Happy Birthday (CAS #22)

A quick masculine card for today...

On a piece of white cardstock, I sprayed blue and brown watercolor markers on it using a spritzer sprayer.  I guess that's what it's called - this is another tool I bought from QVC years ago!   I mounted the image onto a piece of blue paper and layered it on a Kraft cardstock card base, rounding the corners.

I stamped the sentiment in blue ink and tied Denim twine around the spine.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Wet Paint
• Paper:  PTI Kraft, White Stampers Select; DCWV
• Ink:  Memento Bahama Blue
• Tools:  Corner Rounder
• Other:  Twine; Spritzer; Watercolor Markers
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Ouch! I Bet That Hurt!

This card is for a little boy who was in a car accident, knocking out his front teeth.  He didn't go to the hospital in an ambulance, but I thought it was a cute card for him.

I started with a white cardstock card base and added a layer of light blue pattern paper.  I stamped the road in black ink, curving the stamp.  I die-cut the ambulance in white cardstock and stamped the bottom in blue ink, emergency in red ink and the inside door and headlight in light yellow ink.  The light on top and red cross are die-cut in Pure Poppy paper.  The ambulance and cross are on foam tape.

The sun is die-cut in Lemon Tart cardstock and stamped with coordinating ink.  I die-cut a bunch of clouds, adhering the small one on foam tape.  The the sentiment is stamped in black ink and the wavy line behind the ambulance is in light grey ink - it's supposed to show movement.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Special Delivery, Special Delivery Sentiments, Heart-2-Heart #6, Healing Touch Sentiments
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Pure Poppy, Lemon Tart; DCWV The Little Mister
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy, Lemon Tart; Memento Tuxedo Black; Amuse Seattle
• Tools:  PTI Special Delivery Dies,  Heart-2-Heart #6 Die, Clouds 1 & 2 Collection Dies
• Other:  Foam Tape
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Baby

This is another card using PTI's Make It Monday #159 - and a chance for me to use up more of those QVC paper squares I bought years ago!

I picked out the squares (1.5" x 1.5") in 4 different patterns and adhered them to a white cardstock card base. After I had them on the card, I ran the panel through the Cuttlebug with my Quatrefoil Impression Plate.

Baby is die-cut in a light green cardstock, layered on coaster for a little support and adhered with foam tape for dimension.  To finish the card I tied white, sheer ribbon around it in a bow.

Card Details:

• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select; QVC Squares; DCWV
• Tools:  PTI Quatrefoil Impression Plate Die, Wonderful Words: Baby Die
• Other:  Ribbon; Coaster; Foam Tape
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy Birthday

Time to pull out my Cover Plate dies - I really don't use them often enough!

I die-cut the Hexagon Cover Plate in white cardstock, popped out the hexagons and adhered it to a white cardstock card base.  Looking through scrap paper, I pulled out 4 different designs and cut out more of the hexagons.

I glued the pattern paper pieces in two columns, creating a design.  I also filled in the remaining hexagons with white cardstock.

The sentiment is stamped on a piece of New Leaf cardstock and on foam tape for dimension.  And there's my "bright" green color again.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Sketched Shapes
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select; DCWV
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
• Tools:  PTI Cover Plate: Hexagons Die, Sketched Shapes Die
• Other:  Foam Tape
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

July Birthdays Are The Most Fun!

Getting another July birthday in here before the month is over.

I die-cut the Popsicles and stamped them in Pure Poppy and Turquoise Gem inks, stamping the stick in Kraft ink.  I used Glossy Accents on the Popsicles to give them the shiny and realistic look!  I adhered the Popsicles to white cardstock (impressed with Linen/Canvas), adding the drips.  The edges were made with an inverted corner rounder.

The sentiment was stamped in the same ink colors and the panel placed on a Hawaiian Shores cardstock card base.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Summer Sweetness, Birthday Classics: June, Birthday Classics: July
• Paper:  PTI Hawaiian Shores, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy, Kraft; VersaMagic Turquoise Gem
• Tools:  PTI Summer Sweetness Die, Linen & Canvas Impression Plate Die; Inverted Corner Rounder
• Other:  Glossy Accents
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happiest Birthday Wishes

I'm still loving watercolor and continue to use the technique as much as I can.  

To create the background I used Stampin' Up crayons - Handsome Hunter and Taken With Teal.  Don't you just love the names of these?  I scribbled the crayons onto my craft mat and used a brush and water to create the background - I was trying to make it look like the sky and grass.  I adhered the panel to a white cardstock card base.

I die-cut the balloons in Hibiscus Burst and Lemon Tart cardstock.  I stamped them with Versamark,  sprinkled them with clear embossing powder and used my heat tool on them.  I attached Buttercream and Peppermint twine for the balloon strings, adhering them to the background on foam tape.

The frame is die-cut in Spring Moss cardstock with a white center.  I stamped the sentiment in black ink and attached it with foam tape.  My last step was adding the metal stars.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Birthday Style, Framed Out #2
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Spring Moss, Hibiscus Burst, Lemon Tart; Watercolor 140#
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Versamark
• Tools:  Birthday Style Dies, Framed Out #12 Die
• Other:  Stampin' Up Crayons; Zing Embossing Powder; Twine; Foam Tape; Metal Stars
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

A Very Happy Birthday To You

Normally, I would post a "Christmas in July" card here, but I really haven't given Christmas much thought this year yet!  I should because it's only 5 months away!  haha

This color is a little out of my comfort zone, I don't normally use bright colors.  I was playing around with distress inks and an embossing folder when I made this.  I used Tim Holtz Mowed Lawn and Salty Ocean distress paints, applying them to the embossing folder and then spritzing it with water.  I placed a piece of watercolor paper on top and rubbed the paint into the paper.

After it dried, I stamped the sentiment and added jute around the spine.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Ruby Rose
• Paper:  PTI New Leaf; Watercolor 90#
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
• Tools:  Darice Swirl Embossing Folder
• Other:  Tim Holtz Mowed Lawn, Salty Ocean Distress Paints; Jute
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Thanks For Everything (CAS #21)

Well, I did say I like all things Wet Paint and here's another card using the stamp set.

To make the stripes on this card, I used a piece of masking tape and rubbed it into Festive Berries and Ripe Persimmon inks.  After the tape was loaded with ink, I placed the tape on a piece of white cardstock and rubbed the tape, transferring the ink to the cardstock.  Using two colors of ink gave it a more interesting look.

I stamped the sentiment in black ink, placed the panel on an Orange Zest cardstock card base and added Charcoal twine.  Easy!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Wet Paint
• Paper:  PTI Orange Zest, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  Tim Holtz Distress Inks Ripe Persimmon, Festive Berries; Memento Tuxedo Black
• Other:  Twine; Masking Tape
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Enjoy Your Day

This is another new set from PTI called No Strings Attached.  This will be nice to use when I don't want to add any bulk to my cards.

I started with a piece of white cardstock, embossed it with large polka dots and stamped the "strings" in red ink.  I die-cut "enjoy" (I love all things Wet Paint!) in Pure Poppy cardstock and attached it to the panel.  "Your Day" is stamped in black ink onto a Building Block die-cut and placed on the card on foam tape.  The panel is on a Pure Poppy cardstock card base.

To finished the card I added the goosebump gem to the center of the strings.  I was trying to make this look like a big gift wrapped package....

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI No Strings Attached, Wet Paint
• Paper:  PTI Pure Poppy, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy; Memento Tuxedo Black
• Tools:  PTI Wet Paints Die, Building Block Die; Cuttlebug Polka Dots Embossing Folder
• Other:  Foam Tape; Twinkle Goosebump
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Hello

I just sent this card to a friend and she asked me how I made it so I thought I'd post it here to explain.

I used Tim Holtz Distress Inks for this, tapping some of the ink onto a craft sheet, mixing them with a brush with water and swiping the inks onto watercolor paper.  I used Picked Raspberry, Spiced Marmalade and Shabby Shutters for the colors.  I wasn't trying to make any particular design, I was really just playing around when I started the card.

After it was dry, I stamped "hello" in Versamark ink, sprinkled it with white embossing powder and heat embossed it.  The panel is adhered to a Summer Sunrise cardstock card base.  For a little sparkle I added iridescent sequins.  This is certainly a bright and cheery card!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Wet Pet
• Paper:  PTI Summer Sunrise; Tim Holtz Watercolor 118#
• Ink:  Versamark; Tim Holtz Picked Raspberry, Spiced Marmalade, Shabby Shutters
• Other:  Zing Embossing Powder; Heat Gun; Sequins
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Wish Big

This is a technique used on PTI's Make It Monday #168, "Combining Chalk and Stamps With Impression Plates".  I will admit, I wasn't crazy about this idea until I tried it....and now I just love this technique!

I started with a piece of white cardstock and impressed it with my Linen & Canvas Impression Plate.  Next, I colored the background with chalks, using greens, blues and pinks as the background colors.  It really didn't look that great but I continued....

After the chalked background was completed, I stamped the flowers and leaves using Rosie Posie and Rosie Posie Step 2, which adds details to the images.  This second step really makes the flowers and leaves pop!  I used Rosebud and Pure Poppy inks for the flowers and Spring Moss and Pistachio inks for the leaves.  I added a few floating berries to the image too.

The sentiment is stamped in Smokey Shadow ink so it's not as harsh as black ink.  I rounded the bottom corners and placed it on a Raspberry Fizz cardstock card base.  After it was all put together I was amazed at how nice it turned out!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Rosie Posie, Rosie Posie Step 2, Stylish Sentiments: Birthday, Harvest Berries
• Paper:  PTI Raspberry Fizz; White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy, Spring Moss, Smokey Shadow; Memento Rosebud, Pistachio
• Tools:  PTI Linen & Canvas Impression Plate Die; Corner Rounder
• Other:  Chalk
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Welcome Little One

Is it just me or is July zipping by?  Hard to believe it's already the 20th!

I needed to make a quick baby boy card and pulled out my Rattled die.  I die-cut the rattles in double sided pattern paper, using one side for the rattle and the other side for the rattle bow.  I adhered them to a piece of white cardstock, embossed with Swiss Dots, placing a couple of them on thin foam tape.  

I die-cut a stitched oval, stamped the sentiment in black ink and adhered it to the card on more thin foam tape.  The panel was attached to a Spring Rain cardstock card base.  I added white ribbon to the spine to finish the card.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Bitty Baby Blessings
• Paper:  PTI Spring Rain, White Stampers Select; DCWV
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
• Tools:  PTI Rattled Die; Lil Inker Designs Stitched Mats: Ovals; Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder
• Other:  Foam Tape; Ribbon
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy Birthday Banner

I wasn't originally going to buy this die set, but after seeing so many ways it's used, it popped into my shopping cart.

The "happy" banner is die-cut in white cardstock and backed with scraps of Summer Sunrise, Tropical Teal, Raspberry Fizz, Simply Chartreuse and Orange Zest cardstock.  Once I adhered the colors to the banner, I attached it on foam tape to another piece of white cardstock, impressed with my Stars Impression Plate.

I stamped "birthday" on a Building Block die-cut and attached it to the card on thin foam tape.  The additional stars were created using the little centers from the Super Stars Border die.  The panel was attached to a Raspberry Fizz cardstock card base.  I love the way this turned out - it's so festive looking!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Stylish Sentiments: Birthday
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select; Raspberry Fizz, Summer Sunrise, Tropical Teal, Simply Chartreuse, Orange Zest
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
• Tools:  PTI Stars Impression Plate Die, One Liners: Happy Die, Building Blocks Die
• Other:  Foam Tape
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Wishing You A Happy Anniversary

It's been a while since I used this stamp set too....so many stamp sets, so little time!

I die-cut a stitched rectangle in white cardstock and stamped the champagne glasses on it in black ink.  The champagne is stamped in Kraft ink.  I added the little bubble hearts above the glasses in Pure Poppy in, and the sentiment in black ink.

I tied Charcoal twine around the panel and adhered it to a layer of True Black cardstock before placing it on a Pure Poppy cardstock card base.  My final step was adding glitter to give a little sparkle to the champagne.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Propose A Toast
• Paper:  PTI Pure Poppy, True Black, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy, Kraft; Memento Tuxedo Black
• Tools:  Lil Inker Designs Stitched Mats: Rectangles
• Other:  Twine; Glitter
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy Birthday

This card uses the smaller flowers in the Oopsie Daisy set.  Like the card I posted the other day, I seem to neglect the smaller flowers in stamp sets.

The flowers are stamped in Harvest Gold, Tangelo, Rosebud and Pear Tart inks on white cardstock.  To add a bit of dimension, I cut the flower centers in coordinating cardstock using scraps leftover from other cards.

I stamped the sentiment in black and rounded the bottom left hand corner (for a change!)

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Oopsie Daisy, Keep It Simple: Birthday
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Raspberry Fizz, Orange Zest, Spring Moss, Harvest Gold
• Ink:  PTI Harvest Gold; Memento Pear Tart, Tangelo, Rosebud
• Tools:  Stampin' Up Two Step Owl Punch; Corner Rounder
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy Birthday (CAS #20)

This is a simple card using Gorgeous Grunge again...I'm so happy I bought this set.  

When I started to make this, I had no idea how I was going to do it.  I just randomly stamped the lines on the card in Aqua Mist ink.  I knew I wanted to use Spring Moss as my second color and used it to make the splotches, again randomly placed on the card. I decided to add a third color, Lemon Tart, and used that for additional splotches in the background.

I adhered the stamped image to a Spring Moss cardstock card base, rounding the right hand corners.  The sentiment is stamped in black.  To finish the card, I tied jute around the spine.  A simple but quick masculine card!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Keep It Simple: Birthday; Stampin' Up Gorgeous Grunge
• Paper:  PTI Spring Moss, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Spring Moss, Aqua Mist, Lemon Tart; Memento Tuxedo Black
• Tools:  Corner Rounder
• Other:  Jute
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Take What You Need

I made this card a while ago, using PTI's spiral notebook page die.

On Berry Sorbet cardstock, I stamped a background of Circle Scribbles in coordinating ink and rounded the bottom right hand corner.

Next, I die-cut the spiral page in Kraft cardstock and stamped the wording at the bottom (it's a stamp that fits this die), cutting between the words to give the effect the words can be ripped off.  I stamped "take what you need" and the paperclip. I bent some of the strips to make the card dimensional.

The spiral page is attached to the card on foam tape with white ribbon tied behind it.  

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Inside & Out: Well Wishes, Circle Scribbles, Take Note
• Paper:  PTI Berry Sorbet, Kraft
• Ink:  PTI Berry Sorbet; Memento Tuxedo Black
• Tools:  PTI Spiral Notebook Page Die; Corner Rounder
• Other:  Ribbon; Foam Tape
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Celebrate Today

This is the last post from the leftover painted embossing folder from my Father's Day card.

I spritzed the embossing folder with a little more water and placed 140# watercolor paper onto it, rubbing it lightly to transfer the paint.  I think this is the last card I made so you can see the paint is rather light, but still gives the card a nice effect.  I adhered the painted panel to an Enchanted Evening cardstock card base.

I stamped the sentiment on a double ended banner in blue ink.  I scored and folded the banner to give it dimension.  The stitched stars are die-cut in light grey and two colors of blue cardstock and placed on thin foam tape for added dimension.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Bountiful Banners
• Paper:  PTI Enchanted Evening, Blueberry Sky, Soft Stone; Watercolor 140#
• Ink:  PTI Enchanted Evening
• Tools:  PTI Double Ended Banners Die; Lil Inker Designs Stitched Stars Dies; Darice Plaid Embossing Folder
• Other:  Tim Holtz Faded Jeans, Weathered Wood Distress Paint; Foam Tape
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Wishing You The Coolest Birthday Yet!

This Popsicle stamp set is so much fun - there are so many possibilities with it!  And it's very realistic looking too, I could eat one of these right now!

I stamped the two Popsicles in red and yellow inks on white cardstock, impressed with my Linen Impression Plate.  I added the Popsicle sticks and drips, rounded all the corners and adhered it to a Pure Poppy cardstock card base.

The sentiment is stamped in black and red inks. To give the Popsicles an icy look, I sprinkled them with coarse glitter.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Summer Sweetness
• Paper:  PTI Pure Poppy, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy, Harvest Gold, Fine Linen; Memento Tuxedo Black
• Tools:  PTI Linen & Canvas Impression Plate Die: Corner Rounder
• Other:  Glitter
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy Birthday

I went on a little spending spree for some new Memory Box dies last week.  I see this Circle Burst die used a lot on cards and decided to get it for myself.

I die-cut the circle burst in the center of a piece of white cardstock.  I stamped the sentiment underneath it and added a piece of washi tape to the bottom.  The panel is adhered to a Raspberry Fizz cardstock card base.  I love this color combination!

Since the washi tape reminded me of Hawaiian Shores, I cut the butterfly (yes, Pippi again!) in that color.  I used two different dies to create the butterfly, one is a solid butterfly (Isabella) and one the matching detailed butterfly (Pippi).  I placed the butterfly on an angle in the center of the burst, pulling the wings up for a bit of dimension.

To finish the card I added iridescent sequins - they just seem to go with everything!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Keep It Simple: Birthday
• Paper:  PTI Raspberry Fizz, Hawaiian Shores, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
• Tools:  Memory Box Small Circle Burst Die, Pippi Butterfly Die, Isabella Butterfly Die
• Other:  Washi Tape; Sequins
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Thank You - You've Been Ever So Kind

I always seem to use the larger flowers in the Natural Beauties set.  For this card I used the smaller ones and it's a totally different look.

On white cardstock, each of the flowers is stamped 3 times - for the outer edge, middle and center, using 3 different color inks.  The hardest part for me was deciding which color inks to use!  The ink combinations I used for the flowers are:

Pink: Hibiscus Burst, Pure Poppy, Scarlet Jewel

Orange: Cantaloupe, Tangelo, Morocco

Blue: Aqua Mist, Turquoise Gem, Enchanted Evening

I adhered the image to a Hawaiian Shores cardstock card base, rounding the bottom corners.  I stamped the sentiment in dark blue ink and placed it on the card with foam tape for dimension.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Natural Beauties, Mum's The Word
• Paper:  PTI Hawaiian Shores, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Aqua Mist, Enchanted Evening, Pure Poppy, Hibiscus Burst, Scarlet Jewel; Memento Cantaloupe, Tangelo, Morocco; VersaMark Turquoise Gem
• Tools:  PTI Initial Thoughts Die; Corner Rounder
• Other:  Foam Tape
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Praying For You

I'm still working on trying to perfect my watercolor techniques - but I don't think they really need to be perfect.

I used my QVC watercolor markers for this card - applying them to a large clear block, spraying it with water and "smooshing" it onto watercolor paper.  I wanted to create grass and sky and used 2 colors of green and 2 colors of blue.  I had no idea how it was going to look...watercolor for me is hit or miss.  lol

After it dried, I stamped the trees and sentiment in dark brown ink, distressed the edges and adhered it to a Dark Chocolate cardstock card base.  I'm very happy with the way this turned out!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Boutique Borders: Sympathy; Stampin' Up Lovely As A Tree
• Paper:  PTI Dark Chocolate; Watercolor 90#
• Ink:  PTI Dark Chocolate
• Tools:  Tim Holtz Distressor
• Other:  Watercolor Markers
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy Birthday (CAS #19)

Sometimes it's nice to make a quick, no frills card.....

I stamped the vines and flowers on white cardstock, using orange, yellow and light green inks.  I rounded the right hand corners and adhered the panel to an Orange Zest cardstock card base.

The sentiment is stamped in black ink.  To finish it off, I tied cantaloupe twine around the spine.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Embellished Elegance, Keep It Simple: Birthday
• Paper:  PTI Orange Zest, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Spring Moss, Lemon Tart; Memento Tangelo, Tuxedo Black
• Tools:  Corner Rounder
• Other:  Twine
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Celebrate

Remember I mentioned I had leftover paint from the Father's Day card I made?  Well, this is the third card I made from it (one more to post after this).

Using the painted and water spritzed embossing folder, I placed white cardstock over it and gently pressed the paper into the paint.  Lifting it, I had this really nice muted looking color combination.  I let it dry and stamped "celebrate" on it four times in gray ink.

I adhered the panel onto Soft Stone cardstock, making it flush against the left.  On the right hand side, I stamped "it's your birthday" and rounded the right hand bottom corner.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Wet Paint III
• Paper:  PTI Soft Stone, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  Versafine Smokey Gray
• Tools:  Corner Rounder; Darice Plaid Embossing Folder
• Other:  Tim Holtz Faded Jeans, Weathered Wood Distress Paint; 
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy Summer Birthday

How stinking cute is this little watermelon and ant set?  It's from Lawn Fawn, my first purchase from this company, but it certainly won't be my last!

I started with a white cardstock card base and added a layer of red check pattern paper - which reminded me of a picnic tablecloth.  I stamped the row of ants and added the sentiment at the top, stamping part in black and part in red inks.  

I stamped the watermelons and colored them with Copics - it's been a while since I did any Copic coloring!  I fussy cut the watermelons and adhered them to the card on foam tape.  I wanted to make it look like the ants were carrying the watermelons.  

I added the dashed line next to the sentiment, glitter to the watermelons and tied watermelon twine around the top.  A delightful, summery looking card!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  Lawn Fawn Happy Summer
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select; DCWV Spring Fling & Summer Days
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy; Memento Tuxedo Black
• Copics:  R22, R24, R29, G24, YG13
• Other:  Glitter; Foam Tape; Twine
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Just Thinking Of You

I'm really trying to use some of my older stamps sets, and haven't used this tea set for a while.

On Kraft cardstock, I stamped the tea label in Kraft ink.  I rounded the corners and adhered it to a Pure Poppy cardstock card base, rounding the bottom corners.

I die-cut the teapot and stamped it in coordinating Pure Poppy ink.  I tied Cappuccino twine on the handle and placed it on the card on foam tape.  The banner is die-cut in Vintage Cream cardstock and the sentiment is also stamped in red ink.

The card looked very empty - I die-cut the scalloped border in Dark Chocolate cardstock and placed it in the middle of the card.  Much better!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Tea For Two, Framed Out #1
• Paper:  PTI Pure Poppy, Dark Chocolate, Vintage Cream, Kraft
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy, Kraft
• Tools:  PTI Two For Two Dies, Be Happy Die, Sketched Shapes Die
• Other:  Twine; Foam Tape
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy 2nd Birthday

Remember I said male cards were sort of difficult for me to make?  Well, now I find myself struggling to make children's cards!  You would think they would be easy....

I pulled out a sheet of double-sided pattern paper and used that to start the card, placing stripes on top and cutting the polka dots for the middle. I found a scrap piece of  the hats and streamers paper and placed it at the bottom of the card.  Now I was ready to get started!

I used the polka dots for the "happy" banner at the top, die-cutting it twice, once in the polka dots and once in white to fill in the "h a p p y".  The banner has foam tape under 3 of the letters to give it a little dimension.  The "2" is die-cut twice, once in light purple and once in white using the coordinating mats die.  I stamped "nd" on white cardstock and die-cut it with a circle.

The balloons are also die-cut twice, once in cardstock and once in coaster for support.  Next, I needed to stamp "Will's" name on the balloon.  After attaching Light Blue and Lilac twine to the balloons, I adhered them to the card on foam tape.

I placed the "2" on the card, stamped birthday underneath it and embossed it in black Zing to finish the card.  It turned out to be rather festive looking!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Stylish Sentiments: Birthday, Football Frenzy Additions, Big Birthday Wishes
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Winter Wisteria; Imaginisce All Kinds Of Happy; DCWV
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; VersaMark
• Tools:  PTI Balloon Bash Die, One Liners: Happy Die; By The Numbers Die, By The Numbers Mats Die; Standard Circle Nestabilities
• Other:  Zing Embossing Powder; Twine; Foam Tape; Coaster
• Card Size:  5.0" x 7.0"

July Birthday

Happy 4th of July!  Originally we were supposed to have nice weather today - but then along came Hurricane Arthur and changed things up a bit.  Usually we have a very hot 4th but today looks like it will be in the mid 70's - cloudy, maybe a little sun.  I'll take this over hot and humid any day!

What other colors could I use for this card than red, white & blue?  I used my Cover Plate: Horizontal Stripes die, cutting it in Pure Poppy cardstock.  I also cut it in Enchanted Evening and white cardstock for the stripes.

I stamped the sentiment onto white cardstock, inking the stamp in red and blue inks.  I die-cut it in a circle and layered it on a blue circle.  The circles are adhered to the card on foam tape.

Of course my stitched star dies were calling me and I die-cut a bunch of them to complete the card. 

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Birthday Classics:  July
• Paper:  PTI Pure Poppy, Enchanted Evening, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy, Enchanted Evening
• Tools:  PTI Cover Plate: Stripes Horizontal Die; Lil Inker Designs: Stitched Stars; Standard Circle Nestabilities
• Other:  Foam Tape
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy Birthday

When I made this card, I didn't have many stencils and decided to make my own, using PTI's Cover Plate: Hexagons.  Naturally, I'm now starting to collect more stencils since they are trendy right now.

I placed the stencil over white cardstock, taping down the sides with washi tape so the stencil wouldn't move.  Using a dauber and Peacock Feathers distress ink, I rubbed the inked up dauber over the holes to get the desired look.  When completed, I removed the stencil and was really happy with the result!  Using a brush with water, I brushed water around some of the edges to soften them.  I also flicked a few drops of water on it to create water "splats".

I pulled out my Gorgeous Grunge stamp set and added the splattered dots and stripes in black ink.  I stamped the sentiment in black ink and placed it on foam tape.  Memory Box's Pippi butterfly is my favorite right now and I die-cut two of them in Lemon Tart cardstock and placed them on the card, bending the wings to provide dimension.

The stamped panel is on a Hawaiian Shores card base.  

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Birthday Basics; Stampin' Up Gorgeous Grunge
• Paper:  PTI Hawaiian Shores, Lemon Tart, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  Tim Holtz Peacock Feathers Distress Ink; Memento Tuxedo Black
• Tools:  PTI Cover Plate: Hexagon Die, Building Blocks Die; Memory Box Pippi Butterfly Die
• Other:  Foam Tape; Dauber
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Congratulations - 2014

When my friend saw the graduation card I made last week, she asked me to make the same card for her son.  I looked on his school's website and saw the school colors were black, light grey and orange.

I used my Stripes embossing folder to emboss the black background.   I cut a piece of Soft Stone cardstock to use under the 2014, stamping "congratulations" above it.  The numbers are cut in Canyon Clay cardstock; the zero and four are on foam tape for dimension.

I cut a square in Canyon Clay and white and placed the cap on it.  I added little glue to the tassel to keep it in place.  I die-cut the stars border on the bottom and kept the little stars from the middle, using them around the cap at the top!  I think the stars really make the card look festive!  

I added another layered star on foam tape inside the zero and tied Stone twine around the spine.  My friend was very happy with the way this turned out!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Congratulations
• Paper:  PTI True Black, Soft Stone, Canyon Clay, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  Amuse Seattle
• Tools:  PTI By The Numbers Dies, Super Star Border; Lil Inker Designs Starry Border; Standard Rectangle Nestabilities; Darice Stripes Embossing Folder
• Other:  Jolee's Sticker; Foam Tape; Twine
• Card Size:  5.0" x 7.0"

With Deepest Sympathy

Happy July!  Wow, over half the year is over already...life is passing by too fast!

I was playing around with my friend's Tim Holtz Distress Markers at craft group last week, showing them how you can apply color to a glass block, spritz it with water and apply it to watercolor paper.  I used 3 different colors - Seedless Preserves, Picked Raspberry and Peacock Feathers.  It didn't come out exactly as I planned, but I didn't want to throw it away.

I die-cut the Pippi butterfly in Hawaiian Shores cardstock and adhered it on an angle.  The sentiment is stamped in black ink and on thin foam tape.  I rounded the corners and attached it to a Plum Pudding cardstock card base.  It already looked much better, but it was perfect with a few iridescent sequins.  Amazing how this went from not so great to a very nice looking card!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Words Of Comfort
• Paper:  PTI Plum Pudding, Hawaiian Shores; Tim Holtz Watercolor
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
• Tools:  PTI Building Blocks Dies; Memory Box Pippi Butterfly Die; Corner Rounder
• Other:  Tim Holtz Seedless Preserves, Picked Raspberry, Peacock Feathers Watercolor Markers; Foam Tape, Sequins
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"