Multi Happy Birthdays

I was looking at all the scrap paper I have and decided to use some of it for part of this card.  I used Kraft for the card base and added a layer of polka dot pattern paper, rounding the right hand corners.  I die cut a bunch of colored cardstock using my Tag Trios die, and then randomly stamped them with "happy" or "birthday". 

I arranged the die cuts on the card in no particular pattern....I just wanted to make sure the colors looked okay together.  I added Caribbean Twine on the spine and the star to complete the card.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Paper Tray
• Paper:  PTI Raspberry Fizz, Lemon Tart, Winter Wisteria, Aqua Mist, Spring Moss, Orange Zest, Hibiscus Burst, Simply Chartreuse, Hawaiian Shores, Kraft, Happy Spots
• Tools:  Corner Rounder; Stampin' Up Small Star Punch; Tag Trios Nestabilities
• Other:  Twine
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Sending Prayers (CAS #15)

I love the color combinations of this card!  I used New Leaf for the card base and added a layer of black.  The leaves are stamped twice on white cardstock - once fully inked, and once where I stamped off the excess ink on a separate piece of paper, and then stamped over the original leaves to create a "shadow look".  I rounded the corners and adhered it to the card.

I added the sentiment and a few butterflies stamped in cantaloupe ink.  To finish the card, I added crystals to the butterfly centers.  Easy to make but looks elegant.

Card Details:  

• Paper:  PTI New Leaf, White Stamper's Select; Recollections
• Stamps:  PTI Turning A New Leaf, Beautiful Butterflies
• Tools:  Corner Rounder
• Other:  Gems
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Christmas In July!

Hard to believe Christmas is just 5 months away.  It reminds me that snow and cold weather will soon be here.  Snow I can do without, but I'm looking forward to much cooler weather!

I used Kraft for the card base and added a layer of red.  The stamped images are on Rustic White cardstock.  I stamped the light strings first, added the branches, stamping them in 3 shades of green and then added the red lights.

I stamped the sentiment in light brown to match the Kraft and added a few gold stars to help fill in the blank areas. Next, I edged around the card in antique linen distress ink to give it more of a vintage look.  I thought the card needed "something else" so added a little bit of glitter to the middle of each light.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Holiday Lights, Stylish Sentiments: Holiday, Take A Bough
• Paper:  PTI Kraft, Rustic White; The Paper Company
• Other:  Martha Stewart Glitter, Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress Ink
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

• Use What I Have:  Bought this set last September and never used it

Happy Summer Birthday

It's still hot here but getting closer to Fall everyday.  I thought this made a cute, summer birthday card.  I used Lemon Tart for the card base and added a layer of multi-striped pattern paper.  I used Card Edgers on the bottom to give it a scalloped look.

The popsicle is made from a paint chip!  I keep saying you can't throw anything away anymore!  I cut the paint chip, added a real popsicle stick to the back of it and adhered it to the card.  I wrapped some pink, sparkly ribbon around the stick and added the sentiment. 

This card was made mostly from "recyled" items.  The popsicle sticks came from my grandmother - she had a huge box of them.  The paint chips courtesy of Home Depot.  And the ribbon was wrapped around something I ordered from a craft website.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Birthday Bash Sentiments, Mailbox Greetings
• Paper:  PTI Lemon Tart; DCWV Spring Fling & Summer Days
• Tools:  PTI Card Edgers #4
• Other:  Ribbon, Popsicle Stick, Paint Chip
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

SAF: Handmade Embellishments Challenge

The challenge was to create custom embellishments from one of the posted videos.  I chose Dawn's because she used butterflies, and well, I like butterflies.

I used Dark Chocolate for the card base and added a layer of ivory patterned paper from Chocolate Remix.  I die cut two different butterflies using Dark Chocolate and Sweet Blush pattern papers.  I layered them on  top of each other and added a Sweet Blush button threaded with Flax twine.

I die cut Mat Stack 1 from Sweet Blush and stamped it in brown and added the sentiment from Framed Out #1.  I adhered the die cut to the card.  Looking at it, it was too plain to me so I added more twine around the middle, tying it in a bow.  I think that completed the card!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Mat Stack 1 Collection, Framed Out #1
• Paper:  PTI Sweet Blush, Dark Chocolate, Pink Patterns, 2008 Bitty Box Basics, Chocolate Remix
• Tools:  PTI Beautiful Butterflies Die, Mat Stack 1 Die
• Other:  PTI Sweet Blush Button; Twine
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

SAF: Tie-Dye Techniques Challenge

The challenge was to choose one of three techniques.  I chose Nichole's - "Marbleized" tie-dye.  Believe it or not, you use shaving cream to create this technique!  You can find the 3 techniques videos here.

I spread shaving cream on a cookie sheet, about 1/2" thick.  I used Pretty In Pink and Summer Sun reinkers, letting the ink drip randomly over the shaving cream and then stirred the shaving cream in circles, using the end of a paintbrush.  Next, I laid a piece of white cardstock directly on top of the shaving cream, making sure the front side of the cardstock was completely immersed in the shaving cream.

I carefully lifted the cardstock off the shaving cream, turned it over and scraped off the shaving cream with an expired gift card (I don't throw anything away anymore! lol).  Once the shaving cream was cleared off, I had this really nice, marbleized pink and yellow effect!  Who thinks up these things???

I used Hibiscus Burst for the card base and cut my design to 3-3/4" x 5.0".  I used my Filigree Border die to cut a strip in Lemon Tart and placed it over the design.  Next,  I die cut a scalloped square, piercing the scallops.  I stamped the sentiment on a Lemon Tart square, adhered it to the scalloped square and placed it on foam tape for dimension.  My last step was adding white ribbon on the spine.  Fun technique - a little messy, but a nice looking card that also smells good!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Framed Out #1
• Paper:  PTI Hibiscus Burst, Lemon Tart, White Stamper's Select
• Tools:  PTI Filigree Border Die; Standard & Scalloped Square Nestabilities; Paper Piercer
• Other:  Stampin' Up Pretty In Pink, Summer Sun Reinkers; Shaving Cream; Ribbon
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

SAF: Limited Supply Challenge

I thought this was going to be tough to do as we could only use a limited supply of items - 1) a floral stamp set, 2) White, Hawaiian Shores, Aqua Mist and Simply Chartreuse cardstock, 3) Hawaiian Shores Bitty Dot ribbon and 4) Simply Chartreuse buttons.  Luckily the only item I didn't have was the ribbon!  But we could also add twine, glitter or use dies.  Whew!

I used Hawaiian Shores for the card base and added a layer of Aqua Mist cardstock.  I stamped the pattern background by using Flower Fusion #12 and Harvest Berries and adhered it to a piece of Simply Chartreuse cardstock, cut with Card Edgers #4.  I placed this on top of the Aqua Mist cardstock.

I stamped "in my prayers" onto a double ended banner made with Aqua Mist cardstock, cutting off the tail on one side so it lined up with card.  I added a button and some Honeydew twine to complete the card.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Flower Fusion #12, Harvest Berries, Gracious Vases
• Paper:  PTI Hawaiian Shores, Aqua Mist, Simply Chartreuse, White Stamper's Select
• Tools:  PTI Double Ended Banners, Card Edgers #4
• Other:  Twine, PTI Simply Chartreuse Button
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

SAF: Ribbon Techniques Challenge

This is the next project I'm doing today which uses ribbon.  There are a variety of techniques posted and I chose Dawn's use of Saddle Stitch ribbon.  I used Summer Sunrise card stock for the card base and layered it with Aqua Mist pattern paper. 

I cut a Mat Stack 3 die from white cardstock and stamped it with cantaloupe ink using the stamp from Mat Stack 3.  Next, I stamped the happy birthday sentiment (from Beautiful Butterflies) in black and adhered it to the card.  I cut the butterfly using a Beautiful Butterflies die and stamped it in black with a Mehndi Medallion stamp.  I placed the butterfly on foam tape for dimension and added a clear gem to the center.

My final step was to tie the ribbon using Summer Sunrise saddle stitch ribbon. I used to have trouble tying ribbons and bows, but then I watched a great video Dawn McVey posted on her blog a long time ago and that was the answer to my problem!  She has posted another video on Nichole's blog today to show how easy it is to tie a ribbon!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Beautiful Butterflies, Mehndi Medallion, Mat Stack 3
• Paper:  PTI Summer Sunrise, Aqua Mist Pattern Pack, Aqua Mist, White Stamper's Select
• Tools:  PTI Mat Stack 3 Die, Beautiful Butterflies Die
• Other:  PTI Summer Sunrise Saddle Stitch Ribbon; Gem
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

SAF: Morning Make-n-Take

Here's the first item of the day - "Morning Make-n-Take".  For this card I used Raspberry Fizz for the card base, rounding the corners on the bottom.  I stamped the floral image on White Stamper's Select using stamps from Rosie Posie, Turning A New Leaf and a little flower from Borders & Corners: Oval.  I rounded the corners on the bottom corners only. 

I stamped the sentiment from Harvest Berries onto vellum (I don't use vellum enough in my card making!) using Staz-On, and adhered it to the back of the cardstock with scor-tape.  I also added a little vellum tape underneath it to help hold the vellum in place.  This was an easy card to make and looks like it took much longer.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Rosie Posie, Turning A New Leaf, Borders & Corners: Oval, Harvest Berries
• Paper:  PTI Raspberry Fizz, White Stamper's Select
• Tools:  Corner Rounder
• Other:  Vellum, Scor-Tape, Staz-On
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

• Use What I Have:  Haven't used the Borders & Corners Oval set for a long time - or vellum!

Papertrey Stamp-A-faire

 

I've been waiting for this day for months!  An entire day of stamping, creating and learning new techniques!  PTI is devoting the entire day to this - it's all on Nichole's blog.  And it's open and free to everyone!  I've already placed my order early this morning to get the free stamp set (Natural Beauties) they're offering just for today. I'll be updating my blog throughout the day as I make projects and enter them into the contests!   What a fun, fun day this is going to be!!!

Male Happy Birthday

Time for another male birthday card!  For this one I used Kraft for the card base and inked around the edges with white ink.  I rounded the corners on the right hand side.  I added a layer of green polka dots, again rounding the corners.

I die cut another piece of Kraft, using PTI's Celebration Frame die, ran it through a woodgrain impression plate, inked around the edges in white and adhered it to the card.  I die cut the double ended banner and stamped the sentiment.  I threaded a couple of wood buttons with jute and placed them on the banner.  Perfect for a male - brown and green!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Gracious Vases
• Paper:  PTI Kraft, New Leaf, Dotty Biscotti
• Tools:  PTI Celebrations Frame Die, Double Ended Banner Die, Woodgrain Impression Plate; Corner Rounder
• Other:  PTI Woodgrain Buttons; Jute; White Ink
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

sending birthday wishes

Rosie Posie is one set I seem to turn to quite a bit!  I used Raspberry Fizz for the card base and added a layer of Lemon Tart.  I stamped the flowers and leaves onto white cardstock and then ran it through the Cuttlebug, using a striped embossing folder.  I rounded the four corners.

I die cut the banner in Spring Moss, cutting the tail off one end and stamped the sentiment.  My last step was adding the pearls to the flower centers.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Rosie Posie, Everyday Button Bits
• Paper:  PTI Raspberry Fizz, Spring Moss, Lemon Tart, White Stamper's Select
• Tools:  PTI Double Ended Banner Die; Corner Rounder; Cuttlebug "Pajama Stripe" Embossing Folder
• Other:  Recollections Pearls
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Seventh Birthday

I made this card a few months ago - it was a lot of fun to do!  I used pink for the card base, using card edgers on the right side for a little design.  I topped the pink with a layer of yellow pattern paper, again cutting the right hand side.  I stamped the little girl, colored her with Copics, cut out the image and adhered her to the yellow paper.

The balloons were die cut in pinks and blue cardstock. I glued a piece of twine to each balloon and arranged them in a bunch, placing them on the yellow, some with foam tape for dimension.  Next, I gathered the twine ends, tied them with a bow and placed it on top of her hand to make it look like she's holding the balloons.  I stamped Kaylei's name over 3 of the balloons.

I die cut the 7 and placed it on a pinking circle.  I added the flowers with gem centers, stamped the sentiment and tied a pink ribbon around the spine. 

Card Details:

• Stamps:  CC Designs "Birthday Sadie"; PTI Heart-2-Heart #2; Studio G $1
• Paper:  DCWV Spring Fling & Summer Days; Bazzill
• Tools:  PTI Heart-2-Heart #2 Die; By The Numbers Die, Card Edgers #3; Pinking Circle Nestabilities
• Other:  Prisma Flowers; Gems; Twine; Copics; Ribbon; Foam Tape
• Card Size:  5.0" x 5.0"

Congratulations (CAS #14)

I'm looking through my stamp sets trying to pull out ones I haven't used for a while and saw Around & About Sentiments.  I used white for the card base and layered it with a yellow polka dot pattern paper, rounding the corners on the right side.  I cut a rectangle of Pure Poppy and a rectangle in white, stamping the white with rows of "congratulations", adhering both to the card.

I die cut a red, scalloped circle and a regular circle in white, stamping the white with additional congratulations.  I added a punched flower to the center with a red gem and Maraschino twine on the spine.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Around & About Sentiments
• Paper:  PTI Pure Poppy; Cosmo Cricket Garden Variety
• Tools:  Standard & Scalloped Circle Nestabilities; Corner Rounder; EK Success Flower Punch
• Other:  Gem, Twine
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

• Use What I Have:  Around & About Sentiments stamps

Framed Out #1

I'm liking the "framed out" series from PTI more and more!  This card uses the Framed Out #1 stamp set and matching die.  I used Raspberry Fizz cardstock for the card base and then stamped it with images from Mehndi Medallion in coordinating ink. 

I cut a strip of yellow paper, using Card Edgers #4 for the shape at the bottom and adhered it to the card base.  Using the Framed Out #1 die, I die cut the black polka dot frame first and then the white inside, stamping it with the sentiment. 

I tied Raspberry Fizz ribbon around the card and placed the frame on top of it with foam squares for dimension.  My last step was adding the pre-made flower on the top of the card.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Framed Out #1, Mehndi Medallion
• Paper:  PTI Raspberry Fizz, 2008 Bitty Dot Basics; DCWV
• Tools:  PTI Card Edgers #4, Framed Out #1 Die
• Other:  PTI Raspberry Fizz Ribbon; Jolee's Stickers; Foam Squares
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

happy birthday

It's been so hot here that right now an ice cream cone sounds wonderful!  I used Kraft for the card base and added a layer of  blue chevron pattern paper.  I used a corner shaper punch on the chevron paper and inserted the  next layer, a pattern paper with popsicles on it.

I stamped the ice cream cone and sentiment onto white cardstock, placed it on a layer of red cardstock and adhered it to the card with foam tape for dimension.  I used silver Stickles on the ice cream cone and wrapped Shore twine around the spine.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Sweet As Can Be, Shapes By Design
• Paper:  PTI Kraft, Pure Poppy, White Stamper's Select; DCWV
• Tools:  Standard Circle Nestabilities; EK Success Corner Shaper
• Other:  Twine; Stickles; Foam Tape
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

• Use What I Have:  Haven't used either of these stamps sets for a long time

Together Forever

I saw this card on Stephanie's blog, she posts on the PTI Forum and makes some really beautiful cards.  I have to admit, I copied this card almost exactly as her's since I liked it so much.

I used white cardstock for the card base.  On a separate, smaller piece of white, I stamped the music notes,  tied Maraschino twine around it and adhered it to the card base.  I die cut the red and white hearts, layered them and adhered them to the card, adding two pearls in the center.  My last step was to stamp the sentiment and round the bottom right hand corners.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Background Basics:  Music, Love & Marriage
• Paper:  PTI White Stamper's Select, Pure Poppy
• Tools:  Standard Heart Nestabilities; Corner Rounder
• Other:  Twine; Pearls
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Snow Day!

Doesn't that sound good right about now after having all these HOT, HOT days in the 90s??  I'm counting down the days until Fall.....I can't wait to get rid of this heat and humidity.

I thought making a winter type card would make me feel cooler - it really didn't.  LOL  I used Hibiscus Burst for the card base and added a layer of Spring Rain, embossed with a Cuttlebug embossing folder.  The snow drifts were made with the In The Meadow die (have to say I'm getting use from that die!).  The snowman and sentiment are dimensional stickers from Michael's.  I diecut a few clouds, adhering one with foam tape for a little more dimension.

By the way "only" 78 days until Fall.  It will go by fast, right?? 

Card Details:

• Paper:  PTI Hibiscus Burst, Spring Rain
• Tools:  PTI In The Meadow Die, Clouds 1 & 2 Dies; Tag Trio Nestability; Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder
• Other:  Recollections Dimensional Stickers
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Thank You

I saw a card similar to this on Pinterest, but it was just one strip of red, white and blue with a star cut out in the bottom of the strip.  I decided to do mine a bit different.

I cut 3 strips each of red, white and blue cardstock (all from scraps!), using my double ended banners.  I lined them up in a pattern on a Kraft card base and trimmed off the tops.  I stamped the "thank you" in blue ink in the bottom center.

I found a small piece of silver, striped cardstock that I know is several years old, but it worked perfectly to make the stars for the card.  I adhered the stars, placing a few of them on foam tape for dimension.  I thought this would be a nice card to send to someone in the military or who has just returned home.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Think Big Favorites #4
• Paper:  PTI Kraft, Pure Poppy, Enchanted Evening, White Stamper's Select
• Tools:  PTI Double Ended Banners Die; Star Nestabilities
• Other:  Foam Tape
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

• Use What I Have:  Silver striped cardstock

Celebrate Your Day in a HOPPY Way!

I don't know why I didn't get this PTI $5 frog stamp set earlier, it's so cute and a perfect set to use for a little boy!  I used Blueberry Sky for the card base and added a layer of blue pattern for the sky.  I die cut the frog and lily pad, coloring the frog with Copics. 

I die cut the grass in Spring Moss using the In The Meadow die and adhered it to the blue pattern paper.  Next, I adhered the lily pad and the frog on foam tape for dimension.  I stamped the sentiment and the bee. 

The clouds were die cut and placed on the blue, with the smaller cloud on foam tape for more dimension.  I added a little bit of glitter to the bottoms of the clouds.  The card still needed something so I added the dew drops in the bottom corner. 

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Boy Basics:  Frog Hop
• Paper:  PTI Blueberry Sky, Spring Moss; DCWV
• Tools:  PTI Frog Hop Die, In the Meadow Die, Clouds 1 & 2 Dies
• Other:  Copics; Dew Drops; Martha Stewart Glitter
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"