Wedding Cards

Ahhh, finally I have a free Saturday! I got to sleep in a bit, don't have to be anywhere, don't have to do anything. I love these kinds of days, but they're few and far between.

I made a couple of more wedding cards for my aunt to choose from. I really love the way the first one came out, using SU Kindred Spirits set. So soft & serene.
All supplies SU except white card base: Papertrey Ink

Here's another one, this time lots of embossing, and die cut flowers that I shaped and layered. I used 3D paint in a pearly color to make 'buds' all along the vines. Very pretty IRL.

Here's a close up to see some of the embossing a little better.

I just got a HUGE DT package from Magnolia, so I'm gonna be pretty busy the next week or so.

There is some fantastic new Spring/Easter stuff to play with! As soon as I'm done, I'll post all my projects here, so keep an eye out!

Thanks for stopping by & have a great day!

Paper: Papertrey Ink

Ink: Adirondack

Accessories: Spellbinders Labels 1, Cuttlebug EF's, Spellbinders Flowers dies, Scribbles 3D paint, crystal rhinestones, unknown ribbon

Swing in the Sunshine

While I wait patiently for my Gorjuss girls stamps from Sugar Nellie, I find myself going back to some of my other favorites. Sugar Nellie is going to put me in the poor house with all the wonderful stamps they've been banging out lately!
On another note, I found a wonderful source for inexpensive ribbons on Etsy. They come in a TON of colors, and are the easiest to tie in a bow. (For the seriously bow challenged like myself!)Just do a search for vintage seam binding-tag: supplies, and hold on to your wallet, LOL! Actually, you'll be pleasantly surprised at the prices. I got 60 yards for about $14! Seam binding is super soft, slightly sheer and ultra lightweight and I love it!

Anyway, hope you like it and thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Sugar Nellie

Ink: Palette, SU

Paper: W/C paper, Papertrey Ink, My Mind's Eye

Accessories: MS scallop edge & Hydrangea punches, seam binding, liquid pearls, markers, sewing machine, thread

Blog Hop at Papertrey Ink! Spring...

I had to participate in this month's Blog Hop at PTI. The theme being anything 'spring', and I need spring in a big way! I need to thaw out and see some green, and colors. Winter is soooooo long...

So I went to town with tons of colorful flowers, and a birdie from their new Spring Tags set. I am lovin' that new Melon Berry color!

Thanks for stopping by!

All supplies by Papertrey Ink.

Tools: MM slot punch, Nestabilities

No Stamp! Wedding Card

It's been a while since I made a card with absolutely NO stamps! My aunt needed some wedding cards, so I dug into my stash for a bunch of papers and stickers I've had for ages from K & Co. The front of the card has a vellum overlay that I didn't bother to adhere, because I haven't found an adhesive that doesn't show through. So I just folded it on the left and adhered it behind the DP.
Check back later for the card I made for Papertrey's blog hop starting at 5 PM.
Paper: K & Co., Papertrey Ink, Bazzill, Worldwin metallic, vellum
Accessories: M.S. Scallop punch, seam binding ribbon, K & Co. cake sticker & 'cherish' embellishment, self stick pearls

One More Sheepy Card

Forgot to post this one with the others. I've been coloring with colored pencils, I don't know why I don't more often. I think it's a little more time consuming than watercoloring, I guess. But there's a lot more control with colored pencils. I like both techniques for coloring though. The paper is a great deal I got on Ebay for the entire collection of Tres Belle papers from My Mind's Eye. Love that collection!

Hope it inspires!

Stamps: Elzybells

Ink: Palette

Paper: My Mind's Eye, Bristol, SU

Accessories: Papertrey Ink stitched ribbon, Buttons, embroidery floss, sewing machine, thread, colored pencils, OMS

Adorable Elzybells

I was so inspired by another stamper's (paulatracy on SCS) card using these stamps, I had to try it myself! She is a whiz with colored pencils, so I had to give it a whirl. My Prismas have been sitting collecting dust for waaaaay too long! The first card was colored directly on kraft paper, and it has such a unique look, I love it! I made a little shamrock charm from shrink plastic. I didn't have a shamrock stamp, so I used a Studio G heart and stamped it three times instead. Colored it in with pencils, then shrunk it down.

What about this sweet little guy?! I love lambs! Elzybells may have a new customer in me!

Thanks for stopping by!

Card 1-

Stamps: Elzybells

Ink: Palette

Paper: Papertrey Ink

Accessories: Colored pencils, OMS, shrink plastic, jump rings, PTI ribbon, Stickles, rhinestone

Card 2-
Stamps: Elzybells
Ink: Palette, SU
Paper: W/C paper, SU, PTI
Accessories: Nestabilties, M.S. scallop punch, Cuttlebug EF, Stickles, SU ribbon

Spring Scrapbook

Sorry about the serious lack of posts lately, I've been wanting to make some changes to my blog layout for a long time, but thought it would be a horrendously time consuming task so I kept putting it off. Well, after I researched it a bit, I found out it wasn't quite so bad as I anticipated. So now I've settled on a three column layout with a simple & pretty blog banner. Nothing too complicated for me, I've discovered, I just don't have the time and patience for it!
Someone on Etsy.com contacted me a little while ago asking if I made journals, or scrapbooks with the little girl images from Elisabeth Bell I'm so fond of. Got me to thinking, why not? Why limit myself to cards? These images are perfectly suited to small scrapbooks, or journals, and make a beautiful cover for a book! So here is my first one, made on my dusty old Bind-it-All. The inner pages are plain, heavy cardstock, so someone can insert their own papers and pictures.

It's going up on Etsy soon, so if you're interested keep an eye out!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Sugar Nellie

Ink: Palette, Distress

Paper: W/C paper, My Mind's Eye, Papertrey Ink, Bristol, Chipboard

Accessories: Spellbinders Megabilities, Seam binding, The Punch Bunch flower punches, Liquid Pearls, Stickles, markers, Martha Stewart scallop punch, Bind-it-All

Ooops!

In my quest to find a suitable 3-column template to change my blog layout, I inadvertently made a few unwanted changes, LOL. Please excuse the mess during renovations...

Raspberry & Lime

I've never been much of a Stampin Up type of gal, until recently that is. I'm sure some of you have noticed I've been using more and more of their products. I've had their markers almost since I started stamping, but not much more than that. If you follow some of the threads regarding SU's new products on SCS, a lot of people complain that they're not impressed SU anymore, but they've been steadily growing on me. So much so that I'm embarrassed to say I spent a pretty penny on new papers and stamps a couple of weeks ago!

I had to get 2 packs of their Raspberry Tart DSP because I fell in love with it! I really love the color combo. So, this is just one card I've made using the paper. Trust me, I've made a lot, but they kind of start looking the same after so many, so I'm just posting one. I don't have many SU inks though, so I've tried to match colors as best I could. Mostly Palette inks, or I colored the stamps with the SU markers. Not too bad, eh?

Stamps: SU, Papertrey Ink

Paper: SU, PTI

Ink: Palette, SU

Accessories: Nestabilities, suede ribbon, rhinestone, markers

Just Ducky!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Isn't this little quacker just adorable?! He's another one of Rachelle Ann Miller's designs, made by Sugar Nellie that I've had for a while. I thought I would color him to coordinate with Stampin Up's new DSP 'Good Morning Sunshine'. Very retro, very cool! Then I used my JustRite stamper alphabets to create the 'You're Just Ducky' sentiment. You'll always have the right sentiment with those JustRite stampers, that's why I love 'em.

Hope it inspires!

Stamps: Sugar Nellie, JustRite

Ink: Palette

Paper: W/C paper. SU, PTI

Accessories: Markers, corner rounder, brads, Stickles, sewing machine, thread, PTI grosgrain ribbon, rhinestone

Another Hydrangea Card

I made a smaller version of this card a while back when I discovered how beautiful punched flowers look when 'embossed' and shaped. Unfortunately, it disappeared on me. It was my most favorite card ever, and it's gone! So I had to make another, but the original was still better!

I used Caran D'ache watercolor crayons to randomly color a piece of watercolor paper with three or four colors. I then punched out a bunch of flowers using the two sizes of the Martha Stewart Hydrangea punch. Embossed them on the reverse side of each flower, and arranged them onto an oval. And of course, everything using my favorite colors!

Thanks for looking!

Stamps: Papertrey Ink

Ink: Paper Salon

Paper: Memory Box, PTI

Accessories: Martha Stewart's Hydrangea & scallop punches, Spellbinders labels trio, PTI ribbon, sheer ribbon, Nestabilities, Liquid Pearls

Nursery Room Window

Another baby card to share with you! Now that I actually pay attention to baby themed stamps and papers, I'm finding all sorts of things I need to play with! This image from Rubbernecker stamps was a must! People around me better start having babies fast, because I have tons of cards and even more ideas for gifts whirling around my head! (Hint, hint for my brothers Sam & Dan).

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Rubbernecker

Ink: Palette, SU

Paper: K & Co., Papertrey Ink, W/C paper

Accessories: Michael's ribbon, Spellbinders megabilities, self stick pearls, markers

A Card for My Valentine...

Not your typical V-Day card, I know, but what man likes cards with fancy hearts in pink or red colors?! I don't know many. So, I made one I knew my honey would like. Masculine colors, funny sentiments, not too fancy. These Itty Bitty stamps from Lockhart Stamps were perfect for what I had in mind. We are both coffee nuts, so, it seemed fitting. I printed the sentiments on my computer, I even printed a real mushy-gushy one for inside the card, which I won't show, LOL.

I think I'm getting better at masculine cards, I have a really tough time with them!

Till later!

Stamps: Lockhart Stamp Co.

Paper: W/C paper, Papertrey Ink, Memory Box, SU

Ink: Palette

Accessories: Nestabilities, Argyle ribbon, Copper brads, markers, Cuttlebug EF

Serene Easter

I really like the way this card came out. The colors are so soft, and soothing. I was surprised to see these beautiful egg stamps from Studio G in my AC Moore last week. I don't have any Easter stamps, so I decided to get them. You never know when you're going to need a card for a certain holiday!
Hope it inspires!
Stamps: Studio G, Papertrey Ink
Paper: SU, PTI, Bazzill
Ink: SU
Accessories: Nestabilities, SU ribbon

A Little Birdie Told Me...

I looooove this image. The little girl sitting in the grass, deep in thought, the sun in her hair. Perfection.
Someone posted a comment a while ago asking me to explain how I color the background around the image. It's not done any differently than the rest of the image. If I use a marker, I scribble some onto one of my acrylic blocks, then wet a small area of the paper with water and my paintbrush. I work in small sections at a time, the darkest area of color closest to the image, then fading out to the white of the paper. I work this way all the way around the image, one section at a time. I would post some pictures of my work in progress, but the area of my house that I craft in is so dimly lit that I can't get any good pictures with my camera. I photograph 98% of my cards outdoors. I am hoping that when we get an addition built onto our house, I will have a larger, well-lit craft space and I will be able to start sharing some pictures of how I create. I know I love to see step-by-steps from my fave crafters, and I would love to do the same for others.
Hope it inspires!
Stamps: Sugar Nellie, Papertrey Ink
Ink: Palette, Distress, SU
Paper: W/C paper, My Mind's Eye, Stardream, PTI
Accessories: Spellbinders Labels die, Martha Stewart Scallop punch, sewing machine, markers, reinkers, Cuttlebug flowers die, button, May Arts ribbon, wool felt

Cheery Spring Colors

I need some cheery spring colors in my life right now, LOL! It's been so cold and gloomy. I'm tired of winter, I need to thaw out my frozen old bones! Colored this sweet little gal with some markers and reinkers. Another wool felt die cut flower embellishment too.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Sugar Nellie

Ink: Palette

Paper: DCWV, Stardream, watercolor paper, PTI, SU

Accessories: Bosskutz flower die, PTI ribbon, Cuttlebug EF, markers, reinkers

Papertrey Ink Challenge-Bitty Dot Sketch Challenge

If you haven't seen the awesome contest on Nichole's blog, head over there right now to see the perfectly delicious ribbon prize package that's up for grabs! Papertrey Ink ribbon is my absolute favorite, I use it all the time, and I would love to replenish my supply with that prize! There was a fun connect-the-dots sketch to follow, which I really like. I decided to use Beautiful Blooms to create this card. Pretty & cute!
Enjoy!
All supplies except buttons from Papertrey Ink

Papertrey Ink 'Over the Rainbow Challenge'

Papertrey Ink is having some awesome contests to celebrate their 2 year anniversary coming up! I missed the deadline for yesterday's contest, but I made it today! It's the 'Over the Rainbow' color challenge. The colors to use were Pure Poppy, Avocado, Ocean Tides & Summer Sunrise. That's definitely a rainbow of colors! And it's definitely a challenge for me because I never would've used all four of those colors together. As it was I had a pretty hard time coming up with a theme for a card. Ultimately, I decided the only thing I could think of that would incorporate all of those colors was a garden, lol. Lots of flowers!

It was fun though, really bright and cheery! Made me feel a whole lot better on this gloomy, coooooold day. Hope it makes yours a bit cheerier too!

All supplies by Papertrey Ink & some Robins Nest Dew Drops!

P.S.- A little tip I figured out doing this card--Pure Poppy stamps off wonderfully! The 'pink' flowers in my card are actually PP stamped a second time! It's such a strong, rich color the second time you stamp with it is just as beautiful as the first, just a different shade.

A Few More Baby Cards

Ok, so when I go overboard, I really go overboard, LOL! My aunt asks me for a baby card and what do I do? I make a dozen! Now she's going to have a heck of a time choosing which one she wants!
Stamps: Magnolia, JustRite
Ink: Palette, Perfect Match
Paper: Papertrey Ink, vellum, watercolor paper
Accessories: Nesties, MS Simple Scallop punch, sefl stick pearls, PTI ribbon, Cuttlebug EF, Twinkling H2O's, markers

This one I'm kind of partial to. Love this stamp from Stampin Up. I couldn't for the life of me figure where I had seen this image ages ago, but I posted on SCS for help, and within an hour, I had an answer!

Simply watercolored with Distress Inks, very vintage looking.

Stamps: Stampin Up, Papertrey Ink

Paper: Papertrey Ink, watercolor paper

Ink: Stazon, Perfect Match, Distress

Accessories: Spellbinders Megabilities, MS Scallop punch, self stick pearls, PTI ribbon, Corner rounder punch, Cuttlebug EF

And finally, a new image (for me) from Lockhart Stamps. Sweet! Aren't the buttons the perfect embellishment for this card? I love 'em!

Stamps: Lockhart Stamps, Papertrey Ink

Paper: Papertrey Ink, watercolor paper, Bazzill, Paper Adventures

Ink: Palette, SU

Accessories: Nestabilities, White satin ribbon, SU markers, buttons, thread

Springtime Tilda w/ Wool Brooch

Isn't this color just heavenly?! The perfect tint of blue violet. It is without a doubt, one of my most favorite colors. The Memory Box 'Sprout' collection of papers is the only one that incorporates it into their patterned paper. I wish, wish, wish they would make single sheets of papers (maybe 12 x 12) so I could stock up on this one paper!
Anyway, the unique thing about this card is the wool felt brooch attached to the ribbon in the upper right corner. Instead of leaving it as an embellishment permanently attached to the card, I thought maybe a removable pin might be a better idea! I dyed a bunch of wool felt last year, with cake icing colors if you can believe it, and one of the blues came out perfect. It was variegated from a pale baby blue to the lightest of lavenders, really beautiful! It reminded me of Hydrangeas. SO that's what I decided to make with it. Now get this: I punched one of the Hydrangea flowers with my Martha Stewart Hydrangea punch! Dont' get all excited yet, it wasn't easy--and far from perfect! I probably won't do it again. Too rough of a cut, I had to trim all the edges, they were fuzzy and uneven. I ended up cutting the two smaller flowers by hand.

After some decorative stitching around the edges, I attached it to a self stick pin backing, with a bit of extra red liner tape to make sure it doesn't fall off.

Till later!

Stamps: Magnolia, Papertrey Ink

Ink: Palette, Paper Salon

Paper: W/C paper, Memory Box, PTI

Accessories: Spellbinders die, Rhinestones, Wool felt, Liquid Pearls, Martha Stewart tag punch, PTI stitched ribbon, Embroidery floss, pin back, markers