Friday, April 30, 2010

EBTKS Challenge 14 - Envelopes

Lynnette has an awesome challenge for us! Actually when she first posted it I thought, "Why didn't I think of that?" I feel like I've been saying that a lot lately!

And I thought this would be a pretty easy challenge, but I just kind of froze. Thankfully it came back quickly when I pulled out some of my new goodies from Glitz.

I used a coin envelope more as a background than anything else, but I do like the way it turned out!

Patterned Paper: Distressed Couture Paper - Blocks (Glitz)
Cardstock: Ocean Tides (PTI)
Rub On: Vintage Extras (Glitz)
Ribbon: Neptune Cabbage Roses Ribbon (MemrieMare)
Misc: Shipping Tag





And you're definitely going to want to play along with this challenge! Our sponsor for this challenge is the fabulous Ashley N. Newell for Ippity. The winner of this challenge will have the opportunity to be our next guest designer and will get this great set:

You can view more Ippity sets on Ashley's blog, Heart Hugs.

So come play along and see the other girls fabulous cards on the EBTKS blog!

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I wanted to thank you all for your kind words for the new design team! I've already seen some of their fantastic work for this release and you are going to love it! And speaking of the next release, the fun starts TOMORROW! See you then!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Introducing the Practicing Creativity Design Team

Remember how I was really unsure about doing a design team? Remember how I was nervous about having to actually choose? Well... I was totally correct in feeling that way. It was so hard to pick, and trust me I know how it feels to not get picked. It's just not fun. I do want to encourage everyone that applied to keep trying, there was seriously not one untalented person that applied. I'm always so impressed and inspired by the community of paper crafters out there!

But without further ado,  I'd like to introduce you to three fantastic card makers. I'm seriously so excited to see what they create next!


I am a happy card maker living in Northern California with my husband and two lovely cats. I started scrapbooking about 3.5 or 4 years ago and started making cards soon after. I fell in love right away with card making and that's has taken over most of my scrapbooking time. I love and enjoy being able to make all my "thank yous" and "Happy Birthdays" tangible so that my family and friends can feel and treasure them. =) 
 
I'm a left-handed art and craft lover! I enjoy paper crafts, altered art, knitting, cooking, gardening, and music. I fell into the stamping world by accident in 2000 when I purchased my first rubber stamp at a yard sale! Cards have always been my specialty and my style is pretty eclectic because I like to dabble in just about everything from vintage/shabby to clean and simple. My husband and I are the proud parents of 2 adopted boys, 2 cats and 1 dog. We live in beautiful upstate New York. I am a PPQ Officer with the USDA and spend most of my workdays outside, but in the early morning hours you can find me in my studio covered with ink. 
I'm a girly girl who has a tendency to be a perfectionist. I started stamping when I was a little girl and my love for it has grown over the years. I love pink, scallops, polka dots, bows and anything
sparkly- elements that can be seen on almost all of my creations. During the day I'm a manager at a rubber stamp company and at night you can usually find me stamping away in my studio. Yes, I enjoy stamps so much that I spend almost all my waking hours around them! When I do step away from my stamps, I enjoy shopping, watching movies, exercising and spending time with my friends.
I am so excited to be on board with the PCD design team- I can't wait to share my love of these stamps with you!


You'll get to see these ladies fabulous work starting with this release which starts on Saturday!

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By the way if you have not seen Dana's tutorial on using the You're Dandy rays you are totally missing out. It's brilliant!

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Speaking of You're Dandy, both You're Dandy and For the Love of Dots will be back in stock this weekend!

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger

I rarely post about decorating these days, but besides paper crafts I love to decorate. I also love decor blogs and magazines. I can make a list of changes and decorating I'd like to do to my house a mile long. In many ways it's like creating on a larger scale. And trust me my love of neutrals and textures seriously comes out in my home. All that to say when I saw this image for today's Tuesday Trigger .... I just thought... ahhh...

I wanted to make a mostly white card. I started with my background that I embossed with white. I wish you could see it in person!
Stamps: Woodgrain Silhouettes Additions (WPlus9); Truly Appreciated (Hero Arts)
Ink: White Craft (Stampin' Up)
Cardstock: White (Gina K); New Leaf, Spring Rain (Papertrey Ink)
Ribbon: Celery and White Stripe, White Satin (May Arts)
Thread: White (Coats and Clark)


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I'm off to watch Chase play softball with my little sister! We are going to bundle up... it's cold here!

Sunday, April 25, 2010

PTI Blog Hop: Tissue Paper

Okay this is so my kind of challenge. Not only did I just buy a pack of tissue paper, but I just love using this kind of stuff! So I broke out my all time two favorite PTI sets and got to work (In Bloom and Big and Bold Sentiments).

I knew I wanted to create a focal point with my tissue paper, but I also knew I wanted to create a ruffle. I set these fun colors against black to give it a little pop.

To create the card: 


1. Create card from cardstock. 
2. Stamp flowers and dots in the background.
3. Run a strip of adhesive across your card. You'll use this to adhere your tissue paper as you ruffle along it. Ruffle the first strip of orange tissue paper. 
4. Ruffle the second strip of purple (for this one I did a more messy ruffle).
5. Stamp sentiment and adhere.
6. Stitch along the bottom of sentiment.

Stamps: In Bloom, Big and Bold Sentiments (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Snow Chalk (Hero Arts)
Cardstock: True Black, Plum Pudding (Papertrey Ink)
Thread: White (Coats and Clark)
Tissue Paper: Orange, Purple (Target)

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Embellish Embossing Color Challenge

I stayed up late last night working on my card for the latest Embellish challenge. And granted Practicing Creativity is sponsoring, but I LOVE this:

I think those images are gorgeous. Now... that isn't to say I had an easy time with this card! Don't you think it's funny how colors look so gorgeous together, but then give you fits when you actually try to work them together on a card? I decided to break out Look Up! and For the Love of Dots for this card.


I had to adjust my colors just a tad, and I'm in love with that pink twill which is a little lighter. I seriously do not have any true blue paper or ink! You can come play along with this challenge here! I hope you all have a great weekend!

Friday, April 23, 2010

Exciting Stuff!

Hey there! I just wanted to jump over to share a few exciting things with you today!

1. Practicing Creativity is sponsoring the latest Embellish challenge. It's a fabulous one! Check it out here!
2. There was a big announcement over on the Glitz blog! I will be serving on their new design team with some AMAZING talent! I'm so excited to start sharing some of their products with you!
3. Today is the last day to send in your application for the Practicing Creativity Design Team! Thank you to all of you that have already applied!

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Working with a Pattern

Well, not actually working with a pattern, but using a sewing pattern on your card. Do you ever have one of those "why am I just now thinking of this?" moments?

Chase and I were washing my car Sunday, and I was cleaning a few things out of the trunk. My grandmother had given me a ton of old patterns and material to use. I guess one of the patterns had fallen out in my truck. As soon as I got it out I thought, "why haven't I used this on a card yet?" And that's exactly what I did:


I actually used two different section. The background paper is from the instructions in the pattern. The messy pinwheels are from the actual pattern. That lightweight tissue paper is great to use to make embellishments! Plus sewing and patterns seem to be all the rage these days, and since I can't sew this is a perfect use for me!

Paper: Sewing Pattern (Simplicity)
Cardstock: Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink)
Stamp: One the Desk (Cornish Heritage Farms)
Ink: Onyx Black (VersaFine)
Ribbon: Navy Grosgrain (Offray); Ivory Crochet (May Arts)
Buttons: Cream (Papertrey Ink)
Thread: Ivory Heavy Duty (Coats and Clark)


Okay so what do you think? Do you have an old pattern laying around! I'd love to see your project if any of you break out patterns!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

2 Sketches 4 You #50

Okay so yesterday I showed you some paper I never use but love. Today's card is all about the paper I love but can't stop using. I really need more Webster Pages product and ribbon! I thought I'd try out Laura's sketch:

Here's what I came up with:

What's really strange about this card is that I didn't use one stamp. Do you see that scallop on the edge? I actually just used my 1.5" circle punch to make that. Just pinch out some circles and tape them down. I used the stripe behind my ribbon to cover up most of he circles. I also didn't adhere the side you see. I kind of curled them up just to give them a little something extra.

Patterned Paper: Love Yourself; Dreamland (Webster's Pages)
Hat Pin: Cream Stick (Jenni Bowlin)
Cardstock: Ivory (Gina K)
Ribbon: Neptune Cabbage Roses Ribbon (MemrieMare)
Die Cut: Labels 4 (Spellbinders)
Punch: 1.5" Circle (Shape Makers)



You can see all the other 2 Sketches entries here.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Oh Boy!

Do you ever buy paper you love, really love, but never use? That's me and The Boyfriend collection from Cosmo Cricket. I love it I really do. I just have never used it. I think I've made one card. As I was cleaning up some things this weekend I was determined to break it out. It really is so cute.

I think the hardest thing with boy/man cards is that I like to layer, and usually layering is pretty girlie. I mean honestly I rarely make a card without ribbon. If I could put ribbon on a boy card I'd be set. Here it is, simple but I think I like it.



These colors are a little different than I'd normally put together. However there is something about the kinda off color combo that I really like. I think the white helps balance it all out.

Patterned Paper: Fitting In (Cosmo Cricket)
Cardstock: White (Gina K)
Thickers: Daiquiri (American Crafts)
Misc: Crystal Effects (Ranger); White Tread (Coats and Clark)



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Thanks for all of your feedback concerning the tutorial! Hopefully I'll get that together very soon!

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If you are considering applying to be part of the Practicing Creativity Design Team, there's just a few more days! You can see all the information here!

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Celebrate!

Today is my friend Kelley's birthday. Kelley is both my in real life friend as well as one of my blog friends (I'm sure most of you know that). I usually kind of clam up when I'm making cards for other card makers, but this one just kind of flowed. It all started with the ribbon... lovely. Speaking of that ribbon, I've figured out how to make it, but I need to work on making it as easy as possible before I do a tutorial! Do you all want to learn even if it's not an easy embellishment? Also this ribbon below is not the ribbon I made, the below ribbon is from Dear Lizzy. Gorgeous, eh (says the girl from Tennessee)?

Patterned Paper: Dear Lizzy Golden Gleam  (American Crafts)
Fabric Paper: Dear Lizzy Firefly Festival (American Crafts)
Ribbon: Dear Lizzy Lovely Ribbon (American Crafts)
Stamps: Dear Lizzy Warble (American Crafts); For the Love of Dots (Practicing Creativity)
Cardstock: Pure Lux White (Gina K)
Ink: Onyx Black (VersaFine)

And oh goodness, did I use pink AGAIN! Apparently my use of pink is a good thing. My sweet cousin got to come to my card making class last weekend, and her quote was, "I'm so glad you're starting to use pink." Of course that's because she has too little girls. All this to say I've decided I do like pink, just not a lot of it.

For Kelley's card I wanted to break out a special envelope. The Paper Source has these awesome pointed flap envelopes. They are huge. I wanted to decorate the outside for this card just to add a little something extra!




Hopefully she'll like them.

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Have you make your card for the current EBTKS challenge? There is a seriously awesome prize up from grabs (it's been in my office for a month just tempting me)!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

EBTKS Challenge 13

It's time again for another challenge! Ann has this amazing sketch. For me it was unlike any sketch I've ever worked from! Here's Ann's inspiration:

Do you see a card in there? Well here it is:

Cool huh? As soon as I saw the sketch I thought about a sun with the You're Dandy rays. Here's what the end result looks like!
This is way more whimsy than my norm, but I think it's fun. Now are you ready to take on this challenge? Would a prize help, because we have an awesome one.
We have 29 different ribbons to give to the winner, and trust me they are beautiful! Of course I love May Arts, but just trust me this box of ribbon is amazing!

You'll want to check out the other girl's work too. You can see it all and submit your own card over at the EBTKS blog, here.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

2 Sketches 4 You #50

Today's card is all about the ribbon. I finally cut myself a yard of the celery and white stripe ribbon. I love it!  Once I had the ribbon, I thought it would work great for Kazan's sketch this week.
And don't you love those ferns in the background? That's my friend Dawn's new set, and I used some Hero Arts White Chalk ink. I got a lot of comments about the ink so I may do a quick video about that ink.
Have a fabulous Wednesday!


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Don't forget about the Practicing Creativity Design call! More details here.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Tuesday Trigger

I adore Heidi Van Laar's work, and when I saw this week's Tuesday Trigger I knew I wanted to play along. Here's Heidi's card:

So gorgeous. I used her color scheme, her ribbon tretment and stitching and made my own card:

I used the Poppy Chalk Ink by Hero Arts on the large dots from For the Love of Dots, and I love the color and coverage.

I've making tons of stuff lately, so much so that I think I'm losing my mojo a bit. Usually the more I make the more creative I am, but apparently there is a limit to that! 

On another note, if you missed my weekend post, we are having our official design team call! You can read more about it here!

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Practicing Creativity Design Team Call

To be honest, having a design team call has been low on my to-do list. Now, don't get me wrong, I'd love to have one. However I know there are so many talented card makers out there, and the thought of choosing just did not seem fun! But it is time to have an official call, and I so hope that you all will apply!

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We are looking for the first members of the Practicing Creativity Design Team! We are looking for three individuals that meet the following:
  • Love our stamps!
  • Well executed photography
  • Create a minimum of three projects a month (one of which will be due during release week)
  • Fulfill requirements in a timely manner
  • And most of all have fun being part of our team
The term for the design team is three months.

Here's what you'll need to send us to apply:
  • A little bit about yourself
  • Your contact information
  • Four projects of your best work
  • Paper Crafting Resume
  • Links to your galleries and blog
Please email the above information to Courtney@practicingcreativitydesigns.com with PCD Design Team in the subject line.
  • The call will close on April 23.
  • Design Team members will be contacted by April 26.
We can't wait to hear from you!

Friday, April 9, 2010

A Little Queen Bee

As much as I love working with my own stamps, but it is really nice to break out something totally different after I've been working with one set for awhile. I was lucky enough to talk my local scrapbook store into carrying this gorgeous Queen Bee Pink Paislee paper. And I loved breaking it out!

And I'm obsessed with crepe paper! I love love love it. I'm telling the stuff is so fun to work with. For this cards I ruffled it and then sewed it down on both sides! As you all know I love texture and it really has such a great texture in real life.

Stamps: Royal Greetings (Ippity by Unity Stamp Co.)
Ink: Onyx Black (VersaFine)
Patterned Paper: Worker Bee, Bees Wax Queen Bee Collection (Pink Paislee)
Cardstock: Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink)
Ribbon: Black and Ivory Check (May Arts), Black Crepe Paper (Design Ware), White Heavy Duty Tread (Coats and Clark)
Hat Pin: Crystal Trinket Pins (Maya Roads)



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Just one more night to enter the latest EBTKS challenge! Break out some string and come play along!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

More dots...

Are you tired of dots yet? I seriously don't think I could, especially when I see cards like the ones I'm showing you today. Laura and Heidi have been playing with For the Love of Dots, and seriously their work is just amazing.

Laura took several of the stamps from the set to make some seriously cool patterns. Check out her blog here for more details.
Do you ever look at a card and think "Why didn't I think of that?" That was exact thought when I saw this card Heidi made!
I seriously think I have to go try that tonight. And don't miss these other fabulous cards:
That bottom bar is so cool. Heidi you're going to have to share how you did that. So fun.
Isn't that just gorgeous?

I'll be back tomorrow with a card of my own! I've been busy packing orders! Thank you all for your continued support!

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

For the Love of Dots

Well I have one more card to show you with this set. It honestly isn't my favorite, but my buddy Amy is going to redeem this post with a card of her own.

Now do you see the shinny dots? Well I think that's where this card went wrong. That's crystal effects, and I've been using it like crazy. However I forgot how on large areas it doesn't really look the best. It also warps your paper. Those are two bad combinations.

So not my favorite by any means, but that's to Amy, you've still got a pretty card to look at:

I love this card. It's so fun. That pattern is just the coolest. Check out Amy's blog for more details!

Both of these cards were made with For the Love of Dots! And many of you will be getting the set very soon! If you order Monday or Tuesday your orders are on their way!

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Have you played the EBTKS challenge? We'd love for your to join us ... here!

Monday, April 5, 2010

Introducing For the Love of Dots!

For the Love of Dots is a 4x6 set with four background building stamps and three sentiments. These stamps can be stamped together to create your own custom backgrounds or to accent your focal point!

For the Love of Dots is available for $12.99 at the store - www.practicingcreativitydesigns.com.

And don't forget about these new ribbons:

 
Shipping for U.S. Customers is a flat rate of $4
AND for a limited time we have a flat rate of $6 for our international customers.
International mail will be sent via USPS First Class International.
 
Thank you all for your support through this release. I can't wait to see what you all make with it. As always I'd love to see what you make, and I'd love for you to upload it to our gallery!

For the Love of Dots - Winner

Are you all watching the game? I haven't watched any basketball since Tennessee lost, but I would love for Butler to win.

Okay back to the reason you are here. The winner of For the Love of Dots...

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:
91
Timestamp: 2010-04-06 01:51:47 UTC


Blogger Julie E said...
Love it! Dots are a fave of mine. How clever to make the font a little dottish (new word!) too!!!
April 2, 2010 7:50 AM

Congratulations Julie! Email me at Courtney@practicingcreativitydesigns.com, and I'll send it out to you!
Check back in a couple of hours for the big reveal!