Ooh-La-La!

I feel like I've been working on this project forever! Not that it necessarily took a long time to create, but I kept getting distracted and then coming back to it.

I made this as a birthday gift to a coworker. She dreams of going to Paris and that made her gift an easy one!

I started by die-cutting 3 layers of True Black cardstock and 1 smaller layer of Scarlet Jewel with Grand Labels 23. The Scarlet Jewel layer was inked with Black Soot ink and spattered with Black Velvet Color Shine and Shimmer Goosebumps Texture Spray. I LOVE the Heidi Swapp Color Shine products!

I embossed the Eiffel Tower photochip with Li'l Inkers Stitched Mats (fit perfectly!) and then inked it with Palette Noir ink. I layered it over a True Black Postage Stamp die cut.

I die-cut and embossed a Spellbinders banner with vellum cardstock. I heat embossed the Waltzingmouse Stamps sentiment with Versamark+black ink and clear powder on the wrong side of the die-cut. I actually did this on purpose because I liked the look better on this side of the vellum.

After considering placement of all my elements, including the gorgeous Prima flower, I stamped the ticket from PTI's Destination set with Fresh Snow ink. Everything was assembled, the banner popped up with clear dimensional adhesive (these are quite visible but I don't mind the effect).

I wanted this whole thing to sit up like a picture frame, hence the 3 layers of True Black. I cut out and scored part of the back layer to achieve this, using ribbon to keep it from going too far. I didn't like how it looked and so added one last die-cut, using Labels 23.

Thanks for peeking!

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: True Black, Scarlet Jewel, Vellum
• Stamps: Destination, Compact Sentiments (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
• Ink: Versamark and Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Black Soot Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Ranger), Palette Noir
• Dies: Stitched Mats--Squares (Li'l Inkers), Labels and Grand Labels 23 (Spellbinders), Ribbon Banners (Spellbinders)
• Accessories: Paris Photochips (Darkroom Door), True Black twill ribbon, pearl ribbon flower (Prima)
• Other Tools: Black Velvet Color Shine (Heidi Swapp), Shimmer Goosebumps Texture Spray (Tsukineko)

Redo

I wasn't happy with the colors I chose for my Father's Day card here and tried a do-over.

I'm still not 100% sure about it but I'm happy to keep playing with my stamps! ;)

{Supplies}

• Cardstock: Kraft (Papertrey Ink)
• Stamps: My Island (Waltzingmouse Stamps), Sketched Shapes and Father Knows Best (both Papertrey Ink)
• Ink: Soft Stone, Smokey Shadow (both Papertrey Ink), Memento Tuxedo Black, Brilliance Lightning Black and Versamark (Tsukineko)
• Other Tools: white embossing powder (Filigree), black rhinestones (dollar store)

Happy Father's Day

I whipped up a quick card for the father of my children, who dreams of all things tropical!

I used 3 different Waltzingmouse sets here:  Man of the Hour (love!), My Island, and Woodgrain (that banner fit perfectly over the Man of the Hour sentiment!). My guy is simple, and the paradisaical stamping put a smile on his face. ;)

Happy Father's Day, daddies!

{Supplies}

• Cardstock: Kraft (Papertrey Ink)
• Stamps: Man of the Hour, My Island, Woodgrain (all Waltzingmouse)
• Ink: Classic Kraft and Dark Chocolate (both Papertrey Ink), Versamark and Memento Tuxedo Black (both Tsukineko)
• Other Tools: clear embossing powder (Filigree)

Father's Day and More Organization Tips

The "Man of the Hour" stamp set from Waltzingmouse Stamps is one of my favorites!

I actually used my glue gun for the button/ribbon embellishment! I'm scared to death of glue guns but I couldn't see any way around it. I have the cordless Imaginisce one and it wasn't too bad at all! ;)

I'm entering this into Simon Say's Stamp masculine challenge as well as CAS(E) This Sketch. I kind of flipped the sketch.

And the inside (a rare consideration for me):

I thought I'd share another couple of crafty org tips.

I used PTI's Desktop File Card dies to organize my ink blending foams:

I inked each color and used a tiny piece of Velcro to adhere each roam.

To organize my buttons, I use IKEA plastic organizers (discontinued?). I don't need a ton of spice jars taking up space!

Each divider is adhered to the bottom using dimensional adhesive--a tip suggested by my mom to keep the buttons from moving between sections.

And, of course, no organizing project is complete without labels!

Thanks for peeking!

{Supplies}

• Cardstock: Dark Chocolate, Vintage Cream (both Papertrey Ink)
• Patterned Paper (interior): Studio Calico
• Stamps: Man of the Hour (Waltzingmouse), Distressed Corduroy (Impression Obsession)
• Ink: Dark Chocolate and Kraft (Papertrey Ink), Versamark (Tsukineko)
• Dies: XOXO (Papertrey Ink), Stitched Mats - Squares (Li'l Inkers)
• Other Tools: Dark Chocolate button and grosgrain ribbon (Papertrey Ink), Rustic Cream button twine (Papertrey Ink), clear embossing powder (Filigree)

PTI Make It Monday and an Organizing Tip

Seems like I haven't done paper-piecing in awhile so I was inspired to put Melissa's interesting technique to work at this week's Make It Monday.

I used PTI's Road Trip papers and In Bloom stamp set. I masked off the edges on the card before stamping a bit of a border. The flower centers are glittered up with a gel pen. I tied a bit of lace to a vintage pin before sticking it through my dimensional foam tape.

I'm also entering this into Moxie Fab's Gift Tag challenge.

I thought this would be a good time to share how I keep track of my PTI papers. I made it easy to flip through my options before going on a paper hunt by using PTI's Tag Sale #3 and a circle punch (or two).

I used the same principle with tracking my Pattern Packs except I used the coordinating cardstock. So pretty! I love flipping through it.

Thanks for peeking!

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: Kraft
• Patterned Paper: Road Trip
• Stamps: In Bloom, Compact Sentiments -- Part 2 (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
• Ink: Dark Chocolate, Versamark Frost (Tsukineko)
• Dies: In Bloom, Tag Sale #5
• Other Tools: clear embossing powder (Filigree), vintage pearl pin (Maya Road), lace (dollar store), Clear Star gel pen (Sakura), Copic BG97

Waltzingmouse CAS

I've been excited to play with this mini-stamp set from Waltzingmouse since I first saw it! I'm not big into puns but I couldn't resist this giant, juicy-looking strawberry...

I struggled with the stamping process here as the ink that collected on the stamp base transferred to the card. :( I'm not sure if these stamps just aren't "cut" as deep or if I was pressing much too hard. Will be careful in future.

I was really excited to dress up this card with a funky die-cut frame... I'm really quite proud of myself! ;)

I'm hooking this up to Moxie Fab's Thank You card challenge.

Thanks for peeking!

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: Stamper's Select White
• Patterned Paper: New Leaf gingham
• Stamps: Big Berries - Strawberries (Waltzingmouse)
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Pure Poppy, New Leaf
• Dies: Circles and Grand Circles (Spellbinders)

Card for Mom

A card that I made with for my mother with her tastes in mind...

#1 = Layers!!
#2 = Patterned Paper
#3 = Spellbinders
#4 = Ribbon
#5 = Flourishes
#6 = Size (A7 rather than A2)

I recalled, too late, that I was thinking of sewing around the edges. Not a big deal as this card seems busy enough as it is (although it could be worse)!

Glad you enjoyed it, Mom!

{Supplies--all Papertrey Ink unless noted}

• Cardstock: Vintage White, Pure Poppy, Dark Chocolate
• Patterned Paper: (Basic Grey)
• Stamps: Holiday Labels #14 (Waltzingmouse), Happy Trails, Happy Hydrangea, Fancy Flourishes
• Ink: Tim Holtz Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink (Ranger), Brilliance Pearlescent Chocolate (Tsukineko), Spring Moss, Aqua Mist
• Dies: Labels 14 (Spellbinders)
• Ribbon: Dark Chocolate satin
• Other Tools: Big Bite/eyelet (We R Memory Keepers), Clear Star gel pen (Sakura)

For My Daughter

A card inspired by Freshly Made Sketches, Colour Q, CAS-ual Fridays and Simon Says Stamp [graphics below]!

My eldest daughter (5) is a spot of sweetness in my life.  (My youngest daughter is 3 and while she is starting to exhibit symptoms of sweetness, I think of her more as a spot of entertainment in my life. ;)  )

Some inking, stitching, stamping and die-cutting plus a bit of bling.

Thanks for visiting!

{Supplies}

• Cardstock: Soft Stone (Papertrey Ink)
• Patterned Paper: Bitty Dot Basics (Papertrey Ink)
• Stamps: Compact Family (Waltzingmouse), Happy Trails (Papertrey Ink)
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Sweet Blush (Papertrey Ink), Pumice Stone Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Ranger)
• Dies: Wonderful Wings (Spellbinders)
• Other Tools: sewing machine/thread, Clear Star gel pen (Sakura), rhinestone/iRock (Imaginisce)

New Digs

A friend of mine recently moved so I couldn't resist using my Paper Smooches Vogue Abode for a card to go along with a housewarming gift!

I pulled out my Bright Side paper pack from My Mind's Eye to some paper-piecing. I usually avoid buying patterned paper because I have so much and rarely use it. I could hardly resist this pack, however, with it's vivid colors and trendy patterns!

Thanks for peeking!

{Supplies}

• Cardstock: Stamper's Select White (Papertrey Ink)
• Patterned Paper: Bright Side (My Mind's Eye)
• Stamps: Vogue Abode and He Said, She Said (Paper Smooches), Very Vintage Labels No. 2 (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
• Ink: Pure Poppy and Soft Stone (Papertrey Ink), Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
• Dies: Labels 2 (Spellbinders)
• Other Tools: Black Enamel Accents (Inkssentials), sewing machine/thread, Copics, black Spica (Copic)

Guest Designer For Scrapbooker's Playing in Paradise |Challenge #50

I am honoured and excited to be invited as a Guest Designer for Challenge #50 at Scrapbooker's Paradise Playing in Paradise.  I chose to go with the colours of this challenge. When the colours were sent to me I knew right away I had to make a card using them for an elderly lady I know that just came out of the hospital after 3 weeks of being there. She just loves these colours! She also likes frou-frou stuff, so that's what I tried to create for her.

In this first photo I have it leaning up against the back so that you can see the tiny stamped images in the cut out ovals better than when free standing as we normally take photos of cards.

Here it is free standing so you can see the oval cut-outs at the bottom.

And here is a close-up.

A lot of Liquid Pearl was used as I know the receiver will love it. In a future project, I may try the cut outs at the bottom again and weave ribbon through them.

 I hope that you will check out the challenge and join in on the fun here. Happy crafting!

TOOLS & SUPPLIES

PAPER: all scraps
SPELLBINDERS: Classic Ovals Large, Labels Thirteen, Labels Fourteen
PUNCH: Corner punch to create scalloped edge
STAMPS: Hot Off The Press-Botanicals, Waltzingmouse - Holiday Labels Fourteen, FLourishes - Tag Lines
INK: Versa Magic Key Lime, Versa Magic Turquoise Gem
Liquid Pearls White Opal

Colour Create Challenge 87 - Cream, Sage & Red

Colour Create Challenge is back after our holiday break for our first 2012 challenge beginning January 5th and ending January 18th, 6:00 PM UK time. Edna chose a wonderful colour palette for this challenge - cream, sage & red, and the DT's have submitted their inspirational designs for you.

The prize for this challenge is a $5 Gift Voucher for Mo Manning's Digital Pencil. She has such adorable and fantastic digi stamps!

While searching for materials to make my card, I found that the colours were so beautiful together that whatever I made had to be simple so that the colours would be the main focus.

This is my DT submission at Colour Create Challenge 87.

I was so excited to be able to use my very first Waltzing Mouse stamps! Dana ordered some for me as a Christmas gift! Thank you again, Dana.

It's amazing how with the lighting you can see all the minute little specks of embossing powder when IRL you barely can see them at all! I even used the pre-embossing powder pouch and a brush to brush off any bits of powder. It also looks like the light caught one of my finger prints on the paper as well.

The little flower stamps I've had for a long time and never used before now. They are the perfect size for this project. They too were stamped and heat embossed.

Thank you for coming for a visit. It's always nice hearing from you. Happy crafting everyone!

TOOLS AND MATERIALS

SPELLBINDERS: Labels Fourteen
STAMPS: WaltzingMouse Holiday Labels 14, Studio g Series 39, Dimensions Crafts Mini Stamps Flower & Flourish, PTI Botanical Silhouettes
INK: Versa Watermark, Versa Magic Spanish Olive
EMBOSSING POWDER: Ranger Seafoam White
Grosgrain Ribbon

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge and Carbon Copied

Hooray, it's my turn to share a challenge with the fabulous Karen Baker of The Bald Dragonfly! It's so fun to see the Carbon Copied posts go up! Just a warning that I am not nearly as deserving of all that praise she gave of me! She's far too sweet!

We decided to use the Teeny Trees stamp set for the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge this week.

I think that this is my first tri-fold card so I kept it simple.

The snow and icicles were done using shimmery white cardstock.

I created the window using dies listed below and some clear cardstock. To give it a frosty look, I covered it with Crackle Accents.

Here is the Christmas tree I created inside:

And a look at the tri-fold:

Be sure to check out Karen's inspired gratitude project here!

I am also submitting this for CAS-ual Fridays "Over the Edge" and the Waltzingmouse Christmas card challenge (in the forum) for September, which requires acetate.

Thanks for visiting!

{Supplies}

• Cardstock: Stamper's Select White, Enchanted Evening, shimmer (all Papertrey Ink)
• Stamps: Teeny Trees (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
• Ink: Versamark (Tsukineko), Scattered Straw, Mustard Seed, Crushed Olive, Peeled Paint and Forest Moss Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Ranger)
• Dies: Alpha Blocks, Sending You frame (Papertrey Ink)
• Other Tools: icicles punch (Martha Stewart), gold embossing powder (Filigree), rhinestones, Crackle Accents (Ranger)

Waltzingmouse Sketch and Christmas Card Challenges + Lily Pad Cards and Simon Says Stamp

I wanted to be sure I got my Waltzingmouse Sketch challenge linked in time this time!

Such a fabulous sketch this week! I considered doing a scalloped card base so it wouldn't roll around but I really liked the sketch as was.

I am, of course, working on Christmas cards so that's pretty much what is going to be seen from me for awhile. This card work's for the Waltzingmouse Stamps forum February Christmas Card challenge--to use something lying around your workspace. The sentiment banner I used had already been diecut and inked up... I just stamped the sentiment! Definitely like the idea of having these all prepped and ready for cards...

I started by diecutting 3 green circles and a partial burgundy with my Grand Nestabilities. Can not recommend these enough!! Even though I have a Cricut... I just have a hard time pulling it out and going through all the necessary steps... I inked and stamped the snowflakes and then stamped and gold heat embossed the (what I call) Victorian strips. I used a bit of adhesive and then zig-zag stitched the pieces together. I probably should have left it at that but I attempted circle sewing since I had fairly good success with it before. Um, not so much this time. I tried to even things out with a 2nd attempt and then decided to make it look purposefully "messy" with a 3rd. Didn't quite work, but I'm still okay with the outcome.  ;)

I stamped, cut out and blinged the holly with Stickles and Sakura Stardust gel pen. I'll be entering this into Lily Pad Cards bling challenge. Too easy!

Simon Says Stamp's weekly challenge is to use punches or dies... I love my dies!!

Thanks for stopping by!

{Supplies}

• Cardstock: Simply Chartreuse, Scarlet Jewel (Papertrey Ink), random white
• Stamps: Seasons of Love - Tags, Very Vintage Christmas (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
• Ink: Versamark (Tsukineko), Forest Moss (plus banner inks--probably Antique Linen, Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain) Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Ranger), Scarlet Jewel (Papertrey Ink)
• Dies: Grand Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders) plus Tattered Borders (Tim Holtz Sizzix)
• Other Tools: sewing machine/thread, Burgundy Stickles (Ranger), Stardust gel pen (Sakura), gold embossing powder (Filigree)