O' Christmas Tree

Last year, our cats loved our Christmas tree. It was their first Christmas and they batted more than a few ornaments off the tree. Between the cats and our kids, all the nice ornaments go way up high on the tree! lol

I just received this Callie Christmas Kitty stamp and had to use it for this week's High Hopes Challenge. The challenge this week is Metal Madness brought to us by the very talented, Amy.

I had to use my new Basic Grey Wassail paper for my card and used Papertrey's ripe avocado cardstock because it is a perfect coordinating color. I started by stamping my kitty on white cardstock and cutting it out with a petite scalloped circle die. Then, I colored my image using copic markers.

I cut my card base and patterned papers and stitched them together. Then, I cut a piece of velvet olive ribbon. I attached it using some brads and added a silver metal Christmas tree and more brads in the corners of my card.

I stamped my sentiment on my card before adding my kitty to my card using foam adhesive. Isn't she cute?! I think I will be sending this Christmas card to my grandma because she loves kitties.

I actually got a photo of the copic markers I used again for this card. Be sure and stop by the High Hopes challenge blog. The divas have created some amazing stuff for the challenge and you won't want to miss it!

Have a Happy Sunday!!

Recipe

Stamps: Callie Christmas Kitty (High Hopes Rubber Stamps), Merry and Bright (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: white, ripe avocado (Papertrey Ink)

Patterned Paper: Wassail (Basic Grey)

Accents: velvet olive ribbon, brads, metal Christmas tree (Making Memories)

Tools: copic markers, sewing machine, petite scalloped circle dies (Spellbinders)

Gavin is bringing birthday wishes

I got the chance this morning to play in the SCS sketch challenge. (Shh, don't tell anyone! I'm supposed to be cleaning house, baking pumpkin pies, and doing all the other stuff to get ready for Thanksgiving. *wink*)

Now, I'm not too sure about this card. I don't know for sure what it is that I don't like about it, but something is bothering me. It may be my need for layers under the patterned paper and on the card base. But anyway, I love this dragon! Actually, I love all the High Hopes dragons because they are so cute! Who would have thought a dragon could be cute?!

I stamped, cut out, and colored my dragon first. Then, I cut my card base and used a glue pad to stamp the pattern (using Papertrey's Background Basics Stars stamp set) and added red fun flock. It is nice and fuzzy! Then, I cut my patterned papers and added the black stitching. I tied a ripe avocado ribbon around one piece and added some brads and my sentiment before assembling my card. I added a little white pigment ink to the edges of my card for a little contrast. I did get fuzzy on my inkpad, of course, so I don't recommend using a good ink pad.

And I have to have a close up of Gavin' the Givin' Dragon just because he is cute!

Here is the copic marker colors I used to color the image. I don't usually list the colors because I rarely take a photo of a card the same day I make it, but I decided to snap a quick pic this morning when I made this card.

Hope everyone celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow has a fabulous Thanksgiving! I better get busy! *wink*

Recipe

Stamps: Gavin' the Givin' Dragon (High Hopes Rubber Stamps), Background Basics Stars, Mixed Messages (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: white (Papertrey Ink), night of navy (SU)

Patterned Paper: Box (Basic Grey)

Accents: ripe avocado stitched ribbon (Papertrey Ink), red and blue brads

Tools: copic markers, sewing machine, rectangle nestability die, red fun flock, glue pad, white pigment inkpad

Kiss Me

Okay, is that not one of the funniest images you have ever seen?! I love Kissy Face Frog! I love frogs and this image is so funny. This week's High Hopes challenge is a sketch challenge brought to us by the amazingly talented Ila. You can see the sketch on the challenge blog. If you click on the photo, the red parts won't be fuzzy. Maybe it's just my computer, but the sentiment looks fuzzy and it's not really.

I usually always start my cards by coloring my images. So, I cut an oval shape and stamped my frog in the center. Then, I stamped my image again on a post-it note to create a mask and cut it out. Then, I used a pink copic marker and my air compressor to spray the pink around my frog while my oval was still in the die. Then, I removed the mask and colored my frog. I cut a black scalloped oval and added it to my frog. I added some dimensional glaze to my frog's lips and set it aside to dry.

Then, I cut all the layers for my card. I stamped the circle and heart pattern on some pink paper and then sewed it to the black layer. Then, I stamped the hearts and "love you" sentiment on the white and pink polka dot paper and sewed them to the black layers. I cut a ribbon slide for my sentiment, stamped the sentiment and created a black mat. I tied my ribbon and wrapped the piece around my patterned paper piece. I added all the patterned paper layers to my card. Then, I cut a red scalloped piece and added it. I added a chipboard heart and my image with some foam adhesive. Last, I added a few green buttons.

Another photo that shows the dimension a little better. The chipboard heart and the frog image are on foam adhesive.

Have you joined in the High Hopes challenges yet? Tina is so generous and has been having a random drawing each week among the participants with a free stamp as the prize. You have to join in for a chance to win! Be sure and check out all the design team ladies' creations for the challenge, too. They are always fabulous!

Have a great Sunday!

Recipe
Stamps: Kissy Face Frog, Kiss Me (High Hopes Rubber Stamps), Love Circles (Art Warehouse)
Cardstock: white (Papertrey Ink), black, real red (SU)
Patterned Paper: SU retired
Ink: noir (Palette), pure poppy (Papertrey Ink)
Accents: chipboard heart, green buttons, red satin ribbon (Target)
Tools: copic markers, air compressor, oval nestability dies, ribbon slide (Spellbinders), scalloped punch (SU), sewing machine

Celebrate Today

I hear people are starting to receive their PTI goodies! Have you played with any of the new stamps yet? This was one of my favorite cards I made for the release. I just love the colors aqua mist, dark chocolate, and kraft together.

First, I cut an aqua mist card. Then, I stamped my star pattern in dark chocolate ink across the top 2/3 of my card. I sponged the edges with dark chocolate ink.

I cut a strip of kraft paper and used my scorepal to score lines along the entire piece. Then, I sponged dark chocolate ink on all the edges and adhered it to my card. I cut my tag out using a cuttlebug die and embossed the sentiment in white ink. Then, I cut a piece of dark chocolate satin ribbon and tied my bow. I cut another dark chocolate ribbon to go around my card. Then, I added hemp to my button and tied it around my bow and ribbon. Then, I added my ribbon and tag to my card.

This week has been so hectic. Seriously, I don't think I have gotten anything done really and yet I have been doing stuff all week. Next week will probably be worse with Thanksgiving coming. I did manage to get one page of my calendar done. I'll try to get a photo of it to share next week. Do any of you make calendars? I make one every year. I love looking back through all the photos from this year and picking out which ones I want to use. When I'm finished, I scan the calendar and print copies onto photo paper for all the grandparents and great-grandparents in our family. They love them and every year that is their only request for Christmas. This year, I am behind on getting started, but I have one month done. Just eleven more to go! *wink*

Recipe

Stamps: Background Basics Stars, Mixed Messages (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: aqua mist, kraft, dark chocolate (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: dark chocolate (Papertrey Ink), versamark

Accents: dark chocolate satin ribbon (Papertrey Ink), button, hemp

Tools: scorepal, sponge, heat gun, white embossing powder (Papertrey Ink)

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

The long awaited Men Of Life set was released last Saturday at Papertrey Ink. It coordinates with the Women of Life and Women of Life Additions stamp sets. One of my favorite things about these sets is the fonts used in the titles. I just love those fonts. They are perfect for cards and scrapbook pages.

I started my card by cutting the layers. Then, I stamped the patterned paper on the vintage cream cardstock using ocean tides ink. I stitched it to the pure poppy layer. I cut some circles using nestability dies and stamped the boat that coordinates with my stamped patterned paper. I stamped my sentiment on the card base and the boat. Then, I added the red dots using a marker. There was something missing on my card and it seemed a little unbalanced so I stamped the image across the bottom to finish off my card.

Have a great day!

Recipe
Stamps: Men of Life (Papertrey Ink)
Cardstock: vintage cream, aqua mist, pure poppy (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: ocean tides, pure poppy (Papertrey Ink), noir (Palette)
Tools: nestability circle dies, sewing machine

Believe Santa

I am excited to finally get to share my creations from the Papertrey Ink release. One of my personal favorite new sets is Background Basics: Stars. I love the patterned paper you can create with this set! It works just like polka dot basics and is so easy to use. The patterned paper on this Santa card is created using this set. It looks like patterned paper you would buy, doesn't it?!

This was a fairly quick and easy card to create. I stamped the patterned paper and sewed it to my pure poppy mat before adding it to the bottom of my card. Then, I stamped Santa on white cardstock, colored him with copic markers and cut him out. I cut a piece of vintage cream cardstock using a nestability square die. While the cardstock was still in the die, I used a copic marker and an air compressor to spray the background where I was going to add Santa. I added a pure poppy mat.

Then, I added Santa to my square using foam adhesive. I added a little liquid applique to Santa's beard and the trim on his hat and suit. I heated it using a heat gun to make it nice and puffy. Be sure to let it dry for quite a while (usually I let mine dry overnight) before you set something over it or mail it or anything like that because it will squish the liquid applique. Last, I tied a bow in my pure poppy stitched ribbon and added it below Santa.

Be sure to scroll down for my High Hopes blog candy post. *wink* Have a great day!

Recipe

Stamps: Background Basics Stars, Believe (Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: vintage cream, pure poppy, ripe avocado (Papertrey Ink)

Accents: pure poppy stitched ribbon (Papertrey Ink)

Tools: copic markers, air compressor, sewing machine, nestability square dies, liquid applique, heat gun

Santa's Surprise

It's time for another High Hopes challenge. This week's challenge is buttons and brads. I had a vision in my head of a row of altering buttons and brads. I'm not too sure that I like the Santa brads. My card didn't quite live up to my vision, but it was such a fun challenge. I think I will try it again some time with regular round brads and buttons.

I started out stamping and coloring my image (info below next photo). Then I cut all my layers and patterned papers. I added some stitching. Then, I wanted to use altering brads and buttons on top of some ribbon. So, I cut a slit in the spine of my card and slipped my ribbon through. Then, I stitched the buttons to the ribbon and added the brads and stuck the ribbon down. Then, I added my image and some more buttons in the corner.

I just love this Santa. I think he is so adorable. This is Santa's Surprise. I colored my image with copic markers. I added a little gray using koh-i-nor pencils and gamsol. It is light and great shading, but it is hard to see in the photo. Then, I created a mask and using a copic marker and an air compressor to spray the background around Santa. (It was originally a piece of white cardstock.)

I added some dimensional glaze to the candy cane and used a clear copic spica pen to add some glitter to the bows and ribbon on the presents. It was hard to photograph the glitter, but I finally got a photo that shows it pretty well.

I hope you join us in the challenge and have a great Sunday! Be sure and stop by the High Hopes challenge blog to see what all the design team ladies came up with. They are fabulous!

Recipe

Stamps: Santa's Surprise (High Hopes Rubber Stamps)

Cardstock: pure poppy, white (Papertrey Ink)
Patterned Paper: Figgy Pudding (Basic Grey)

Accents: pure poppy stitched ribbon (Papertrey Ink), buttons, santa brads

Tools: copic markers, air compressor, sewing machine, dimensional glaze, copic spica pen, koh-i-nor pencil, gamsol

Teacher's Gifts Galore

I am so excited to get to share a sneak peek with you of one of the new releases coming to Papertrey Ink. This is the new Teacher's Apple set. I just love all the sayings and different apples in this set! Nichole wanted us to come up with a teacher gift and card for this set. I wanted to make some things that we fairly quick and easy to make, but still looked cute and this is what I came up with. I wanted to create a coordinating set so I used the same basic supplies for each item (hand stamped apple paper, polka dot paper, pure poppy, kraft, and spring moss cardstocks).

This is our first year having a child in school since my son is in preschool. He is already excited to give this to his teacher. I was planning on using the set as a Christmas gift, but I don't know if he is going to be able to wait that long. He wanted to take it this morning! lol

I stamped the apples with pure poppy ink on kraft cardstock and inked the edges with jardin moss ink. Then, I stitched my patterned paper to my pure poppy card base. Then, I cut a strip of polka dot paper (from Vintage Holiday Prints) and matted it with pure poppy cardstock. I added some stitching and tied a ribbon around the piece before adding it to my card. Then, I stamped the sentiment on spring moss cardstock, created a pure poppy mat, and stitched the two together. I added it to my card with foam adhesive.

I also altered a little mini composition book. I created the same stamped patterned paper and wrapped it around my notebook. I inked the edges with jardin moss ink. Then, I added the patterned paper and sentiment in the same way I created the card.

I also created a quick and easy post-it note holder. I cut a piece of kraft cardstock 8 x 3 1/4 inches. I again stamped my apple pattern and inked the edges. Then, I scored my cardstock at 2 inches, 2 1/2 inches, 5 5/8 inches, and 6 1/8 inches. I adhered the post-it notes to the inside.

Then, I created the sentiment and apple for my cover. The apple was stamped on white cardstock and cut out. Then, I added dimensional glaze and let it dry so the apple is nice and shiny.

I added a little Velcro to the inside to hold my post-it note holder shut. You could also use a magnetic clasp or just a little slit to slide the top piece into.

The last piece that I created in my gift set was a holder for miscellaneous teacher supplies. I used Nichole's amazing template from last month. I altered it a little to create a third spot to hold supplies (measurements below). For the outside of my tin, I cut a piece of kraft paper to wrap around my tin and stamped it in the same apple pattern. I added some polka dot paper and a thin pure poppy mat. I stamped a tag and cut it out with nestability dies. I added some stitching and an eyelet and tied a white ribbon around the tin and added my tag.

I printed out Nichole's pdf for her Christmas tag holder. I used the same long section and then altered the patterned from two spaces to three spaces on the other side. I created the piece the same width, but changed the length to 8 3/4 inches. Then, I scored the piece at 1 3/4 inches, 2 5/8 inches, 3 1/2 inches, 5 1/4 inches, 6 1/8 inches, and 7 inches. I created the same folding and rounded the corners just as Nichole did. I filled the tin with some miscellaneous teacher supplies. I added paper clips, glue stick, brads, and large clips. You could also use tacks, rubber bands, erasers, small post-it notes, etc.

I can not wait to see what the other design team ladies came up with for this challenge. Be sure to check out Nichole's blog for all the creations and the other designers blogs for more info on their projects (links to the right or on Nichole's blog post).

Have a great day and can't wait to see you all at the release party!

A Friend Like You is a Special Tweet!

I absolutely love the High Hopes dragons. They are all so adorable! Who knew a dragon could be that cute?! Every month High Hopes has a special where stamps are 25% off. This month's special is Lenny's Love Me Nots, Special Tweet saying, and Lg Ribbon/Rose 2 pc. set. You can purchase the set and see a couple more cards created by the design team using the set here.

I finally got a chance to make my card for the special and it was perfect timing because I used the SCS sketch 202 for my layout. I stamped Lenny and colored him in using copic markers. I then I cut all my layers. I sponged dark chocolate ink along the edges of the heart patterned paper before adding the red stitching.

I added all the layers and used foam adhesive to add my image and the ribbons and roses (after I cut them out). I sketched in the grass with a copic multi-liner pen before coloring.

Since there was stitching showing on the inside of my card from when I stitched the patterned paper to my card base, I decided to line the interior of my card. I cut a piece of pink cardstock slightly smaller than my card. Then, I cut a strip of patterned paper that was the same as that on my card front and stitched it to a piece of dark chocolate cardstock before adding it to my card.

Have a great day!

Recipe

Stamps: Lenny's Love Me Nots, Special Tweet, and Lg Ribbon/Rose 2 pc. set (High Hopes Rubber Stamps)

Cardstock: white, dark chocolate, sweet blush (Papertrey Ink)

Patterned Paper: Blush (Basic Grey)

Tools: copic markers, sewing machine, square punch, scissors

Sparklemania Challenge

This week's High Hopes challenge is sparklemania. I decided I wanted to use the new Festive Wreath image. I chose a piece of Basic Grey patterned paper and then colored my image in coordinating colors. Then, I sponged ink around my image while it was still in the nestability die. I cut all the layers for my card and added some gold to the edges of the ocean tide and pure poppy layers using a gold paint pen. Then, I embossed the ocean tides layer with an embossing folder and sewed the layers to my card base. To bring out the embossing more, I inked the raised embossing with an ocean tides ink pad. I cut a piece of patterned paper, added a pure poppy mat and used a punch to create the scalloped edge. I added some gold stickles to the circles in the patterned paper and let it dry. Then, I wrapped a gold ribbon around the piece, added a bow, and adhered everything to my card.


I used the gold paint pen on the beads on the wreath, some gold stickles to the poinsettia centers and added some shimmer to the wings. I added a pure poppy mat and used foam adhesive to add my image to my card.

Have a great day!

Recipe

Stamps: Festive Wreath (High Hopes Rubber Stamps)

Cardstock: white, pure poppy, ocean tides, ripe avocado (Papertrey Ink)

Patterned Paper: Figgy Pudding (Basic Grey)

Ink: black (Momento), ocean tides (Papertrey Ink), antique linen distress ink (Ranger)

Accents: gold ribbon (Papertrey Ink)

Tools: copic markers, square nestability dies, sponge, scalloped border punch (SU), sewing machine, gold paint pen, gold stickles, angel wings (Shimmerz)

Groovy Baby!

I have one more sneak peek of the final set being released tonight after the release party in the Hanna Stamps forum. This is Hippy Chick. Isn't she groovy?! lol

I decided I wanted to create a pocket card for this set. I cut my base at 5x7 and then cut my layers. I chose some bright patterned paper and pulled my colors for it. I colored Hippy Chick in coordinating colors and cut her out. I sewed my patterned paper to the kiwi kiss mat and then stitched the pocket onto my card.

I wrapped some ribbon around my card and used a ribbon tag to add my sentiment. I colored the letters in with a copic marker. Then, I added Hippy Chick on foam adhesive.

Have to have a close up because this image is so cute! I added a little glitter to the flowers on her pants, the rings on her belt, and her head band using copic spica pens. I also added some to the sentiment. Wish you could see it in the photo. Just imagine them all glittery. *smile*

I cut my cardstock to fit my pocket. (Kiwi kiss base is 4x6.) I cut a piece of patterned paper and stitched it to a piece of regal rose cardstock. I rounded the corners and assembled the pieces. Then, I added a few dew drops up in the corner.

When I put the piece into the pocket, I decided that the top needed something extra. So, I stamped some flowers onto the regal rose cardstock above the pocket to add a little something.

The release party is tonight and there is always lots of fun, chatting, and prizes so be sure to join us! The party starts at 9 PM EST.


Recipe
Stamps: Hippy Chick (Hanna Stamps)
Cardstock: white (Papertrey Ink), kiwi kiss, regal rose (SU), pink (Prism)
Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye
Accents: dew drops (Robin's Nest), ribbon
Tools: copic markers, detail scissors, sewing machine, corner rounder, ribbon slides (Spellbinders)

chocolates and get well wishes

Meet Couch Riley. He is the second Riley being released this week from Hanna Stamps. For my card, I chose my patterned paper first and then colored my image in coordinating colors. The rest of the card went together very quickly. I cut the layers, added some stitching, ribbon, and flowers with brads and put everything together.

The third Hanna set being released this week is Get Well Hanna. I really like the flower bouquet and balloon in this set and wanted to highlight them on my card. I stamped the images and colored them. Then, I sponged ink over my image while it was still in the oval nestability die. This creates the nice white edge without having to mat the image.

Then, I added some dimensional glaze to the balloon, flower centers, and to create water in the vase and set it aside to dry. I cut the layers for my card and created a stamped patterned paper using more images from the set (a box of tissues, a bowl of soup, and a cut of tea). I sponged some ink to the edge of my patterned paper and to the edges of my kraft card base. Then, I stitched my patterned paper to the white mat. I added some ribbon and buttons and assembled my card.

I'll be back with my last sneak peek card for the release tomorrow. Have a great day!

Recipe for first card

Stamps: Couch Riley (Hanna Stamps)

Cardstock: white (Papertrey Ink), riding hood red, pink pirouette (SU)

Patterned Paper: Blush (Basic Grey)

Accents: pink pirouette ribbon (SU), flowers (Prima Marketing), brads (Queen and Co)

Tools: copic markers, rectangle nestability die, sewing machine

Recipe for second card

Stamps: Get Well Hanna (Hanna Stamps)

Cardstock: kraft, white, ocean tides (Papertrey Ink)

Accents: ocean tides ribbon (Papertrey Ink), buttons, hemp

Tools: copic markers, oval nestability dies, sewing machine, sponge, distress ink (Ranger)

Babies are Heaven Sent

I have another sneak peek for you today of another set releasing this Friday from Hanna Stamps. This is one of the stamps in the new B is for Baby set. I love the baby clothes hanging on the laundry line.

For my card, I wanted to create the look of a baby quilt behind my image so I used a square punch to punch out pieces of patterned paper and then stitched the pieces to a piece of baja breeze cardstock.

I stamped my image on white cardstock and cut it out with a long rectangle nestability die. I created a mat from kiwi kiss cardstock and colored my image with colors that coordinate with my patterned papers. I added it to my card with foam adhesive and stitched some buttons onto my "quilt." Then, I added everything to my kiwi kiss card base.

I used a sentiment from Papertrey's Bitty Baby Blessings. It fits perfectly under the laundry line. I have sneak peeks of the other three sets coming soon so be sure to drop back by!

Recipe
Stamps: B is for Baby (Hanna Stamps), Bitty Baby Blessings (Papertrey Ink)
Cardstock: white (Papertrey Ink), baja breeze, kiwi kiss (SU)
Patterned Paper: Lily Kate (Basic Grey)
Accents: buttons
Tools: copic markers, square punch, sewing machine, long rectangle nestability die