VIDEO: Paperclip Embossing w/Papertrey Ink

This is so nice and simple. I like the look too. Thanks Papertrey Ink.

YouTube - Paperclip Embossing with Papertrey Ink

Cuttlebug Challenge :: 34

This week's Cuttlebug Challenge was quite simple for me: use Basic Grey. I love, love, love BG. I love the patterns and the colors and just the whole image of the company. Good stuff.

This week's sponsor is Mothers and Daughters Creations. I'm sure that there will be some fabulous prize.

This challenge was easy because I have lots and lots of BG papers. I prefer the 6x6 paper pads, but I also have a few single sheets as well as entire lines.

I did not use a great deal of BG on this card, but it's subtle and has a nice girly touch. I also got out my Nestabilties for this one. Oh, my new acrylic stamps from Autumn Leaves. The stamps are new for me, but I think they've been around for some time. I got them for $7 at Cord Camera. There are seven stamps in the set.

Oh, and this just in ... this will be my last submission on the Cuttlebug Challenge Design Team. New ventures are on the horizon. And make sure you come back on Friday, June 5, 2009 ... I'll have a giveaway!

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: Basic Grey
stamp: Autumn Leaves
ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger
dry embossin: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots
oval and scalloped oval die cuts: Nestabilities
ribbon: Hobby Lobby

Cuttlebug Challenge :: 32

This week's Cuttlebug Challenge Be Inspired is to use butterflies and hearts. I like this one. Probably because I did not have to make any additional purchases and I do have a soft spot for the Cuttlebug butterfly die cut and embossing folders. I like the hearts too.

This card was easy enough, as you can see. But I did try one that is different. Though it was difficult to capture in my images. I took the script texture embossing folder and ran my patterned paper through the Cuttlebug, then I took the leafy branch embossing folder and I also ran the patterned paper through that one one top of the script texture. Interestingly enough, the embossing from the script did not totally flatten out. I started to ink the embossed section, but I really wanted to the focus to be on the butterflies.

Make sure you check out the other Cuttlebug Challenge Design Team work. Then get to the challenge and make a card or project for your chance to win this week's prize - which I believe is a prize package from ProvoCraft, the maker of the Cuttlebug.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: Basic Grey
butterfly die cut and dry embossing: Cuttlebug
stamp: Stampin Up!
ink: Tim Holtz
button: unknown

Cuttlebug Challenge :: 30

First of all, a big thanks for those whose participated in this past weekend's Cuttlebug Spa Weekend and the Blog Hop. Wow, lots of folks stopped by and it was so much fun.

This week's Cuttlebug Challenge was to make a wedding/anniversary project. The die cuts were provided by Creative Cuts and More.

I used the purse die cut. Quite the cutie. Though it nearly left me baffled as to what to do with it. I'm just lacking my creative mojo these days. With wedding, I thought simplicity, so I kept the white (I was tempted to do some inking, but no ...). I did not think that the heart embossing would work out, but I did test it out on scrap paper first. So the heart is on both the front and back of the purse. Then I wanted to stamp inside of the heart, but ... simplicity, right? I thought that the ribbon was a nice touch to make it not so plain.

The card was super simple. I love the split embossing (NOTE: I did not have time to locate tutorials on split embossing, but try searching on Splitcoast Stampers or Mel Stampz) . I almost put a ribbon on this, but I did not like my white ribbon selection.

This was fun ... thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
die cut: Creative Cuts and More
stamp: unknown
ink: VersaMagic
embossing powder: Joann
dry embossing: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots and Decorative Hearts
ribbon: unknown

Cuttlebug Challenge :: 29

This week's Cuttlebug Challenge is a Mother's Day theme that includes use of some digital images from MyGrafico.com. Additionally we were to include an envelope w/our projects.

I normally relish the opportunity to rant about the challenges w/challenges, but I'll spare you the grumbling ... just because I feel like I'm beyond my whining quota for this month.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply, Archiver's, DCWV and Basic Grey (envelope)
digital image: My Grafico
dry embossing: Cuttlebug Texture Textiles and word filled hearts
ribbon and letter stickers: American Crafts
die cuts: Nestabilities ovals and scalloped ovals

Cuttlebug Challenge :: 25

This week's Cuttlebug Challenge is to use acetate along w/a sketch from SheetLoad.

I did not use acetate. But I did base my card on the sketch.

What I like most about this card is that I used somle new paper that I just got this weekend @ Michaels. I love K&Company and they have done a bang up job on this set of papers. The line is called Que Sera Sera. I have the specialty papers and the designer paper. And the image does not do it justice. I usually go for more muted papers and earth tones, but there's so much color here, but not too bold. I am not too crazy about the embellishments. But that's okay. Also, it was nice to get the paper packs using a 50% off coupon from Michaels (even though now they only allow you to use one coupon per day; they need some store signage on that one).

But as per my usual, this card is simple. I just don't feel as creative w/out a dedicated craft area. So the sketch was really helpful for me or you would have gotten another version of what I did last week or the week before only w/different paper and ribbon. Not really, but you get the picture. And one more thing, I did notice that my bow is upside down, I started to change it, but then I thought, nah ...

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: unknown (looks like Bazzill, but I know that it is not)
patterned paper: K&Company
dry embossing: Cuttlebug Texture Textile folder and Thanks
ribbon: Hobby Lobby
circle punch: EK Success

Thanks :: 2 Sketches 4 You

Okay, so I've been away from 2 Sketches 4 You for a few weeks. I hope to participate more frequently. If all else fails, I am keeping up w/the activity over there. Like there is a new design team. Congrats to all especially my friend Savitri. Love her work.

Here's the back story on today's creation: recently moved. Most of what I own is in storage. Packed two bags and a box of craft items to take w/me. Can't find the box. Don't remember what I did w/the Cuttlebug (CB) (see previous post). Used a 40% coupon and bought a new CB @ Michaels today. Happier.

As card making goes, this one was simple. Love that.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: K & Co.
ink: Tim Holtz
stamp: Stampabilities
ribbon: Offray
dry embossing: Cuttlebug

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 :: 13

It's another week and another Cuttlebug Challenge. This week's challenge is to create a simple white card. Something elegant and usually that's what the white brings - elegance.

I think that the Textile Texture embossing folder brings some elegance as well. That's the folder I chose to use. I think that the ribbon is a nice touch as well. Oh, and how about the partial embossing. I like that technique so that I can leave space for my sentiment.

Just keeping it short and simple this week.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: Bazzill and Die Cuts With a View/DCWV
dry embossing: Cuttlebug
stamp: Stampin Up!
ink: Versamagic
embossing powder: Joann
ribbon: unknown

Oh, but I just had to add another card that I made last year. I'm including it because it has a white embossed focal point and it has a Valentine's Day theme and guess what is on the horizon? That's right and the ideas can't come soon enough ...

Here's what I used:
cardstock: Archiver's
dry embossing: Cuttlebug (heart blocks folder)
stamps: Stampin Up! and Michaels $1 stamps
circle punches: EK Success
ribbon: unknown

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

Bless You :: 2 Sketches 4 You and Color Inspiration

It's has been a slow craft week for me.

But it was fun to coordinate this card. Actually, it should be much easier w/a sketch and the colors, but everything has to be just right.

I'm working w/the 2 Sketches 4 You card sketch and Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration.

I like the result. I used my newest craft purchase - or the most recent to arrive - the labels Nestabilities. Love those. For coordinating colors, I am having much success using my Die Cuts With A View (DCWV) Mat Stacks and Border Strips. They have lots of color variations so that helps out a lot. That's what I used w/the browns on this one.

I almost went overboard too by adding three felt flowers along the right side ... it was just too much and I again went w/the 'simple is best' approach. Oh, and I had wanted to do another 'Thank You' card, but I like this sentiment and I have not used it in a while.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: Bazzill and Die Cuts With A View (DCWV)
patterned paper: Basic Grey
die cut labels: Nestabilities
stamp: Hero Arts
ink: VersaMark
embossing powder: Ranger
ribbon: American Crafts
dry embossing: Cuttlebug
other: sewing

Just a Simple Thank You

I made this card using some scraps. However, the labels are a new purchase. They are from Martha Stewart. They are supposed to be gift tags, but I just love the labels w/that hint of gold trim. So I added the stamping and heat embossed w/gold embossing powder. I'll probably do more of the labels like this. The ribbon adds another level of simplicity, but classic.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
dry embossing: Cuttlebug
stamp: Hero Arts
ink: VersaMark
embossing powder: Joann
ribbon: Michaels
label: Martha Stewart

Cards as Gifts

My friend recently asked me to make her several sets of cards so that she could give the away as holiday gifts. I am soooo honored.

I've been making cards for my friends for the past few years and she has always been on that list. Oh, and I made her some monogram cards too.

Anyway, here is one set. I really like this one. I'll get around to showing the others too, but I took pics of this set and I have not taken pics of the other sets yet.

I like the touch of embossing and stitching.

I'm hoping to get to make cards for my friends again this holiday season, but I'm in transition and that is an ambitious goal. Oh, well, won't it be nice when they get a package in the mail in, say, February ... ?
Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
card base: Halcraft
patterned paper: K&Co.
stamps: Hero Arts and Stampin Up!
ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger
dry embossing: Cuttlebug
other: sewing

Cuttlebug Challenge :: 7

Yea, time for another Cuttlebug Challenge. It's week 7, in case you are counting and this is the first challenge for the month of November. You can participate in this challenge until Saturday.

I'm liking this card. I originally created it as a submission for the 2 Sketches 4 You design team. Just a cutie. And quite simple too. I used K&Company patterned papers which coordinate so well together. I've had that Quickutz dress die from some time. I've used it on occasion and I do like it. It surely does add that 'girlie' touch. Oh, and the 'tres chic' stamp is from See-D's; it's a set I have called "Ooh la la". There is dry embossing on the top half too; a bit had to see though.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: K&Company
dress die cut: Quickutz
stamp: See-D's
ink: VersaMagic
embossing powder: Ranger
flower die cut: EK Success
bling: unknown
dry embossing: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots and Textile Texture
ribbon: Michaels
other: sewing

Cuttlebug Challenge :: 6

I'm hoping to get some of my other projects posted, but without my laptop, I'm relegated to the library with limited time. Love the library, just working this thing out.

So this week's Cuttlebug Challenge is to use a sketch from ScrapFreak.com. I did like the sketch and the resulting card too.

I decided to try out Tim Holtz's alcohol inks. I thought that the color would match up better and not be so yellow-y. But I will work that out next time. I used a plastic milk jug for the flower. I used the alcohol ink on the plastic first, then I cut it out using the Sizzix die cut, then I ran it though the Swiss Dots embossing folder. Warning though: let ink on that baby dry for a bit. It left a faint trace of ink on the embossing folder. Not a big deal, but if it dries, it more than likely will not come off. I am so anal about my embossing folders, but I've seen some folks do crazy things w/them.

Oh and for the top portion of the card, I almost left it uncolored, but decided to run my brayer over the ink pad and ran the brayer over the card a few time. Cool.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:
cardstock: craft supply
patterned paper: Papertrey Ink
flower die cut: Sizzix
ink and alcohol ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger
button: American Crafts
floss: DMC
stamp: Hero Arts
dry embossing: Cuttlebug Textile Texture and Swiss Dots
other: plastic milk jug and sewing