There's No Place Like Home...

This is the card I sent out to family and friends this year. I wanted to make something simple that didn't involve a lot of die-cutting and would be flat enough to mail.

The card base was made with the Noted Scalloped A2 Collection with white cardstock. I cut a rectangle of Pure Poppy cardstock for the next layer.

On a stitched oval, I stamped the house in Smokey Shadow ink. The trees were stamped twice, once in Smokey Shadow and once in gray ink. I added the sentiment, stamping it in black and red inks.

I added a coarse glitter to the trees to make them look like they had snow on them. 

Card Details:

• Stamps:  Altenew Winter Cottage, Pine Tree; PTI Home For The Holidays
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Pure Poppy
• Ink:  PTI Smokey Shadow, Pure Poppy; Versafine Onyx Black; Memento Gray Flannel
• Dies:  PTI Noted: Scalloped A2 Die Collection
• Other:  Martha Stewart Coarse Glitter
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Sending Christmas Joy & Cheer...

I wanted to make another snow globe card, this time using a night sky.

I started with a piece of white cardstock and die-cut the snow globe opening. In Dark Indigo cardstock, I die-cut the snow globe shape and stamped the snowflakes in Versamark ink. I sprinkled them with white embossing powder, heat set it and placed it into the white opening.

The snowman is die-cut in white cardstock with additions in True Black, Raspberry Fizz, Cocoa Bean and Orange Zest cardstock. Some of those dies are so tiny to cut! I placed the snowman, along with the trees on the night sky, adding a snowdrift with a glitter line in front. To make it look more like a snow globe, I added a strip of cherry wood paper along the bottom. 

I stamped the sentiment in dark blue, adhered the panel to a Dark Indigo cardstock card base and tied pink sorbet twine around it. These snow globes are so much fun to make! 

Card Details:

• Stamps:  MFT Snow Globe Kit; PTI Stylish Sentiments: Holiday; Altenew Snowing
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Dark Indigo, Raspberry Fizz, Ripe Avocado, Spring Moss, Cocoa Bean, Orange Zest, True Black; MFT Cherry Wood
• Ink:  Versamagic Night Sky; Versamark
• Dies:  MFT Snow Globe Kit
• Tools:  Heat Tool
• Other:  Embossing Powder; Twine; Glitter
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Merry Christmas...

I really made a lot of Christmas cards so far and may be posting holiday items from now until the end of the year! lol

MFT has some of the cutest stamps, and this polar bear set is one of them. I started with a Hawaiian Shores cardstock card base and added a layer of grey pattern paper. I wish I could get a whole pack of this grey paper!

I die-cut two snowdrifts in white cardstock and placed them on the card, adding the bear (on foam tape) and mountain, also die-cut in white cardstock and colored with Copics. I added the snowflakes with a clear sequin in the middle. The sentiment is stamped in Hawaiian Shores ink. Of course snow = fun fur and there it is!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Warmest Wishes, MFT Polar Bear Pals, Altenew Holiday Wishes
• Paper:  PTI Hawaiian Shores, White Stampers Select, Tinsel & Tags
• Ink:  PTI Hawaiian Shores; Memento Tuxedo Black
• Copics:  BG23, R24, R81, W1
• Dies:  PTI Warmest Wishes, Winter Penguin, In The Meadow; MFT Polar Bear Pals
• Other:  Sequins; Fun Fur; Foam Tape
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Healing Wishes...

I haven't used this Altenew stamp set very much and thought it was time to ink it up again!

On white cardstock, I stamped the flowers in Raspberry Fizz, Hawaiian Shores and Harvest Gold inks and the stems in Spring Moss ink. I added the sentiment and little clusters in black ink.

The stitching around the panel was made with a MFT die. I placed the panel on a Raspberry Fizz cardstock card base.  Quick and easy!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Colorful Words, Beautiful Berries: Spring; Altenew Simple Flowers
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Raspberry Fizz
• Ink:  PTI Raspberry Fizz, Hawaiian Shores, Harvest Gold, Spring Moss; Memento Tuxedo Black
• Dies:  MFT Wonky Stitched Rectangles
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

It's A Day To Celebrate...

The more I use the Altenew Painted Flowers set, the more I like it. It was a little intimidating when I first used it, but it's getting easier each time I stamp with it. And it makes beautiful flowers!

On white cardstock, I stamped the outline of the flowers in black ink. The first layer of the flowers is stamped in Spring Rain ink and the second layer in Blueberry Sky ink. The leaves are stamped in Spring Moss and Simply Chartreuse inks. I added a few one layer leaves in the same green inks.

The sentiment is stamped in black ink. I placed the panel on a Blueberry Sky cardstock card base with a strip of it showing on the right side. A quick and easy one layer card!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Beautiful Berries: Spring; Altenew Painted Flowers
• Paper:  PTI Blueberry Sky, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Spring Rain, Blueberry Sky, Spring Moss, Simply Chartreuse; Versafine Onyx Black
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy Birthday...

I can't believe I'm out of male birthday cards! I need to get busy and make a few for my stash. I'm not looking forward to it because I struggle with ideas for masculine cards.

I have lots of washi tape and thought this design would make a nice manly looking card. I placed the washi tape at an angle, wrapping it on the back of the panel. I stamped then sentiment right between the strips of tape.

I backed the panel with fun foam and placed it on a Simply Chartreuse cardstock card base. The colors in the washi tape match it perfectly!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  Altenew Painted Greetings
• Paper:  PTI Simply Chartreuse, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black
• Other:  Scotch Washi Tape; Fun Foam
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy Father's Day...

I think the Birch Land stamp set is probably used more for Fall cards, but I thought the tree and deer from Modern Deer would make a nice Father's Day card.

On white cardstock, I created the sky and grassy area by lightly rubbing Aqua Mist ink and Spring Moss ink with a make up brush. Next, I stamped the tree trunk in brown ink; the leaves were made by randomly stamping 3 different leaf stamps using Spring Moss, Pistachio and Pear Tart inks.

I colored the tree trunk with colored pencils and applied mineral spirits with a blending paper stump to help blend the pencil. You can see in the picture the three steps I did: 1) stamping the tree in Cocoa Bean ink, 2) coloring it with brown pencils and 3) applying and blending the mineral spirits. It really makes a big difference!

The deer is die-cut in white cardstock, stamped with Desert Sand and Cocoa Bean inks and placed on foam tape for dimension. I added a few grass blades in Pistachio ink and stamped the sentiment in Cocoa Bean ink.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  Altenew Birch Land, Modern Deer; PTI Masculine Motifs; WPlus9 Unforgettable
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Cocoa Bean, Spring Moss, Aqua Mist; Memento Pistachio, Desert Sand, Pear Tart
• Dies:  Altenew Modern Deer
• Other: Prismacolor Pencils PC1010 [Beige Sienna], PC945 [Sienna Brown]; Mineral Spirits; Paper Stump; Foam Tape
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

To A Wonderful Friend...

I'm trying to use some of my neglected stamps - there are so many of them! So I pulled out Simple Flowers to ink up again for this card.

On white cardstock, I stamped the flowers in Raspberry Fizz, Hawaiian Shores and Lulu Lavender inks. I ran the panel through the Cuttlebug with a stitched rectangle die.

The banner is die-cut in Hawaiian Shores cardstock and the sentiment stamped in black ink. I placed it on foam tape for dimension.

Quick and easy!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Keep It Simple: Friendship; Altenew Simple Flowers
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Hawaiian Shores
• Ink:  PTI Raspberry Fizz, Hawaiian Shores; Memento Lulu Lavender, Tuxedo Black
• Dies:  PTI Sketched Shapes; Lil Inker Designs Stitched Rectangles
• Other:  Fun Foam
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Purple Flowers...

Do you sometimes get stuck reaching for the same color combinations? I seem to be in the mood to use purple and green lately.

On watercolor paper, I stamped the flowers with Versamark, sprinkled them with white embossing powder and heat set them. I wet the flowers with water and used Zig markers to color in the leaves and flowers.

After the image was dry, I used a die to create the stitching around the edges. The panel is adhered to the same watercolor paper card base. I tied sheer ribbon around the card and decided not to put a sentiment on the front.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  Altenew Peony Bouquet
• Paper:  Canson 140# Watercolor
• Ink:  Versamark
• Dies:  MFT Wonky Stitched Rectangles
• Tools:  Heat Tool
• Other:  Zig Marker Light Green [#041], Violet [#080]; Embossing Powder; Ribbon
• 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"

Just Sitting Here...

I'm trying to sneak in one more "winter" type card before the weather gets too warm. I'm using one of my favorite MFT sets on this, Polar Bear Pals.

I started with a piece of white cardstock and lightly brushed Aqua Mist ink over it with a make-up brush. Next, I stamped the snow with Versamark, sprinkled it with white embossing powder and heat set it.

The bear is die-cut in white cardstock, the outline stamped in black ink and his scarf colored with Copic markers. I added a little pink color to his cheeks and ears. After all, it must be chilly sitting there!

The mountain is die-cut in watercolor paper, and since it has texture to it I thought it looked more like snow. I dipped the tops of the mountains in Versamark, added white embossing powder and heat set it. I know, it's hard to see that in the picture.

I die-cut the clouds and lightly edged them with Aqua Mist ink. The bear is on foam tape for dimension. I stamped the sentiment in black ink and added a bit of glitter to the mountain tops. The panel is on a Hawaiian Shores cardstock card base. I will say the bear sure looks happy!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  MFT Polor Bear Pals; Altenew Snowing
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Hawaiian Shores; Tim Holtz Watercolor
• Ink:  PTI Aqua Mist; Memento Tuxedo Black; Versamark
• Copics:  BG13, R24, R81, W00
• Dies:  PTI Warmest Wishes, Cloud Collection 1 & 2, Heart-2-Heart #6; MFT Polar Bear Pals
• Others:  Recollections Embossing Powder; Glitter; Foam Tape
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy Holidays...

When I bought the Post & Parcel kit, I knew I'd have to use it to make the annual Christmas card for my parent's mail carrier.

I started with a piece of white cardstock and lightly rubbed Enchanted Evening ink on it to create the sky. I stamped the falling snow in Versamark ink, sprinkled it with white embossing powder and heat set it. Next, I added the snowdrifts and the birch trees, both die-cut in white cardstock.

The mailbox post is die-cut in Kraft cardstock and embossed with woodgrain. The mailbox is stamped in Smokey Shadow ink and the snow on it embossed in white. The greenery is stamped with Spring Moss ink, the ornaments in Enchanted Evening and the candy canes and berries in Pure Poppy ink. I used a Copic marker on some of the leaves to give them a darker green color. There's a slot in the mailbox so I was able to slip the greenery into it so it's secured. Betsy Veldman thinks of everything!

I die-cut the flag in Pure Poppy cardstock and attached it to the mailbox with a brad, allowing the flag to move up and down. I stamped "mail" on the side in Fresh Snow ink. The mailbox is die-cut three times and glued together for dimension. The panel is on an Enchanted Evening cardstock card base with a bit of blue showing on the right.

Final steps - added the two birds, die-cut in Pure Poppy cardstock and stamped the sentiment in Pure Poppy ink. I added just a little bit of glitter on the card. This is one of my favorite cards I made this holiday season! Post & Parcel is a wonderful kit!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Make It Market Post & Parcel Kit, Keep It Simple: Happy Holidays; Altenew Snowing
• Paper:  PTI Enchanted Evening, White Stampers Select, Pure Poppy, Kraft
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy, Smokey Shadow, Spring Moss, Enchanted Evening, Fresh Snow; Versamark
• Copic:  YG93
• Dies:  PTI Make It Market Post & Parcel Kit, Woodgrain Impression Plate; MFT Snow Drifts; Memory Box Tall Birch, Resting Birds 
• Tools:  Heat Tool
• Other:  Zing Embossing Powder; Glitter; Brad
• Size:  5.0" x 7.0"

Thank You...

Here's a quick card I made using my new Altenew Simple Flowers stamp set - using the flower shape to create a background. It gives the card a fun and different look!

On white cardstock I stamped the shapes in Pure Poppy, Berry Sorbet and Sweet Blush inks - this is another color combination I'm going to have to remember because I like it so much! I stamped the sentiment in black ink to finish the card.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  Altenew Simple Flowers; WPlus9 Hand Lettered Thanks
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy, Berry Sorbet, Sweet Blush; Versafine Onyx Black
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Walking In A Winter Wonderland...

I fell in love with this deer (Altenew's Modern Deer stamp set) when I saw it - look at that sweet face!

I started with a piece of white cardstock and lightly rubbed Enchanted Evening ink on it to create the look of a wintry sky. Next, I stamped the deer in Kraft ink, adding his eyes and hooves in Cocoa Bean ink. 

I stamped the snow on the background and around the deer, sprinkled it with white embossing powder and heat set it. I added the tree and the snow drift, also die-cut in white cardstock. The sentiment is embossed with gold embossing powder.

I placed the panel on a piece of fun foam and adhered it to a Dark Indigo cardstock card base. I thought it needed a little color so I added the little red bird.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  Altenew Modern Deer, Snowing
• Paper:  PTI Dark Indigo, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Enchanted Evening, Kraft, Cocoa Bean; Versamark
• Dies:  Memory Box Tall Birch, Resting Birds; MFT Snow Drifts
• Tools:  Heat Tool
• Other:  White, Gold Zing Embossing Powder; Fun Foam
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

There's Beauty To Be Found In Every Corner...

The leaves in this area are at their peak of colors right now and are just gorgeous to look at. This is one of the many reasons I enjoy this season so much, the Autumn leaves are like looking at a work of art.

On Rustic Cream cardstock, I stamped the leaves in Summer Sunrise, Spring Moss, Harvest Gold, Pure Poppy and Morocco inks, trying to capture some of the beauty I see out my windows. 

I placed the panel on a Spring Moss cardstock card base and rounded the right bottom corner. My last step was stamping the sentiment, which is appropriate for what I'm seeing right now.

Card Details:

• Stamps: PTI Year of Flowers: Marigold; Altenew Simple Flowers
• Paper:  PTI Rustic Cream, Spring Moss
• Ink:  PTI Summer Sunrise, Spring Moss, Harvest Gold, Pure Poppy; Memento Morocco; Versafine Onyx Black
• Tools:  Corner Rounder
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Thanks...

It might not seem like it, but I do buy from stamp companies other than PTI. lol This card uses stamps from Altenew, a new stamp company that's only been around since 2014.

On white cardstock, I stamped the flowers in Amethyst Allure, Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise and Hawaiian Shores inks. The stems are stamped in Spring Moss ink.

I stamped the sentiment and the little dots in black ink and placed the panel on an Amethyst Allure cardstock card base. These are such fun looking flowers!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI City Scene; Altenew Simple Flowers; WPlus9 Hand Lettered Thanks
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Amethyst Allure
• Ink:  PTI Amethyst Allure, Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise, Hawaiian Shores, Spring Moss; Versafine Onyx Black
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Pumpkin Stamps 3 Ways (MIM #262)...

I wasn't sure if we were supposed to make all three techniques or pick one in this week's Make It Monday #262: Pumpkin Stamps 3 Ways. Ashley Cannon Newell shows us how to use pumpkin stamps to make a traditional, unique and trendy type of card in the video. It's interesting and fun to look at the "unique" ideas that have been entered in the contest on Nichole's blog - people are so clever!

For my traditional card, I started with a white card base and stamped the background with a crackled look using Fine Linen ink. I added the strip of pattern paper on the right side which also has a crackled background.

The pumpkins were die-cut in white cardstock and stamped with Summer Sunrise, Morocco and Potter's Clay inks (small pumpkin is die-cut three times and stacked). I stamped the curly-q's in Dark Chocolate ink and the stems in Dark Chocolate or Kraft inks. Finally, the banner is die-cut in Terracotta Tile cardstock three times and stacked, with the sentiment stamped in Dark Chocolate ink.

A bit of glitter on the pumpkins and jute tied around the top completed this card.

I used the same stamp set for my unique card to create a flower, die-cutting 4 pumpkins in white cardstock for the petals. I stamped them in Aqua Mist ink, stamping the center of the pumpkin several times (with the help of the Misti) to give it a darker color.

The leaves are die-cut in Spring Moss cardstock using the new Fancy Foliage dies. I arranged the leaves on a panel of white cardstock with stitching around the edges, adding a Lemon Tart stitched button center with gold floss tied through the buttonholes. The petal and leaves are curled for a little bit of dimension.

I stamped the sentiment in Smokey Shadow ink and added glitter to the petals to finish the card.

And finally I made a trendy card using the same pumpkin set. I added a layer of plaid pattern paper onto an Orange Zest cardstock card base, placing a doily on top and stamping the sentiment in Dark Chocolate ink.

The pumpkins were die-cut in white cardstock and stamped in Kraft, Aqua Mist and Morocco inks, with the faces in black ink. October is die-cut three times in Orange Zest cardstock and stacked together. My last step was adding white crochet twine.

I'm not sure why I'm calling this trendy - is it the doily or the idea of using a couple of non-traditional pumpkin colors?

Card Details:

Tradtional

• Stamps:  PTI Pumpkin Patch, Crackled
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Autumn Abundance, Terracotta Tile
• Ink:  PTI Summer Sunrise, Fine Linen, Dark Chocolate, Kraft; Memento Morocco, Potter's Clay
• Dies:  PTI Pumpkin Patch, Sketched Shapes
• Tools:  MISTI
• Other:  Glitter; Jute
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Unique

• Stamps:  PTI Pumpkin Patch; Altenew Painted Greetings
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Spring Moss, Lemon Tart
• Ink:  PTI Aqua Mist, Smokey Shadow
• Dies:  PTI Pumpkin Patch, Fancy Foliage, Button Stacks II; My Favorite Things Wonky Stitched Rectangles
• Tools:  MISTI
• Other:  Floss; Glitter
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Trendy

• Stamps:  PTI Pumpkin Patch, Keep It Simple: Belated Birthday Wishes, Superstition, Tag-Its #7, Happy Haunting
• Paper:  PTI Orange Zest, Autumn Abundance, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Kraft, Aqua Mist, Dark Chocolate, Kraft; Memento Morocco, Tuxedo Black
• Tools:  MISTI
• Dies:  PTI Pumpkin Patch, Monthly Moments: October
• Other:  Doily; Crochet Twine
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Just Because...

And another quick and simple card for today! I do envy those who make CAS cards all the time!

I placed a layer of Cosmo Cricket pattern paper on top of a white cardstock card base. I die-cut the frame in Simply Chartreuse cardstock and stamped the sentiment in black ink. I die-cut the frame again and used only the white border for around the sentiment.

The frame is on foam tape for dimension. I added one of my favorite little bees to finish the card.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  Altenew Painted Greetings
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Simply Chartreuse; Cosmo Cricket Garden Variety
• Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black
• Dies:  PTI Keep It Simple Frames
• Other:  Foam Tape; Jolee Bee
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy Birthday...

I made this card a while ago but just gave it to the recipient  - I didn't want to post it here before she got it! This is another attempt using Altenew's Peony Bouquet, but this time with watercolor, which was easier to do than lining up the stamps!

On watercolor paper, I stamped the outline of the flower in white embossing powder and heat set it. Using Zig markers, I colored in the flower with violet and the leaves in grey, using different amounts of ink for shading.

I stamped the sentiment in black ink and added the splatters made with grey ink and a little water. At the last minute I decided to add stitching to the card and ran the panel through the Cuttlebug with a stitched rectangle. The panel was adhered to a white cardstock card base.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Botanical Silhouettes; Altenew Peony Bouquet
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select; Tim Holtz Watercolor
• Ink:  Amuse Seattle; Versafine Onyx Black; Versamark
• Dies:  Lil Inker Designs Stitched Mats: Rectangles
• Tools:  Heat Tool
• Other:  Zig Markers (80 Violet, 91 Light Grey); Zing Embossing Powder
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy Birthday...

Okay, so maybe I'm stuck in a little bit of a color rut right now....I do seem to be using the same colors over and over lately lol. Let's see if I can step out of my "color rut" for a few days....(this one's for you Susi! haha)

On Fresh Snow linen cardstock, I stamped the flowers in black ink and added the layers in Pure Poppy and Berry Sorbet inks. The leaves are stamped in Spring Moss and Simply Chartreuse inks.

I stamped the sentiment in black ink and placed it on fun foam for dimension. The panel is on a Berry Sorbet cardstock card base leaving a bit of border on the right hand side.  

Card Details:

• Stamps:  Altenew Painted Flowers, Label Love
• Paper:  PTI Fresh Snow Linen, Berry Sorbet 
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy, Berry Sorbet, Spring Moss, Simply Chartreuse; Versafine Onyx Black
• Other: Fun Foam
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"