Day 8: Traveler's Journal Focus...

Another new feature going forward is focus on the Traveler's Journal product line and today Heather Nichols is the guest blogger. I don't have any of this product line but that could change in the future. lol

The challenge: "Create a new project that incorporates at least one photograph! This can be a card, layout, journal, altered home decor, etc..."

I found a lot of old photos in my grandmother's house. I don't know who this baby is or if it's a boy or girl, but look how cute he/she is posed! It may be a relative or perhaps someone gave my grandmother a picture of their baby. Too bad there aren't any markings on the back to solve the mystery. We think the picture is at least 100 years old. A friend of mine likes vintage things so a perfect card for her.

Using Journal Card #7, I die-cut the photo, I thought this made the photo look like the old time film on reels. I was really trying to think of a color to mat it on and then remembered the Dear Jane patterned paper I just bought. Doesn't it go great with this photo? I placed a layer of the paper on top of a Vintage Cream cardstock card base. The sentiment is stamped in Dark Chocolate ink on a Vintage Cream banner made with the Building Blocks dies and is on fun foam for dimension.

It still needed something so I added cream ribbon tied in a bow at the top. I'm really happy with the way this turned out and I'm sure my friend will just love it!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  Amuse Just My Type
• Paper:  PTI Vintage Cream, Dear Jane
• Ink:  PTI Dark Chocolate
• Dies:  PTI Journal Card #7
• Other:  Ribbon; Fun Foam
• 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"

With Sympathy

Continuing with easy cards to make.....

I placed a piece of woodgrain pattern paper on top of a Kraft cardstock card base, rounding the bottom corners.

The mat stack is stamped on Vintage Cream cardstock in Kraft ink; the sentiment in Dark Chocolate ink. Notice how perfect it's stamped - thanks to the MISTI!! It's placed on foam tape for dimension.

A bit of cappuccino twine completes the card.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Mat Stack 1, Keep It Simple: Sympathy
• Paper:  PTI Kraft, Vintage Cream; Amuse Woodgrain
• Ink:  PTI Kraft, Dark Chocolate
• Dies:  PTI Mat Stack 1
• Tools:  Corner Rounder
• Other:  Foam Tape; Twine
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Die Cut Mini Notebooks (MIM #220)

When I first saw PTI's Make It Monday #220: Die Cut Mini Notebooks, I really wasn't too interested in making notebooks. And then I actually watched the video, and Melissa (Phillips) said something like "you could package 3 of these together for a gift"....and the ideas started rolling in my head!

I quickly made a few of them. I cut my notebook base 3.5" x 4.5", using polka dot pattern paper on the front and a piece of Kraft cardstock on the back to give it a little more stability. The notebook paper is from lined tablets I had laying around; I cut that paper to 3" x 4" and used 12 sheets for the notebook, rounding the bottom.

Then the fun part - decorating them! I used a variety of stamp sets for this - the details are listed at the end of the post.  On the first notebook, I drew on the flowers and leaves using a black thin marker and a white gel pen. It just gives it a different look! These are so cute!

This is the back:

Project Details:

Flowers

• Stamps:  PTI Take Note, Clipsters
• Paper:  PTI Sweet Blush, Spring Moss, Raspberry Fizz, Lemon Tart, Kraft; Amuse Polka Dots
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Rosebud
• Dies:  PTI Friendly Flowers
• Tools:  Corner Rounder
• Other:  Black Marker; Martha Stewart White Opaque Marker; Lined Tablet
• Size:  3.5" x 4.5"

Telephone

• Stamps:  PTI Heart-2-Heart #4, Clipsters
• Paper:  PTI Lemon Tart, White Stampers Select, Kraft; Amuse Polka Dots
• Ink:  PTI Spring Moss, Harvest Gold; Memento Tuxedo Black, Rosebud
• Dies:  PTI Heart-2-Heart #4
• Tools:  Martha Stewart Eyelet Border Punch; Corner Rounder
• Other:  Fun Foam; Lined Tablet
• Size:  3.5" x 4.5"

Butterflies

• Stamps:  PTI Heart-2-Heart #10, Places Please, Take Note
• Paper:  PTI Hibiscus Burst, White Stampers Select, Kraft; Amuse Polka Dot
• Ink:  PTI Spring Moss, Harvest Gold; Memento Tuxedo Black
• Dies:  PTI Heart-2-Heart #10
• Tools:  Corner Rounder
• Other:  Fun Foam; Lined Tablet
• Size:  3.5" x 4.5"

Congratulations On Your New Home

Sometimes I get in the mood to color, and when I do I bring out my Copics. Coloring helps relax me when I get stressed. This house is so much fun to color.

I used Kraft cardstock for the card base and added a layer of red pinstriped pattern paper, rounding the bottom corners.  The house is stamped on white cardstock and colored with Copics. When it was completed, I fussy cut it and adhered it to the card on thin foam tape.

Using some of my leftover red strips from Christmas, I stamped the sentiments in black ink and placed them above and below the house.  To complete the card, I added Cappuccino twine.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Boards & Beams, Congratulations, Congrats All Ways
• Paper:  PTI Kraft, White Stampers Select, Pure Poppy; Amuse Petite Stripes
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
• Copics:  E31, E33, R27, W1, W3
• Tools:  Corner Rounder
• Other:  Foam Tape; Twine
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Thank You Ever So Much

I've been in the mood lately to use pattern paper for the background instead of stamping. I guess because I realize I have so much pattern paper that I'll never be able to use it all (even with just getting rid of 48 pounds!), so I may as well try to make a dent in it.

I started with a Kraft cardstock card base and added a layer of woodgrain pattern paper, rounding the bottom corners. Next, I die-cut the frame and stamped it with the image in Kraft ink and the sentiment in Dark Chocolate ink.

I have a lot of red 1/2 inch strips left over from my Christmas cards and decided to place two of them under the frame. Red and brown go well together and this makes a nice, masculine thank you card.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Boutique Borders: Thanks
• Paper:  PTI Kraft, Pure Poppy, White Stampers Select; Amuse Woodgrain
• Ink:  PTI Kraft, Dark Chocolate
• Dies:  PTI Boutique Borders: Thanks
• Tools:  Corner Rounder
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy January Birthday

While cleaning my craft room, I found some things I want to try and use - like glassine bags! I have a lot of these and rarely use them.

I placed the glassine bag on white cardstock and adhered it to a Raspberry Fizz cardstock card base. Then I die-cut the stitched rectangle in Hibiscus Burst cardstock and placed it on top of the bag.

January is die-cut three times in Aqua Mist cardstock, glued together and positioned on a slight angle. I stamped "happy" and "birthday" in black ink. To finish the card I added a few clear sequins.  

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Birthday Classics: January
• Paper:  PTI Raspberry Fizz, Hibiscus Burst, White Stampers Select, Aqua Mist
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
• Dies:  PTI Monthly Moments: January; Lil Inker Designs Stitched Mats: Rectangles
• Other: Amuse Glassine Bag; Pretty Pink Posh Sequins
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Trick or Treat

It won't be long now and Halloween will be here.  Even though this isn't one of my favorite holidays, I've been busy making cards.

I used my new Text Block Halloween die for this - I saw that one of the PTI Design Team members did her card this way and I thought it was really cute and copied the idea.  I cut the background in black cardstock and then cut the wording in orange polka dot and purple papers, gluing them over the existing words.  The web is on a Soft Stone cardstock card base.

I stamped the spiders around the sides and colored them with light grey and purple Copics. 

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Tiny Treats: Halloween
• Paper:  PTI Soft Stone; Amuse Polka Dot; DCWV
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
• Copics:  T1, V15
• Tools:  PTI Text Block Halloween Die
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Your Kindness Melts My Heart

This Popsicle set can be used for so many occasions!

I wanted to make a really bright, summery looking card and pulled out this orange polka dot paper.  I stamped one of the Popsicles on white cardstock in three different inks - pink, yellow and orange.  For the second Popsicle, I die-cut it first, stamped it and placed it on foam tape, slightly overlapping the first Popsicle.  I added the drips and a little glitter to them to make them appear to be icy.

Using a scalloped rectangle, I embossed the image into the white cardstock.  I stamped the sentiment in black ink and placed the panel on foam tape.  To finish the card, I tied white twine around the bottom of the card.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Summer Sweetness
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select; Amuse Polka Dot
• Ink:  PTI Harvest Gold, Kraft; Memento Rosebud, Tangelo, Tuxedo Black
• Tools:  PTI Summer Sweetness Die; Scalloped Rectangle Nestabilities Die
• Other:  Glitter; Twine; Foam Tape
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy Anniversary

I saw a card similar to this on Laurie Willison's (PTI Design Team) blog and really liked the design.  So this is my version.

First, I embossed a piece of Soft Stone cardstock with my Birds & Swirls embossing folder - I need to use this folder more often because it's so pretty!  Next, I took a piece of white cardstock, cut out the center using a rectangle die and layered it on top of the grey cardstock.  The sentiment is stamped on the bottom in light grey ink.

I had a couple of leftover heart dies, stamped them in red ink and placed them on foam tape.  I tied white and silver edged ribbon around the card as the final touch.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Inside & Out: Love
• Paper:  PTI Soft Stone, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy; Amuse Seattle
• Tools:  PTI Cover Plate: Hearts Die; Lil' Inker Designs Stitched Mats: Rectangles; Cuttlebug Birds & Swirls Embossing Folder
• Other:  Ribbon; Foam Tape
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy Birthday To You

This card is similar to one I posted a few weeks ago, just a different take on the design.

I started with an Aqua Mist cardstock card base and added a layer of white cardstock, embossed with my Cane Back embossing folder.  

Using square nestabilities, I die-cut a scalloped one in Hawaiian Shores cardstock and a standard one in white cardstock.  I stamped the sentiment in Versamark ink, sprinkled it with Zing "Powder" embossing powder and heated it with a heat tool.

The squares are adhered to the card base on foam tape.  I tied Caribbean twine around the bottom to complete the card.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  Amuse Eat Cake
• Paper:  PTI Aqua Mist, Hawaiian Shores, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  VersaMark
• Tools:  Standard & Scalloped Square Nestabilities Dies; Cuttlebug Cane Back Embossing Folder
• Other:  Twine; Foam Tape; Zing Embossing Powder
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy Birthday To You

This is another watercolor project I didn't like how it turned out, but instead of throwing it out, wanted to use a portion of it.

To create the watercolor background I used two different colors of Tim Holtz distress ink - Peacock Feathers and Shabby Shutters.  I tapped the ink onto my craft sheet, mixed it with water and brushed it over the watercolor paper.

For the sentiment I stamped it with Versamark ink, sprinkled it with white Zing embossing powder and heated it with a heat tool.  I found this scrap of black and white paper and placed it on a white card base, leaving a little of the white showing on the left and right sides.  I backed the teal square with a layer of black cardstock and adhered it to the pattern paper.  I really like this color combination!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  Amuse Eat Cake
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select; Recollections; Watercolor; Colorbok
• Ink:  Tim Holtz Peacock Feathers, Shabby Shutters Distress Ink; Versamark
• Tools:  Standard Square Nestabilities; Heat Tool
• Other:  Zing Embossing Powder
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

What's New?

Watercolor is a hot, hot trend right now, and I've been trying all different techniques the past few days.  I love using watercolor, and it's a lot easier to do than I thought it would be.

For this card I used Tim Holtz distress ink.  I stamped some of the ink on a piece of acetate, and using a water filled brush, dipped the brush in the ink with a bit of water.  I brushed it onto watercolor paper creating this diagonal brushed look.  I found that using watercolor paper worked much better than regular cardstock.

I stamped the typewriter and sentiment on the card in black.  I wanted to bring out the teal and the black in the card and layered the image on black, mounted to a Hawaiian Shores card base.  I placed the two layers flush against the right side for a different look.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  Amuse Just My Type
• Paper:  PTI Hawaiian Shores; The Paper Company; Watercolor
• Ink:  Tim Holtz Peacock Feathers Distress Ink; Memento Tuxedo Black
• Other:  Water Brush
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Tinkled Pink About Your Big News

Lots of baby girls born this year so far...haven't heard of any boys yet!  This card uses PTI's Feather Finery stamps, and in my opinion has to be the best feather stamps I've seen!  The details in the stamps are unbelievable.  Feathers are the trend right now so it was time for me to use this set!

I stamped the feathers on white cardstock in light pink ink and then added the dots in a darker pink.  I stamped the sentiment in a medium grey ink and added circles of light grey in the background.  I adhered the stamped image to a layer of Sweet Blush cardstock and used Soft Stone cardstock for the card base.  Pink and grey are such a pretty color combination!

Yes, I pulled out my white Fun Fur for this card!  It's soft and feathery looking and I thought it made a nice addition to the card and was a little different than just using ribbon.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Feather Finery
• Paper:  PTI Soft Stone, Sweet Blush, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Soft Stone, Berry Sorbet; Amuse Seattle; VersaMagic Pink Grapefruit
• Other:  Fun Fur
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Time Spent Living Life...

I'm trying to pull out some of my PTI sets I haven't used very much or not used at all.  Yes, I do have some sets I never used!  I've only used this set, Hands Of Time, a few times and really need to use it more often!

I used Soft Stone cardstock for the card base and added a layer of Scarlet Jewel.  I really like any colors with light grey!  I stamped the clock onto white in a medium grey ink, adding the numbers and hands in wine color ink.  I added a silver faux eyelet to the clock center.

The sentiment is also stamped in wine and medium grey inks.  For a change, I used my inverted corner rounder on the white cardstock.  I tied a piece of Stone twine around the card to complete it.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Hands Of Time
• Paper:  PTI Soft Stone, Scarlet Jewel, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Scarlet Jewel; Amuse Seattle
• Tools:  Inverted Corner Rounder
• Other: Twine; Faux Eyelet
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Celebrating With You

A while ago I ordered all these cute little bags from Amuse...but have I used any?  That would be a no!  haha

I used Raspberry Fizz cardstock for the card base, and added a layer of white embossed with checkerboard.  I adhered a polka dot bag on an angle and cut a piece of Spring Moss cardstock, placing it over the bag.  The sentiment is stamped in black ink.

I die-cut the flower and leaves, stamping them with coordinating inks.  My final addition was the flower gem to the center of the flower.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Ruby Reprise
• Paper:  PTI Raspberry Fizz, Spring Moss, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Rosebud, Pear Tart
• Tools:  PTI Ruby Rose Dies; Cuttlebug Checkerboard Embossing Folder
• Other:  Amuse Treat Bag; Foam Tape; Gem
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

A Very Happy Birthday

I'm getting a lot of use with my Ruby Rose and Ruby Reprise stamp sets.  Very happy that I bought the stamps and coordinating dies.  These are my favorite stamp sets at the moment (subject to change at any time, of course! haha)

For this card I used Sweet Blush for the card base and added a layer of gingham pattern paper.  I stamped the flower images on white cardstock in two different pink inks, adding a little bit of blue.  The sentiment is stamped in black ink - I just love how this sentiment hugs the corner!

I layered the stamped image on a piece of Melon Berry cardstock.  The big flower didn't look right to me, so I added another flower, stamped, die-cut and placed on foam tape for dimension.  Much better!  To complete the card, I added gems to the flower centers.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Ruby Rose
• Paper:  PTI Sweet Blush, Melon Berry, White Stampers Select; Amuse Gingham
• Ink:  PTI Melon Berry, Aqua Mist; Memento Tuxedo Black; VersaMagic Pink Grapefruit
• Tools:  PTI Ruby Rose Dies
• Other:  Foam Tape; Gems
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy February Birthday

PTI introduced new items this month --- one is a die and stamp set that will come out for each month!  I just got my order today and couldn't wait to use the "February" die.

I used Blueberry Sky cardstock for my card base and added a layer of blue gingham pattern paper.  I die-cut 6 stitched stars, making the two top stars (dark blue and white) on the right dimensional by scoring and folding them.  They're attached with glue dots.

I die-cut February twice, once in dark blue and once in coaster for support, because of course I wanted to pop it up since it's the focal point of the card.  If you cut foam tape thin enough it works!  I used my double-ended banner die and stamped "happy" on one end and "birthday" on the other and snipped the die-cut in half.

Can you tell I like stars?  haha  I added the row of white stars across the bottom.  I layered a dark and light blue star and placed a circle, stamped with "dad" on top with foam tape.  I added a couple more stars on the card and tied jute around the spine as the finishing touch.

I'm so happy with the way this turned out!  Very masculine looking, don't you think?

Another view to show more of the dimension:

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Keep It Simple: Birthday, Tiny Tags
• Paper:  PTI Blueberry Sky, Enchanted Evening, White Stampers Select; Amuse Gingham
• Ink:  PTI Enchanted Evening, Blueberry Sky
• Tools:  PTI Monthly Moments: February Die, Super Star Border Die, Double Ended Banner Die; Lil' Inker Designs Stitched Stars Die; Standard Circle Nestabilities
• Other:  PTI Coaster; Jute; Foam Tape
• Card Size:  5.0" x 7.0"

Happy Birthday

Here I go again using Reasons To Smile to make this quick card.

I started by stamping the flower images on white cardstock.  I cut Moroccan pattern paper and placed a strip of it at the top and bottom of the flowers and adhered it to a black cardstock base.

I die-cut the banner, stamped the sentiment and placed it on foam tape.  My last steps were tying Charcoal twine around the bottom of the card and adding a little glitter to the flowers.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Reasons To Smile, Gracious Vases
• Paper:  PTI True Black, White Stampers Select; Amuse Moroccan
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, New Sprout; VersaMagic Mango Madness
• Tools:  PTI Fabulous Frames Die
• Other:  Twine; Foam Tape; Glitter
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy 25th Anniversary

I made this card a while ago for a 25th anniversary party.

I used Soft Stone cardstock for the card base and added a layer of white cardstock, scored diagonally every half inch on the Scor-Pal.  I rounded the corners on the right hand sides to help soften the card a little.  I die-cut the doily and placed it on foam tape.

Next I die-cut the numbers, once in Soft Stone and once in silver mirror paper and placed them on the doily with additional foam tape.  I added the white pearls around the outside of the doily.

The sentiment is stamped in light grey ink on a banner die-cut in Soft Stone cardstock; I added a couple of pearls next to the sentiment.  I tied ribbon around the spine of the card - this was a nice, white ribbon with silver threading through it, so a perfect addition for a silver anniversary card!

My last step was die-cutting the hearts - a scalloped heart in silver mirror paper and a regular heart in white cardstock.  I stamped the "love" in grey ink and tied the heart to the ribbon with Stone twine.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Beautiful Butterflies, Tiny Tags
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Soft Stone; Silver Mirror
• Ink:  Amuse Seattle
• Tools:  PTI By The Numbers Mats Dies, By The Numbers Dies, Sketched Shapes Die; Standard & Scalloped Heart Nestabilities; Cheery Lynn French Pastry Doily Die; Corner Rounder; Scor-Pal
• Other:  Pearls; Ribbon; Twine; Foam Tape
• Card Size:  5.5" x 5.5"