Warning - It's Party Time

Caution: Another Year Older has been sitting on my craft table for months. I have this unwritten rule that I can't put a craft item away until I use it at least once. So you can imagine how many things are piled up on my table! lol

I started by stamping the rows of party hats in Pure Poppy ink on white cardstock. I was originally going to just add a sentiment, but it looked too plain to me. Then I got the idea of adding the strips of sentiments across the card.

The banners are die-cut in white cardstock and stamped in Hawaiian Shores, Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise and Spring Moss inks. Thank goodness for the Misti - it really helped me line them up and to re-stamp it when the ink wasn't as dark as I wanted.

Each strip is on fun foam so it's nice and solid to prevent bending. I trimmed off the edges and placed it on a Pure Poppy cardstock card base. I really like how this turned out!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Caution: Another Year Older
• Paper:  PTI Pure Poppy, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Hawaiian Shores, Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise, Spring Moss
• Dies:  PTI Caution: Another Year Older
• Other:  Fun Foam
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Always Thinking Of You

Brushed Blooms is such a nice flower set, and once I learned how to line up the stamps correctly, I really enjoyed using it. Not too much detail to talk about on this card.

On white cardstock, I stamped the flowers in Pure Poppy and Berry Sorbet inks - one of my favorite color combinations. The stems and leaves are stamped in Spring Moss and Simply Chartreuse inks. The smaller flowers are stamped in Aqua Mist ink and the flower centers in Smokey Shadow ink.

I placed the panel on a Berry Sorbet cardstock card base, adding a bit of glitter to the flowers. 

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Brushed Blooms, Reasons To Smile
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Berry Sorbet
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy, Berry Sorbet, Spring Moss, Simply Chartreuse, Smokey Shadow
• Other:  Glitter
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Make A Wish

It's been a while since I made a shaker card and I have to go through the step by step process in my mind each time I do it! I hope one day it'll just come naturally to me.

I started with white cardstock and added a piece of Ombre Stripes pattern paper. This is a paper I like so much I don't want to use any of it!! (I think that's called hoarding.....lol) Using the Shaker Shapes: Balloon die, I die-cut the balloon in Spring Moss cardstock, adding a layer of acetate in between the two pieces. The shaker is filled with a variety of sequins (aquamarine, gold stars, clear) and some Diamond Dust glitter.

"Wish" is die-cut three times - twice in white and once in gold. I stamped the rest of the sentiment in black ink and added the balloon string. 

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Good Times
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Spring Moss, Ombre Stripes, Luxe Gold Adhesive
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
• Dies:  PTI Shaker Shapes: Balloon, Good Times
• Other: Sequins; Acetate; Foam Tape; Diamond Dust
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Papertrey January 2016 Blog Hop Challenge

This month is flying by -- it's Blog Hop time already! This is the picture Nichole posted for us to use as inspiration. As soon as I saw it, I identified the PTI colors Hawaiian Shores, Orange Zest, Kraft and True Black.

Using a Cover Plate, I die-cut hexagons in Hawaiian Shores, Orange Zest and Kraft. I placed the Cover Plate negative on top of a piece of white cardstock and arranged the hexagons in a random placement. It took several attempts before I was happy with the way it looked. Six of the hexagons are on foam tape for dimension; the others are glued in place.

I wanted to bring in some of the black from the inspiration picture and added "splatters" and stamped the sentiment in black ink. For the splatters, I was going to use black refill and flick them on with a brush but was afraid I would mess things up.....using a stamp helped me with "splatter control".

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Bitty Bouquets; Stampin' Up Gorgeous Grunge
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Hawaiian Shores, Kraft, Orange Zest
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
• Dies:  PTI Cover Plate: Hexagons
• Other:  Foam Tape
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Smile It's Your Birthday

Here's another easy card to make!

I took a piece of Aqua Mist striped pattern paper and placed it on a white cardstock card base. Smile is die-cut in Tropical Teal cardstock 3 times, stacked and glued together.

The banner is die-cut in white cardstock and the sentiment stamped with black ink. I placed it on foam tape for dimension and added a few clear sequins. Quick and easy!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Wet Paint III
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Tropical Teal, Aqua Mist Stripes
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
• Dies:  PTI Wet Paint III, Building Blocks
• Other:  Foam Tape; Sequins
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy Birthday

I've been playing around with using colored backgrounds when taking my card photos. I'm not sure if I like the colors in the background or not. It does add another layer of decision making to the photo taking! lol 

On white cardstock, I stamped the three balloons in Raspberry Fizz, Lemon Tart and Hawaiian Shores ink. The balloon strings and bows are in stamped in Smokey Shadow ink.

I used my Type Bits Strip die to create the sentiment, die-cutting the blocks in Lemon Tart cardstock and stamping every other letter in Raspberry Fizz or Hawaiian Shores ink. The letters are on foam tape for dimension.

Clear sequins make everything look festive so I added a few to the card.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Birthday Style, Balloon Bash, Type Strips II
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Hawaiian Shores
• Ink:  PTI Raspberry Fizz, Lemon Tart, Hawaiian Shores, Smokey Shadow
• Dies:  PTI Type Bits Strip
• Other:  Foam Tape; Sequins
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Valentine Doodad (MIM #237: Matchbook Valentines)

Well, just when I decided I wasn't going to make any Valentine doodads this year, PTI posted MIM #237: Matchbook Valentines with Lexi as host, making these simple and adorable matchbook Valentines. How could I resist? And they were so much fun to make!!!!

I have a lot of Valentine paper and a lot of Washi tape, so I was prepared to make the matchbooks. I made 2 different styles but as it gets closer to Valentine's Day, I may come up with a few more designs. And I still have to decide what type of treat I'm going to put inside them.

Double Hearts Matchbook: I cut my paper to 8.5" x 3.5" and scored it at 3/4", 4-3/4" and 5". Instead of using staples to hold the bottom flap down, I used scor-tape. I placed a piece of Washi tape at the top and bottom and stamped the sentiment right above the flap.

The hearts were made using a Martha Stewart punch. I added the arrows with sentiments and placed them on foam tape. I thought the Hawaiian Shores with Pure Poppy looked cute for a little boy!

Large Heart Matchbook: Same instructions as above, except for these I added a layer of pattern paper to the matchbook. The large hearts were made with Limitless Layers and the bottom with the XOXO Border die.

The sentiment is stamped on a Double Ended Banner in black ink. I placed the heart on foam tape and the banner on fun foam so it's nice and solid and won't bend.

Project Details:

Double Hearts

• Stamps:  PTI Keep It Simple: Valentine, Tag It's #11
• Paper:  PTI Lovely Lady, White Stampers Select, Raspberry Fizz, Pure Poppy, Hawaiian Shores
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
• Dies:  PTI Sketched Shapes
• Tools:  Martha Stewart Lace Scalloped Heart Punch
• Other:  Washi Tape; Foam Tape; Scor-Tape 
• Size:  3.5" x 4.0" (closed)

Large Hearts

• Stamps:  PTI Keep It Simple: Valentine
• Paper:  PTI Pure Poppy, Sweet Blush, Raspberry Fizz, Lovely Lady, White Stampers Select; K&Company Lovely
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
• Dies:  PTI Limitless Layers: Hearts, Double Ended Banners, XOXO Border
• Other:  Fun Foam; Foam Tape; Washi Tape; Scor-Tape
• Size:  3.5" x 4.0" (closed)

Thinking Of You

Are you like me? You have a ton of pattern paper but don't use it much? I was going through my paper this past weekend...and I have way too much pattern paper (and plain! lol) and need to start using it! Of course, if I see pretty paper I can't resist buying it....

For this card I wanted to use Pure Poppy Damask pattern paper, and placed it on a white cardstock card base. The flower is stamped in Pure Poppy and Berry Sorbet inks on Tag Sale #8, die-cut in white cardstock. The stem is stamped in Spring Moss ink.

I used black ink for the sentiment. I added white crochet thread at the top and placed the tag on fun foam for dimension. The fun foam sure makes the tag nice and sturdy!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Masculine Motifs; Stampin' Up Lotus Blossoms
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Pure Poppy Damask
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy, Berry Sorbet, Spring Moss; Memento Tuxedo Black
• Dies:  PTI Tag Sale #8
• Other:  Fun Foam; Crochet Thread
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy Birthday

Isn't this a fun birthday card? My friend sent me die-cuts made in black cardstock - all I had to do was place the pattern paper behind the openings. It wasn't hard to do - it just took me a while to pick out what colors I wanted to use, but it was a good way to use up some scraps!!

I made one I thought was more "masculine" by using blue, orange, yellow and green polka dot pattern paper. The panel is on a white cardstock card base.

And of course I can't forget about the ladies and used pink, yellow, green and blue polka dot scraps for a more feminine look. Again, I placed the panel on a white cardstock card base. 

Card Details:

• Paper:  Amuse Polka Dots; Bazzill
• Dies:  Poppystamps Happy Birthday Background
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Smile

Embossing paste has become a favorite of mine....I just need to use it more often!

For this quick card I applied pearlescent embossing paste on white cardstock using the Falling Snow stencil.

I die-cut smile three times in Aqua Mist cardstock, stacked and glued it together and applied it to the card. Voila - done!

Card Details:

• Paper:  PTI White STampers Select, Aqua Mist
• Dies:  Simon Says Stamp Smile
• Tools:  Simon Says Stamp Falling Snow Stencil
• Other:  Pearlescent Embossing Paste
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy Winter Birthday

I couldn't wait to get done with Christmas so I could use Winter Woods! Of course it would make a lovely Christmas/other occasion card too! I am so in love with this set!!!!

On white cardstock, I lightly applied Aqua Mist ink with a blending tool. The birch trees are die-cut in Soft Stone cardstock and stamped with Smokey Shadow ink. I added a few extra branches so the bird had something to sit on. To fill in some of the background, I stamped snowflakes swirls in Soft Stone ink.

The bird is die-cut in white cardstock and stamped with Pure Poppy and black inks. Yes, I used the Misti for perfection! The bird is on foam tape for a little dimension. I added the snow drifts at the bottom, using the "old fashioned" way of just ripping paper instead of my usual In The Meadow dies. I added a glitter line along the edges.

I placed the panel on a Pure Poppy cardstock card base. The sentiment is stamped in Smokey Shadow and I added a few clear sequins to finish the card.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Winter Woods, Tag Its #8, Winter Hills
• Paper:  PTI Pure Poppy, White Stampers Select, Soft Stone
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy, Soft Stone, Smokey Shadow; Memento Tuxedo Black
• Dies:  PTI Winter Woods
• Other:  Sequins; Glitter; Foam Tape
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Hello Friend

Friendly Flowers is one of my favorite "go to" flower stamps. It has so much potential!

For this card, I stamped the flowers in Berry Sorbet and Pure Poppy inks. The leaves are stamped in Spring Moss and the little flowers in Tangelo ink.

To add dimension to the card, I die-cut the large flower in white cardstock and stamped it in Berry Sorbet ink. I die-cut the same flower in fun foam and placed it on the card.

The sentiment is stamped in Smokey Shadow ink. I also added the flower centers in the same ink.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Friendly Flowers, Think Big Favorites #3, Reasons To Smile, Clipsters
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Berry Sorbet, Pure Poppy, Spring Moss, Smokey Shadow; Memento Tangelo
• Dies:  PTI Friendly Flowers
• Other:  Fun Foam
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy Valentine's Day (MIM #236: 2015 A la Carte)

I can't believe I'm just about done packing away my Christmas stamps and I'm already making a Valentine card! lol This week's Make It Monday #236: 2015 A la carte allows us to select any of the 40 MIMs from 2015. I chose Make It Monday #226: Creating With Stripes as this is one I didn't participate in. Laurie Willison was the host and is known for her CAS cards. I decided to make a simple card of my own since I'm still a little worn out from the holidays.

On white cardstock, I stamped the stripes in 3 shades of pink ink - Lovely Lady, Hibiscus Burst and Raspberry Fizz. I stamped the sentiment in black ink and added the heart, also in Lovely Lady ink.

I cut the panel to 3.75" x 5.0", backed it with fun foam and placed it on a white cardstock card base.  This was certainly quick and easy to make.....just what I needed!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Background Basics: Super Stripes, Keep It Simple: Valentine, Balloon Bash
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Lovely Lady, Hibiscus Burst, Raspberry Fizz; Memento Tuxedo Black
• Other:  Fun Foam
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Celebrate It's Your Birthday

Well, it feels good to get back on schedule and post every other day. Posting every day in December was a lot of work! Now I have to start making cards to replenish my inventory!

On white cardstock, I stamped the confetti along the bottom in Kraft ink. Celebrate is stamped in Blueberry Sky and Spring Rain inks and It's Your Birthday is stamped in black ink.

I placed the panel on a Blueberry Sky cardstock card base and added cappuccino twine around the spine.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Good Times
• Paper:  PTI Blueberry Sky, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Blueberry Sky, Spring Rain, Kraft; Memento Tuxedo Black
• Other:  Twine
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Merry Christmas

Okay, I found another holiday card that wasn't posted and I think this is the last of them. I was really in the mood to make Christmas cards last year!! I'm going to try and make them throughout the year in 2016 and not wait until the last couple months of the year....we'll see if that happens! lol

You know how much I like the Fair Isle stamps and used it again on this card. On white cardstock, I stamped the pattern using Tropical Teal, Hawaiian Shores and Simply Chartreuse inks. I placed the panel on a Tropical Teal cardstock card base.

The sentiment is stamped in Tropical Teal ink on a banner die-cut from Hawaiian Shores cardstock. The banner is on fun foam for a little dimension.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Fair Isle Borders, Keep It Simple: Christmas
• Paper:  PTI Tropical Teal, Hawaiian Shores, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Tropical Teal, Hawaiian Shores, Simply Chartreuse
• Dies:  PTI Sketched Shapes
• Other:  Fun Foam
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Rest Relax Recover (MIM #235 Adding Color To Stamped Images)

I had to try to find the time for this week's Make It Monday #235 because I've just been so busy with the holidays. But when I saw that Laurie was using pencils and coloring I had to do it! I love to color, always have. And I have a lot of colored pencils since they were the "in thing" before Copics became so popular.

I die-cut the flower and stem in white cardstock, and using the Misti, stamped the flower in Berry Sorbet ink and the stem in Spring Moss ink. I added the coloring at the base of the flower petals using a Crimson Red pencil. The inner part of the leaves were colored with a Kelp Green pencil. Once colored, I used odorless mineral spirits to help smooth out the penciling.

I didn't want to just put the flower on a plain piece of white cardstock so I embossed it with a striped embossing folder, placing it on a Berry Sorbet cardstock card base, leaving a little edge on the right hand side. The flower is on foam tape for dimension.

The sentiment is stamped on a banner made with Spring Moss cardstock. I added white crochet twine around the flower and a few clear sequins to complete the card. I need to use my colored pencils more often.....this was fun to do!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Rosie Posie, Keep It Simple: Surgery
• Paper:  PTI Berry Sorbet, White Stampers Select, Spring Moss
• Ink:  PTI Berry Sorbet, Spring Moss, Smokey Shadow
• Dies:  PTI Rosie Posie, Sketched Shapes
• Other:  Prisma Pencils Crimson Red #PC924, Kelp Green #PC1090; Odorless Mineral Spirits; Darice Stripes Embossing Folder; Crochet Twine; Sequins; Foam Tape
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy New Year!

Well, here it is, the beginning of a new year. 2016!!! Wasn't it just the year 2000 like 2 years ago? lol It's hard to comprehend how fast time goes by now. No resolutions for me. Maybe a few goals, and if I accomplish them, that's great, and if I don't, no big deal.

For this card I wanted to use black, gold and silver as my colors. Isn't that what we see on New Year's? I die-cut the Banner Journal Card in white cardstock and die-cut the little banners in gold and silver foil papers. "Happy New Year" is stamped in Smokey Shadow ink. The 2016 is die-cut 4 times, 3 times in white cardstock and once in silver foil paper, and of course, stacked and glued together.

I used True Black cardstock for the card base and added a layer of silver, glittery diagonal paper. The journal card is on fun foam for dimension. My last step was adding a few gold sequins.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Keep It Simple: New Year
• Paper:  PTI True Black, White Stampers Select; DCWV; Silver/Gold Foil
• Ink:  PTI Smokey Shadow
• Dies:  PTI Journal Banner Card, Block Alphabet Numbers
• Other:  Sequins; Fun Foam
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"