Take-Off Tuesday #4

This weeks post comes from the Fall/Holiday Crate & Barrel Catalog. These really great embroidered towels reminded me of the white ink/chalk card I did a while back. I thought I would give it another go and make it very Thanksgiving-ish to help celebrate this week.

I started with stamping my wheat image from PTI's First Fruits set onto scrap paper and cutting it out creating a mask. I then stamped the middle image on my Dark Chocolate cardstock covered it with the mask and proceeded to stamp the wheat image twice on both sides. I pulled out my chalks for the surrounding images but left the center one white, like on the towels. I matted that image with some fall colored cardstock, SU!'s Pumpkin Pie and PTI's Summer Sunrise. I love this velvet American Craft RicRac ribbon. It helped add some depth. 

And that's it. Have a spectacular Thanksgiving holiday. I will be back next week after a week in the sun of the Carribean!!! 

Until then, I hope you find more in life that inspires you.

k

Deets:

Stamps: PTI First Fruits

Ink: SU! White Craft, PTI Dark Chocolate

Paper: PTI Dark Chocolate, Stampers Select White, Summer Sunrise, SU! Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: American Craft Ribbon, All Night Media Autumn Blending Chalks, Gold Eyelets

Do you wonder why...

I'm not crafting???

Here is my designated "craft space" in the house. I have been upgraded to the office from my original spot which was in the garage. Patrick decided it was going to be too cold in the winter to craft there. But now that I have moved, or should I say, semi-unpacked, I have also been informed that I must keep my space clean, tidy and "non-craft looking." Hmmm. I wonder how on earth I am to do that. Plus any storage devices I use must look like actual furniture which means no cardboard boxes, or bags and the usual that clutters my office space. Now, if you have been storage shopping in the last little bit, you know that there is NOTHING out there furniture wise that is cheap. So needless to say Patrick has an ultimatum. Either cheap plastic rolling storage, or work extra hours so I can buy the expensive stuff. Since he is on salary, I can guess I know what he will say. I think a trip to The Container Store is in order. I really need some containment. 

As you can see, it is a long way from perfect, but trust me when I say that this picture is an improvement. I got so overwhelmed that I thought I would blog about it for a bit. In fact I have been stepping over these boxes for two days now unable to finish up the tiding. Mostly because it requires me to put forth A LOT of brain power as to where and how I will store all of it, along with shedding some of the unwanted goods. And really, I have a hard time saying no to any craft goods, even if they have gone unused for a year. I hope to pull myself into gear and get this thing done tonight. Patrick is out of town tomorrow, so I need to get cleaned up quick and get some crafting in before he comes home. I have some early Christmas gifts that need to be finished by sunday, so come on baby! I gots to get movin'!

happy crafting everyone!

k

Take-Off Tuesday #3

Happy Tuesday Everyone. This weeks inspiration came from a catalog and forgive me because I just can't remember the catalog I ripped it from. Oh the shame!

It's this cute pink room. What I love about it is the soft pink and white together, the foliage pictures and the faux chenille look to the draps and bedspread. So those are the things I decided I wanted in my card.

This was a pretty fast card to make. Its hard to see, but I stamped some images from Nature Silhouettes by Kim Hughes on the background. If you are interested in making this faux chenille look yourself it is really easy! Cut strips for your card at the width you want. Distress the edges, and lightly adhere it to your card so it doesn't shift around while you sew. Once you have sewn a straight stitch down the middle of the paper strip, roll and distress the edges a bit more so they fold up around the stitching, it will help give dimension and inhance the stitches a bit giving it more texture.

I also punched two circles each with my 2" and 1 1/2" circle punches. I distressed one large and one smaller circle. Then I took the other two and trimmed them down just a bit and distressed them. This is so they weren't all the same finished size.

I then used Stazon black ink to stamp "Happy" on my big white brad and used it as the center. Pretty easy card and really fun to try. So give it a whirl! Keep your eyes open this week for what may inspire you. I would love to see what you create!

Have a good week and thanks for stopping by.
k


Deets:
Stamps: Kim Hughes Natures Silhouettes for CHF, PaperTrey Ink Garden of Life (Happy Sentiment)
Ink: SU! White Craft, Stazon Black

Paper: Papertrey Ink Sweet Blush

Accessories: Sewing Machine, Big Brad

Size: A2

Take-Off Tuesday #2

Back again this week with one of my favorite sweaters. I bought this baby after some coaxing from a friend, and I'm so glad I did. It's cosy and soft and is made by a company called Scrapbook Clothing,  so how could I NOT love it?? For a while I have thought the white on color would be nice for a card, and I finally tried it!

The first snag I ran into was the lack of navy blue card stock in my stash. I didn't realize I would need it or that I didn't have it. But I did get around it by using some DCWV texture scrapbook paper I had sitting around (Whew!) Needless to say this card is a bit flimsy, but it did get me the color I was after. It started out as a tri-fold card (in a way) but was HORRIBLE so I hacked it up, flipped it upside down and this is what I got. (And please excuse the horrible picture.)

I had a hard time determining what kind of sentiment would actually go with this style. I felt like eating a pie the entire time, but only one that had previously won a blue ribbon. Does it make you feel like you are at the county bake-off??

I punched out some Pure Poppy paper with my 1/8 hole punch and used them as the center of my flowers. I also covered them with some paper glaze to add dimension (and frankly interest!)

In the end, I really like how it turned out, even if it doesn't quite fit a particular occasion or sentiment. I love my sweater AND now this card too! 

What has inspired you this week? Sit down and create, learn and have fun!

see you next time!

k

Deets:

Stamps: Papertrey Ink Quilter's Sampler Additions, Beautiful Blooms (4-polka dot), Out on a Limb Sentiments

Ink: SU! Craft White, Basic Black, PTI Pure Poppy

Paper: DCWV Blue Textured 12x12, PTI Stampers Select, Pure Poppy

Accessories: PTI Pure Poppy Saddle Stitch Ribbon, Red Button, embroidery thread (from stash), paper glaze

Size: A2

Oh Shoot!!!

I had sworn to myself that by the 7th of Nov. I would have boxes unpacked, life resettled and some serious crafting under my belt so I could keep up with posting everyday. And as you can see all I got is a BIG nothin' and its way past the 7th!  And now I am in Virginia for a week (packing up other peops) so I won't be ready for posting until next week, but check back for Take-Off Tuesday as I do have one of those to go on the 11th. 

Until next time, Happy Crafting!!!

k

Autumn

This is an image from a stamp set I haven't used in a while and was actually the very first stamp set I ever purchased. SU! Perennial Favorites. I really do like it and need to find more ways to use it. I thought now that it is November, and getting cold, I need to get my fall cards in since it will be winter before we know it.

I used more First Fruits paper and kept it simple. The paper really does all the work so that I don't have to, and that's always nice.

Thanks for stopping by.

k

Deets: 

Stamps: SU! Perennial Favorites

Ink: PTI Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise, SU! Basic Black Ink Pen

Paper: PTI Dark Chocolate, Ripe Avocado, Stampers Select White, First Fruits Patterned Paper, SU! Pumpkin Pie

Accessories: PTI Dark Chocolate Twill Ribbon, All purpose Twine.

Thank You Much

I needed a few more thank you cards to send out to some friends in Queens and since I had some stuff sitting out on my desk, I figured I would use it up. This stamp is from a retired SU! set that hasn't see the light of day for a while. It felt good to use the poor thing. I used white ink and chalked over it, as I have done so many times before. I used some PTI First Fruits pattern paper to go with it. I have an overwhelming "Fall" theme surrounding my desk which is why its being used. The ribbon is a really subtle brown with gold weaved through it. It's really lovely and I'm almost out!  This is actually a card for a man, so I am hoping it is masculine enough. I like that it's nice and simple.

Thanks for stopping by.

k

Deets: 

Stamps: SU! Block Party (retired)

Ink: SU! White Craft

Paper: PTI Dark Chocolate, Ripe Avocado, Lemon Tart, First Fruits Patterned Paper

Accessories: All NIght Media Autumn Chalks, American Craft brown/gold Ribbon

To My Friends In Queens

I have finally moved away from my wonderful apt. in Queens and while I was really excited to go, I have been so sad to leave my friends. I have racked my brain to try and think of some way to find closure and say goodbye to such wonderful people. Although this is something so minor, I did make them some cards. Here are a few of the designs: 
What makes these cards so special (I hope) is that the matted flowers with the sentiment (seen above) is actually a magnet that you can detach.  Hopefully by giving them a little bit of myself they will know that I love them and that their friendship is so important to me. And maybe each time the pass the fridge they will think of all the good New York Moments we had together.

I love all my hommies in Queens!!

Until next time...

k

Deets:

Stamps: Papertrey Ink Garden Of Life; Polka Dot Basics

Ink: Papertrey Ink Berry Sorbet, Sweet Blush, Lemon Tart, Summer Sunrise, Aqua Mist, Plum Pudding, Lavender Moon, Pure Poppy, Spring Moss, SU! Not Quite Navy, Old Olive, White Craft, Basic Black

Paper: Papertrey Ink Berry Sorbet, Sweet Blush, Lemon Tart, Aqua Mist, Pure Poppy, Spring Mist SU! Not Quite Navy, Everyday Blessings;

Accessories: PTI Ribbon in Berry Sorbet, Lemon Tart, Pure Poppy, Lavender Moon, Plum Pudding, Craft Knife

Take-Off Tuesday #1

I find myself inspired by different things. A lot of the time it is fabric, a piece of clothing, color combo's or even a particular home design in a magazine. I usually rip out the page and keep it close so I can refer to it when I want to be inspired. Because of this I now have a pile of pages cluttering up my shelf!!  I decided instead of the clutter I was really going to start to follow through on the ideas that I have. So without further ado, I introduce you the start of what will hopefully be a weekly installment named Take-off Tuesday.  Here is my first item...

This is Baby Cache's hand-me-down jacket. (Please ignore the dirt spots. toddler+boy=dirty)

 He was running through the playground today and I decided there was no reason it couldn't be a card. I was so sure of the simplicity and "boyishness" of it I started to sketch some things down. Well it was so simple, I didn't sketch long and of course it has proven to be one of the easiest cards I have put together, to date. You might be able to tell why. 

Very very simple, but captures all the things that give this jacket a personality.

I added some score lines to give detail and interest. Kind of like the sewing lines in the actual fabric. The rest is simple and self explanatory. BUT my fav. part of this card is the sentiment:

I bent the HAPPY BIRTHDAY (from PTI Birthday Basics) to arch like the label in the jacket and then added est. 2007 with PTI's Simple Alphabet,which is the year Cache was born. I think it's actually a cute and clever way to make a birthday card special and add detail about the person. I think it wold be nice to add in their name on the front too, however I didn't because I just thought of it! That's always the way it goes for me. I love the Simple Alphabet because they are small enough to do these kinds of things. And maybe you have noticed I am pretty literal in my inspiration. I like it like that!

Anyway, that's it for the first of Take-Off Tuesday. Join me next week, because you never know what you are going to get. Really. And until then I challenge you to take a look in your closet, (magazine stash or junk mail pile) and pick your fav. piece to make your own "takeoff." I would love to see what inspires you!

Also DON'T FORGET TO VOTE today!!!!! It's very important that we take the time out to raise our voices and make a change for our future!

Till next time.

k

Deets:

Stamps: Papertrey Ink Birthday Basics, Simple Alphabet

Ink: SU! Not Quite Navy

Paper: SU! Summer Sun, DWS Textured Navy

Accessories: Antique Brads, Score Pal

Size: A2

Just A Note

I'm actually giddy about this card. I think I is sooo clever!  This card totes TWO of my recent scores. One is the twine which you already know about and the other is the free alphabet stamps given to my by my lovely friend Natasha. You can read all about her life and craftiness HERE. The style of this alphabet was just what this card needed. Thanks Tash!

k

Deets:

Stamps: SU! Puns from the Past, PTI Simple Alphabet, Birds Of a Feather (hello), CHF Lined Paper Backgrounder, Stampabilities Weathered Alphabet

Ink: PTI Dark Chocolate, Pure Poppy, SU! Basic Black

Paper: PTI Kraft, Pure Poppy, Vintage Cream

Accessories: Twine Twine Twine, Distressing Tool

Hello Friend, (again)

Just a quick one. I'm working on a few layouts again for sets to be given as gifts. I wanted a bright yet funky, clean and urban outfitter-ish feel for someone that I think would like it. (Can't tell you who just incase they are lurking out there) What do you think? Maybe I should try more colors? or even more images?  Will keep working and eventually post what I create, if I create it in time  ; )

k

Deets: 

Stamps: Hero Arts Bird in Cage, CHF Tile Scalloped Backgrounder, PTI Birds of a Feather (Sentiment)

Ink: SU! Basic Grey, Tangerine Tango

Paper: SU! Baja Breeze, PTI Stampers Select White, and Grey from stash

Accessories: Distressing Tool

Re-Fashioned Monogrammed Box

I have had this old paper Victoria Secret's Box laying around for about a year now. I have always thought it would be great re-done. I have been using it to hold ribbon and decided I was finally tired of looking at a half dressed woman. So I remade it! I found some American Craft Paper from the Play series that matched the box tie well. I pulled out my favorite Modge Podge and got to work. (I actually had pictures of this, but for the life of me cannot find them anywhere, so trust me when I say the pictures were informative and cool looking. : )

I cut the paper to fit each side, top and bottom, used the Podge on the underside and top side, waited for it to dry and started to embellish a bit. The circles reminded me of a monogram so I thought I would go with that idea.
On the inside I did a contrasting striped paper and added a punched out circle for interest. I really loved how fast it was to re-do and the finished product. Once that was complete I tried to put my ribbon back in it and just felt stupid. This box was WAY to pretty to be used for just ribbon, so I made up some monogrammed cards to go with it.
I picked 2 really simple designs to mass produce and put them together in about a half hour.
Let me be the first to say, I do realize the monogram on the box and on the cards are different. This is very much how I work. I did them on separate days with separate inspiration so they kind of ended up a bit different. I used red on the box and when it came time for the cards, this Ripe Avocado paper from Papertrey Ink fit so perfectly and the monogram just followed. I used the alphabet set from Stampers Anonymous, added some American Craft black ribbon and I was done. 
A simple, yet striking gift to give to anyone with the monogram K. Good thing I know a few of them. I see Christmas on the horizon....

Thanks for joining me today. See you next time.

k

Deets:

Stamps: Inkadinkado All About Borders (Box Monogram Swirl), Stampers Anonymous Design Alphabet, SU! So Many Scallops,

Ink: SU! Old Olive, Basic Black, PTI Pure Poppy

Paper: American Craft Play Series, PTI Ripe Avocado, Basic Black from stash

Accessories: American Craft Black Grosgrain Ribbon