Inchie Elements (MIM #326)...

I always like it when Lexi Daly hosts MIM because it's usually something simple to make. And she did it again with this week's challenge Make It Monday #326: Inchie Elements. Lexi shows us how to make a fun card using inchies - remember those from years ago? They were all the rage. I still have my "inchie" punch which came in handy for my card.

I started by punching nine squares in white cardstock. On six of the squares, I stamped sand along the bottom and added a beach item from Day At The Beach. I often think of selling this stamp set, but can't seem to be able to part with it!😊 On the three remaining squares, I stamped the sentiment in black ink. The sentiment squares are stacked 3 times for a little dimension. When assembling the squares, I used a T-Square ruler to help make sure the inchies were perfectly lined up.

The card looked like it had too much white (what is it with me and too much white?😎) so I stamped more sand at the bottom of the card. I added a little glitter to the drink for the "salt" and teal/kraft twine for my finishing touches. Fun way to make a card!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Day At The Beach, Sand Swatch, Birthday Classics: April, Birthday Classics: August, Keep Swimming
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Kraft, Harvest Gold, Tropical Teal, Raspberry Fizz, Amethyst Allure, Green Parakeet; Memento Bahama Blue, Tuxedo Black
• Tools:  1 Inch Square Punch; T-Square Ruler
• Other:  Martha Stewart Twine; Coarse Glitter
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5" 

Papertrey June 2018 Blog Hop...

This month's inspiration photo has to be one of my all time favorites! So much color in the photo and those delicious looking Popsicles and fruit make me think, yes, summer is here! I don't like the heat that goes with summer, but I do like the food associated with it!😎 Nothing better than a nice, cold Popsicle or bowl of fruit on a hot, humid day!

I was drawn to the Popsicles and realized I haven't used my Summer Sweetness set for a while. I die-cut the Popsicles in white cardstock and stamped each in a color I saw in the inspiration photo. The sticks are stamped in Kraft ink. I added glitter to each one, giving them a frosty look.

I arranged the Popsicles on a white cardstock card base and stamped the sentiment in black ink. I haven't used my Swoosh stamp set for a long time either! It's always nice to pull out an old set to use. Now I want to make more cards with this set!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Summer Sweetness, Swoosh
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Kraft, Raspberry Fizz, Lemon Tart; Memento Tangelo, New Sprout, Lulu Lavender, Tuxedo Black
• Dies:  PTI Summer Sweetness
• Other:  Glitter
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Flowers In Reverse (MIM #325)...

Time for another challenge! Our host this week is Dawn McVey where she shows us a different way to use flowers and leaves. I have to say I never really considered using all white for my flowers, but after I put this card together I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it! You can watch Dawn's fun video here:  Make It Monday #325: Flowers In Reverse. 

I wanted to have a textured background and embossed white cardstock with the Hexagon Cover Plate. I die-cut the flowers in white and the leaves in Aqua Mist and Hawaiian Shores cardstock, stamping them with their coordinating ink. I stamped the flower centers in black ink.

I arranged the flowers and leaves on the panel using thin foam tape for dimension on the flowers. The banner is die-cut in Hawaiian Shores cardstock and the sentiment stamped in black ink. I placed the banner on an angle for a different look.....isn't it nice to see it this way for a change?😀

My final step was tying crochet thread around the top, and of course I used white! The abundance of white with the few pops of color and the black ink all worked so well together. I really enjoyed making this card!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Gran's Garden, Embroidered Blooms, Bountiful Banners
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Hawaiian Shores, Aqua Mist
• Ink:  PTI Hawaiian Shores, Aqua Mist; Memento Tuxedo Black
• Dies:  PTI Gran's Garden, Beautiful Blooms II #1, Sketched Shapes, Hexagon Cover Plate
• Other:  Foam Tape; Crochet Thread
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5" 

Papertrey June 2018 Create Along With Us...

Do you ever think you have a ton of flower stamps and then try to find one that'll work for your project and realize you actually need more flower stamps?😄 That's what happened when I tried to replicate this simple, but gorgeous card Betsy Veldman made. 

For my card, I picked a flower from Mixed Bouquet. I started by stamping my sentiment in black ink and placed my flowers (sort of) in the same places as Betsy. The flowers are stamped in Raspberry Fizz, Pure Poppy, Bright Buttercup, Summer Sunrise and the stems in Green Parakeet and New Leaf inks. The centers are also stamped in black ink.

I also used a stitching die around the edges and attached the panel to a white cardstock card base. It was a quick and simple card to make. Not nearly as nice as Betsy's, but a decent attempt.😎 

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Mixed Bouquet, Stylish Sentiments: Birthday, Reasons To Smile
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Raspberry Fizz, Pure Poppy, Green Parakeet, Bright Buttercup, Summer Sunrise, New Leaf; Versafine Onyx Black
• Dies:  Lil Inker Designs Stitched Mats: Rectangles
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Lots o' Dots (MIM #324)...

Well, this week's challenge looks easy and fun at the same time! Michelle Leone is the host and shares how to add dimensional dots to a project. I flipped through my stamp sets and saw What The Doodle: Waves had all those little bubbles just waiting to be filled in! You can watch how to do this technique here ⤗ Make It Monday #324: Lots o' Dots.

I started with a piece of Spring Rain cardstock, stamped the waves in Versamark ink, sprinkled them with white embossing powder and heat set it. The whale is die-cut three times in white cardstock and stacked together for dimension; the top whale stamped in Enchanted Evening ink. The water spout is also embossed with white embossing powder. I stamped two different sentiments at the bottom in blue ink.

Next came the fun of filling in all those little bubbles with Pearl Pen drops. I did them a little at a time, letting them dry before I moved to another section. I even did a dot for the whale's eye! Fun technique and it's always nice to see any type of dimension on a card.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Keep Swimming, What The Doodle: Waves, Ways To Say: Birthday
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Spring Rain
• Ink:  PTI Enchanted Evening; Versamark
• Dies:  PTI Keep Swimming
• Tools:  Heat Tool
• Other:  White Ice Pearl Pen; Embossing Powder
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

It's Okay To Be Happy...

Hello and happy June! The months sure seem to be going by faster and faster!!!!!

My friend let me borrow her new Lawn Fawn die that creates a pop-up on the inside of the card. I watched Jennifer McGuire's video (Jennifer McGuire Pivot Pop Up Cards) to see how to use the die which really helped.

First, I created the inside banner by creating the clouds background with a stencil on white cardstock. Next, I die-cut the grassy hills and the trees. My last step on the banner was stamping the sentiment - I stamped half of it with brown ink on one panel by masking a portion of the stamp and then repeated the same technique for the remainder of the sentiment on the other panel.

I wanted the card front to be similar to the inside and again created the clouds background and die-cut the grassy hills and trees. The sentiment is stamped in the same brown ink. I added a few die-cut clouds placed on foam tape for dimension.

This was fun to make and it's a clever idea, but it's also a lot of work!😊 I'm sure if I make another one it'll be much easier to do.

Here's the front and the inside of the pop-up card. The lighting isn't great here today since it's overcast. The entire sentiment is "it's okay to be happy with a simple life...delight in the little things". I'm sending this to my friend who lent me the die!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Twig Wreath
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Dark Chocolate, Green Parakeet
• Ink:  PTI Dark Chocolate, Hawaiian Shores
• Dies:  PTI In The Meadow; Lawn Fawn Pivot Pop-up
• Tools:  MFT Mini Clouds Stencil
• Other: Foam Tape
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Cascading Die-Cuts (MIM #323)...

Well, last week flew by and another Monday is here and time for a new challenge! This week Stephanie Gold shows us how to make dimensional, cascading die-cuts on card fronts. It's an easy thing to do and really adds a little extra to the card. You can watch how to do it here ↪ Make It Monday #323: Cascading Die-Cuts.

I picked Fancy Foliage dies because I haven't used them much at all. I positioned them on a piece of white cardstock and ran it through the Gemini (with intricate dies like this, I find the Gemini works best!) I used the Linen & Canvas Impression Plate to give the panel a little texture and placed the negative on a Green Parakeet cardstock card base. I'm so in love with Green Parakeet!

The die-cuts were put back in place with the edges slightly curved up for dimension. I added a strip of striped Green Parakeet at the bottom to help cover up all that white space. Finally, I stamped the sentiment in Smokey Shadow ink.

I have to admit, staging photos is hard work - kudos to those who do it all the time! So I think I may go back to just taking a picture of the card itself, much easier and no thinking involved. lol

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Friendly Flowers
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Green Parakeet, Green Parakeet & White Basics
• Ink:  PTI Smokey Shadow
• Dies:  PTI Fancy Foliage, Linen & Canvas Impression Plate
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Papertrey May 2018 Blog Hop...

Another month has passed and it's time for PTI's monthly Blog Hop. This month's inspiration picture reminds me that summer is almost here. The first things I noticed were the black and white gingham tablecloths and the pretty pink and purple flowers on the tables. So that's what I made the focal point of my card. 

I placed a layer of True Black gingham pattern paper on top of a white cardstock card base. I haven't rounded the bottoms of a card for a long time, but it sort of went with the rounded top of the camper in the background.

I die-cut the lilies in white cardstock and stamped them Lilac Grace, Amethyst Allure, Raspberry Fizz and Pure Poppy inks. The leaves are stamped in Green Parakeet ink and the flower centers in Lemon Tart ink.

The sentiment is stamped in black ink. I placed the flower above the sentiment on foam tape for dimension.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Lilies Of The Field, Sentiment Staples: Birthday
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, True Black Gingham
• Ink:  PTI Lilac Grace, Amethyst Allure, Raspberry Fizz, Pure Poppy, Green Parakeet, Lemon Tart; Versafine Onyx Black
• Dies:  PTI Lilies Of The Field
• Other:  Fun Foam; Corner Rounder
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Above & Below (MIM #322)...

This week's challenge is hosted by Lizzie Jones where she shows us how to make the sentiment the focal point of the card by surrounding it with something. You can watch her fun and informative video here: Make It Monday #322: Above & Below.

I'm trying to use some of my pattern paper and started by placing a piece of Soft Stone stripes over a white cardstock card base. I die-cut the stitched circle in white cardstock and stamped the sentiment in black ink.

The flowers are die-cut in white cardstock and stamped with Pure Poppy and Scarlet Jewel inks. Instead of using the usual green for leaves, I used a smokey grey, which coordinates well with the striped background. The large flower is on foam tape for dimension.

I placed a smaller sprig at the top of the sentiment to help highlight it. Gran's Garden still remains one of my favorite flower stamps!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Gran's Garden, Think Big Favorites #3
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Soft Stone Stripes
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy, Scarlet Jewel; Versafine Smokey Gray, Onyx Black
• Dies:  PTI Gran's Garden; Lil Inker Designs Stitched Circles
• Other:  Foam Tape
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Papertrey May 2018 Create Along With Us...

I'm so thankful for the PTI challenges because at least I'm crafting each week to enter the contests. Still waiting for my desire to create to come back. 😞  When I saw this card by Heather Nichols it reminded me I haven't used my Sweet As Can Be stamp set for a long time. Time to ink it up again!

For my card I started with a piece of white cardstock and stamped the 3 cones in Kraft ink. I added the scoops of ice cream in Hawaiian Shores, Hibiscus Burst and Green Parakeet inks and stamped the sentiment in black ink.

I placed a layer of Hawaiian Shores Bitty Dots on a white cardstock card base, trimmed down the ice cone panel and placed it on fun foam for dimension. What's an ice cream cone without sprinkles so I added coarse glitter?

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Sweet As Can Be, Birthday Classics: June
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, 2009 Bitty Dot Basics
• Ink:  PTI Hawaiian Shores, Hibiscus Burst, Green Parakeet; Versafine Black Onyx
• Other:  Fun Foam; Coarse Glitter
• Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Masking Sentiments (MIM Throwback #221)...

This week's challenge Make It Monday Throwback: Masking Sentiments is hosted by Ashley Cannon Newell. This technique is one we've seen before, but I always like to be reminded so I'll use something different on my projects!

I started with a piece of white cardstock and placed my heart mask about 1/3 from the top. Next, I stamped Gran's Garden flowers in Raspberry Fizz and Pure Poppy inks with black centers. I added the leaves in Spring Moss ink. Don't you just love this set? It sure makes such a beautiful background. 

Before I removed the mask, I traced a black line around it so it would stand out. Thanks Ashley for that tip! I stamped the sentiment in black ink.

I added the dot thingies in Raspberry Fizz ink (stamped off once) to add some more color. Since I'll be hand delivering this I added a seam binding bow.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Gran's Garden, Keep It Simple: Mother
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Raspberry Fizz, Pure Poppy, Spring Moss; Versafine Onyx Black
• Other:  White Chalk Seam Binding; Thin Black Marker
• Size:  5.0" x 7.0"

Ink Blending On Colored Cardstock (MIM #321)...

I'm late making my card this week because my lack of creative mojo continues. But I needed to make a birthday card so this was a way to kill two birds with one stone. 😊

This week Melissa Phillips is host and shares tips for ink blending on colored cardstock. It's really easy to do and looks amazing! You can watch the video here:  Make It Monday #321: Ink Blending on Colored Cardstock.

For my card I started with a piece of Hibiscus Burst cardstock and stamped the rather large butterfly from Ever So Much in Versamark ink. I didn't realize how big this butterfly was because I haven't used this set yet! Next, I sprinkled it with white embossing powder and heat set it. I blended Raspberry Fizz over the butterfly and the outlines. To add some fillers, I stamped a few flourishes in the background.

The panel is on an Aqua Mist cardstock layer and on a white cardstock card base with a layer of Sparkle & Shine pattern paper. I stamped the sentiment in black on a piece of Aqua Mist cardstock and placed it on fun foam for a little dimension. My last step was adding a few clear sequins.

Fun technique! Now if I could just get in the mood to craft!!! (Still practicing the "flat lay"  photography technique).

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Ever So Much, Fancy Flourishes, Keep It Simple: Birthday III
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Hibiscus Burst, Aqua Mist, Sparkle & Shine
• Ink:  PTI Raspberry Fizz; Memento Tuxedo Black; Versamark
• Tools:  Heat Tool
• Other:  Sequins; Fun Foam
• Size:  5.0" x 6.5"