Playing Along Over at 'Festive Friday'

I ran across this blog, 'Festive Friday,' http://www.festivefriday.blogspot.com/ which is encouraging a Christmas card every week. Since I never have my cards done on time, I thought this would be a great opportunity to get a big jump start. I loved this weeks inspiration piece, which was a bit rustic, and I love that feel. My card is pretty simple for me, but I wanted to jump right in. I used a kraft cardstock base, a die cut label, and some stamps that added some stickles too. Wrapped the card with some twine and a button....pretty simple :)

Feb. 21-13, Lots of New Projects

I feel good if a few days go by and I am able to get 'a few' crafty projects done. The last few days have been just that, have completed a couple of card, many of which I've used my latest stamps and dies from PTI. The quality and precision that their products continue to amaze me. The first card is one made with the 'Happy Hexagon' stamp set and the die plate. I really couldn't quite figure out exactly how to use these in an artistic way....until I watch Nichole's video that shows you three different ways to use the products. I can't find it again to link it for you, but if you have these PTI sets, it's worth looking for. Next, I really want to make a dent in my stash, and I KNOW I can makes things with my stash, so I am determined :), so I made these cute little gift cards using an old set of Am. Crafts rub-ons and and older set of Basic Grey brads, combined them with a new PTI 'Half and Half' stamp set and some bakers twine. The third card I used my new 'Rosie Posie' stamp and die set, and an old set of Autumn Leaves journaling stamps, the sentiment is from PTI Think BIg Favorites #22." I used a lot of layers of the flowers, stamped in PTI's scarlet red, autumn rose and a light pink Colorbox ink, then popped them up with pop dots. I embossed the sentiment with clear embossing powder, and finished it off with some twine.
Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, Feb. 16 & Pinwheels!

I have wanted to make pinwheel embellishments for a long time, and finally got around to it from a challenge from PTI. I love how it turned out, and how easy it is to use PTI products on any given project, and how it's opened my little world of crafting! First I stamped my square that I used for the pinwheel with a background mesh stamp, gathered it together with a little mulberry flower and pearl. I slightly curved up the edges of the pinwheel to give a little more dimension. The background paper is cut from a Simple Stories strip, then layered with some cardstock. I used the 'Think Big Favorites #19' stamp set and backed it with a popped scallop. The top is tied with some twine. I think it would be super cute tied to a hostess gift!

My second card, I stamped on a Spellbinders tag, die cut it twice and popped it up after stamping a round sentiment from an older Narratives stamp set (that I still love). Lots of layered papers in the background along with some ribbon.

The finished projects:

Happy Valentine's Day and 'Boutique Accessories'

Hope everyone had a fantastic Valentine's Day. I sure did, besides having my wonderful husband of 32 years, I also got to go with him to give our daughter-in-law his valentine to her (he has always gotten our daughter, Ashley, and now our daughter-in-law chocolates for Valentine's day. This year, he addressed the card to our daughter-in-law to 'Sammy and Baby.' I'm so excited for our new little baby Evelyn to come in May!

I have really just avoided (because of lack of subject matter) baby/child/children/mother related crafty supplies for several years. I'm so excited to have a reason to use all the cute stamps, etc. again that relate to babies and children!

At first I didn't think I'd use Papertrey Ink's new 'Boutique Accessory' line, because I don't make jewelry, or hair accessories....then I visited each of the designer's blogs and saw the cute accessories they made, and a light bulb went off....'Evelyn is going to have hair,' and she is going to need some cute accessories!!! Perfect excuse for more creative time :) I started out making this broach....and I really appreciated Maile Belle's http://mailebelles.blogspot.com/2013/02/boutique-accessories.html little tutorial on how to put it together, so thank you Maile!

I used the closest thing I had to a handmade stamp from the 'Button Boutique' stamp set by PTI. I added a little but stick pin you could use with the broach or separately on any kind of paper crafting project.

Thanks for stopping by!

Watercolor Stamping Challenge @ PTI

To say the least....for me, this challenge was very much coloring 'outside the lines,'.....I like a clean look, so it was fun for me to play with this technique, and I like how it turned out. I cut chipboard tags with the 'Half and Half' dies...stamped the sentiment from Flower Fusion #6, along with the flower. I fussy cut the stem that was stamped with ripe avocado, and the flower with autumn rose, the center with scarlet jewel. I used a water color pen to get the water color effect, backed the stems with some vintage bookplate and popped up the main flower. I also shadow stamped the main flower in the background. Like I said, a challenge for me, but I like the end product :)

Color Challenge!

They are having a color challenge over at Papertrey Ink, and I love that they have a printable version of the color combos for future reference. I chose a warm palette with scarlet jewel, kraft, linen, melon berry and stone. I used the half and half die and stamp and a sentiment from 'Flower Fusion #6, along with Papertrey's kraft and scalet jewel ink. Tied the top with a strip of burlap, shadow stamped the flower to give a background to the tag. Simple design, but I love how it turned out. Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Sunday and A Card Sketch To Go With

Today, over at Papertrey Ink there was a card sketch challenge. I chose this sketch:
http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c64e753ef017d40e83fb9970c-pi
I used sentiments and tag detail from the 'Everyday Photo Finishers' stamp set, along with Scarlet Jewel ink, I love this deep shade of red. I die cut some felt flowers and added a bit of hand stitching with floss. I love the look of the double flagged tags. Hope you enjoy!