Clean & Simple Card Making Class - Day 3 - Gesso

I didn't have gesso for the gesso resist technique but found the Distress Stain picket fence worked really well. Another easy and fun technique!

Clean & Simple Card Making Class - Day 4

I made 2 of the cards from today's class. Adored the faux embossing technique. I recently bought some of the new Stick It adhesive to try to use with my Silhouette and found that it worked perfectly with metal dies also. I wasn't thrilled how my second card turned out. I think maybe using 3 strands of embroidery floss might have looked better? I was really hoping to love this technique because I have lots of embroidery thread left over from my cross stitching days years and years ago.

Clean & Simple Card Making Class - Day 5

I used a little bit of washi tape to create this card. Such a simple technique that makes a big impact!

Clean & Simple Card Making Class - Day 6

The class came at the perfect time. We had a blizzard here this weekend and I didn't have to work, so I had no choice but to stay inside and make cards. Makes for a happy mama! This card used the masked stripe background technique.

Clean & Simple Card Making Class 4 - Day 7

I haven't had the chance to take an online card class for a LONG time. This past week I finally took a class from onlinecardclasses.com and boy, oh boy, was it fun! Loved this technique of using 2 different embossing powders.

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!

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!