Thursday, September 30, 2010

HA/PTI Stamp Challenge Day 2

Hello, all! First off, I'd like to send out a huge thanks to everyone who visited and left me such sweet comments yesterday. If yesterday (or today) was your first visit to my blog, welcome!

It's day two of the HA/PTI Stamp Challenge with Jennifer McGuire and here is what we are working with today...Hero Arts' Decorated Tree & Papertrey Ink's Signature Christmas. Here is what I came up with (forgive me for these less than stellar photos, I had to take them at night with out the day light I usually use)... Started by stamping and heat embossing the Decorated Tree with black embossing powder onto a white cardstock block.
Using Copic markers, I colored in the leaves with three different shades of green. I then gave the ornaments some color too. Here's A Tip: I am not the best with Copics. But, by using an embossed image like this, I find it easier to stay in the lines. Plus, it adds a lot more interest to a simple card.
Wrapped the tree block with yellow baker's twine and attached it to a Pure Poppy card base using dimensional adhesive. Die cut a Fillable Frames #4 from Harvest Gold cardstock, stamped the sentiment, trimmed and attached below.

Be sure to stop by Jennifer's blog for her wonderful take on this fun challenge.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great day!

Maile


Season's Greetings:

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

HA/PTI Stamp Challenge Day 1

Hello, and welcome!

So glad you could be here for the first day of the HA/PTI Stamp Challenge! I am so very excited and honored to be joining the fabulous (and super sweet) Jennifer McGuire in a round of new challenges! Since Jennifer is a Hero Arts designer and I am part of the Papertrey Ink Design team, we've joined up to bring you 5 days of fun. Each day we will share a creation using both Hero Arts and Papertrey Ink stamps and/or supplies.

Here is what we chose to work with for today...
Hero Arts' A Village & Papertrey Ink's Boards & Beams. Here is what I came up with... Punched three different sized circles from white cardstock. Stamped circles with the A Village background image in Distress Inks, wrapped with white embroidery floss and then attached to the card base using dimensional adhesive.

Finished it off with a few Harvest Gold & Hibiscus Burst buttons and a sentiment from Boards & Beams.

A huge thank you to Jennifer for allowing me to join her in the fun. Be sure to stop by her blog and see what she came up with. I'm sure it's a stunner!

Thanks for stopping by, make sure to visit tomorrow for the second day of HA/PTI goodness! Hope you have a good one!

Maile


Welcome Home:

Monday, September 27, 2010

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Hello, all! Hope you had a great weekend! Mine was hot. For a while there I thought fall was on it way, but summer is definitely not through here. In hopes of some cooler temps, I'll share a Christmas card with you today... Stamped a Spring Moss card base with a Christmas tree (in Ripe Avocado) and a trunk (in Dark Chocolate) from Tree Trimming Trio. Embellished the tree with Sweet Blush & White buttons and Shimmer Pink cardstock circles.

Check out that shimmer! Topped the tree off with a sentiment strip and a hand cut star, both from Tree Trimming Trio.

That's it from me today! Hope you have a great start to your weeks.

Maile


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year:

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Embellish Color Challenge with a Stamped Background

Time for another Embellish Color Challenge! Check it out...The challenge: To use the colors pictured above along with a stamped background in your challenge projects. The fabulous sponsor: Skipping Stones Design. Check out there amazing line of stamps here.

Here is what I came up with using Timeless Textures & Always Here... Started by stamping the flourish background image in black onto a Smoky Shadow cardstock square. Wrapped the stamped square with True Black satin ribbon and attached to a white card base with dimensional adhesive.
Stamped the butterfly in black onto Lemon Tart cardstock, cut out and attached above the ribbon bow. Finished the card off with a sentiment and black rhinestones.

Now it's your turn to join in on the challenge fun! Look here for the challenge details, the Design Teams amazing inspiration and a fabulous prize. Hope to see your challenge creations soon!

Thanks for stopping by, have a great one!

Maile


Have a Beautiful Birthday:

Blogs For Boobies Bounce - Final Day!

Today is the final day of the "Blogs 4 Boobies" Blog Bounce, cancer fundraiser.
I have joined up with Skipping Stones Design to help raise money to fight the war against Breast Cancer. SSD is celebrating the release of 2 all new stamp sets. They are also donating $2 for every stamp set sold this week to the cause! This is a one-of-a-kind-blog (hop)bounce! Every card/project that is show here in the "Blogs 4 Boobies" blog bounce is up for auction. All of the money raised through the silent auction, on our blogs, will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Currently the highest bid for my card is at $10, thank you Terri. If you like my card and want to support this amazing cause, here's how:

There are 2 ways that you can help, and join in on the fun!
1. Shopping
For every stamp set that you purchase during Sept 15 - 23, SSD will donate $2 to the Komen Foundation. Stamping and shopping that you can feel good about! Click here to check out SSD stamps.

2. Bidding
Another way you can help us raise money for the Komen Foundation is to bid on a project or card along the blog bounce. A $5 or more starting bid is recommended. Your bid includes the project and shipping to your address as well.

Place a Bid for the Card
Step #1
Place your bid in the comment section of this blog post.

Step #2
Once you are in the "Blog 4 Boobies" comment section fill in the dollar and cents amount of what you are willing to pay for the card/project. We recommend a starting bid of $5 or more. Remember your bid includes shipping as well as the card/project. 100% of the money your bid will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Step #3
Next to your $ bid please type in your email address. During a silent auction, bidder sign their name next to their bid. Typing your email address is the electronic equivalent of signing your bid. Also, it will help the blogger contact you if you are the highest bidder.

Step #4
Watch and wait.
Once you have entered your bid/comment sit back and wait. If someone out bids you then you may bid again. Bidding will continue until 8:00 p.m. MT.

After Bidding
Watch and Wait.
The "Winner of the Auction" will be the highest bid (that includes an email address) in the comment section of the most recent "Blogs 4 Boobies" post at the end of the silent auction. Please note that all cards/projects will be re-posted on the 23rd of September. The silent auction will end at 8:00 p.m. MT on September 23rd.

Things To Keep In Mind
Near the end of the bidding you may not see bids as they come in. Most blogs have a comment feature where the bloggers must approve comments before they are published. So bid high. You might have the highest bid that is published, but someone might have outbid you in an unpublished comment/bid.
The blogger/designer will declare who has won the silent auction. Skipping Stones Design will send you an invoice for your donation/bid amount. Please pay that invoice as soon as possible, so the designer can get your card/project in the mail to you.

Be sure to visit Skipping Stones Design for the list of amazingly talented, and generous designers who are joining with us in our efforts to stamp out Cancer.

Card Details
It wouldn't be a Skipping Stone Design event without a sketch from an amazing designer. This months fabulous sketch is brought to you by Ashley Cannon Newell and was the inspiration for today card.Gratitude Unlocks The Fullness of Life:

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Framed Dogwood

Hello, friends! I've had a crazy day! But now that I'm home, after my hubby rescued me from a dead battery in my truck, I bring you a little Hero Arts and Papertrey Ink goodness... Pulled out my new Hero Arts Dogwood stamp and paired it with Papertrey Ink's Framed. For the card base, I used the same letterpress frame idea used on the last card in this post.
Stamped the dogwood image onto Lavender Moon cardstock, cut the flowers out and attached to the corners of the frame. Stamped a sentiment from Delightful Dahlia in black and embellished the flower centers with True Black buttons and button twine.

Hope you day is going much smoother than mine!

Maile


Happy Wedding Day:

Monday, September 20, 2010

Framed Joy

Hello, all! Hope you had a great weekend! Today's card was one that I created during the last Papertrey Ink release, but I opted to share other cards instead. So today I bring you another sample of Peace Be Still & Framed... Here is how this card started out. Laid out the different stamp images until I had an arrangement I was happy with.
And this is how it turned out. Stamped the snowflakes first, in Simply Chartreuse & Aqua Mist. Over that I stamped the frame and "Joy" in True Black.Finished it off with a few clear rhinestones.

That's it from me today. Off to read my little boy a nap time story! Hope you have a wonderful start to your week!

Maile


Joy:

Friday, September 17, 2010

Cutie Patootie!

***If you are looking for the "Blogs 4 Boobies" breast cancer fundraising cause, look here. And if you are not, you should really check it out. It's an amazing cause!***

Hello, all! Just quickly popping in to share a little something with you today before I start my busy day. Made this card for the last Paper Crafts call, but it was never picked up. So here I am sharing it with you... Stamped Dark Chocolate cardstock with the flower image, from Baby Button Bits, in Versamark ink and attached to a Vintage Cream card base.
Stamped a Vintage Cream punched circle with the same flower image and a sentiment in Dark Chocolate. Colored the flowers in with a red Copic Marker and embellished with a couple Dark Chocolate vintage buttons, strung with Pure Poppy baker's twine. Paper pieced the leaves and attached the circle onto the card base with dimensional adhesive. Finished it of with a Pure Poppy grosgrain ribbon bow.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Maile


Cutie Patootie!:

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Blogs For Boobies Bounce

Hello, and welcome to the second day of the first annual "Blogs 4 Boobies" Blog Bounce, cancer fundraiser.
I have joined up with Skipping Stones Design to help raise money to fight the war against Breast Cancer. SSD is celebrating the release of 2 all new stamp sets. They are also donating $2 for every stamp set sold this week to the cause! This is a one-of-a-kind-blog (hop)bounce! Every card/project that is show here in the "Blogs 4 Boobies" blog bounce is up for auction. All of the money raised through the silent auction, on our blogs, will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

There are 3 ways that you can help, and join in on the fun!
1. Shopping
For every stamp set that you purchase during Sept 15 - 23, SSD will donate $2 to the Komen Foundation. Stamping and shopping that you can feel good about! Click here to check out SSD stamps.

2. Bidding
Another way you can help us raise money for the Komen Foundation is to bid on a project or card along the blog bounce. A $5 or more starting bid is recommended. Your bid includes the project and shipping to your address as well.

Place a Bid for the Card
Step #1
Find the comment section of the blog that shows the "Blog 4 Boobies" card or project that you want to buy. You may only bid on the card/project shown in the specific "Blog 4 /Boobies" post. Any bids not placed on the correct post will be considered invalid.

Step #2
Once you are in the "Blog 4 Boobies" comment section fill in the dollar and cents amount of what you are willing to pay for the card/project. We recommend a starting bid of $5 or more. Remember your bid includes shipping as well as the card/project. 100% of the money your bid will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Step #3
Next to your $ bid please type in your email address. During a silent auction, bidder sign their name next to their bid. Typing your email address is the electronic equivalent of signing your bid. Also, it will help the blogger contact you if you are the highest bidder.

Step #4
Watch and wait.
Once you have entered your bid/comment sit back and wait. If someone out bids you then you may bid again. Bidding will continue until 8:00 p.m. MT.

After Bidding
Watch and Wait.
The "Winner of the Auction" will be the highest bid (that includes an email address) in the comment section of the most recent "Blogs 4 Boobies" post at the end of the silent auction. Please note that all cards/projects will be re-posted on the 23rd of September. The silent auction will end at 8:00 p.m. MT on September 23rd.

Things To Keep In Mind
Near the end of the bidding you may not see bids as they come in. Most blogs have a comment feature where the bloggers must approve comments before they are published. So bid high. You might have the highest bid that is published, but someone might have outbid you in an unpublished comment/bid.

The blogger/designer will declare who has won the silent auction. Skipping Stones Design will send you an invoice for your donation/bid amount. Please pay that invoice as soon as possible, so the designer can get your card/project in the mail to you.

You should have come to me from Jen del Muro!
Next you are going to visit Skipping Stones Design! Have fun bouncing!

Card Details
It wouldn't be a Skipping Stone Design event without a sketch from an amazing designer. This months fabulous sketch is brought to you by Ashley Cannon Newell and was the inspiration for today card.Gratitude Unlocks The Fullness of Life:

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Papertrey Ink - September 2010 Release Projects

***This is my second post for today, be sure not to miss the first post here***



Hope you all enjoyed this months amazing Papertrey Ink release! I have more release cards to share with you today. So, let me get started... First up is Wreath for All Seasons (by Nichole Heady) and Background Basics: Christmas (by Lisa Johnson). I chose to hang my wreath from a baker's twine bow and stamp the card base with some Christmas text.
The french knots are back! It's been a while since I used this technique but, I'm glad I gave it a go again. These knot berries are perfect for this wreath! If you want to give this technique a try, I have a how-to picture tutorial here.
Next up, Trees With Trimmings (by Beth Silaika) and Sugar Plum pattern paper (by Lisa Johnson). Used the colors from the patter paper as my inspiration for this card.
Stamped the scalloped tree in Simply Chartreuse, carefully colored with a few Copic Markers and attached it to a Tag Sale #1 Die.
Lastly used Peace Be Still (by Heather Nichols) and Inside & Out: Holiday (By Nichole Heady) to create a fun wintry scene.
Pierced snowflake trails and die cut an opening, using Fillable Frames #8 die, for the sentiment.

So there you have it! All the supplies used are listed in the Papertrey Ink gallery.

Hope you all enjoyed the goodies from yet another fabulous release! I'd love to hear what you all are looking forward to receiving the most from this months release! Can't wait to see what you all create!

Have a wonderful day!


Maile

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Color Cue {8} Challenge

Hello, everyone! Today is the start of the 8th Color Cue Challenge. Take a look...
Colors I used were: Harvest Gold, Scarlet Jewel, Simply Chartreuse & White. I've got a couple cards to share with you and both use one of the peacock images from Magical Moments. Anyways, here's my take... Stamped the peacock in Scarlet Jewel and a sentiment (from the same set) in True Black into the corner of white cardstock, trimmed and attached to the Harvest Gold cardstock base. Wrapped the top of the card base with Harvest Gold satin ribbon.
Lastly, embellished the feathers with yellow and green rhinestones.

This second card is my favorite of the two. Just something about the simplicity of a few bold colors on a white card base is so pleasing to me...
Thought these colors made a fabulous jewel toned Christmas color combo. Couldn't help but turn them into a simply stunning Christmas card. Stamped the top of a white card base (measuring 3 3/4" X 5 1/2") with a sentiment in Scarlet Jewel and wrapped with Scarlet Jewel satin ribbon.
The peacock was created by stamping the image onto the card base in Simply Chartreuse. Carefully inked up the image a second time in Scarlet Jewel and Lemon Tart and stamped it onto a scrap piece of white cardstock. Punched out the body and attached it to the card base with dimensional adhesive. Finished it off with clear rhinestones.

I hope you too will join us in the Color Cue {8} Challenge fun! Look for the challenge details here.

Now, be sure to stop by and see what the rest of the Wplus9 Design Team has come up with to inspire you:

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you enjoy your day!


Maile

Life Is Wonderful Because Of You:

Peace On Earth:

Monday, September 13, 2010

Everyday Treats

Hello, all! Welcome back to the second Papertrey Ink Design Team group post! This time around, Nichole has challenged us to create a seasonal presentation for a special treat using Everyday Treats. Everyday Treats can be used for both holidays and any occasion. Today I'll show you a fun Christmas idea...
Whether you make your own homemade treats or opt to buy them from your local market. The glassine bag, tied with a little ribbon bow, is a perfectly simple way to package your goodies. Add a matching card and your goodies are ready to go!
In addition to the treat package, I've included a handmade removable felt Christmas tree ornament.Then, created a second tree for a perfectly matching card.

Here are some tips and instruction on how I assembled the package of goodies...
Filled a glassine bag with cookies and folded over the top. Punched two holes from the top left side of the bag, ran the ribbon through and tied into a bow. Then set aside as I assembled the trees.
Die cut two trees from Simply Chartreuse felt (one for the card and one as the ornament). Threaded buttons with twine, arranged and attached (with Glue Dots). On the ornament tree, I saved the top button for last and did not attach it to the tree in the same fashion.
Instead, I stitched it into place and tied the ends together on the backside of the tree. Trimmed the ends, leaving about 3-4 inches of twine.
Wrapped twine ends around the bow and tie into a knot to hold in place. Once the receiver unties the bow, the ornament can easily be removed and hug from their tree.Die cut and then stamped the Mat Stack #1 image in Hibiscus Burst. Stamped the "for you" circle in Pure Poppy, the cookie image in Sweet Blush and the "Warming up the season" (from Holiday Spirit Sentiments) in True Black. Then punched it out, attached over the Mat Stack with dimensional adhesive and attached just under the tree.

So there you have it! To see the full versatility of this set, be sure to see what the rest of the Design Team has come up with...

Hope you enjoyed and have a wonderful day!

Maile

Warming Up The Season Just For You:
Merry Christmas Card:

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Calender Basics

For this months Papertrey Ink Design Team group post, Nichole has asked us to create projects using the new Calender Basics stamp set along with the new pre-printed calender products. Today, I get to share with you the Birthday Calender. Using the Birthday Calender Pages and the coordinating Kraft Folder.

I am in love with these products and the final result! I was able to come up with a sturdy, top of the line, better than you can find in any store or boutique Birthday Calender. I just love the look and the feel of this finished project and it's all due to the amazing innovation that went into the creation of these great calender products! And I mean it! Not only am I happy with the products, I am extremely happy with this color combo. Who knew going neutral could be so gorgeous! I think the neutral color combos have become a new fave of mine.

So, here is what I came up with... My Birthday Calender and coordinating card.
Started by hand stamping a panel for the front cover of the binder using Calender Basics along with Year of Flowers: Morning Glories. (Both available on the 15th)
Stamped "CALENDAR" in True Black onto a piece of Rustic White cardstock measuring 5 1/8" X 9 1/4". Masked it off and then stamped the morning glory flowers, also in True Black, over the mask.
Calender Basics includes a stamp for the name of each month. Which, I lined up onto my acrylic block and stamped onto the bottom of the Rustic White panel. Then stamped the top corners with the polka dot corner embellishment image. Finished the panel off with a True Black cardstock mat and a couple of buttons.
Wrapped Fine Linen grosgrain ribbon around the entire folder. Tied a separate bow and attached it on top of the wrapped ribbon, just above the buttons. For the spine of the folder I cut a 1" X 2 1/4" piece of Rustic White cardstock and stamped it with both the "Calender Handmade Original" flourish image and "2011". Mat it with True Black cardstock and attached.
Inside the folder are these pocket Birthday Calender Pages. On each page is a numbered list, allowing you to jot down and keep track of all the birthday's, anniversary's or events for that month. These pages arrive flat with a scored line which, you fold over and adhere just the top and bottom corners to create a pocket. Perfect for storing those needed birthday, anniversary, holiday or special event card.
To decorate these pages, I pulled out my Year of Flowers stamp collection. Used the name of the month, included in each set, and stamped it at the top of the sheet in True Black. Embellished either side with a tiny image from Calender Basics, stamped it in True Black onto a scrap piece of cardstock and then onto the sheet. Used this same technique for that months flower stamped amongst the list.
Tucked amongst the pages is this coordinating Birthday Card. Stamped the top corners of a Rustic White panel with the same polka dot corner embellishment in True Black.
Included in the Calender Basics set are a few commonly used sentiments. Stamped "Wishing you a wonderful" a few times along the bottom.
Masked off the bottom and stamped the daffodil from Year of Flowers: Daffodils and "birthday". Then wrapped the panel with Fine Linen satin ribbon, mat with True Black cardstock and attached to the kraft card base with dimensional adhesive.
Here's A Tip: To keep thing simple, I opted to ink and stamp the daffodil flower along with only one of the leaves in the image. In the picture above is the the original daffodil image to give you an idea of what I am talking about.

So there you have it! I hope you enjoy this project as much as I do.

If you haven't done so already, be sure to stop by and see what the rest of the Design Team has come up with...

Thanks for visiting and have a great start to your week!

Maile


Birthday Calender:

Wishing You a Wonderful Birthday: