Wednesday, July 25, 2012

PTI Blog Hop

After this weekend's card marathon got my creative juices flowing again, I decided to participate in PTI's blog hop this month. The challenge was to use these colors as inspiration - such a gorgeous color combo.






I need a baby card for a coworker, so thought this would be the perfect opportunity to try making a baby card in non-traditional colors. Love how it turned out!



Supplies:
Stamps: Tweet Talk
CS: PTI white, Berry Sorbet, Simply Chartruese, Distressed Dots
Dies: Mat Stack 4, In the Meadow, linen/canvas IP (on grass)
Other: Berry Sorbet twill, Copics

Thanks for looking!

Sunday, July 22, 2012

PTI Stamp-a-Faire - Farewell

What an incredibly fun weekend! I feel re-energized and excited about crafting and making cards again. At my last count, I made 25 cards this weekend (4 card sets of 4 cards each adds up quickly). Wow! So glad I was able to play along.

Here's a pictures of my table. I'm in the process of cleaning up the whirlwind that is otherwise known as my craft room. Usually, I'm fairly neat and organized, but that all flew out the window this weekend! Guess I know what I'm doing this week.  Thanks for listening to me this weekend. I know now that I need to do this more often. Good for the mind and the soul!


PTI Stamp-a-Faire - Homemade Embellishments

I wanted to try one last technique tonight - washi tape. I'm totally addicted to washi tape so this was right up my alley. I used various colors of PTI's Happy Spots paper & scotch tape. Who'd a thunk washi tape would be this easy? Not this camper! So much fun!



PTI - Card Sets

When I saw the challenge for card sets, I literally did the happy dance. I have a couple of friends that exchange small gifts at Christmas (like homemade jam, etc.). Naturally, they have come to expect cards from me. I figured if I did several sets now, I'd have a jump start on having them ready when the busy Christmas season rolls around.

First, I had made a card similar to one that Maile Belles did for the Trendy Tree Tops release a couple of weeks ago. It came to mind instantly as one that work great for a set.


On the bottom right hand of the picture is one of the envelopes. I used Simple Sentiments to match each card. It turned out so pretty in blues, greens & purple, that I thought I'd try making another set in pinks & oranges.


Fun, easy & versatile!

Next up, I thought I'd try Jessica Witty's set using the back of the butterfly die to emboss. Another new technique for me! I liked her colors so much, that I basically duplicated her card.



For my final set, I wanted to try Betsy Veldman's technique of stamping in the negative space. I looked & looked for a die and stamp set that would work and finally ended up trying Trendy Tree Tops. I do love that set! I really like how it turned out.



I'm going to package each of these sets in a large glassine bag and wrap some of my beloved baker's twine around the bag to dress it up.

I'm thrilled to have a head start on my gifts! Thanks for looking!

Supplies (all PTI unless noted):
Stamps - Trendy Tree Tops; Think Big 5, 10, 14, 16; Beautiful Butterflies; Simple Sentiments
Paper -PTI white, Rustic cream, Green Tea Leaf
Dies - Trendy Tree Tops, Beautiful Butterflies, Edgers #1
Ink - Raspberry Fizz, Orange Zest, Hibiscus Burst, Ranger Beach Ball Yellow, Winter Wisteria, Spring Moss, Memento Summer Sky, Aqua Mist, Berry Sorbet, Kraft

PTI Stamp-a-Faire - Tie-Dye


OK, I went a little nuts with the tie-dye challenge! After creating my sheet of paper using shaving cream, I used a section to make this card. I haven't tried cutting out an opening & stamping the sentiment to show through from the inside of the card before & I love how it turned out! It was such a fast, easy card.... and I adore these colors and I still have some of my sheet of paper left, soooo thought I'd make another card.

So, here's attempt number two. Didn't love this one as much, but it's alright, so maybe, just maybe I'll try another one.
  Oh, boy, I like this one better! I have a thing for the rosettes, but don't make them nearly often enough, so this was fun. Gee, that was so fun, maybe I'll make just ONE more card from my shaving cream paper. Last one, I promise you!





I used my Mat Stack and Mat Stack Layer die to create a mat. I tried putting Glossy Accents on the mat to make it shiny and stand out, but that didn't work as well in reality as it did in my mind. Oh, well, win some and you lose some!














After all of that shaving cream fun, I tried Nicole's tie-dye effect using my ink pads, sponge & water on a paint brush. Easy & fun!

Thanks for looking!


Saturday, July 21, 2012

PTI Stamp-a-Faire - Limited Supply Challenge


 

This challenge gave a list of certain supplies to use. Since the colors were Hawaiian Shores, Aqua Mist, and Simply Chartruese, I was literally a happy camper - this is one of my fav color combos. I had to substitute my Pretty Peonies stamp set for the Natural Beauties stamp set. I kept the card pretty simple to let the gorgeous colors take center stage. Sorry that the photo is a little washed out & the colors aren't as vibrant as they are in real life - it's really, really sunny here. 

I did learn a valuable lesson when taking these photos. When it is the middle of the afternoon on a day that is extremely hot out (just got another extreme heat advisory on my phone while typing this!), do not go out onto the steaming hot deck without shoes on to take pictures of said cards. I'm sure the neighbors were chuckling as they saw me hopping around trying to keep my feet from burning on the deck, all while trying to hold still enough to take pictures! Morale of the story - wear flip flops next time!

Supplies (all PTI unless noted):
Stamp: Pretty Peonies
CS: Hawaiian Shores, Aqua Mist, and Simply Chartruese
Ink: Hawaiian Shores, Simply Chartruese, Memento black
Die: Fillable Frame #4

PTI Stamp-a-Faire - Ribbon Challenge


The first challenge that I worked on was Erin's ribbon challenge using twill in the die cut negative space. I thought the kraft twill reminded me of an ice cream cone. Plus, it's close to 100 degrees here today, so ice cream sounds wonderful. Oh, who am I kidding? Ice cream sounds good all of the time!
I adore this technique & can't wait to try other die/ribbon combos.


Supplies (all PTI):
Stamps - Cupcake Collection
Paper - kraft & white cardstock
Dies - Sweet as can be, Double ended banner
Other - kraft twill, Picnic Plaid impression plate, felt

PTI Stamp-a-Faire - Morning Make-n-Take




This is the first card that I started with this morning for PTI's Stamp-a-Faire. I used Rosie Posie for the flower set, since I do not have the Natural Beauties stamp set yet. I've had my black StazOn ink pad for awhile, but hadn't used it yet and can't say that I was too fond of stamping with it. Probably user error though! Other than that, this was a fast, easy card to make - love the colors!

Supplies (all PTI unless noted):
Stamps - Rosie Posie, Think Big Favorites 12
Paper - Raspberry Fizz, PTI white, vellum that I've had in my stash for years & years
Ink - Raspberry Fizz, Simply Chartruese, Orange Zest, StazOn black

Friday, July 20, 2012

Stamp-a-Faire 2012





I'm busy cleaning up my craft room & blowing the cobwebs off of my dusty blog in preparation for PTI's Stamp-a-faire all day tomorrow. I'll be playing along tomorrow by myself, but I'm sure that I'll be busy texting & emailing my crafty sister, who is as addicted to PTI as I am! Looking forward to regaining a little mojo & getting crafty all day!