Paper Pals Arts #72

This is such a pretty collection of photos, I just had to have a go at this challenge.  I would have preferred a slightly lighter shade of  brown, but you have to go with what you've got, and I do like the result.

The layout is based on a Mojo Monday sketch from last year (26/10/09), with a couple of changes, and the plan was for it to be a Valentine's card for my husband.  Two problems with this, I don't have any valentine stamp sets (an oversight that is being rectified) and it is alittle too girly.  Will have to come up with something else - plenty of time.

What you need

Cardstock - American Crafts white;  SU Close to Cocoa, white
Stamps - PTI Year of Flowers:  Roses, Text Style;  Hero Arts heart (I think)
Ink - SU Close to Cocoa, Choc Chip
Pins - Maya Road
Ribbon - Cristina Re
Flowers - Prima
Stickles - Diamond

CAS # 119 and # 120

Need to get afew challenges posted before we leave for our holiday.  The post setup doesn't want to play ball tonight so I can't post the inspiration sketch.  This is # 119 (hope the link works), the ink looks abit pink but didn't think I would want Cherry Cobbler ink (I mean how many reds can you have - not enough obviously, like shoes really).  An oversight I will have to fix. 


What you need

Cardstock - SU Cherry Cobbler, white, black
Stamps - PTI Fancy Flourishes;  SU Uppsy Daisy (sentiment)
Ink - Versacolour Cardinal;  PTI Fresh Snow
Buckle - ???
Gemstones  - Kaisercraft

CAS #120 - a particularly lazy card, this one (or thrifty, depending on your viewpoint). This is possibly a common problem but I seem to have alot of 6 x 6 paper pads, all of which I had to have, but have sat on the shelf for .....ummm....  about a year (in this case).  Time to earn their keep or they are out (to my daughter most likely).  This collection has such rich luscious prints but perhaps alittle busy for me.  So at least I have used a couple of sheets.

What you need

Cardstock - SU white
Patterned paper - Kaisercraft Belle Collection
Ribbon - SU Pear Pizzazz taffeta
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Stamp -Wplus9 Retro Girly (sentiment)
 

Case Study #18

This is such a pretty card for so many reasons - flower, colour, doily print (I won't go on) but I had to pick just a couple of these elements.  So I opted for the colour, lace pattern, flower and 'ribbon'. 

I was doing battle with a new paper trimmer so the layers may not be quite square, I think the problem is me not the trimmer, I really should avoid high tech.  Whilst it has alot going on, I don't think it is too over-whelming.

What you need

Cardstock - SU white, black Pink passion
Stamps - PTI Text Style, Abundance Abundance
Ink - SU Pink Passion:  PTI Fresh Snow
Dies - MFT Lace;  PTI Double Ended Banners
Brad - SU
Gemstones - Kaisercraft
Bookprint

CAS #118 with Colour Throwdown #122 colour palette

Very quick card today, completely ran out of time on this one. I used a punched flower design I had done for a mass produced Christmas card as I couldn't think of a circle embellishment I wanted to use.  The colours are from the latest Colour Throwdown challenge, which I really like (probably could have brightened it abit with some more white.

What you need

Cardstock - PTI Kraft;  SU Riding Hood Red, Choc Chip, Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive

Stamps - SU Spotlight on Christmas, Curly Cute

Ink -  SU Real Red, Memento Rich Cocoa

Ribbon - SU Pear Pizzazz Taffeta

Brad - Lush green

Flourishes Winter White Challenge

You have got to love this photo!!  Coming from a climate that never sees snow, it's the stuff of dreams.  I had to have a go at this challenge.

Yes, another wreath, gone abit overboard with this motif but I think it was a good choice for this card.  I wanted to focus on the colours, predominantly pale blue and white, with a hint of black.

What you need

Carstock - Bazzill Basics textured white;  SU Bashful Blue
Stamp - PTI Communique Curves
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Ribbon - SU Bashful Blue
Brad - SU
Gemstones - Kaisercraft
White gel pen

The start of another working week, but a short one before we start holidays proper, can't wait.

JAI #47

The challenge for this week was to "add critters" ..... Hmmm .... I don't have alot of critters (probably because I have an 8yo girl), so my little bee was all I could come up with.

The shimmer black card didn't have as big and impact as I thought it would but as I spent a whole morning trying to work out the border and corner punch (thanks to this great tutorial by Gretchen Barron) I wasn't not going to use it. 

What you need

Cardstock - Bazzill Basics Rose pink;  SU white;  Canson pearlescent black
Stamps - PTI All About You and Additions
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black;  SU Regal Rose
Copics; SU marker (Old Olive)
Prisma Glitter
 

CASE Study #17

Lots of decoraion going on in this lovely inspiration card by Nina Brackett.  Oddly I don't have any ornament stamps (how can this be!), so I went for a punched wreath inspired by Late Blossom.  Mine is a little simpler than Nina's card as I couldn't put the papers together anywhere near as well as that, but very happy with the results (came together quite quickly too).

What you need

Cardstock - Canson Deep Red;  Bazzill Basics Green

Patterned Paper - Cosmo Cricket Jolly by Golly

Stamps - PTI Signature Christmas

Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black

Ribbon - Red Organza;  PTI Silk

Brads and Gemstones - Kaisercraft

Lace - ? Webster's Pages

This weekend seems to be devoted to ballet and jazz Christmas concerts, the first one this morning,  so I now have to go and and try to get very curly hair looking sleek and tidy (not easy) as well as puting on makeup, the worst part.

CAS #117

I really wanted to do flowers but my perverse side won out in the end so opted for butterflies (no real surprise there). 

These are beautiful vellum butterflies (oh and one paper one), that I was certain I would use, better late than never I guess.  I used Maile Belles colour palette from Wplus9 colour challenge of Olive green, Lemon, Red and Turquoise.

What you need

Cardstock - Bazzill Basics Turquoise, Red;  SU white

Stamps - PTI Beautiful Blooms;  Inkadinkado Birthday Wishes.

Ink - SU Old Olive, Real Red

Butterflies - Jenny Bowlin

Gemstones - Kaisercraft

JAI #45

Well. now that my daughter is on holidays (the best part of 2 months), I can have a break from making presents for school.  I started out with such grand plans, but when it comes to mass production, I lose interest VERY quickly (I need someone to remind me of that fact around this time next year).  Hopefully I will get the chance to participate in a few challenges before we head off on holidays to Hawaii (yes, already thinking I could have a PTI delivery waiting for me minus the postage!).

Lovely simple little sketch this one, I decided to use the colours (well, one set anyway) from the latest Wplus9 Colour Cue challenge.  I don't think my creativity is back yet as I couldn't translate the idea in my head to paper.

Apologies for the extremely poor picture quality,  it is a very dark and dreary day here (the start of summer and it's 24C), would normally be 30C and humid. 

What you need

Cardstock - Bazzill Basics Red;  PTI Kraft;  SU white
Stamps - Memory Box Peony
Ink - SU Poppy Parade;  Colour Box Wisteria
Ribbon - Own Supplies
Gemstones - Kaisercraft

PTI November Blog Hop

The brief this month was Christmas tags, which have featured heavily in the past few PTI releases.  Not something I normally do, as I am flat out just getting Christmas cards out.  So here is my take on a tag, if I did them. I really wanted to use the wide striped SU ribbon but was unsure how tidy the corners would look and 2 bows on a card could look odd. So I imitated it by using double sided tape and embossing powder (no red glitter !! and I call myself a card maker).  The other embellishment I have been wanting to do are the sparkly snowflakes - don't have spray adhesive so I punched them from double sided adhesive sheets.  Came out quite well I think.

Still love that wreath.

What you need

Cardstock - Bazzill Basics Red, PTI white
Stamps - PTI Signature Christmas, Wreath for All Seasons
Ink - SU Real Red, Old Olive
Dies - Bigz Scallop Rectangle; PTI Mat Stack 1, Beautiful Blooms #1
Felt - PTI Pure Poppy, Vintage Cream
Embossing Powder - Judi Kins Rocking Red
Crafty Sparkles - Cosmo Crystal
Gemstones and pearl - Kaisercraft
Ribbon - SU
White Button

CAS #116 and Happy Birthday

This layout has had me stumped for quite afew days, both in colour and shape. 

This is what I came up with, not quite as vibrant as I would have hoped and it does need something in between kraft on kraft.

What you need

Cardstock - PTI Kraft

Patterned Paper - Pebbles Linnie Bell Pearl

Lace - ? Maya Road

Die - Spellbinders Labels 5

Stamps - PTI Holiday Sparkle, Holly Jolly

Ink - Memento Rich Cocoa;  Brilliance Pearlescent Ivy

Gemstones - Kaisercraft

Finally,  Happy 8th Birthday to my daughter for Friday (that's 8 going on 15 attitude-wise).  I made this card for her which my husband took as his card to her!!  I copied (there is no other word for it) a card Tina Fussell (Travelling Mama) did a month or 2 ago and she just loved it, particularly the blue ipod.

It took alot longer that I imagined with all the paper piecing but I love the stamp and the chance to use my Copics.

CAS #115

This stamp set is such a pretty one, I don't use it as often as it deserves.  This was an unusual layout but it didn't take long to  work out what I would do.  The large medallion is layered and I did more colouring of gemstones (how easy is it, to get the custom colour you want).

The school year is rapidly drawing to a close.  My daughter's birthday is on Friday and we are having a family celebration which includes her godparents ( due to logistics this doesn't happen often), should be lots of fun.

What you need

Cardstock - Bazzill Basics Red;  SU white
Stamps - Wplus9 Mehndi Medallions
Ink - SU Real Red, Old Olive;  Memento Tuxedo Black
Gemstones - Kaisercraft
Brad - SU
Markers - SU Real Red, Old Olive

JAI #43

Just Add Christmas and very loosely based on last week's sketch (wanted to do it but didn't get to it).  I haven't used Snow Swirled at all this year as it was my Christmas card feature last year.  I also wanted to make a really lush purple card, a bit over the top but so what.  It was a great way to use up scraps - paper, jewels etc.

What you need

Cardstock -  Bazzill Basics Velvet;  SU white

Stamps - SU Snow Swirled;  PTI Polka Dot Basics II

Ink - Versamark;  PTI Fresh Snow

Filigree Embossing Powder

Paper Flowers - Kaisercraft

Gemstone Brads -  Kaisercraft, SU

Gem Swirls - Zva Creative

Case Study #14

This is the beautiful CASE card from Heather Pulvirenti - lovely luscious bow and layers of divine patterned paper.

This is my take on it. The elements I picked were the polka dots, "joy" and ruffled ribbon.  I had my paper flower collection out for another card later in the week so decided to continue the theme.  It's very hard to see the stamp so there is a close up below.  I hadn't coloured gemstones before and thought this would be a great opportunity to give it a go (it is much brighter in real life).

What you need

 Cardstock - Bazzill Basics blue-greens

Stamps - SU Spotlight on Christmas;  PTI Polka Dot Basics II

Ink - Versacolour Mint

Paper Flowers - Kaisercraft

Ribbon Pleats - Pink Paislee

Gemstones - Zva Creative

Copics - R29, BG15

Colour Throwdown #118

It's been alittle while since my last blog post, a combination of over committing myself to making Christmas presents (the deadline for school stuff is drawing near at a rapid rate) and a lack of  motivation to participate in my favourite challenges.  Add to that November is a nightmare month for us, lots of school events and my daughter's birthday (that takes up about a week and a half).  Instead of a party, she is having a play in the park with afew of her good friends today, which won't be too stressful.

Anyway, the card - love this colour combination.  I don't have Cherry Cobbler so had to resort to Read Red but will remedy that situation shortly.  Can't seem to put this stamp set away, such a classic image.

What you need

Cardstock - PTI Kraft;  Bazzill Basics Red
Stamps - PTI Wreath for All Seasons, Communique Curves
Ink - PTI Fresh Snow;  SU Real Red, Soft Suede

JAI #41

This is a card I made for my Mother-in -Law in the New Year.  In another life she was a florist and roses are her favourite flowers (which she used for our wedding a lifetime ago).  Once I had put on all the elements I wanted to use, a sentiment seemed abit redundant.  She knows what it celebrates.

What you need

Cardstock - Bazzill Basics Blue; Vellum

Stamps - SU Fifth Avenue Floral

Ink - Versamark

White embossing powder

Gemstones - Zva Creative

I would have to go with Charlene on this one, this ain't my style - I admire the artistry and skill of the card makers who can do it ( and really wish I had some ability in this area) but no.  So this is my attempt - I love the choice of colours, the closest I have to rust is copper or burnt orange.  Again, this embellishment fell out of the box and all over the floor with my Prima flowers, so felt this was a good time to use it.

What you need

Cardstock - Bazzill Basics Yellow
Patterned Paper - American Crafts;  Kaisercraft Devonshire Collection
Robbon - Websters Pages
Die - PTI leaves
Pearl Brad - Kaisercraft
Embellishment - Melissa Frances

Colour Throwdown #116

Edited to Add:  this card got an "Honourable Mention" over at Colour Throwdown! YAY!

What can a girl do with these colours except a Christmas card (well, lots of things but on a Saturday morning I wasn't particularly inventive).  Pretty pleased with the outcome - another design to add to my "portfolio" HAHA, and I finally christened Wreath for All Seasons, very festive.

My daughter has her school piano recital today (as well as 40 other students).  She has been sick the past few days so there has been no practice - we may have to get in a bit this morning and pray that it all goes well this afternoon.

What you need

Cardstock - PTI Rustic Cream;  SU Vanilla, Riding Hood Red, Certainly Celery
Stamps - PTI Wreath for All Seasons, SU Spotlight on Christmas
Ink - SU Old Olive (by accident), Certainly Celery;  PTI Vintage Cream;  Memento Rich Cocoa
Ribbon - SU RH Red Taffeta
Gemstones - Kaisercraft

CAS #113

Quite a simple, very adaptable sketch, didn't turn out as I planned then ran out of time.  We had used this stamp set in our technique class a couple weeks ago and it has been languishing on my shelf  for a while, so I decided to make it earn its keep

What you need

Cardstock -  PTI Kraft, SU white
Patterned paper - Kaisercraft Devonshire Collection
Stamps - SU Boho Backgrounds;  PTI Autumn Abundance (sentinment)
Ink - Brilliance Pearlescent Thyme, Sky Blue, Rust;  Memento Rich Cocoa

CAS #112

This sketch was a pretty little one, and I can see lots of uses for it in the future.  And I finally used this embellishment that I had to have (a year ago) but only discovered after I knocked over the box it was in (stuff everywhere!)

What you need

Cardstock - SU White, Elegant Eggplant, Perfect Plum
Stamp - PTI Year of Flowers:  Sweet Pea
Ink - SU Elegant Eggplant
Embellishment - Melissa Frances

These are seriously beautiful colours when put together, and surprisingly, I haven't had enough of black and grey yet!  Dawn designs some absolutely gorgeous stamps, particular favourites are the ones I have used here.  There is a crystal drop under the bow which is hard to see and had to use on this very luxurious card.

What you need

Cardstock - ? Canson (pink);  SU Basic Black;  PTI white
Stamps - Wplus9 Mehndi Medallions, Magical Moments
Ink - PTI Smokey Shadow;  Memento Tuxedo Black
Ribbon - craft supplies
Crystal - ? Maya Road
Gemstones - Kaisercraft; My Minds Eye (Lush)

Just Add Ink #40

I had such high hopes for these colours but I have run out of time to give them the consideration they deserve.  Life has got in the way.  Anyway this is what I have come up with, the MFT rolled rose die I definitely need more practice with.

What you need

Cardstock - SU Sahara Sand

DSP - SU Blushing Bride

Stamps 0 SU Growing Green, Sending Happy Thoughts

Ink - SU Pear Pizzazz;  Memento Rich Cocoa

Butterfly - Jenny Bowlin

Ribbon - SU Old Olive Striped Grosgrain

Die - My Favourite Things Rolled Rose

Large Pearl Brad - Kaisercraft

October PTI Bog Hop

The theme this month was a winter celebration other than Christmas.  I wanted to do something a bit different for me, so I asked an Indian friend of mine what they celebrate around this time of year.  Well, now having done a bit of (very interesting) research, they celebrate alot of things all year round but next week is Dawali - Festival of Lights.  That sounded pretty good to me so here is my contribution - it probably isn't ornate enough but didn't really have a lot of time to fine tune it.

The flower is meant to represent a candle and tried to keep it to the rich colours they are known for.

What you need

Cardstock - PTI White;  Bazzill Basics Velvet;  Canson Gold
Stamps - PTI Beautiful Blooms, Trajan Monogram
Impression Plate - PTI Giga Guidelines
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Copics
Gemstones - Kaisercraft

Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger

Momento Mori

A very interesting choice of colours and subject matter (if you choose to go down that path).  After initially having NO inspiring thoughts, afew struck me - the gravestone thing or an attempt at my usual sort of card but in these, er, very different colours. Please keep testing us like this Cath.  I'm not sure who I would give either to but it would have to be someone with a slightly twisted sense of humour (actually I know afew people who fit that description).

This is the card I have chosen to enter in the challenge.  I toyed with the idea of doing a Mortitia Addams and chop the heads off the roses but that is probably altogether too weird (must be the Stieg Larsson books I am reading), I couldn't bring myself to do that.

My husband prefers this card, possibly slightly less odd and possibly room to add alittle colour .... but I won't.

What you need (it's pretty much the same for both)

Cardstock - SU Basic Black, Grey, White

Stamps - Waltzingmouse Vintage Labels 10;  PTI Turning a New Leaf, Through the Trees

Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, London Fog;  PTI Smokey Shadow

Flowers - Prima

Die - Spellbinders Labels 10

Ribbon - Cristina Re

Gemstones - Kaisercraft;  My Mind's Eye;  own supply

Stickles - Diamond

Bookprint

Embellish Challenge



This was a very last minute job not realising that it was already 21/10.  I knew I die cut felt teapots (?) for a reason and the reason was Embellish.

What you need

Cardstock - PTI Kraft;  SU So Saffron
Stamps - PTI Calendar Basics, Framed, Tea for Two
Ink - PTI Pure Poppy;  Memento Rich Cocoa
Felt and Ribbon - craft supplies
Gemstones - Kaisercraft

Just Add Ink #39 (or Just Add Blue)

Blue for Depression Awareness, something we take a while to recognise. 

I got this SU impression plate last week with my other goodies and thought this was a perfect opportunity to use it.  The idea for colours came from another gorgeous photo at Moxie Fab World as part of a challenge I couldn't participate in.  We were having a lovely couple of days up the coast at Noosa.

What you need

Cardstock - SU Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise

Stamps - SU Style Beautiful

Ink - SU Early Espresso

Embossing Folder - SU Elegant Bouquet

Gemstones - Kaisercraft; Zva Creative

Clean and Simple # 111

The Inspiration

 

 

The card

As soon as I saw this photo over at Moxxie Fab World I knew these colours had to be used on a card.  It also helped that I received a lovely box of goodies from Stampin' Up which included this stamp set.  This is now my only record of the card, as my mother snaffled it up this morning, along with some other cards for her to use. 

What you need

Cardstock - PTI Spring Moss;  SU Black, White
Stamps - SU Always Elegant;  PTI Inside and Out:  Thank You
Ink - PTI Orange Zest;  Memento Tuxedo Black
Ribbon - PTI Orange Zest
Brads - SU Black
Gemstones - Kaisercraft

 

Clean and Simple # 110

  

 While I had my SU DSP out for another project, I thought it would work nicely with this sketch. It doesn't look too dominant which was the effect I was looking for.

Well must get a move on, I have had an order for Christmas cards today and I still have my daughter's birthday invitations to finish.



What you need


Cardstock - SU Whisper White
DSP - SU Bella Rose
Stamps - SU Always Elegant
Ink - SU Old Olive
Copic - R89 Dark Red
Ribbon - SU Kiwi Kiss Satin
Gemstones - Kaisercraft