The End of a Run

This is the last of the 13 cards I made in one day. (I didn't post them all) I had limited supplies with me here in Utah which is why they all have the same look and use the same stamps. Anyone else tired of the MERCI stamp? OY! I really just wanted to post these so there was something happening while I was in the middle of Lake Powell with no access to the internet.

I have really loved this Hero Arts .Stencil Design Block. It makes such a great background and so easy to ink up. 

Merci to you for stopping by! Hopefully I will have some new stuff to add when I get back. I have won a stamp set which Patrick said already arrived and I have purchased a few more with the Gift Certifs my sisters gave me for my birthday. Thanks ladies! Can't wait to get using them!!

Deets: 

Stamps: Hero Arts Design Block, Stencil. PTI Beautiful Blooms, Birds of a Feather.

Ink: PTI Lavender Moon, SU! Basic Black.

Paper: PTI Vintage Cream, Lavendar Moon

Accessories: Marvy Square Scallop Punch(pink), Black Brads, Tai Pan Cream Ribbon, Dimensionals

Dimensions: A2

Thanks

Same Kamon Set. Same layout as before but backward. This actually opens from the side not the bottom. Lovin' the glitter!!

Deets:

Stamps: Kamon Set, SU! Thanks

Ink: SU! Old Olive, Basic Black, PTI Sweet Blush, Plum Pudding

Paper: PTI Sweet Blush & White Cardstock

Accessories: Stampendous Crystal Snow, Dimensionals

Dimensions: A2

Just Hatched Pocket Card

ACK! Another Square one! This is a pocket card based off of a tutorial by Nicole. 

Again, not as elaborate as hers which had a baby picture on the inside of it and other fun stuff.

I wasn't sure what to put on the inside since this will be going to a baby but thought the Birthday Basics were vague enough to actually work.  I also didn't follow the tutorial, I tried to remember it with MY memory, so the pocket turned out less than square. Oh well...

I really love using Polka Dot Basics and this nest/egg combo is just SO cute, I could use it on everything!

Deets:

Everything is Papertrey Ink, unless otherwise noted.

Stamps: Polka Dot Basics, Birds of a Feather, Birthday Basics (inside sentiment) Square Borders and Corners

Ink: Sweet Blush, SU! Chocolate Chip, White Craft, Color Box Creamy Brown Chalk Ink

Paper: Vintage Cream, Kraft, Sweet Blush CS

Accessories: Raffia, Eyelet, Distressing Tool.

Dimensions: 5 1/2 Square

6 of 13

Here's another one using the Kamon Set. These flowers look great when you use the Rock and Roll Technique. It's hard to tell, but I added some crystal snow (fancy name for glitter?) to the flowers and it really helped add some dimension. Again... the gratitude stamp. It was originally stamped right to the card. I wanted it to be simple, but it stamped on crooked (BLAST!!) and I had to stamp it again and overlay it. One day I will get that stamp right. I'm starting to wonder if it was made wrong. It couldn't possibly be me, right?

Deets:

Stamps: Kodomo Inc. Kamon Set, PTI Beautiful Blooms (leaves and sentiment)

Ink: SU! Old Olive, Basic Black. PTI Berry Sorbet, Plum Pudding

Paper: PTI Lavender Moon, Vintage Cream CS

Accessories: Stampendous Crystal Snow

Merci Guide Lines

You can really tell I stamped all of these cards in one day. They are starting to look the same to me!! Again a square card. I'm not crazy about how it turned out. It actually looks better in real life, so what does that tell ya? I used the Borders and Corners Set to add some more "square-ness" too it and maybe I got carried away. I love working with the Kraft paper though. Between the color and the 110lb. weight, it is just a dream to use!

Deets:

All products are PTI unless otherwise noted. 

Stamps: Square Borders and Corners, Guide Lines, Birds of a Feather (sentiment)

Ink: Aqua Mist, SU! Chocolate Chip and Craft White

Paper: Kraft, Aqua Mist, Vintage Cream

Accessories: Tai Pan Cream Ribbon, Dimensionals, 

Japanese Thanks

This is one of my favorites out of the 13 made. I really am liking this new Kamon Set from Kodomo Inc.

I was feeling stifled by the average card size and wanted to branch out. This layout was cased from Nicole. I actually have a copy of the card in my files but can't remember where in her blog or website I actually saw it. Of course hers is a bit more elaborate, but the idea is the same. 

Deets:

Stamps: Kodomo Inc. Kamon Set. SU! Thanks Sentiment

Ink: PTI Berry Sorbet, SU! Old Olive & Basic Black

Paper: PTI Lemon Tart, Stampers Select White

Accessories: Oval Punch

Dimensions: 5 1/2 square

Life Is Like A Song

I can't tell if I really like how this one turned out. I wanted to use up some extra paper I had here and this is what came out of it:

I had also picked up some Martha Stewart glitter that I wanted to try out. I put it on the bird and notes to give it a little umph! It definitely helped. I'm thinking I need to make the sentiment darker. It might make it more of a completed look. Any ideas to help this out?? Send them my way!

card 4 of 13....

Deets:

Stamps: PTI  Birds of a Feather

Ink: PTI Spring Moss, SU! Craft White, Color Box Charcoal Chalk Ink

Paper: PTI Spring Moss, Lemon Tart, & Vintage Cream

Accessories: Tai Pan Cream Ribbon, Martha Stewart Onyx Glitter and Glue Pen, Eyelet

With Gratitude

Card 3 of 13! 

I have said it before and again, I LOVE the Guide Lines set from Papertrey Ink. Here it is in all its glory. It's really rather forgiving even though you can see quite a few mistakes on this card. I need more practice. And I need more practice with the "Gratitude" stamp. I get that thing crooked EVERY time.

I got the lovely ribbon from Tai Pan Trading, which is the hottest thing going in Kaysville UT. It is a warehouse sized store full of only home decorating stuff. It is overwhelmingly GIGANTIC! And I'm pretty sure everything is made in China. And while I do have issues with that, I did pick up some ribbon and other things for some projects I have in mind. Sorry for the betrayal U.S.A.

Deets:

Stamps: PTI Guide Lines, Beautiful Blooms (sentiment).

Ink: PTI Berry Sorbet, Basic Black SU!

Paper: PTI Vintage Cream 

Accessories: Tai Pan Cream Ribbon

Merci Polka Dots

This is the beginning of the 13 cards I made yesterday. (so hang on!) I made a lot of thank you cards so I can send them to my sisters/friends for making my Utah trip so fun. This is the flower from PTI's Bird's of a Feather. I really LOVE this flower. I was convinced by Patrick to buy some chalk ink. He took a trip with me to the S.E.I. Outlet Store in Logan and actually convinced me to buy more things than I was going to. He's a GREAT shopping partner!

 I got lipstick red, lime green, & creamy brown that I used for the flower.  These inks are heavenly smooth, although they stain the acrylic  stamps like something fierce. I also used the chalk inks around the edges. I obviously need some more practice with that. But I do love how it turned out!

Deets:

Stamps: Birds of A Feather, Polka Dot Basics, all Papertrey Ink

Ink: Color Box Chalk Ink: Lipstick Red, Bisque, Lime Pastel, Charcoal, French Blue. 

SU!: Craft White

Paper: All Papertrey Ink: Kraft, Aqua Mist, Vintage Cream

Accessories: Raffia

Dimensions: 5 1/2 square

Happy Birthday Heather Card!!

I found this new stamp set called Kamon. It's a clear stamp set of 11 Japanese Family Crests. You can check it out the companies website here. This website is really cool to look through. They have japanese design, chinese design and this crazy wood paper. I guess they have just gotten started so you can't order anything online yet. I found these at The Ink Pad in the city.

 I really love all the stamps in it and played a bit with it last night. Actually I played all day and all night. I made about 13 cards. I was REALLY wanting to stamp apparently.

This card is for my sister-in-law who's birthday is today!!! Happy Birthday Heather!! It will be in the mail eventually. Or maybe I will send you a different one, you never can tell. Then you would get 2!

 Of course it will NOT make it to you by today. But hopefully you have a wonderful birthday!~ 

Love You!!

p&k

Deets:

Stamps: Kamon (Kodomo Inc.) Birthday Basics Sentiment (PTI)

Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip SU!

Paper: Summer Sunrise PTI

Dimensions: A2

Stamping Session

We had another stamping session today with my sisters and my nieces. I think they had fun. I realized at the very beginning (as I was completely disorganized) that these cards were too hard for the little girls. I had originally not designed them for anyone under the age of 20. 

So with a lot of help from my sisters (only some are pictured) and a lot of patience from the girls, they finished their cards and the results were great! They were all very creative.
Aren't they cute?? The girls AND the cards. Little Connor wanted to be in the picture. He loves to say "Cheese!"

Merci

I love the new PTI set Guide Lines. It can be SO elegant and elaborate without doing a lot. You really should get this one. It's a must have. I also used their new Vintage Cream cardstock which is so lovely there is no reason to NOT use it everyday! What you can't see is the velvet ribbon. It adds such a nice texture. I also sponged some distress ink around the edges. It got a little out of control in the corner, but I like how it gives it an "old world" feel. 

Deets:

Stamps: Guide Lines; Square Borders and Corners (PTI)

Ink: Plum Pudding (PTI), Chocolate Chip (SU!), Antique Distress Ink.

Paper: Vintage Cream

Accessories: Velvet Chocolate Ribbon

Many Thanks

This is a card I made a long time ago too. I used PTI Beautiful Blooms. Some SU! Old Olive patterned paper and a basic white card base.

Deets:

Stamp Set: Beautiful Blooms, Faux Ribbon (sentiment) PTI

Ink: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Pink Passion, Purely Pomegranate. All SU!

Paper: Chocolate Chip CS, Old Olive pattered paper, white card base.

Accessories: cream ribbon, tag

Stamping In Utah

My mom decided she really wanted to stamp when I came out this month. She loved the idea of baby onesies so I brought all the supplies. I now realize that it might have been too much stress for a first stamping experience. 

But mom rose to the challenge and did great!  She did say she was tense everywhere, because if you mess up, it's not something you can really fix, although we could have worked something out. 

Of course we used my favorite stamps from my favorite company. Papertrey Ink. I think someone reading had asked who PTI was. This is the companies full name, and you can check out all there amazing products here. I love this stamp ensemble for a baby. "just hatched." very cute.

Mom did great and had some really cute design ideas. Here are only 3 of the 5. The others were the egg/nest combo and a cute cupcake. These are going to be happy babies!!

Deets:

Stamp Sets: Green Thumb, Birds of a Feather, (PTI)  Hey There Cupcake (Stampendous)

Ink: PTI: Berry Sorbet, Spring Moss, Aqua Mist, Plum Pudding, Summer Sunrise. Palette: Chartruese. Stazon Jet Black

Accessories: Gerber Baby Onesies

I did this card a long time ago, and it kind of looks like it too. Patrick used his crazy photoshop skills to make it look good. He even put a shadow on it. cool.

Anyway. This Card uses PTI's Faux Ribbon. Check out the link. Basically its a bunch of line stamps that when you put them together you can make paper ribbon. So I took some SU! Purely Pomegranate paper and stamped three stamps. One on both ends (the same stamp) and then one in the middle with SU! White Craft Ink. I actually then stamped in between the white ribbon lines with a thicker ribbon stamp with Purely Pomegranate ink, but you can't really see it in the photo. 

The stamps are a bit short to go across the standard sized notecard, so what you do is cut it in half (or where ever you want) and then cover the gap with an image. Which is what I did here with a beautiful bloom. Works pretty great and then you don't have to try and line up the stamps to make it long enough.

I'm starting to get the hang of Faux Ribbon and really like it. Lots of possibilities. 

Deets:

Stamps: Faux Ribbon, Beautiful Blooms

Ink: Purely Pomegranate, Pink Passion, Old Olive, Summer Sun, Craft White all SU!

Paper: White notecard from Wal-Mart, SU! Purely Pomegranate, SU! Stampers Select White

Accessories: Pop Up Dots

Happy Fourth OF JULY!!!

It's a great day. I'm spending the 4th with my family, but wanted to post something. Of course, I didn't actually put together a 4th of July project (uh hello, I'm on vacation!) I thought maybe this one would fly cause it uses great July colors. This is actually a thank you card for my SIL. We are going on a cruise for thanksgiving and she did ALL the work to get the thing booked for us. So I wanted to say thanks and thought this little boat would be appropriate.  It's a sailing card. Get it? Well, hopefully she did. 

I love these stamps! (of course cause they are PTI).  I cased the shape of the tag with the sentiment on it from Lauren. Scroll down this post to see it, and make sure you check out all the cool things she does. I'm amazed every time she posts. Very clever girl. 

Anyway. Here is the envelope I sent with the card. 

I really loved the back flap stamped like that and was really excited when I sent it and then two days later, it came back to me. I was a complete idiot and forgot to put on the zip code! So of course the envelope was not salvageable and I didn't have time to do a new one because the card was already late, so I sent it in a blank one instead. Really lost on the cute factor with that mistake. Maybe I will never make that mistake again, except its not the first time it has happened. So yes. I'm a dork.

Anyway. Hope you have a fun, hot and memorable 4th of July. Let freedom ring!

Deets:

Stamps: PTI Bitty Baby Blessings, Faux Ribbon

Ink: SU! Basic Black, Navy Blue, Ruby Red, Summer Sun

Paper: S.E.I for paper piecing sail, SU! White

Accessories: Eyelets

Baby Gift

Here's another baby onesie and burp cloth that I stamped on using PTI stamps. I love how easy these are and how great they turn out. You should try it too! I bet you giggle when you realize how fun it is. One tip is to hold the stamp in position on the cloth for a little bit longer than you would on paper. This gives the fabric a chance to soak up the ink.

This one has now been given away, so I'm in the clear with posting it. We pray the receiver's will be able to put it on their little girl sometime soon!

Here is the set together. The ribbon on the burp looks a little funny. Its supposed to be a moss green color, but I had a problem photographing it so I had to color correct it. It does look better in person!

Deets:

Stamps: PTI Beautiful Blooms

Ink: PTI Spring Moss, Summer Sunrise, Aqua Mist

Ribbon: PTI Spring Moss

Accessories: Gerber Plain White Burp Cloth and Onesie

Am I Addicted??

I'm sitting here in the quiet of the house. Patrick is still at work, the kids are in bed and I was going to take some things over to the storage locker, but the place is closed. I just finished the book I was reading and now realize that I have NOTHING to do. 

I am itching to make a card. And I can't. I have packed away ALL my supplies. Most of it is in my suitcase waiting for Utah, some of it's in storage waiting for our open house to be over. 

I think I might die. I keep searching my bloglines for any crafting posts I may have missed. I want to read about it and then make something. anything. pleeease!

I think I have a serious problem. My card making addiction is Real.  And who would-a thunk it? I certainly didn't think I would be so interested in it all.

Maybe I will call someone. Kind of like a card sponsor. Maybe I should call ANN, who got me started on all this stuff and is probably laughing hysterically at my inability to find balance in my stamping life. Boy, do I have a craving. What am I gonna do about it?

I wanted to post something different than a card today. This is the box I decoupaged for my mother-in-law for Mother's Day.  I don't remember who the paper is by, but I bought plain wood boxes from Michael's (about 4$each) and cut the paper to fit, which got tricky around the curves. I then coated the wood with Mod Podge, covered it with paper and then covered the paper with another coat of Mod Podge. It's best to let the under coat and paper dry before adding the second coat. This prevents bubbles.

Then I found this quote that I thought would be nice. I actually used it on my own mother's box that turned out lovely, but I completely forgot to take a picture of it. This quote is from Abe Lincoln.  "All I am, or hope to be I owe to my Angel Mother." I thought it was fitting for both Patrick and I and the feelings we have for our mothers. I printed it out from my computer onto vellum, used some rub-ons for a border and adhered it with popup dots to the inside of the lid. Every time she opens the box she will know how special she is to us.

Oh, and of course I had to throw in a card. I used Beautiful Blooms from PTI for the red flower and some decorative stamps I found in the dollar bin at Michael's, which always makes my day. I added some rub-ons to the vellum envelope and tied some ribbon to the card. It all kept with that "see through" look of vellum which I like. And that was it. I hope to get a picture of the boxes I sent my mother and father for their days too. These boxes were really fun to do and simple, but meaningful, at least to me! 

Thank You Berry Much Extravaganza!

I pulled out one of my favorite stamp sets and tried to put a new spin on it.  I decided to make a OSW (One Sheet Wonder) using the strawberry stamp from Papertrey Ink's Green Thumb set.

I actually copied the pattern idea from some patterned scrapbook paper I had, but I can't remember the company.  The paper actually used different sized flowers intertwined in vines. I used PTI's Faux Ribbon set for the polka dot vines and added the strawberries at the ends. When you looked at the finished paper, all the images travel in one direction. So I chopped it up, and made it the card front.

I cut out a circle from the center of the card, then used the patterned paper cut in a circle and stamped the sentiment across the front. Matted the circle once with black and cut it with decorative scissors and then matted it again in red. I then placed it in the middle of the inside of the card so when you close the card it shows through. Added black ribbon and was done. 

I really like how it turned out. I'm always surprised at how fun and effective it is to make your own patterned paper. It's an idea that is NOT mine. Thanks to Nicole from PTI. She has the best ideas. Check this post here to learn how to make your own. Give it a try. It's FUN!

So I had some scraps left over, so I thought, why not keep the berry groove going? This time I wanted to do something different. Less cutesy even though it still turned out that way. I like this card though. Different from others I have done.
I had a long strip of patterned paper left so I cut it into triangles and put them in the corners. Still did the circle with the sentiment, but matted it with a larger red circle and off centered it. I wrapped Olive ribbon cord around it three times and adhered it.
I really like how this one turned out too. I'm going to enter it into Paper Trey Ink's Guest Star Stamper Contest which ends in July right before their new release. We will see what happens!

Deets:

Stamps: PTI Green Thumb, Faux Ribbon

Ink: SU! Ruby Red, Olive Green, &  Basic Black

Paper: SU! White, Stash Red & Black

Accessories: American Crafts Black Ribbon & Green Cord Ribbon