Happy Easter

He is not here, but is risen. Luke 24:6

Wishing you & yours a blessed Easter.  This is my Sunday to work, so just a quick post with my PTI MIM card.  What a gorgeous technique Betsy showed in the video--check it out if you haven't yet.  Some of you know I seldom color images, so this is perfect for me--plus I love the look of water-color & heat embossing.  I used the PTI Quilled Elegance set along with Turning a New Leaf for the background.  My inks are Memento Teal Zeal, Pistachio & Elderberry.  I don't have reinkers, so I just applied ink from the pads to an acrylic block & spritzed with water.  I stamped multiple images, not sure any looked good.  I let them dry over night & the next day did the white embossing & voila!...each was a little different but they all are so pretty.  It seems you can't really mess up the water colored images--don't worry if they look kind of funny because everything changes with the embossing.  I traced the Spellbinders oval & hand cut the bottom of my card.  The images are shaped a bit with my fingers so the centers are raised.  None of my ribbons (I have more than I can count--LOL!) were the right shade of teal, but then I noticed my bag of fibers a friend gave me years ago & this one was just the shade I needed.  I will definitely be using this technique over & over.  Hope you like it. ETA:  I'm entering this card in the Moxie Fab World Wonder of Watercolor Challenge.

Cards to Friends

Just sharing some cards I sent to friends. The first one was inspired by Lisa's Button Boutique post.  This may be the first time I actually made a card the same day I saw the inspiration!   The next 2 cards include glittered borders.  I already made 2--HERE & HERE--after seeing the PTI MIM video & I'm sure there will still be more as I love what they bring to a card.  The last card was re-made from a challenge card.  I put the top layers on the original card with repositionable tape & took them off as soon as I took the picture.  I wanted to use another company's flower image & an Easter sentiment, plus it had to be flat to go overseas so couldn't have a bow.  Worked great!  Just wasted a bit of ink & paper (I can use the bow on another card) rather than having an entire card I really didn't need.  Since it's green I'm entering it as my 4th card for the Die Cut Diva's challenge.  Wishing you a lovely Easter weekend.  Thanks for taking time to stop by my blog.

             

Happy Easter

Card By Ardyth

MFW Tuesday Trigger

We have a wonderful inspiration card by Ardyth for this week's Muse challenge. I really like the rainbow of 5 different colors, the embossed sentiment matching the card base & the CAS design.  I was still working on Easter cards & loved the Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger with the pretty pastels, so my inks are 5 favorites by Brilliance.  To keep with the really fun nature of this card, I used the somewhat funky images from Stampendous! Bold Blossoms set.  Decided gray was a better choice than black with my colors, so that's what I used for the card & the sentiment.  Now that sequins are in I randomly added some clear ones & put a tiny pearl in each center.  Thanks for coming by--your comments always brighten my day.

Printed Paper Easter Eggs

Moxie Fab World Challenge

This card isn't going very far, so I still have time to mail it.  I'm not very good at using my printed papers--maybe that's why I have so many stacks of it!  I got several of the coordinating sheets of Flower Patch by MM a couple years ago & I had used a little.  Decided it's time to use it again--love these soft prints.  I started by die-cutting the eggs with my Memory Box dies & purposely placed the die so I would have panels with the negative die cut that I could use.  The filigree layer is cut from the pink dotted paper & is sprayed with Therm-O-Web Glimmer Mist--can't tell in the picture.  The twine is Martha Stewart & the sentiment is Inkadinkado.  I'm entering the Moxie Fab World Emphasize the Negative challenge.  Thanks for stopping by.  I so appreciate your support.

Spring Renewal

Here's what I look like after my hairdresser appointment today.  Yup--time for a change.  I'm one of those women who always struggles with their hair, so wish me luck as I learn how to deal with the new look.  Hopefully I won't be pounding on her door at 6am to get presentable for work--LOL!  
On to today's card.  I have a huge wishlist for Impression Obsession dies, but currently just own one the tree DIE006V, so I knew I would use it for my challenge card.  I liked the first card I made HERE, but wanted a totally different look this time--something for Spring.  Thought it might work to use green glitter to simulate budding leaves.  My first try had way too much glitter, so I used a glue pen this time on the edges of the branches & got the effect I wanted.  The background is cut with Spellbinders Labels 2 inked with Distress Ink faded jeans, Memento Desert Sand & Cottage Ivy.  The sentiment from the Solid Tree stamp set 3115-XL is stamped in Versafine Vintage Sepia.  I used foam tape to mount the panel to an off white textured card created with Spellbinders Reverse Wonky rectangles.  This was a fun card to create using 3 different dies.  I'm sure glad table top die cutting machines became available, aren't you?

PTI March Blog Hop

The theme for today's PTI Blog HopPTI Blog Hop is "Sequins."  Apparently they are a new trend.  Guess I was way ahead of the time as I've had a package of multi-colored sequins for at least 10 years--LOL!  Last month I finally used a single sequin in the center of my pinwheel card. Today I stretched a bit & created what I think would be called a graphic design--not usually what I lean toward.  I remembered that the tops for PTI Trendy Tree Tops can be used alone, so I white embossed the one with horizontal & vertical lines on a piece of kraft cardstock 3 times.  Took awhile going through the sequins to find 6 of each of the 3 colors.  I wanted the card to be for Spring, so I chose pastels: blue, yellow & pink.  It was easy to attach them with a drop of Glossy Accents.  The cute sentiment from the same set was stamped in Versafine Vintage Sepia.  I used watermark ink to stamp Penny Black's music background at an angle on the card front.  I'm thinking maybe I'll make some more cards with sequins as they do provide a fun bit of shine.  I'm entering my card in this week's challenge at Our Creative Corner.  Enjoy the hop!  I'll be checking the projects when I get off work.    

Rejoice

As soon as I saw this week's CASology cue word is "Song", I knew what I wanted to do.  I've been finishing up Easter cards (work does get in the way of my cardmaking!) & this one was in my head but not yet on paper.  I've wanted for the longest time to figure out how to emboss with my dies, so last night I read the instructions (not for my machine) & played around with my Spellbinders oval until I got the right formula. The song my card represents is an old hymn: "The Old Rugged Cross."  I used ODBD Vine Cross stamped & clear embossed in Brilliance Pearlescent Ivy.  The sentiment is a little Studio G set I'd never opened & it's stamped in Versafine Toffee.  I love the look of these colors on PTI Vintage Cream cardstock.  Kept debating if I should add some inking or any embellishment, but really I like it just as is so left it alone.  I'm also entering this week's Flourishes challenge to make a Spring card.  Thanks so much for stopping by & enjoy your weekend. Your comments always give me a lift. 

Life

Wanted to try the challenge at Our Creative Corner this week.  The card must be a square (I often make square cards--#1 OK) AND it must use analogous colors (I don't even own a color wheel--#2 could be a problem!)  Fortunately, the color wheel is pictured on the post & I chose to work with pink, red & purple using Distress Inks worn lipstick, barn door & seedless preserves.  After inking my white cardstock I stamped PTI Background Basics: Medallions using Versafine Onyx Black.  The sentiment is from PTI The Sweet Life & is embossed on vellum die cut with Spellbinders Labels 18.  In my line of work I'm constantly reminded of the truth of this quote.  My embellishment consists of a tulle & a lace flower I made (Sue's inspiration) with one blossom die cut with MFT Prima Donna Petals.  The center is a KaiserCraft Sparklet & the stick pin is from Petaloo (darkened with a black COPIC).  I'm also entering this card in PTI MIM Inked Backgrounds.  I think I'll play some more with the color wheel as I do like the effect of these colors together.  Thanks so much for checking my blog.  I'm very interested in hearing your thoughts. 

Happy Spring

Marion's card

I'm really loving the new Muse Card Club Challenges.  Having the inspiration of a designer's card really helps me get started creating.  Just look at Marion's work--fabulous!  The first thing it made me think of was the COPIC background cards I made following a PTI MIM video.  Haven't used that technique in a year & it's really fun.  I'm finishing up Easter cards, so decided to use these pastels: BV00, B00, RV21.  I love the white flowers on the Muse card, but instead of stamping I used MFT Prima Donna Petals dies to cut white textured cardstock & each is embellished with a pearl.  The Stampendous! sentiment stamp is inked with Versafine Onyx Black.  I mounted the panel to the card front with foam tape.  Check out the Muse Blog, if you haven't & remember everyone can vote for their favorites.  Thanks for stopping by.

Tattered Florals

My blogging friend Sue inspired me to get Tim Holtz Tattered Florals die & some Distress Stains.  Fortunately, both were 1/2 off, so made it easier to justify the purchases--I always find a way--LOL!  You can see the gorgeous card she made HERE.  The stains were in sets & the one I bought includes bundled sage, tumbled glass & victorian velvet.  When the fabric dried I thought the colors had gotten too muddy (added too much water), but went ahead & die cut the flowers anyway & also one from burlap.  I sort of followed Sue's instructions on cutting off petals & gluing the flowers for dimension.  Turned out I had a piece of Basic Grey paper that almost matched & when it was all put together, I actually liked the look of the card.  It's Fall in New Zealand, so figured it'd work for an Easter card to Sue.  However, the price of postage went up so much I can't afford to send it to her!  Hopefully she's pleased with my efforts so far & I will keep working on making these flowers.  I'm also going to add my card to the Tattered Florals Challenge.  The Embossing Arts (out of business) sentiment is stamped in Versafine Vintage Sepia.  So glad you used some of your blogging time to stop here.  Love hearing what you think & suggestions are welcome!

Card from a sketch

Still working to finish up my Easter cards & decided to use CAS(e) this Sketch for the layout of this card.  The Impression Obsession egg is gold embossed & then sponged with VersaMagic Turquoise Gem, Pink Grapefruit & Purple Hydrangea.  I used the negative die cut left from a previous card, dry embossed it & sponged on Tsukineko Encore! Ultimate Metallic Gold & attached it with foam tape over the egg panel.  The sentiment from Inkadinkado is stamped with Versafine Smokey Gray, die cut with MFT Fishtail Flags (cut to get the notch on both ends of the banner), edged with the gold ink & then mounted with the center curved up.  The edges of the card front are also inked in gold.  Thanks for taking time to stop by.  I love reading your comments.

First Blogiversary Challenge Results!

Dawn Turley
Cased Card 10/31/12

I know you've been waiting with bated breath (whatever that means--LOL!) for the results of the challenge to CASE a card from my first year of blogging.  Here we go:

Barb Engler
Cased Card 12/18/12 Flickr

Lai-Yoke Walchow
Cased Card 3/8/12

Maria McClure
Cased Card 11/16/12 Flickr

Sue Butler
Cased Card 3/24/12

Kailash

Cased Card 1/19/13 Flickr

Jessi Fogan
Cased Card 11/18/12

Barb Ghigliotty
Cased Card 3/29/12 Flickr

Unfortunately, a year was not long enough for me to figure out Blogger formatting!  I was also not able to get a picture of the cards that are in Flickr (I have Maria's, so took a picture of it), but if you click on Kailash & Barb's names it will take you to their cards.  Click on "Cased Card" to see my card each designer Cased if it isn't in their post.  Don't forget that you can click the picture to get a larger view.  I love each of these cards, so won't try to pick favorites.  I do want to say that Jessi & Lai-Yoke picked cards I wasn't completely happy with, but they were able to turn them into wonderful creations!  Due to the cost of postage, I need to keep envelopes leaving the U.S. pretty thin, so I divided the names (4 of each) into 2 groups & used the old "hubby draw names out of the hat" system.  The U.S. winners are Barb Engler & Kailash & the international winners are Dawn Turley & Sue Butler.  I'll mail your little prizes this week.  Thank you everyone for your support & well-wishes & a huge thank you to these 8 ladies who took time to make a card.  You've all inspired me!  

Congratulations...& a cute picture

Card by Therese

One of my college roommates has been divorced a long time.  Recently I was delighted to get a "Save the Date" card from her for a summer wedding.  I wanted to use those colors as much as I could to send her my congratulations.  The MUSE inspiration card this week by Therese gave me a starting point.  As you can see, I used the layout, yellow floral background & blossom focal point.  My background is made with Penny Black "blissful" stamped in Distress Inks scattered straw & wild honey onto spritzed watercolor paper.  The flower is the inside part of the blossom in Penny Black's "to you" clear set.  I black embossed it twice, sponged on VersaMagic Turquoise Gem & Aquatic Splash, fussy cut & attached them together with foam tape.  The center is accented with gold micro beads & a touch of gold Stickles.  I bent the edges up for dimension & mounted it to the card with foam tape.  After die-cutting a circle, stamping the sentiment from Flourishes "Taglines" in VersaMagic Gingerbread & wrapping it with white fibers, the top panel is also mounted with foam tape.  Kept getting interrupted so took several days to put this together, but I'm happy with the final result & I think she'll like it.  

Before I go, have to share a cute picture of my old puppy dog, Keesha.  Couldn't figure out where she was--looked throughout the house & then went back to my work table & realized she was sleeping under my chair!  It's amazing I hadn't stepped on her when I got up.  Hope you have a great weekend & thanks for coming by.

Rude Awakening!

Well, I guess I wasn't paying attention when they announced the new postal rates.  I knew stamps were going up a penny, but I didn't know overseas postage was doubling!  I took my international Easter cards to the post office today & about had a heart attack!  My card-making friends are important to me, but over $6 for a card is just too much!  Guess I will take them apart or add a sheet to the inside so I can cover up what I had written & give them to state-side friends.  Then I have to figure out thinner cards to go overseas.  Just when I thought they might not be late! 
On to today's card which is for the Impression Obsession challenge to make a card using a favorite technique. I chose resist distress & dry embossing using IO's Easter Eggs, MC121 clear set.  I've been wanting to use my new VersaMagic colors: Pink Grapefruit, Key Lime & Turquoise Gem.  The dry embossed piece is made with Spellbinders Reverse Wonky Rectangles & PTI Take Three.  I love the shape of the McGill Pine Branch punch, but boy was it hard to push!  Not sure it really goes with Easter eggs, but that's the nice thing when you're the designer--LOL! The sentiment from the same set is stamped in Versafine Smokey Gray & embossed with clear ep on vellum die cut with Spellbinders Labels 10 (2 layers).  Better get to work on those thin cards & I know you have lots of blogs to visit--thanks for taking time to stop at mine.

Two-toned Flowers

This is my second post today.  Please scroll down for my DeNami Blog Hop card.

I would never have thought to do two-tone stamping like Melissa shows in the PTI MIM video.  Really wanted to give it a try & had an idea in mind that I just couldn't get to work.  Time is running out & finally a card went together after much stamping on scratch paper!  My stamps are PTI Rosie Posie & Heart-2-Heart #2.  The inks are Versafine Smokey Gray, VersaMagic Malted Mauve, Brilliance Pearlescent Coral, Pearlescent Thyme & Pearlescent Lime.  I plan to keep trying this technique with other stamps & colors.  One more day to work & then a couple days off.  I'll get caught up on your blogs & work on the post to show all the entries for my blog anniversary challenge and announce the winners.  I loved stamping long before I had a computer, but the addition of on-line crafty friends has made this hobby even better!  Thank you all!

DeNami Birthday Bonanza Blog Hop

DeNami Blog Hops are such fun & since the theme is birthdays I knew I had stamps that would work--just a matter of choosing which ones to use.  Since 2 male family members have birthdays coming up, I decided not to use my favorite butterflies & daisies.  My hubby loves watercolor paintings & I read that primary colors are good to use for masculine cards.  That gave me the idea to use the Solid Decorative Crest with the Kaleidacolor Calypso rainbow pad.  After inking the image 3 times using my stamp positioner, I spritzed with Ink Potion No. 9, increasing the amount left to right.  Three lines were scored above & below before attaching it to a purple mat & mounting it with foam tape to the card front.  The sentiment is also a DeNami stamp.  Needed some embellishments, but since I plan to give it to a man, pearls, glitter & ribbon were out.  Fortunately, the little black Rain Dots gave me just the right look & the rectangle black gems don't look girly.  I think this works--do you agree?  Leave me a comment to be in the running for a prize--get all the details & the entire Hop line-up HERE.  You're right on track if you were just inspired by Pam & now it's time to see what talented DT member Wendy has come up with. Enjoy the hop!

Some Bunny Loves You

I have a bunny collection ranging from garden statues to wind socks to music boxes.  When I saw this week's word at Casology was bunny, I had to play along!  I used the sketch from CAS(e) this Sketch!, so am entering that challenge for the first time.  I used an old stamp from Embossing Arts--a local company where I taught some classes & made sample cards before they went out of business. Recently I've seen such cute paper pieced critters on cards, so pulled out my Echo Park Dots & Stripes paper pad that was in a door prize I won.  The sentiment is another old stamp & is from Imaginations!--I think they're out of business, too.  I fussy cut the base image & then stamped again on the printed papers for the bunny, leaf & rose.  I had a cotton ball for applying chalks on my table, so gave me the idea to use bits of it for the tail.  Decided I needed some sparkle, so added Stickles to the cotton & then popped up the image above the sentiment.  I popped up the panel to the card front after adding the border punched strip & the twine. I don't make many "cute" cards, but this was fun & I'm thinking I need some more bunny cards for Easter!  I also seem to be getting the hang of CAS cards--maybe I've found my style!  Thanks so much for taking time to visit my blog.  I really appreciate hearing from you.

Beauty in Bleach

I was honored & thrilled to have my card voted a top pick for last week's MUSE challenge--took awhile for my feet to hit the ground!  The Muse this week is Laurie Willison--a great designer who gave us a wonderful card for inspiration.  I used her basic layout & kraft card base along with a sentiment stamped in black, a black ribbon &  colored punched accent.  I substituted cream for the white & used my Penny Black berry wreath stamp instead of flowers in the corner.  I wanted a card to send to a couple, so needed it to be appropriate for a guy.  I remembered using bleach on a man's birthday card several years ago & he really liked it.  I think this image has a neat look stamped in bleach.  The sentiment is also Penny Black.  I substituted some piercing for the faux stitching & lightly inked the piece with Memento Toffee Crunch.  The card & panel edges are inked with VersaMagic Gingerbread.  The red piece is done with an EK Success punch & the bottom was trimmed with scissors for the look I wanted.  Finished off with a piece of black grograin ribbon & a bit of twine.  Glad you took time to come by.  Enjoy your weekend--I'll be working--more money for stamps--LOL!

Penny Black Cards

I had some days off because it's my weekend to work.  This week Penny Black had contests to celebrate the new Spring Release, so figured I may as well play--who wants to clean house anyway?!  My cards are all in my Flickr photostream so I could add them to the Penny Black Flickr group.  Decided it'd be fun to show all 3 of them in a blog post--hope you enjoy it.  The first card I made was for the challenge to use fussy cutting, die cuts & punches.  I used this old Penny Black Easter stamp that I've always loved, but seem to have trouble making into a card.  It was perfect for fussy cutting, though, with the squares, eggs & daffodil.  I like how this card came out using some iridescent shreds & the beautiful Spellbinders Fleur de Lis square.  The next card was made for the challenge to use coloring of a stamped image or paper piecing using the colors in the beautiful inspiration photo.
I used light & dark pink, aqua & yellow for my first card using the dress image from Penny Black lace delight.  I stamped the image 3 times so I could cut the dress, the rows of lace & the bow for layering.  The dress is colored with Faber-Castell big brush light cobalt turquoise & then brushed with Tsukineko Shimmer Spritz.  The bow & rows of lace are colored with Distress Ink markers spun sugar & worn lipstick--the same colors sponged on the Spellbinders Labels 14 die cut.  Decided to try ribbon pleating for the finishing touch as a bow didn't seem to fit.

The 3rd card was so much fun--remaking a Winter card into a Spring card.  I love the Penny Black sparkling christmas stamp & the card I made is one of my favorites.  That image has always reminded me of a Maypole, so that was my inspiration for turning it into a Spring card.  After white embossing I sponged on Adirondack Meadow ink using the same circular motion as on the first card.  To represent the colorful streamers I added Stickles Starry Night (purple), True Blue & Pink using a toothpick.  The sentiment is an old Penny Black stamp that I use a lot as I love that font.  The vellum banners are die cut using MFT Fishtail Flags, same as the first card.  

Thanks for making it through this long post.  Hope you've found something to make you smile.

Spring Colors & More Glitter!

I do love glitter & have many bottles of the stuff, not to mention a large Stickles collection.  I ran 3 die cut borders through my Xyron machine at the time I made the last card, so decided to glitter up another one & use the colors from PDCC171--tangerine, apricot, mint--perfect for an Easter card.  I inked PTI Rosie Posie with ColorBox Tangerine & Apricot and VersaMagic Aquatic Splash.  The image is die cut with Spellbinders Labels 10 & is sponged with Apricot ink before the die is removed.  I stamped the flower center a second time & die cut it with a LifeStyle Crafts circle, added prisma glitter & popped it up.  The stem & leaves are highlighted with a Gelly Roll pen.  The embossed background is by Cuttlebug.  I used the Tim Holtz foam pad applicator to ink it lightly with Aquatic Splash--love the effect!  The Spellbinders scalloped border has the same prisma glitter & is attached to the background along with a strip of apricot ribbon.  I just didn't like the look of adding a sentiment, so that will be on the inside.  There's still a few hours left, so this will be my second PTI MIM entry & I know I'll be making more cards with glitter borders!  Since I've used green on my card, I'm also linking it up to Die Cut Diva's challenge this month where Hero Arts is sponsoring the prize--check it out!  Hope you've had a lovely weekend--we had sunshine & blue skies--looked a lot warmer than it was, but still made me think Spring is around the corner.  Don't forget--there's a week left to enter my Blogiversary challenge if you're game.  Thanks for your encouragement & kindness--always look forward to reading what you think.

Glittery Border

I love getting ideas from the PTI MIM videos.  This week involves glitter, so I had to play along!  I used the MFT Open Zig Zag die which I ran through my Zyron, just like Dawn showed in the video.  The nice thing about using this method is that the glitter is attached so well almost none comes off when you touch it.  The bloom (2 stamps) from PTI Flower Fusion #8 is inked with Memento markers Lulu Lavender & Sweet Plum.  I used the stem from Flower Fusion #9 & inked it & the panel edges with Color Box Celadon.  The sentiment is also from Flower Fusion #9 & is stamped in Versafine Smokey Gray--seem to be using that ink a lot lately.  Something just seemed to be missing, so I stamped the bloom again & used it's matching die so I could pop it up over the original stamped image.  It made all the difference--amazing!  Just finished off with some purple gems.  Unfortunately, the next birthday card I need is for a man--LOL!  Thanks for coming by & don't forget to join in my challenge if you'd like.