Papertrey Ink's Make It Monday #119 "Flagged Borders"

Today's challenge is to use banners.  I like the look of banners but haven't used them very much.  I do not have any banner style dies so I hand cut them all.  Generally I also don't make very fussy cards but this challenge was a great way to use up some 6x6 paper pads with coordinating patterned papers.

All patterned papers are from Echo Park's Victoria Garden collection.  I used the Papertrey Ink Mat Stack 2 die cut shape and then stamped the ends with a corner flourish from the Mat Stack 2 stamp set.  Happy Birthday is from their Happiness in Bloom stamp set.  The top border strip was punched out with a border punch from Martha Stewart.

I created the blotches on the white card stock by dabbing Distress Stains' Victorian Velvet and Bundled Sage onto a craft mat.  Then just laid the card front onto the stains and lifted straight up so as not to smear the colors.  I like how it gives a floral feeling background.

Hoping to do more of these.

Continuing Art Journal Page

I started this in March!  Put it away while my room was renovated and tonight pulled it out to doodle in.  It's my usual stream of consciousness so don't ask me what my plan is...there isn't one.  It may never be done, LOL.  But I have ideas for the next page and beyond.  I am enjoying the freedom to do just whatever the heck I feel like in this art exploration and not worry about any rules or someone else's agenda.

My third swipe at this mess:)  I did not set out to do zentangles and it really isn't very zenny but it's just what flowed out of my brain.  It's hard to see but I've stamped an old wood mounted stamp all over the central area that is of famous artists' signatures...a JudiKins stamp that has been well loved and used.

This still isn't done yet...

Make It Monday #118 : Photo postcard

My second MIM is a simple one but what a great idea.  Our challenge is to find a photograph we've taken and turn it into a postcard using a PTI greeting stamped right on the photo.  The flip side to make it look like a postcard and done right, it could actually be sent as a postcard.

Still limited on PTI stamps, but I did have just the right sentiment "just thinking of you" from PTI's Mat Stack 2 collection.  I then used the sentiment again for the dividing line on the back side and drew the address lines in by hand.

I took this photo (digi-scoped) of the Northern Mockingbird about one month ago on Desmond Rd which is part of the Cosumnes River Preserve near Galt, CA.  They are nesting now and the activity is very entertaining.

May 2013 Papertrey Blog Hop

This is my first blog hop to participate in, ever.  I have become so enamored of Papertrey Ink products.  At this posting I am now the proud owner of two sets of Papertrey stamp sets and a few dies as well.  There will be many more finding their way into my craft room.

This month's blog hop challenge is a group of "bouquet builder" color schemes for us to choose from and incorporate into a card.  Now I have no actual floral stamp sets yet but I do have a lovely leaf set, the Leaf Prints Stamp Set.  I also (just got them today) have the Mat Stack 2 Collection which is a collection of gorgeous frames and sentiments as well as the die to cut the labels out of.

I'm a newbie to this and of course as soon as I photographed this card I thought, "now why didn't I try this or that?"  Oh well, I am learning and took great pleasure in playing with these new stamps and dies.  I think I am going to enjoy Papertrey Ink.

The color scheme I chose is:

My card is not of the exact colors but I did my best to attempt to duplicate them with what I have.  I love the colorful earthy tones of this group.

The card:  I stamped this leaf stamp in Distress inks and then stamped over them again with a varied color and also sprayed the inked up stamps with a light mist of water to give it a water colored appearance.  I then took a water brush and lightly went over each leaf to blend the colors a little.

As I become more savvy at making links I will include links in this post and future ones.

PTI Paper Piecing Challenge

I have been lured into the Papertrey Ink Boutique, Blog and Forum.  Their products are fabulous...elegant stamps and my current favorite thing, dies to go with the stamps.  I recently purchased my first set of stamps and dies and I L.O.V.E. them!  Each Monday PTI offers a challenge called "Make It Monday".  This week's challenge is Paper Piecing.  Since I have only one set of stamps it was pretty easy to decide what to do.  Below is my first submission to PTI.  I hope to do many, many more.  Especially after I acquire a few more stamps.  And I have been warned by the friendly forum members that I will indeed be getting more stamps and dies as time goes by.

The leaf stamp is from the PTI set Leaf Prints Stamp Set and the accompanying dies, Leaf Prints Die Collection.  Sentiment is Hero Arts and paper is from my stash.  I first die cut multiple leaves in the assorted patterned papers.  Then stamped them all with a leaf spine stamp in black ink.  A few were cut in half along the center spine and pieced onto a whole printed leaf.  The die cutting really made this paper piecing quite easy.  I also die cut the top panel three times with the same leaf die to make the "windows" for the printed leaves to show through.  Can't wait to get (ahem) a "few" more stamps and dies from this wonderful company.

Thanks for looking!

Play Time with Dies, Embossing Folders and Stamps

So what else is new, LOL.  Die-mania still has me in it's grips.  Recently acquired dies from SSS and Memory Box are keeping me happy in my die addiction.  Add a few stamps, washi tape and embossing folders and I am good.

I wanted to make a congratulations card for a friend and ended up making two.  I have to now toss a coin as to which one I will send her.  They are so different but I am quite happy with the two looks.

Card one:  I like the fresh colors and the lively flowers...I can't recall the maker of the clear stamp flowers I used unfortunately...I tossed the insert card before writing it on the plastic sleeve they are stored in...rats.  Anyway I colored a few of the flowers with my Stabillo White pencil.  Love how the white shows off the pen line drawn flowers.  Wahsi tape for the center diagonal and the die cut label and sentiment are from Simon Says Stamp.  Card stock and panel are also from SSS.

Card two:  The party lanterns are a new die for me from Memory Box.  Such a fun, festive die to be used for all kinds of occasions.  My first reaction was to use it for an Asian themed card and add the  Good Luck Kitty from Hero Arts.  Background panel was embossed with a folder from Cuttlebug adding to the Asian look.  Patterned papers are from SSS.  Sentiment is a stamp from Club Scrap's Natural Resources collection.

Paper Artists Online "Anything Goes" ATC Swap

I haven't done an ATC swap in over a year.   But when this Anything Goes invitation popped up I couldn't resist.  My desk is littered with multiple false starts with totally different themes.  I was determined to create a bird theme of some kind since I recently purchased two excellent JudiKins bird stamps.  Total Fail!  What that was about I just don't know.

Then it came to me in the 11th hour (literally) to do a coffee theme.  I have a vast collection of coffee stamps.  I enjoy making my double espresso soy lattes twice a day at home.   I make great ones I might add:)   BINGO!  This quirky little piece of art just came together quickly.

All stamped images (with the exception of coffee cup) are from Clearartstamps.com.  I love the 50s art style.  That cute little to-go coffee cup is a stamp and die from Stamps of Life.  Background done with Distress Stains and images colored with Distress Markers.

I titled it "My Favorite 3 Roasts".  Each coffee cup has the names of my preferred fresh roasted beans:  Monster Italian, Black Pearl (currently enjoying) and Jump Start.

My espresso machine is calling...must go and press a cup.


Thanks for looking.