Stamping Vacation: Lots of Paper Challenge

This month's Lots of Paper challenge at the Stamping Vacation blog asks us to go through our patterned paper stashes and find something with large flowers on it. Piece of cake!

I was really excited about this challenge because I knew that paper like this would be perfect for a Mother's Day card. I made this for a former co-worker to give to her mother.

I actually had to plan where I was cutting the patterned paper to fit my card so that I had some flowers that I could cut out. Using a craft knife, I cut out an entire flower plus just the petals of another flower. I curled them up a bit and used dimensional adhesive to reattach the largest flower. You can see the effect better here:

I added some Liquid Pearls at the very end.

This photo allows you to see the shimmering foil detail better:

I experimented quite a bit with different tag shapes before settling on this Grommet Tag by Spellbinders... I use these quite a lot... I love them!!

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: Soft Stone, Summer Sunrise, Silver Shimmer
• Patterned Paper: Vivacious (SEI)
• Stamps: Delightful Dahlia
• Ink: Starlite Silver (Brilliance)
• Die: Grommet Tags (Spellbinders)
• Other Tools: Silver Pearl Liquid Pearls (Ranger?), pearls (dollar store), craft knife (EK Success), dimensional adhesive

Playing in Paradise: Scoring Challenge

My turn to present the challenge this week over at the Scrapbooker's Paradise blog. I chose a scoring challenge, where one would use a scoreboard or other method of scoring to embellish their project.

I have both two scoreboards that I use: the Scor-Pal and the Martha Stewart scoreboard. I've seen several reviews comparing these two products but decided that I would throw my two cents in at this time.

The Scor-Pal is the first scoreboard I grab when I'm doing my general card folds. The scoring tool is much sturdier than the Martha Stewart scoreboard and the lines are much easier to use. I find that when I'm using the Martha Stewart scoreboard, whether I use their scoring tool or my own stylus, they easily slip out of the lines, scoring elsewhere on my project. I definitely prefer using the stylus to the MS scoring tool, as the MS scoring tool tends to cut through the cardstock at the edges.


When I'm going to do decorative scoring, however, I always reach for my Martha Stewart scoreboard. Nothing beats having a score line every 1/8th of an inch!

I'm excited to try out the new Scor-Pal 2 which is supposed to blend the best characteristics of the two scoreboards!

Since vellum shows scoring really well, I chose to use that for my project. I also used strips of cardstock with decorative scoring.

The bottom strip of cardstock is actually done with my Fiskars paper crimper.

I scored above and below the cardstock strips as well as around the sentiment. I added embroidery thread that I colored with my Copics to match the cardstock.

The prize this week is an assortment of Fancy Pants To the Moon products--brads, rub-ons and chipboard (valued at $20)! The winner will also become our Paradise Player for the next challenge!

Your creation needs to be linked by noon on Thursday, May 5th.

Be sure to check out the other DT projects!

Allison
Ally
Carla
Julie

Thanks for stopping by!

{Supplies}

• Cardstock: Vellum, Lavender Moon, Lemon Tart, Aqua Mist (all Papertrey Ink)
• Stamps: Mega Mixed Messages (Papertrey Ink)
• Ink: Palette Noir (Papertrey Ink)
• Copics: Y21, RV32, BG11
• Other Tools: Martha Stewart scoreboard, embroidery thread, paper crimper (Fiskars)

Grandchildren's Easter Cards - from Sabrina! #3

Yeah! Taylor received his Easter card today! 

From the previous postings of the Easter cards for the grandchildren, you will know that I rented space to create these cards. In the box of Easter stamps available for use I came across some stamps From Penny Black. I love those cute animal stamps! The hedgehog, I thought would be perfect for Taylor as a boy wouldn't want cute little bunnies and such. Though I could be mistaken as he does love the cute bunny puzzle he received.

As for the bunny on the previous posting, I used Tombow markers to color this image. I used Vintage Sepia ink on the edges to create a more boy-like appeal considering that I had to use the polka-dot paper to get the right color green. (Did you notice that I forgot to color the pull-ties of the cart?)

I did make a variation of this card for my Mom and Dad using a white card base and colored the stamp in using pencil crayons. Sorry Taylor, but it turned out better than the coloring job on yours and I remembered to color the ties.

Well I hope I will get another chance at posting some more creativity for you soon. But until then, I wish you all happy creating. Thanks for stopping by again today.

Grandchildren's Easter Cards - from Sabrina! #2

Since Ella is going to be two in June, I made the colors for her card brighter and as 'little girly' as I could get. I also made variations of this card for my Grand-dughters Saleen (7, in Phoenix) and Claire (3, in Boise).

.
Even though the little store I used the working space to make these cards didn't have Spellbinders, they did have a Cuttlebug with a bunch of black embossing plates (not folders) . I'm used to Cuttlebug folders and did find one lonely Cuttlebug folder with the flower pattern you see used on the pink background. After embossing it, I took a white ink pad and gently rubbed it over the embossing to make them pop out.

The stamp you see being used here is one of Penny Black's. I love her animal sketches/stamps! They are so sweet and full of character. Now, when coloring in stamps, I'm used to borrowing Dana's Copics. However, in this instance I had to use what was available in the workspace at the store. They have Tombows . This was different for me, especially considering that they didn't have any blenders to use, and they were all sold out of them. But I believe that the three bunnies turned out rather well. And this card I might even say is now added to my favorites list.

We are still waiting to see when Taylor will get his card, as it still hasn't arrived at his home. At five (6 in August) a boy may even wonder if Grandma forgot; the poor boy. As soon as it arrives and I get the photo of his cute card, I'll post it for you to see.

Thanks for joining me again today.

Grandchildren's Easter Cards - from Sabrina!

Yeah!!! I finally took an opportunity to get creative! I've really missed it. It was difficult to make cards without the access to all of my tools and supplies, as well as the use of some of Dana's. The tiny little store that I was able to book some time to use their workspace from (the closest to where my parents live) had a very limited supply of paper and tools to use. No Spellbinder dies! But, I had so much fun!!!!

Since I have six grandchildren I made six cards. Now, since I wasn't able photograph them, Dana is taking pictures of them for me to post. The sad thing is despite sending the three cards to Dana's at the same time, the two girls are the only ones to have received them so far. Poor Taylor was in tears that his hadn't arrived along with theirs. Poor boy. Once his arrives, I'll make a posting of his card.

This is the card I made for Averi, who is three (4 in August). I also made a variation of this one using different colors for my 9 year old grand-daughter, Savanna, who lives in Phoenix!

I had to buy everything at the store...the Stickles, jewels, ribbon, scor-tape, and papers. The butterfly stamp was one that the store has for use of customers who sign up to use their tools. There was no way of knowing the artist/company of the butterfly as all the packaging was missing for this clear stamp set. And you'll have to forgive me for not writing down the name of the patterned paper. But there you have it.

I heard from Dana, that Averi loves butterflies and has PJs with butterflies, too. She sounded excited about the card when I talked to her on the phone on Monday.

I can hardly wait to get at crafting again. I really miss not being able to go to my craft room whenever I have the urge to create something. I look forward to having it all again.

It was nice to post something for my followers. Hope that you are all happily crafting away. Thanks for stopping by, and stop by tomorrow for Ella's card posting.

Another Grad Card

The last of the cards I recently made for someone:

Used the school colors and the For the Graduate stamp set. It's difficult to tell but there is a gold gel pen line between the 2 blue lines in the sentiment.

Thanks for stopping by!

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: Stamper's Select White, metallic gold (Recollections?)
• Stamps: For the Graduate
• Ink: Mediterranean Blue and Galaxy Gold (both Brilliance/Tsukineko)
• Die: Mat Stack 1
• Other Tools: gold gel pen (Sakura)

Stamping Vacation: White Space Challenge and PTI MIM: Embossing with Dies

This month's White Space challenge at the Stamping Vacation blog invites to try making a white card with something attached with a brad.

This week's Papertrey Ink Make It Monday invites us to emboss using their dies.

I incorporated these 2 challenges together to make a grad card for a former coworker.

It's impossible to see in the photograph but the white panel is embossed with clouds.

Using the school's colors, I stamped the grad hats, used a gold gel pen to fix up the cords a bit and then cut them out, adhering them with dimensional adhesive.

For every entry over at Stamping Vacation, you have the chance to win a gift certificate! If one of my challenges (What a Guy, Have You Tried, White Space and, on Sunday, Lots of Paper) has the most entries this month, I win a gift certificate! You have a month from the challenge post date to enter.

Thanks for stopping by!

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: Stamper's Select White, metallic gold (Recollections?)
• Stamps: For the Graduate
• Ink: Mediterranean Blue and Galaxy Gold (both Brilliance - Tsukineko)
• Dies: Clouds 1 & 2, Grommet Tags (Spellbinders)
• Other Tools: brads (Recollections?), Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers), gold gel pen (Sakura)

Stamping Vacation: Have You Tried Challenge and Moxie Fab's Tuesday Trigger

This month's Have You Tried challenge at the Stamping Vacation blog invites us to try putting ribbon over lace... something I've been meaning to try anyway!

The colors for this week's Moxie Fab Trigger Tuesday just blew me away! I had to participate!

The sketches over at Random Acts of Creativity and Limelight Papercrafts were perfect for what I had in mind. :) Limelight is also focusing on floral stamps... Perfect again!

Since I had also been recently asked to do a 60th birthday card, I incorporated these three four challenges...

I tried to keep the colors close to the Moxie Fab trigger, as well as having some pretty flowers. Don't you love Spring?!

The incentive to participate in Stamping Vacation challenges is always the gift certificate awarded to one lucky winner each month... The more entries you have, the better the chance!

As I mentioned here, this month, the DT members also have a chance to win a gift certificate... If one of their challenges has the most entries! I would be most appreciative if my reader's would be willing to try entering one (or more) of my challenges this month. So far What a Guy and Have You Tried are up. White Space will be up tomorrow and Lots of Paper on Saturday. Don't worry... your entry doesn't have to be in by the end of April... Just by end of the challenge (one month from live date).

Thanks so much for stopping by!

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: Rustic Cream, Spring Moss, Vellum, Lemon Tart
• Patterned Paper: Pretty Pastels
• Stamps: In Bloom, Big Birthday Wishes
• Ink: Pear Tart (Memento - Tsukineko), Versamark (Tsukineko), Sweet Blush
• Ribbon: Sweet Blush grosgrain
• Dies: Ribbon Banners (Spellbinders), Parisian Doily, By the Numbers
• Impression Plate: Vineyard
• Copics: Y21, 0
• Other Tools: lace (dollar store), clear embossing powder (Filigree), Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers)

Playing in Paradise: Sketch Challenge

Welcome to Scrapbooker's Paradise next Playing in Paradise challenge!

This week, Allison Fillo has created some original sketches for us to play with.

I used her card layout to create a home decor piece for a friend. I've worked it out to be a Mother's Day gift... ;)

In hindsight, I believe I should have placed the middle descriptor above the chair rather than across the middle. I'm new to creating this type of project and so will learn along the way.

I cut out a 5" x 7" piece of black cardstock for the base of my project. I die cut a Grand Labels 4 Spellbinders using my Cuttlebug and then trimmed it to make the flap above. Keeping the die in place, I made a dashed border with my Copic Multiliner pen and then stamped the sentiment. After die cutting the number 3 in both black and green, I stamped the green with Versamark ink and then put it through my Fiskars crimper. I always use Scor-Tape to adhere things like this.

After die-cutting the green border, I inked it a bit with Peeled Paint Tim Holtz Distress Ink and my blending tools. I adhered it with my Xyron. I added some black saddle stitch ribbon and some black gingham ribbon over that, again using Scor-Tape.

I die cut and embossed some new Spellbinders Reverse Wonky Rectangles and stamped the chair image into each. I also stamped the chair on a Post-it note, being sure that the sticky portion was directly beneath. I then cut out the centre of the chair and used it as a mask when stamping the damask onto each chair. I colored around each chair with my T1 Copic.

Each descriptor and the friend sentiment was stamped onto a strip of white cardstock and then trimmed a bit. I then placed the ends in my 3/4" circle punch to round them.

Deadline: Thursday, April 28th @ noon

Prize Info: This week's prize is Reminsice Western Stickers and chipboard from the new line!

Be sure to check out the other DT projects!

Allison
Ally
Carla
Julie

Thanks for stopping by!

{Supplies}

• Cardstock: Stamper's Select, Simply Chartreuse (both Papertrey Ink), black - Cricut cardstock (Provo Craft)
• Stamps: Chair-ished, Top Ten, Top Ten Additions, Fillable Frames #11, Damask Designs, Simple Valentine (all Papertrey Ink)
• Ink: Paris Dusk, Rhubarb Stalk, Bamboo Leaves, Tuxedo Black (all Memento), Peeled Paint (Tim Holtz Distress Ink)
• Ribbon: True Black saddle stitch and gingham (both Papertrey Ink)
• Dies: Victorian Lace, the number '3' (both Papertrey Ink), Grand Labels 4, Reverse Wonky Rectangles (both Spellbinders)
• Other Tools: Copic Multiliner pen, paper crimper (Fiskars), 3/4" circle punch (Marvy Uchida)

Stamping Vacation: What a Guy Challenge

This month's What a Guy challenge at the Stamping Vacation blog invites us to use a lawn or garden care theme. I left this one until nearly the last minute, lacking inspiration.

The strangest thing happened...

For the first time EVER, my husband took an interest in what I was trying to accomplish (papercrafting-wise). He didn't come up with my idea, but he certainly contributed to it. It really can be wonderful to craft with others... They can see something where you can't!

The burlap was perfect for grass! I colored it with my YG17 Copic and that bit of burlap color that peeks through certainly looks like real grass does! And this grass needs a cutting!

Keeping masculine cards simple is a great rule of thumb.

I'll probably make this a Father's Day card inside.

The incentive to participate in Stamping Vacation challenges is always the gift certificate awarded to one lucky winner each month... The more entries you have, the better the chance!

The DT member with the most participants in their challenges (for this month only) also receives a gift certificate! Would be most appreciative to any who play along with this challenge as well as the ones I'll be posting later this month (Have You Tried, White Space and Lots of Paper).

Thanks all!

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: Spring Rain, Simply Chartreuse, Dark Chocolate
• Stamps: Harold's ABCs (Lawn Fawn)
• Ink: Dark Chocolate
• Die: Grand Labels (Spellbinders)
• Copic: YG17
• Other Tools: sewing machine/thread, burlap

Playing in Paradise: Button Inspiration

Today marks another Playing in Paradise challenge over at the Scrapbooker's Paradise blog and it's all about buttons!

I purposely avoided embellishing stamps with buttons for this. I broke out my Bazzill Basics In Stitch'z templates and looked them over for compatibility with my idea to do cherries...

I used the In My Garden template to improvise some leaves and stems. After die-cutting the new Spellbinders Labels 20 in my Cuttlebug, I placed my cardstock over my Bazzill Basics piercing mat and used my Tim Holtz Tonic paper piercer to make the holes. I used Bazzill Basics craft needles to sew my embroidery thread through.

Since I didn't really like the "open" looking leaves for this project, I used my YG17 Copic Sketch marker to fill them in. Much better!

I pierced the border by leaving the Spellbinders die in place.

I actually tried some patterned paper with this focal piece first but it didn't turn out.

Instead, I corrugated some black cardstock with my Fiskars paper crimper and adhered it to a white card base.

Deadline: Thursday, April 21 @ noon

Prize Info: Besides becoming our next Paradise Player, the winner of this week's challenge will receive 2 Stampavie stamps! These are adorable!

Be sure to check out the other Design Team's projects!

Allison
Ally
Carla
Julie
Karan

Thanks for stopping by!

{Supplies}

• Cardstock: Stamper's Select (Papertrey Ink), black (Cricut/Provo Craft)
• Stamps: youare2kind (Stamps of Life)
• Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Scarlet Jewel (Papertrey Ink)
• Buttons: Scarlet Jewel (Papertrey Ink)
• Die: Labels Twenty (Spellbinders)
• Other Tools: embroidery floss (unknown), YG17 Sketch marker (Copic), paper piercer (Tim Holtz Tonic), In Stitch'z In My Garden template (Bazzill Basics), piercing mat (Bazzill Basics), craft needle (Bazzill Basics)

Lawnscaping Challenge: Stamped Background

Barely squeezing this one in on time! ;)

I love these types of challenges and just had to play along with Lawnscaping's stamped background challenge...

I haven't scrapbooked in ages, but I think this project is sort of a hybrid between that and card-making...

A cute little photo of my 5-year-old son, Taylor, and his friend. They posed like this on their own! They had such a fun "play date" today! This was a sort of Thank You card that I sent home with her...

{Supplies}

• Cardstock: Kraft, Stamper's Select (both Papertrey Ink)
• Patterned Paper: Egg Hunt (Papertrey Ink)
• Stamps: My Silly Valentine, Teeny Tiny Backdrops (both Lawn Fawn)
• Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Versamark (Tsukineko)
• Dies: Grommet Tags, Crown Circles, Standard Circles (all Spellbinders)
• Copics: er... I'll get back to this
• Other Tools: star brads (Recollections), Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers)

Papertrey Playhouse: Monochromatic Challenge

Hi there!

I've issued the newest challenge at Papertrey Playhouse and it's a monochromatic challenge!

As a bonus, it would be interesting to incorporate a technique or two from previous Papertery Ink Make It Mondays, but not mandatory.

Here's my project:

I did, obviously, cheat a little bit... But, as I stated on the Playhouse blog, I couldn't resist adding that bit of Liquid Pearls right at the end!

The Make It Monday techniques I used are: a) impressing on part of the cardstock (my A7 was too big for the impression plate so I improvised), and b) Copic coloring on colored cardstock.

Hope to see your entries! Thanks for stopping by!

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: Spring Rain, Blueberry Sky, Enchanted Evening
• Stamps: Year of the Flowers: Gladiolus (image), Year of the Flowers: Lily of the Valley (sentiment)
• Ink: Enchanted Evening
• Ribbon: Enchanted Evening saddle stitch
• Impression Plate: Vineyard
• Copics: B91, B34, B97, T1
• Other Tools: Lemon Yellow liquid pearls (Ranger?), Scor-Pal (Scor-Pal), Bow-Easy (Posi-Bendr)

PTI Make It Monday: Clear Heat Embossing

I think it an awesome coincidence that this challenge also coincides with Papertrey Playhouse's current challenge! (I entered another card for that one here.)

A card for my aunt who is struggling with cancer...

I distressed this card on purpose--my husband said it looked like it was for an old lady. I clear embossed with Text Style first and then Embellishments. I die cut the Mat Stack 2 out and then stamped the sentiment on the Sweet Blush beneath, using the Hibiscus Burst strip as a guide. I inked the edges of the Hibiscus Burst strip and then rolled/folded the upper right corner... a trend I noticed from Julee Tilman and then Dana Seymour. I adhered the top using dimensional adhesive and added the pearls.

Thanks for stopping by!

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: Smokey Shadow, Sweet Blush, Hibiscus Burst
• Stamps: Background Basics: Text Style, Embellishments
• Ink: Versamark (Tsukineko), Smokey Shadow, Pumice Stone (Tim Holtz Distress Ink)
• Dies: Mat Stack 2, small scalloped border
• Other Tools: clear embossing powder (Filigree)

Playing in Paradise: Ad Inspiration

Welcome to Scrapbooker's Paradise blog challenge #10!

This week, Allison has found terrific inspiration in an iPod ad!

As my team members' projects were submitted, I realized that there were only so many ways that literal interpretations could be taken... So I decided to mute the colors into pastels for an Easter card.

That chocolate bunny looks delish! ;) I made it using the Gypsy Wanderings "cartridge" that is exclusive to Gypsies and cut it out on my Cricut.

The sentiment is stamped with Rich Cocoa Memento ink on a die cut using Lacey Ovals Spellbinders (new this year) that I inked with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Spun Sugar.

Be sure to check out the fabulous projects the rest of the design team created!

Allison
Ally
Carla
Julie
Karan

The prize this week is Reminisce Stickers and Chipboard from the new movies line!


You have until noon on Thursday, April 14th to enter this challenge here.


Thanks for stopping by!

{Supplies}

• Cardstock: Spring Moss & Dark Chocolate (Papertrey Ink), white (Bazzill Basics)
• Patterned Paper: Happy Spots (Papertrey Ink)
• Stamps: Mega Mixed Messages (Papertrey Ink)
• Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento), Spun Sugar (Tim Holtz Distress Ink)
• Other Tools: sewing machine/thread, ink blending foam, Gypsy (Provo Craft), Cricut (Provo Craft)

Thanks, Teacher!

Some cards and challenges I really have to work at, but this card just popped into my head.

I wish I'd stamped the alphabet background before assembling the card, masking only a portion for the sentiment, but this is how it worked out.

That ribbon stamping technique is from a Dawn McVey card.

The inside:

This card won't be given out until the end of the school year...

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: Kraft, Simply Chartreuse, Stamper's Select
• Stamps: School Time, It's Official, Background Basics: Gingham, Teacher's Apple, My Silly Valentine (Lawn Fawn)
• Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Versamark (Tsukineko), Pure Poppy, Palette Noir
• Ribbon: Harvest Gold grosgrain
• Copics: Pure Poppy and Simply Chartreuse trios
• Other Tools: white gel pen, Corner Chomper (We R Memory Keepers)