an ikat thank you....

Hello friends!!  A super windy day here in the PacNW... thought I was going to blow away when I picked up the little guy from school!!  Have a card I made using the new ColourQ combo (black, yellow, bright blue, light blue and white).  I'm not a super trendy person when it comes to clothes or stamping, but when I saw the Irresistibly Ikat set that was released by PTI last month I was intrigued by the designs and so I purchased it... so glad I did because sometimes you just have to step outside your little box and try a trend!!  

My sister needed a masculine "thank you" card, but after going through my huge assortment of cards I could not find a single "thank you" that would work for a guy.  So, I decided to whip out my Irresistibly Ikat set and make a thank you card with it using the ColourQ combo.  A pretty darn simple card, but so perfect for a guy.  It is a bit hard to tell, but I did use to different shades of blue (Memento Danube Blue and SU!'s Brocade Blue).  You can definitely see the difference IRL.  And since this uses a chevron-style image I'm going to pop it into the Moxie Fab World Chevron challenge.

Thanks for stopping by...

Supplies:  Cardstock:  PTI white; Stamps:  PTI; Ink:  Memento Danube Blue, Tuxedo Black & Dandelion; SU! Brocade Blue

hope... and washi tape

hello friends!  here with a card i made for one of the moxie fab world challenges... the one to use washi tape.   going to be honest and state that i'm pretty washi tape challenged.  i tear pieces off stick'em on my cardstock and then take'em off because i just don't like how it looks.  so it is kinda funny that i made something for this particular challenge... but on saturday morning as i was contemplating what to make for a completely different challenge and once, again, trying to use washi tape an idea popped into my head.   why not make a flower using the tapes... and so i did.

putting together the flower took some time and patience because creating this flower required me to tear off multiple strips of tape and then adhere them together, sticky side to sticky side.   for someone who likes things to be neatly put together adhering strips of washi tape together required me to let go of neat and embrace not so neat, lol!!  once i got all the strips adhered together i formed them into loops and then arranged them in to the flower shape.  since some of the ends were not neatly matched and sticky this was helpful in keeping the flower together while i carefully pierced a hole through the center and inserted a tiny brad.  after that was done i finished off the flower by adhering a red button to the center.  i then repeated the process and created three "leaves".  i stamped the sentiment from the craft's meow set hope blooms and then arranged the flower next to the sentiment.  

thanks for stopping by....

supplies:  cardstock:  pti rustic white; stamps:  the craft's meow; ink:  memento tuxedo black; washi tapes:  impress rubber stamps; button:  pti pure poppy

CCC #14.... Holly Wears the Crown

{for my shining the light card please scroll down or click here}

hello friends!  i'm back with my card for this week's CASology challenge.  the cue word this week is leaf.  all the details for the challenge can be found here.  our fabulous guest designer this week is the talented bridget finlay!!  

now when i saw the cue word i did initially think to do a fall card because was says fall more than beautiful fall leaves.  but then i remembered that i had just gotten a box of PTI goodies that included the new holiday button bits dies and i decided to go with a christmas card.  i also recently purchased the jumbo fishtail flag stax dies from my favorite things and had been wanting to use them on a card, so i combined the two.   i used the largest die in the jumbo fishtail flags stax dies to cut the white piece and then popped it up on a white card base.  the holly image was die cut and then stamped with the corresponding image from holiday button bits.  some dark red buttons and a white twine bow were added to complete the image.  the sentiment (from the pti set merry little christmas) was stamped in red on white cardstock and then die cut using the original my favorite things fishtail flag stax die set.  super simple and i love, love, love how it turned out.   i'm going to pop this into the moxie fab world world cardmaking day christmas card challenge, as well.

thanks for stopping by....

supplies:  cardstock:  pti white; stamps:  pti; dies:  pti and my favorite things; ink:  stampin up!; buttons:  pti; twine:  montana misfits

Button, Button...

Another weekend is gone and so is our good weather!  Back to yucky rain... oh well!  That's western Washington for you!   I have a card that is nice and bright to share.  I haven't done a Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger challenge in along time, but was really struck by the bright colors in the trigger photo and so decided to play along.  I'm also going to be putting this into the current CAS-ual Fridays challenge to use punches or dies.

Inside

My card is a take on a card I made that was published in the March 2012 issue of CardMaker magazine. Instead of using one color for the buttons as I did with the baby card, I used rows of buttons in the same colors as the cookies.  I then die cut the flower from white cardstock and added the rhinestone to the center to bring in the hint of sparkle you can see on the cookies.   I backed the white square with the dark grey cardstock to bring out the color of the buttons a bit more.    I decided to not put a sentiment on the front of the card, but instead finished off the interior with the sentiment.  I decided to stamp it using the new Squeezed Lemonade Distress Ink making it a bit hard to see!  The sentiment says "Live in the sunshine" which I thought was very appropriate for the card.

Thanks for stopping by....

Supplies:  Cardstock:  PTI white & Smoky Shadow; Stamps:  Stampin Up! Pursuit of Happiness; Ink:  Ranger Squeeze Lemonade DI; Buttons:  DeNami Designs Tutti Frutti mix; Die:  PTI flower die; Rhinestone:  Want2Scrap

sending you warm thoughts...

Hello... been busy working on some stuff I can't share yet, but thought I would take the time to make a really simple little card for several challenges:  Moxie Fab - Gingham; Dynamic Duos & Sketchbook Saturday.

Thanks to a bloggy friend, Michelle, I learned about a new color challenge blog called Dynamic Duos.  Intrigued by the idea of using just two colors and a neutral I decided to give them a try.  The current challenge colors are Pool Party (Aqua) and So Saffron (Yellow).   As I was rummaging around in my stuff I came across one of the remaining stamps I have from Cornish Heritage Farms. (I was so bummed when they closed up business!  I believe someone bought the rights to the images and are now selling them, again.)  It is a really fun gingham background stamp and made me think of the Moxie Fab gingham challenge.  So, I threw the Sketchbook Saturday sketch in the mix and this came up with this super simple card.  I initially had the idea to add something to the gingham background, but that idea didn't quite work.  So I went back to just letting the gingham shine and added a bit of the yellow ribbon.     I quite like how it turned out.   The sentiment is from the Hero Arts set Thoughtful Messages.

Thanks for stopping by.....

Supplies:  Cardstock:  PTI white; Inks:  Stampin Up! Pool Party & So Saffron; Stamps:  CHF Gingham backgrounder, Hero Arts; Ribbon:  Stampin Up! So Saffron grosgrain

Laughter....

Hey there... Switching gears today from the soft and romantic card I made the other day and bringing out a bright and cheerful little card I made using some bits and pieces from Stampin Up! and some lovely stamps from Hero Arts.  The design for the card is based on the current Cardabilities sketch.   If you haven't checked out the Cardabilities blog yet, you really should.  There are some fabulous sketches to be found there!

I have to be honest and tell you that I would have NEVER thought the color combo of yellow, aqua and poppy  red would be one that would work, but wow... it sure does!  I'm really loving this combo!  When I saw the Cardabilities sketch I knew these little bits of ephemera would be perfect to use.   The only stamping on the card is the little heart and the sentiment.  A small clear rhinestone was added to the heart for a little something extra.  I think I shall pop this into one of the current Moxie Fab challenge, DIY embellishments as the flower is one I made myself and I guess you could view the little heart as an embellishment, as well.  Some lace and a few buttons finished off the design.

Thanks for stopping by...

Supplies:  Cardstock:  PTI white & Aqua Mist; PP:  Stampin Up! Attic Boutique ephemera; Buttons:  PTI; Rhinestone:  Stampin Up!  Lace:  Unknown:  Ink:  Hero Arts Punch & Memento Dandelion; Stamps:  Hero Arts

A Fashionable {?} Post...

Hey there... trying to get back in to the swing of things and get some cards made.   Today I have two cards for two different, but very fashionable challenges:  Runway Inspired Challenge #2 and Moxie Fab World - Stripe-tastic.  With both of these challenges I was immediately struck by certain aspects of each photo. 

First up is my card for RIC #2.  When I first saw the inspiration photo my eyes were immediately drawn to that gorgeous green purse the model is carrying and I wanted to make that color stand out on my card.   Then I was struck by the pattern on her dress and lastly the odd purple eye make-up.  Even though I'm not a fashionista by any stretch of the imagination I can appreciate a perfectly designed outfit.  However, I do not understand why some of these designers have to do things like crazy eye makeup!!  Anywhoo... I had an idea, but sadly I have been experiencing alot of bad headaches lately which generally leave me feeling completely untalented and so I struggled to get my card actually made.  Today I was feeling normal enough to get it finished.  I cut a piece of pale yellow cardstock and stamped it with an image from the WPlus9 Design set Background Basics 1 that reminded me of the pattern on the dress using grey ink.  The sentiment is from PTI's Gracious Vase and was stamped using purple ink.  I brought in the bright green by tying some grosgrain ribbon around the piece before applying purple and green rhinestones.  

I haven't done a Tuesday Trigger challenge in ages, but when I saw the current inspiration photo I just had to play along.  I took my inspiration from obviously the stripes and from the cute little Peter Pan collar on the dress.  I found cardstock that matched the colors in the dress fairly closely and cut thin stripes of each.  The bottom of the card was punched with a medium sized scalloped punch and then the stripes adhered in the same layout as the dress.  The sentiment on this card is also from Gracious Vases.  

Supplies:  Cardstock:  PTI white, SU! Vintage Violet & Sage Shadow; CTMH yellow & pink; Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Stamps:  PTI Gracious Vases & WPlus9Design Background Basics; Punch:  EKSuccess; Ribbon:   PTI; Rhinestones:  KaiserCraft & Hero Arts

Just a Couple of Cards....

Hey there!!  A couple of cards today for several challenges.   It's a dreary Washington afternoon (ie it is drizzling!!), but I'm thankful that we aren't having early snow like they are in the eastern part of the US! 

My first card is for two challenges:  CR84FN color challenge (yellow, grey & steel blue) and the Crafts Meow sketch challenge.  I recently acquired a few Crafts Meow sets so this is my first time participating in their sketch challenge.   For my card I used the CM set called Butterfly Kisses.  I'm not, as a rule, a fan of silhouette images, but every time I saw someone make a card using the sweet little fairy girl from the set my desire to get the set grew.  Finally a week or so a go I took the plunge and bought it.  I stamped the fairy in grey ink on some My Mind's Eye Sunshine paper and then added the pearl to the center of the flower and some Diamond Stickles to her wing.  I added the scalloped edges, the ribbon and flower and I was done. 

The second card is for the current Moxie Fab challenge:  Textured to Perfection.  I recently was introduced to Linda, the Funkie Junkie, through my sweet friend, Sue's blog.  I checked out Linda's blog and saw that she had an Etsy store and that she carried burlap and in several colors, too!  I have wanted to get some burlap for the longest time, so I bought some from her recently.  I used a piece on my card.   The butterfly is from a Pink Paislee ephemera pack and the sentiment is from My Favorite Things.  Not a ton of texture, but you know... less is more!

Give Thanks....

(For my Flourishes Timeless Tuesday post, click here.)

Hey there!  I seem to really be into making cards using fall colors right now... not a bad thing considering it is fall!!   Have a card today that works for at least four different challenge.  My super sweet blogging friend, Brenda, always wonders how I manage to combine more than two challenges.  It really isn't that hard... I have seen some gals who make one card that works for 24 challenges!!  So... here are the challenges this card fits:  Paper Players - use music in some way; Freshly Made Sketches - the layout; and CR84FN - color combo.  This card also works for the Moxie Fab World - Tuesday Trigger.  Oh... and I will also be entering this card in the current Penny Black challenge going on over at the Penny Black Flickr group!  Yikes... that's five challenges!! 

For my card I used the absolutely gorgeous Penny Black Butterfly Suite stamp.  Penny Black has some of the most beautiful collage stamps, EVER, IMHP!  I stamped the image twice on cream cardstock using Memento's Rich Cocoa ink.  One image was diecut using a Spellbinders circle die.  The other image was colored with the following Copic markers:  Y21, Y23, Y35, Y38, YR01, YR02, YR07, YG93 & YG95.  The flower and the butterflies were trimmed out of this piece.  Some Paprika Stickles were applied to the butterflies.   The patterned paper is from the My Mind's Eye Sunshine 6x6 pad.  I love the new My Mind's Eye Lost & Found 2 papers.... they are absolutely gorgeous and I love that they are doubled sided, too.  There is a sentiment on the card, but I think it is a little hard to see as I stamped it on the patterned paper using the Rich Cocoa ink.

Originally I had only thought about putting this into the Paper Players, Freshly Made Sketchs and CR84FN challenges, but the richness of the colors just made me think of the yummy parfaits in the Tuesday Trigger photo.

Supplies:  Cardstock:  PTI Vintage Cream; Gina K. Brown; Stampin Up! Pumpkin Pie; MME Sunshine PP; Ink:  Memento Rich Cocoa; VersaMark; Stamps:  Penny Black; Taylored Expressions; Copic Markers; Stickles

Goin' Rustic...

Hey there!! Wooohooo!! Its Friday and school started!!   I don't think my big kid is quite as happy about school starting as I am, but there you are!!

Have a rustic little card for two Moxie Fab challenges:  The current Tuesday Trigger challenge Nice & Neutral and the Vertical Sketch challenge.   When I saw the trigger I wasn't really sure I would give it a try, but then I saw the "Ways to Use It" challenge over at Splitcoaststampers and my idea started forming.  This week's Ways to Use It challenge asked us to use paint and I happened to have a bottle of DecoArt Creamy White paint that I had bought for another project that I never made.  I took most of my inspiration from the headboard of the bed and the blue-grey color of some of the pillows. 

I embossed kraft cardstock with a ProvoCraft embossing folder called Forest Branches and then light brushed the piece with the paint.  My husband had recently trimmed back our lavender plants and left some pieces behind after cleaning up.  I grabbed a few and made my little bundle with a bit of cream twine.  The little twig is from one of our hydrangeas.  In keeping with the banner in the inspiration photo that says "love" I used the sentiment "Amour" from the Hero Arts set Paris. 

Supplies:  Cardstock:  PTI Soft Stone & Kraft; Stamps:  Hero Arts; Ink: PTI True Black; Paint:  DecoArt Creamy White; ProvoCraft Embossing folder; SU! punch

Summer Fun with One Layer Wednesday

So this week the incredibly talent Susan is hosting One Layer Wednesday and she gave us the challenge of creating a one layer card using these summertime colors:  yellow, orange & aqua.   When I first read the challenge I groaned... because I don't really do alot of creating with orange.  Nothing against orange, but it just isn't a color I pick that often unless it is forced upon me!    But I rose to the occasion because this is after all a challenge!  I started thinking and remember a super fun summertime card I made last week using the Hero Arts/BasicGrey Lauderdale cling set.  The set includes a really fun palm tree image.  So I got that set out, along with the Hero Arts set "A Kiss from the Sun" and came up with this little number:

And yes... I realize my aqua will probably be considered by some to be more of a bright blue, but to be honest aqua can encompass a range of colors.  After stamping the trees I just had to adds a couple of bright blue cord buttons because they just looked so darn cute!!  Anywho... I'm also going to be putting this in to the current Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger because well... the bright colors in the photo just make me think of summer!

Thanks for taking a peek....

Supplies:  Cardstock:  PTI white; Stamps:  Hero Arts; Inks:  Memento - Bahama Blue, Tangelo & Dandelion; Buttons:  DeNami Design & SU!

happy day...

A quick card for the current Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger - A Citrus Celebration.  I wish I could take complete credit for this idea, but I can't... I was inspired by a gift wrapping idea on saw on Marta's Pinterest a few weeks back when I was looking through her Pinterest for inspiration for my One Layer Wednesday card.   When I saw this particular idea I just knew I had to make it into a card.   Finally I made the time today.  First, though,  I spent a little while contemplating exactly how I would approach wrapping the card with the baker's twine.   

I got out my long neglected Hero Arts Heartwinged Butterfly stamp, my bakers twine, a large paperpiercing needle, some cardstock, some ink and went to work.   I love the simplicity of the design and all the open space.   This card falls into the "I absolutely LOVE how it turned out" category. 

Thanks for taking a peek...

Supplies:  Cardstock:  PTI white & Lemon Tart; Bakers Twine - Impress; Stamps:  Hero Arts - Heartwinged Butterfly & Thoughtful Messages; Ink:  SU! Kiwi Kiss

Fun with Copic Markers

A short post today with a card for the Moxie Fab Stamping with Markers challenge that ends tomorrow.   For my card I decided to do a little coloring on my stamps with Copic markers.   The technique works on the same principle as coloring on your stamps with regular makers and then spritzing the stamp with water and stamping to get a watercolor effect.   The only difference is with Copic markers you spritze the stamp with rubbing alcohol.   It is my understanding, though, that this technique is best when used with solid rubber stamps.  I have never tried this technique with clear stamps.  The other issue is the fact that Copics leave a stain behind on your solid rubber stamps, but I learned today that Staz-On stamp clear will remove the staining (yay!!)

For my card I used only two Copics (V06 & YG93).  The image is from Penny Black.  It took me several tries to get an image that wasn't oversprayed or undersprayed.  I have examples that show what it looks like when you spritz too much rubbing alcohol {the upper one} and when you spritz too little {the lower one}.   Sorry the photos aren't so good... its a rainy day here in northwest!

Thanks for taking a peek....

Supplies:  Cardstock:  PTI white; SU! orchid; Copic Markers; rubbing alcohol; Stamps:  Penny Black Iris; SU! Easter Blessings

Ready For Spring!

Like alot of us I am so ready for spring!  We haven't had the really bad weather like alot of the country has, but there still has been plenty to grumble about here in Washington state! 

My card today is pretty spring like with the bright pink and green combo.  I used this same combo for a card I posted earlier this week.  I just love the Making Memories Dilly Dally papers and had to use them again.  The card is for the following challenges:  Sentimental Sundays - Anything Goes; City Crafters - Spring Fling  and the Moxie Fab paper piecing challenge.  The stamps used are from Penny Black and Savvy Stamps.   The flowers were paper pieced (obviously!!) and the leaves were colored with Copic markers (sorry... don't remember what colors I used.).   Some bakers twine from the Twinery and Impress and some pink rhinestones finished everything off.  

Thanks for taking a peek... hope spring is coming soon to you!

Supplies:  Cardstock:  Stampin Up! Blushing Bride; PTI white; Patterned Paper:  Making Memories Dilly Dally; Stamps:  Penny Black & Savvy Stamps; Ink:  Memento Bamboo Leaves; Copic Markers; Kaiser Craft Rhinestones; Bakers Twine

A Song....

My card today is for the current Stampin' Sisters In Christ challenge to "button it down" and use at least three buttons on your card. The devotional this week is about how we can trust God to keep us secure in all situations, thus the use of buttons!  I'm also putting this into the Moxie Fab Get Daring with Decorative Tape challenge.  I recently bought some T!m Holtz Tissue Tape because... well... I thought it was really neat!  And then it arrived and I was like... well... now what do I do??  Then came the Moxie Fab challenge and I gave it a try. 

Can't tell you how much cardstock and tape I used up trying to make something for the challenge, but it was ALOT!  Finally I made this card.  I applied the tissue tape to white cardstock and then die cut it using a couple of PTI dies (the little flower and the border).  Not very inventive, I know, but at least I'm trying, right?  A button was added to the center of the diecut flower, as well as to the stamped flower and the center of the bow.  To soften the card a bit (it is a little severe with the black, cream & kraft) I added some SU! seam binding called Crumb Cake.   The stamps are from Hero Arts & Verve

Thanks for taking a peek....

Supplies:  Cardstock:  PTI Kraft, white & Vintage Cream; T!m Holtz Tissue Tape; Stamps:  Hero Arts Musical Background, Bird Collage, & Verve; Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Dies:  PTI; Buttons:  PTI; Seam Binding Stampin Up! Crumb Cake; Twine May Arts

Pretty in Pink

A quick post with a card for the Moxie Fab monochromatic color challenge.   I'm barely getting this card into the challenge.  I thought the colors for the last two weeks.  I had this idea in my head for the longest time and finally got a chance to get it out.  The card isn't exactly how I envisioned it, but I really like it all the same!

Thanks for taking a peek...

Supplies:  Cardstock:  PTI white & hibiscus burst; Ink:  SU! Pretty in Pink; Memento Rose Bud; Zva Creative pink crystal flourish; Fiskars Upper Crust punch; Stamps:  Hero Arts Antique Brocade cling & Find Joy clear set; Copic Marker RV000; Irene's Garden paper flower

Tuesday Trigger...

A quick post with a card I made for the current Tuesday Trigger challenge at Moxie Fab.  When I looked at the trigger picture I was immediately drawn to the rosettes on the pillow and nothing else.  I like the idea of deconstructing something and wanted to take the image down even further..  So, I made three felt roses using this new rolled flower die that I got from My Favorite Things.   I'm still trying to get the hang of making the flowers look right, but I think these turned out pretty good.

I'm also putting this into the current City Crafter's challenge to make your own flowers.

Thanks for taking a peek....

Supplies:  Cardstock:  PTI kraft & white; stamps:  Hero Arts Thoughtful Messages; Ink:  Ancient Page Stone Grey; Die & Felt:  My Favorite Things; Fiskars corner rounder punch; Scor-Buddy scoring tool.

Etsy Inspired + Moxie Fab

An Etsy Inspired challenge card today... combined with the current Moxie Fab Grey is the New Black challenge.   Our inspiration etsy store this week is Modern Bird.   A site full of gorgeous handmade jewelry pieces.  When I first laid eyes on my inspiration piece a card idea immediately formed in my mind.    But, the question was could I made it work?   Well... I think I did!!    I absolutely LOVE how the card turned out because it turned out exactly as I imagined it would!!    Don't you love it when you card turns out exactly how you planned it?? 


I did have a bit of a problem photographing the card, though... but I do think this picture does the card justice.

Here is a close up shot of the flower:

Thanks for taking a peek...

Supplies:  Cardstock:  PTI white; Ink:  Ancient Page Grey; Stamps:  Vintage Vogue; BasicGrey Pearl

Sunday Post

A card for the current ODBDSLC challenge (#34) to use kraft & black plus another color.  I decided to go with kraft, black & cream.  I also made this card for the current Moxie Fab World challenge Perfectly Placed Pleats.  

Last year during the May, 2009 PaperTrey Ink release, Nichole Heady, made a card using the cutest little pleating detail (look here).  She provided a template so that we could recreate the pleats ourselves.  I downloaded the template and have been using it ever since.  

For my card I created two sections of pleating and then adhered them together so that they would fit along the length of the card.  The patterned paper I used is one of my favorites from Close to My Heart, called Silhouette.   The stamps, of course, are from ODBD, the set called As You Graduate.   I stamped the main image on PTI's Vintage Cream cs with PTI's True Black ink.  The piece was matted with True Black cs.  I stamped a 2nd butterfly on Vintage Cream and then trimmed it out.  I sprayed it with some Smooch (Vanilla something), but you can't really see it. 

Thanks for taking a peek... hope you have a wonderful week!

Supplies:  Cardstock:  PTI Kraft, Vintage Cream & True Black; Ink:  PTI True Black; Stamps:  ODBD As You Graduate; Smooch; Kaiser clear rhinestones; Close to My Heart patterned paper.

Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger - She Sells Sea Shells..

Another Hero Arts card today... this one for the current Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger challenge.  Initially I thought the challenge ended last Monday, the 9th, and was pretty bummed as I really wanted to give this trigger a go.    So I was pretty happy when I saw that the challenge ran through the 16th.   The shells were stamped in Encore gold ink and then embossed with clear embossing powder.  I really like how they turned out, as sometimes gold ink and/or embossing can look... well just a little too gold.   The pale pink was brought in to represent the pale pinkish color of the bottle. 

Thanks for taking a peek.... hope you have a wonderful day!

Supplies:  Cardstock:  PTI white, CTMH pink; Ink:  SU! River Rock, Pink Pirouette; Encore Gold; Ranger Clear EP; Stamps:  Write Your Own, Antique Engravings & Thinking of You; Robin's Nest Dew Drops; Twine:  May Arts