2S4Y66 -- Havin' a Hoot

I know.  I know.  I'm MIA, neglecting the poor old blog then TWO posts in one day.  Not sure what's going on but I will confess.  I pretended that laundry & vacuuming don't exist and have been hiding in my stamp room all day.  Absolute bliss.

This second post is actually one of three cards a customer (I LOVE saying that) ordered as a result of a fundraiser I did at my sister's office last month.  Since I had to get the cards done today to deliver to her on Monday, I figured I'd draw inspiration from some of my favorite card challenge websites.  This week's 2 Sketches 4 You layout was the jumping off point for my card.  Their Mr. Linky closes tonight which is the real reason I'm posting this today.

This is also one of the first pics taken in my new, homemade light box.  I have Ted over on the PTI forum to thank for his instructions.  It's actually quite fitting since he's also on the DT for the digital stamp I used for my card. 

Details:

Paper - Solar White (Neenah), brocade blue & polka dot print (SU - retired)

Stamps - Owl (Dustin Pike), Signature Greetings (PTI)

Colouring Mediums - Fresh Snow (PTI), PrismaColor pencils & Gamsol

Other - Button Twine (PTI), Labels 14 (Nesties), Bird Punch (SU), White EP

Thanks for dropping by.  Toodles!!

Vintage Picnic revisited

The second stamp for Bethie's challenge this week was a personal favorite of mine, Vintage Picnic. This card was done a few months ago for a Paper Crafts mag fall call, but wasn't picked up. Nevertheless, I love the fall colours in it and thought it deserved it's 15 seconds of fame. Hope you like it as much as I do.



Thanks for dropping by. And if you like what you see, feel free to follow me. I've got lots of great Christmas cards to share with you over the next few weeks! Not to mention, I don't always remember to post updates in the PTI forum.

Details:
Paper - white (Neenah), rust & dark grey (Bazzill), print (SU)
Stamps - Vintage Picnic (PTI), Forever in Our Hearts (Verve)
Colouring Mediums - all inks (Memento), PrismaColor pencils
Other - circle punch (EK), ribbon & button (from my stash), floss (DMC)

You've Got Mail

Whew, what a crazy, crazy week. I'm starting to remember why I was afraid to start a blog. Sometimes you've got time to either (A) make a card or (B) post a card. Well, the past few days I've been able to make, but no time to photograph or post. But, I'm learning. I just scheduled my post for the PTI Blog Hop so that's one less thing to worry about tomorrow evening.

Earlier this week I got two new-to-me PTI stamp sets in the mail, Honey Bees and Mailbox Greetings. (Thanks Katie!!) I just love the row of mailboxes and all the wonderful little additions to customize this set. It is so versatile for any season. I stamped the image in Black Staz-On ink and coloured it in using PrismaColor Pencils and Gamsol. The grass was stamped three times using different shades of green to quickly and easily create depth. My favorite feature is the little yellow envelope sticking out of the mailbox. I used my craft knife to cut a slit along the edge of the mailbox so that the envelope would stick up a bit without an unsightly foam dimensional.


Lately, I've been using more generic sentiments and trying to finish the inside of my cards. To dress up the inside, I stamped a row of grass along the bottom edge. The "You make my world a better place" could be easily used as a thank you card for a simple note to someone to let them know just how much they mean to you.

Thanks for coming by today!! Bee sure to stop by again. I've got a few sweet surprises in store using Honey Bees that have been buzzing around in my head.

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Mailbox Greetings (PTI)
Ink: Black (Staz-On), Dandelion, Bahama Bay, Bamboo Leaves, Pear Tart, & New Sprout (Memento)
Paper: barely banana CS and printed paper (both SU)
Ribbon: Offray
Other: red & brown markers (ZIG), antique brads (MM)

Robot Birthday

A few weeks ago, I was in Michael's and saw the cutest set of robot stamps which I thought were perfect for boy cards. I just HAD to have them. So, they came home with me. Along with a few sheets of patterned paper to match. So, that's the real reason I made two cards for the same nephew so far in advance. I just wanted to try out my new goodies. Is that so wrong?

This one starts with PTI's Ripe Avocado for the base. I layered a mat of patterned paper on to it to brighten it up a bit. It is after all for a kid. The robot was stamped on white and coloured in with my trusty Prisma pencils and blended with Gamsol.



The avocado and yellow edges were all inked in black to match the sentiment, but the card still needed a little kick in the pants. A few mini jewels and a cheery red border later and I was done.

Creating this was the easy part. Deciding is not easy. HELP!!

Supplies:
Cardstock: green (PTI), red & yellow (Bazzill), solar white (Neenah)
Paper: Rockets'n'Sprockets collection (Recollections)
Stamps: Robots (Recollections)
Colouring Mediums: Black (Staz-On), PrismaColor Pencils, Gamsol, blending stumps
Punch: Threading Waters (Fiskars)
Embellies: brads (MM), bling (from my stash)

Wanna Get Digital?

The truth is, the mojo just ain't flowing today. I sat down. Pulled out my stamp babies. Grabbed my PTI cardstock and ... nothing. Zip. Nada. So, I went to "the stash." Let's admit it. We all have one for the days we want (or need) to blog, and the creative juices just aren't flowing. Thankfully, I do make cards for specific people in advance.

My littlest nephew is turning 11 in a few weeks and I was inspired to do a couple of kids cards. For his card, I used a digital stamp by Dustin Pike for the focal image. I absolutely love this little dinosaur. I printed him out on a laser printer on to Neenah Solar White cardstock. I'm not a Copic chick (I rather spend the cash on stamps and patterned paper). But, I will splurge for some Prismas. Their colours are so vivid and they are a dream to colour with. After a quick intro to Gamsol, my prehistoric friend was ready to be cut out.



I stamped and embossed the balloon instead of using a traditional sentiment. The clouds were handdrawn, trimmed, and glued onto textured cardstock. I just love how the subtle texture and faux stitching gives the card a little more oomph. Before putting it all together, I punched a border out of a rich yellow textured cardstock that has an amazing sheen to it in real life.

This really was a labour intensive card. But, it was a labour of love. My nephew is the sweetest boy and always appreciates any little thing I do for him. The fact that I will be rewarded with a big smile and an even bigger hug makes the effort worthwhile. Aren't kids great?

Thanks for spending some time with me today. And try to stop by tomorrow to see the other card I created for my nephew. I'll need your help deciding which one to use. Cheers!

Supplies:
Cardstock: all Bazzill
Ink: Tangelo (Memento), Cloud White (VersaMagic)
Stamps: Wonderful Birthday (Hero Arts)
Punch: Threading Waters (Fiskars)
Other: DMC Floss, Embossing Powder (Stampendous), white Gelly Roll (Sakura)

Petite Challenge #1 Goes Haywire

Just a quickie post of my first, less than stellar, attempt at this month's colour challenge and one that I am actually proud to put my name to. I've recently joined a group of uber-talented ladies on the Papertrey Forum who have created a blogging group to encourage and inspire our respective card making skills.

Each month, a different hostess posts a sketch challenge and two petite challenges of her own design. This month's challenges were provided by Jessica. Be sure to check out her blog. After you finish here, of course. LOL

To "save time," I tried to combine both the monthly sketch challenge and colour challenge to save time, but it didn't work. For this first card, I used SU cardstocks and K&Co. paper from my slowly, dwindling stash. (Must make way for PTI paper goodies.) In my mind, this paper just had to be combined with PTI's Vintage Picnic set. What do you think?

My official colour challenge card was done using Enjoy the Ride, Text Style II, and my MM Slice. I don't use that little marvel often enough. It made cutting the circle and scallop a breeze.
To jazz up the background a bit, I used Text Style II, VersaMark, and a little embossing powder and balanced it out with some paper piercing in one corner. Hope you like this one as much as I do.

Now, on to the June sketch challenge. Can't wait to see what you ladies create for Tuesday!! Enjoy the rest of the weekend.