The Paper Players # 214

How is this for good fortune - I made this card for my husband only a few days ago and here is a challenge it fits right in with.  I think even he likes having a card made with him in mind, and would be disappointed if I just bought one.

He is very much a motor sport fan, especially motorbikes, so this great embossing folder was a must and it looks particularly good on foil card stock.

What you need
Cardstock - SU black, grey;  silver foil cardboard
Stamps - Uniko Studio Today, Tomorrow and Always Time;  MFT Birthday Sentiments
Ink - SSS Smoke;  Versafine Onyx Black
Embossing Folder - Tim Holtz
Die - MFT Fishtail Flag Stax
Gems

Paper Players #183 - Stars

Now, this makes me very happy.  Not only do I get to use up another sheet of 12 x 12 but, I think I may have a vaguely masculine, pre-adolescent birthday card.  Hopefully we won't see the stars tonight, as we desperately need rain,  Brisbane has had high humidity and low rainfall for the past few weeks, a break would be nice.  However, way out west they are doing it much tougher - drought has claimed much of Western Queensland.  Maybe they have had a bit of rain out of the recent falls.  

We are back to school,  my daughter is with none of her best friends in class but with her extended friendship group and the teacher she really wanted.  So there is a silver lining.  She is coping well with dance commitments and Middle School band and Percussion Ensemble.  

I really like this card, inspired by a couple of techniques Jennifer McGuire has used in recent posts ie glitter and adding Glossy Accents to everything.  

What you need

Cardstock - SU Midnight Muse, white;  PTI orange

Patterned paper - Pebbles

Stamps - MFT

Punches - Fiskars, EK Success

Ink - SU Midnight Muse

Glitter - Glitter Ritz Champagne

Dies - MFT Fishtail Flags

PTI August 2013 Blog Hop

My how the months have flown!  We have almost finished our outdoor work, now it is just those little finishing touches of tidying up and working out what we want to go back there.  It could probably do with some new plants .... if I remember to water them.  

This is the colour palette and sketch I picked, seem to be a sucker for the neutrals at the moment, add to that my Mother-in-law has requested a few more masculine cards.  Really happy with this one, the plan had been to just use one of my new acquisitions - Sketched Shapes, but there we a couple of other designs I wanted to incorporate.  Alot of masking going on here and I cut small notches in the sides so the twine would sit better.

What you need

Cardstock - PTI cream; SU Early Espresso

Stamps - PTI Stylish Sentiments Birthday; Sketched Shapes, Background Basics: Retro

Ink - PTI Fine Linen, Classic Kraft;  SU Early Espresso; Versafine Onyx Black

Twine - Hero Arts, SU

I'll bet there are a few craft weary people after the all weekend Stamp a Faire, but I am sure there will still be plenty of wonderful inspiration on show.

A couple of mid-week cards

It's been a grey old day here today, looks like winter is not far away.  All children in Grades 3, 5, 7, and 9 are completing 3 days of national testing on numeracy and literacy today.  Stress over for another 2 years!  Most parents I have spoken to recently are completely in the dark about what the testing is designed to highlight - where an individual child may need help, or how well the school is teaching the test.  I saw one of my daughter's friends this morning before they headed off to orchestra, and said good luck with Maths today, R said, "Is that what we are doing today, I'll do whatever they put in front of me" . I guess that's how to handle it .

Anyway a chic card for a very chic ensemble.  I didn't want to do black and white stripes necessarily, then remembered this DSP.  The other details I wanted to highlight were the belt and buckle and the model walking away from camera, just over her shoulder.  The stamping didn't work quite as well as hoped so I went over it with the Molotow paint pen.

What you need

Cardstock - PTI black; Canson shimmer gold

DSP - SU Neutrals Collection

Stamps - PTI Think Big Favourites

Ink - Memories Unicorn white

Molotow paint pen

Buckle

***

Next up is one of my favourite challenges which I have missed the passed few weeks.  So this being a birthday celebration, we got to choose a favourite colour palette from the past year.  This is one from the last couple of weeks and while we are on the theme of slightly masculine cards, I think this one could be used for a young boy.

I had thought to stamp stripes but knew that would end up in too much wasted cardstock, so went with strips of card.  Not much stamping I admit, but love the effect.

What you need
Cardstock - Gina K white;  SU Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie
Stamps - HA Year Round Sentiments, Many Birthday Messages; PTI Star Prints
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black; SU Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie
Die - MFT Star Stax

CR84FN #63

These seemed the perfect colours for a boys birthday card - I remembered I had this wonderful denim ribbon from SU and the star die I have been meaning to use for some time.  I am currently in the middle of the Kickstart online class, and Jennifer McGuire loves her techniques so remembered this easy non-messy pretend embossing technique and I think it looks really effective in Kraft.  Not sure I was wise in putting navy Stickles on the 9 as it took AGES to dry but I think Alex will like it.

What you need
Cardstock - PTI kraft, white;  BB dark brown
Stamps - PTI Mat Stack 4 collection
Ink - SU Early Espresso
Dies - MFT Stacks of Stars; PTI Numbers
Ribbon - SU
Stickles - Midnight Blue

Finishing up from the weekend

Waltzingmouse #100 and Dynamic Duos #5

Time does go fast and already we are at the 100th Waltzingmouse challenge.  For this card I have restamped the label afew times to get a layered effect and very happy with the result.

What you need

Cardstock - PTI white

DSP - SU First Edition

Stamps - WMS Vintage Labels 18, Pic Nic Patterns, Cameos to Go (sentiment)

Ink - SU Real Red, Island Indigo;  Memento Tuxedo Black

Die - PTI Medium Scallop

Ribbon - Su Real Red grosgrain

Gems - Kaisercraft

******

Retro Sketches #14 and Play Date Cafe #134

I thought I might not get the chance to finish my card for these challenges but a bit of unexpected time at home waiting for tradesmen allowed me to finish them.  

What you need

Cardstock - PTI Kraft

Stamps - Paper Smooches Hip to be Square;  WMS Asian Gardens (sentiment)

Ink - SU Poppy Parade;  Memento Rich Cocoa

Flowers and Gems - Kaisercraft

Brad - ?

Diamond Stickles

*******

And finally, not sure if I will enter this one for Just us Girls, it is possibly a bit too simple but in my latest mania to use my quite large collection of  12 x 12 patterned paper, I have used some glittery paper.   This could be for my father or husband, whichever is more in touch with their feminine side.

What you need
Cardstock - SU Early Espresso, Vanilla; vellum
Patterned paper - Chatterbox Fine Tinsel paper  in chocolate
Stamp - PTI Think Big Favourites
Ink - Versamark
Glitter - SU

Cards from the Weekend

Case Study #90

The delicacy of this card just made me drool.  The roses and pearls are just perfect with the simplicity of the patterned paper and sentiment.  Couldn't see anything I could improve on so decided to flip the design. Not sure fuchsias would have been quite as appealing upside down.  

What you need

Cardstock - PTI Rustic White; SU vanilla

Patterned paper - MME Miss Caroline Howdy Doody

Stamps - The Cat's Meow Celebrating You;  PTI Think Big Favourites

Ink - SU Peach Parfait, Early Espresso

Pearls - Kaisercraft

*****

Retro Sketches #11

My husband's godfather is turning 90 this week.  As he lives in England we won't be able to spend time  with them but I hope this card says they are in our thoughts.  This sketch seemed perfect for the occasion.

What you need

Cardstock - SU Early Espresso, vanilla;  BB Kraft

DSP - SU Neutrals Collection

Stamps - WMS Vintage Labels 18;  PTI Inside and Out: Birthday

Ink - SU Early Espresso

Die - PTI Ribbon Tails; SB Labels 18

Ribbon - PTI Dark Chocolate Satin

Pearls - Kaisercraft

Sunday Cards

The idea I had for this challenge was a Mother's Day card for my Mum, but it evolved into this pretty number.  Reasonably classic, very CAS but not for my mum next Sunday.

What you need

Cardstock - SU grey, white

Stamps - Verve Great Friend, Because of You

Ink - SU Pretty in Pink, Pool Party

Gems - Kaisercraft

*****

It seems there are birthdays going on everywhere at the moment.  This one is for my brother-in-law, the celebration was today but not sure exactly when the big day is.  It is very hard to see the glittery "50", as my camera is basic and doesn't take the best photos, but it looks very effective in real life.  

As it is Simon Says Stamps 3rd birthday as well I will enter it for that challenge as well

What you need

Cardstock - BB black; cardboard

Patterned paper - SU Mocha Morning;  Doodlebug glitter Lily White

Dies - PTI Wonderful Words, lower case letters, numbers

Other - Kindyglitz (black);  Darice black glitter

The weekend's activities

Who could resist this beautiful spring wreath, and I thought it would be perfect with this sketch.  Initially I had flowers on the wreath but  it didn't work so opted for butterflies.

I think I will also enter it into the Basic Grey challenge - Spring Flowers.

What you need

Cardstock - SU Always Artichoke, Certainly Celery, Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink

Patterned paper - Basic Grey Sweet Threads

Stamps - WMS Asian Gardens

Ink - SU Early Espresso

Punches - MS Butterflies, Medium Branch

Gems and Pearls - Kaisercraft

*****

The next challenge I chose was this great PPA sketch and my neutral patterned papers were still out, so I am hoping that my Dad will love this card in September and not think it's too girly - I don't think he will, he is a pretty artistic guy.

What you need

Cardstock - SU Choc Chip, Very Vanilla

DSP - SU Neutrals Collection

Vellum - PTI

Stamps - Wplus9 Woodgrain Silhouettes

Ink - SU Choc Chip, Creamy Caramel

Punch - SU

Die - SB Labels

Ribbon - Craft Supplies

Pearls - Kaisercraft

Glitter Dot - Pebbles

*****

This one is so out of my comfort zone but really wanted to have a go at it.  Maybe Dad would like this one or perhaps my daughter could give it to my husband.  

What you need

Cardstock - SU black, white

Patterned paper - MME Miss Caroline - Dolled Up

Stamps - Wplus9 Woodgrain Silhouettes

Ink - Memento London Fog, Lady Bug

Die MFT tab

Pearls - Kaisercraft

*******

And finally, this one took the longest.  Not sure why as I loved the colour scheme and the sketch from Stampin' Royalty.  Perhaps I was completely out of personal inspiration by then.

What you need

Cardstock - SU vanilla, Early Espresso, Creamy Caramel, Pretty in PInk

Patterned Paper - PTI Dearest Jane

Stamps - Gina K Great Sayings

Ink - SU Pretty in Pink, Creamy Caramel

Die - SB Picot Edge Circles

Ribbon - SU Pink Pirouette Striped Grosgrain

Waltzingmouse May Blog Waltz

The theme this month is masculine - glad I am being made to do all these 'manly' cards as I do need afew during the year but always have to do them at the last minute.

Had I thought about this abit more I could have stamped the paper planes in green and they could have been "Thunderbirds", possibly showing my age a little bit there.  I found this paper at the Kaisercraft outlet store and I think it's perfect for this challenge.

What you need
Cardstock - PTI white
Patterned Paper - Kaisercraft Konstrukt Collection (Bluprint)
Stamps - WMS Free Spirit Boy;  PTI Butterfly Dreams
Ink - SU Real Red
Die - PTI Tea for Two label

April PTI Blog Hop

WOW, hasn't this monthly event rolled around quickly.  Fortunately for us (and in New Zealand, I think), it is a super long weekend as we celebrated ANZAC Day yesterday and today - Tuesday - is our Easter Monday.  My family have gone to my sister-in-law's farm up the coast and are off to Australia Zoo today, mainly to take my daughter again before it becomes too passe but I think the more likely reason is for my husband to take photos of animals, now that his, rather expensive camera seems to be working properly.  I am at home taking care of the domestic animals, and maybe doing a little stamping as well, only a bit though!?!

Anyway, the Blog Hop has a masculine theme this month.  Stamps in this department are sadly lacking for me so had to improvise abit.  Father's Day is in September for us, and while there is nothing wrong with being prepared WELL ahead of time, birthday cards are what I require in the near future.

I think I am really going to love having Modern Basics in my collection - there really are endless possibilities.

What you need
Cardstock - PTI cream, dark chocolate, kraft
Stamps - PTI Modern Basics, Big and Bold Wishes
Ink - SU Early Espresso (and marker),  Crumb Cake
Die - Mat Stack 1
Brads - SU Antique
Cork sheet - Craft Supplies
Pearls - Kaisercraft

CAS #125 and #126

A double dose of CAS designs

 

I thought this might be a good masculine card but perhaps change the sentiment (hope you can see the woodgrain impression).

What you need

Cardstock - SU white;  Bazzill Basics Fourz (brown)
Stamps - PTI Signature Greetings
Ink - Memento Rich Cocoa
Impression plate - PTI woodgrain
Ribbon - Annabelle stamps

These colours are from a previous PPA challenge, and when I was getting out the cardstock, the purple and green looked stunning together.  I am sure this card will get used this year for one of my daughter's friends.

What you need

Cardstock - SU Riding Hood Red, Certainly Celery, Rich Razzleberry, white

Patterned Paper - SU Cottage Garden

Stamps - PTI Signature Greetings

Ink - SU Read Red

Impression Plate - PTI By the Numbers

Die - PTI By the Numbers;  Spellbinders Lacy Circles

Ribbon - SU Certainly Celery Twill

Gemstones - Kaisercraft