A Card For Joan

She lives! Ahem...

Pardon my absence. Lots has happened over the past few months, but most of it doesn't bear mentioning. In fact, it would sound more like a laundry list of excuses. Just know that I never meant to stay away so long. Sometimes things just get away from us...for months. Again, my apologies.

In any case, I had the great pleasure to head to the Northern Virginia/Washington DC area this past weekend to attend one of the customer-organized Stamp-A-Faire get togethers. The delightful Joan B graciously invited me to stay with her so I could meet (or in some cases, see again) the wonderful group of ladies there on the East coast. I jumped at the chance because these women are some of the most genuine and kind people I've ever had the fortune to meet. Cheryl is the sweetest and a perfect hostess. She and Jenn set up tables and chairs, a kitchen full of treats, and a video screen so we could watch all of the tutorials. They thought of everything and it culminated in an event that everyone thoroughly enjoyed. I think I sufficiently proved my geektasticity to that entire group of ladies repeatedly, but by the end of the day my sides ached from laughter and I was completely uplifted.

Like I said, Joan B (formerly of Paperlicious fame and newly of Creating White Spaces) invited me to stay even though she had plenty on her plate otherwise. I couldn't let her hospitality go unnoticed, so I made this card to give her as a parting gesture.

It's a pretty simple number (as mine usually are), but the message is heartfelt and I hope she enjoyed it (or enjoys it - depending on whether or not she found it yet). Joan is a very special person and I am so very happy to have gotten to know her through crafting. I love how a simple activity like stamping can bring such varied people together and give them common ground. I just feel bad that Joan's husband Mike (who is also just swell) had to listen to stamping talk for three days. He's really good about making it look like his eyes aren't glazing over. A skill to be sure.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I have a few more cards in the pipeline, so I'll be back to share them soon. Cross my heart.

Recipe:
Stamps: Trendy Tree Tops, Modern Wood Mats, Everyday Classics (Anniversary Set) - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Rustic White, Classic Kraft, Terra Cotta Tile - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Spring Moss, Dark Chocolate, Simply Chartreuse - Papertrey Ink; VersaMark - Tsukineko
Other: Trendy Tree Tops Dies - Papertrey Ink; White Perle Cotton (colored with a couple of Copics that I borrowed from Joan and don't know the numbers for, sorry!) - DMC

A Mother's Day Card

Hello, Blogland. I'm going to keep it quick this evening if you don't mind. An overly ambitious resistance band routine has left me in a bit of discomfort (<--- understatement of the year, folks - I hurt m'self) and all I really want to do is take Advil and head to bed with a book. Hope you don't mind too terribly much.

Anyway, today I'm sharing a Mother's Day card I made using In Bloom. I colored and cut out my flowers (I didn't use the die cuts because, again, I'm a cheapskate and I don't have them) and set them aside for a few minutes. Next, I stamped my Kraft panel with polka dots and my sentiment and adhered it to a white base. I wrapped the base with a bit of ruffled ribbon and embellished it with a couple of pearls. Then I adhered a few leaves and mounted my flower with foam tape. One last pearl on the flower's center finishes things off nicely.

Thank you for stopping by today. I'm planning another post for later this week, so I'll see you again soon. Take care!

Recipe:
Stamps: In Bloom, Polka Dot Basics - Papertrey Ink; Mother's Day Sentiment - Hero Arts (it may be discontinued - I didn't see it on their website)
Cardstock: Spring Moss, Kraft - Papertrey Ink; generic white
Ink: Dark Chocolate, Fresh Snow - Papertrey Ink
Other: Dark Brown Ruffle-Edged Ribbon - May Arts; Pearls - Mark Richards; Foam Adhesive - Scotch; Colored Pencils - Prismacolor

Oh, Baby!

Hello, Blogland! It's taken me a few days to recuperate and reorganize, but I'm back today with a little baby card to share. This is a girly version of the teddy bear card I shared here a couple of weeks ago.

I started by stamping and die cutting the kitten image. She was then colored with Prismacolor pencils and mineral spirits before being matted with a bit of Summer Sunrise cardstock. Next I stamped the patterned paper panel (Ha! say that three times fast) and cut the edge with the small scalloped border die for a decorative finish. The patterned layer was adhered to a Berry Sorbet card base that had been stamped with a polka dot background and baby sentiment. I added Lemon Tart ribbon and gray baker's twine before mounting my kitten panel with foam tape. As a last touch I embellished the kitten with a bit of dimensional glaze and glitter.

A pretty straightforward card for your Tuesday evening. Thanks for dropping by and I hope to see you again soon!

Recipe:
Stamps: Tremendous Treats Valentine, Everyday Classics (anniversary set), Polka Dot Basics, Luck of the Irish - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Berry Sorbet, Summer Sunrise - Papertrey Ink; white
Ink: Smoky Shadow, Fresh Snow, Berry Sorbet, Lemon Tart, Summer Sunrise - Papertrey Ink
Other: Small Scalloped Border Die, Lemon Tart Saddle Stitched Ribbon - Papertrey Ink; Oyster Baker's Twine - Divine Twine; Circle Dies - Quickutz; Glossy Accents, Stickles - Ranger; Colored Pencils - Prismacolor; Foam tape - Scotch; mineral spirits

On The Links & Background Basics: Wrought Iron - Day 5

Well, Blogland, here we are...Day 5 of the Papertrey Ink March release countdown. I've had so much fun this week sharing my projects with all of you. You'll be able to get your hot little hands on On The Links and Background Basics: Wrought Iron tomorrow night at 10pm EST in the Papertrey web store. But first I have just a few more projects to share.

First up today is a "thinking of you" type card using BB: Wrought Iron and the new Wrought Iron impression plate.

I started by stamping my umbrella using the Colored Kissing technique that Heather featured in this week's Make-It-Monday video. I thought it looked like fun, so I decided to have a go myself. I think this technique may just find itself in regular usage round these parts. Anyway...next I die cut the frame using the Mat Stack 4 Layerz and Fillable Frames #7 dies. That frame was then impressed with the Wrought Iron impression plate to give it a bit of texture.

I stamped my sentiment and umbrella handle on my white base and then added texture using the Canvas impression plate. My frame and umbrella topper were added to the base with foam tape and the umbrella was embellished with a teeny, tiny rhinestone. After a little hemming and hawing, I decided to keep it simple and finished the card by rounding the corners.

My next project today is a baby card featuring the simpler ironwork strip in Background Basics: Wrought Iron.

I noticed while playing around with the set that the curlicues formed heart shapes that coordinated well with the small hearts in Simple Valentine and Around & About Sentiments. So after stamping my background I went back with the heart from A&AS and did a little embellishment. This would be perfect for all sorts of cards - anniversary, wedding, and Valentine's Day - just to name a few. Today it's just going to show love for a new arrival.

I stamped my sentiment onto a Photo Finishers strip and adhered that to my base. Next, I stamped and cut out the rattle and added a faux button (you can see my original post about how I make them HERE) before mounting it atop my sentiment strip with a bit of foam tape. I added a little bow of embroidery floss and rounded corners for some finishing touches.

My last project of this release is a little coaster gift set I put together using On The Links.

I thought it might be fun to put together a little retirement gift for someone that likes to hit the links on a warm Spring (or Summer) day.

After you're finished hoofing a round of 18 holes all you really want is a nice, tall, refreshing beverage, amiright (pssst: The correct answer is "Yes! Absolutely!")?

So I've used the On The Links set to decorate a set of paper coasters so that the aforementioned nice, tall, refreshing beverage doesn't leave an unsightly ring on somebody's coffee table.

You can get four sets of six coasters out of a $1 pack of 25 (one extra for oopsies). Talk about a bargain!

I started by drawing out my basic designs on scrap paper. When I was happy with my concepts I just stamped to my little heart's content.

***PLEASE NOTE: I tested all of the inks I wanted to use by stamping them on scraps and running them under/soaking them in water. I don't believe the new formula inks are waterproof, so they probably won't be the best suited for this project. Please make sure to test your inks ahead of time!***

I used practically every image stamp in On The Links in addition to stamps from A Little Argyle, BB: Houndstooth, Modern Wood Mats, and Take A Bough ("cheers!").

When I was finished with my coasters, I decided that my set needed a belly band to keep them all together and convey my "happy retirement" wishes. I wrapped the stack of coasters with a piece of Enchanted Evening ribbon and secured the ends with Scor Tape.

Next I die cut the Christmas Label die shape from Spring Moss cardstock and stamped it with the small herringbone background. I wanted to set my sentiment apart by using a different color on the label, but I didn't have a die shape that really thrilled me. And then...Ah-ha!

I stamped my green image onto Rustic Cream cardstock and trimmed around it very carefully (using a dark ink helps you see the edge more easily - I used Ripe Avocado). I stamped my sentiment on the blank side and then adhered it to my label shape with foam tape. I finished off the package by adhering my label to the ribbon band with Scor Tape.

I really hope you've enjoyed hanging out with me this week. Make sure to stop by to see what Nichole, Heather, Dawn, and Melissa have hiding up their sleeves today. Have a great week (and a fun time shopping tomorrow at 10pm EST) and I'll see you all again soon!

All products are from Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted
When It Rains Card:
Stamps: Scattered Showers, Background Basics: Wrought Iron (available March 15th)
Cardstock: Plum Pudding; generic white
Ink: Plum Pudding, Spring Rain, Smoky Shadow
Other: Mat Stack #4 Layerz die, Fillable Frames #7 die, Wrought Iron Impression Plate (available March 15th), Canvas Impression Plate; Rhinestone - Mark Richards; Foam Tape - Scotch

Shake, Rattle & Roll Card:
Stamps: Baby Button Bits, Around & About Sentiments, Background Basics: Wrought Iron (available March 15th), Bitty Background Blocks
Cardstock: Sweet Blush; generic white
Ink: Berry Sorbet, Sweet Blush, Smoky Shadow; Versamark - Tsukineko
Other: Photo Finishers Die, Button Die; Embroidery Floss - DMC; foam tape - Scotch

Retirement Coaster Set:
Stamps: On The Links (available March 15th), A Little Argyle, Background Basics: Houndstooth, Take A Bough, Modern Wood Mats
Cardstock: Spring Moss, Rustic Cream
Ink: Dark Chocolate (old formula), Enchanted Evening (old formula), Ripe Avocado (old formula), Spring Moss (pigment formula); Seascape - Palette; Versamark - Tsukineko
Other: Paper Coasters, Christmas Label die, Enchanted Evening Saddle Stitched Ribbon; foam tape - Scotch

On The Links & Background Basics: Wrought Iron - Day 4

Greetings, Blogland, and welcome back! Today is day four of Papertrey Ink's March release countdown and I thought it might be fun to try a "His & Hers" theme today. Both On The Links and Background Basics: Wrought Iron are versatile enough to be useful for either ladies or fellas. I aim to show you that by making simple color and embellishment substitutions you can get projects that will suit any Jack or Jill.

My first set today features a Mother's Day and Father's Day card; both made with BB: Wrought Iron. The cards use many of the same supplies.

In both cards, I stamped one of the ironwork backgrounds onto cardstock (His: Simply Chartreuse, Hers: Berry Sorbet) and matted them with a neutral (His: Soft Stone, Hers: white) before wrapping them with ribbon and mounting them to the card base.

The small sentiment was then stamped and the die cut letters were attached with foam tape. Very few changes, but the "His" card still feels masculine and the "Hers" card still feels feminine. I chose to use the simpler ironwork strip for the "His" card and toned down the brightness of the colors by using more subdued neutrals.

"Her" card uses the more intricate ironwork strip and enhances the playfulness of the colors by using bright white as the neutral.

The second set of cards today is a retirement duo using On The Links. Again, there are very few changes, but both cards work well.

In both cards I stamped the green scene and matted it with a gender-appropriate color. Her decorative edge is soft scallops while his is a bolder pinked edge.

"Her" focal panel was tied with a petite bow while "His" was embellished with a row of pierced dots. The sentiment on each card is the same, but "Hers" is stamped on the Friendship Jar Label while "His" is stamped on one of the more angular Little Labels shapes.

Both focal points received a little decorative stitching and were then mounted to a Spring Moss, herringbone-stamped base.

Thank you for stopping by today! Tomorrow is the last day for the March countdown and I'll be back with a handful of additional projects featuring On The Links and Background Basics: Wrought Iron. In the meantime don't forget to check in with Nichole, Heather, Dawn, and Melissa for more projects and inspiration. I hope to see you tomorrow!

All products are from Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted
Dad It's Your Day Card:
Stamps: Fillable Frames #8, Background Basics: Wrought Iron (available March 15th)
Cardstock: Aqua Mist, Soft Stone, Simply Chartreuse
Ink: Smoky Shadow; Versamark - Tsukineko
Other: Lowercase Block Alpha Dies, Smoky Shadow Saddle Stitched Ribbon; Square Punch - EK Success; Foam Tape - Scotch

Mom It's Your Day Card:

Stamps: Fillable Frames #8, Background Basics: Wrought Iron (available March 15th)

Cardstock: Aqua Mist, Berry Sorbet; generic white

Ink: Smoky Shadow; Versamark - Tsukineko

Other: Lowercase Block Alpha Dies, Lemon Tart Saddle Stitched Ribbon; Circle Dies - Quickuts; Corner Chomper - We Are Memory Keepers; Foam Tape - Scotch

His Happy Retirement Card:

Stamps: On The Links (available March 15th), Mixed Messages, Background Basics: Houndstooth

Cardstock: Spring Moss, Enchanted Evening; generic white

Ink: Spring Moss, Enchanted Evening, Dark Chocolate; Versamark - Tsukineko

Other: Little Labels Die; Foam tape - Scotch; Green Embroidery Thread - DMC; Pinked Scissors; Pin

Her Happy Retirement Card:

Stamps: On The Links (available March 15th), Mixed Messages, Background Basics: Houndstooth

Cardstock: Spring Moss, Lemon Tart; generic white

Ink: Spring Moss, Lemon Tart, Dark Chocolate; Versamark - Tsukineko

Other: Friendship Jar Label Die, Small Scalloped Border Die; Foam tape - Scotch; White Embroidery Thread, Green Embroidery Thread - DMC; Corner Chomper - We Are Memory Keepers