Papertrey Ink Blog Hop

I always love participating in Papertrey Ink's blog hop, unfortunately I'm usually too forgetful to remember! This morning I was thinking about everything blog related I needed to get done this week (Halloween Cards all posted, Everything but the Kitchen Sink Challenge (coming on Friday so be watching), two sketch cards, OH! and today's the 25th! It's pretty miraculous!

Yesterday I was churning out cards, so I decide this would be the perfect challenge to start on my December Daily album. If you've been reading my blog for awhile, you'll remember last years album here. Here's the challenge:

It's time for our annual Holiday Hop!  Show us your best upcoming holiday plans for cards, gifts, wraps
or whatever else you have up your sleeve!  With everyone's cumulative efforts the participant list will be
an amazing resource!

I knew that my polka dot basics, bitty box paper, and PTI cardstock would be staples to making this album. I didn't really try to use PTI products, it's so fun that they work themselves into every project. The first thing I did was gather up my supplies. 

 

For the base of my album I am using 7 think bingo cards from 7 Gypsies. I knew I wanted something kind of special for the front. So I started off with the second size label in pure poppy and decided to stitch my 25. I just drew it out and stitched it with this awesome twine from Farmers Marker called shabby green.

 

And here's the finished look. I just used a simple shipping tag and added dimension with polka dot basics with versa mark, vintage cream ink, and some brown. And don't you love that natural looking ribbon? Ahh... I found it in the trim section at JoAnn's.

I also got done the first page. If you aren't familiar with the December Daily Album check out Ali Edwards site for more information. Basically the idea is to set up your album before December, so you can add pictures and establishments as you go through the month! Here's my first day:

Because I was working with the back of my ribbon, I just tied some more twine to give it interest and used a number index card for the date. If you look closely at the background of the card you will see that I stamped the tree from Home For the Holidays from PTI. It looks so nice and vintage in real life! Plus who doesn't love Bitty Boxes! AHHH!

I can't wait to see what else everyone else did!

look who made a card.

Yep, that's right, I hung out in my craft room. This card is totally different from my 'norm'. It actually was inspired by a bag from fossil. It had a super graphic print in gray ink on an off white base.

I actually told my friend Mary Anna that I should make a card based on the bag. What do you think Mary Anna?

I started off with my base, Naturals Ivory, and a blocked off area that I didn't want to stamp on. I drew a type of grid on my card, so I could create my graphic pattern.
I used three of the dots from Polka Dot Basics and went to stamping. The only colors I used on this card is basic grey and my black writer. After stamping my card I traced around my blocked off piece and ended up with this:
I added a sentiment from Friends 'Til the End:
So not my norm, but kind of a fun card to get me out of my slump.

In other non-crafty news, my sweet little sister graduated yesterday:
Isn't she cute? That's my whole family... how tan is my brother?

papertrey blog challenge.

So today I'd would use one of the Papertrey Ink Design team photos for inspiration. Here is the photo that I used:It was actually pretty hard for me to pick which picture I wanted to use, but once I saw the pillow in this picture above it gave me the inspiration I was looking for. Here's what I came up with:
My brown ribbon looks pretty bright with all my muted colors, but I just had to do it. Also, on my kraft squares I used my sewing roller to create some more texture. Here's what I used:

Stamps: Life, dot from Merry & Bright
Paper: Spring Moss, Kraft, Naturals Ivory, Ocean Tides (love this color)
Ink: Versa Mark, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip
Ribbon: America Crafts

new paper.

Well, I'm sick. Actually I think it's just my allergies, but I woke up this morning and I felt awful. So I took my first sick day since I've been at Lifeway and I hated doing it. I kind of liked having a long streak of no sick days. Plus, I hate laying around all day (I know I'm weird). So far today I've slept 13 hours last night and another 3 today. I'm hoping another round of meds will make it possible for me to sleep again tonight.

I did make this card a few nights ago and wanted to share. I got in some new buttons from Papertrey Ink and some new Hibiscus Burst paper. I'm not a big fan of pink, but I do like this color okay.
Stamps: Friends Til The End
Paper: Patterened Paper Cosmo Cricket, Hibiscus Burst, Ripe Avocado, Naturals Ivory
Ink: Ripe Avacodo
Ribbon: Hibiscus Burst
Buttons: PTI
Ranger Glossy Accents

On another note, sweet Lynnette, wrote some sweet things about my blog on her blog (thank you). It kind of made me reminisce about how much I've learned while crafting. I've always said that creativity takes practice. The more you do it, the better you get.

For example, I made this card almost exactly three years ago. It's not a bad card at all, but when I look at it I can see how my style and creativity have developed over just a few short years. All that to say that if you doing anything creative (or want to), continue to practice. I know I'm still striving too!

a MANLY card.

First up, I rode seven miles on my bike yesterday. That probably does not sound like a lot to riders, but I promise we did 10 major hills. Hills kill. I did enjoy the time with my husband, and the fact that he was proud of me for adding two miles on my fourth real ride (Chase did 25 miles Saturday so he's practically a pro... um but he did fall over again...shhh... don't tell that I told).

I also have an official announcement. I am now officially an adult. I know I don't really feel like one, but this week Chase and I met with our accountant and will be refinancing our house. Those two things make you an official adult (just in case you were wondering).

I do have a card to share. I'm not a big fan of manly cards. It's mainly because I feel so limited, so it's always a challenge. Here's what I came up with using Men of Life from Papertrey Ink.What I do love about this card is that I figured out a way to use a button and ribbon. Well, it's hemp but that counts right. My favorite part is the braided hemp. I think it adds a fun touch.

Stamps: Men of Life
Paper: Kraft, Not Quite Navy, Chcolate Chip, Stamper's Select White, Old Olive
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Not Quite Navy, White Craft
Hemp and a Basic Grey Button

One of the top 10 of 2009.

I always hope that I like the things I make, but let's be honest sometimes I'm not. Or sometimes I make a card, like it just fine, but it's just not really my style. Am I the only one like this? But every once in awhile there are those cards that I just LOVE. So far this year I've had a few of those cards, but this was one of them. I like the style, colors, uniqueness... it's just me.
There was a lot of cutting with this card, and that actually brings me to a tip I wanted to share. Every once in awhile someone asks me about how I cut these intricate shapes, and I always say slowly! I also, use my non-scissor holding hand to move the paper along. My last tip, is really on how to hide your mistakes. I don't think I've ever cut anything out and had it be 100% perfect. I do always take time to critically look at my piece before I glue it. I don't know about you, but that drive me CRAZY to see mistakes after you've put it together.

Lastly, when I cut out a piece, I will ink up the edges if I didn't cut it perfectly. For example to two little flowers in the card above, I used the orange or tempting turquoise to cover any white I left behind. Here's another example from the 3x3 cards I made last week:This little sentiment was cut out of a sheet from Cosmo Cricket. Because the surrounding paper was purple, and I had missed a few tiny places I just inked up the edges with purple! Works like a charm.

Thanks for stopping by.

Stamps: Life
Paper: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Tempting Turquoise, White
Ribbon: Black Saddle Stitch
Ink: VersaMagic Midnight Black

what have you read lately?

Wow, I'm worn out. Chase and I had a pretty busy day. We woke up at 6 to head to Jeremy and Emily's for our yard sale. Then I came home, vacuumed and washed my car, cleaned the house, washed clothes. Then, Chase and I created a flower bed in the back of the house, took a trip to Lowes and added some color to our front landscaping. 6 am seems so long ago.

I did decide to wind down with a little project. A year ago I realized that I couldn't remember some of the books I had read over the years. Sometimes I could remember a story line, but I would have no idea what the titles was. I decided it was time to keep track on my reading. So I purchased this cute little notebook from target:After each book I read I write the title in the book, the author, and my thoughts on the book:I decided today, that it's time to make this cute book even cuter, and what better to use than Damask Designs. I taped off the cute black cloth and stamped with craft white. I also added my own handwriting, and some inked edges. I also added some faux black stitches. Then last, but not least, I added a HUGE black vintage button and some SU! organza ribbon to the black strap. So cute.
I think I'm off to watch a movie and just sit. Have a good night!

Christmas in April?

I know, it's spring now, and I should not be thinking Christmas! But I am or was. A couple of weeks ago I decided to whip up a Christmas card. Mainly I wanted to use the color combo, and it just seemed like it would make a great Christmas card. I actually think it would be funny to send a Christmas card this time of year. I know my friend Mary Anna would laugh, so would my mom.... I could be on to something here.

Stamps: Merry & Bright

Cardstock: Kraft, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise ; Stamper’s Select White

Ink: Whisper White Pigment Ink; Lipstick Red Fluid Chalk

Ribbon: Fresh Snow Satin; Hemp

I do love all of those scallops.

April 7, 2009 - 1 Christmas Card Down.

2 days of color challenges.

I took on Dawn's color challenge. This is by far my favorite one I've done for her challenges! I will say when I saw these colors I was totally uninspired - all those pinks and reds. I did have to start with a kraft base.

Here's the challenge:Stamps: Life
Ink: VersaMark, Craft White
Cardstock: Kraft, Pixie Pink, Real Red (SU!), Berry Sobet (PTI)
Ribbon: Snow White (PTI); Hemp
Accessories: Ranger Embossing powder; Cuttlebug dots embossing folder

Raspberry Suite Color Challenge 2

Did anyone else get like 600 catalogs in the mail today? I felt like my mailbox exploded today!

In other news, I participated in Dawn's color challenge this week, check out these colors:I love these colors! However, I think my creativity was a little slack. I was planning on sending this thank you card to Stace at PaperCrafts for my fabulous tree. But now that I'm finished I'm not sure. Stamps: Life, Damask Designs
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Stamper's Select White, Tempting Turquoise
Ink: Certainly Celery, Tempting Turquoise, Chocolate Chip
Ribbon: American Crafts
Button: Basic Grey

Thanks for stopping by!

a boy card.

Well, not a boy... a "man" card. I've always thought I hated making masculine cards, but lately it has not been as hard. It could also be that I'm hooked on hemp and all thinks rustic. Who knows.

This card has a lot of dimension. I think I'm starting to think of my style as very 3D. I'm loving texture and dimension on my cards these days. Now that does make for expensive postage and sometimes a struggle to get the card in the envelope.Also, can I just say that this tree stamp, stamps out so well. It is so clean and crisp when stamped. I know I've had some that just aren't that way.

Stamps: Father Knows Best, Guidelines
Cardstock: Night of Navy, Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive
Ink: VersaMark, Close to Cocoa, Old Olive
Hemp: Crafts Etc.
Buttons: Basic Grey

One other thing I'm loving right now, is tying the ribbon and then adhering the tied side so the ends stick out. Thanks for stopping by!

craft night with the girls.

Friday night was so much fun hanging out with some craft girls over at my friend Kelley's house. First of all can I just say Kelley is soooo organized. I've known this for awhile but we got to experience her photo organization system- so organized. K- thanks for hosting, you were awesome.

My mom, Emily and I worked on making baskets from Lauren Meader's Timeless Template. I feel like I'm pretty good at most crafty things, but this wasn't the easiest thing to get together for the first time. Emily and my mom just kept saying, "I don't know about this." The did turn out pretty cute, but after three hours we were only able to cut everything for 10 baskets and make one. Here it is:
Here is a picture Kelley, Emily, and I from Friday (check out those albums and photo storage in the background). I would show the other pictures of my mom, Allison, Emily and I, but well I look awful. My bangs were all messed up! GIRLS- why didn't you tell me? :) Actually they still are in this picture - oh well. Oh and check out my paint jacket - nice huh?

rasberry suite color challenge

What a day! First of all Chase is back in town, and well we have never mowed our grass. Since we didn't buy it until October it was cold enough not to have to mow. And well, it was looking pretty bad, especially since all of our neighbors decided to mow last weekend. So today, Chase and I invested in our very first push mower. Growing up on a farm the only mower we had was an enormous riding mower, so pushing was an experience. Um... yea that's a work out.

On the crafty side of things I participated in Dawn McVey's first color challenge. First of all, I love her blog, so if you're a stamper check it out. Here were the colors she picked out for the first challenge:
Here is my take on the colors:

Stamps: Friends 'Til The End
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Craft White
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Rasberry Fizz, White
Accessories: Glitter, Pumpkin Ribbon, Diamond Stickles, Fiskars Threading Water Punnch
Thanks for stopping by!

celebrate!

This card was inspired by Mish Wooderson and I believe she was inspired by a card in the latest Stampin' Up! catalog.It's hard to tell but the scallop strip is covered in glitter, and the black dots are actually rhinestones. It's way more glam in person. Stamps: Damask Designs
Ink: VersaMagic Midnight Magic, VersaMark
Cardstock: White, True Black, Ocean Tides (might be my new favorite color)
Accessories: White Embossing Powder, Oval Scallop Nestabilies, Glitter

Thanks for stopping by!

2 day of happy birthday Cory!

I went ahead and made Cory a second birthday card to give to my brother and sister and law to give him. Cory is a huge Alabama fan, actually all of the boys in Chase's family are, so I decided I would let that guide my colors. Now as a Tennessee fan this was a little bothersome, but I think I sabotaged the card in the end anyways (more at the end of the post).

I tried this technique that Dawn McVey used on her blog yesterday. You basically just make a lot of strips of paper (either designer or you can make you own like I did), and glue them onto a predetermined sized sheet of cardstock at an angle. One hint here, I used white for my sheet I was glueing my strips to, but because my strips were also on white, it made it harder to cut the strips once the were glued down. I think trying to use two different colors will help make that even easier. Once everything is the way you want it, trim the strips so they fit your cardstock piece.

Now I'll be honest I didn't really get it at first, but once I did, so easy.I still don't have a sweing machine. Most of the time I handstitch everything, but I wanted this messy stitching, so I just went for it. I wouldn't suggest trying this at home. I'm not really a fan, but because I really don't like Alabama, I guess this is my way of ruining the card. :) Stamps: PTI- Guidelines, Damask Designs, Friends 'Til The End
Ink: Basic Gray, Colorbox Lipstick Red
Cardstock: White, Basic Gray, True Black
Accessories: The Paper Studio Ribbon

Wow that was a long post for me. Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Birthday Cory!

Yesterday was Chase's brother Cory's birthday, but we aren't celebrating until tomorrow after church. Happy Birthday Cory!

If you are a card maker I'm sure you've been following along with the latest release of Papertrey Inks March stamp release. All the talk about a second guidelines stamp set got me pretty excited, so I pulled out the first edition to make a card for Cory. Here's what I came up with:I'm not really a fan of making cards for boys, but I do like this one. Nice clean lines, right up my alley. I also did something a little different by turing the squares. I've never seen this pattern before. I also varied the two types of ink but just slights. I think it gives a nice effect.

Ah... don't you hate when you get a photo done and you realize you messed up. On my sentiment, I was suppose to put it down the other way. Oh well... hopefull Cory won't notice.
Stamps: Guideslines, Sincere Salutations
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Close to Coco, Distress Tea Dye
Paper: Dark Chocolate (I'm loving how nice and thick the PTI cardstock is), Naturals Ivory
Accessories: Ribbon from JoAnn's; Randon buttons

friend card.

Don't you love when you sit down to create, think you know what you creating, and then end up with something completely different?

Let me introduce you to my friend card:I started off planning to use three brightly colored flowers. I even got them completely cut out (not an easy task). I realized at some point that I needed a background on my white card, and decided to make my own background out of the great words from Friends 'Til The End. Of course once I did that, I realized three flowers was way too much! This is what I ended up with. I'm really happy with it. Stamps: Friends 'Til The End
Ink: VersaMagic Black, Versa Mark
Cardstock: PTI- White, Black, Spring Rain
Accesories: Ribbon, White Embossing Powder, The Paper Studio corduroy brad

Kwerner Color Inspiration #45

I got some stamping done tonight! I participated in another Kwerner Design Challenge. I originally thought this would be a hard one, but I love the end result. Stamps: Damask Designs
Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Basic Grey
Ink: VersaMark
Embossing Ink: JoAnn White
Accessories: Black Rhinestones, Black Organza Ribbon, and White Ric Rak
Thanks for stopping by!