Thinking Of You...

Can you believe it's the last day of April already?? Wow. This is card #4 included in the gift set.

I used the same white cardstock card base, die-cut with the Don't Forget To Write kit die. So nice with the scalloped and stitched edges! I placed a piece of DFTW pattern paper on top, again, with the flowers in the pattern.

The sentiment frame is die-cut in white cardstock and stamped with Pure Poppy ink on the edges and Smokey Shadow ink for the sentiment. I placed the frame on fun foam for dimension.

My last step was tying Maraschino twine around the top.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Make It Market Kit: Don't Forget To Write, It's The Thought
• Paper:  PTI Don't Forget To Write, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy, Smokey Shadow
• Dies:  PTI Don't Forget To Write
• Other:  Twine; Fun Foam
• Size:  3.75" x 3.75"

Saying A Prayer For You...

Moving right along with notecard #3 of the gift pack....

I used the pattern paper that came with the kit and placed it over the die-cut white cardstock card base. I die-cut the circle frame, stamped it with Blueberry Sky ink and placed it on foam tape for dimension.

Prayer is die-cut in Spring Rain cardstock and adhered on a slight angle so it would fit inside the circle. I stamped the rest of the sentiment in Smokey Shadow ink. That's Denim twine tied around the top of this card.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Make It Market Kit: Don't Forget To Write, Inspired: Prayer
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Spring Rain, Don't Forget To Write
• Ink:  PTI Blueberry Sky, Smokey Shadow
• Dies:  PTI Make It Market Kit: Don't Forget To Write, Inspired: Prayer
• Other:  Foam Tape; Twine
• Size:  3.75" x 3.75"

Stenciled Watercolor Backgrounds (MIM #282)...

I couldn't wait to try this week's Make It Monday because it involved watercolor - I keep seeing so many watercolor cards that I want to try and make! Betsy Veldman hosts this week's challenge where she shows us how to create pretty backgrounds using stencils and ink. You can watch the video here ⇢ Make It Monday #282: Stenciled Watercolor Backgrounds.

It took me a while to choose a stencil, not that I have that many, I wanted to find the right one. After trying several different ones, I chose one from PTI's Modern Backgrounds.

On a piece of watercolor paper, I placed the stencil over the paper, using a Cricut mat like Betsy suggested to help hold it in place. Next I lightly applied Mint Julep, Lemon Tart and Lovely Lady inks with a brush and water. I set it aside to dry.

I die-cut the flowers and leaves in white cardstock and used the same ink colors as above for the first layer of stamping. To add the details, I used Berry Sorbet and Bright Buttercup inks on the flowers and New Leaf ink on the leaves. The sentiment is stamped in black ink and the two flowers are on foam tape for dimension.

The panel is adhered to a Lovely Lady cardstock card base with white crochet thread around the top. I hate to brag,😎 but I love the way this turned out! And this is a new favorite Spring-like color combination for me.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Rosie Posie, Rosie Posie Step 2, Brushed Blooms
• Paper:  PTI Lovely Lady, White Stampers Select; Tim Holtz Watercolor
• Ink:  PTI Lovely Lady, Lemon Tart, Mint Julep, New Leaf, Berry Sorbet, Bright Buttercup; Versafine Onyx Black
• Dies:  PTI Rosie Posie
• Other:  PTI Modern Backgrounds Stencil; Crochet Thread; Brush; Water; Foam Tape
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Papertrey April 2017 Blog Hop Challenge...

Well, it's the 25th and Blog Hop time again and a reminder that it's "only" 8 months until Christmas! 😎 I really wasn't very inspired with this month's photo - it's a lot of colors that I wouldn't normally use together.  But isn't that part of the fun to get outside of one's comfort zone?

On white cardstock, I started by stamping the sentiment in the bottom corner and then stamped three large flowers in Pale Peony ink. I added the flower centers with Lemon Tart and Orange Zest inks. The leaves are stamped in Soft Stone ink.

After the card was "done", I didn't like the way it looked and decided to pop up the flower centers to add a little more interest to the card. They are die-cut in white cardstock, stamped with Lemon Tart and Orange Zest inks and on foam tape for dimension. I think the card looks much better now.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Ruby Rose, Turning A New Leaf
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Pale Peony, Lemon Tart, Orange Zest, Soft Stone, Smokey Shadow
• Dies:  PTI Ruby Rose
• Other:  Foam Tape
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

A Note Of Thanks...

Here's card #2 in the notecard gift pack.....

I die-cut the scalloped card base in white cardstock and added a layer of striped pattern paper - which already included the flower bouquets in the corners!

The frame is die-cut in white cardstock and the flourishes and sentiment stamped in Smokey Shadow ink. Note is die-cut in Mint Julep cardstock and placed on an angle between the words. The frame is on fun foam for dimension.

A bit of Seaweed twine wrapped around the top finished off this card.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Make It Market Kit: Don't Forget To Write
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Don't Forget To Write, Mint Julep
• Ink:  PTI Smokey Shadow
• Dies:  PTI Don't Forget To Write
• Other:  Twine; Fun Foam
• Size:  3.75" x 3.75"

Sending Birthday Wishes...

I finally got around to really using my Make It Market Don't Forget To Write kit, and this is one of six cards I made as part of a pack of notecards I'm giving out as little gifts.

The card base is die-cut in white cardstock using the small notecard die included in the kit. I placed a layer of printed pattern paper on top, also included in the kit.

I die-cut the frame in white cardstock and stamped the corners with Amethyst Allure ink. The flower bouquet is die-cut in white cardstock with the leaves stamped in Mint Julep and Green Parakeet inks and the flowers stamped in Lulu Lavender/Amethyst Allure, Spring Rain/Blueberry Sky and Aqua Mist inks.

Sending is die-cut in Aqua Mist cardstock. Birthday Cheer is stamped in Smokey Shadow ink and the banner placed on fun foam for dimension. Last steps were tying Lilac twine around the top and adding a few clear sequins on the flowers.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Make It Market Kit: Don't Forget To Write
• Paper:  PTI Don't Forget To Write, White Stampers Select, Aqua Mist
• Ink:  PTI Amethyst Allure, Spring Rain, Blueberry Sky, Mint Julep, Green Parakeet, Aqua Mist, Smokey Shadow; Memento Lulu Lavender
• Dies:  PTI Don't Forget To Write; Building Blocks
• Other:  Twine; Fun Foam; Pretty Pink Posh Sequins
• Size:  3.75" x 3.75"

Patterns Behind Die-Cut Windows (MIM #281)...

It's that time again, and this week Dawn McVey shows us how to incorporate patterns with die-cut windows in this week's video → Make It Monday #281: Patterns Behind Die-cut Windows. You'd think since I have so much pattern paper that I'd actually use some paper😛...but I decided to stencil instead.

On a white cardstock card base, I stenciled the brick wall using Soft Stone ink. Next, I die-cut my scalloped circle in the center of an A2 size panel and stamped the sentiment in Smokey Shadow ink. I backed the panel with foam fun and adhered it to the card base.

The flowers are die-cut in white cardstock and stamped in Green Parakeet and New Leaf inks for the stems and Lulu Lavender and Amethyst Allure inks for the flowers. Such a nice, Spring-like looking color combination!

One large flower is adhered right on the card base and the other one is on foam tape. I had an extra little flower I inked up and thought it would help balance out the card placing it above the sentiment. I added some glitter to the flowers as my final step. Fun technique!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Beautiful Berries: Spring
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Green Parakeet, New Leaf, Smokey Shadow, Amethyst Allure; Memento Lulu Lavender
• Dies:  PTI Beautiful Berries: Spring, Scene It: Basic Backer
• Other:  MFT English Brick Wall Stencil; Fun Foam; Foam Tape; Glitter
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5" 

Hippity Hoppity...

And one more Easter card for this year!

I die-cut Journal Card #7 in Spring Moss/Summer Sunrise and white cardstock. On the white die-cut, I stamped the rabbit in black ink and colored it with Copic markers, adding the stamped sentiment on the sign.

On a white cardstock card base, I added a layer of Egg Hunt pattern paper and placed the two journal die-cuts on top. The banner is die-cut in Lilac Grace/Spring Moss using a Bountiful Banner die, stamped with the sentiment in black ink and placed on fun foam for dimension.

I thought the purple card would be good for a boy and the yellow good for a girl.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Hippity Hoppity, Keep It Simple Easter; Stampin' Up Cheerful Critters
• Paper:  PTI Egg Hunt, Spring Moss, Lilac Grace, Summer Sunrise, Spring Moss, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
• Copics:  E50, R20, R22, V20, Y21, W1
• Dies:  PTI Journal Card #7, Bountiful Banners
• Other:  Fun Foam
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy Easter...

Happy Easter! We're expecting a very warm day for this time of year - it'll be in the low 80s, a little too warm for Easter. I hope my chocolate eggs don't melt in the heat! 😨

The card base is die-cut in white cardstock using the Noted: Scalloped A2 die. I placed a piece of Sweet Blush polka dots pattern paper on top. 

I die-cut three rabbits in white cardstock and stamped the outline in black ink. The noses are stamped in Berry Sorbet ink and the cheeks in Pale Peony ink. I placed the rabbits on foam tape, slightly staggered. 

For the sentiment I stamped Happy Easter in black ink, die-cut it using a Tag Trio nestability and placed it on fun foam for dimension. My final step was tying white crochet thread around the top of the card. 

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI So Sweet, Keep It Simple: Easter
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Sweet Blush Polka Dots
• Ink:  PTI Berry Sorbet, Pale Peony; Memento Tuxedo Black; Versafine Onyx Black
• Dies:  PTI So Sweet, Noted: Scalloped A2; Tag Trio Nestability
• Other:  Foam Tape; Fun Foam; Crochet Thread
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Easter Doodad...

It's been a few years since I made an Easter doodad and only did it this year because my friend asked me to make something. I saw these treat boxes on Sam Hammond's blog - she is so talented and creative! You can see her video how to make them here ➼ Long Slender Chocolate Egg Boxes. There are a few steps I added when making my boxes - acetate behind the window and ribbon at the top.

I started with a piece of pattern paper cut to 3.5" x 11" and scored it on the long side at 1/2", 1.25", 9.75" and 10.5", and .75", 1.5", 2.25" and 3" on the short side. Next, using a Tag Trio nestability, I cut out the window in one of the panels and placed a piece of acetate behind it. I thought this would help keep the eggs inside the box and make it look a little more professional. I folded the box, stapled the bottom and filled it with Hershey eggs. Instead of stapling the top, I punched a hole and tied ribbon in a bow.

The sweet bunny is die-cut in white cardstock and the outline stamped in black ink. I stamped the bunny's nose in Raspberry Fizz ink and his cheeks with Lovely Lady ink. The bunny is on foam tape for dimension. The scalloped circles were cut in the coordinating cardstock that matches the pattern paper and Happy Easter is stamped in black ink. The circles are also on foam tape. 

Here's a close-up:

Project Details:

• Stamps:  PTI So Sweet, Hippity Hoppity
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Lemon Tart Stripes, Sweet Blush, Plum Pudding, Aqua Mist and Summer Sunrise Bitty Dots
• Ink:  PTI Raspberry Fizz, Lovely Lady; Memento Tuxedo Black
• Dies:  PTI So Sweet; Tag Trio Nestability
• Tools:  1" Circle Punch; 1.25" Scalloped Circle Punch
• Other:  Ribbon; Acetate; Foam Tape; Candy; Stapler
• Size:  1" x 11"

Papertrey April 2017 Create Along With Us...

There's no Make It Monday this week because PTI is showcasing products for their April release. We can play along by creating a project that is inspired by something during the release. I'm seeing flowers and pastel colors and that's what I used for my card.

On a piece of white cardstock, I lightly brushed Aqua Mist ink on a Garden Gate stencil to give me the lattice looking background. I placed the panel on a white cardstock card base, layered with Lemon Tart leaves pattern paper.

I die-cut the flower in white cardstock and stamped it with Hawaiian Shores, Spring Moss and Lemon Tart inks. I used the Misti so I could get a good, solid stamp color when I added the second layer of flower and leaf accents. The flower is adhered with foam tape for dimension.

The sentiment is stamped in black ink. To finish the flower, I added dots to the Lemon Tart flowers with a thin, black marker and tied white crochet thread around the stem.

I thought this would make a nice Mother's Day card.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Brushed Blooms, Signature Greetings
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Lemon Tart Leaves
• Ink:  PTI Hawaiian Shores, Spring Moss, Lemon Tart, Aqua Mist; Memento Tuxedo Black
• Dies:  PTI Brushed Blooms
• Tools:  Garden Gate Stencil
• Other:  Black Marker; Foam Tape; Crochet Thread
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Here Comes The Easter Bunny...

It just doesn't seem possible that Easter is right around the corner. Wasn't it just Valentine's Day? 😏

On white cardstock, I stenciled the background on the top portion of the card with Summer Sunrise ink. I added a strip of Egg Hunt pattern paper at the top and bottom (gotta use that pattern paper!!) The sentiment is stamped in black, Spring Moss and Sweet Plum inks - using the Misti really ensured a straight sentiment!

The bunny is die-cut three times, twice in white cardstock and once in Spring Moss stripes. I added the bunny tail, also die-cut three times and stacked together. To finish the card, I tied orchid twine around the top.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Polka Dot Parade #1
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Egg Hunt, Spring Moss Stripes
• Ink:  PTI Spring Moss, Summer Sunrise; Memento Sweet Plum, Tuxedo Black
• Dies:  PTI Polka Dot Parade #1
• Tools:  PTI Modern Backgrounds Stencil
• Other:  Twine
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Stamping Outside Of The Box (MIM #280)...

It seems hard to believe another week has gone by and we have a new Make It Monday! Lexi Daly is the host for Make It Monday #280: Stamping Outside Of The Box, where she shows us a few tips on using a box and die-cuts.

I have a few new stamp sets sitting on my desk that haven't been used yet, one is Celebrate Big, a free set offered at the end of last year. And the other is Offbeat Birthday which has some really nice, clever and funny sentiments in it.

Celebrate is die-cut in white cardstock three times and stacked together for a little dimension, with the top layer stamped in Raspberry Fizz ink. For my box, I used a rectangle of Confetti Toss pattern paper, placing it on the left side of the white cardstock card base. I stamped the sentiment underneath in Smokey Shadow ink.

I placed two shades of pink sequins on the card to mimic the bubbles in the pattern paper. This technique is really an easy way to make a quick and fun looking card.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Celebrate Big, Offbeat Birthday
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Confetti Toss
• Ink:  PTI Raspberry Fizz, Smokey Shadow
• Dies:  PTI Celebrate Big
• Other:  Pretty Pink Posh Pink Blush, Sweetheart Mix Sequins
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Friends Forever...

I saw this technique of "Easy Ombre Backgrounds" on Jennifer McGuire's blog and thought I'd give it a try. It was easy, so if you'd like to give it a try, you can watch her video here ➜ Easy Ombre Backgrounds.

I started with a piece of white cardstock and stamped the flower outlines in Versamark ink, sprinkled them with white embossing powder and heat set them. Next, I rubbed Abandoned Coral distress ink over top, trying to make an ombre look of dark to light from the bottom to top. I really like the look of ink rubbed over embossing!

Friends is die-cut in white cardstock three times and stacked together. I also rubbed ink over it to give it a coordinating ombre look. Forever is stamped on black cardstock in Versamark and heat set with white embossing powder. I placed it on fun foam for dimension. The entire panel is placed on a black cardstock card base.

I'm not too happy with the color of the "white" embossing powder used here. It's Zing, and it's more of an off white to me. I have since bought a couple of very white embossing powders that I'm much happier with, so I'll be trying this technique again very shortly.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Spiral Bouquet; Altenew Peony Bouquet
• Paper:  PTI True Black, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  Tim Holtz Abandoned Coral Distress Ink; Versamark
• Dies:  PTI Wet Paint III, Building Blocks
• Tool:  Heat Tool
• Other: Zing Embossing Powder; Fun Foam
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Some Bunny Loves You...

It won't be too long and Easter will be here. SAS4K is currently requesting Easter cards so I wanted to get a jump start on making them. This card is similar to one Heather Nichols made years ago when the Hippity Hoppity set was first released.

On white cardstock, I stamped the flowers in Raspberry Fizz, Hawaiian Shores, Harvest Gold and Green Parakeet inks, adding black ink to the centers. The sentiment is also stamped in black ink.

I die-cut the bunny in white cardstock, stamped the outline in black and colored his ears and nose with a Copic marker. I die-cut the bunny two more times, stacked and glued them together for a little dimension.

I rounded the corners and placed the panel on a white cardstock card base, covered with striped pattern paper. I added a nice, fluffy pompom to finish the card.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Hippity Hoppity, Mini Blooms, Reasons To Smile
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Lemon Tart Stripes
• Ink:  PTI Raspberry Fizz, Hawaiian Shores, Harvest Gold, Green Parakeet; Memento Tuxedo Black
• Copics:  RV17
• Dies:  PTI Hippity Hoppity
• Tools:  Corner Rounder
• Other:  Pompom
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"