Papertrey July Blog Hop Challenge

It's been a while since I participated in a Papertrey Ink Blog Hop. This month's theme is to use office supplies.

What a challenge for me since I don't have any craft supplies w/me while I visit the States this summer. Bless my mom for sharing the wealth of goodies that she has.

I still kept it simple.

Here's the thing though: I recently purchased some of the Impressabilities from Spellbinders. The price was good and I thought 'why not?'. But after they arrived and I discovered that they weren't like the Cuttlebug embossing folders (the Impressabilities are more like metal stencils rather than plastic folders), I was worried that I would not be able to use the Impressabilities in the Cuttlebug.

After some searching, I found an Impressabilities tutorial on Facebook w/some details that were useful and even some info about inking the Impressabilities and using them to do something like letterpress. I just had to give that a try. And it worked quite nicely.

Thanks for looking. Here's what I used (my apology that I don't have any Papertrey Ink products ... yet):

cardstock: Coredinations and Bazzill

stamp: Hero Arts

embossing: Impressabilities

ink: VersaColor

ribbon: JoAnns

staples: Making Memories

Happy Wedding Card

Here's a simple card that I made for my cousin's wedding. I should have used all white, but oh, well. Also, this was not the layout that I'd originally intended. Just did not have the card mojo working last night.

cardstock: craft supply

dry embossing: Spellbinders Impressabilities

stamp: Michael's ($1 bin)

ink: Ranger/Tim Holtz Distress Ink - black

ribbon: Joanns

Oh, and I forgot to add a bit of bling at the top of the cake.

Cuttlebug Challenge :: 33

Cuttlebug Challenge #33 is to use a monogram. This week the design team was provided with journaling blocks/tags from Elle's Studio. I don't think that there is a prize this week, but we hope that you'll still play along.

My goal here was to keep it simple. I think I accomplished that. I do like the way that wine color pops out. And I do like that monogram. Just a cute little 'k'.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: K&Co.
journaling block/tag: Elle Studio
ink: Color Box
dry embossing: Cuttlebug Leafy Branch
Stamp: Studio G/$1 stamp from Michaels
ribbon: Hobby Lobby

Masking - Butterfly Card

I made this card for DIY Die Cutting week 2 on Two Peas in a Bucket. At first, I thought I would not be interested in this class, but there are always some nice tips and I love seeing their samples. This week's class was hosted by Kristina Werner. Love her work.

So I had some time to do this card. I used my Cuttlebug butterfly die cut. I don't use it enough, but it will show up again in the next few days.

I like the masking technique ... basically you are inking around the die cut. My problem is that I don't have a sponge, so I just used the small Color Box ink pad. I was unsure of how it would come out w/the butterfly since there are some fine details, but it works. I had intended to use the butterfly die cut on the card as well, but I always go back to my mantra ... "simple is best".

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: Basic Grey
ribbon: Offray
die cut: Cuttlebug
stamp: Hero Arts
Ink: Color Box

Cuttlebug Challenge :: 28

This week's Be Inspired Cuttlebug Challenge theme is Home Sweet Home. As per usual, I made a card; at least one of them fits the theme since I ended up making two different cards. We're also using some very likable patterned paper from Marks Paper Company's Old Fashioned Courtship Collection. Oh, how I like the line. You'll see me using more of that in the coming weeks because I like it sooo much.

My craft stash is low and I did not even have a stamp to use for this project. But during a break at work, I went to Michaels and found this stamp in the $1 bin. Yay me.

Everything else is pretty basic. And the cards were easy to make.

Make sure you check out the other design team projects and why not enter this week's challenge?

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
first card
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: Marks Paper Company
butterfly punch: Martha Stewart/EK Success
stamp: Stampin Up!
ink: Tim Holtz
dry embossing: Cuttlebug

second card
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: K&Co. and Marks Paper Company
journaling spot: Jillibean Soup
stamp: Micheals $1 bin
ink: VersaColor
fabric brad: K & Company
ribbon: Michaels
dry embossing: Cuttlebug Texture Textile and word filled hearts

2 Sketches 4 You :: So Thoughtful

I'm trying to get in early on this week's 2 Sketches 4 You. This sketch is from Kazan. I love the simplicity. It allowed me to do something quick and simple.

I decided to make a mini-card. This card is 4x4. I like that, though I don't currently have any 4x4 envelopes. Guess I could make one to match, right?

There's not much more to say. That's what happens when 'simple' speaks for itself.

Oh, and my mom has her card done already this week too.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
patterned paper: K&Co. and DCWV
rick rack: Creative Impression
stamp: Hero Arts (acrylic)
ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink/Ranger
flower: Bazzill or
twine and button: unknown

2 Sketches 4 You :: Many Thanks

I haven't worked on a 2 Sketches 4 You sketch for weeks. Feels good to be back. I picked a good week too. The sketch was super simple and it used circles. Oh, how I like circles and using my EK Success circle punches.

I got to do a lot of my favs on this one:

• used my Cuttlebug to do some embossing
• used my new Que Sera Sera patterned paper from K&Co.
• used fabric brads
• used circles

Good stuff.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: K&Co.
brad: Making Memories
dry embossing: Cuttlebug Thanks folder
flower: Bazzill or Prima (sorry, I just don't remember).

Be Inspired Cuttlebug Challenge :: 23 Unusual Die Cuts

This weeks Cuttlebug Challenge is to use punches in an unusual way. I've done this in the past and I like the results.

My project for today is quite basic. I do like the simplicity that comes with using the Swiss Dots embossing folders.

I started to use a sketch for this challenge. I will next time. I think sketches get me to do something different. I do like the basic, but it's not unusual. Maybe next time. Oh, but I did get excited because I used some new Basic Grey paper. I picked it up at Cord Camera a few weeks ago. It's from the Porcelain line - Dresden. I only got one sheet, but I really like it.

Anyway, check out the others. Also, you can get involved too.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: Basic Grey
dry embossing: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots and 'Thank You' embossing folders
ribbon: Offray

Cuttlebug Challenge :: 16

This week's Cuttlebug Challenge is to create a card using distressing. You can sand it, ink it, tear the edges and/or use a distressing tool.

Well, I've had some fun w/distressing in the past. Not that this card was not fun because it was, but it was not elaborate in the area of distressing. It does not really live up to my 'distressed past'. (lol).

Actually, the stamped panel I had laying around - torn edges and all. I guess I had planned on using it and just had not gotten around to it. I thought that the yellow would add more color. It has a white core, so I did sand it though it is not so visible.

That's about it for this simple one.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: Bazzill and Die Cuts With a View/DCWV
patterned paper: Basic Grey
stamps: Whispers (to my friend) and Inkadinkado (flower)
ink: VersaMagic and Tim Holtz
other: sewing

Cuttlebug Challenge :: 15

Loving this month's Cuttlebug Challenges. Just creativity out the wahzoo.

This week's challenge is to use a sketch and Trudi chose a PageMaps sketch. Lots and lots of circles and boy do I like circles.

I really do like my finished card. I like the colors - how about that patterned paper? It's Basic Grey's Figgy Pudding line. More of a deep red and not traditional red. I like that I stamped on the ribbon. I was uncertain as to how that would come out, but there's nothing like crossing your fingers and hoping for the best, right?

I also like those little epoxy's. They're from Making Memories. And of course I like the embossing. I used several different ones: 2 different full-sized ones (heart blocks and Swiss Dots) as well as 3 small ones from the Playful Circles set.

Just an fyi: I made some cards last year that I really fell in love with. Only I made them for a friend, so I had to let them go, but boy am I glad that I took pics. Check out the Queen of Hearts set.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: Archiver's
patterned paper: Basic Grey
dry embossing: Cuttlebug
epoxy's: Making Memories
ribbon: unknown
stamp: Savvy Stamps
ink: Tim Holtz and StazOn

Cuttlebug Challenge :: 14

This week's Cuttlebug Challenge is to make a card or whatever you wish using your favorite Cuttlebug embossing folder. Super simple for me. I love the Swiss Dots. Who doesn't. It just has that classic look. Running a close second though is the Textile Texture.

So here you will find me using them both. This is a design that I've used before and one that I scraplifted from Jodene over at Splitcoast Stampers.

I had wanted to stitch on both layers, but the sewing machine would not cooperate. You do not hear me when I say that I kept trying to eat up the layers. But crafty me was able to forge forward and create this nice little card.

I am so loving this stamp set from Hero Arts. Lots of different sentiments and they are acrylic. I am not so crazy about acrylic stamps these days because I like the Tim Holtz inks and some of the acrylic stamps don't stamp as nicely, in my opinion. But I digress.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: Bazzill
dry embossing: Cuttlebug
ovals and scalloped oval: Nestabilities
ribbon: Michaels
stamp: Hero Arts
ink: Tim Holtz
other: sewing

December Blog Hop :: Reuse Repurpose Recycle

Papertrey Ink's monthly Blog Hop is tonight. Going on right now. This month's challenge is to recycle. Use something on a project that is recycling from the holiday.

So here is a little ornament that my mom received after participating in a local craft fair. It's a cute little trinket and she was kind enough to let me use it on this card. I did not bring a lot of items from my personal craft supply, but I like the result here. The Cuttlebug embossing adds something to an otherwise plain card.

Have fun blog hopping and thanks for Papertrey Ink for always hosting.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: Bazzill
dry embossing: Cuttlebug
Merry Christmas embellishment and ribbon: unknown

Holiday Wishes :: A Card for Multiple Challenges

This card fits the bill for three (3) challenges. You might be like "wow". But my lesson is learned here. From here on out, I will primarily do just one (1) or two (2) challenges at a time. Three sort of seems like a jack-of-all-trades, master of none. I think my card just looks so-so and that if I would have focus on two challenges I would have had a better result. And I actually wanted to add a fourth element: using the 'spotlight' stamp technique for 2Peas' final week of Stamp Camp.

The three (3) challenges being attempted:

1. Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration #33
   
2. Card Positioning Systems (CPS) card sketch #93
   
3. Hero Arts Make-It-In-Minutes Card Challenge

The biggest challenge was using the Color Inspiration colors: chocolate chip, pumpkin pie, taken w/teal, certainly celery and whisper white. The colors look good in the image, but not so easy to duplicate on a small canvas like a card.

I do like this week's CPS card sketch. Nice that I had the small embossing folders from Cuttlebug to add the snowflake. I do like the rhinestone at the snowflakes center. Nice touch. I like using sketches ... just one less thing to think about while card making.

And finally for the Hero Arts Challenge ... make a quick card. This was sort of quick in that I had a sketch and the colors and just had to coordinate, hence, the challenge.

I like the dry embossing on the horizontal strip. It's from the Cuttlebug heart die and embossing folders set. I just embossed half of the strip and then embossed the other half.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: Archivers, Bazzill and craft supply
patterned paper: K&Co.
dry embossing: Cuttlebug
stamp: Hero Arts
ink: VersaMark
embossing powder: Joann
rhinestone and felt: unknown
other: sewing

Cuttlebug Challenge :: 8

Time for another Cuttlebug Challenge and this one was indeed a challenge. I have been working on it for a couple of weeks. I must say that after this challenge, I will leave the making of embossing folders to the makers of the Cuttlebug. And that was the challenge: to make your own embossing folder.

I did, however, finally come up w/something that I could use on a project.

I cut out some hearts using a die from CuttleKids. I then layered them inside a piece of folded plastic. I think it was the plastic from the front cover package of one of the Cuttlebug embossing folders (before they began to use a picture on the front). Then I carefully laid the cardstock on top of the row of hearts and just as carefully laid the plastic folder in my sandwich for embossing ('A' plate, 'B' plate, plastic folder and 'B' plate). I ran the sandwich through the CB and then rolled it back.

I am more proud of my felt flower than the embossing. I don't have many colors of felt, but my brown and cream are two of my favs. I originally made this flower to use for last month's Papertrey Ink. Blog Hop, but I did not use it. It ended up being a good fit for this card though.

Overall, this was a pretty simple card to make. And it's got a cute thing goin on ...

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper and fabric brad: K&Co.
die cut hearts (used for the embossing): CuttleKids
die cut flowers and circle: Sizzix
letter stickers: American Crafts
felt and ribbon: unknown
other: sewing

Hi :: 2 Sketches 4 You and 2Peas Stamp Camp

Wow, another week and back to the wonderful world of cardmaking.

Starting off the week w/this week's 2 Sketches 4 You card sketch. This one courtesy of Laura. I love these sketches. It did not take me to coordinate this one. Just used some of the basics. I did grab some stamps that I rarely use from See-D's. And I used a border punch from Martha Stewart. I do like that punch. It is so easy to line up and use as opposed to the Fiskars punches which take a bit more of an effort to punch through.

Also, over @ Two Peas in a Bucket, Stamp Camp continues. Last week it was a "Kissing" technique. I've been following the camp, but I've yet to post a project. So here it is. The kissing is faint on the letters, but you can see the little swirls. Well that is from another stamp. I am not one to go into detail about this technique - that is why there is Stamp Camp. Go and check out the kissing technique video tutorial by Kristina Werner.

That's enough info for now, right?

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: K&Co.
alphabet stamps: See-D's
swirl stamp: $1 Michaels
ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger
dry embossing: Cuttlebug Textile Texture
flower: Prima
twine: Darice
button: Foof a al
other: sewing