Ink It Up with Leigh Penner: Peony Wishes

It's the second installment of Ink It Up with Leigh Penner and it's truly about time these Pretty Peonies by Wplus9 Design Studio got inky.  I actually purchased them from Leigh last year.  The layered style of these flowers is really fun to use.

I made a set of two get well cards.  First, I used the flowers to create a background on white card bases using Pale Peony, Berry Sorbet, and Tuxedo Black inks.  Then I cut Pale Peony cardstock with the Wavy Scalloped Stitches dies by Simon Says Stamp.  I just got them two months ago.  I have a weakness for scallops.  Stitched dies too.  They are hard to resist!  Finally, I stamped a sentiment from Blanket Stitched Blooms.  (also by Wplus9)

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to hop over to Leigh's blog, To the Full, to see her card for Ink It Up.

Stamps:  Pretty Peonies, Blanket Stitched Blooms (Wplus9 Design Studio)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); Pale Peony, Berry Sorbet (Papertrey Ink)
Paper:  White, Pale Peony (Papertrey Ink)
Misc:  Wavy Scalloped Stitches die (Simon Says Stamp) 

Stamp-a-Faire 2016: Farewell

Well, it's been a crazy weekend.  I've had so much fun participating in Papertrey Ink's Stamp-a-Faire.  It's always difficult to fit it in around family schedules, so I'm glad we get more than one day to get all the challenges done.  Here's a picture of me with three of my favorite SAF cards.  I actually made nine in total, completing all of the challenges!  Woohoo!

I really loved the Masters theme and the techniques were all quite interesting.  I know it's a full year away, but I can't wait to see what the theme is for the next Stamp-a-Faire.  Waving goodbye from North Carolina! 

Stamp-a-Faire 2016: Pointillism Play

Yes!  I have finished all of the Papertrey Ink Stamp-a-Faire challenges!  I had to take a picture of this one indoors since it's 10:40pm at night now, but I managed to do it.  I'm so proud of myself.  Here is my card for the Pointillism Play challenge.  It was a bit time-consuming to do all the dot stamping, and I can't say I would do this very often, but I really like the look.  It's so unique!

I followed Heather Nichols' instructions exactly and used the same Year of Flowers: Violets stamp set that she did.  All those purples are so pretty on the petals.  I really love it.  All of the color was added with some small circles from Polka Dot Basics.  I did the same thing with green inks on the leaves.

I decided to put my flower on a Noted: Scalloped Square card base using Kraft cardstock.  It certainly makes a statement on the smaller card size.  I stamped "hello" from Happy Hydrangeas in black ink directly on the card.  On the white narrow banner from Tag Sale #10, I stamped the rest of my sentiment using the Don't Forget to Write set.  I love this sweet little card!

Stamps:  Year of Flowers: Violets, Polka Dot Basics, Happy Hydrangeas, Don't Forget to Write (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); VersaMark; Amethyst Allure, Plum Pudding, Winter Wisteria, Royal Velvet, Bright Buttercup, Summer Sunrise, Simply Chartreuse, Ripe Avocado
Paper:  White, Kraft (Papertrey Ink)
Misc:  Tag Sale #10 die, Noted: Scalloped Square die (Papertrey Ink); white embossing powder (Filigree)

Stamp-a-Faire 2016: Color Blocking

I won't lie.  I'm not fond of this card.  If I had more time, I would completely redo it, but I still need to make my pointillism card and the sun is already going down.  The technique is really fun though.  Here's my card for the Color Blocking challenge.

Obviously, I used the same colors as Lexi Daly's sample.  I'm in a hurry and that saves much decision time.  I used a butterfly image from Butterfly Dreams and followed her instructions for the color blocking technique.  (lots of masking and sponging)  I stamped my sentiment from Think Big Favorites #15 directly in the center with black ink.  I do like how that looks!  The panel is matted with white cardstock and then adhered to a black card base.

Stamps:  Butterfly Dreams, Think Big Favorites #15 (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); Hibiscus Burst, Harvest Gold, Orange Zest, Hawaiian Shores, Royal Velvet, Blueberry Sky, Tropical Teal (Papertrey Ink)
Paper:  White, True Black (Papertrey Ink)
Misc:  Blushing Bride, Almost Amethyst, Pool Party, and Only Orange markers (Stampin' Up)

Stamp-a-Faire 2016: Watercolor Like a Master

I'm really enjoying this year's Papertrey Ink Stamp-a-Faire theme.  The challenges are interesting and have gotten me to try new things.  The watercolor-style challenges have been my favorites so far.  This card is for the Watercolor Like a Master challenge by Kay Miller.  Since I don't have that pretty mums set (yet), I chose to use Happy Hydrangeas.

Isn't that so dreamy and soft?  I deliberately chose lighter colors for my blossoms.  I wanted to mimic all those pretty pink and blue hydrangeas that you see around here.  I stamped the flowers using both Pretty Peony and Spring Rain ink on watercolor paper.  Then I stamped random leaves in three different greens:  Spring Moss, Green Parakeet, and Ripe Avocado.  I followed Kay's instructions to watercolor directly over the images, making them blend into each other.  Then I speckled over top with the same inks.  I thought this would be a perfect sympathy card so I chose that sentiment from Happy Hydrangeas and stamped it in black ink.  The whole panel is glued to a white card base.  I really love this one! 

Stamps:  Happy Hydrangea (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); Pale Peony, Spring Rain, Green Parakeet, Spring Moss, Ripe Avocado (Papertrey Ink)
Paper:  White (Papertrey Ink); watercolor paper
Misc:  paintbrush; water

Stamp-a-Faire 2016: Mastering Drips & Splatters

This was an interesting challenge.  Lizzie Jones taught us to Master Drips and Splatters in the style of Jackson Pollock. This is my attempt and I chose to use Twinkling H2O's partly because I couldn't find the regular watercolors and partly because I thought it be fun to use shimmery paints.

I followed Lizzie's directions and played with different colors of paint and paintbrush sizes to create drips and splatters on a piece of watercolor paper.  Once it was dry, I glued it to a black card base.  I cut a Keep It Simple Frame from both white and Tropical Teal cardstock.  On the white one, I stamped a sentiment from Live Love Life in Tropical Teal and black ink.  On the other piece, I stamped an image from Background Basics: Stitching in VersaMark ink.  Then I simply adhered them to my card on an angle.  Here's a close-up photo so you can see shimmer of the watercolor paints.

Stamps:  Live Love Life, Background Basics: Stitching (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); Tropical Teal (Papertrey Ink); VersaMark
Paper:  White, True Black (Papertrey Ink); watercolor paper
Misc:  Keep It Simple Frame die (Papertrey Ink); Sun Flower, Blue Zircon, Celadon, Hopeful Honeysuckle, Poppy watercolor paints (Twinkling H2O's)

Stamp-a-Faire 2016: Masterpiece Inspirations

This was fun!  I was browsing through all the Masterpiece Inspiration choices and the Henri Matisse art, La Gerbe, really jumped out at me.  I wanted something fairly easy to get going this morning and once I remembered the Happiness in Bloom Leaves dies, I knew it had to be that one!

I liked Amy Sheffer's color choices, so I used the same ones.  That way I didn't have to think about it.  lol  I cut lots of Happiness in Bloom Leaves in two sizes from the cardstock and started arranging them on a white card base.  I decided to spread my leaves out like the original art.

I also liked what Amy did for her sentiment, so I cut Wonderful Words: Congrats out of Aqua Mist cardstock and sponged some Tropical Teal on the lower half.  Then I stamped "you did it" underneath in black ink.  Simple, but very striking!

Stamps:  Wonderful Words: Congrats (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); Tropical Teal (Papertrey Ink)
Paper:  White, Aqua Mist, Ocean Tides, Enchanted Evening, New Leaf, Limeade Ice, Green Parakeet, Harvest Gold, Summer Sunrise, Orange Zest, Pure Poppy (Papertrey Ink)
Misc:  Happiness in Bloom Leaves dies, Wonderful Words: Congrats die (Papertrey Ink); ink blending tool

Stamp-a-Faire 2016: Floral Impressionism

I finished this card late last night.  Late.  As in midnight late.  Once I started, I just couldn't stop and wanted to finish it completely while the creative juices were flowing.  I spent about 2-1/2 hours making this card.  Good thing I love it!   :)  This is for the Floral Impressionism challenge.

Isn't that so soft and pretty?  I followed Melissa Phillips' instructions closely, substituting with what I have on hand.  I don't own Floral Sketches or Friendship Jar Flowers, but they are certainly on my wish list!  I have very few PTI flowers with both a solid and outline image.  I stamped the largest Pretty Peonies solid flower and leaves on watercolor cardstock using Pretty Peony and Limeade Ice ink, and then embossed the outline in white powder.  I used a waterbrush to add shades of Berry Sorbet and Summer Sunrise to the flowers with a touch of Dark Chocolate in the center.  For the leaves, I added Ripe Avocado ink.  I hand cut all of them out after they were dry.

The card base is Fresh Snow Linen cardstock.  I stamped my pint-size jar from Friendship Jar Summer Fillers in Mint Julep ink and watercolored it with Aqua Mist and Mint Julep.  Then I stamped Background Basics: Text Style over the jar and off the card in Mint Julep.  I should have waited until the watercoloring was completely dry, because a lot of it faded into the color, but I suppose that adds to the distress look.  I also stamped some of the text in the upper left.  (difficult to see in the photo)

I stamped some leafy stems from the Life set in my jar using Mint Julep ink, making sure to add some higher bits to peek out behind the flowers.  Before adding them, I sponged Aqua Mist and Pretty Peony randomly on the card.  I also added some watery Berry Sorbet drops using my finger.  I layered my three peony blooms and tucked in lots of little leaves to make my jar bouquet.  It's so pretty!  I love it when my vision works.

I had one little strip of paper from the Don't Forget to Write kit left over from another card and it was the perfect size to place underneath the jar.  I love it when that happens!  For the tag, I cut a Fillable Frames #9 die using Fresh Snow Linen cardstock.  After pondering how to get a pretty scalloped edge and unsuccessfully looking for my edger punch, I had a flash of inspiration.  Remember those Fiskars decorative scissors from way way back?  Yep, I used the scalloped one!  Glad I held onto those.  :)  I stamped a sentiment from Pretty Petals in Berry Sorbet ink and added a matching button threaded with some natural twine.

I love Melissa Phillips' original card and I'm so very happy that I was able to adapt it with the Papertrey Ink stuff that I own.  I used five different sets.  Proud of this one!

Stamps:  Pretty Peonies, Friendship Jar Summer Fillers, Background Basics: Text Style, Life, Pretty Petals (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  VersaMark; Pale Peony, Berry Sorbet, Summer Sunrise, Dark Chocolate, Limeade Ice, Ripe Avocado, Mint Julep, Aqua Mist (Papertrey Ink)
Paper:  Fresh Snow Linen, Don't Forget to Write dsp (Papertrey Ink); watercolor paper
Misc:  Fillable Frames #9 die (Papertrey Ink); Berry Sorbet button (Papertrey Ink); Scallop Paper Edgers scissors (Fiskars); white embossing powder (Filigree); Solid Natural twine (The Twinery); ink blending tool; waterbrush

Stamp-a-Faire 2016: Gilded in Gold

I'm finally back to post a card for the Papertrey Ink Stamp-a-Faire Gilded in Gold challenge.  I painted my accent piece and stamped all the flowers yesterday, but then had to pick up my daughter from her visit to her cousins, which involved a four hour round trip.  I didn't finish the card until this morning and had to wait until after church to photograph it.  I have yet to start on any more challenges!  Nothing had better interrupt my studio time tomorrow.  lol  I am determined to do all of them.

I started by painting the sweet little scalloped frame from Tag Sale #10 with Classic Gold Liquid Leaf paint by Plaid.  (I also painted a couple of other pieces, so they will show up on a card eventually.)  It's cut from a chipboard coaster so it's a bit thicker than usual.  I stamped the white inner portion (regular cardstock) with a sentiment from Meadow Greens.  Both the sentiment piece and the white card base were stamped with Background Basics: Text Style in Soft Stone ink.  I deliberately left portions of the image uninked or very lightly inked for a distressed, uneven look.

I stamped flowers and leaves from Painted Petals by Papertrey Ink on their matching die cuts using several colors of ink.  I love the rich tones!  I layered them on the bottom left and top right corners of the card, lightly bending the flower petals and leaves, and popping up the orange flowers for dimension.  The card is so pretty in person and that gold really shines!  I love how it frames the sentiment.

Stamps:  Painted Petals, Meadow Greens, Background Basics: Text Style (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Tropical Teal, Dark Chocolate, Ripe Avocado, Summer Sunrise, Orange Zest, Soft Stone (Papertrey Ink); Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Paper:  White (Papertrey Ink)
Misc:  Painted Petals dies, Tag Sale #10 dies (Papertrey Ink); Classic Gold Liquid Leaf paint (Plaid);  foam brush; chipboard coaster; foam tape

Stamp-a-Faire 2016: Starry Night

Oh my goodness, this Starry Night challenge was so much fun to do!  I think mine came out with more of an Aurora Borealis look, but I love it none the less.  I will definitely be playing with this technique again.

I followed the directions pretty closely, using the same design and colors as Amy Sheffer.  The only real change is the sentiment.  I used Wet Paint Holiday and the matching dies for mine.  I surely thought I had purchased Inspired: Faith and was surprised to find that I didn't!  lol  Too many things on my wish list.   :)

Anyway, I sponged several colors of ink on watercolor paper and then smooshed the inkpad onto an acrylic block to add more ink with a paintbrush.  (note to self - catch up with reinkers too)  After the background dried, I painted a black landscape at the bottom, again per Amy's instructions.  I spattered white acrylic paint and some Platinum All-Purpose Ink over the sky for the starry effect.  Hopefully you can see the shimmer in this close-up photo!

I cut the word "peace" out of Soft Stone cardstock twice and layered them for dimension.  I stamped my sentiment from Wet Paint Holiday on white cardstock, cutting it into a strip.  I glued them both in place over a white thread nest.  Then I added a few silver star sequins and clear sequins.

I really love this card!  It took a while, so now I'm behind with the challenges, but I don't care.  lol  I had a blast creating my own Starry Night inspired by Vincent Van Gogh.

Stamps:  Wet Paint Holiday (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); Enchanted Evening, Pale Peony, Mint Julep, Aqua Mist, Winter Wisteria (Papertrey Ink)
Paper:  White, Soft Stone (Papertrey Ink); watercolor paper
Misc: Wet Paint Holiday die (Papertrey Ink); black and white acrylic paint; Platinum All-Purpose Ink (Tsukineko); foam makeup wedge; paintbrush; white thread; silver star sequins (PTI Shakers & Sprinkles kit); Sparkling Clear 4mm sequins (Pretty Pink Posh)  

Stamp-a-Faire 2016: Master Color Recipes

The first challenge for Stamp-a-Faire today, Master Color Recipes, is to use a color combo taken from one of nine paintings.  I chose the one inspired by Leonid Afremov's Date in the Park.  It wasn't my original choice looking at the printout, because I was initially drawn to a softer color combo, but when I saw the bold colors of his painting on my computer screen this morning, I just had to use that one instead.  It's really stunning!

I kept my card very simple.  (although I was wishing I had the Mighty Oak stamp set and dies for this)  I cut a Double-Ended Banner by Papertrey Ink out of each color and glued them to a white card base.  It echoes the strong vertical lines in the painting.  I cut my word out of True Black cardstock twice using the Noted die, layering them together for dimension, and adhering it over the strips.  Then I stamped the sentiment from Heart-2-Heart #4 on a white Building Blocks die cut underneath.  The black pops just like the trees in the painting and I really like the look.  It makes for a fun card!

Stamps:  Heart-2-Heart #4 (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Paper:  White, New Leaf, Terracotta Tile, Tropical Teal, Summer Sunrise, Scarlet Jewel, True Black (Papertrey Ink)
Misc:  Noted die, Double-Ended Banner die, Building Blocks die (Papertrey Ink)

Stamp-a-Faire 2016: Friday Night Gallery Reception

Time for Papertrey Ink's annual Stamp-a-Faire event!  I love participating in the challenges each year.  For the Friday Night Gallery Reception, everyone is invited to share a project they are most proud of and link it up.  Ummm...how on earth do you choose?  I've made a lot of cards using Papertrey Ink products and I love so many of them!  lol  I finally settled on this one from February last year.

I love the gorgeous vibrant colors!  I also remember how much fun I had watercoloring with Distress Inks for the first time.  This was one of those times I allowed myself to play with no expectations.  I still have this card because I can't bear to let it go.  All the best reasons for choosing this card.  Besides, it looks artistic so it fits right in with the theme!   :)

My daughter Emily has participated with me the last few years, but she's out of town visiting her cousins.  I miss her terribly and can't wait to get her back tomorrow.  Here's hoping she will do a challenge or two!

Warm Wishes Redux

Remember the sponged snowflake background I posted yesterday?  I'm back to share the card I created using the leftover mask.  In fact, I love this background the best.  The colors are more vibrant and exciting!

I cut the Snowflake Fusion Cover-Up die from cheap white cardstock that was thinner than my usual choice and used it for a mask to sponge several colors of Distress Ink onto my previous card.  This gorgeous piece was left over and I just had to use to make another card.  I glued it directly to a white card base.  I really love it!

I stamped this cute Pure Innocence girl called Warm Wishes onto white cardstock and colored her with Copic markers, sticking to cool greys so as not to compete with the background.  I added crystal glitter to all the fur trim for some sparkle.  You know I can't resist glitter!  I hand cut the girl and popped her up with foam tape on the card.  For my sentiment, I stamped "warm wishes" on a Fishtail Flags Layers STAX die cut.  This card really makes me smile!   :)

Stamps:  Pure Innocence: Warm Wishes (My Favorite Things)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Mermaid Lagoon, Hickory Smoke (Distress Inks)
Paper:  White (Papertrey Ink)
Copic:  N0, N2, N4, BV29, E00, E30, E42, E57, E59, R20
Misc:  Snowflake Fusion Cover-Up die, Fishtail Flags Layers STAX die (My Favorite Things); Crystal glitter (Martha Stewart); glue pen

Camp Create: HB2U

Here's my last Camp Create card for the second session!  This one is for the Background Bonanza challenge and was so much fun to make.  Who wouldn't love little glittery cupcakes?  Apparently, the teensy bug captured in my photo thought so.  (top edge of the card)  lol

I stamped the tiny cupcake from Hog Heaven by My Favorite Things all over a piece of white cardstock that was cut with a die from Blueprints 4.  I colored each one with Copic markers and then added lucious yellow glitter to the frosting.  I mounted the panel to a True Black card base.

I cut the HB2U tag from Tag Talk out of white cardstock and the solid tag from True Black cardstock, gluing them together.  I then stamped two cupcakes on either end, following the same coloring and glitter process as before.  That piece is adhered with foam tape for dimension.  Isn't it just darling?  I love the sparkle!

Here's my final Camp Create badge for this second summer session.

Stamps:  Hog Heaven (My Favorite Things)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Paper:  White, True Black (Papertrey Ink)
Copic:  C1, Y15, R29, E42, E44
Misc:  Blueprints 4 die, Tag Talk die (My Favorite Things); Lemon Drop glitter (Martha Stewart); glue pen

Camp Create: Warm Wishes

Oh my goodness, it is crazy bright outside!  You'll have to pardon the stark shadows on my last two Camp Create cards.  I need to get these posted before the deadline tonight.  This card is for the Magnificent Masking challenge.  I pretty much followed the instructional video to create my background.

I cut a piece of cheap white cardstock with the Snowflake Fusion Cover-Up die to use for a mask.  After taping it down, I sponged Distress Inks over it onto a white card base.  It looks really cool in person!  I didn't want to cover it up, so I cut a snowflake from glitter cardstock using a Snowflake Splendor die.  I also cut a Dimensional Banner from white cardstock and embossed my sentiment from PI Warm Wishes in silver embossing powder.  Both are mounted with foam tape for a bit of dimension.

The mask looks really cool all sponged with ink, so I'm in the process of making another card with it.  Look for it soon!  Here's the bade I earned.

Stamps:  Pure Innocence Warm Wishes (My Favorite Things)
Ink:  Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Mermaid Lagoon, Hickory Smoke (Distress Ink); VersaMark 
Paper:  White (Papertrey Ink); glitter cardstock
Misc:  Snowflake Fusion Cover-Up die, Snowflake Splendor die, Dimensional Banners die (My Favorite Things); silver embossing powder; sponges (Tim Holtz); foam tape

Camp Create: Inlaid Daisy

Hey, I'm making progress!  I've gotten another card done for the second week of Camp Create.  This time it's for the Inlaid Made Easy challenge.  I had just enough daylight left to take my photo.

I used the Gerbera Daisy die by My Favorite Things.  I started by cutting a piece of Kraft cardstock and then die cutting a circle out of it.  I also cut a white cardstock circle and cut the daisy out of the center.  I then cut the daisy out of Bright Buttercup cardstock and the flower center out of Dark Chocolate cardstock.  With me so far?  Lots of pieces!

I used the text border image from Forget Me Not by My Favorite Things, stamping it in VersaMark ink onto the Kraft panel.  I stamped the main sentiment from You've Got Mail in Dark Chocolate ink.  After I glued the panel to a Dark Chocolate card base, I started piecing the daisy:  first the white circle, then the yellow petals, and finally the brown center.  I was channeling a brown-eyed Susan, naturally.  I love those cheerful little flowers!  Here's the badge I earned.

Stamps:  Forget Me Not, You've Got Mail (My Favorite Things)
Ink:  VersaMark; Dark Chocolate (Papertrey Ink)
Paper:  White, Kraft, Dark Chocolate, Bright Buttercup (Papertrey Ink)
Misc:  Gerbera Daisy dies, Circle STAX Set 2 die (My Favorite Things)

Camp Create: Hello Dear Friend

I'm very behind on the second session of Camp Create.  I spent the weekend doing a church youth pioneer trek and it took me a few days to recover.  It was intensely hot!  Worth every step though.  I have a greater appreciation for air conditioning and indoor plumbing.  lol  Although I was itching to get creative, I've had trouble getting my mojo back in the studio.  I finally just started stamping and coloring in hopes something would turn out and here is the result.  :)

I pulled out the retired Pretty Pocket stamp set by My Favorite Things that I snagged at a recent used craft sale.  After choosing three flower images, I stamped them in black ink on Kraft cardstock.  I think it was cut with a Blueprints die, but I'm not certain because I pulled this piece from my scrap drawer.  I colored the flowers with Prismacolor pencils in shades of pink, blue, and yellow.  Just like the instructional video, I added little dots of white between the flowers.  I stamped a sentiment from Blissful Butterflies and glued the panel to a white card base.  It turned out really cute!  Here's the badge I earned.

Stamps:  Pretty Pocket, Blissful Butterflies (My Favorite Things)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Paper:  White, Kraft (Papertrey Ink)
Misc:  Prismacolor pencils; Blueprints die ? (My Favorite Things)

Ink It Up with Leigh Penner: Forget-Me-Not

Leigh Penner and I were chatting a while back about having uninked stamp sets lying around and we decided to challenge each other to actually use them.  We're going to post a card twice a month on the second and fourth Wednesdays.  I'm excited to do this!  I'm feeling some nervousness about having a regular commitment like that, but I'm squelching the self-doubt monster and diving in.  I have plenty of uninked stamps from which to choose.  For many years, I was more of a collector than a stamper.  Sets still often sit around for some time before they get used.  Time to change that!  I've been following Leigh's blog, To the Full, for a long time, so this is going to be fun.  Let's get those stamps inky!  :)

My first Ink It Up card uses the brand new Forget-Me-Not set by Papertrey Ink.  I purchased the Don't Forget to Write kit when it came out in May and have been using it like crazy.  This new set totally has the same vibe.  I love the darling flowers and dies, so I couldn't resist ordering it along with the new Noted dies.  I'm notorious for forgetting birthdays till the last minute, so I knew exactly what I needed to make.

Isn't it sweet?  I was going for a vintage style.  I cut the Noted: Scalloped A2 card die from Spring Rain cardstock and layered a piece of white cardstock that I embossed with the Dotted Lattice embossing folder by Taylored Expressions.  (also unused)  On the matching die cuts, I stamped the forget-me-not flower bunches in Spring Rain, Blueberry Sky, Summer Sunrise, and Simply Chartreuse ink.  I double-layered them for dimension.  I also double-layered the word "forgot" cut from Blueberry Sky cardstock.  I stamped the sentiment on Spring Rain cardstock using Smokey Shadow ink and cut it into pieces.  Then I simply adhered everything together.

This is going to my sister who got a last-minute birthday wish on Facebook.  {blush}  My only defense is that several family birthdays happened while I was super focused on helping my son finish his Eagle Scout project before his 18th birthday.  Now to work on my next goal of actually sending cards to people...preferably on time.   :)

Hope you like my card!  Head over to Leigh's blog here to see her card for the Ink It Up challenge.  She's a very creative and prolific stamper so you'll want to follow her blog if you don't already.  Thanks for dropping by Mapleberry Musings!

Stamps:  Forget-Me-Not (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Spring Rain, Blueberry Sky, Simply Chartreuse, Summer Sunrise, Smokey Shadow (Papertrey Ink)
Paper:  Spring Rain, White (Papertrey Ink)
Misc:  Forget-Me-Not dies, Forget-Me-Not Sentiments die, Noted: Scalloped A2 die (Papertrey Ink); Dotted Lattice embossing folder (Taylored Expressions)

Camp Create: Watt's Up?

My Favorite Things is having another week-long session of Camp Create on their blog.  This is going to be fun!  Yesterday's challenge was Fantastic Foiling, which set me aback at first because I don't own a Minc machine, but the actual assignment was to use something shiny.  Whew!  That I can do!  I pulled out some silver adhesive-backed foil, the Watt's Up stamp set, and Lightbulb dies.

Love it!  For the background, I cut Harvest Gold and True Black cardstock with the Ray of Sunshine die by Taylored Expressions.  I sponged Harvest Gold ink in the center just on the Harvest Gold pieces so it would look like the lightbulb was glowing.  Then I pieced it all together and glued it to a white card base.

I cut the lightbulb from white cardstock and sponged Lemon Tart ink in the center to make it look like it was turned on.  I got that idea from a card by Karen Giron.  It works well with the sponging on the background too.  The narrow black lines suggest movement and really draw the eye in.  I love the effect!

I cut the lightbulb filament and base from silver adhesive-backed foil, backing the base pieces with Soft Stone cardstock for additional dimension.  Once I assembled the lightbulb, I glued it in the center of the Ray of Sunshine background.  I embossed my sentiment on a Fishtail Flags Layer STAX die cut using black powder, which adds additional shine to fulfill the challenge requirement, and added it to the top of the card.  Here's the badge I earned!

Pop over to the MFT blog to see other entries for the challenge here.  Yummmm, now I'm craving campfire-roasted marshmallows!


Stamps:  Watt's Up? (My Favorite Things)
Ink:  VersaMark; Lemon Tart, Harvest Gold (Papertrey Ink)
Paper:  White, Harvest Gold, True Black, Soft Stone, Silver Foil (Papertrey Ink)
Misc:  Lightbulb dies, Fishtail Flags Layers STAX die (My Favorite Things); Ray of Sunshine die (Taylored Expressions); black embossing powder (Powder Keg) 

Some People Make the World Special

Here's my second card from yesterday's craft session using the Don't Forget to Write kit by Papertrey Ink.  It's a similar layout to a card I made previously following the kit instructions.

I adhered this pretty printed paper onto an A1 Fresh Snow Linen card base.  I cut the scrolled frame from the linen cardstock and stamped it with flourishes in Ocean Tides ink.  I picked this sweet sentiment from a Verve set called Feel the Sun.  It's stamped in Scarlet Jewel ink.  I glued it in place and then added some pre-printed flowers and leaves from the kit.  Very simple!

Stamps:  Don't Forget to Write (Papertrey Ink); Feel the Sun (Verve Stamps)
Ink:  Ocean Tides, Scarlet Jewel (Papertrey Ink)
Paper:  Fresh Snow Linen, Don't Forget to Write dsp (Papertrey Ink)
Misc:  Don't Forget to Write die (Papertrey Ink)

World's Best Medicine

I've had the Don't Forget to Write papers and embellishments spread across my desk for several days now, but I couldn't seem to create anything.  Today I finally managed to complete two cards.  For the past two weeks, my time has been focused on my son's Eagle Scout project.  It's nearly finished and will hopefully be installed on the high school grounds tomorrow.  I am so ready for summer vacation to begin!  It hasn't felt much like it up to this point.  Here's one of the cards I created.

I cut a Winter Wisteria card base using the scalloped notecard die from Don't Forget to Write and adhered this pretty floral paper from the kit.  I cut the large word from Winter Wisteria cardstock using a Big Hugs die.  I stamped the sentiment from Big Hugs in Ocean Tides ink on a Tag Sale: Quilted banner cut from Aqua Mist cardstock.  Then I simply glued them in place on the card.

I know this card isn't patriotic, but I want to wish everyone a very happy Independence Day!!  Let's reach out to each other in kindness and love despite our differences.  God bless America and the rest of the world!

Stamps:  Big Hugs (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Ocean Tides (Papertrey Ink)
Paper:  Aqua Mist, Winter Wisteria, Don't Forget to Write dsp (Papertrey Ink)
Misc:  Big Hugs die, Tag Sale: Quilted die (Papertrey Ink)