Looks like I was ahead of my time

I had created this card back in May of last year and I giggle when I look at it now because of how popular it is becoming now. When I look at the above card now I see so much more potential it has. PTI's Make-It-Monday challenge this week is to use the chalkboard technique on a card. I thought I would give it a try again. I ended up coming up with two card designs too. The card I created for today is a full card front chalkboard. I used PTI's The Sweet Life for the sentiment and flowers and Beautiful Butterflies for the butterfly. The swirl is Inkadinkado's Dot Florishes.

For the second one I took away the bling. Not sure which I like more though as the bling did give it a little something extra. I also felt that the whole thing should be backed by something instead of just having a floating chalkboard, but that is a card for tomorrow.



Hello Sunshine

With summer comes sunshine and flip-flops and for my two boys LOTS of outdoors (although mommy is so NOT an outdoor person). That being said I do love my flip-flops and the sun isn't so bad either. I decided to play along with PTI's Make-It-Mondays (MIM) challenge this week using sunshine and flips-flops as my theme. Nichole gave several sketches we could choose from and I foudn that (that I tweaked just slightly):

With last month's release I had gotten several things and two of them were the flip-flop stamps (with dies) and the Farm & Barn set. I had already stamped and embossed the big sentiment onto vellum from another project and decided that this was the time to use it. I trimed the width of the card down to 3.75" so that I could have the vellum wrap around one side of the card and hang off of the other side. I knew I wanted some sunshine color behind the sentiment but didn't want the whole card that color so I got my thinking cap on. After several minutes went by (ok, I was watching PBS's Sherlock Homes - oh my gosh that is a great show - and got hooked) it came to me: wooden decks! These lovely decks are outside in the sunshine. Wouldn't that be great (yes, I am not the first to come up with the idea and that's ok) but how to impliment it when I still  want my yellow/orange color behind the sentiment. Did I mention that I was trying to achieve a card with as little layers as possible? Here's how I achieved the look: sticky notes and two scored lines. I scored where I wanted my sunshine color to be and then masked it off with thin sticky backed paper (think large sticky note). I sponged on Distress Ink's Old Paper and then used Frayed Burlap for the wooden beams (I am loving this background). Once that was dried I used sticky notes to mask the "deck" and sponged on Distress Ink's Mustered Seed and Spice Marmalade for my color behind the sentiment. What I really liked about this sponging technique is that the rised embossed lines stayed white so it worked as a great frame for the veleum sentiment banner. For the smaller sentiment undernead I just heat embossed it in white (the small sentiment is from TSG's Day & Night set). Once I got the background the rest came together quickly. The flip-flops were die cut out, stamped, and put together. The color of choice was DI's Festive Berries (again, I really need to get the newest seasonal colors). For the flower I swiped the pad on some scrap white c/s and then die cut the flowers out using small pearls for the center.

Hello sunshine

I've got another card for you. Guys. I made this one when I made the set from the TSG blog hop. In fact, it is part of the trio of cards at the bottom of the post. I wanted to save this one because I really love it. The other cards are great but this one is the scene. The sun is created with PTI's Up, Up, Away stamp set and the sentiment is from last month's Think Big Favs #15. I created the sand with some kraft c/s and sponged different light brown distress ink colors. The sky was created by sponged the darker blue on the bottom (to give an ocean look) and the sky was created with light blues. I love how the sun rays go off edge of the ceneter panel. I heat embossed in white the sentiment onto vellum.

We finished our state testing for this school year this week and now I am so looking forward to the last of school which is 8 school days away. That also means that I should get back to finishing the teacher gifts for my kiddos teachers.

WMS Green themed Waltz

It's the 17th and that means time for WMS's monthly waltz. The theme for this month is St. Patty's Day, Irish, and/or Green. I went with the Green theme today for a very special reason. In just under four months my brother will be getting married to an amazing girl and their theme is Wizard of Oz. With that being said, I was inspired by the Emerald City. An amazing crafter also inspired me in coming up with three cards. Meredith has an amazing blog called A Delightful Waste of Time this is always a source of inspiration for me. This year she started two new series: One Set Wednesdays and Festive Fridays. For my post today I combined them (and instead of one set I did two: WMS's You're Lovely and Dainty Dollies).

For my first card I took inspiration from the WMS Gallery as well for the layout. However, I don't remember who it was. I watercolored the gown using Shabby Shutters and Crushed Olive onto watercolor paper (after I heat embossed the image) and then lightly coated with some pearlized spray for just a hint of shimmer. I used the big dainty doily for the framed background by inking it in Shabby Sutters and then stamping off once. I then stamped the gown image again onto the white cardstock to add the dress frame. The olive bottom strip was topped with a strip of scortape and cover in glitter. The image is from PTI's set Happy Trails. I thought it would make for a nice change from the traditional wedding/wedding shower sentiments.

This second card used the same gown image only a little darker. I used Crushed Olive and Peeled Paint this time with a light coat of the same pearlized spray. I layered colors for the background but thought the olive was just too plain for this card. I used a hero arts background (can't remember the name of it) by inking it up with Peeled Paint. After I stamped it I instantly thought of Scarlett O'Hara's famous green gown that she made from curtains. The black was clear embossed with the same background stamp. I then used one of the sentiments from the You're Lovely set for the card by embossing it on a strip of vellum. Again, a different take for a wedding shower but every bride is classy on some level right :)

For my third and final card I decided to focus on a holiday. For my last WMS waltz I took a Christmas set and used it for Spring, so why not turn a set NOT meant for Christmas into a card for Christmas. I used the other dress form for this card and part of a sentiment from the same set and part from the Say It Loud - Winter. I was also inspired from another card found the WMS gallery. The base is 4.25 x 4.25 with the olive color scored to create the pattern. I white embossed the large doliy onto vellum and the cut it out. The smaller, red on was also cut out. I created a banner for the card but, honestly, I don't like how ti turned out. Oh well, at least I can say I tried. I am still inspired by using green and have a few more ideas.

Challenges:
ColourQ - shades of green and white (card #1)
City Crafter - Things in my heart (card #1 & #2 since they are for wedding showers)
Creative Belli - Clean & Siimple (card #1 & card #2)
Papercraft Star - photo inspiration (card #1 & #2)

WMS Spring Themed Hop

I have been having some Waltzingmouse new stamp withdrawal (although my pocketbook has been happy) and I figured to combat it I could created with the WMS sets that I do have. In fact, I challenged myself to see if I could comibn stamp sets for a new look. I was able to create two cards for the hop too. It was a fun challenge and one I just might do again.

My first card came together rather quickly with the help of some beautiful Prima paper from the Annalee pack. I find it hard to use really busy designs on my card usually, but this one was a no-brainer. The flowers remind me of springtime and I thought it would look nice with WMS's Bitty Banner set. I white embossed the images onto white c/s and then used distress inks to "color" them in. The sentiment is a combination of WMS's Say It Loud and Spring Baskets.

My second card was inspired by my first one in a way. While trying to decide how to use the floral paper, I kept going for my 'Twas the Night Before Christmas set. I LOVE the window scene from it and knew I had to use it some way. I love have my blinds up and the windows open during the spring and thought why not just try that idea out. Spring Basket has a sweet little butterfly that I thought would go great with my scene. The grass is from PTI's Peaceful Garden and stamped using Peeled Pain Distress Ink and then sponged along the edges. The sky was created by sponging Tumbled Glass DI. After I created my window with the little butterfly I decided that he needed a few friends so I stamped two more flying around the grass. They were colored in using copic markers and the one in the window is covered with a layer of glitter pen. This sentiment is from Spring Basket as well; however, I got a little to excited about this card and messed it up a little. It should read Glorious Spring Wishes. DH told to it wasn't too bad (he's so sweet). To help add to the window idea I used glossy accents to create the panes (I really love doing that too).

Now to wait until Saturday when the sneeks starts and the 29th when the full 9 stamp sets reveal happen! (It will also give me some time to get my money together, lol)

Happy Birthday PTI

And to my sweet boy who is turning 6. While putting this card together I discovered that I am in need of some birthday images and sentiments. I used a Mat Stack 4 image for the frame (and the die to cut it out from the top layer) and the sentiment is from the Signature Greetings. The cupcake and word is from a stamp stash I have. Not much else to say but thanks to those who are sticking around with me :)

Flutter By

I was able to play along with PTI's challenge today: butterfly and leaves. I punched out the butterflies but the leaves are from Harvest Berries and the sentiment is from Flutterby Friend. I was inspired by Nicole's neutral card today and really love the pop of color with the butterlies. I was really digging the layout until the vellum and I had a little fight and the vellum won. To cover of the wrinkle and small tear and I had to create a sentiment banner at the last minute.


This second card was what I made for my boy's teachers for Valentine's Day. I will post the one's I made them tomorrow. I have two more cards I must create by Friday, so I should have some more for ya'll later this week too :)

Happy Birthday PTI

I am moved into my new craft space (more or less) and have been able to create a card for PTI's annv/birthday challenge. The challenge was to be inpsired by on of the DT's favorite projects. My problem isn't being inspired, it is only choosing one. They are a creative bunch of ladies that create some amazing projects. I was finially able to narrow it down to Lisa J's card. I loved this set the moment it came out but hadn't been able to create with it yet. Today was the day. It is truly a CASE card with little change. I used her Peaceful Garden just like the talented Lisa, but since I don't have the colored sentiment she used I improvised with her Flutterby Friend set (one of my favs). I used some basic grey paper as I don't have PTI's patterened papers. It came together relatively fast.

WMS Christmas time

I have now caught up with the WMS Christmas Card Challenges and I can't wait till the June one comes. Both of these cards were inspired by Etsy. The colors are very non-traditional Christmas colors, but I really like how they turned out.

This first one is a CAS card using PTI's Out on a Limb's branch and Text Background as well as WMS's snowflakes found in Seasons of Love and 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. The cardstock colors are Black, Grey, and Bordering Blue (which is a really pretty blue grey). I used a Martha Stewart snowflake border punch along the bottom of the card base (the black - I will glue in white paper on the inside to allow for writing). The snowflakes on the BB base was embossed in clear embossing powder and then stamped over it with a text background stamp using Weathered Wood. I then sponged Weathered Wood and Black Soot around the edges so that the snowflakes could pop a little more. I used WMS's Holiday Labels #14 stamped in grey for the frame around the branch (that I had added some "snow" using a white pen). The sentiment was hand written as I couldn't find the sentiment as a stamp that would fit. I used white thread to help anchor everything along the bottom.

Challenges used:
WMS CCC: April challenge to use snow
WMS sketch: sketch
Embellish: color and text challenge
Saturday Cahllenge: clean and simple
Wee Memories: be ispired by Etsy or Pintrest




My second card is really my DH's favorite of the two. I used SU! Lovely as a Tree stamp embossed in black on Bordering Blue and then sponged Weather Wood, Faded Jeans, and a touch of Black Soot. Once I was done withe the spongeing I splattered some water to give if the droplet look and then flicking watered down white pain for my "snowflakes". The whole time I was making this card I was singing "Let it Snow" (one of my favorite holiday songs). I even took a white pen to add some snow to the trees. I love how the sketch I used lent itself to a polaroid frame as that's what I used to "frame" part of the scene. The sentiment is from WMS's Seasons of Love and I thought went so beautifully with the snow scene I tried to create.




Challenges used:
WMS CCC: May challenge to use a tree
CPS: sketch
Wee Memories: be inspired by Etsy Pintrest
Lillipop Craft: Inpsired by a song, "Let It Snow"
My Partner in Crafting Crime: use an uncolored image

PTI Blog Hop

It's the 25th and that means time for a PTI blog hop. The challenge this month to to show off some flowers. I don't really have time to make some flowers, but I have this amazing PTI stamp set called Friends 'Till the End. What I love about this set is that the flowers can be colored in OR left alone to achieve an array of effects. For my card I chose to just go with the lines and combine it with the Papertry Inker's May challenge where we CASE one of our favorite designers. I chose this card by Betsy Veldman. What I really liked about the card was the boldness of the flowers and the pop of color. I kept the sketch the same but changed out the pink for turquoise. I also took out the ribbon knot (since I didn't use any ribbon), as well as the embellies that went with it) and just wrapped some brown floss around the strip. I also outlined the the cardbase with glitter as well as the center of the darker flowers. I really like how this turned out (not to mention how quickly it all came together).

What makes this card even better is that I have the perfect person for this card.

Robins and Springtime

I don't see many Robins around my home, but I just love how they one of the symbols for Spring. And spring time is starting to make it's way to my home at the start of my Spring Break. For most, spring break means sleeping in; however, my youngest has taken it upon himself that 5:30 am is an excellent time to start waking up. Most of the time we can keep him down for another hout, but only if one of us is "sleeping" in his room. 6:30 am means wake up and play though. Mommy and Daddy aren't really digging this new wake-up call, and we're racking out brain trying to figure out what to do.

I am so excited that I have finally been able to play with one of my two new stamps sets I just bought from PTI. For this card I used Little Bitty Bird for my focus as a scraped background to give the background some texture. Since I had robins on my mind, I decided to turn one of the birds in this great set into a sweet little robin. Another thing that I've been playing with this weekend is stamping and coloring on some sticky back canvas. You have to be a little more careful with the copics, but I do love the results. I used Rich Cocoa Memento ink to stamp the words and images in before I started coloring. To help add some depth to my little bird I lightly outlined the wing and went over the eye as well. I created the sky but lightly sweeping different shade of blues and blue-greens around the bird/branch. The copics I used were E25, 27; R22, 24; G21, 24; BG0000, 10, 11; B0000, 000. I chose to soften the edges of everything with PTI's Vintage Touch. I also broke up sentiment in order to stack it and have it work better with the image. I added some twine to the stirp of brown that I embossed with Tim Holtz's wood folder and placed a little twine bow to give it a little something extra. The brads are used to completed my visual triangle the bird and bow started.

Challenges used:
PTI's Make it Mondays: distress - the patterned paper is crumpled and the edges have been sponged as well as roughed up
Papertrey Paper Dolls: have something that starts with PTI - p, patterned paper; t, twine/tree branch; i, ink
Crazy 4 Challenges: create a card with a tree (I hope my tree branch will count)
Sketch Saturday: sketch challenge

PTI Many Way to say Love

PTI is starting a new challenge called Make It Monday. For their kick-off, Erin showed how to create a card called Go-To Sentiment where you use many sentiments to create a collage type of card. I really liked how Nicole popped one of the sentiments outs by stamping it in a brighter color. I really like the simple-ness of the card and think it'll work well for my hubby.

Challenges used:

CPS - sketch

ColourQ -

The Shabby Tea Room -

The Pink Elephant - Be My Valentine

Crafty Cardmakers - Hearts

Teacher Christmas gift

I can't believe I forgot to post this before Christmas. I made a set of notecards (four of each image) for A's teachers at his Pre-school and Daycare (a total of four teachers). What I forgot to take a picture of is the holder I made to go with these little cards. Such a quick and easy gift to create and perfect for just a little note to someone. The images are from PTI's Flutterby Friend and I used a ruler and black fine point pen for the border. The images were colored in with my copics of course, lol.

I'm thinking these may just become the thing I do for teacher gifts as they can be used by men and women and for any season/reason.

I'll be back tomorrow on the going-ons at my house since Christmas.