My Favorite Cards of 2013

It's hard to believe that another year has gone by - and so quickly!  I guess it's true when they say the years go by faster the older you get, because they seem to be flying by!

Some of the ladies on the PTI Forum are posting their favorite cards made in 2013 and I thought I would join in the fun.  Well, narrowing it down to 12 cards was much harder to do than I thought!  I had so many favorites for December that I picked 2, so here are (some of) my 13 favorite cards for the year (I actually picked out 24 but managed to narrow it down to these 13).

If you would like to see the original post, click on the link next to the "original post date" underneath each card.

Original Post Date:  01/26/13 - Hugs & Kisses

Original Post Date:  02/22/13 - Happy Birthday Dad

Original Post Date:  03/12/13 - You Are Always...

Original Post Date:  04/14/13 - Happy 40th Birthday

Original Post Date:  05/12/13 - Happy Mother's Day

Original Post Date:  06/15/13 - Oh Baby!

Original Post Date:  07/22/13 - Celebrate Today

Original Post Date:  08/20/13 - Enjoy The Ride

Original Post Date:  09/30/13 -  Have A Superstar Birthday

Original Post Date:  10/01/13 - Happy Birthday

Original Post Date:  11/11/13 - Happy 60th Birthday

Original Post Date:  12/11/13 - Holiday Hugs & Kisses

Original Post Date:  12/25/13 - Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday To You

I had to make a birthday card and have to say, it was nice to make something that wasn't holiday related!

My friend likes bright colors so I chose Raspberry Fizz cardstock for the card base.  I stamped the sheet music in black ink and "happy" and "to you" in raspberry ink.

I die-cut "birthday" twice, once in Raspberry Fizz and once in coaster for support and placed it on the card with foam tape.  I die-cut the balloons, added Pink Sorbet twine and adhered them to the card, placing one balloon on foam tape.  I used a couple of glue dots under the twine to shape the way the strings are laying.

Of course I had to add some glitter to the top of "birthday" and a few sequins to jazz up the card a little bit!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Background Basics:  Sheet Music, Wonderful Words: Birthday
• Paper:  PTI Raspberry Fizz, Hawaiian Shores, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Rose Bud
• Tools:  PTI Wonderful Words: Birthday Die, Heart-2-Heart #2 Die
• Other:  Coaster; Twine; Glitter; Sequins
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Merry Christmas

And finally, the last of the Christmas posts!  This is one more card I made using my Two Feet Deep stamp set...at least I got a lot of use out of it!

I used Kraft cardstock for the card base and added a layer of Scarlet Jewel cardstock that I impressed with woodgrain.  I die-cut the sled, stamped it in brown and black inks and stamped "Brandon's" name at the bottom.  I added the brads and wreath and placed it on foam tape.

I cut a strip of Kraft, stamped it in Versamark ink, sprinkled gold Zing powder on top and embossed it with my heat tool.  The card looked too plain to me so I threaded jute under the sled.  Since this was for a male, I didn't add any glitter....

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Two Feet Deep, Simple Alphabet, Signature Christmas
• Paper:  PTI Kraft, Scarlet Jewel, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Kraft, Scarlet Jewel, Spring Moss; Memento Tuxedo Black, Northern Pine; Versamark
• Tools:  PTI Two Feet Deep Dies, Woodgrain Impression Plate
• Other:  Foam Tape; Zing Embossing Powder; Heat Tool; Jute; Brads
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Craft Group Tags

Last week I posted the Christmas tag I made for my craft group and wanted to post what I received from them.  Most of them are painters first, but will also make cards with me every once in a while.

All of these tags are hand painted - look at the details on them!  I really wish I could paint like them - they are all so talented!!

Together Forever

How about a break from all the Christmas items with an anniversary card?  I think I only have one more Christmas card to post and then things will get back to normal.

I used Aqua Mist cardstock for the card base and added a layers of Spring Moss and Rustic Cream, rounding just two corners.  I stamped the leaves and the sentiment onto the cream cardstock.

I die-cut two scalloped hearts in cream and two regular hearts in Aqua Mist polka dot paper.  I placed the hearts on foam tape and added the string tied in a bow.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Turning A New Leaf, Love & Marriage
• Paper:  PTI Aqua Mist, Spring Moss, Rustic Cream, Aqua Mist Pattern
• Ink:  PTI Spring Moss; Memento Tuxedo Black
• Tools:  Standard & Scalloped Heart Nestabilities; Corner Rounder
• Other:  String; Foam Tape
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

I bought this evergreen tree die a few months ago with the intention of using it for Christmas and had to make sure I used it for at least one card!

I used Pure Poppy cardstock for the card base and added a layer of Kraft cardstock that I stamped with music notes.  I edged around the Kraft in white ink.  The sentiment is stamped on Kraft and embossed with gold embossing powder.  I layered it on another piece of red cardstock and placed it on foam tape.

I die-cut the snow drifts and adhered them to the card, adding a glitter edge to both of them.  I die-cut the trees in Ripe Avocado cardstock and placed them behind the snow drift.  I cut a few single trees in Spring Moss cardstock and adhered them to the card with foam tape.  All of the trees were swiped with white ink and are dotted with glitter.

I tied Fun Fur around the top and tied a red bell in the center.  My last step was adding the gold ball under the sentiment.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Background Basics:  Sheet Music, Think Big Favorites #20
• Paper:  PTI Kraft, Pure Poppy, Ripe Avocado, Spring Moss, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy, Fresh Snow; Versamark
• Tools:  PTI Background Basics:  Evergreens Die, In The Meadow Dies; Labels Four Nestabilities
• Other:  Gold Zing Embossing Powder; Glitter; Foam Tape; Gold Ball; Bell; Fun Fur; Heat Tool
• Card Size:  5.5" x 5.5"

Merry Christmas!

This is the card sent to family and friends. 

I used Kraft cardstock for the base, rounding the right hand corners.  I added a layer of Spring Rain, impressed with woodgrain.  I edged around the Kraft with white ink.

I die-cut the snow at the bottom and adhered it with spray adhesive.  I die-cut the sled, stamped it first with brown ink and then black ink for the hardware, adding two brads at the top of the sled.  I die-cut the wreath, stamped the branches in two different green inks, the berries in dark red and the bow in blue.  I added glitter to the wreath and adhered the sled to the card with foam tape.

I stamped the sentiment in blue and added random snowflakes, dotting them with silver Stickles.  The card is finished with Platinum Silver twine tied around the spine in a bow.

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Two Feet Deep, Boutique Borders: Christmas
• Paper:  PTI Kraft, Spring Rain, White Stampers Select
• Ink:  PTI Fresh Snow, Spring Moss; Memento Toffee Crunch, Northern Pine, Danube Blue, Rhubarb Stalk
• Tools:  PTI Two Feet Deep Die, Woodgrain Impression Plate; Memory Box Frostyville Border Die; Corner Rounder
• Other:  Stickles; Twine, Brads; Foam Tape; Glitter
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5"

Christmas Tags 9 & 10

These are the final two tags I made this year....now I'm in the mood to start making my tags for next year!

Tag #9 has a Kraft cardstock base with two types of pattern paper layered on top - light brown polka dot and a red design.  I edged around the tag with brown ink.

I die-cut "joy" in Vintage Cream cardstock, stamped it with red ink and adhered it to the tag on foam tape.  I cut the loopy strip in Pinefeather cardstock to cover up where the two pattern papers met.  I die-cut another piece of Kraft and stamped the sentiment on it, also edging it with brown ink.  The sentiment is on foam tape.

The tag needed something else and I added the snowflake with the clear gem at the top.  I used a dark green ribbon as the tie to coordinate with the loopy strip.

Tag #10 is one of my favorites!  After finding out about the snowman dies, I wanted to make a tag using them.  I started with white cardstock for the base and added a layer of light blue snowflake paper.  I ripped white paper to create the snowdrift at the bottom, adding a glitter edge to it.

I die-cut the snowman, scarf, hat and mittens, coloring them with Copic markers.  I attached the snowman with foam tape.  I die-cut the tree, adhered it to the tag and stamped the sentiment on the snow.

I added the pompom to his hat and used fun fur, threaded with a red bell as the tie.  My last step was adding glitter all over the tag! 

Project Details:

Joy

• Stamps:  PTI Wonderful Words: Joy
• Paper:  PTI Kraft, Vintage Cream, Pinefeather; DCWV
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy; Tim Holtz Frayed Burlap
• Tools:  PTI Tag Sale #8 Die, Wonderful Words: Joy Die, Loop de Loop II Die; Martha Stewart Snowflake Punch; Stampin' Up Window Punch
• Other:  Foam Tape; Ribbon; Gem
• Project Size:  2.25" x 3.75"

Snowman

• Stamps:  PTI Made Of Snow, Sign Language
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, Spring Moss, Dark Chocolate; DCWV
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy; Memento Tuxedo Black
• Copics:  BG05, G82, R27, Y38
• Tools:  PTI Tag Sale #8 Die, Made Of Snow Dies, Love Lives Here: Holiday Die
• Other:  Foam Tape; Glitter; Pompom; Fun Fur
• Project Size:  2.25" x 3.75"

Snowflake Tag

Instead of exchanging gifts with each other, my weekly craft group exchanges tags we make.  I fell in love with this snowflake die when it was released, and liked how Nichole used seed beads on it.  I copied her initial idea but changed it up a bit to call it my own.

I used a scalloped circle for the base, cutting it twice, once in Aqua Mist cardstock for the back and white cardstock for the front.  I ran the white cardstock through the Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots embossing folder.  I die-cut the snowflake in Aqua Mist felt and sewed the silver seed beads through the holes.  There are 114 beads on the snowflake! (I needed to make 8 of them and those beads are tiny!)

I cut a round circle of felt for the middle of the snowflake and placed a coordinating button on it.  The snowflake is attached with scor-tape.  To keep up with my Fun Fur addiction, (haha) I used it as the tie.  

Project Details:

• Paper:  PTI Aqua Mist, White Stampers Select
• Tools:  PTI Stitched Snowflake Die, Bountiful Banners Die; Scalloped Circle Nestabilities; Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder
• Other:  Seed Beads; Fun Fur, PTI Aqua Mist Button; Scor-Tape
• Project Size:  3-1/8" x 3-1/8"

Christmas Tags 7 & 8

Tag #7  - I used Pinefeather cardstock for the base and added a layer of light green, striped pattern paper, cutting it slightly smaller than the tag so you can see the dark green base underneath.  This tag has two pieces to it and I cut the smaller piece in white.

I die-cut the mittens twice, once in coaster for support, and once in the same pattern paper.  I stamped the mitten image in dark green ink, added a twist of maraschino twine to the back and placed them on foam tape.

I stamped the sentiment and added a red gem to the mitten centers.

Tag #8 - I used white cardstock for the base and added a layer of Aqua Mist cardstock, cutting out the center.  I ran the Aqua Mist through the Cuttlebug with my Swiss Dots embossing folder and adhered it to the white cardstock with foam tape.

I die-cut the cup of cocoa and colored it with Copic markers.  I placed it on more foam tape - this tag is very dimensional!

I die-cut the banner, stamped it with the sentiment and adhered it to the tag with a couple of silver brads.  I added a clear gem to the cocoa cup, a little glitter and used silver eyelash as the tag tie. 

Project Details:

Mittens

• Stamps:  PTI Tremendous Treats: Christmas, 2008 Holiday Tag Collection
• Paper:  PTI Pinefeather, Rustic Cream; DCWV
• Ink:  Memento Northern Pine
• Tools:  PTI Tag Sale #8 Die, Tremendous Treats: Christmas Die
• Other:  PTI Coaster; Foam Tape; Ribbon; Gem; Twine
• Project Size:  2.25" x 3.75"

Warmest Wishes

• Stamps:  PTI Tremendous Treats: Christmas, Holiday Treats
• Paper:  PTI Aqua Mist, White Stampers Select, Pure Poppy
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
• Copics:  BG10, BG13, E23, E42, R27,W1
• Tools:  PTI Tag Sale #8 Die, Tremendous Treats: Christmas Die; Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder; Tag Trio Nestabilities
• Other:  Foam Tape; Martha Stewart Sterling Glitter Eyelash; Brads; Gem; Glitter; Clear Star Gelly Roll Pen
• Project Size:  2.25" x 3.75"

Wishing You The Happiest Of Holidays

This card uses a new diagonal die from Lil' Inker Designs - I think I'll get a lot of use out of it.  This isn't a color combination I would normally use, but it's PTI's December "Color Play" selection and I thought I'd try it out.

I used Ocean Tides cardstock for the card base, embossed with Mistletoe Kisses.  I die-cut the diagonal in Autumn Rose cardstock - I like that it has stitching around it!

I stamped the sentiment in Versamark ink, sprinkled it with gold embossing powder and heat embossed it.  The diagonal die is on foam tape.

I added the snowflake with a gold ball center and the gold cording at the top to help balance out the card.

Card Details:

• Stamps:   PTI Think Big Favorites #20
• Paper:  PTI Ocean Tides, Autumn Rose, Rustic White
• Ink:  Versamark
• Tools:  Lil' Inker Designs On The Diagonal Die, Stitched Snowflakes Die; Cuttlebug Mistletoe Kisses Embossing Folder
• Other:  Foam Tape; Gold Cording; Gold Zing; Heat Tool; Gold Ball
• Card Size:  4.25" x 5.5" 

Merry Christmas

I was looking at a card on Pinterest and didn't realize that PTI had matching dies to the Made of Snow stamp set!  I've had that set for a few years and was so happy to see dies for it!  I don't know how that slipped by me....

I started with white for the card base and added a layer of light blue snowflake pattern paper.  I made the snow drifts by ripping paper, placed it on the card and added a line of glitter along the edges.

I die-cut the four snowmen in white cardstock and stamped the faces and buttons, coloring in the nose and buttons with Copic markers.  I added the scarves and mittens, stamped in various colors of ink.  The hats were die-cut in various colors of cardstock - I placed a pompom on two of the hats.

The banner was die-cut in white, stamped with the sentiment and placed on foam tape.  I wanted to add "Will's" name to the card and die-cut circles representing "snowballs", stamping a letter of his name on each of them.

My last step was adding lots of glitter all over the card.  I think this turned out really cute!

Card Details:

• Stamps:  PTI Made Of Snow, Stylish Sentiments: Holiday; Inkadinkadoo
• Paper:  PTI White Stampers Select, True Black, Spring Moss, Pure Poppy, Enchanted Evening; DCWV 
• Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy, Spring Moss, Enchanted Evening; Memento Tuxedo Black, Danube Blue
• Copics:  B99, BG05, G82, R27, Y38
• Tools:  PTI Made Of Snow Dies, Sketched Shapes Die, Bountiful Banner Die
• Other:  Glitter; Foam Tape; Pompom
• Card Size:  5.0" x 7.0"