MFT Summer School 2018: White Space

Here's my card for the White Space challenge of My Favorite Things Summer School.  I pulled out the adorable Puppy Kisses stamp set this time.  The sentiment is from an older set called You Make My Tail Wag.

I had an embossed white cardstock panel in my scrap stash already that worked perfectly for what I had in mind.  It's hard to see the subtle stripes in the picture, but it adds a bit of texture to the background.  I added two layered strips of Green Parakeet grass cut using the Grassy Edges die by My Favorite Things in the lower left corner.

I stamped two of the cute puppies from Puppy Kisses, colored them with Copic markers, and cut them out by hand.  I tucked them into the grass and then framed the little scene with a black stitched circle cut using the Single Stitch Line Circle Frames by My Favorite Things.  I've been wanting those frame dies for ages and finally bought them in the retirement sale.

I stamped three hearts from Puppy Kisses.  After coloring them with Copic markers, I covered the hearts with a layer of clear Wink of Stella and cut them out.  They are so sparkly in person!  They also add a lovely pop of color to my scene.

I used the leftover black cardstock circle from the frame and adhered it to the upper right corner.  I then stamped my sentiment from You Make My Tail Wag by My Favorite Things on a white cardstock strip and cut it into two pieces.  After gluing it down, I felt the area needed something, so I stamped and cut out a pawprint from the same stamp set.

My card turned out really cute!  I'll save it for a special occasion to give to my husband.  :)

Stamps:  Puppy Kisses, You Make My Tail Wag (My Favorite Things)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Paper:  White, True Black, Green Parakeet (Papertrey Ink)
Copic:  0, C1, C3, E30, E42, E57, E59, R24, R29
Misc:  Single Stitch Line Circle Frames die, Grassy Edges die (My Favorite Things); Stripes embossing folder (Stampin' Up); clear Wink of Stella pen; white gel pen

MFT Summer School 2018: Repetition

Here's my card for the Repetition challenge over at My Favorite Things Summer School.  My stamp positioner was invaluable in making it!  No way I would have gotten all those sentiments even otherwise.

I used the Radiating Rays stencil by My Favorite Things and sponged Broken China Distress Oxide ink through it onto white cardstock.  I then stamped multiple lines of a sentiment from Sow Much Cuteness by My Favorite Things in black ink.  After I finished stamping, I cut the piece with a stitched rectangle from the Blueprints 20 die set.

I stamped a cute pig image from Sow Much Cuteness on white cardstock and colored it with Copic markers.  I went over the whole thing with a clear Wink of Stella pen for lots of sparkle.  Then I added Glossy Accents to the belly, nose, and hooves.  Hopefully you can see it in the close-up picture.  I fussy cut the image.  Again...note to self...get the matching dies.   lol

I popped up the pig with foam tape and adhered it to the center of the sentiment block.  Doesn't he look so happy about a birthday?  I love how the stenciled lines make it look like he's singing out loud.  Or dancing.  Perfectly natural!

I glued the white panel (raised slightly with additional cardstock) and a piece of Perfectly Plaid: Rainbow patterned paper by Lawn Fawn onto a black card base.  Finally, I added a few clear sequins by Pretty Pink Posh for additional sparkle.

It's sow cute!  (pun intended)  This card really makes me smile.  It was a lot of fun to make!

Stamps:  Sow Much Cuteness (My Favorite Things)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); Broken China (Distress Oxide)
Paper:  White, True Black (Papertrey Ink); Perfectly Plaid: Rainbow (Lawn Fawn)
Copic:  C1, C3, R01, R20, R30
Misc:  Blueprints 20 die (My Favorite Things); Radiating Rays stencil (My Favorite Things); Glossy Accents (Ranger); clear Wink of Stella pen; Sparkling Clear sequins (Pretty Pink Posh); stamp positioner; sponge tool

MFT Summer School 2018: Primary Colors

It's nice to be back creating in my studio again.  Lately, I've been doing more organizational projects rather than stamping.  I decided to participate in the My Favorite Things Summer School challenges to get me going again.  Here is my card for the Primary Colors day.

I pulled out these adorable monsters from the Monster Sized stamp set by My Favorite Things.  They look great in bold, bright colors!  I colored the images with Copic markers and added Glossy Accents to the eyes for dimension.  (hopefully you can see it in the close up photo)  I also jazzed up the teeth with a clear Wink of Stella pen. 

Note to self:  get the matching dies.  These images were a challenge to fussy cut!

I glued strips of Bright Buttercup, Enchanted Evening, and Pure Poppy cardstock to a white panel for a fun backdrop.  The sentiment is from another My Favorite Things stamp set called Monster Love.  I thought it went perfectly with my crazy stack of monsters.  I popped them up slightly with a couple layers of cardstock underneath.  I then glued the whole panel to a black card base.

Isn't it fun?  It's a bright and happy birthday card that works for any gender!

Stamps:  Monster Sized, Monster Love (My Favorite Things)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Paper:  White, True Black, Bright Buttercup, Enchanted Evening, Pure Poppy (Papertrey Ink)
Copic:  0, C1, C5, Y11, Y13, Y15, Y17, R24, R29, R59, B34, B37
Misc:  Glossy Accents (Ranger); clear Wink of Stella pen

Baby Girl Card & Gift Wrap

I made this card and gift wrap for a baby shower present several months ago.  I used an old set by Stampin' Up called Baby Firsts.  It's one of my personal favorites for baby cards.

For the gift wrap, I stamped baby images repeatedly on kraft paper with black ink.  Soft pink ribbon added the perfect touch to match the card.

After stamping the baby image on a scalloped notecard and coloring it with Copic markers, I paper-pieced the little pink onesie with Sweet Blush Bitty Dot patterned paper by Papertrey Ink.  I added little details to the dots with a white gel pen and colored the zipper with a silver Wink of Stella pen.

I cut the word "baby" using the Wonderful Words: Baby die by Papertrey Ink and stamped the word "girl" underneath with the matching stamp set.  Simple and super cute!

Stamps:  Baby Firsts (Stampin' Up); Wonderful Words: Baby (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Paper:  White, Sweet Blush Bitty Dot (Papertrey Ink); unknown pink
Copic:  E000, E00, R20
Misc:  Wonderful Words: Baby die, Don't Forget to Write dies (Papertrey Ink); white gel pen; silver Wink of Stella pen

Papertrey Ink February Blog Hop Challenge: Easter Wishes

I'm popping in to share a card for the Papertrey Ink February Blog Hop.  The inspiration photo included a glass bunny sitting in grass with little candy eggs, so I wanted to create a little scene using the Hippity Hoppity stamp set.  It looks like several other people had the same idea!   :) 

I had the scalloped notecard die from Don't Forget to Write out on my desk after making a baby shower card yesterday and I thought it would make a darling little card for my bunny.  I made a white card base with the die and added a strip of Green Parakeet cardstock cut with the Fresh Cut Grass die by My Favorite Things.

Using the matching dies, I stamped the bunny image from Hippity Hoppity along with two of the eggs.  I colored them all with Copic markers.  I added clear Wink of Stella to the eggs, nose, and ears for some sparkle.  You know I love my sparkle!  On the cute bunny tail, I used Cotton Ball White Fun Flock.  I couldn't resist.  It's the perfect little touch!

I tucked my images into the grass and then stamped a sentiment from Mailbox Greetings by Papertrey Ink in the upper corner.  There are some super cute cards linked up for the blog hop this month.  Check them out on the PTI blog here.

Stamps:  Hippity Hoppity, Mailbox Greetings (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Paper:  White, Green Parakeet (Papertrey Ink)
Copic: 0, C1, C3, E30, E41, E42, E55, Y11, Y13, R20, R22, RV10, RV13, BV00, BV02, BV13
Misc:  Hippity Hoppity dies, Don't Forget to Write dies (Papertrey Ink); Fresh Cut Grass die (My Favorite Things); clear Wink of Stella pen; Cotton Ball White Fun Flock (Stampendous); glue pen

PTI 11th Anniversary Day 10: Stripes Challenge

I'm back to post my card for the final Papertrey Ink 11th anniversary challenge.  This time it's to use stripes on our project.  My stripes are subtle, but they definitely sparkle!  (edited to add better photos)

I embossed a piece of white cardstock with the Stylish Stripes embossing folder by Stampin' Up.  Using a glue pen, I added glitter to the narrow stripes in the pattern.  It is so pretty in real life!  I plan to get a better picture once I have daylight again.  I glued the embossed panel onto a white card base.

I used the Life is Beautiful dies by Papertrey Ink to cut the butterfly layers from Lilac Grace and Winter Wisteria cardstock.  I covered the Lilac Grace butterfly with glitter for lots of extra sparkle.  I glued the butterfly together just in the center, curled the layers for some dimension, and then glued it to a black stitched cardstock circle.

I stamped my sentiments from the Life is Beautiful set by Papertrey Ink onto white cardstock.  I cut the smallest sentiment into a narrow strip and popped it up with foam tape.  I matted the large sentiment with black cardstock and glued it underneath the other one.

It's a simple and elegant design.  I especially love the sparkle!  It's been fun to participate in all the anniversary challenges this year.  You can see other stripe-infused designs for the challenge at the Papertrey Ink blog here.

Stamps:  Life is Beautiful (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Paper:  White, True Black, Lilac Grace, Winter Wisteria (Papertrey Ink)
Misc:  Life is Beautiful dies (Papertrey Ink); Stitched Banner Duo 2 die (Pretty Pink Posh); Stylish Stripes embossing folder (Stampin' Up); Sugar Cube glitter (Martha Stewart); glue pen

PTI 11th Anniversary Day 8: Color Challenge

Okay, this was a fun one.  Normally I struggle with color combo challenges, but I saw the rainbow hues and it sparked an idea right away.  I pulled out the Rickrack Border die and this is the result.  (edited to add a better photo)

 

Doesn't the rickrack make an unusual rainbow?  I cut it from six different colors of cardstock: Pure Poppy, Orange Zest, Harvest Gold, Green Parakeet, Hawaiian Shores, and Amethyst Allure.  I glued them on a diagonal onto a white piece of cardstock and then matted it with black cardstock.  I stamped one of my favorite sentiments from the Movers & Shakers Sentiments set in black ink.  I cut two white clouds using the Clouds 1 & 2 dies, embossed them with the Swiss Dots folder by Cuttlebug, and added some shading with Copic markers.  I adhered them next to the rainbow with foam tape for dimension.  I then glued the whole thing onto a white card base.

Simple and colorful!  This would be a great pick-me-up for a struggling friend.  You can see the other color combos and cards made with them on the Papertrey Ink blog here.

Stamps:  Movers & Shakers Sentiments (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Paper:  White, True Black, Pure Poppy, Orange Zest, Harvest Gold, Green Parakeet, Hawaiian Shores, Amethyst Allure (Papertrey Ink)
Misc:  Rickrack Border die, Clouds 1 & 2 dies (Papertrey Ink); Swiss Dot embossing folder (Cuttlebug); Copic 0 and C1

PTI 11th Anniversary Day 7: Dies Only Challenge

This was an interesting challenge.  Use only dies!  No stamps at all.  I pulled out the Framed Friends die by Papertrey Ink for my card.

I sponged three colors of Distress Oxide ink on a piece of watercolor paper.  I wanted color.  Bold color.  It's been overcast and rainy a lot recently, so I chose three bright shades:  Picked Raspberry, Salty Ocean, and Wilted Violet.  After randomly blending them onto the paper, I spritzed the piece with water and lifted it off to create the texture.  Then I splattered some Kuretake Pearls watercolor paint on top.  Finally, I sponged Black Soot Distress Oxide ink around the edges.

I cut the large word frame from True Black cardstock twice and layered them together for dimension.  Then I simply glued it in place onto my card front.  The whole thing was adhered to a black card base.  I love how it turned out!  You can see other cards for the Papertrey Ink dies challenge on their blog here.

Ink:  Picked Raspberry, Salty Ocean, Wilted Violet, Black Soot (Distress Oxide)
Paper:  True Black (Papertrey Ink); watercolor
Misc:  Framed Friends die (Papertrey Ink); Pearl Colors watercolor paint (Kuretake); sponge applicator tool; paintbrush

PTI 11th Anniversary Day 5: Retirement List Set Challenge

Today's card is for the Papertrey Ink 11th Anniversary challenge to use a stamp set from the retirement list.  I chose Beautiful Butterflies for this one.  I also used the coordinating Beautiful Butterflies Layers set, although that isn't on the list for some reason.

I stamped the large butterfly images in Hawaiian Shores and Tropical Teal inks on Fresh Snow Linen cardstock.  I stamped the butterfly body in black ink over top.  This was my inaugural use of the Tim Holtz Stamp Platform, which I recently purchased to aid in lining up stamps like this.  Not bad for a first try!  :)

I stamped the anniversary sentiment underneath in black ink.  It's also from the Beautiful Butterflies set, which has some lovely sentiments in it.  I layered the linen panel on True Black cardstock and then on a Tropical Teal card base.

I love these colors.  So much.  It makes a very pretty butterfly.  You can see other cards using retiring stamp sets at the Papertrey Ink blog here.

Stamps:  Beautiful Butterflies, Beautiful Butterflies Layers (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Hawaiian Shores, Tropical Teal (Papertrey Ink); Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Paper:  Fresh Snow Linen, Tropical Teal, True Black (Papertrey Ink)
 

PTI 11th Anniversary Day 4: Floral Challenge

I'm back with my card for the floral challenge as part of the Papertrey Ink 11th anniversary festivities.  I chose to use a retired set called Embellishments and a limited edition mini set called One Big Happy.  I love the color Simply Chartreuse paired with black and white.  It's very striking! 

I stamped a large flourish from Embellishments on white cardstock and then added two tiny flowers in Simply Chartreuse.  I stamped the big flower from One Big Happy in black ink and cut it with the matching die.  I then stamped the smaller flower in Simply Chartreuse ink with a black center.  After cutting it out as well, I layered the two flowers together with extra cardstock in between for a just little bit of dimension.  I put black Nuvo drops around the flourishes and used Glossy Accents in the center of the flower.  I love the extra shine they both add to the card.

I cut the word 'happy' from black cardstock using the One Big Happy dies and glued it in place.  I stamped the word 'birthday' in Simply Chartreuse ink just above the die cut word.  I layered the whole panel on a small strip of black and a piece of Simply Chartreuse cardstock that was punched with a scallop border.  I glued a small piece of striped Simply Chartreuse pattern paper on a white card base and then added everything on top.

I really love how this card turned out!  I think it would be a pretty design in other colors.  Go to the Papertrey Ink blog here to see many cards for the floral challenge.

Stamps:  One Big Happy, Embellishments (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); Simply Chartreuse (Papertrey Ink)
Paper:  White, True Black, Simply Chartreuse, Simply Chartreuse Pattern Pack (Papertrey Ink)
Misc:  One Big Happy dies (Papertrey Ink); Scallop Border punch (Stampin' Up); Ebony Black Nuvo Crystal Drops; Glossy Accents (Ranger)

PTI 11th Anniversary Day 3: Transformation Challenge

This was an interesting challenge.  We were to take an old project and transform it in some way.  I picked this card from February 2014 (yes, four years ago!) done for a Papertrey Ink 7th anniversary challenge.  Definitely not one of my favorite creations.  I still had it in my stash, believe it or not.  You can see the prior post on my blog here.

The original card is a very simple CAS design and I kept the basic layout, even using the same products, but adding lots of texture and pattern.  You can see the side-by-side transformation in the next photo.

Isn't that such a big difference?  I really love the new version much better!  Click on the photo to see all the details.

I embossed the Spring Rain cardstock with a Tim Holtz folder and then rubbed a white pigment inkpad over the top to pick up the swirl pattern.  I glued it to a white card base once the ink was dry.  I cut the sun using an inverted circle die by Spellbinders from both Harvest Gold cardstock and Bitty Dot patterned paper.  The cardstock gives it stability, while the polka dot pattern adds more interest to the large shape.

I cut two white clouds using the Clouds 1 & 2 dies by Papertrey Ink, covered them with glue, and added Cotton Ball White Fun Flock for fuzzy texture.  It's subtle, but I really like the look in contrast to the swirls.  I cut the large 'hello' from True Black cardstock and stamped the word 'sunshine' from Wonderful Words: Hello on white cardstock.  After gluing everything into place on the card, I added a small bird from the Happy Trails stamp set.

Click here to see other transformed cards on the Papertrey Ink blog.  It's fascinating to see the results!

Stamps:  Wonderful Words: Hello, Happy Trails (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); Sweet Tooth (My Favorite Things)
Paper:  White, Spring Rain, Harvest Gold, True Black, Harvest Gold Bitty Dot (Papertrey Ink)
Misc:  Wonderful Words: Hello die, Clouds 1 & 2 dies (Papertrey Ink); Classic Inverted Scalloped Circles Large (Spellbinders); Swirls embossing folder (Tim Holtz); Cotton Ball White Fun Flock (Stampendous)

PTI 11th Anniversary Day 1: Sketch Challenge

Papertrey Ink is celebrating their 11th anniversary this month.  I chose Lizzie's sketch for the first challenge after much deliberation.  Despite its sweet simplicity, I spent so long designing my card today that I lost the daylight and had to resort to taking my picture indoors.  I will try to get a better one tomorrow if it doesn't rain.

(edited to add better photo)

I've had Beautiful Brushstrokes since its limited re-release last year, but had yet to use it on a card.  It's such a pretty set!  I stamped the large rose image in Hibiscus Burst, Raspberry Fizz, and Pure Poppy inks on white cardstock.  I put a touch of White Blizzard Nuvo drops in the center.  I stamped the leaves in New Leaf and Olive Twist inks.  I added little heart sprigs from the Bloom & Grow mini kit in Olive Twist and Pure Poppy. 

On a white card base, I layered two white cardstock pieces cut with the Chevron Vertical Cover Plate die.  I stamped a sentiment from Signature Greetings on a white cardstock strip and adhered it near the bottom.  Then I arranged my floral pieces on top.  Simple and pretty!

See other cards for the sketch challenge at the Papertrey Ink blog here.

Stamps:  Beautiful Brushstrokes, Bloom & Grow, Signature Greetings (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); Hibiscus Burst, Raspberry Fizz, Pure Poppy, New Leaf, Olive Twist (Papertrey Ink)
Paper:  White (Papertrey Ink)
Misc:  Beautiful Brushstrokes dies, Chevron Vertical Cover Plate die (Papertrey Ink); White Blizzard (Nuvo Crystal Drops) 

Glitter Garden

I have a card for the Papertrey Ink blog hop this month.  I was inspired by the pretty colors in the picture provided and decided to use the Garden Gild cover plate die with glitter.  Lots of glitter!  It's so sparkly seeing it in person.

After cutting the Garden Gild die from white cardstock, I used a glue pen and a variety of glitter colors on the flowers and leaves.  Very simple technique, but definitely messy!  I glued the panel to a white card base and then stamped my sentiment in Lovely Lady and black ink.

Hop over to the Papertrey Ink blog to see other projects in the blog hop.  Lots of fun inspiration!

Stamps:  Garden Gild (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); Lovely Lady (Papertrey Ink)
Paper:  White (Papertrey Ink)
Misc:  Garden Gild die (Papertrey Ink); Limeade, Crystal Mint, Sugar Plum, Cotton Candy, Jelly Bean, and Lemon Drop glitter (Martha Stewart; glue pen

Sending My Love Valentines

Here's my first project finished in 2018!  I do have a pretty background I created using a technique from a recent Make-It-Monday tutorial, but I haven't decided how to use it yet.  :)  While scrolling through blogs in Feedly last week, I saw some darling cards made by Lynn Put on her blog, The Queen's Scene, using the Don't Forget to Write kit and some other dies by Papertrey Ink.  I loved them!  It made me itch to get into my studio and make them too.  It's not my original design, of course, but it got me creating again and that's what matters.

Aren't they sweet?  I adore the colors.  I had so much fun making these cards.  I stamped the flowers in Hibiscus Burst, Lovely Lady, Pure Poppy, and New Leaf inks.  The clusters are layered on hearts cut using the Shakers & Sprinkles kit dies.  They fit perfectly on the note card die from the Don't Forget to Write kit. 

Betsy Veldman gets me with her gorgeous designs.  Every.  Single.  Time.  I love her vintage style and want to own all of her stamps and dies.  I just can't keep up!  (darn budget, lol)

I know I've mentioned before how much I love polka dots.  I adhered a sheet of Hibiscus Burst Bitty Dot paper to the white scalloped note card.  Again, this is totally a CASE of Lynn Put's design.  There are faux pearls in the center of the bigger flowers.  I was going to use my Nuvo Drops, but I'm having issues with some of the colors.  I'm thinking I need to move them away from the outside wall, because it can get a bit chilly in my studio.  The large word is cut from Pure Poppy cardstock and the sentiment is stamped directly on the heart with black ink. 

Wouldn't this design look darling in purples?  It would also be elegant in white and metallics for a wedding.  It was fun to get the Don't Forget to Write kit out again to play.  Thanks to Lynn Put for the inspiration!

Stamps:  Don't Forget to Write (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); Hibiscus Burst, Lovely Lady, Pure Poppy, New Leaf (Papertrey Ink)
Paper:  White, Pure Poppy, Hibiscus Burst Bitty Dot (Papertrey Ink)
Misc:  Don't Forget to Write dies, Shakers & Sprinkles: Hearts dies (Papertrey Ink); faux pearls

A Look Back at 2017

I'm a little shocked to discover that I have been blogging for seven years.  SEVEN.  Slow blink.  Wow.  I have published 445 posts prior to this one.  Double wow.  I've been stamping far longer than that.  Since the year 2000, in fact.  That's a lot of projects.  Last year was my least creative and I gave up on my crafty goals pretty quickly.  It was a year of highs and lows.  Sometimes you just need to focus on other things that need attention.  The self-doubt monster was pretty ruthless last year in many areas of my life.  Still, despite it all, I made some projects that I really loved.  Here are a few of my favorites.  Click on the pictures to see the original posts.

My son Matthew got married to my lovely new daughter-in-law Meghan in July.  I made this pretty box in her wedding colors for a bridal shower gift that contained handmade jewelry by myself.

While I was in Utah visiting family for my son's wedding, I also attended a bridal shower for a nephew's fiance so I made her a similar gift in their wedding colors.

One highlight of the year was being featured on the Inspired By All the Little Things blog in May.  I made this sweet floral card that I gave to my mom for Mother's Day.

I love these darling chairs pieced with a polka-dot patterned paper.  I adore polka dots and it would be fabulous to have a couch in this print!  

I made this card for my youngest daughter Emily.  She loves emojis (like every other teenager) and it's super fun and colorful.  Just like her personality!

I really like how the soft flowers pop against the black background on this card.  It was a labor of love and fun to make.

So there's my past creative year in a glance.  I have quite a few crafty goals for this new year.  Create more.  Use my stuff.  Actually send cards to people.  Make one hundred projects to post.  Participate in blog hops.  Tackle the self-doubt monster head-on and create anyway.  Embrace imperfection.  I've been straightening up the clutter in my studio.  Purging too.  I love to organize my things almost as much as I love to create.  Here's to lots of crafty adventures in the year ahead!