PTI March Blog Hop ~ Aqua & Yellow

It's the 25th of the month and that means PTI March Blog Hop time!  This month, Nichole has given us this fantastic pic to inspire us!  What's not to love about this pic?  The colors!  The candy!  The cheeriness!  

I wanted a card that had the same feel and, most importantly, to include CANDY!  I don't know about you, but I have to buy tools and supplies that can do double or even triple duty.  I bought the spinner dies a few months ago thinking I could use the long straight die for text box cut outs and popsicle stick shapes.  Now I can add candy holder to the list!

I used a clear gift goodie bag and fashioned it into a loose tube.  A ziplock bag or a tube bag would probably work too.  You want it a little loose because you will adhere the bag to the back of the cut out and push the candies through to the other side.  I used Lemonhead candies that fit perfectly!  Just think of all the other candies that could work with this technique!  

The front is finished off with a few chevron die cuts from my new My Favorite Things dies (love them!) and a rosette!  This one was so much fun to make and my mind is going crazy thinking of all the other candies I could try:)

I'm off to visit the other blog hoppers!  I know I'll see all kinds of fun stuff today!  As always, thanks so much for visiting!

{Aloha, jj} 

Stamps: Think Big #12 (PTI)
Ink: Versamark
Paper: Sea Breeze (Mark's Finest Papers), Hawaiian Shores (PTI), Turquoise Dot (My Minds Eye), Yellow Dot (DCVW)

Embellishments: Embossing powder, button, twine

Tools: Spinner Die (PTI), Chevron Dies (My Favorite Things), Corner Chomper 

Other: Clear gift baggie, Lemonhead candies

Papertrey Ink Anniversary Fun ~ Rosie Rosette

OK, I was able to sneak in this card while my parents nap (seriously, they're passed out in my living room):)  This time I took my challenge inspiration from PTI DT member, Dawn McVey!  I love that Dawn embraces saturated color especially hot pink (my favorite)!

This card includes all kinds of PTI goodness including a stamped background with Rosie Posie hexagons and Mat Stack 5 flowers.  I also handmade a rosette with chevrons!  My inspiration from Dawn came from the Rosie Posie set and the pink/red/brown color combo.  I also "borrowed" a technique from Maile and Dawn and colored the rose with a Copic.  

This is probably my last card for the day but then again, there's always half-time;)   Thanks for visiting!

{aloha, jj} 

Stamps: Rosie Posie, Chevrons, Mat Stack 5, Enjoy the Ride (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Memento, PTI
Paper: Rustic Cream, Raspberry Fizz (Papertrey Ink)

Tools: Mega Mat Stack 5, Double-ended banner, Scorboard

PTI January Blog Hop

A fresh batch of PTI stamps and inks arrived just in time so that I could participate in the Papertrey Ink January blog hop.  This month instead of the usual photo inspiration, the challenge was to pick a favorite project from 2011.  I don't have a ton of cards to choose from last year, but looking back at past projects, there was a definite theme running through 2011.  For me, 2011 was year of the rosette (see this card and this card and this card, no need to continue;).  Something about that shape really appeals to me and they hold a special place in my papercrafting heart.      

I started off by making the rosette from a stamped strip of flowers from the new Mat Stack 5 set.  I decided to fussy cut around the flowers so that the finished rosette would have petals.  Tip: stamp one more flower than the number of petals you want.  This will give you enough to overlap your seam.  

The background "frame" is stamped using more stamps from Mat Stack 5 and Giga Guide Lines.  The Mega Mat Stack 5 die was used to create the inside of the frame.  This is my first mega die, and I can see it being used all kinds of ways!

I finished off with a sentiment embossed in white and the rosette popped up inside the frame.  I used my new Berry Sorbet and Hawaiian Shores ink and it's so nice to get a good color match to my cardstock.  

That's it for me today!  I can't wait to see what everyone else is posting for the the blog hop.  Thanks so much for visiting!

{aloha, jj} 

Stamps: Mat Stack 5, Giga Guide Lines
Ink: Hawaiian Shores, Berry Sorbet
Paper: White, Berry Sorbet

Tools: Scoreboard, Mega Mat Stack 5 Die

Hexagons 2 Ways ~ CAS-ual Fridays #33

I didn't think I had it in me, but I'm getting in one more blog post and challenge before the end of the year!  Today I played with CAS-ual Fridays "Brown Paper Packages Tied Up With String" challenge!  {Are you singing that song in your head?  I am:)}  This challenge is a two-weeker, so there's still time to play along!

I just got a new set from PTI.  The set is called Rosie Posie, but for me it's all about the hexagons.  My first card is a simple one with the hexagons in all their graphic glory.  It's hard to tell in the pic, but the hexagon strip is actually two "arms" that are tied together at the button (kind of like a gate fold).  I finished off with one of my favorite sentiment stamps from W9 Plus.  It's unbelievable how clean and crisp the sentiments stamp!  

Since I already had all my stuff out, I did up one more card.  I used the same stamp sets and same basic supplies, with a totally different look!  

The first time I saw those hexagon stamps, I knew I had to try a rosette! Almost any linear pattern is suited for rosettes.  Love how it turned out so bold and graphic! 

To go along with the tied up with string theme, I did a fold-over, notepad-style treatment at the top.  Easy to do with my MS score board and my small hole puncher.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope that everyone has a happy and safe New Year's Eve!  Hau'oli Makahiki Hou! 

{aloha, jj} 

Stamps: Rosie Posie (Papertrey Ink), Very Vintage Greetings (W9 Plus)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Paper: Chipboard, Razmataz Berry, Seabreeze (Mark's Finest Papers)
Embellishments: Button, baker's twine (The Twinery)

Moxie Fab Challenge ~ Happy Birthday Stitched Rosette

Stopping in again with another rosette card for the Moxie Fab's Championing Award Medallions Challenge! 

This card is pretty straight forward and what you see is what you get!  The borders are stitched for a little bit of texture and color.  And a colorful shiny button was added for the center.     

The only "trick" to this card is a little hard to see from the pictures.  I wanted to do a rosette stack without it being too high.  As you can see from the side view, the rosette itself does not stand too high off the base.  To achieve this look, I only used a ring for the pink layer (no center).  I also placed the folds of the pink layer within the folds of the green layer.  This gives a flatter rosette without flattening the actual folds.     

I didn't have quite the right sentiment, so this one is printed.  Aside from wrestling with the rosettes and the glue gun, this card was pretty easy to put together.  And it was fun to work on something besides holiday cards:)  Thanks for visiting!

{Aloha, jj}

Stamps: None
Ink: None
Paper: Blue (Marks Finest Papers), Pink, white, chartreuse (Papertrey Ink)
Embellishments: Button from stash

Tools: Scoreboard (Martha Stewart), Sewing machine, hot glue gun

Font: Blackjack

Triple Challenge

Thanksgiving was a whirlwind but I snuck in one card!  And with this card, I'm playing with 3 different challenges ~ Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge #74, CAS-ual Fridays CFC #29, and Moxie Fab's Championing Award Medallions Challenge! 

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of the rosette.  Even after the trend is old and dead, I'll still be making rosettes.  The rosette on this card was handmade using a strip stamped with a small stamp from WMS's Dainty Doilies 2 set.  The curves of the stamp created a beautiful flower petal effect in the rosette (love it!).   

I did something a little different with my rosette by embedding the large rhinestone brad inside the rosette.  This makes for a rosette that's more open allowing the pattern to be seen better.  I stamped a large doily as a background to the rosette and added more tiny gems around the edge.  

It's a little hard to see, but the black panel is over a sparkly white cardstock base. The sentiment is from WMS's A Christmas Cottage set but I have to admit I snipped off the "you".  The sentiment is embossed in white as well and I highlighted it with a strip of small clear gems.  So pretty!

I used a tons of gems on this one, but I hope the simple color scheme keeps it clean.  Another Christmas card to add to my stack!  Thanks for visiting and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

{Aloha, jj}

Stamps: Dainty Doilies 2, A Christmas Cottage (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Ink: Versamark, Fresh Snow (PTI)
Paper: Sparkle White (Marks Finest Papers), True Black (Papertrey Ink)
Embellishments: Snow fine embossing powder (Ranger), Gems

Tools: Scoreboard (Martha Stewart)

Moxie Fab Nice, Neutral, & Square

This is an update to my original post below (edited Sunday @ 11 pm)

You can file this updated blog entry under the category of "she just can't leave well enough alone".  Earlier today I posted my card for the Square Sketch Challenge and Tuesday Trigger: Nice and Neutral challenge.  But something about that card nagged at me...and every time I walked past it on the way to the laundry room...it called out to me...until I gave in.  Here are the new (and to me, improved) results...

I ended up removing the original sentiment banner and replaced it with a new sentiment that I stamped and fussy cut.  I mixed grey and blue inks and think the color is a much better match for the blue panel.  I also redid the leaves so that the woodgrain impression was better placed.  

I accept that when it comes to cards, I get crazy.  But I will sleep good tonight.  (Somebody out there please tell me I'm not the only one out there that does this!)  Thanks for looking, again.

{aloha, jj} 

Stamps: Medallion (Stampin' Up), Iconic Images (Papertrey Ink) 
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento), Fresh Snow (Papertrey Ink)
Paper: Rustic cream (Papertrey Ink), Rustic brown (Basic Grey), blue (from stash)Embellishments: Pearl accent (Jolee's), pearls (Queen & Co.)

Tools: Turning a new leaf die, woodgrain impression plate (Papertrey Ink)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Since I'm such a slow cardmaker, I've come to the realization that that combining challenges is a good idea!   Today I'm combining two Moxie Fab Challenges, the Square Sketch Challenge and this week's Tuesday Trigger: Nice and Neutral.  The sketch is courtesy of Kim Kesti from the recent Card Ideas for Papercrafters edition and I love it because it lends itself to so many interpretations.  And the colors and textures of the Tuesday Trigger pic are so soothing and peaceful.  

To start my card, I picked a couple of swatches of natural linen from my sewing stash.  I used one swatch for my background and a lighter piece for my fabric flower.  I made the fabric flower just like I do my accordion-folded rosettes and I inked it a bit with white paint.  I wanted to give my card a soft natural but not vintage look, so I resisted the urge to sponge anything with brown.  

For the main image, I stamped one my new favorite stamps in cocoa directly onto the linen (that medallion is so awesome).   The card needed a little color, so I took a cue from the TT inspiration pic background and chose a greyish-blue for one frame panel and the sentiment.   

The die cut leaves and banner were cut from rustic cream cardstock and debossed with a woodgrain impression for a little more texture.  I would have preferred a mother of pearl button, but I didn't have one that was the right size.  So I went with a huge pearl accent that I've had for forever.  Now I'm off to laze the rest of my Sunday away (or at least the next hour if the kids let me:)  Sorry for the wonky photos!  I'm having trouble getting a good picture with all the texture going on with the linen.  Thanks for taking the time to look! 

{aloha, jj} 

Stamps: Medallion (Stampin' Up), Teeny Trees (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento), Fresh Snow (Papertrey Ink)
Paper: Rustic cream (Papertrey Ink), Rustic brown (Basic Grey), blue (from stash)
Embellishments: Pearl accent (Jolee's)

Tools: Turning a new leaf die, woodgrain impression plate (Papertrey Ink)