Stamping Vacation: Lots of Paper Challenge

This month's Lots of Paper challenge over at the Stamping Vacation blog asks us to go through our patterned paper stashes and find some with hand prints, footprints or paw prints. All participants will be entered into the monthly draw; this month, a $25 gift certificate to the place of your choice!

The only thing I had was some footprint vellum (a gift from Stefanie) so I made a baby card.

I had difficulty improving this picture but it's not my favorite card anyway.

I sort of distressed the edges of the vellum, much more difficult than cardstock. I added a Scor-Tape border and sprinkled some Prisma glitter on it. I made the bow using my Bow-Easy and added some circle layers (one glittered) and threw a puff ball on top.

This project also corresponds with Papertrey Ink's Make It Mondays, which invites us to use glitter with Scor-Tape. Since this is a scheduled post, however, it probably won't make it into the links in time.

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: pink shimmer
• Patterned Paper: footprint vellum (unknown source)
• Stamps: Inside & Out: Baby
• Ink: Palette Noir
• Other Tools: Circles dies (Spellbinders), paper distresser (Tim Holtz), glitter (Prisma), It's a Girl ribbon (unknown source), puff ball (Recollections), Bow-Easy (Posi Bendr), Scor-Tape

Playing in Paradise: Scraplifting

Scrapbooker's Paradise is not only a retail store (2 in Calgary, 1 in Red Deer and 1 in Lethbridge) but a perfectly stocked online store as well!

This week at the Scrapbooker's Paradise blog, the Playing in Paradise challenge involves creating our own interpretation of Carla's beautiful project.

Doesn't she have to most amazing talent! And her photography is fabulous!! I want to know her secret (though I'm sure an SLR camera and some photoshopping skills are in play)!

This is my project:

Unfortunately, the dimensional adhesive is quite obvious under the vellum in this photo, but in person, it's not really that bad.

I always make it a personal challenge in these Scrapbooker's Paradise challenges to avoid Papertrey Ink dies and stamps if I can help it. It definitely stretches me, which is what I like about all the design teams I am on.

I used my Spellbinders Grand Nestabilities (Scalloped Circles and Circles) and Grand Calibur to make the main parts of these cards. The circle was dry embossed using the Perfectly Paisley folder and my Cuttlebug. The circle's edge was paper pierced using my Tim Holtz tool and the Bazzill Basics In Stitch'z 8 x 8 Circles template and mat (with the Spellbinders die still in place). I then hand-stitched the twine border with a Bazzill's In Stitch'z needle. I contemplated putting pearls in every scallop and may eventually do so.

The frame was made using Labels 4 Spellbinders and then, while keeping both dies in place, using my Versamark ink pen to fill in the space. In this way, I was able to heat emboss a perfect little glittery frame with Kaleidoscope embossing powder!

The BABY pennants were done using an old stamp on white and then cut out. I inked them using Worn Lipstick Tim Holtz Distress Ink. The individual pieces were attached to the twine with little clothespins. I love the stacked buttons that match the cardstock! I may add a little Tim Holtz rose in the corner from his beautiful trimmings here... I often think I'm done with a project until I look at in a photo...

You can find the other Design Team projects here!

Allison
Ally
Carla
Julie
Karan

I can't wait to see your projects! (Remember to link directly to your project's post at the Scrapbooker's Paradise challenge post here.)

{Supplies}

• Cardstock: Sweet Blush, Berry Sorbet, Vellum (all Papertrey Ink)
• Stamps: baby pennant (Studio G?)
• Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Versamark pen (Tsukineko), Worn Lipstick Distress Ink (Tim Holtz)
• Embossing Folder: Perfectly Paisley (Cuttlebug/Provo Craft)
• Dies: Circles and Scalloped Circles (Grand Nestabilities), Labels 4 (all Spellbinders)
• Other Tools: ink blending foam/applicator (Inkssentials), pearls (generic), rustic cream twine (Papertrey Ink), Berry Sorbet and Sweet Blush buttons (Papertrey Ink), Kaleidoscope embossing powder (Stampendous), paper piercer (Tim Holtz), 8 x 8 Circles In Stitch'z template (Bazzill Basics), foam piercing pad (Bazzill Basics), In Stitch'z needles (Bazzill Basics), clothespins (generic)

Stamping Vacation DT: White Space Challenge

This month's White Space challenge at the Stamping Vacation blog invites us to create a card that is mostly white, along with anything gingham. I used a gingham ribbon to make a little rose on my card. They're fairly easy to make and so cute!

First, I embossed the largest Spellbinders Labels 17 die and then left the die in place when doing the edge inking. I also kept the die in place, along with some Post-it Note masking, while doing my flower stamping.

As for the gingham rose, I just took a foot-long (or so) strip of ribbon and twisted and coiled until I got a rose. The wider/thicker the ribbon the easier (this was not my fav ribbon to use!). It's a good idea to try and keep the back flat, if you can, so it will stick to the double-sided adhesive better. I used Scor-tape to adhere the rose to the card as well as some Glossy Accents in places to hold the rose together (I learned the GA tip from Jennifer McGuire but couldn't find where!).

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: Stamper's Select
• Stamps: Year of Flowers: Lily of the Valley
• Ink: Spring Rain, Tuxedo Black (Memento)
• Ribbon: Spring Rain gingham
• Die: Labels 17 (Spellbinders)
• Other Tools: ink blending foam (Ranger)

Stamping Vacation: Have You Tried Challenge

This month's Have You Tried challenge at the Stamping Vacation blog invites us to try sewing beads to a creation.

I have to admit that I kind of cheated. ;)

I have this ever-so-handy spool of beads on a wire that is perfect for this type of thing (I used it here). You can also, obviously, create your own string of beads.

There are, obviously, other ways to do this, including hand sewing or gluing individual beads here and there. But I forgot that I was going to try this.

No worries. I still like the final project:

I started with a strip of Canvas-impressed Dark Chocolate cardstock which I sewed to a wider strip of Dotty Biscotti patterned paper.

The die cut/embossed flowers are Spellbinders, which I used Harvest Gold cardstock for and then inked the edges with Tim Holtz Scattered Straw Distress Ink. The leaf was done with New Leaf cardstock and inked with Forest Moss Distress Ink.

I added the wired beads by placing it in the general area I wanted it and then paper-piercing a few holes along the path. I then used a needle and thread to hold the wired beads in place.

I trimmed the petals of the flowers so that they were flush with the Kraft card base. I didn't want the focus to be too much on them. The sentiment, on the other hand, goes way off the edge of the card using Double-Ended Banners on Rustic Cream cardstock. The stamp is from Garden of Life.

The butterfly is another Spellbinder and I used a technique I hadn't thought to use with them before. After die-cutting and embossing the butterfly, I kept the die on and colored in the spaces with my Versamark pen. I then heat embossed clear embossing powder to give it that shine you see. I had to do it twice to get a good effect. I'll def try this technique again with other dies!

The colors on this are so bright and cheery, I love it!

Thanks for stopping by!

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: Kraft, Dark Chocolate, Harvest Gold, New Leaf
• Patterned Paper: Dotty Biscotti
• Stamps: Garden of Life
• Ink: Scattered Straw and Forest Moss (Tim Holtz Distress Inks), Versamark pen (Tsukineko), Dark Chocolate
• Dies: Sunflowers/Leaf and Butterflies 2 (Spellbinders), Double-Ended Banners
• Impression Plate: Linen & Canvas (Canvas side)
• Other Tools: sewing machine/thread, beads, paper piercer (Tim Holtz), paper piercing foam pad (Bazzill), dimensional adhesive, ink blending foam (Inkssentials)

Happy Birthday

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

Card:

• Cardstock: Stamper's Select, Raspberry Fizz
  
• Stamps: Background Basics: Botanicals, Tiny Treats: Birthday
  
• Ink: Rose Bud/Tuxedo Black (Memento), Versamark (Tsukineko)
  
• Dies: Mat Stack 5, Deckled Rectangles, By the Numbers, Edgers #1, Scalloped Circles (Spellbinders)
  
• Other Tools: pink satin ribbon, rhinestones
  

Gift Bag:

• Cardstock: Raspberry Fizz, Dark Chocolate, Vellum
• Stamps: Tiny Treats: Birthday, Delightful Dahlia
  
• Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento)
  
• Dies: Mat Stack 5, Scalloped Circles (Spellbinders)
  
• Other Tools: pink satin ribbon, rhinestones, kraft bag
  

Stamping Vacation DT: What a Guy Challenge

This month's What a Guy challenge over at the Stamping Vacation blog invites us to create a masculine card with a clock or watch on it. Any timepiece, I guess. ;)

I used this opportunity to make my husband's birthday card, even though his bday isn't until May...

It's hard to tell but I inked the edges of the Blueberry Sky card base with Stormy Sky Tim Holtz Distress Ink. The edges of the Kraft cardstock were distressed with the Tim Holtz Paper Distressing tool.

Thanks for stopping by!

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: Blueberry Sky, Kraft
• Stamps: Make a Wish Additions
• Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Stormy Sky (Tim Holtz Distress Inks)
• Button: Blueberry Sky
• Twine: Rustic Jute
• Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug): Gears
• Other Tools: Timepiece (Tim Holtz), Paper Distresser (Tim Holtz)

Playing in Paradise: Distressing

This week at the Scrapbooker's Paradise blog, the challenge is to use paper edge distressing using this wonderful little tool here!

Karan provided the most beautiful inspiration for us!

I love the colors and all of those beautifully distressed layers!

This is a technique that I'm familiar with and enjoy so I made sure to create lots of edges to roughen up!

This was made using Spellbinders' Square Nestabilities, including the Grands for the card base (the tag was made using their Tags Five). I really like using Spellbinders because of their versatility... In this case, I embossed the squares so as to have a line to follow when sewing! It was much faster than I thought it would be to sew each of these squares.

A sentiment and a bit of lace and voilà! I'm completely in love with Easter/Spring colors right now...

Check out the other Design Team projects!
Allison
Ally
Carla
Julie
Karan

{Supplies}

• Cardstock: Fine Linen, Vintage Cream, Simply Chartreuse, Spring Rain, Plum Pudding, Lavender Moon (all Papertrey Ink)
• Patterned Paper: Madame Royale - Henriette (We R Memory Keepers)
• Stamps: Tags for Spring (Papertrey Ink)
• Ink: Jumbo Java (Versamagic)
• Other Tools: Paper Distresser (Tim Holtz), sewing machine/thread, Grand Calibur (Spellbinders), lace (dollar store), vintage cream twine (Papertrey Ink)

Totally Hues Challenge #1: Redo

Remember this card from the Totally Hues challenge #1?

I finally fixed it up. I like it much better now...

There was a little paper damage from taking the panel off but you can't tell in the photo. ;) I also curled the outer flower petals a bit.

The only change in supplies is that there is no longer Harvest Gold ribbon or any dies used and the sentiment is now from the Asian Fusion stamp set.

Papertrey Playhouse: Ella Color Inspiration

As I stated in Papertrey Playhouse's challenge post this morning, I often find myself inspired by my children's clothing. In this case, my 1 1/2 year old daughter's shirt kept calling to me!

So, using the colors Orange Zest, Simply Chartreuse, Dark Chocolate, Raspberry Fizz and Hibiscus Burst, I came up with the following:

The "birthday" looks like gold glitter, but it is really just drawn over with a Sakura Stardust pen.

I hope you're inspired to join in on the challenge! There's nothing like bright colors to get me motivated!

Thanks for stopping by!

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: Orange Zest
• Stamps: Big Birthday Wishes
• Ink: Dark Chocolate
• Ribbon: Simply Chartreuse, Dark Chocolate, Raspberry Fizz, Hibiscus Burst grosgrains
• Other Tools: Stardust gel pen (Sakura), Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers), pink rhinestone (dollar store)

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

From Sidney, B.C. Canada, I want to wish all the blog viewers a Happy Valentines Day! Sorry that there is no card to post for you all, I guess I should have kept one of the recent Valentines Series cards to post for you. Today the winds have picked up enough for the ferries between Vancouver and Victoria to have been cancelled for a while until the storm calms down a bit. The job hunting is going well so far, but I really miss being able to create! Hope you are all having fun!
Thanks to all!

Sabrina

Happy Valentine's Day!

A long-anticipated day that I have actually been working on in advance! Well, the treat boxes, yes, the Valentines, no.

Here are the Valentines that my 5-yr-old son and I made the night before (last night). Taylor signed every one of them!

Here is a closeup on an individual.

I kept it super simple using Hearts and Scalloped Hearts Spellbinders as well as Double-Ended Banners from PTI. The sentiment is from Lawn Fawn's My Silly Valentine stamp set. It's hard to tell but I filled in the little heart above the "i" with a red Copic.

These treat boxes took a considerable amount of time and I can't say that I would do it again. Stefanie helped me to assemble the boxes, thankfully! After filling baggies with assorted treats, I stuffed them in the boxes, added ribbon, twine and button! I meant to use Hibiscus Burst ribbon to coordinate with the scalloped circle but forgot and followed my initial prototype, which used Pure Poppy ribbon. Oh, well...

These were cut using Kraft cardstock and the Favor It Box 3 die from Papertrey Ink. Before assembling, I stamped them with Background Basics: Hearts.

I know the kids will probably care more about the treats inside than the packaging but it was, I guess, good for experience!

Thanks for stopping by!

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

Valentines

• Cardstock: Stamper's Select
• Patterned Paper: Simple Valentine
• Stamps: My Silly Valentine (Lawn Fawn)
• Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
• Copic: R29 Lipstick Red
• Dies: Hearts and Scalloped Hearts (Spellbinders), Double-Ended Banners
• Other Tools: glue and dimensional adhesive

Treat Boxes

• Cardstock: Kraft, Hibiscus Burst
• Patterned Paper: Simple Valentine
• Stamps: Background Basics: Hearts
• Ink: Pure Poppy
• Ribbon: Pure Poppy saddle stitch
• Felt: Pure Poppy
• Buttons: Cream and White mix
• Die: Heart Prints
• Other Tools: Rustic Jute Twine, 1-3/4" circle punch, 2" scalloped circle punch

PTI Make It Monday

Papertrey Ink first announced Make It Monday on their 3rd Anniversary celebration (last year) here. Unfortunately, due to website conversion issues, they were unable to go ahead with it. During this year's 4th Anniversary celebration, it was announced that they will be going ahead with Make It Monday, despite the fact that their new website is not yet up and running.

The challenge is to make a Go-To Sentiment card as demonstrated by Erin Lincoln in the video (post linked above).  I immediately drew a sketch (based off of my card here) with a specific color combo in mind, though as I finally sat down to create my card, it changed here and there... Here is what I came up with:

I used a Smokey Shadow card base, some Happy Spots patterned paper and Lavender Moon Swiss Dot ribbon to make this birthday card for a friend. The patterned paper and ribbon look much more similar in person.

First, I impressed the base with By the Numbers. To stamp the sentiments, I laid them out on a grid pattern and then placed my block over all of them at once. I inked them up with Smokey Shadow and only had to stamp once (on Soft Stone cardstock) to create my background.

I added a strip of Smokey Shadow cardstock and then a layer of Happy Spots cut with the Victorian Lace border die. I added some mini paper roses I found on sale at Michaels, which remind me of the new Royal Velvet color collection being released at Papertrey this month. I made the fluffy, two-looped bow using my Bow Easy.

It wouldn't be a post from myself unless I critiqued my efforts somewhat... Looking at the card now, I believe I should have inked the edges of the Soft Stone cardstock with the Smokey Shadow ink... Maybe "popped" one of the sentiments out by using a purple ink... What do you think?

Thanks for stopping by!

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: Smokey Shadow, Soft Stone
• Patterned Paper: Happy Spots
• Stamps: Birthday Basics, Birthday Bash Sentiments
• Ink: Smokey Shadow
• Impression Plate: By the Numbers
• Die: Victorian Lace border
• Other Tools: Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers), Bow Easy (Posi-Bendr)

Wishing You Sunshine

I made this card recently for a former coworker who is moving to a beautiful home on the West coast.

I cut the "ocean" waves with my Cricut, using my Gypsy to weld a rectangle (Plantin Schoolbook) to the original wave strip (Life is a Beach). My original plan started by embossing the "ocean" waves with the D'vine Swirl embossing folder and then heat embossing Kaleidoscope powder on the ridges... It didn't turn out very well since the Versamark pad inked the valleys as well as the ridges. So I flipped the waves over and used the debossed side, using a Sakura Stardust gel pen to fill in the depressions and create glimmery water.

I embossed the clouds with the same folder as the water, leaving the embossed side up. The sun was stamped and cut out and then covered in Crackle Accents.

I meant to impress the sky with the Canvas impression plate but forgot. :(

Thanks for stopping by!

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: Spring Rain, Blueberry Sky, Enchanted Evening, Stamper's Select
• Stamps: Up, Up and Away (sun and cloud), Scattered Showers (sentiment)
• Ink: Versamark (Tsukineko), Tuxedo Black (Memento)
• Cricut Cartridges (Provo Craft): Plantin Schoolbook, Life is a Beach
• Dies: Cloud 1 and 2
• Other Tools: Crackle Accents (Ranger), Stardust gel pen (Sakura)

Playing in Paradise: Owl Inspiration

Hi and welcome to my contribution to this week's Playing in Paradise challenge at the Scrapbooker's Paradise blog! This week, designer Ally Cope provided us with some owl inspiration!

I saw all that cute fluffy goodness and immediately thought of Flower Soft! So here's my cute fluffy owl!

I used mostly my Cricut for this card. The Create-a-Critter cartridge has so many adorable images! I planned out the cuts on my Gypsy and assembled it using my Xyrons. The sparkly green was done with Lime Green Stickles. The branch and leaves were inked with Walnut Stain and Peeled Paint Tim Holtz Distress Inks. The card base was done using cloud masks and the Copic Airbrush System with B00 Copic Sketch marker. One corner was rounded using the We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper. I tried to make the eyes pop a bit more by using a Sakura Stardust pen in them.

The winner of the challenge will get to play along with us on the next challenge!

Thanks for stopping by!

{Supplies}

• Cardstock: white card base (Recollections), assorted Bazzill Basics
• Stamps: Simple Alphabet (Papertrey Ink)
• Ink: Versamark (Tsukineko), Walnut Stain and Peeled Paint (Tim Holtz Distress Ink)
• Cricut Cartridge: Create-a-Critter
• Other Tools: white embossing powder (Filigree), B00 Copic Sketch marker, Copic airbrush system, cloud dies (Papertrey Ink), Stardust gel pen (Sakura), Nut Brown Flower Soft, Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers), white gel pen (Signo)

Valentine Series - Little Mouse

It has been a while since I've been able to post on the blog. I'm now settled in Victoria, BC, in my parents home for now and have been applying for jobs. Finding employment is a long slow process requiring hard work. I do miss being able to craft and create and at this time I am envious of others who can do it.

I did save a draft for the final Valentine cards series for this year. I just hadn't gotten around to completing it so that I could post it. But, finally, here it is!

Isn't the little mouse so cute! This is one of my favorites from this year's Valentine series of cards. I made this one especially for my Mom and Dad. I see it nearly every morning on the top shelf of my closet space anticipating the day I give it. The unfortunate thing is that I didn't write down all the pertinent information like names of the tools and stamps used for this card, and I can't remember them now. But, I'm sure some of you will recognize the Cuttlebug folder used here and the Hero Arts Stamp, too.

I used Fantastix, dabbing them directly on the ink pad, to create a more soft blurred coloring effect of the stamped image, and even used white chalk ink for the daises. The little pink blossom centers I filled with yellow Liquid Pearls.

I can't wait to give it to my parents on the 14th!

Well, happy creating to you all and let me know what you think of my cute little mouse, OK.

Totally Hues Challenge #1

Heather P of {Witty Title Here} is known for her smashingly bold color combos. To my utter delight, she has started a challenge series known as Totally Hues!

Her first challenge:

Isn't that logo divine?

I totally planned to participate, but with projects and deadlines hanging (what seems like) all over me, I thought it'd be later than sooner.

However, I couldn't get the colors out of my head and am even now still getting ideas!

So, this is what I ended up with... I like parts of it, but not the whole "picture" (sorry about the quality...).

My Hibiscus Burst ink is one of those PTI ones that never worked well... Same goes with the Simply Chartreuse, which looks gray. Grr.

I could probably save this card by removing the sentiment panel (Mat Stack 4 and Fillable Frame #8) and just stamping a sentiment on the white square. I'll probably end up doing that, if the dimensional adhesive doesn't do any damage to it upon removal... I'll use the rhinestones to keep the Harvest Gold on the card...

The large mum was stamped on Hibiscus Burst cardstock and then colored with RV13 and RV 14 Copics... my lazy method.

Hope something on this inspires you! ;)

[Addendum: I fixed this card here.]

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: Simply Chartreuse, Hawaiian Shores, Hibiscus Burst, Stamper's Select
• Stamps: Year of Flowers: Mums, Fillable Frames #8, Polka Dot Basics II
• Ink: Hibiscus Burst, Simply Chartreuse, Versamark (Tsukineko)
• Ribbon: Harvest Gold Bitty Dot
• Dies: Mat Stack 4, Fillable Frames #8
• Other Tools: clear embossing powder (Filigree), sewing machine/white thread, RV13 and RV14 Copics, rhinestones (colored with YR23 and YR24 Copics)

Fav Papertrey Project from 2010

Throughout these Papertrey Ink anniversary festivities, they're posting their fav projects of 2010... I did a Best of 2010 post here, but this was my favorite Papertrey project of the bunch!

Original post here.

Thanks for stopping by!

Playing in Paradise Design Team and My 1st Challenge!

Scrapbooker's Paradise recently put out a design team call for their blog. They have weekly challenges known as Playing in Paradise. Out of 70 applicants, I, along with a handful of others, were chosen to be design team members! How thrilling is that!?!

Our first challenge is the Scrapbooker's Paradise logo colors: green, burgundy and gold-yellow.

There is a prize for participating in this challenge! A package from Imaginisce's new Animal Crackers collection! (You can see the entire collection here, though the prize is only products from the line, not the entire line.) The winner will also get to play along with the design team for the next challenge as our Paradise Player! ;)

You have until Thursday, February 10th at noon MST to create and link your project on the Scrapbooker's Paradise challenge blog post!

Here is my project using these colors:

I meant to use Core'dinations for the card base and then sand the pattern to add some distressed visual interest but forgot... :| Otherwise, I'm quite happy with how this turned out! (Will use a white backdrop next time as well...)

I dry embossed the card base with the Seeing Spots folder (Cuttlebug) and then added the sentiment panel, which was created with Spellbinders (Eyelet Circles and Circles) and some Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Old Paper). The stamp is from Shabby Green Door.

The gold-yellow strip was scored using my Scor-Pal and then distress inked with Scattered Straw. I didn't have burgundy tulle but I had white tulle and Copics! I used R89 Dark Red to color the tulle! I tied it to the strip and added a dark green button. It wasn't enough... I added the pearl and was happy!

Please check out my team members' stunning projects!

Julie Dinn
Carla Peicheff
Allison Cope
Allison Fillo
Karan Gerber

Thank you for stopping by!

{Supplies}

• Cardstock: Pinefeather, Stamper's Select, Scarlet Jewel, Harvest Gold (PTI)
• Stamps: Merci Beaucoup (Shabby Green Door)
• Ink: Old Paper and Scattered Straw (Tim Holtz Distress Ink), Scarlet Jewel (PTI)
• Dies: Eyelet Circles and Standard Circles (Spellbinders), Edgers #1 (PTI)
• Embossing Folder: Seeing Spots (Cuttlebug)
• Other Tools: Scor-Pal, tulle, R89 Copic, ink blending foam (Ranger Inkssentials), Cuttlebug (Provocraft)