Happy Valentine's Day!

This is my Valentine's Day doodad - I saw this on Pinterest a while back and knew it was want I wanted to make.  In the inside of the doodad (see side view below) there's a matchbox drawer that holds a bag of Hershey Kisses.  I made the matchbox drawer by cutting and folding white cardstock.

I used Labels 8 Nestabilities to create the outside of the doodad.  The original one I saw used Stampin' Up's Top Note die, but I didn't have that, so I was very happy that Labels 8 was a nice replacement.  I folded a 4.0" x 8-1/2" inch of cardstock in half, placed the nestie on the fold and ran it through the Cuttlebug.   I scored it on the bottom to get the flat surface and edged around the doodad in white ink (it just added a little something).

I punched a hole in the top and threaded it with ribbon and white Fun Fur.  The outside was decorated with a large white heart with the sentiment and several smaller hearts made with scrap paper.  I added one clear gem to the smallest heart and placed it on foam tape for dimension.  I made twenty of these in different colors of pinks and red.

Project Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Love Birds, Fillable Frames #11
• Paper:  DCWV
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; ColorBox Frost White
• Tools:  Labels 8 Nestabilities, Scalloped Hearts Nestabilities; PTI Heart-2-Heart #11 Die, Framed Out #11 Die; Crop-A-Dile
• Other:  Hershey Kisses; Clear Treat Bags; Ribbon; Fun Fur; Gem; Foam Tape
• Project Size:  4.0" x 3.5"

First Valentine

I just received some Elizabeth Crafts supplies and one of the items was this bear - I thought it was so cute and would work for a six month old boy's first Valentine card!

I used white cardstock for the card base and layered it with heart pattern paper, rounding the right hand corners.  The bear is made with a peel off sticker - you peel off the sticker and place it on double sided adhesive paper.  The outline of the bear looks like unfilled stained glass (picture the black outline on the bear).  Next, you fill the sticker with a special microfine glitter - you rub the glitter into the adhesive so it's nice and smooth.  The bear is colored with Copics - yes, you can use your Copics on this glitter and it will not harm them!  I also did the same for the 2 hearts next to the bear.

I placed a heart doily on the card and adhered the bear in the middle.  I added the xoxo border, the sentiment (made on the computer) and tied the ribbon around the spine.  I think this card is adorable!

Here's a close-up of the bear.  You can't really see it in this picture, but the bear is very glittery!

Card Details:

• Paper:  Target
• Copics:  E31, E33, R29, R81, R83, R85
• Tools:  PTI XOXO Border Die; Corner Rounder
• Other:  Elizabeth Crafts Bear Peel Off Sticker, Warm Highlight Glitter; Double Sided Adhesive Paper; Doily; Ribbon
• Card Size: 5.0" x 7.0"

Sending Birthday Wishes

I'm still trying.....can't win if I don't enter, right?  Today's challenge is to make a project using one of six color schemes provided by PTI.  I really like having these on hand because they're normally colors I wouldn't put together, so nice to have a "cheat" sheet.  For my card I selected color inspiration #3:

I haven't used my Square Prints stamp set yet and decided to use it for this card.  This card originally started out as "clean & simple", but one thing led to another and several hours (yes, hours!) later it was completed.  Hardly simple.

I used Kraft cardstock for the card base - I selected that because it looked like it could be the 5th color in the scheme referring to the sand on the beach.  I cut out a square in each of the colors - Plum Pudding, Lavender Moon, Hawaiian Shores and Blueberry Sky and stamped each one with a square print in Versamark.  Next, I sprinkled the Versamark with Filigree embossing powder so it would heat emboss clear.

I die-cut a Fabulous Fame in Blueberry Sky striped paper, placed the four squares on white cardstock and adhered it to the frame.  I added a coordinating button in the center of each square.

The sentiment is stamped on a double-ended banner die-cut.  I wrapped jute around the frame and adhered it to the card base.  My last step was edging around the card with a bit of white ink.  This actually turned out better than I thought it would!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Square Prints, Everyday Button Bits
• Paper:  PTI Kraft, Lavender Moon, Hawaiian Shores, Plum Pudding, Blueberry Sky, White Stampers Select, Blueberry Sky Stripes
• Ink:  PTI Fresh Snow; Memento Tuxedo Black; Versamark
• Tools:  PTI Fabulous Frames Die, Doubled Ended Banner Die; Standard Square Nestabilities; Heat Gun
• Other:  PTI Sweet Blush, Hawaiian Shores, Spring Rain, Plum Pudding Buttons; Jute; Embossing Powder
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy Birthday (CAS #4)

The challenge is to make a card or project by choosing one of five sketches provided by PTI.  Easy, because it means I don't have to think up an idea - it's already there in front of me!  And I can keep the other 4 sketches for later use!  For this challenge I chose sketch #5:

I used Summer Sunrise cardstock for the card base, rounding the right hand corners.  I used the flower stamp from Flower Fusion #12 and stamped six flowers in Mango Madness ink, adding the button like center in black ink.  I stamped the sentiment in black as well.

The card looked too, too plain for me so I ran the white cardstock through the Cuttlebug using my Linen/Canvas Impression Plate.  I also tied Charcoal twine around the spine to bring out more of the black color.  This really was a quick and easy card to make!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Flower Fusion #12, Over Under Easy
• Paper:  PTI Summer Sunrise, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  VersaMagic Mango Madness; Memento Tuxedo Black
• Tools:  PTI Linen & Canvas Impression Plate; Corner Rounder
• Other:  Twine
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Remember How Special You Are

Yes, this is another entry for PTI's birthday celebration.  Do you think I'm obsessed about winning?  haha

This is another card made from inspiration from the Design Team.  This time it's from Dawn McVey - Dawn always uses such vibrate colors and color combinations that I wouldn't think of using together!  And whenever I see something made with Rosie Posie stamps I think of her, and that's why I used that stamp set on my card.

I used True Black cardstock for the card base and added a layer of Raspberry Fizz gingham pattern paper.  I stamped the flowers, leaves and sentiments on white cardstock.  Two of the flowers are stamped, cut out and mounted on foam tape for dimension.

I distressed the edges of the white cardstock, tied Charcoal twine around the bottom and added gems to the center flower for a little bling.  Black and pink are two of my favorite colors to use together!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Rosie Posie, Harvest Berries, Birthday Basics
• Paper:  PTI True Black, White Stampers Select, Raspberry Fizz Pattern Pack
• Ink:  Memento Rose Bud, New Sprout, Tuxedo Black
• Tools:  Tim Holtz Distresser
• Other:  Twine; Gems; Foam Tape
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Hugs & Kisses

And my second post for today - of course it's for a PTI contest!  Today's challenge is to "create some type of wrap, tag or gift packaging project" inspired by a photo found on Pinterest or another site.  Well, all I've been seeing on Pinterest and everywhere lately is burlap, burlap, burlap!  I just bought a roll and thought this would be a good time to use it.

I used my Tag Sale #7 die and cut the tag in Pure Poppy cardstock.  I added a strip of red and white chevron pattern paper down the center.  Next, I die-cut a heart from burlap - I was so surprised that my nestabilities would cut through the burlap, so you know the ideas are now flowing in my head!  I attached the burlap heart with a couple of glue dots.

I cut two more hearts, one in Pure Poppy cardstock and one in white cardstock, stamping the heart outline and sentiment on the white one.  The white heart is placed on foam tape for a little dimension.  I die-cut the XOXO border at the bottom in Sweet Blush.  It needed bling and I added a pink gemstone.

I knew from the very beginning I was going to use my new favorite thing - "Fun Fur" for tying the tag.  I think it's such a fun, frilly addition to the tag.  I liked this tag so much, I made two of them!

Project Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Framed Out #11
• Paper:  PTI Pure Poppy, Sweet Blush, White Stampers Select; Amuse Chevron
• Ink:  Memento Love Letter, Tuxedo Black
• Tools:  PTI Tag Sale #7, Framed Out #11 Die, XOXO Border Die; Standard Heart Nestabilities
• Other:  Burlap; Fun Fur; Gem
• Tag Size:  2-3/4" x 3-3/4"

With Sympathy (CAS #3)

Another entry for the PTI Birthday Celebration - this is for the big prize - $300 worth of PTI products!  How wonderful would that be to win??!!

Again, this is to make a project inspired by one of the PTI Design Team - this time I chose Cristina Kowalczyk because she's my Clean & Simple "go to" person.  Her "specialty" is making simple cards look not so simple!  I really liked the sympathy card she made with the butterfly (bottom, lower left) and wanted to make one similar.

I used white cardstock for the card base.  I cut another piece of white cardstock slightly smaller than the card base and stamped my images.  I used the bamboo shoots (I think that's what they are!) from Peaceful Garden, stamping them in beige ink twice, once fully inked and once with the ink stamped off to create a shadow effect.  I stamped the sentiment in brown ink and added flowers in blue ink.

I die-cut the butterfly out of the white cardstock, stamped the body of the butterfly in blue ink and the antennae in brown ink.  I attached the top layer of white cardstock to the card base.  Next, I scored the middle of the butterfly so I could fold it for dimension and placed it back in the negative die-cut on the card.

I added a little bit of glitter to the flowers - I didn't want to overdue it too much since it was a sympathy card.  I just love the look of white on white!  This is a very simple, yet classy looking card. (I tried to get a brighter picture of this card but it was a losing battle today).

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Peaceful Garden, Heart-2-Heart #10, With Sympathy
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select
• Ink:  Brilliance Pearlescent Beige; Memento Dark Cocoa; VersaMagic Sea Breeze
• Tools:  PTI Heart-2-Heart #10 Die
• Other:  Martha Stewart Glitter
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Birthday Gladiolas

Another post today - I'm determined to win something from PTI during their birthday celebration!  lol  The challenge today is to make a project using one of their "Year Of Flowers" stamp sets.  Of course I have them all, so the hardest thing for me was choosing which flower set to use for my card.  I decided to use Gladiolas, the flower for August from the mini collection.

I used Sweet Blush cardstock for the card base, added a layer of  pink and white pattern paper and rounded the bottom corners.  I die-cut a doily and placed it on top.  I stamped the flower image on Rustic White cardstock and colored it with Copics.

I die-cut Seed Frame #2 in Sweet Blush cardstock and also die-cut the same in coaster to give the cardstock a little support.  I placed the colored image in the frame, stamped Gladiolas on top and Happy Birthday on the bottom.  The frame is on foam tape for dimension.

I added glitter on the flowers, tied white tulle around the card and adhered two buttons in the bottom corner to complete the card.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Year Of Flowers Collection, Gracious Vases, Year Of Flowers Titles
• Paper:  PTI Sweet Blush, Rustic White, White Stampers Select; DCWV
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
• Tools:  PTI Seed Frame #2 Die; Cheery Lynn French Pastry Die; Corner Rounder
• Other:  PTI Sweet Blush Buttons, Coaster; Copics; Tulle; Martha Stewart Glitter; Foam Tape
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Birthday Wishes

There are lots of contests on PTI because they are celebrating their 6th anniversary!  This challenge was to pick a designer who made a card that inspired you.  For this card I chose Erin Lincoln - I really like using "stars" on cards because they seem so festive!

I used Kraft cardstock for the card base and then added a layer of music pattern paper.  I added a strip of Dark Chocolate card stock, cutting out the stars in the chocolate paper.  I then cut out stars in Hawaiian Shores cardstock, and placed them on foam tape where the cut outs were made. 

I used Kraft and Hawaiian Shores cardstock again for the sentiment with my Framed Out #10 die, stamped the sentiment in brown ink and also popped it up on foam tape.  My last step was tying jute around the card.  This was simple to make and looks great and I just love this color combination!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI 2012 Birthday Tags
• Paper:  PTI Kraft, Dark Chocolate, Hawaiian Shores, Sweet Symphony
• Ink:  Tim Holtz Gathered Twigs
• Tools:  PTI Framed Out #10 Die; Stars Nestabilities
• Other:  Jute; Foam Tape
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy Birthday

I saw a this card on Pinterest and wanted to make one for myself.  What did we ever do without Pinterest??  It's such a great place for ideas and inspiration.  I know it's saved me many times when my creativity seemed to get blocked up!

I used Pure Poppy cardstock for the card base.  I cut the white cardstock next, rounding the top right hand corner.  Then came the fun - adding rows of Washi tape!  So easy to add, it's just like using regular tape, except if you make a mistake, it lifts up quite easily, sort of like masking tape.

I stamped the sentiment on an angle and stamped the butterfly in the center.  The trail from the butterfly is made by piercing the paper.  I added a few gems to the butterfly and wrapped twine around the bottom.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Birthday Bash Sentiments, Beautiful Butterflies
• Paper:  PTI Pure Poppy, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  Colorbox Warm Red, Memento Tuxedo Black
• Tools:  Corner Rounder; Paper Piercer
• Other:  Gems; Charcoal Twine
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Get Well Soon

I seem to go on spurts where I use yellow, and here's another card using Lemon Tart cardstock as the card base.  I added a layer of blue and yellow flowered pattern paper on top.

I die-cut Tag Sale #3 and edged around it with Antique Linen ink.  I stamped the teacups and added the "get better" teabag.  I also added the hole reinforcer (is that what it's called??) on top in Harvest Gold cardstock and tied a bit of twine through it.

I die-cut the double ended banner in Spring Moss cardstock, stamped the sentiment and adhered it to the card with foam tape for dimension.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Tea For Two, Tea for Two Additions
• Paper:  PTI Lemon Tart, Spring Moss, Vintage Cream, Harvest Gold; DCWV
• Ink:  Colorbox Sky Blue; Memento Tuxedo Black; Tim Holtz Antique Linen
• Tools:  PTI Tag Sale #3 Die, Double Ended Banner Die
• Other:  Honeydew Twine
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Happy Birthday

I'm really starting to like the Funky Florals set more and more and used it again, this time for a birthday card.  I used Lemon Tart cardstock for the card base and added a layer of white cardstock, impressed with stripes.  I had a scrap piece of raspberry boxes pattern paper that I used as the next layer.

I cut another piece of white cardstock and stamped a few leaves on it.  Next, I stamped the flowers in  pink ink, hand cut them out and placed them over the leaves.  The top flowers are mounted on foam tape for dimension.

I stamped the sentiment, added buttons to the flower centers and pulled out one of my favorite bees.  The white was placed on top of a piece of Spring Moss cardstock and adhered to the card base with foam tape.  I debated on whether to add ribbon or twine to finish the card, and in the end decided to add glitter to the outside edges of the flowers.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Funky Florals, Rosie Posie, Gracious Vases
• Paper:  PTI Lemon Tart, Spring Moss, White Stampers Select, Itty Bitty Boxes
• Ink:  Memento Pear Tart, Rose Bud, Tuxedo Black
• Tools:  PTI Simple Stripes Impression Plate
• Other:  PTI Lemon Tart Buttons; Jolee's Stickers; Martha Stewart Coarse Glitter; Foam Tape
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"