My Favorite Things-Being Cute

Greetings!                                 

                                                                       
Today's post features a little card I made using My Favorite Things-Being Cute Is What I Do set.  I really changed things up-NO COPIC markers.

                                                                                                                                                                    
I decided to pull out my good ole' colored pencils and Gamsol.  I have not tried this in years!  I was really surprised at how well I was able to shade using this technique. 

If this is something you would like to try you'll need the following:

high quality colored pencils (i use the Prisma brand)
Gamsol (I purchased some from Inky Antics long ago in a special bottle.  You can also purchase it from Gina K Design in a pump and The Stamping Bella)
paper blending stumps (the Taiwan brand is better than the China brand)
high quality paper (#80  is best)
sanding tool or nail file ( to sand your stumps to change color and keep even)
ink (waterproof- I use Momento ink)

Supplies:

Cardstock:  Papertrey Ink-Stamper's Select (White)
D.P:  Basic Grey -Curio
Stamps:  My Favorite Things-Being Cute Is What I Do
Ink:  Mometo (Tuxedo Black)
Color Medium:  Prisma Colored Pencils
Punch: Fiskars (Scalloped Sentiments)
Other:  button and hemp cording
 

Papertrey Button Cards

Greetings!                            

Today I am posting some cards I created with Papertrey Ink's new button card stamps and Basic Grey's new Luscious collection.

All of the cards were stamped with Momento Ink.  I think the PI stamps work so well with this ink.  As you might already know, I use Momento Ink whenever I color with my Copic markers, but this ink also has a wide range of colors.  So often I will stamp with dye ink and get an image that is well- not as crisp as I would like it to be.  Not the case with these inks.  I also can find them in a dew drop size, so I am not spending a fortune stocking up (especially with my discounts at JoAnn's).

This stamp set is so awesome.  There is also a coordinating die that I am waiting for.  I have yet to see it in stock-it is taking forever!
The stamps come in an array of vintage images with words and a couple of choices for the card itself.  There are plenty of possibilities.

I have also been dying a lot of my own wrinkle ribbon.  Super easy to make and I use all of my Distress Ink to color them.  I just wish Tim Holtz made a teal distress ink.  I guess I will just have to go out and purchase some Glimmer Mist (which also works great for coloring your ribbon).

Hope you can find some uses for the buttons in your stash as home!

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Stamper's Select-White Papertrey Ink
DP:  So Luscious-Basic Grey
Stamps:  Papertrey Ink -Button Boutique and Hero Arts-Sentiment 
Ink:  Momento Ink (various colors)/Distress Ink- Antique Linen
Buttons:  JoAnne's 
Ribbon:  Offray and Handmade Wrinkle Ribbon/American Crafts (scallops)
Jute:  American Crafts
 

If We Didn't Have Change...

Hello!

Have you been crafting lately?  Hope so.
A few weeks ago, I created this little card with my Unity KOM.  "The sentiment reads, "if nothing ever changed, we wouldn't have butterflies".

Here is the card:

                     
Instead of coloring with my Copic markers, I used Distress Inks.  It made putting the card together really quick!  Papers are from Cosmo Cricket Circa 1934. Hope you enjoy!

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Papertrey Ink
Patterned Papers:  Cosmo Cricket Circa 1934
Stamps:  Unity Stamp Co. (KOM)
Ink:  Distress Inks-Ranger
Die Cuts:  Nestabilities
Paper Punch:  Fiskars-Scalloped Sentiments
Ribbon:  Papertrey Ink
Corner Rounder:  We R Memory Keepers-Corner Chomper

                                     

Snow Man Day!

Hello!

At school, we've been talking about snowmen.  Or shall I say, snowpeople.
In one of my favorite children's books, the author Lois Elhert, saves all sorts of good stuff in a paper sack and creates a snow family-including a snow cat and dog.

My card today is inspired by this very book.  The December KOM has, as always, has some very fine images. The snowman on this card is no exception.  I just love how cute and simple he is.

Check it out:

                                                             

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Papertrey Ink, Bazzill Embossed Swiss Dots
Patterned Paper:  Sassafrass (Indie Girl)
Ink:  Momento (Tuxedo Black), Distress Ink (Stormy Sky)
Stamps:  Unity Stamp Co. (Dec 2010 KOM)
Copic Markers
Die Cuts:  Nestabilities (large ovals)
Other:  Button, String

Hero Arts and Basic Grey-Butterfly

Hello!

I made several cards over the big holiday break and will be sharing them when I have the chance to post.

For today's post, I made a classy card featuring Hero Arts' antique engraving set as well as Basic Grey's Curio paper.  When The Paper Clipping Roundtable chit chatted about this new line from Basic Grey, I was pretty much drooling.  I love the colors, images and well even the smell of this line.  (Oh, I really like the smell of paper...such a sicko!)

So here's the card:

  Hope you enjoy!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink

Papers:  Basic Grey (curio)
Stamps:  Hero Arts (antique engravings)(happy birthday sentiments)
Ink:  Momemto Ink ,Distress Ink (vintage photo, antique linen)
Punch:  Fiskars (Scalloped Sentiments)
Ribbon:  Michael's (Back to Basics)
Twine:  Wal-Mart
Copic Markers
                                                                    

                                                                

My Favorite Things Winter Stamping

Hello! 

We had a very Merry Christmas in the Gates household this year.  The plumbing and heating tech just left our home.  A new water heater was put in-YIKES!  Not the cheapest thing to have installed.  My husband was able to score a dented 50 gallon water heater for cost at work so that gave us a little better total, but not by much.

So on to the post....                       

Today's image is from My Favorite Things. Love the stuff from the Pure Innocence collection! I used papers from Basic Grey and added coloring with my Copic markers.  I love adding winter blues and greens to my cards this time of the year-so cozy!
Hope you enjoy!

2010 Christmas Card

Hello!

I am finally posting my 2010 Christmas card.  This year I made a minimal amount of cards-40.  I decided that it would be enough-well it wasn't.  Less time and a more challenging card is what I was dealing with this year.

So here is what I came up with:

                                                        
                                              
And the inside features:

                                                    

                                                                                 

Lots of painting with Distress Ink and perfect pearls.  In real life it looks all sparkly and pretty.  I hope you enjoy and have a very Merry Christmas!

Unity Christmas Resist

Hello!  

Today's card features a itty bitty stamp from Unity Stamp Co.  I love the look of the cardinal with the music note background. 

To create this look, I first cut the cardstock with my label 4 Nestabilites.  I then stamped the image in Versamark and added white embossing powder-heat with tool. 

The color was added with my Ranger foam applicator and (Barn Door and Vintage Photo).  I then wiped the areas I wanted white clean with toweling.  I cut two small strips of Basic Grey Jovial Collection paper and inked the edges with Vintage Photo.  Last, I added the jute and tied a bow.

The cardstock was cut to 41/4 x 8 1/2. 

Enjoy!

Supplies:  
Cardstock:  Paper Co. and Papertrey Ink
DP:  Basic Grey (Jovial)
Ink:  Versamark, Distress Ink (Barn Door and Vintage Photo)
Jute:  Joanne's
Stamp:  Unity Stamp Co
Embossing Powder: Stampendous
Corner Rounder: We R Memory Keepers 
Die Cut: Nestabilities
 

2 Sketches 4 You-Laura's Sketch 64

Hello!                                                                

Here is my card I created for 2 Sketches 4 You- sketch challenge.

For this challenge, I created a card using Sassafrass' Indie Girl line.  I love all the blue and green soft floral tones.  With the papers, I added an Itty Bitty image from Unity Stamp Co.-"What's Shakin'".  The little salt and pepper shakers have small hearts on them, so I thought the tiny printed heart design form Indie Girl would be the perfect addition.

I pleated the paper and ran in through my sewing machine to make it look like real ribbon. The sentiment was embossed with Red ZING embossing powder. A bit of coloring with my Copic markers and distress ink and I am finished.

Hope you enjoy and join in on the sketch challenge this week.

Supplies:

Cardstock:  The Paper Company, Papertrey Ink (Vinatage Creme)
Pattern Paper:  Sassafrass- Indie Girl
Stamp:  What's Shakin -Unity Stamp Co.
Corner Rounder:  We R Memory Keepers
Embossing Powder: ZING American Crafts
Copic Markers

Ink: Momento and Distress Ink (Pumice Stone), Distress Embossing Ink

A Little Halloween Love

Hi!                      
I had the chance to create a little something special for my co-workers this weekend. Last weekend, I spent a time creating little felt flowers, so I added a pin back to them for a little gift to give.

The tea bag holder/treat holder was something I saw over on Beate's blog Fresh and Fun.  You can find out how to make your own here.

I used a digi image from The Greeting Farm and sized it to fit the holder.  I then colored the image, cut it out with a Nestabilities die and added to the candy container.

Hope you enjoy!

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill Basics 
Patterned Papers:  Basic Grey, Echo Park, Scrappy Cat, and others!
Ink:  Distress Ink (Scattered Straw)
Momento Ink (Tuxedo Black)
Digi Image:  The Greeting Farm
Die Cut:  Nestabilities (Large Circles)
Ribbon:  Michael's Basics
Copic Markers

Happy Fall!

Greetings!     

Yep, I am back after what some might say...A SUPER LONG BREAK!  I am finally finding some time to create and more importantly post my creations.

Today's card features a digi image from Pink Cat Studio.  A little love from our friends Billy and Lily.
This image reminds me of my two little leaf pile jumpers.

Hoping you are enjoying or enjoyed the colors in your area.  Until next time.  Enjoy!

Supplies:

Cardstock:  The Paper Company
Pattern Papers:  Basic Grey -Pyrus
Digi Image:  Pink Cat Studio
Stamped Background: Hero Arts-Graph Background
Stamped Sentiment:  Unity Stamp Co. KOM-October 2010

Ink:  Distress Ink-Scattered Straw, Copic Markers
Circle Cutter:  Martha Stewart
Twine:  American Crafts
Button: Prima

PUBLISHED!

Greetings!  I was so surprised to receive a free issue of Just Cards Holiday Special Edition in the mail today.  As I read the letter attached, I realized that one my submissions from over 6  months ago was published.

This is my first time being published and boy am I excited!  Here are some pics of me with the magazine and my card (with my name, of course).  Enjoy!

Flashback Friday-What Did You Post?

Greetings!  Have a look at your very first blog post.  The Flash Back Friday post for this week is all about your first entry.  Here is a picture of the first cards I posted back on November of 2008:

                                                               

Yes!  I have been blogging for quite some time now. Are you interested and brave enough to post your first?  Well, then head on over to Amy's bog to see all the details~  Enjoy.

Cool Blog Candy Contest

Check out this blog post for a chance to win a ton of paper and crafting supplies:
http://athousandsheetsofpaper.blogspot.com/2010/08/1000-sheets-for-thousand-sheets.html

2 Sketches-Kazan's 58

Greetings!
Here is the card I made for this week's sketch challenge:

         
For this card, I used papers from Basic Grey's Oliver collection.  The stamps are from Lawn Fawn's
How Delightful set.  Lamp images are everywhere and this set is so great.
I stamped the lamp in grey Momento ink and paper pieced the lamp shade with BG paper.  I then cut out the lamp with the small circle Nestabilities. The sentiment was heat embossed and I added a button with some string to top it all off. Enjoy!

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill and Papertrey Ink
DP:  Basic Grey-Oliver Collection
Ink;  Momento
Stamps:  Lawn Fawn
Scallop Punch:  Fiskars
Die Cut:  Small Circle Nestabilities
Corner Rounder:  We R Memory Keepers
Button:  Foofala
String:  May Arts
Other:  Embossing Powder

Etsy Inspired Challenge

Greetings!

I have a post tonight that showcases Etsy Inspired creations from Becky Kazana.  I found the Days of the Week underwear print to be quite inspiring.  I remember as a little girl having days of the week underwear.  Luckily, I had a stamp set from Our Craft Lounge that features not only underwear but bras too.

Here is my card:

                                          

I chose papers from my Cosmo Cricket Material Girl Mini Deck.  I paper pieced the panties and added them to the undies I stamped in Tuxedo Black Momento.  The card base was stamped with the graph background stamp from Hero Arts in Soft Pool ink.  The underwear are stamped on PTI's cardstock cut into a Label 8 shape from Nestabilities.
ENJOY!
Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill, Papertrey Ink
DP:  Cosmo Cricket-Material Girl
Stamps:  Our Craft Lounge, Hero Arts-Graph Background
Ribbon:  Papertrey Ink
Corner Rounder:  We R Memory Keepers



  

Berry Fun Basket

Greetings!                      

                                                                 
My post today features a digi template found over at My Favorite Things.  If you follow my blog, you know how I love MFT's Pure Innoscence collection.  Not only does MFT have stamps but they also have an array of digital papers, stamps and templates.  Check them out here.

So using their digital template, I created this berry basket along with some yummy paper strawberries (well, not really yummy).
First I downloaded the template and saved it to my digital stamp folder.  I then printed the template off (any size I wanted, might I add) on colored cardstock.  I then cut out the design with scissors and scored with my Martha Stewart score board on the dotted lines.  To add extra texture, I Cuttlebugged my basket with an embossing folder (Weathered Wood for the basket and Swiss Dots for the berries).
To keep the basket and berry pieces together I used my Score-Pal tape.  I then used string to tie the holes together for the berries and added a Cream Saver (Cream and Berry flavor-of course) to the center.  The tops were created with string, my pinking circle Nestabilities and a button.
                                                                                                              

                                                               
I also included a small mini card to coordinate with the berries and basket.

Supplies
Digital Template:  My Favorite Things
Sentiment on Card:  Unity Stamps-April KOM 2010
Embossing Plates:  Cuttlebug
DP:  October Afternoon-Go Fly A Kite
Die Cut: Nestabilities-Pinking Circle
Scoring Tool:  Martha Stewart Score Board
Adhesive:  Scor-Pal Tape
Other:  String, Buttons

Hope you enjoy and have a "berry" nice day!

2 Sketches 4 You-Laura 57

Greetings!
Today's post features a card I created for the challenge over at 2 Sketches 4 You.  This sketches uses a longer card size along with a heart embellishment.

Here is what I created:   
                                          

                                                        
I used my new papers from Basic Grey-Oliver Collection.  I just love all the male colors (blues, teals and reds). Enjoy!

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Papertrey Ink
DP:  Basic Grey-Oliver Collection
Stamps:  Unity July 2010 KOM
Ink:  Momento and Distress Ink-Old Paper
Punches: Fiskars-Scallop Sentiments and Marvy-Heart

Other: Pops Adhesive-This to That 
 

Embellish Magazine Challenge

Greetings!                                         
My post today features a color and product challenge from Embellish Magazine.  The challenge:  to incorporate  the colors teal, orange, kraft, brown and ric rac in your creation.

I made a standard A2 size card along with some pattern papers from October Afternoon.  I did not have ric rac to match my color scheme, so I decided to find a pattern that resembled it in my paper.  To add special interest, I used my embossing pen from Inkadinkado and added some clear embossing powder to the ric rac design in my paper.  (a little hard to see in the photo).  Enjoy!

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Papertrey Ink and Bazzill
DP:  October Afternoon-Go Fly A Kite
Stamps:  Unity Stamp Co. (July KOM) and Hero Arts-Thank you sentiments
Ink:  Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink, Distress Ink-Worn Corduroy
Embossing Pen:  Inkadinkado
Corner Rounder:  Corner Chomper -We R Memory Keepers
Punches:  EK Success and Marvy
Ribbon: Papertrey Ink
Pen: Signo White Pen




 

A Fruity Creation

Greetings!                                                     

My post today features a card I made for Sarah Martina's blog challenge.  The challenge is to make something incorporating fruit!              
I chose to break out some of my new Hero Arts stamps (Simply the Best).

                                                                          
I decided to do some paper piecing on these cards.  I thought that the Garden Variety papers from Cosmo Cricket would be perfect; fresh and fun patterns.  Enjoy!

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Bazzill 
DP: Cosmo Cricket (Garden Variety)
Stamps:  Hero Arts (Simply the Best) and Dots 
Ink:  Colorbox (Fluid Ink)
Ribbon:  Papertrey Ink
Punch:  Fiskars (Scallop Sentiments)
Corner Rounder:  We R Memory Keepers-Corner Chomper