Return of the Peacock Feather

I made some thank you cards for my friend Rachel (of the peacock feather wedding invitation fame)  She needed thank yous for her wedding showers and wanted to continue the peacock theme. 

I made a quick and easy single layer Thank You using the new Framed set from PTI,  my trusty Stampendous Peacock Feather and Big & Bold Wishes.

I love the silhouette look and  how the feather fits in the gap in the frame.  The sentiment was the perfect size to fit inside the box

Thanks for stopping by!!

{Supplies - PTI unless noted}
Stamps: Big&Bold Wishes, Framed; Peacock Feather [Stampendous]
Paper: Vintage Cream
Ink: Smokey Shadow; Bermuda Bay [SU! retired]

Cherish

Just feeling a little vintagey today

{Supplies}
Stamps: Background Basics: Text Style [Papertrey Ink]; Baroque Motifs [Stampin’ Up!]
Ink: Ocean Tides, True Black [Papertrey Ink]
Paper: Ocean Tides, White [Papertrey Ink]
Embellishments: Rhinestones [Martha Stewart]; Ocean Tides stitched grosgrain ribbon [Papertrey Ink]
Tools: Corner Rounder

Wedding Best Wishes

I was playing around with a couple techniques and decided to make a wedding card.  Operation Write Home needed some for their stash and since all my cards end up with OWH, I figured I lend a hand

To get the dark &  light look to the embossing I inked the embossing folder & embossed card front.

 

I made a couple of flowers ... die-cutting sheet music (again the wedding theme :)

 

The sentiment was a Fillable Frame

To assemble all the pieces :
Adhere ribbon to card front. Adhere sentiment frame to ribbon using vellum tape.

Adhere flowers to ribbon using glue dots

Adhere embossed front to card base.

Thanks for stopping by! 

Supplies
Stamps: Fillable Frames #4 [Papertrey Ink]
Paper: Blushing Bride, Vellum [Stampin’ Up!], Sheet music
Ink: Blushing Bride, Chocolate Chip [Stampin’ Up!]
Tools: Elegant Lines embossing folder, Birds and Blooms (flower die) {Stampin’ Up!]; Fillable Frames #4 die [Papertrey Ink]
Embellishments: Sweet Blush satin ribbon [Papertrey Ink]
Flower tutorial on Splitcoast Stampers

Thinking of You

This is a a card I submitted to PaperCrafts for the March / April issue.  It didnt get selected, but one of the things I really like about it is how it can set on its side or on end.  It looks great either way!



Thanks for stopping by!!

Instructions:

1. Cut 4.25” x 11 green card base. Cut and score 4.25”x 5.5” cream cardstock. Cut 1.5” x 4.25” garden green cardstock, Cut ½” x 4.24” cream cardstock
2. Stamp sentiment and adhere to green layer. Adhere to cream card front
3. Punch leaves and adhere in center squares with foam dimensionals
4. Tie button centers with twine and adhere with glue dots in reaming squares
5. Wrap twine around end and secure with a knot
6. Adhere card front to card base using foam dimensionals.

{Supplies}
Stamps: Polka Dot Basics, Fillable Frames#2 [Papertrey Ink]

Ink: Garden Green [Stampin' Up]
Paper: New Leaf, Vintage Cream [Papertrey Ink]
Patterned Paper: Tea Leaves, Bitty Box, Friends til the end, Turning a New Leaf [Papertrey Ink]
Embellishments: New Leaf vintage Buttons [Papertrey Ink]
Tools: Maple Leaf punch [Martha Stewart], Scor-pal [Scor-pal]
Other: twine

Papertrey Ink: September Blog Hop Challenge (and SFYTT)

This months challenge is .. sharing what you've learned from someone else. 

I'm going to start with a quick story of how I got into stamping.  As with most people, I was invited to a Stampin' Up! workshop.  I  had been to one other that was a total bust so I wasn't overly thrilled about this one.  But the hostess was a friend so I went.  The demonstrator, Michelle, was great - we actually got to play with the stamps and make our own cards (we did no Make-n-Takes at that first party).  And Michelle was so nice, I just bought and bought.  3 months later I signed up to be a demonstrator and Michelle and I became really good friends.  That was 7 years ago.

At an SU! regional event in Minneapolis one year, Michelle introduced me to her cousin - a lady named Heather Nichols.  Soon after she told me about this company her cousin was designing for ... Papertrey something :) 

The rest is history. 

Now I have learned so much from the designers at Papertrey and designers I've discovered through their blogs. But this story is about Michelle.  Something I learned from her is to just always have fun and design from your heart.  Not really a technique, but a good life philosophy .... so a technique she taught me back in the beginning was rock-n-roll.  I love how you can get so much color in a single stamping step.  It may not be new but I think people forget about it.  At this time of year especially, with leaves beginning to change colors, its perfect. 

So in honor of Michelle, here is my card:

I used Terracotta Tile and Orange Zest together on the larger leaf and Summer Sunrise and Orange Zest on the smaller ones

This is also this weeks Sketch For You To Try (Thanks Jen for another great sketch!!)

Enjoy the rest of the hop!

{Supplies}
Stamps: Leaf Prints, Friends Til The End, Fancy Flourishes [PTI]
Ink: Summer Sunrise, Terracotta Tile, Orange Zest[PTI; Early Espresso[SU!] Versamark
Paper: Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Vanilla , Basic Black [SU!]
Tools: Wood grain impression plate, Leaf die D [PTI]; inverted scallop circle nestability [Spellbinders]

Color Play

I wanted to do some coloring and had this idea (which I've since seen in lots of places all over the crafting world) to cut part of the image outside the actual layer.  Here's what I came up with:

To get the effect, here is what I did:

1. 
   
   Cut card base and layers.
2. 
   
   Stamp flowers on vanilla layer
3. 
   
   Mark with a pencil line where the vanilla layer needs to be cut.
4. 
   
   Cut around flowers using a hobby blade. Using a straight edge, cut top of layer.

To get the label effect on the jar I cut a jar form vellum using my jar & lid die.  I then used the back side of the label die to emboss the vellum.  It reminded me of the company name that is part of a mason jar

Thanks for stopping by!

{Supplies}

Stamps: Friendship Jar, Friendship Jar Fillers, Mega Mixed Messages [Papertrey Ink]

Paper: Spring Moss [Papertrey Ink]; Early Espresso, Very Vanilla [Stampin Up!]
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black [Tsukineko]; Early Espresso [Stampin’ Up!]
Color medium: Sketch Markers YR12, YR15, YR18, YG91, YG93, YG95, C1, E55, E57, E59 [Copic]
Tools: Jar & Lid die, Jar Label die (to emboss jar front) [Papertrey Ink]; Tag Trio [Spellbinders]
Other: Button twine [Papertrey Ink]

CPS 185

The card that started in my head for this sketch is not what you will see here.  The card in my head came out super duper ugly ... sometimes that happens.  But while on a caffeinated high, I made this number ...

I inked up my animal print - zebra embossing folder with true black ink and embossed on Raspberry Fizz card stock. 

The medallion is cut with inverted scallop square nesties ... I used the smaller one as a mask too and sponged raspberry fizz ink on it

The zebra is from an old SU! set - In The Wild ... I still  love the cave painting look to this set, even though its been retired for a couple of years.  Inside i stamped a few more zebras

Thanks for stopping by!

{Supplies}
Stamps: In The Wild, GO Graduate [SU!]
Ink: True Black, Raspberry Fizz [PTI]
Paper: True Black, Raspberry Fizz, white [PTI]
Other: Inverted Scallop Square nestabilities [Spellbinders]

The Sky Is The Limit

The goal for this card was to use hot air balloons ... I wanted to use a striking/unusual color palette so I pulled out my new handy dandy color coach from SU! (love the new design) and flipped it open.  It landed on Rich Razzleberry and I thought the "challenge" combo might just do the trick!

I created the bracket using my Top Not die (long edge) and running the card stock through my Big Shot twice

Thanks for stopping by

{Supplies}

Stamps: Background Basics: Text Style, Up, Up and Away [Papertrey Ink]
Ink: Old Olive, Rich Razzzleberry, Pumpkin Pie [Stampin’ Up!]
Paper: Old Olive, Rich Razzzleberry, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White[Stampin’ Up!]
Tools: Top Note die [Stampin’ Up!]; Lacey Circle, Circle nestabilities [Spellbinders]; Balloon die [Papertrey Ink]
Other: Sketch E55, E57 [Copic]; Clear glitter pen [Spica]

Inspired By ...

Dawn McVey and her wonderful die storage solution.  I saw this last week and thought I ought to do something like that.  When my September order from PTI came today and I realized I ordered more dies than stamps, I knew it would have to be quick.

I used my original plastic tub that I've been piling them in with my Sizzlets, but now I have them all orderly like

I cut Kraft card stock to 4.25" x 3.5" and clear card stock to 4.25" x 2.5".  I printed the names of the dies on vanilla card stock (because I really don't like my handwriting all that much) and then punched with the modern label punch.  I stamped a coordinating image on the side (for the sets I could match I matched, for floral dies  I just stamped the In Bloom small flower.

And yes I did stitch just like Dawn.  However, I found it was easier to run the stitch on the flat card stock then use scor-tape to tape the clear down ... I get the same look but for me it was just easier this way.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy New Baby

The challenge for this card was to make a baby card from non-traditional colors.  I don't know how non-traditional this is, but I remember a "new idea" when my girls were littlies.  A particular toy company (can't remember the name) made all their plush toys black and white in bold patterns ... and there was always a spot of red.  The idea was that the sharp contrast was easier for babies to see and so it would stimulate them and they would engage.  And red is just a cool color :)  Here's my baby card version ....

And an "up close and personal" view ...

For the sentiment I made a paper ribbon detail that I have seen on several different blogs.  I didn't have the kind of black ribbon I was looking for so I just used some card stock.

Thanks for stopping by!


{Supplies}

Stamps: Fast and Fun Notes [Stampin’ Up!]
Ink: True Black, Fresh Snow, Pure Poppy [Papertrey Ink]; Real Read marker [Stampin’ Up!]; White gel pen [Signo]; Black pen [Sharpie]
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White [Stampin’ Up!]; Black and White Patterned, Pure Poppy [Papertrey Ink]
Embellishments: Rhinestones [Martha Stewart], Pure Poppy twill [Papertrey Ink]
Tools: Word Window punch, Designer Label Punch [Stampin’ Up!], Sewing machine, white thread, black thread

Sketch For You To Try

I {heart} the Sketch For You To Try each week ... for some reason I fall into a pattern with them tho ... make one butt-ugly card (and I mean ugly with a capital ugh!) that has some OK design elements but is really off, and then remake it into something that is somewhere between good and I really really  like it.

This one I really like (I won't frighten you with the ugly one - just know it is resting comfortably in the recycle bin with some ribbon and felt scraps)

I really love my new inverted scallop squares but I wanted a rectangle on this card, so I created my own .  First I cut a piece with the inverted square ... I made it smaller than the square itself, but not by much

Then I moved it to the other side of the nestie, made sure to align the points that were already cut and ran it through again. 

The result : an inverted scallop rectangle ...

I stamped the kites in True Black and Pure Poppy and cut them out.  I adhered with some foam tape so they were more 3 dimensional

Thanks for stopping by!!

{Supplies - PTI unless noted}

Stamps: Up, Up and Away

Ink: Spring Rain, Pure Poppy, True Black, Smokey Shadow

Paper: Real Red {SU!]; Spring Rain, White

Tools: Sketch Markers: Spring Rain Trio - B41, B45 [Copic]; Inverted Scallop Square nestabilities [Spellbinders]; Small Ric Rac die

other: Black Wool Felt

Peacock Feather wedding invites

Here are the wedding invites I made for my friend Rachel

I used the Elegant Lines embossing folder from SU! and peacock feathers form Oriental Trading Co.

Inside the invite info was printed then cut using the Top Note die from SU!

Thanks for stopping by

Peacock Feather Embossing

I went out for a Food and Stamp Shopping night with a good friend of mine last night ... we found some great deals at Hobby Lobby.  Guess what else I found ...  animal print embossing folders from CB!  The four pack had alligator, leopard, zebra stripes and peacock feathers.  It was ah-mazing!!.

This is a quick card I made tonight for another friend's bridal shower (the wedding colors are jade & cobalt and she has a peacock feather theme ... I know because I made the invites.  Will  post those later this week)

The colors are Bermuda Bay (SU! retired) and Concorde Crush (SU! 2011 In Color).

 I used one of the Fillable Frames sets for the sentiment layer

I inked up the embossing folder before running it through my Big Shot .... the ink really brings out the texture doncha think!

Thanks for stopping by

{Supplies}

Stamps: Fillable Frames #4 [PTI]

Ink: Bermuda Bay [SU! retired]

Paper: Bermuda Bay (retired), Concorde Crush, White [SU!]

Other: Fillable Frames #4 die[PTI]; Bermuda Bay dotted grosgrain [SU! retired]



CPS 184

I did quite the literal translation on this weeks CPS sketch ...

I love the Vintage Vogue set (wish it hadn't retired with the mini catalog :'(  )

The viney strip was perfect for this challenge.  And the sentiment from Giga Guidelines is the perfect scale to fill the gap

I used a pink and brown color scheme cuz I just love that together :)  I cut the Friends layer suing rectangle nestabilities.  I used the smaller one as a mask to spritz over the stamped image with Pink Passion marker.  Some small Martha Stewart rhinestones finish it off (gotta have some bling on it right!).  I also distressed the edge of the brown layer using the edge of my scissors

Thanks for stopping by

{Supplies}

Stamps: Vintage Vogue [SU! retired]; Giga Guidelines [PTI]

Ink: Dark Chocolate, Raspberry Fizz [PTI]; Pink Passion Marker [SU! retired]

Paper: Dark Chocolate, white [PTI]

Tools: Color spritzer [SU!]; Rectangle nestabilities[Spellbinders], Rhinestones [Martha Stewart]

Joy Ride

This weeks Sketch for You To Try  is a{nother} great one.  Jen always seems to have really unique sketches and they definitely get me out of my "square focal layer" comfort zone

I've had this set called Joyride for a while, but haven't used it much.  I really do love the scooter image.  I cut it out with oval nestabilities and sponged aqua mist and old olive for the background.  I colored with Copics (Ocean Tides trio, Smokey Shadow trio and some random yellow and pinks).  I also used a silver paint pen on the chrome to look a little metallic

For the sentiment I cut with a circle nestability and stamped the splats and sponged a little old olive.  I sewed a wandering zig zag then went back over it with a a wander straight stitch.  I like the look of it, but it didn't photograph as good as it looks IRL.

For the background strips I stamped a border that ended up looking like a road (that was my intention :) ) and some of the various smaller stamps in the set. 

Thanks for stopping by!!

{Supplies}

Stamps: Joy Ride [TCP]

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black[Tsukineko]; Aqua Mist, Ocean Tides, Fresh Snow [PTI], Old Olive[SU!]

Paper: Ocean Tides, Aqua Mist, True Black, white [PTI]; The Boyfriend Collection [Cosmo Cricket]

Misc: Copics, Nestabilities, sewing machine

Happy Fall

Just had some fun tonight playing around with some fall sets ... I love candy corn, but only at this time of year :)

I cut the lid/ruffle a couple of times using my lid die - once in tangerine and once in white.  After stamping the ruffle and tag on both, I cut out just the white tag.  I stamped some small white dots from Polka Dot Basics and added a knot of twine

For the candy corn I colored using YR12, YR15, YR18 and E59.  A little BG11 and C1 along with some colorless blender and the jar gets a little hint of color too

Thanks for stopping by!

{Supplies}
Stamps: Friendship Jar, Friendship Jar Fall Fillers, Polka Dot Basics [PTI]
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black [Tsukineko]; Crumb Cake [SU!]
Paper: Crumb Cake, Tangerine Tango, White [SU!]; Summer Sunrise [PTI]
Embellies: Chocolate Grosgrain [SU!], twine
Tools: Lid die [PTI]

CPS 183

This weeks CPS sketch was a little more complicated than usual (or maybe I just made it that way :)

I started out stamping Vintage Vogue for the background

Then I looked through several stamps sets and picked out words or phrases to make all the side lines for the sketch

Thanks for stopping by

{Supplies}

Stamps: Vintage Vogue Amazing to Zany [SU!]; Friends til the end, Big Bold Wishes [PTI]

Paper: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Whisper White [SU!]

Ink: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso [SU!]