Monday, July 25, 2011

July Papertrey Blog Hop

Whew!  I didn't think I would actually meet the deadline for this challenge!  One of these days I will be early.  I was scraping more paint off the porch all day.  Hubby graciously took over this evening so I could make this card.  The challenge Paper Trey Ink gave us was to use the photo above as inspiration for a card.   Don't you just love the colors!?!  This isn't something I would have naturally put together but I think it looks fab and would love an area like this in my home! Wouldn't you!?!  I also forget that things like these can be a great source of inspiration.   In the past I drew my colors and inspiration from a sheet of store bought patterned paper.  Lately, though I am striving to make use of my stash of supplies by stamping my own patterned paper.  So I need to look elsewhere for color combos.  This is a fantastic resource!  Home decor catalogs here I come!  Where do you get your inspiration from?

Above you can see my card. I am quite pleased with it and will definitely be saving this color combo for the future. I used my Card Base 3 file as a starting point.  You can see the other supplies I used in my supplies list below.  If you would like to purchase my file please click on the photo to be taken directly to it in my store.

Supplies:
Paper Trey Ink Stamps:  Turning a New Leaf (used for all three patterned papers), Honey Bees (flowers and grass), Round and Round Anniversary Set (sentiment)
Fibers
Rivets?...got them at JoAnn's when they went out of business...cut like gemstones but material similar to rivets in jeans


I'm happy I had to post to meet the PTI challenge deadline because now I get to share with you an beautiful card by Johanne.  She sure does have a knack for creating elegant works of art! I just love those colors and the gold embossing!  Here is what Johanne has to say about her stunning card:

Cutting Files:
                Card Base 5 from Shelly's Art
                Circle and Frame from Diana's Design
Paper: Bittersweet from Basic grey collection
Stamps: 
                HSH326I from Heather's Stamping Haven
                Mouse from the Stamp TV Spring mix
Embossed with gold embossing powder

If you would like to purchase the cutting file Johanne used in her card please click on the image below to be taken directly to it in my store.


Thanks for stopping by!  Come back to see me again please!  Have a great week!


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Sunday, July 24, 2011

Paprey Trey Ink MIM #24 Dry Brushing, new files, and CDT projects


Before the kids occupied my time I dabbled in decorative painting.  I packed up all my painting books but fortunately my paints and brushes are still easily accessible.   I had fun participating in Papertrey Ink's Make It Monday dry brushing technique.   I wanted a very soft look on my cards so I used a very soft brush designed for painting on glass.  I love the results!   The top one has off white paint the the bottom has yellow over chocolate brown cardstock.   I think it reminds me of a chalkboard covered in chalk.   Black with white paint would be perfect for school cards and layouts!  I copied the basics of the card from Lisa Johnson.  I loved the card she made here.   However, I did not have the rustic branches stamp so I improvised using the single line from Paper Tray for my stems and a single leaf from Turning a New Leaf  to mimic Lisa's focal image.  I used two different colors of rhinestones to mimic the berries.  I ran out of gems though so I used glitter glue for the second card.  See more details of the other PTI stamps I used in the supplies list.   I used the butterfly from my Buttons Galore file cut out of grungeboard and covered in crackle paint for an accent.  Below is a close up.  I really need to use my crackle paint more...such a great effect and soo easy!



The scallop came from my card base 1 file. Once again I used my own baker's twine to wrap the card.  I love this stuff!  I've gotta make more!    I also dusted off my sewing machine and zig zag stitched between the strips.  For me this takes some time because I'm a terrible sewer but I love the end result!  I  envy those of you who can sew! 

Supplies:
Papertrey ink Stamps:  Paper Tray (long single line and sentiment), Turning a New Leaf (single leaf),  Round an d Round Anniversary set (dotted background strip), Let Freedom Ring (firecracker swirl for blue strip background)
French Script Background 
Tim Holtz  Distress Crackle Paint (Mustard Seed) and Grungeboard
Swirl Glitter Glue
Folk Art Acrylic paint
Rhinestones
Shelly's Art:  Buttons Galore, Card Base 1 
Janome Sew Mini with heavy duty cream colored thread
Creative Memories Corner Rounder
Baker's Twine made by me (I only have one request for a tut on how to make this yourself so if you'd like to see it please let me know)

If you would like to purchase any of the files used in my card.  Please click on the photos to be taken directly to my store.


The newest member of my CDT has been soo busy using my files that I can't keep up with her!  So I must showcase two absolutely wonderful cards designed by her today!  She used my Card Base 3 file for both cards.  This file is a steal at 30% off through the end of this month.  It is great for not only feminine cards but also masculine, teens and toddlers alike! 

First up is an incredible card using paper embroidery.  I have always wanted to try this technique but have yet to sit down and do so.  It sure does look great and Johanne did an excellent job.  I'm adding this technique to my to do list!


Here is what Johanne had to say about her lovely card:

Cutting file:  Card Base 3 from Shelly's Art
Embroidery pattern from Basics of embroidery on paper  from Erica Fortgens
Paper: Classic K Designer Paper from K&Company
Tim Holtz Distress Ink in brushed corduroy

Next up a card with the exact same card base but a different focal point.  I find it is easy to make up two or more of these card bases then when you need a quick card all you do is add some stamping or a die cut and you've  got a card in minutes!  Also, instead of having scrap paper to store you have something you can use quickly when you need it.

 I just love the soft colors Johanne used!  It's wonderfully vintage looking.   I will have to try that flower tut she mentions too.  I bet you could use the flowers from my Playful Flower, Leaves and Branches files and Dawn's technique to make some beautifully unique flowers.  

 Cutting file:  Card Base 3 from Shelly's Art
Stamp:      Flower, leaves & Stem:  Automn Leaves from Mindy Terasawa
                Sentiment: Kensington Gardens from Cloud 9
Paper: Classic K Designer Paper from K&Company
Antique Gold embossing powder for the card and the flower
Tim Holtz Distress Ink in brushed corduroy

If you would like to purchase the file that Johanne used in her elegant cards please click on the photo below.

I do have a few new files in my store.   Click on photos below to purchase them.



 Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you come back again!  Have a wonderful week!


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Monday, July 18, 2011

PaperTrey Ink Make it Monday #23


Whew!  I thought for sure I wasn't going to make the deadline!  I started this card on Friday but then had a busy weekend.  (Yes...I'm still working on the porch..but we're making progress ;)  I apologize for the poor photos.  It is very dark out so I opted for scanning in the items instead of taking photos in bad lighting.  I should have put the tag on a colored background before scanning but I just didn't think of that until now and really wanted to get this posted without delay! 

The challenge this week was to make a card with a pocket using edger dies.  You can see the video of the technique here.   Of course by the time you read this the new Monday one will be posted since a new one is posted every Monday.  I'm hoping I can participate earlier this week!   

Let's see Papertrey stamps used:
Honey Bees-bee image and word "bee" on the tag and honey comb background
Mat Stack Two Collection-stamped image surrounding the bumble bee and coordinating die
Let Freedom Ring -words "happy" and "birthday" on the tag

Other:
Shelly's Art: Tags Galore and Cutie Bee cutting files (scroll down for more info)
Cutie bee has doodlebug flocking on it to make him wonderfully fuzzy!
Nestabilities Labels 8-used for edges of pockets since I don't have any PTI edgers dies
Nestabilities scalloped circle-used behind the mat stack image
Stickles applied to bee, dotted pocket, brads and reinforcement
Dotted background technique using Copic markers as seen in this video.   Thanks Dana...my first time ever doing this but I love how it turned out!  It kept the white wings and white eye from blending in on the white tag.
Yellow and Black bakers twine made by me using my Dremmel tool, cup hook, crochet yarn and embroidery floss (let me know if you want to see how I made this and I will get a video together after the porch is done)

If you could like to purchase either of my files I used on this card..please click on the photos to get to my store.

I had planned on posting some projects from my design team when I posted my card for this challenge.  However, I'm out of gas and I need to get some sleep.  It's 1:25 AM which means it's already tomorrow and past my bedtime!  So please check back later in the week for some inspiration from my talented CDT!  Thanks for stopping by!  Have a splendid week!


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Monday, July 11, 2011

Why MIA, Former PTI Challenge and CDT card.

Howdy everyone,

I'm sorry I haven't been around much lately.   Our Summer has been anything but lazy.  I have been suffering for about 5 possibly 6 months now with foot pain.  I have an abnormally large bone in my foot.  Ordinarily this isn't a problem but I did something to irritate the tendon and now it's rubbing against the bone causing a lot of pain.   The foot doc tried various things but nothing really helped.  So the last resort was physical therapy.  Thankfully it has made me feel sooo much better.   Since Tyler got out of school..he and Adoree have accompanied me to physical therapy sessions 3 times a week.    I also need to do exercises twice a day.  It's all worth it though my foot feels 10x better than when I started therapy about a month ago.  Bless those therapist!  I had taken for granted before being able to walk without pain and never really realized how a strong foot is important.  I couldn't believe how weak my foot was before starting the exercises.   One of the hardest things for me to get used to is wearing shoes in the house...I need the arch support so I must wear them.  It might be easier in the Winter but now that it's warm  I'm just can not get used to wearing shoes all the time!  I was thrilled though as we found sandals with built in arch supports in them at an Amish store for really cheap!  I love these sandals and my feet thank me for wearing them!  LOL!

After the 4th of July we decided to remodel our porch.  At first it was just going to be a paint job but after taking a good look at the condition of the porch we decided to tear down the awning, replace floor boards, posts and put vinyl railing and soffit up.  We have a rather large porch and not much DIY skills so this is a big deal for us!  Even with all those renovations it still left a lot of wood that had peeling and crackled paint on it.  So it is my job to get the wood ready for painting (hubby is going to help!) .  We tried scraping and sanding but the crackled paint wouldn't budge.  So we are now using a stripping gel.  It is working somewhat but takes off thin layers at a time so that means tons of scraping and reapplying the stripping until we get a paintable surface.  As I was telling hubby this is a very hard job..especially with my wimpy arms!  I repaired the horsehair plaster walls, sanded, cleaned, primed and painted the entire room mostly myself for my craft room and that was nothing compared to all this scraping!  I wish the temps would cool a little as this stripping gel is supposed to be used in temps ranging from 65-85 degrees and we have been hitting the 90s.  I think I'll get out there tomorrow morning before it gets too hot and then take a break and not go back out until after supper.  The gel is supposed to stay active for 24 hours so that should work out well.  Any suggestions on paint colors?  We have a white house and the posts along with the railing will be white but I want the porch and steps to be a different color.  I'm leaning towards a light olive green but I just can't visualize it.  Most of the porches I've seen are the hunter green and for some reason I'm not fond of that color.   I love the brick red but I think that looks better with a beige house and hubby already informed me we are not painting the house!  LOL! 

While working on the porch I managed to take some breaks and finish up the PTI's Make it Monday challenge..however...I didn't managed to get it posted on my blog by the deadline!  DRAT!  I love PTI stamps and really wanted to enter that challenge to win some.  Oh well I do love how my card turned out so I figured I'd share it with you anyway!


It really is a great technique.   You make your own stamp pad using reinkers so you can color one stamp with multiple colors.   I used distress ink reinkers to color the butterfly and leaves as that is one stamp.  I had to mix yellow and blue to get green since I didn't have any green but I love how that gave a lot of shading to the leaves.  I had plenty of ink left on my custom stamp pad to make several of these.  I wish I would of had the hindsite to stamp more of these for future cards.  Someone did mention you could possibly store your handmade stamp pad in a sealed bag for later use but I didn't think of that either. :(

Before I tell you a little more about my card...I'd like to share with you the video describing this technique.  Remember this challenge is no longer active but they do have a new challenge up for this Monday here.  I only have one PTI die that I used on the card above so I'll have to see if I can get creative with that die!




I started with my Card Base 4 file then added PTI stamps for the focal point.  The butterfly circle came from the Round and Round Anniversary Set (not available for sale anymore) and the frame came from the Mat Stack 2 collection and a Nestabilities Scalloped circle was added behind that for a pop of color.  The background paper was stamped with a french script stamp.  The patterned paper was made with the following PTI stamps:  Turning a New Leaf  (love...love..love..this set!)  and the separate butterfly the the Round and Round anniversary set.  This is my first time stamping my own background paper and I thought for sure I would screw it up but I think it turned out pretty well!  It is impossible to tell in the photo but I sprayed the yellow scallop circle, border and butterfly patterned paper with pearl glimmer mist.  I love the shimmer it added!  The tag is from my tags galore file.  The sentiment is from PTI's Round and Round anniversary set.  I added a few clear dew drops colored with a purple Copic marker and also some rhinestones to the sentiment.  Oh and see that baker's twine....guess..what....I made that myself!  Yep...all it took was my Dremel tool, a cup hook, crochet thread and embroidery floss.  (If you want to see a demo of how I did this let me know and maybe after the porch is done I can get one made up).    I do think I will use this color combo in the future.  I'm not a big fan of the color yellow for some reason but I love it paired with the purple and green.

My CDT member Johanne also had fun with my Card Base 4 file.  

I just love this color combo and the papers she used.  The stickles add just the right amount of pizazz to this great card!  It would be a great card not only for Valentine's Day but any time you want to let you loved ones know you are thinking of them.   Here is what Johanne had to say about her lovely card:

Cutting File:
                Card Base 4 from Shelly's Art
                I Love you from Barb Wire Designs (from the KNK complementary files CD)
                Fancy Hearts(Free_Feb_007) a freebie from one of the group
Paper:  Together Ruby from Chatter Box
Stickles
Tim Holtz Distress Ink brushed corduroy

So do you any of you want to come to my house and put a bed together?  LOL!  Adoree has been sleeping in Tyler's "crib".  It is one that converts into a day bed but she is a rather active child and the springs have started to sag plus she is getting really tall.  So we decided it's time to get her a big girl bed.  Her room is very small so we wanted a bed that had storage in it that way we wouldn't have to try to squeeze a twin bed and dresser into her room.  We found a great loft bed on Amazon.  It came in three boxes and now needs put together!  It is funny even the instructions say it's best to ask a friend to help!  Hmm I wonder if hubby and I can do this without too much frustration!  Wish us luck!  Adoree is such a girlie girl!  Tyler has always been perfectly happy with plain sheets.  However, Adoree just begged to have the Princess and Fairy sheets.  It's a good thing they were on sale at Kmart!  Okay now that your eyes hurt from reading this long post...I will bid you goodnight!

Thanks for stopping by and come back again.  If I get a chance I'll come back with some porch before and afters!  At this rate though the after might not be until the end of the month!






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Sunday, July 03, 2011

Independence Day sale continues and more inspiring projects!

Celebrate your freedom to craft by giving yourself a treat today.  Stop by my store and get 40% off all my designs.  This includes digital cutter files, digital stamps, and digital scrapbooking products (membership club excluded).  Click here to go shopping.  Before you go though check out some inspiring projects below.

 Sue Shaff has been created some awesome learning books for her grandson Clay using cutter files and various embellishments.   I proposed to Sue that my emoticons file might make a good emotions book for Clay.  Thankfully Sue thought it was a great idea and the book she created is wonderful!  I will show it to you in a slideshow below so this post doesn't get over run with photos.




Above is the photo of Clay enjoying his book.  Isn't he just adorable!   I think Sue did an awesome job on the book.  It's great Clay has such a caring and creative Grandma!  You can see some of the other books she made on Sue's blog here.  If you would like to purchase the emoticons file please click here.   I designed this file to mimic text message smiley so these are perfect for layouts featuring kids texting or even cards for teens who like to text! 

Next up I have a terrific card by Jan W.  Jan used my Spring Water Can digital stamp. 
Here is what Jan had to say about her card.  "I colored it with colored pencils and experimented with "Gamsol" (odorless mineral spirits) to blend the colors. By using the spirits, it really got rid of the lines created by coloring with the pencils. I cut extra parts of the flowers out to make it more 3D. I used a paint brush to 'paint' the watering can with pearl glimmer mist. Of course I needed a little bling-bling to jazz it all up, and kylee's 'cranberry' dews were the perfect choice."  I know Jan was a little disappointed as she mentioned the variation in colors didn't show up that well in her photo.  I dunno I think it looks fab to me!  If you would like to purchase my stamp click on the words above the preview.  

Spring Watering Can Digi

 Next up we have an amazing masculine card.  I always struggle with masculine cards.  I find much inspiration in Kelly's projects as she is great at them! 

Kelly used my tent card: scenery file in combination with Accents by Eddita's deer.   I will definitely be copying this card in the future as my Dad would love this!  I love tent cards...they add much dimension but can be flattened easily for mailing.  Click on the words above the preview if you'd like to purchase my tent card. 

Tent Card:  Scenery

 I seem to always get these blog posts done just when lunch time hits.  So I'd better go!  Have a wonderful Independence Day!  I can't wait to take some fireworks photos!  Thanks for stopping by and come see me again soon!


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Friday, July 01, 2011

It's SALE time and inspiring projects


Celebrate your freedom to craft by giving yourself a treat today.  Stop by my store and get 40% off all my designs.  This includes digital cutter files, digital stamps, and digital scrapbooking products (membership club excluded).  Click here to go shopping.  Before you go though check out some inspiring projects below.

First we have a layout by CDT member Johanne.  I just love that adorable dog of hers.  


I just love the papers Johanne used and that little dog collar embellishment if the perfect touch!  I also love how Johanne used the sketch in two different orientations to created a double page layout.  Here is the info Johanne gave about her wonderful creation:

Cutting Files:
                Circle & Wave LO by Shelly's Art. I added a few outlines and made the round picture bigger.
                Pen writing with the file Pen Alpha Curly Cute from Jan Bryson using a Zig marker in black            
Stamp:
                Purr-fectly Delightful (Paw Print) by Theresa Momber
Paper: Dude Collection by Prima Marketing Inc.
Tim Holtz Distress Ink in color black soot

If you would like to make a layout yourself please click on the words above my preview

 Now I'd like to share with you what I created for Father's Day. 

I used Mojo Monday's sketch # 194. It was the absolute perfect sketch to showcase my award ribbon file . I decided to use my neglected Janome sew mini to do some stitching on this card. My stitching isn't perfect but I don't think it's too bad for my second attempt. I love the texture it adds. I also did some inking with distress ink for all the edges of the papers. It's hard to see in the photo but the brads are actual rustic heart brads. I have to say I struggle making masculine cards and this one took me forever to make but I do like the end result.  The dotted and plaid strips are from a very old Basic Grey collection called Vagabond (see I am doing well using my stash and not hoarding! LOL). I'm not sure if it is still available but I did find the digital version here. The second strip from the left and the horizontal strip under the blue ribbon is also from a very old Basic Grey collection called Hang Ten. You can find the digital version of it here. The broken stripe paper on the far right is from a kit I got from Transparent Touches...I looked up the company who made the paper and I wasn't familiar with them but the paper is very good quality and I love it. It from the Paper Boy collection created by Scrap Within Reach...you can see it here.

You could easily do up this awards ribbon in patriotic colors, a safety pin to the back  and wear it for the 4th instead of buying an expensive patriotic t-shirt.  Click on the words above the preview if you'd like to purchase this file.

3-D awards ribbon



I saw this post on Nicole's blog and knew right away I wanted to duplicate her project for my Father's Day gift.  Since Adoree is young yet and can't sign her name I put a poem in that space.  I'm so glad I happened upon Nicole's post as I loved creating this project and now hubby has something to display in his office.  Thanks Nicole!



I did this all digitally and printed it out.  Tyler bought a frame with his own money.  He said it had to be red since Daddy likes red.  So that is why I put the photos in black and white so the red frame wouldn't clash.  In case you can't tell (harder to do with only two kids) the kids formed themselves in letters to spell out Dad.  The bottom photo is what they wrote on the chalkboard.  Tyler did the writing and Adoree drew the characters.  I think if you click on the photo you should be able to read the poem.  I used Digitreats Shout Digital scrapbooking kit.  The wonderful colors and elements in this kit were perfect for this project!  You can get the kit for 50% off if you hurry...check out her blog here for details. 

Okay I've gotta get these kiddos lunch!  I hope you have a great holiday weekend!  Happy Canada day!  Happy 4th of July!   Thanks for stopping by!  Come again!








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