Smile It's Your Birthday

I can't believe it's the last day of September - where did this month go?? 

This is another die I really like, the Smile Circle from Simon Says Stamp. It can be used for so many different occasions!

On white cardstock, I stamped the brushed images in Hawaiian Shores and Aqua Mist ink. Smile is die-cut three times in Hawaiian Shores cardstock, stacked and glued together. I stamped "it's your birthday" under it in black ink.

To help take away some of the whiteness of the card, I added a thin strip of black pattern paper at the top and bottom. It also helps to bring out the black sentiment. Another quick and easy card! (the clothespin is only there to hold the card together!)

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Brushed Off, Wet Paint III
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Hawaiian Shores, 2008 Bitty Box Basics
• Ink: PTI Hawaiian Shores, Aqua Mist; Memento Tuxedo Black
• Dies:  Simon Says Stamp Smile Circle
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Thank You

And here I am again using the watercolor and embossing folder technique.

Using the geometric rings embossing folder, I inked it up with Scattered Straw and Wild Honey distress paint and spritzed it with water. I placed a piece of white cardstock on top and ran it through the Cuttlebug.

After it dried, I stamped the thank you in black ink and adhered it to a Harvest Gold cardstock card base. I tied white crochet thread around the card to complete it. I don't normally use a lot of yellow in card making but I like the way this turned out.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  WPlus9 Hand Lettered Thanks 
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Harvest Gold
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Tim Holtz Scattered Straw, Wild Honey Distress Paint
• Other:  Cuttlebug Geometric Rings Embossing Folder; Crochet Thread
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Over The Hill

I do try to rub it in a bit when someone is having a milestone birthday, and the Haunted Headstones stamp set is perfect for doing this!

On white cardstock, I die-cut the hills in Spring Moss striped paper. I can't say it enough - I am so happy I bought the In The Meadow dies for making hills! Makes it so much easier!  

The headstones are die-cut in Soft Stone cardstock and stamped with coordinating Soft Stone ink. I added the sentiments on each headstone - adding one indicating the "60" milestone. That headstone is also on foam tape so it pops up. 

For the sky, I used two colors of blue ink and applied it with a sponge dauber. I die-cut the clouds, stamping the larger one with the sentiment and placing it on foam tape. My final step was adding the "over the hill" sentiment at the bottom. I think I'll be using this stamp set a lot!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Haunted Headstones Sentiments
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Spring Moss Stripes, Soft Stone
• Ink:  PTI Soft Stone; Memento Tuxedo Black; Tim Holtz Distress Tumbled Glass, Stormy Sky
• Tools:  PTI Haunted Headstones, In The Meadow, Clouds 1 & 2 Collection, Heart-2-Heart #6
• Other:  Foam Tape
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

With Sympathy

Crackled is another stamp set I don't use much, but looks nice as a neutral background.

On Vintage Cream cardstock, I stamped the crackled background in Kraft ink. The bamboo shoots are stamped in Pistachio ink. I added the sentiment in Dark Chocolate ink, lining it up with the left side of the crackled image.

The panel is on a Kraft cardstock card base. To finish the card, I tied brown twine around the spine. Another easy and quick card!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Crackled, Peaceful Gardens
• Paper:  PTI Kraft, Vintage Cream
• Ink:  PTI Dark Chocolate, Kraft; Memento Pistachio
• Other:  Twine
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Just Because

It's been a while since I used Mehndi Medallion so pulled it out for this card.

On white cardstock, I stamped the medallions using Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise and Aqua Mist inks. To help tone down the whiteness, I edged around the card with Dried Marigold ink. I rounded all four corners and stamped the sentiment in Smokey Shadow ink.

The panel is adhered to a Kraft cardstock card base. I placed a clear sequin in each of the smaller red medallions for embellishment.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Mehndi Medallions, Keep It Simple: Just Because
• Paper:  PTI Kraft, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise, Aqua Mist; Tim Holtz Dried Marigold
• Tools:  Corner Rounder
• Other:  Sequins
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5" 

Wish Big

Sometimes a simple card just makes a statement.

On white cardstock, I stamped the confetti down the side with Berry Sorbet ink. Wish is die-cut four times - three times in white cardstock and once in gold foil paper. I stacked and glued them together and placed it on a slight angle. "Big" is stamped in black ink.

The panel is placed on a Berry Sorbet cardstock card base. Done!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Good Times
• Paper:  PTI Berry Sorbet, White Stampers Select; Gold Foil
• Ink:  PTI Berry Sorbet; Memento Tuxedo Black
• Dies:  PTI Good Times
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Sending Get Well Wishes

I bought Zig markers a few months ago and really haven't played around with them much so I'm using them on this card.

On watercolor paper, I wet the paper using a brush and water. I dabbed Pink and Light Green markers onto the wet paper and let the ink run and got this really nice effect. I placed the panel on a white cardstock card base.

Sending is die-cut in watercolor paper, wet and colored with the same Pink marker I used for the background, giving it an ombre look. For the rest of the sentiment, I cut a strip of black paper, stamped it with Versamark, sprinkled it with white Zing embossing powder and melted it. The strip is on foam tape. 

I rounded the bottom corners for my final step.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Phrase Play #6
• Paper:  PTI True Black, White Stampers Select; Watercolor 140#
• Ink:  Versamark
• Dies:  Simon Says Stamp Sending
• Tools:  Corner Rounder; Heat Tool
• Other:  Zig Real Brush Markers; Foam Tape; Zing Embossing Powder 
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5" 

Happy Birthday

We had a little taste of Fall the past few days and it's been so nice! But now we're going to get more summer-like weather the rest of the week.

I really like this Southwestern Style stamp set and it's fun to use for backgrounds. On Rustic White cardstock, I created the background using Enchanted Evening, Spring Rain and Kraft inks. I started in the middle and stamped the bigger shapes in opposite colors. There was a bit of space between the shapes and I filled it in with circles.

Happy Birthday is stamped on a stitched circle and placed on fun foam for more stability. The panel is adhered to a Kraft cardstock card base.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Southwestern Style, Sketched Shapes
• Paper:  PTI Rustic White, Spring Rain, Kraft
• Ink:  PTI Enchanted Evening, Spring Rain, Kraft
• Dies:  Lil Inker Designs Stitched Mats: Circles
• Other:  Fun Foam
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Sending Prayers

This color combination - Aqua Mist and Teal Zeal is one of my favorites.

I pulled out a set I haven't used for a long time for this card - Borders and Corners Ovals - and stamped an oval in Soft Stone ink onto white cardstock. I stamped the sentiment in the center with black ink.

Using two Rosie Posie stamp sets, I stamped the first layer of the flower in Aqua Mist and the next layer in Teal Zeal ink. I added leaves and berries to help fill in the card.

I rounded just the one right hand corner. A very quick card to make!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Rosie Posie, Rosie Posie Step 2, Borders & Corners Ovals, Beautiful Butterflies, Harvest Berries
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Aqua Mist, Soft Stone; Memento Teal Zeal, Tuxedo Black
• Tools:  Corner Rounder
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Time To Party!

I copied this idea from Heather Nichols. Her use of Kraft and the colors was just too perfect to change too much!

I used Pure Poppy cardstock for the card base and added a layer of Kraft, impressed with stars.  Phrase Play #12 is die-cut in white cardstock. The balloons are die-cut in Pure Poppy, Orange Zest and Tropical Teal cardstock and adhered to the card, with the orange one stamped with a partial sentiment and on foam tape.

I added crochet twine for the balloon strings. To make the card a little more festive looking, I die-cut a bunch of stars and placed them on the card.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Phrase Play #12
• Paper:  PTI Pure Poppy, Kraft, White Stampers Select, Orange Zest, Tropical Teal
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
• Dies:  PTI Phrase Play #12, Birthday Style, Stars Impression Plate
• Tools:  Corner Rounder
• Other:  Crochet Twine; Foam Tape
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

It's A Girl!

Has it been a while since I used this cutie pie elephant?

I stamped the elephant (using the Misti!), die-cut it and colored it with Copics. On white cardstock, I added pink polka dot paper at the bottom and stamped stars in light grey on the top. 

The balloon is die-cut in Sweet Blush cardstock. I placed the elephant on foam tape slightly over the balloon string. Congratulations is stamped in black ink. I added white ribbon, tied in a bow and placed the panel on a Soft Stone cardstock card base. 

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Congratulations; WPlus9 Unforgettable; Taylored Expressions Welcome Home Baby
• Paper:  PTI Soft Stone, White Stampers Select, Sweet Blush, Sweet Blush Polka Dots
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
• Copics:  R81, W1, W3
• Dies:  WPlus9 Unforgettable
• Other:  Ribbon; Foam Tape
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy Birthday Marigolds

Is it too early to be posting Fall items? Can you tell I'm anxious for it to get here!

I stamped the marigolds in black ink on white cardstock and colored them with Copics (unfortunately I forgot to write down the colors I used...). I placed the marigolds in a Seed Pack #2 frame, die-cut in Summer Sunrise cardstock, wrapping a bit of Marigold twine at the bottom. I stamped "marigolds" at the top in black ink.

The banner is die-cut in cream cardstock with the sentiment stamped in Smokey Shadow ink.  The flowers are on a card base of Terracotta Tile cardstock, layered with coordinating pattern paper. As a last step, I added a bit of glitter to the flowers.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Year of Flowers Collection, Year of Flower Titles, Keep It Simple: Birthday
• Paper:  PTI Terracotta Tile, Summer Sunrise, Autumn Abundance, Vintage Cream, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Smokey Shadow; Memento Tuxedo Black
• Dies:  PTI Seed Pack Frame #2, Bountiful Banners
• Tools:  Corner Rounder
• Other:  Twine; Copics; Glitter
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

It's Time To Celebrate

My friend just sent me some of Ken Oliver's Color Burst inks and I wanted to play around with them.

On watercolor paper, I wet the paper with water and a brush and sprinkled the ink on it. I realized quickly that a little bit of this ink goes a long way! I spread the ink around on the paper until it looked pleasing to the eye.

Celebrate is die-cut 4 times, 3 in white cardstock and one in gold foil paper - stacked and glued together for some dimension. I stamped "it's time to" above it in black ink. The panel is adhered to a Royal Velvet cardstock card base - I rarely use this color but the ink matched it perfectly!

Three different sizes of sequins and the card was finished.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Good Times
• Paper:  PTI Royal Velvet, White Stampers Select; Watercolor 140#; Gold Foil
• Ink:  Ken Oliver Color Burst Violet; Memento Tuxedo Black
• Dies:  PTI Good Times
• Other:  Pretty Pink Posh Sequins
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Hello

Sometimes I get color images in my mind and have to go with it - for this card I was thinking about pink and grey.

On a white cardstock card base I added a layer of Soft Stone stripes paper. I added a strip of solid Soft Stone with a little bit of scalloped pink peaking out along the bottom.

Hello is die-cut three times, glued and stacked together. A few clear sequins add just the right embellishment for the card.

Card Details:

• Paper:  PTI Soft Stone Stripes, Soft Stone, Sweet Blush
• Dies:  PTI Wet Paint Cuts, Be Happy
• Other:  Pretty Pink Posh Sequins
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Sweet Birthday Wishes

I bought this cute ice cream truck stamp set last year and this year they had a die to cut out the truck, so naturally I had to get it! I saw this card posted on Taylor's blog and made one similar to it.

I die-cut the truck in white cardstock, stamped it using the Misti and colored it with Copic markers. On a white cardstock card base, I stamped the road in black ink. The "hills" behind it are die-cut with a rolling clouds die, that was one of the reasons I wanted this die because I could use it for different things.

I stamped the sentiment in black ink and lilac ink to match the truck. A few clouds on foam tape completed the card.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Sweet As Can Be, Special Delivery; Taylored Expressions Summer Love
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select; DCWV
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Lilac Posies
• Copics:  C1, C3, E34, E25, G82, N4, R27, R83, RV17, 100
• Dies:  Taylored Expressions Summer Love, Build A Scene Rolling Clouds
• Other:  Foam Tape
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5" 

Happy August Birthday

Happy September! Can you believe how fast the year is going?  Well, SAF is over for another year and I feel like I need to rest for a few days to recover! lol  Here's another August card I didn't get to post.

I die-cut the Comic Strip Cover Plate in Lemon Tart and placed it on a white cardstock card base.  I die-cut all of the pots, flowers and bird in white cardstock and stamped them with various color inks. Thank goodness for the MISTI, it really helped to get this card done faster (otherwise I'd be throwing out half of my imperfect stampings!)

For the sentiment, I cut a rectangle and stamped the words in black and red inks and placed it on foam tape for dimension. The bird is also on foam tape.  I added a little bit of glitter to give the card some sparkle.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Petite Pots, Birthday Classics: August
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Lemon Tart
• Ink:  PTI Lemon Tart, Harvest Gold, Spring Moss, Dark Chocolate, Pure Poppy, Kraft, Memento Potters Clay, Tangelo, Tuxedo Black
• Dies:  PTI Petite Pots
• Other:  Foam Tape; Glitter
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"