LIM 213: This makes me happy!

The theme this week at the Less is More challenge is a project inspired by something that makes you happy. Well, today I am very happy that it has stopped snowing! This was the scene out my front window a couple of hours ago:

Thank goodness that quit, and the sun came back, which got me thinking about spring! So I thought, why not do some flowers in a sunny yellow with a bit of a country feel, like what I expect to see out this window in a couple of months?

Thanks for stopping by,
T

Muse #106

Hi there,

So glad I could make a bit of time today for the Muse challenge. I liked the way Shona's inspiration card had a narrower front panel with a border peeking out on the right. I should do that more often and use some of my patterned paper. Shona also inspired me to choose pink, which I tend to neglect. Not my fave color, but other people like it, and these cards aren't for me ultimately, so why not?! I also loosely followed her simple layout.

Did you notice my kitty, Jezebelle, in the background of my photo? She hopped up on the chaise to help me get a good shot.

Isn't she helpful? Really, I think she just wants her chair back!

Well, I guess I should get back to kitchen reno. We are getting very close to finishing with installing the travertine on the walls.

 We should have made our way right up the ceiling by the time this weekend is done, so no more stamping for me. That's OK, hubby is reffing basketball the next 3 weekends, so I'm sure I'll have more time to play then!

Thanks for stopping by,
T

Papertrey February Blog Hop Challenge

Hi there,

It's an action packed day between work and stamp club this evening. Glad I have time to squeeze in a post for this blog hop while I grab a bite for dinner.


When I saw this inspiration photo for the challenge, I was infatuated. A water-colored, geometric background! What's not to love?

I sponged my background in blue and green distress inks to make it kind of a unisex card, then spritzed it with water to get the colors to run. Pretty simple, but oh so pretty! I wish it looked as nice in the photos. I ironed the panel which helped to dry it out a well as flattening it so it would adhere more easily to the card base. I didn't want to add too much else to the card and cover up the background, so I trimmed the panel down a bit with a stitched rectangle die to add some dimension and give it a frame, then added a simple banner stamped with New Leaf ink and "happy" die cut from Hawaiian Shores cardstock over top. Pretty straightforward. In this case, the background is more of a focal point than a background.

Thanks for stopping by,
T

MIM#201: Cover Plates & Embossing Paste

Hi there,
 I made a little something this week for Make it Monday. I rarely remember to break out the embossing paste, so I was all over this idea. I used the horizontal stripe cover plate to cut a stencil to make some stripes on the bottom of my card base. I used reinkers to color the paste, which is pearlescent.

The flower and sentiment were both stamped on vellum.

Thanks for stopping by,
T

PTI Day 7: Heavy Metal

Hi,

I'm posting one last project for the last day of PTI's 8th Anniversary, a strictly metallic and neutral color scheme, which lends itself to a wedding theme. Unfortunately I ran out of daylight before finishing this card, so I had to take this pic with a flash, which washes out the color a bit. This is actually a vintage cream card base with silver embossing. This background is really getting a workout today! But then that's how a I usually work. When I pull something out, I like to use it a few different ways before putting it away again.

So that's it. I'm calling it a night!
T

PTI Day 1: DT Inspiration

Hello,
I'm posting another project for PTI's 8th Anniversary, this time going all the way back to Day1. I chose the 4th color recipe and the 7th sketch and tossed together a little something.
Thanks for stopping by,
T

PTI Day 4: Build a Bouquet

Wow, I am on a roll today! After doing very little stamping for the past 6 months thanks to our renovation projects, I am finally getting a chance to restock my "shoebox" with cards. My stockpile was looking pretty empty. The Day 4 challenge for PTI's 8th Anniversary was to build a bouquet using more than one floral set. I felt compelled to get colorful with it. I guess I'm anxious for spring to arrive, though I have to say, this has been a pretty good winter so far. Can't complain.

Hope to see you soon,
T

PTI Day 5: Spring Into Action

Hi there,

I'm back again with another project for the Papertrey Ink 8th Anniversary challenges. Day 5 challenged everyone to spring into action and use a previously uninked set, the perfect challenge for me since my primary motivation for starting my blog was to use my supplies more frequently! I didn't have to look too far to find something I hadn't used yet. I think I ordered this set last year, but too late to use it for Valentine's Day. It's the perfect thing to make a man-friendly card for my honey. Now I just have to get going on making his butter tarts before he gets home!

Have a good one,
T

PTI Day 3: Bagged & Tagged

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm back again with another post for PTI's 8th Anniversary. Luckily hubby is out reffing basketball, giving me some time to stuff his gift into this gift bag, and make him some heart shaped butter tarts!

Hope you are having a lovely Valentine's Day, too.
T

PTI Day 8 - Blue Ombre/ OLS13 - You Blend

Hi there,

The 8th anniversary festivities continue at Papertrey Ink, and the Day 8 challenge was Blue Ombre, so I decided to pull out a favourite set (Meadow Greens) and do some sponging with blues. The theme this month at the One Layer Simplicity challenge is blending, so I thought, why not change things up today and do a one layer card? They are a bit of a challenge for me because it's not my usual style, and this was extra challenging because I don't usually make anything this monochromatic. I don't know if you can tell from the picture, but even the rhinestone is blue! Blue, blue, and more blue, aside from the white card base and clear embossed image. I wanted to sponge in some green or purple, but then it wouldn't really be blue ombre, would it? It's seems a little plain to me, and I was tempted to add some more bling, but I was undecided where to put it, so opted to leave well enough alone! Sometimes less is more.

Thanks for stopping by,
T

PTI 8th Anniversary, Day 2: Maile

Hi there,

Papertrey Ink is celebrating their 8th Anniversary, and the festivities are in full swing. I'm thrilled that Maile Belles is back to designing this year. I love her style, and didn't have to look to hard to find a card of hers to use as inspiration for a new project. I've seen her use this technique a few times, and have wanted to try it out. I finally took the plunge today.

 

Here is her card:

Thanks for stopping by,

T