"We do not remember days, we remember moments." Cesare Pavese

Saturday, January 31, 2015

online card class...

Hey friends!!  Popping in with a few cards that I made using techniques I learned from Online Card Classes Clean and Simple Cards 4.   There are lots of fun techniques, but I have only had a chance to play with a few of them.


Day 1 featured different clean and simple embossing techniques.  I made this card using that technique.  Some of you already saw this card on the Precious Remembrance Shop blog as I made it for my {Create it Wednesday} post.   The stamps I used are from the new PRS set "This Moment", as well as two other PRS sets (Coffee Love and DIY).   The embossing powder I used is Ranger's Enchanted Gold.   Enchanted Gold is really pretty, but really pale so I actually had to repeat the embossing step twice.


Day 3 featured some fun inking techniques.  I made the first card using one of the techniques.  Thankfully I had the right kind of ink or I would not have been able to give it a try.   I used Simon Says Stamp Smoke Grey ink to cover my white cardstock.  The stencil is from Memory Box.  Versamark ink was applied and allowed to dry.  The cool look you see is the end result.   This card also features a technique from Day 5 direct to paper inking (I used it on the heart).  The stamps are dies are from SSS and since the current SSS flickr challenge is hearts I will be popping this into that challenge.


The last card also uses a technique from day 3... "velveteen" stamping.  Unfortunately I did not have a background stamp that had a solid enough image on it and so my "velveteen" stamping didn't show up too well.   I used the Hero Arts background stamp Large Canvas Stripes, PTI's Turning a New Leaf and a butterfly from the Stampin Up! set Papillion Potpourri.   The sentiment is from the SSS set Hand Lettered Winter Wishes.  The inks are from Stampin Up! and Memento.   This close up shot shows the "velveteen" stamping a little better.


Thanks for stopping by...

Thursday, January 29, 2015

sharing some color...

Hey friends!!  Popping in with a couple of cards for some challenges:  ColourQ, Color Throwdown and CASology - birthday.   Today I got lots of fun new crafty stuff so I will also be entering the Simon Says Stamp Work It Wednesday:  new.    First up is my card for ColourQ.


For this card I used the Stampin Up! SAB (Sale-a-bration) set Lotus Blossom.  The flower was stamped using Cherry Cobbler, Rose Red and Calypso Coral.  The stem  and sentiment were stamped using Memento London Fog and then a few clear sequins were added.  I matted the piece with grey cardstock (I believe it is from Simon Says Stamp, but I don't know the name).  Super simple, but a design that I think will work very well for all kinds of cards.  Think this is the one I will add to the SSS Work It Wednesday.


This card is for CASology and Color Throwdown.  I used the Stampin Up! set Butterfly Basics.  It has a matching die set that I wanted to use for the card, but boo hoo... the dies are on back order!  Hopefully I will get them next week.  Butterfly Basics is a stamp set that makes my inky little heart very happy!  Lots of collage possibilities with this one.   The color combo at Color Throwdown is one that I would never dream up, but I think I made all the colors work nicely.  I used distress inks (Squeezed Lemonade, Crushed Olive, Peacock Feathers and Seedless Preserves).  After stamping everything I also finished this one with some clear sequins.

Thanks for stopping by...

Supplies:  Cardstock:  PTI white, rustic white and kraft; SSS grey; Stamps:  Stampin Up!; Inks:  Stampin Up!, Memento and Distress Inks; Pretty Pink Posh clear sequins

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

popping in...

Hey friends!!  Wanted to let you know that I have a couple of posts up at different places today.  I have another guest designer post up at the A Jillian Vance Design blog.  Here is a little peek:



I also have my {Create it Wednesday} post up at the Precious Remembrance Shop blog.  Here is a little peek of that card. 


Thanks for stopping by... I hope you will check both posts out!

Monday, January 26, 2015

top dog dies monday...

Hey friends!!  Popping in with a card I made using some newly released Top Dog Dies.  Last week Top Dog Dies released six new die sets and one of them is this totally cute set of elephants... momma and baby, along with some fun little "extras".  You can find all the new dies on the Top Dog Dies website.

 
Aren't those little ellies just the cutest thing ever???  I die cut them using two different shades of grey cardstock (both are from SSS).  The "grass" was die cut using another of the newly release TDD sets: Dotted Border Dies.   The sentiment is from the SSS stamp Bring the Sunshine.  The little flower is one of the "extras" in the elephant set.  There is also a little heart and a balloon... too cute! 
 
Thanks for stopping by... wanted to let you know that this is my last post as a Top Dog Dies design team member.  I recently made the decision to step down from the design team. 
 
Supplies:  Cardstock:  PTI white, SSS grey; Stampin Up! green and pink; Inks:  Stampin Up! So Saffron; Stamps:  Simon Says Stamp; My Mind's Eye black enamel dots

Sunday, January 25, 2015

PTI Blog Hop... take 2...always...

Hey friends!!  Popping back in with a second card for the PTI January blog hop.  I will also be posting this one to the current Less is More challenge as I used their lovely sketch for the layout.  Posting this to the current Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge:  Have a Heart.  This time I was inspired by the photo of the rainbow colored pencils that were formed to make a heart.


For this card I used the PTI Notched Hearts banner die set.  I cut multiple little hearts using red, blue, green, yellow and pink cardstock and then carefully fitted some of each color into a banner that was cut from white cardstock.  Took a lot of time and patience!  I matted the banner using the companion die and some fog grey cardstock.  The little heart was created using the little polka dot leaf stamp from the Oopsie Daisy set.  The circles were cut using Spellbinders plain circle dies.  The "always" is from Wonderful Words:  Love and was stamped a small banner and then adhered. 

Thanks for stopping by... again!

Supplies:  Cardstock:  PTI and SSS fog grey, Stampin Up! red, blue, pink, green and yellow; Stamps:  PTI; Dies:  PTI and Spellbinders; Ink:  Memento

PTI January Blog Hop...love will...

Hey friends!!  The 25th of the month has arrived and that means a new PTI blog hop!  This month it is all about hearts!  Nichole provided us a lovely graphic full of beautiful inspiration photos.  This card was inspired by a card that Laura Bassen made during the January release (found here) that was turned into a sketch (found here).   I just changed things up by using hearts.


I die cut the hearts using my PTI hearts cover plate and then arranged them (not nearly as artfully as Laura did, lol!) on my cardstock piece.   The word "Love" was die cut multiple times using the Wonderful Words love die.  One of the words was stamped with the companion stamp using dark red ink.  Layered the all up and adhered to the card.  The finishing sentiment was added using black ink.

ETA:  Adding this to the current Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge:  Have a Heart. 

Thanks for stopping...

Supplies:  Cardstock:  PTI white; SSS fog; Stamps and dies:  PTI; Ink:  Stampin Up! and Memento 

Friday, January 23, 2015

always and forever...

Hey friends!!  Popping in with a card for several challenges:  Time Out (Valentine's Day w/twist: hearts),  SSS Wednesday challenge:  hearts and Stampin' Celebration (I didn't really go with the colors... just the idea of love/hearts).   The layout is based on the current Freshly Made Sketches.  


I went with a white and gold combo with a touch of pink.  I realized this morning that I should have used some of the paper from my Teresa Collins Studio Gold paper pad, but I had put it away so unfortunately... "out of sight, out of mind"!  I used my Spellbinders plain and scalloped hearts and learned that I had lost one of the dies (total bummer!).   I partially embossed the two cardstock piece and then added some Crystal Stickles.  A bit of gold washi tape was used, as well.  The stamps are from Verve (No Matter What).  I stamped the hearts image in light pink and then overstamped it using Delicata Golden Glitz.   A few pink and gold sequins finished things off.

Thanks for stopping by...

Supplies:  Cardstock:  PTI white; Stamps:  Verve; Dies:  Spellbinders; Inks:  Memento and Delicata; Washi Tape:  My Mind's Eye; Sequins:  Pretty Pink Posh & Verve; Crystal Stickles

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Precious Remembrance Shop New Release Hop!!

Hey friends!!!  Happy Thursday!!  Today Precious Remembrance Shop is releasing not one, but TWO fun new sets:  Love Ticket and This Moment.   Love Ticket will help you make some fun valentines for those you love.  If you are into scrapbooking/Project Life then This Moment is the set for you!  You can create fun cards, as well as layouts using the This Moment set.   If you are hopping along for a chance to win one of these new sets you should have gotten here from the blog of my talented teamie, Sue!  If not, head over to the PRS blog so you can start from the beginning!   My first card uses Love Ticket.


I combined Love Ticket with the feather image from DIY to create a little collage.  The "you" is also from the DIY set.   After stamping everything I added a few bits of red and black polka dot washi tape and some clear sequins.  Here is a look at the Love Ticket set:

 
For the second card I used the large "hello" from This Moment and did some generational stamping.  I added in some images from Positive Thoughts and a sentiment from Love Ticket.   I added some silver washi tape, but left off the sequins to keep it a bit more masculine.
 
 
Here is a look at This Moment:
 
 
To win one of these sets simply leave a comment on each stop on the hop.  There will be two lucky winners!  You have until January 25, 2015 to comment. Your next stop is the blog of our guest designer the wildy talented Heather!  Make sure you join PRS on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for projects and more! 
 
Thanks for stopping by...
 
Supplies:  Cardstock:  PTI white; SSS fog; Stamps:  Precious Remembrance Shop Love Ticket & This Moment; Inks:  Stampin Up!; Washi tape:  My Mind's Eye; Sequins:  Pretty Pink Posh


Wednesday, January 21, 2015

friends...

Hey friends!!   Popping in with a card for several challenges:  CASology (friend), Less is More (friends) and ColourQ.  I haven't played along with Less is More in ages.  I have wanted to, but just never found the time.  Finally found some time to play along this time!!  ETA:  At Sarah's suggestion I'm posting this to the current Uniko Studio challenge.


I used several PTI sets on this card:  Beautiful Brushstrokes Additions, Oopsie Daisy and Wet Paint II.  I started by stamping the large friends word using Chocolate Chip ink (it looks almost black in my photo, but it is dark brown!).  I them used the two dot images from Beautiful Brushstrokes Additions to stamp the other colors.  Two small dots from the Oopsie Daisy set were used to fill in a bit and add more color.  The finishing sentiment was also stamped using Chocolate Chip and then I finished things off with some clear sequins.  

Supplies:  Stamps and cardstock:  PTI; Inks:  Stampin Up!; Sequins:  Pretty Pink Posh

Monday, January 19, 2015

i {heart} you...

Hey friends!!  Dropping in with my Top Dog Dies Monday post.  I have another Valentine's Day inspired card to share.  This one uses loads of Top Dog Dies!!   Since my card is a heart shaped card I'm going to post this to the current Fusion challenge... I took my inspiration from the hearts in the inspiration photo.  ETA:  Adding this to the current Stampin Celebration challenge:  Love.

 

I started by creating my card base using the large heart from the Heart Mini Album Finishers set.  I then die cut some patterned paper (from the Echo Park 6x6 pad Love Story pad) using the scalloped heart from the Heart Doily Die set.  The doily heart from the same set was die cut from pale pink cardstock.  The two were layered and adhered to the heart card base.  The Heart Mini Album Finishers set has these sweet little envelope and letter dies so I die cut the envelope and letter from additional Love Story papers.  I made the little envelope, stamped the letter with the sentiment and adhered them to the doily heart.  Red die cut lips were added to the envelope and I was done.

Thanks for stopping by...

Supplies:  Cardstock:  Stampin Up!; Patterned Paper:  Echo Park; Dies:  Top Dog Dies; Stamps:  Hero Arts

Sunday, January 18, 2015

{follow your heart}

Hey friends!!  Popping in with a quick post of a card that I made for Colour Me...!  After working all weekend on design team projects I thought I would spend a little time and make something just for fun!  Came up with this little card:

 

It is sort of based on the current Freshly Made Sketch, but my interpretation is so loose that I won't be entering it in the challenge.  I was inspired by the feather image in the photos and so I created my stylized heart by using the feather image from Precious Remembrance Shop's DIY set using Real Red ink.  I added the sentiment using Pacific Point.  A wood heart was inked with more Pacific Point and adhered to the card.  A few clear sequins finished things off.   Wanted to let you know that Precious Remembrance Shop is releasing two new sets this Thursday so stay tuned for the design team blog hop and a chance to win these new sets!

Thanks for stopping by...

Thursday, January 15, 2015

love u...

Hello friends!!  Thanks so much for all the lovely comments you left for my AJVD post... it really made my day!  Yesterday I had a super productive crafty day (one of the most productive I have had in a long time!!) and I got four cards made!!  Two I can't post until next week so stay tuned!  The card I'm sharing today was the last one I made and I think my favorite of the bunch.  I will be posting this one to ColourQ and Freshly Made Sketches.



It is no secret that I love the Stampin Up! set Kinda Eclectic and that I love collage stamping.  So when I saw the new sketch from FMS I just had to use that set and create a little collage!  When I started stamping all the images I had stamped the sunburst image using the pale lavenderish ink (SU!'s Wisteria Wonder) and then light blue ink (SU!'s Marina Mist).  But once I had done the stamping I noticed how the lavender ink still remained firmly in the foreground... not the look I was going for and to be honest I wasn't expecting that would be the outcome.  So I switched the two and achieved a better result in my ink layering.  Live and learn, lol! I finished up by stamping the sentiment (from Altenew's Label Love) in the dark blue ink (SU! Midnight Muse) and then the butterfly in the dark pink (SU!'s Melon Mambo).  A few sequins were added for just a bit of sparkle.

Thanks for stopping by...

Supplies:  Cardstock:  PTI white; SU! Smoky Slate; Stamps:  Stampin Up! and Altenew; Inks:  Stampin Up!; Sequins:  Pretty Pink Posh clear; Punch:  Stampin Up!

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

guest designing for a jillian vance designs!!

Hey friends!!  Popping in to let you know that I have a guest designer post up over on the A Jillian Vance Design blog!  Here is a little peek:

 
 
I hope you will pop over there and take a look.  Thanks for stopping by...
 

Monday, January 12, 2015

Top Dog Dies Monday!!

Hello friends!!  Popping in with Top Dog Dies Monday post!  I made another fun little Valentine's Day card using fabulous Top Dog Dies and some fun patterned papers.   For this card I used the Top Dog Dies steel rule Photo Mats die.  The sentiment stamp is from the Clearly Whimsy Stamps Travel 2 set and was perfect for my card.  Once, again, I used the little intertwined hearts from the Top Dog Dies Mini Heart Album Finishers set, as well as the little arrow from the set.   I die cut the photo frame from some fun papers from the Echo Park Love Story 6x6 pad and then stamped it with the sentiment.  The hearts and arrow were die cut using red cardstock.  To make my little hearts/arrow piece I die cut four hearts and then one arrow.  The arrow was threaded through one set of hearts and then three additional hearts were adhered to the back.  I covered my white cardstock with some polka dot paper from the Love Story pad added the photo frame and hearts and I was done. 

Wanted to let you know that Top Dog Dies is having a giveaway featuring products from Little B.  You have until January 25, 2015 to enter.  Find all the info at the Top Dog website.


Thanks for stopping by...

Supplies:  Cardstock:  SSS fog grey, PTI white; SU! Cherry Cobbler; Dies:  Top Dog Dies; Stamps:  Clearly Whimsy Stamps;  PP:  Echo Park
 
 

Sunday, January 11, 2015

thanks for everything..

Hello friends!!  Popping in on this wet, foggy and chilly day with a card that I made for the current Make It Monday challenge:  Colorful Corners.  When I saw this challenge I knew I had to play along.  Finally got the time this weekend.


Danielle's challenge is all about stamping and one of my favorite things to do is just stamp.  More specifically I like to collage stamp.  And when I collage stamp I often end up stamping in the corner of my cardstock piece.  So for my colorful corner I did some collage stamping using two PTI sets Polka Dot Basics II and Friendly Flowers (a set I have never used!!).  I used one of the filler images for my flower... love that starburst like look to the flowers!   I used three inks from Close to My Heart (Twilight, Outdoor Denim and New England Ivy) and did some generational stamping.   Finished things off with some clear sequins and the sentiment stamped in black ink (Memento Tuxedo Black.   Super happy with how this turned out.

Thanks for stopping by...

Supplies:  Cardstock:  PTI white; SSS fog; Stamps:  PTI, Inks:  Close to My Heart; Sequins:  Pretty Pink Posh
 

Saturday, January 10, 2015

holiday wishes...

Hello friends!!  Another gloomy day here in Western Washington.  We have had fog, again, for several days and not only does it make things gloomy it makes things really chilly.  Perfect to stay inside and do some crafty and maybe I will later... who knows.  The Seahawks play tonight, but not sure if I will watch... not a huge football fan.   Anywhoo... have a little card to share that I made last night, but modified just a short time ago.  After I took the photo of the original version I realized it was a "hot mess".  Looked good last night, lol!!   Popping this into the current Merry Monday challenge (use snowflakes), as well as the current Reverse Confetti Sketch for You to Try.


I usually don't make Christmas/holiday cards right after Christmas unless I'm making them for a publication call, so it was a bit odd for me to make one, but I guess it is never too early to start them, right?  Loved the Merry Monday inspiration photo and just had to play along.  The stamps and dies are from Reverse Confetti.  Patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye Merry & Bright collection.  Dark brown, aqua and white is a good combo no matter what kind of card you are making!  I cheated a bit with the mini clothes pin.  It was too bulky as is, so I took it apart and used only one side.

Thanks for stopping by...

Supplies:  Cardstock:  PTI white; SSS Fog; PP:  My Mind's Eye; Stamps:  Reverse Confetti Seasonal Sentiments; Dies:  Reverse Confetti Tag Me, Too, Tag Me and Let Is Snow Confetti Cuts;  Spellbinders plain circle die PTI Aqua Mist button; DMC light silver metallic thread; brown mini clothes pin; Ink:  Stampin Up! Chocolate Chip

Friday, January 9, 2015

hope your day...

Hello friends!!  Wow... this week has flown by!  I'm popping in with a card that I made last night for a couple of challenges:  ColourQ and Freshly Made Sketches.


When I saw the new sketch from FMS I got the idea to use one of my favorite tag dies... the Tag Me die from Reverse Confetti.  They just released some fabulous new products... hoping I can get my hands on some of them soon!  Anywhoo... I die cut three tags using white, patterned and olive papers and then layered them up.  The flowers and leaves are from the RC set Petals 'n Posies.  They were die cut using the matching dies.  The sentiment is from the RC set Fabulous Flamingo.  All the inks are from Stampin Up!

Thanks for stopping by...

Supplies:  Cardstock:  PTI white; SU! kraft, old olive; PP:  Teresa Collins; Stamps:  Reverse Confetti; Dies:  Reverse Confetti; Inks:  Stampin Up!

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

thanks....

Hello friends!!  Popping in with a card that I made for the current Stampin' Celebration challenge (a sketch) and the current Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge (something new).  My something new are the stamps and papers that I used from the SSS January card kit.


The love the patterned papers and stamp set found in the SSS January card kit.  I used two of the papers for my banners and another paper for the speech bubble.  The dies I used are from My Favorite Things (banners) and Stampin Up! (speech bubble).   The little stamps are part of the kit.  In order to have them fit the sketch and my card front I adhered them to some cardstock and then trimmed them out.  After adhering the stamps to a matted panel I added a little tangle of purple and silver Kreinik blending filament.  The speech bubble was adhered as well as the sentiment "so much".   A few clear sequins were added for a bit of sparkle.  Mounted the piece on some SSS Fog cardstock.  Love Fog as a neutral... so soft and pretty!

Thanks for stopping by...

Supplies:  Cardstock:  PTI white; SSS fog and Surf Blue; Stamps:  SSS Hand Lettered Winter Wishes; Dies:  Stampin Up! and My Favorite Things; Blending Filament:  Kreinik; Stickers and patterned paper:  BoBunny Altitude collection; Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Sequins:  Pretty Pink Posh

Monday, January 5, 2015

top dog monday...

Hello friends!!  Popping in with my first post as a member of the Top Dog Dies design team!  Every Monday through the end of June I will be posting a new project made with fun and fabulous Top Dog Dies!   With Valentine's Day just around the corner I have a card to share that I made with the following Top Dog Dies:  Heart Border die and Heart Mini Album Finishers die set.


I die cut the border from red cardstock and then very carefully removed some of the little hearts to create the pattern for the border.  After I was done I added little strips of tape to the back to keep the remaining hearts from falling out and the border was trimmed to fit my card front.  It took a little bit of time to poke out all the little hearts, but I really like the look it created.  I die cut the cute little intertwined hearts from white and pink cardstock, inset the pink pieces into the white hearts and added tape to the back to keep them from falling out.   I adhered the border to some white cardstock that I partially embossed with a dots embossing folder.   The sentiment (from PTI) was stamped and adhered to the card stock piece.  Finished by added the little hearts and adhered the entire piece to my card front.

Thanks for stopping by and make sure you check out all the fantastic dies that Top Dog Dies has to offer!

Supplies:  Cardstock:  PTI white cardstock; Stampin Up! red; Dies:  Top Dog Dies; Stamps:  PTI; Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; dots embossing folder

Saturday, January 3, 2015

life is sweet...

Hello friends!!  Happy new year!!!  Popping in with a card that I made for the current Make It Monday - A la Carte, as well as AAA Cards challenge - A Touch of Gold.  For the Make It Monday challenge I decided to go with Dawn's glitter frames technique.  I had wanted to try it when she originally posted the technique, but wasn't able to find the time before the challenge ended.


I decided to use my Sweet Life stamps and matching dies.  My layout is basically a copy of Dawn's.  Instead of creating the frame using gold glitter I opted to use a pretty glitter from Art Glittering Systems called Ultra Fine Blue Rain.  I stamped the roses using two shades of pink and then added the final layer of the rose using Delicate Golden Glitz ink.  I have included a close up shot because the gold is a little difficult seeing otherwise.  It looks very pretty in real life.

 
 
 
Thanks for stopping by...
 
Supplies: Cardstock:  PTI white; Simon Says Stamp fog; Stamps:  The Sweet Life; Dies:  The Sweet Life; Inks:  Stampin Up! Pretty in Pink, Rose Pink, Pear Pizzazz; Delicata Golden Glitz, Memento Tuxedo Black; Scor-Tape; Art Glittering System Ultra Fine glitter