Papertrey Ink February Blog Hop

Well, for the second month in a row I'm rushing to get in on Papertrey Ink's Blog Hop! Last night I had this card 90% completed, but I didn't get home until late this evening to finish it up. Then I started doubting how I should finish up that last 10%. Then I told myself, "Just do it and get it done!" So here it is:





And although I'd tweak a few things the next time, I'm really pretty happy with the way this turned out. I used my oval Nestabilities dies to make this sweet little egg card. The sentiment is a combo of Heartfelt Basics and Tags for Spring from Papertrey Ink. I really love both of those sets, not to mention the floral designs in the Beyond Basic Borders set. That's what you see as the stems of the punched out flowers. And those tiny buttons are my tribute to PTI for adding buttons this month (even thought I forgot to order them! Dang!).


So, there you have it! Another Blog Hop project barely completed and posted in the nick of time. Now I'm set to browse everyone's projects...can't wait! Bring on Spring!

Stamps: Heartfelt Basics, Beyond Basic Borders, Tags for Spring, Polka Dot Basics (PTI)
Cardstock: Aqua Mist, Lemon Tart, SS White, Sweet Blush (PTI), dark pink (Bazzil)
Ink: True Black, Water Lily Green, Spring Rain, Spring Moss, Fresh Snow (PTI)
Tools: Cuttlebug (ProvoCraft), classic oval Nestabilities die (Spellbinders), small and large daisy punches (EK Success)
Other: buttons, foam mounting tape (3M)

CPS Sketch 104

This is my first time ever making a card for a Card Positioning Systems (CPS) sketch! What got me to do it finally?!? This time around, CPS is offering a Papertrey Ink prize package! So count me in!

This card is a pretty literal interpretation of the sketch. But what I love most is the color combination! And this stamp from the Beyond Basic Borders set from Papertrey Ink lends itself to a ton of possibilities. Here I added orange Stickles and some leaf shaped buttons I had in my stash. See, it's a good thing I hold onto everything, you never know when you might need a leaf button! Now I'm off to see what everyone else has made for this sketch...







Stamps: Beyond Basic Borders (PTI)
Ink: Dark Chocolate, Spring Moss (PTI), Antique Linen distress ink (Ranger)
Cardstock: Aqua Mist, Kraft, Vintage Cream (PTI)
Patterned Paper: Spring in Bloom - Bloom & Grow (My Mind's Eye)
Tools: sanding block, Cuttlebug (ProvCraft), double ended tag die (Spellbinders)
Ribbon: Aqua Mist Swiss Dot (PTI)
Other: aqua button, twine, leaf shaped buttons, orange Stickles (Ranger)

Black is Back

Before I get into today's card, I wanted to answer a few questions about my new blog design. I designed my layout using digital elements by Rhonna Farrer. The handwritten font you see in the header and on the other headings is actually my own handwriting. I use Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0 to edit my photos and create all of my digital designs. I usually combine purchased digital elements with my own designs, but some things I have created entirely myself (like the "Get email updates" envelope in the right hand column). Thanks to all of you who for your compliments on my new look! I guess I'm not the only one ready for Spring! Okay, now onto the card...

This is a simple little thank you card I made for Purple Onion Designs this month. I really do like the color combination here and I will repeat it again soon! I named this post "Black is Back," because I have strayed from black and tend to use brown instead. But there are definitely times when black is what I need. I especially like the black polka dots! And I couldn't believe I had a black and white button in my stash that worked perfectly! I used the Skinny Dip alphabet from Purple Onion to stamp the word "you," and I'm finding that this set is so much fun and very versatile.

Hope you are all having a great weekend. Anyone ready to watch the Oscars? Is there anyone else, like me, who hasn't seen a single movie that's nominated?!?








Stamps: Skinny Dip alphabet, Doodle Hearts (Purple Onion Designs)
Ink: True Black, Waterlily Green (PTI)
Cardstock: SS White, True Black and Spring Moss (PTI)
Tools: Cuttlebug (ProvoCraft), classic and scallop long rectangle Nestabilities dies (Spellbinders)
Ribbon: True Black Swiss Dot (PTI), white sheer polka dot
Other: foam mounting tape (3M), black and white button

Changing Things Again...

Well, Valentine's is over and it's on to a new season...Spring! That means just one thing...time to change my blog design! I'm right in the middle of changing things around, so it's not quite finished (depending on when you read this). Am I the only one who likes to change their blog on a regular basis? I've added a poll in the upper left hand column - let me know what YOU do!

Personalized Note Cards

Okay, so I'm a little late (and let's hope she doesn't read my blog), but I have finally finished my sister-in-law, Tasha's, birthday gift. About two years ago I made her some personalized note cards and she has since told me how much she loves them and really needs more. So...here is what I made for her:



The cards are very simple in design, which is very much her taste. Lots of simple layering here. I stamped a circle shape from my Borders and Corners set, then stamped the letter "T" inside of that. I then punched it out and layered it onto Ripe Avocado. That was then layered onto Lemon Tart cardstock that I cut with my Label One Nestabilities die. The strip of Vintage Cream cardstock is (you guessed it) layered under a piece of Lemon Tart satin ribbon that I wrapped around it before adhering it onto the card. I like the soft colors here, and especially like how they work with the Kraft cardstock (doesn't everything look great with Kraft?!?):



After I made the cards I realized I didn't have anything large enough to put them in, so I made my own box. I'm really proud of myself, because this was the first time I've done this without directions or measurements. To make the scalloped lid, I cut my cardstock to size then used my Threading Water punch to scallop the edges before I assembled the lid. I like this extra little touch. A matching box band completes the look:






By the way...I haven't forgotten about the lollipop cover tutorial. I just have to break into my daughter's Valentine's stash and steal one of her lollipops...lol!












Stamps: Fresh Alphabet, Borders & Corners (Circle) (PTI)
Ink: Dark Chocolate, Ripe Avocado (PTI)
Cardstock: Kraft, Lemon Tart, Vintage Cream, Ripe Avocado (PTI)
Patterned Paper: Treehouse Memories
Tools: Cuttlebug (ProvoCraft), Label One Nestabilities dies (Spellbinders), 1 3/8 and 1 ¼ inch circle punches (SU!), Threading Water punch (Fiskars), Scor-Pal
Ribbon: Lemon Tart satin (PTI)
Other: foam mounting tape (3M), glue dots

Love You Forever

This card is doing double duty today. It's my PTI Color Challenge card and my Valentine's Day card to my husband. The challenge was to try out a new color combination inspired by Dawn McVey, but my own personal challenge was to make a somewhat masculine card for the occasion.

Okay, so the polka dots are for me, but the rest I think would be considered somewhat masculine, right? Not too many hearts, no flowers, not a lot of fluff here. And I tell you, sometimes those kinds of cards are the hardest to make! My favorite part are the score lines. It's simple and functional - it really helped me line up those polka dots!

Happy Valentine's Day to you all! And thanks to my husband who is a patient, understanding man who indulges me with whatever makes me happy. In other words...he doesn't mind if we stay home on Valentine's Day so his wife can obsess over the newest PTI releases! See you there...

Stamps: Heart Prints, Polka Dot Basics (PTI)
Ink: Dark Chocolate, Fresh Snow (PTI)
Cardstock: Dark Chocolate, Lemon Tart, SS White, Aqua Mist (PTI)
Tools: Cuttlebug (ProvoCraft), Tiny Tags die for Cuttlebug (ProvoCraft)
Ribbon: Dark Chocolate satin (PTI)
Other: white glitter heart button

Why?

This is what I've been working on tonight. Why I do this to myself, I don't know. My husband told me, "Just buy something and get it over with." But, nooooo. I insisted on making each and every Valentine for my daughter's Preschool class. And I didn't just stick to a little card. Nooooo...instead I decided on making a combo card and treat. These, my friends, are the lollipop covers of Valentine's Day 2009.

These are not hard to make. But when I do anything at the last minute, I am painfully aware of how much time it takes to do these little projects. And, of course, I forgot to take photos for a tutorial. So for tonight, I share these photos. I'll make a few more covers, take more photos, and return with the tutorial and details soon. But for now, it's off to bed for me...

Papertrey Ink Sketch Challenge

Papertrey Ink is celebrating their second anniversary in style, with tons of giveaways and blog challenges. I have already missed out on a few challenges due to my busy schedule recently, but I was bound and determine to not let another one pass me by! And so here is my take on the “Connect the Dots” sketch challenge:

This is a simple little card that I actually really like – a rarity for me when I’m making challenge cards. When I found this Little Yellow Bicycle patterned paper, I just had to buy it because it coordinates perfectly with Raspberry Fizz. And the Linen Vellum from PTI is a simple, classy touch on this card. I used my long rectangle Nestabilities dies and I love the way it embossed in my Cuttlebug. And you can’t go wrong with pearls if you’re creating a classic look!

Stamps: Heartfelt Basics (PTI)
Ink: Raspberry Fizz, Dark Chocolate (PTI)
Cardstock: Kraft, Raspberry Fizz, Linen Vellum (PTI)
Patterned Paper: Pink Print – Delightful Collection (Little Yellow Bicycle)
Tools: Cuttlebug (ProvoCraft), long rectangle Nestabilities dies (Spellbinders)
Other: self adhesive pearls (Kaiser Scrapbook), felt flower (Stampin’ Up!)

I Made It...

...to the weekend! This week has been crazy busy, as you can tell...I haven't posted anything all week! Ugh! My daughter started full time Preschool this week and we've all been exhausted! It seems like she is adjusting well and making friends, but the change has tired her out. Not to mention she is still trying to get over her cold. So this weekend is all about playing (another) game of Candyland in our pajamas, rest, and relaxation! And another game of Candyland.

I do have a fun project to share (once it's finished), but for now, here's a project for Purple Onion Designs:

This is a simple little card using my Label One Nestabilities die. This time I not only used it to make the card, but I also used it to make a frame out of patterned paper. And one of my other all time favorite dies, Tiny Tags, was used to make the "love" tag. It's the perfect size to add a little sentiment to any card.

Hope you all have a great weekend! I'm ready to sit down with a cup of coffee and work a bit more on a birthday gift for my sister-in-law. I'll share it soon!

Stamps: Purple Onion Designs
Ink: Pure Poppy, Berry Sorbet (PTI)Cardstock: Pure Poppy (PTI), pink
Patterned Paper: Upsy Daisy Designs
Tools: Cuttlebug (ProvoCraft), Label One Nestabilities dies (Spellbinders), Tiny Tags die for Cuttlebug (ProvoCraft)
Other: foam mounting tape (3M), button, Stardust pen (Sakura)

Love Notes

With Valentine's just around the corner, it's time for me to start thinking about little gifts and treats other than candy. While sweet treats are fun, many of us are all sugared out. So here's a little project that was a perfect excuse to get more familiar with my Bind-it-All:

It's a little note holder! I used two 3 1/2 inch coasters for the holder and simply covered all sides with patterned paper. I jazzed up the cover using my Nestabilities dies and punched out a few hearts. I added some ribbon, including one piece that I stamped with a tiny heart stamp. Here's a second, slightly different version:

For this cover I used my long rectangle Nestabilities die and stamped a dotted background using the ladybug trail stamp from Little Lady (Papertrey Ink). But what I really love is the inside of this little holder, which contains matching pink sticky notes that I stamped for an extra little Valentine's love:




These would be perfect to write a little note on and place inside a lunch box or backpack! Well, if I was ever unsure whether or not I needed a Bind-it-All, this little projects sealed the deal.

Stamps: Mixed Messages, Borders & Corners (cirlce), Heart Prints, Fresh Alphabet, Little Lady (PTI)
Ink: True Black, Raspberry Fizz (PTI)
Cardstock: Vintage Cream, True Black, Raspberry Fizz (PTI)
Patterned Paper: Heidi Grace Designs
Tools: Cuttlebug (ProvoCraft), classic circle, long classic and scallop rectangle Nestabilities dies (Spellbinders), Bind-it-All (Zutter), heart punch (EK Success)
Ribbon: Sweet Blush satin and Raspberry Fizz swiss dot (PTI)
Other: foam mounting tape (3M), 3/8 inch black coil, coasters