stamps for some time, and finally placed my first order recently. So this week's sketch was a perfect opportunity to break out my new First Class Friend die-namics and stamp set. Here is the sketch:

I modified it to a horizontal card:

The focal point is popped up on dimensional adhesive.

The patterned paper is My Minds Eye, and the cardstock is PTI Orange Zest, Spring Moss and Spring Rain. Buttons are also PTI.

I'm looking forward to more fun with my MFT stamps, and adding more to my collection in the future! Thanks for stopping by!

Make it Monday: Ink Pads as Watercolors

I played along with the newest Make it Monday challenge this week, where Dawn McVey demonstrates how to use ink pads as watercolors - cool technique! I used Lovely Leaves and watercolored the leaves with a blend of Simply Chartreuse, Spring Moss and Harvest Gold, and the berries with Winter Wisteria.

For the sentiment, I used the frame and die from Framed Out #2, paired with a sentiment from Framed Out #6.

Thanks for the cool challenge, PTI!

Make It Monday Boy Birthday Card: Stamping On Texture

I have been in a bit of a creative slump lately and not found much time to be at my stamping table. But I needed a birthday card for a friend of my sons', so it was the perfect motivator to play along with this week's really cool Make It Monday challenge: stamping on texture!

I knew I wanted to use the car from Enjoy the Ride (this young man is VERY into cars!), which I colored with Copics and added a custom-created license plate using Simple Alphabet. For a fun and vibrant background, I impressed a white panel with the Simple Stripes impression plate and then used the MIM technique to stamp a pattern over the stripes using Hello, Sunshine in Pure Poppy, Hawaiian Shores and Summer Sunrise. I attached the panel to a white card base and adhered a star border in Pure Poppy to cover the edge and also "set off" the lower part of the card front, where the "happy birthday" sentiment from Tremendous Treats: Birthdays is stamped.

The car is popped up on a square panel cut from the Summer Sunrise pattern pack and Orange Zest cardstock, using the square Limitless Layers dies. I added the "it's your day" tag using stamps and dies from Framed Out #3. True confessions time: that wasn't my original plan! I wanted something up in that corner, so I decided to attach 3 brads (red, yellow, and teal). Looked at it and didn't like it at all! Time for some creative problem-solving... so I decided to add the little tag as an "accent" and to cover up the holes from where I removed the brads. Voila... problem solved!  

Thanks for looking, and thanks Heather for this fun and easy technique to add a little more pizazz to a card!

Make It Monday: Step-it-up Embellishments and a Sunshine-y tip!

I finally finished a pair of cards for this week's Make It Monday, and I also have a tip to share! Lots of photos in this post! :) See the bottom of the post for my tip on "expanding" the sun rays in the Hello Sunshine stamp set.

The challenge for Dawn's MIM tutorial is to make similar cards with varying amounts of layers and embellishments. I didn't make my cards as similar as Dawn's, but they do have similar design elements. I used the new Hello Sunshine set for both. The first is the "stepped down" version. I created the sunburst background using Summer Sunrise and Hawaiian Shores ink, and used the Happy Day label die-cut for my sentiment focal point. I stamped the medallion from Lovely Layers (a perfect fit!) in Harvest Gold, and then stamped the sentiment from Beautiful Butterflies on top.

I finished off the focal point with a few clear gems and popped it up on the sunburst panel, which is then adhered to a Harvest Gold card base.

My second card, the "stepped up" version, is for my son's upcoming 9th birthday! Since his birthday is July 3, it's always easy to work with a red/white/blue theme. This card is larger than the one above - the sunburst panel (in Enchanted Evening and Pure Poppy) is 5.5x4.25, and the card base is 6.25x5.

For the focal point, I have a Mat Stack 5 stamped in Pure Poppy with the stars background from Est. 1776. I then layered a Pure Poppy Doily Details die-cut, and a By the Numbers number "9" die-cut. I used two Tiny Tags, stamping the square one with the "happy birthday" from Tag-Its 1, and the little stars from Est. 1776. The "celebrating from Big Birthday Wishes is stamped on a double-ended banner die-cut.

The Enchanted Evening mat, the Mat Stack 5, and the number 9 are each popped up on foam adhesive for more dimension and visual impact of the layering. I finished the panel off with 3 little brads in the bottom corner, and by inking the edges of all the layers with light brown chalk ink.

Now, here is my tip, which might be obvious but I'm not sure I've seen it mentioned before. Because I wanted to layer the sunshine "bursts" behind a larger focal point, I wanted to "expand" the sunburst. But I still use the ingenious starburst circle positioner in the set, to get a perfectly spaced, "even" sunburst. So here is what I did.

First, I used a gridline stamping block and very carefully and deliberately lined up the sunburst so that the center line of the block goes right down the center of the sunburst, and so that the tip of the sunburst is right at a "crossroads" of the gridlines. Here I inked it up with black ink to make sure you can see what I mean:

Now, stamp the positioner sunburst circle in whatever color you want - I used black since it will be covered up when the card is complete. Then ink up the sunburst, but instead of positioning it BETWEEN the lines of the circle with the point in the center, you will position is at the END of the line, with the "crossroads" at the tip right at the end of the line, and the center line of the block directly OVER the LINE of the positioner circle, like so:

I worked my way around the circle like this, stamping in Hawaiian Shores at every other line. Then I went back in with the solid sunburst and stamped the same way, and the alternate lines. This is what I ended up with:

Using this method, you can "expand" the overall size of the sunburst as much as you want, whereas if it was stamped in the usual way, most of the pattern would be "lost" under the larger focal point that is layered on top of it. It also allows the sunbursts to reach further to the edge of the card, especially if you are putting the center point "off center", as I have on these two cards. Notice on the 9th birthday card above that ALL the "rays" reach to the outer edge of the A2 sized panel.

Well, thanks for stopping by, and thanks Dawn and PTI for another great Make It Monday!

Summer Camp card - last one! (for now!)

Here is the last of the three cards I made for my son to receive at Boy Scout camp. He is home now, but he said that he enjoyed getting them! I used the Summer Camp paper pack, and added the sentiment from Fillable Frames Sentiments, using the Framed Out #3 die and stamp set.

The twine and kraft button added that perfect, masculine finishing touch. :)

Thanks for looking!

another Summer Camp card

Here is another card that I sent to Ryan at Boy Scout summer camp. Again, I used the Summer Camp stamp set and patterned paper. I also used a piece of paper from Authentique's Glory 6x6 pad - look at that fleur de lis, the Boy Scout symbol!! How perfect!

I just love this sentiment, which I stamped by selectively inking the stamp so that I could "split" it and make it go across the card horizontally. The camera is stamped with Versamark.

Love those footprints!

The sentiment panel is popped up on the card base.

Thanks for stopping by!

a card for my Happy Camper!

As I mentioned in my last post, my husband and oldest son went off on their first week-long Boy Scout camping adventure yesterday! So PTI's Summer Camp stamp set and patterned paper really came out at just the right time for me! I made a few cards to send to my son at camp this week. I remember how fun it was to get mail from home when I was at camp! But this first one, I actually sent with my husband to give to Ryan on the first night. It was inspired in part by Heather's card from the countdown, here.

I used Trendy Tree Tops for the tree, and the Simple Stripes impression plate on the cream panel. The tent and fire are both colored with copics and hand-cut.

Thanks for looking! I have a couple of other Summer Camp cards to post later this week, so check back soon! :)

Two Father's Day cards for Two Special Dads!

I have two Father's Day cards to share today. First up is the one I made for my dad, using PTI's Modern Wood Mats and World's Greatest, and a background strip from WMS Off Beat Backgrounds.

The color combo is Blueberry Sky, Canyon Clay and Vintage Cream. I used the Pinking Shears border die on the strips, and the Simple Stripes impression plate on the blue panel. Love the look!

Next is the card I made for my husband. I'm so pleased with how this turned out! The camping theme was perfect, as he and our oldest son just left this morning on a week-long Boy Scout camping trip. What a perfect excuse to pull out PTI's Summer Camp set. I also used the Summer Camp patterned paper. Notice how nicely that little tent coordinates? Originally I was going to stamp it and color with Copics, but then I noticed that on the "stars" patterned paper, there was an open area (with no words or stars) that was large enough to stamp the tent! So I used that and hand-cut it.

The focal point sentiment is from World's Greatest again, and I also pulled out Simply You, for the "You are my moon, my stars, my everything" border around the edges. I thought it went well with the star-themed paper. The little moon is from a Verve set, and the fire is from Summer Camp, copic-colored and hand-cut.

Thanks for looking, and Happy Father's Day!

TSG160: Circles! And a zoo-per birthday card!

Oh my poor neglected blog! I even have a backlog of un-shared cards, but I just haven't been very good about getting the posts written. But I was so happy to play along this week for the very first time with the There She Goes Stamps challenge TSG160 - incorporate circles into your project design! I just got my first order of TSG stamps recently and let me say that I love them! I already have a growing wishlist.

For this card, I used Zoo-pendous... how cute are those little zoo animals?? I stamped the peacock, snake and giraffe using masking, and then cut them out with a Spellbinders circle die and colored with Copics. I used the Spellbinders Lacey Circle die as an accent behind the focal point (half-circles!). More circle shapes are found in the PTI Summer Sunrise polka dot paper, the PTI circle-shaped Tiny Tag, and the teeny scalloped border.

The circle focal point is popped up on the 5.5" square card base.

Thanks for the fun challenge, TSG! I can't wait to break in some more of my new stamps! And thanks for stopping by!

PTI May Blog Hop

It's PTI Blog Hop day! For this month's challenge, Nichole presented us with an inspiration photo with a striking green/black color combination and lots of great patterns:

I took the color inspiration from the photo and made my card with Simply Chartreuse and True Black cardstock and ink, including a strip of paper from the pattern paper pack. I stamped a background with the Harvest Berries stamp set and also used the dies to add one little sprig of leaves tot he sentiment, which is stamped on a Fillable Frame die-cut.

I added a little row of black gems to the sentiment panel and popped it up on the card base.

Thanks for the lovely inspiration, Nichole! And thanks for stopping by - be sure to check out the list on Nichole's blog to hop around to all the lovely projects all over blogland today! :)

Make it Monday: Felt Flowers from Border Dies

This week's Make it Monday challenge is to create some sweet little felt flowers from border dies. I got started on this on Monday, but then the week got away from me and my flowers sat there on my stamping table all week until today! Once I found some time today, it came together pretty quickly.

I used the Leafy Vine border die to create my flowers from Orange Zest, Hawaiian Shores and Raspberry Fizz felt. I cut the leaves off of one side, leaving a thin strip with the leaves on one side. I rolled it up but made the center "open", not tight, and then sort of fanned out the "petals" and finished the flowers with a coordinating button and twine. I think they turned out pretty cute!

The focal point is a white Mat Stack 4 and a Simply Chartreuse Layerz. I stamped the sentiment from Take Three Summer and then framed it out with Label Basics, and impressed the panel with the woodgrain impression plate. I cut leaves from Turning a new leaf in Simply Chartreuse felt to layer under my flowers, and popped the whole thing up on my card base.

The base is stamped at the top with Polka Dot Basics, and then layered with Raspberry Fizz gingham from the pattern paper pack, an Orange Zest heart border used for the scallops, and an Edger #2 stamped in Polka Dot Basics.

I wrapped an orange ribbon at the top and finished the sentiment with some sweet little clear gems.

Thanks for looking!

Make It Monday: Patterned Paper backgrounds

This week's Make It Monday challenge, courtesy of Dawn McVey, is to combine several patterned paper scraps into a background. I have to confess that this one proved more of a challenge than I initially thought! I sat down earlier this week and gathered up several patterned paper bits (some stamped, some printed), and proceeded to push them around on my desk over a few different attempts throughout the week, lol. Then last night I got an idea for a design, and this morning it just came together.

The scraps I incorporated are: Lemon Tart Bitty Blocks; Lemon Tart Damask Designs; Orange Zest Bitty Dots; Faux-Ribbon stamped in Orange Zest and Hawaiian Shores on white; Harvest Berries stamped in Orange Zest and Hawaiian Shores on white; and Hawaiian Shores stamped tone-on-tone with Polka Dot Basics.

I added the Happy Birthday sentiment from Vintage Picnic and the stripes at the bottom from Faux Ribbon.

The patterned paper panel is adhered on foam adhesive and the layered butterfly is adhered and folded for extra dimension. I finished off the panel with three little pearls from Creative Charms.

Thanks for looking!

Make it Monday: Inspired Color Challenge

For this week's Make it Monday, Nichole did a great video about the use of color inspiration and applying the design principle of the "Rule of Three" to color. I was so happy to see that she also gave several different color palettes to use for the challenge. Here is the one I picked for this card:

I love the colors in this combo, and chose it especially because I wanted to use the new Winter Wisteria! :) I thought the combo would work well with a floral theme, so I pulled out Rosie Posie, along with Sweet Spring (for the frame), Celebrations, Take Three, and Faux Ribbon. I never noticed before how nicely the Celebrations and Sweet Spring frame image layer together - will have to remember that one!

Although I didn't plan to be too much of a stickler for applying the Rule of Three on every color, by the time I was finished, I think I did manage to adhere pretty well to the rule, lol!

I added texture to the top part of the white mat with an Impression Plate - it needed something, but I thought that more stamping would start to overwhelm the card. I finished it off with three little gems from Creative Charms.

Maybe I'll get to try another one of the lovely color combos over the weekend! Thanks for all the options, Nichole!

And thanks for stopping by!

a Thank You from a Choir of Tweet Little Bitty Birds!

I have to explain the story behind this card so that it will make sense! This year at our church/kids' school, the music director launched a brand new Children's Choir, and asked me to help out (because I'm involved in the music ministry and also involved at the school). The kids will sing for the last time this school year at this weekend's Mass for First Holy Communion, so I made this card for the kids to sign for the music director and give him yesterday at our last rehearsal.

The birds are a combination of different ones from Little Bitty Bird and Tweet Talk. I intentionally wanted them to all be a little bit different, because they represent the 20 kids in the choir and each one of them is unique! There is a pink one for each girl and a blue one for each boy, all die-cut and stamped, then colored with Copic markers. Some are bigger and some littler because we have 1st through 7th graders in the choir. :)

Almost everything on the card is from PTI, except for the music-background tag which is from Gina K Designs (coordinates with Spellbinders dies), and the "from all of us" which is from Verve.

I created an inside sentiment using a combination of Simply You and Wonderful Words Additions:

And since it was an oddly sized card (about 9.5"x4.25") and I had to hand-make an envelope, I figured I might as well stamp it to match while I was at it:

I'm super happy with how this project turned out, and the kids all thought it was cute (and were picking out which bird was who, lol). They were excited to give it to the music director, and he seemed to like it and appreciated that all the kids signed it, too.

Thanks for looking!