Muse #27

Here is a quick card I made for the Muse Challenge. I loved the simplicity for this weeks card by Tracey, in fact I think it's perfect. I challenged myself to change it up a bit and added a layer but I honestly like the original version better. For my added something special I attached some enamel dots by My Minds Eye since they are one of my favorite embellishments to use lately. Thanks so much for the visit!

Supplies - All images from Papertrey Ink, Woodgrain paper from A Muse Studio, and dots from My Minds Eye

CAS(E) This Sketch #19

Here's a quick card I made with my new Garden Cuts set from Papertrey Ink. I usually favor line flower images so I can color them in but I've been liking the speed I can create with these. I did a little masking with post it notes to create the box shape and then added a few cut out leaves and flowers. It's a great sketch this week, be sure to play along over at CAS(E) This Sketch!

A Christmas Thank You

I'm alive! I was able to sneak in a few hours of stamping this weekend and wanted to share the thank you card I've created to send out to all those who spoiled the kids and us this year (there were a lot!). I had to make sure it was simple because I had only about an hour left to design and create 8 cards. I picked up my Lawn Fawn ornament set which hadn't seen ink yet and the perfect little sentiment from a Paper Trey Ink set.

The images are colored in with copics and embellished with yellow crystals. I kept my shading simple to just a deep red for the outline and an orangish red for coloring and blending.

Thanks for looking and I hope the new year brings you joy!

Basket of Wishes

I've saved this card that I made on WCMD to share at this weeks Friends with Flair blog hop. It's the first time these super cute images have touched ink. I always wanted to use them but had some trouble of thinking of a layout for this bicycle image to really shine. Adding the texture image on the card base helped bring in more color and allowed the image to pop. I also had a lot of fun playing with my new edger die cut from Paper Trey Ink. I just love the curved scallop and how effortless it is to add to the card.

Thanks so much for dropping by!

Fruity Challenge

Unity is having a monthly challenge over on their blog where you can win 100 stamps AND a kit just for playing along! The challenge this month is any project using a fruit stamp. So if you've got some fruity Unity why not play along? I'll leave you some love :)

I used the three apples stamp from a Unity Kit of the Month on some deep red paper. No coloring means a card in a snap! I love the texture of the celery colored jute cord paired with kraft paper. I think it would make a great card for a teacher.

Sentiment from Papertrey Ink, Apples from Unity Stamp Co.

B-Day Banner

I've just returned form a wonderful weekend away on Whidbey Island. I was to participate in the Whidbey Island Marathon and celebrate my husbands birthday. I was able to join lots of friends and family who were out for their first shot at a 1/2 marathon. Due to an injury I was able to both support and join them for about 10 miles of the course. They all did AMAZING!

With Jay's Birthday in mind I made a birthday themed card for the Papertrey Ink's Make it Monday challenge. This was all about using your dies as masks. I used my banner maker die from PTI to make a mask on printer paper. Then I used a little re-positional adhesive to secure it to the front of the cardstock. Sponged it in with blue ink and then used a whole mess of PTI Birthday sentiments in the blue, green, and orange to make a festive card for a little boy. The best part is, it's just one layer save for that little border of green up top! I stamped the candles on the green and added yellow glitter for "flame".

I can't wait to see what everyone else makes this week for the challenge! Check out more samples here and give the crafters some love. Thanks for stopping by!

Ink Blending Journey

When I saw this tutorial over on the Papertrey Ink blog I had never seen the Tim Holtz ink handle and pads used like that before. I've used mine exclusively for alcohol inks so I wondered if I was missing the boat with blending tools. I used them with my Stampin' Up! inks and found them really difficult to soak into the pad. I like the upright control the handle gives but I think I still prefer using make up sponges. It gives me just a bit more flexibility and a much greater variety of ink on the sponge. I'm glad I tried it and will keep it in mind for future projects when I want a light application of ink. To see more projects with ink blending check out this Mr. Linky List and add your own!

Since I found out last week that my company had been purchased I've been thinking about making cards to give to those I've worked with for years. I'll need a bunch of masculine cards and I loved this quote from the August year of flowers set from PTI. It's the perfect sentiment to leave a message for people as we all continue on with our journey.

Paper - Vanilla - (PTI), So Saffron - (Stampin' Up!), Designer Paper - Social Club (Cosmo Cricket), Inks - Old Olive, So Saffron, Not Quite Navy (Stampin' Up!), Images - August, Year of flowers collection (Papertrey Ink)

PTI Blog Hop

Today I'm posting a card I made for my Mom and today is her actual birthday! I played along in the Papertrey Ink blog hop challenge to use embroidery thread on your card. Nothing too crazy here since my crafting mojo is on vacation this week but I still think it's cute...even if predictable.

I stamped the flowers, colored them in with copics and then drew circles inside with a pencil. I pressed holes into the paper with the needle on a foam mat to help prevent too much bending. This made stitching a breeze. I also learned early on that you can't make the holes very close together since it will quickly become one larger hole. To help this I colored the centers yellow since quite a bit of white was showing...nice fake :)

All images and white paper by PTI, Designer paper is Urban Prairie by Basic Grey.

Thanks so much for dropping by and Happy Birthday Mom if you happen to see this!