Papertrey September Blog Hop Challenge

It's the 25th and time for the Papertrey Blog Hop Challenge.  This month's challenge is an inspiration photo.  It has lots of fun colors in it!  I needed to make a birthday card, so I thought I'd start there.  I just LOVE the Photo Finish Strips Dies, so I cut borders out of Dark Chocolate, Hawaiian Shores, Harvest Gold, Summer Sunrise, Pure Poppy and Hibiscus Burst to create the striped pattern on the card. 

Next, I stamped "birthday" along the left border of the card.  I used the birthday sentiment from Wonderful Words Additions and Framed.  I die cut another border out of True Black cardstock and die cut the word "happy" from the Wonderful Words dies in Pure Poppy and glued it to the black border.  I also flagged the end of the banner and added some zig zag stitching across the top. 

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you're having a wonderful Sunday!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Wonderful Words Additions, Framed (PTI); Ink- Onyx Black (Versafine); Paper- Dark Chocolate, Hawaiian Shores, Harvest Gold, Summer Sunrise, Pure Poppy, Hibiscus Burst, True Black (PTI);  Accessories- Photo Finish Strips, Wonderful Words (PTI);  Finished card measures 4.25"x5.5"

Papertrey July Blog Hop Challenge

This month's Papertrey Ink Blog Hop Challenge was a photo inspiration.  I just LOVE the colors in the inspiration photo!!  For my card, I used the Damask Designs set along with Orange Zest, Ocean Tides and Ripe Avocado ink.  I letterpressed the Orange Zest cardstock with the Damask Designs Impression Plate and some Fresh Snow ink. 

The butterflies were die cut from white cardstock using the butterfly die from the Love Lives Here Collection.  I added a little stitching on the two sides as a finishing touch.  Thanks for stopping by!

Papertrey June Blog Hop Challenge

Today is the Papertrey June Blog Hop and this month's challenge was an inspiration photo.  I took the inspiration from the photo pretty literally with the gradient in color for the background and the layout of the photo.  The Kraft piece of cardstock was scored with my ScorBuddy to add some texture and interest.  I used the Tiny Tags set along with the Tiny Tags Die and some Rustic Cream Button Twine for the "hanging images". 

The gradient background was created using sponges and Hawaiian Shores, Pure Poppy, Melon Berry, Berry Sorbet, Sweet Blush, Spring Moss and New Leaf ink.  You can see more interpretations of the inspiration photo by visiting here.  Thanks for stopping by!

Papertrey May Blog Hop Challenge

I wasn't able to play along in last month's blog hop, but I found some time today to sneak in a card.  This month's theme was flowers. . .and to show your favorite take on flowers.  I usually like flowers to be sunny and bright, so I went with a Summer Sunrise and Orange Zest combo using the Spiral Bouquet set.  This is one of my favorite flower sets because the flowers are different and "lively" and add some spunk to a card.  :) 

I die cut a piece of white cardstock using the Sending You Die Set.  I then stamped the flowers in Summer Sunrise and the outlines in Orange Zest.  The stems and leaves were stamped in Ripe Avocado.  I stamped the sentiment in Fresh Snow in on True Black cardstock.  On the card base, I clear embossed some Polka Dot Basics.  Finally, I added some glitter to the flower for some sparkle.  All pieces were added to the card base with foam tape for some dimension.  You can see more favorite takes on flowers here.  Thanks for stopping by!

Papertrey April Blog Hop Challenge

I really didn't think I was going to be able to play along today.  We had lots of running around to do and a couple of doctor's appointments today with the kids being off school BUT. . .I was able to create a quick little card to go with this month's theme of the men in our lives for PTI's April Blog Hop.  Isaac will be starting preschool in the Fall.  I can't believe my little man is old enough to start school already.  I made each of my girls special cards on their first days of preschool, so I thought this was the perfect opportunity to make one for Isaac. 

I used the new Boys Basics: Truckin' It set and coordinating die.  The zig zag pattern on the left of the card was creating using the Background Basics: Chevron Stripes set.  I stamped the stripes in primary boy colors using Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise and New Leaf.  I die cut the bus, then stamped and colored it using Copic markers.  I used a strip of True Black cardstock to create the "road".  You can see the rest of the participants' creations HERE.  Thanks for stopping by!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Boys Basics: Truckin' It, Background Basics: Chevron Stripes (PTI); Ink- Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise, New Leaf (PTI); Paper- white, True Black (PTI); Accessories:  Truckin' It Die (PTI), white gel pen, Copic markers;  Finished card measures 3.75"x4.5"

Papertrey March Blog Hop Challenge

It's time for the monthly blog hop at Papertrey Ink!  This month's challenge was to use embroidery floss in a fun and inventive way.  I decided to create a background pattern with my embroidery floss. 

I started by scoring the lines lightly with my Scor-Pal, then I notched the end of each line with scissors and wrapped the embroidery floss to form the criss cross pattern.  I used the Signature Series: Butterfly set along with the coordinating die.  I also used the Mat Stack 3 die and the Double Ended Banners die.  The sentiment that I stamped on the banner is from the Everyday Button Bits set.  I thought it went well with the butterfly. . .and it fit on the banner!  :)

You can see the rest of the participants in the hop HERE.  Thanks for stopping by! 

Papertrey February Blog Hop Challenge

Happy Friday!  Today is the monthly Papertrey Ink Blog Hop!  This month is dedicated to scallops. . .your best use of scallops.  I thought and thought about this.  I use scalloped borders across cards and along the edges of cards, but I was trying to come up with something a little different.  Then it hit me!  I decided to dig out an old Click Simple template, Rock-a-Bye Baby and use the Onesie card!  I thought scallops would make an ADORABLE little "ruffled bottom" for the onesie!  LOL  Don't you just LOVE when little babies are dressed in those adorable little fancy pants that just peek out from under their dress?  I know I do!  I used to put them on my girls all the time.  :) 

I used the Baby Button Bits set to add a little bug to the front of the onesie.  I added some glitter to the bug's wings and to the edges of the scallops.  The scallops were die cut with the Large Scalloped Border die and for the sleeves I used the Rickrack Border die.  I tied some Sweet Blush ribbon around the onesie and added the sentiment! 

I can't wait to see what other blog participants have created using scallops!  Thanks for stopping by today and have a wonderful weekend!  SUPPLIES USED:  Stamps- Baby Button Bits (PTI); Ink- Berry Sorbet (PTI), Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Paper- Sweet Blush, Stamper's Select White (PTI); Accessories- Large Scalloped Border die, Rickrack Border die, buttons, ribbon, Rock a Bye Baby Click Simple Template (PTI), glitter; 

Papertrey Ink January Blog Hop

It has been a long while since I've been able to participate in one of the Papertrey Ink Blog Hops, but tonight I was inspired and I had some extra time! I love it when those two things coincide. :) This month's challenge was to create a card that has the "total package". . .decorating the interior of the card, back of the card or even the envelope.







I don't usually decorate or even stamp in the inside of my cards. I use all that space to write! :) This was a nice challenge for me and what I came up with is totally me! I used my favorite PTI set, Little Lady. I paired it up with some Spellbinders dies and a QuicKutz embossing folder to come up with this. I used the Nested Flower die along with Plain and Scallop Circle Nestabilities to create the flower with Lemon Tart and Bitty Dot Basics paper. The Blush Blossom background piece is embossed using the Polka Dots embossing folder. I stamped part of the sentiment along with a few dots from the "dot" stamp in the set and stamped the other part of the sentiment on the inside of the card. The ladybug's trail leads her from the front of the card to the inside. Since I stamped the front and inside of the card, I had to do the back too! :) I hope you've been as inspired as I have to decorate the inside of your card! Thanks for stopping by! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Little Lady (Papertrey Ink); Ink- Blush Blossom, Berry Sorbet (PTI), Onyx Black (Versafine); Paper- Blush Blossom, Bitty Dot Basics, Lemon Tart (PTI); Accessories- Nested Flower die, Plain and Scallop Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Polka Dots embossing folder (QuicKutz), Dazzling Diamonds glitter (SU); Finished card measures 4.25" square

PTI February Blog Hop

This month's Blog Hop Challenge was to incorporate the flowers, sights and colors of spring into your project. It's been a while since I've been able to participate in the Blog Hop, so when I found a little extra time today, I thought I'd create a "springy" card for a friend. I used the Beautiful Blooms set from Papertrey Ink with Berry Sorbet and So Saffron to give a light, spring feel. The flowers are all die cut using the largest die in the Flowers Cuttlebug die set. I attached them to the top of the card front and trimmed the end flowers. It gives a nice texture to the, otherwise, simple card. You can see all of the creations of those participating in the Blog Hop tonight in the Papertrey Ink Blog Hop Forum. Thanks for stopping by! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Beautiful Blooms (PTI); Ink- So Saffron (SU), Berry Sorbet (PTI), Onyx Black (Versafine); Paper- So Saffron (SU), white (Georgia-Pacific); Accessories- Flowers Die set (Provocraft), Berry Sorbet ribbon (PTI), paper piercer; Finished card measures 5.5"x4.25"

September Blog Hop

It's time for the September Papertrey Ink Blog Hop! The challenge this month was Heartfelt & Homemade Holiday. . .to make something holiday inspired. When the holidays come around, there are always LOTS of people I want to give a little something to and can't afford to buy individual little gifts, so I LOVE little ideas like this. Here is a mug I bought at the $1 store. In the mug, I filled a cello bag with a packet of Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate, 2 peppermints and a handful of tiny marshmallows. Nothing too extravagant and everything but the hot water and a spoon is there for someone to enjoy a hot cup of cocoa! I tied the bag closed with some wide grosgrain ribbon. I stamped "Just Add Water Stir & Sip, Enjoy" (from Holiday Treats) on the tag. Then I stamped snowflakes from Snowflake Serenade on acetate and embossed them in gold. I punched them out with coordinating circle punches and then attached them with gold edged ribbon at different lengths so they'd cascade down the mug like snowflakes falling. A very simple and inexpensive gift, but very festive!

Make sure you visit the Blog Hop Forum to follow the links to everyone's project ideas for this challenge! It's sure to be lots of fun. I can't wait to get more gift-giving ideas! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Holiday Treats, Snowflake Serenade (PTI); Paper- acetate, white, gold; Ink- Versamark, Pure Poppy (PTI), Onyx Black (Versafine); Accessories- Tiny Tags Cuttlebug die (Provocraft), wide Real Red grosgrain (SU), gold detail embossing powder (PTI)

Papertrey Ink August Blog Hop

Tonight's Blog Hop Challenge was to alter a CD case into something other than its original purpose. Mine displays a scrapbook page. I have a picture of each of my daughters (at around the same age) sniffing/looking into a flower, and you can't tell which daugher is which. LOL My original thought was to put both pictures on this page, but I couldn't fit both pictures without making them too small to look right. So, I think I'll just have to make each of them their own display case!

If you'd like to be a part of the Blog Hop, make sure you visit August Blog Hop thread in the Papertrey Ink Forum where everyone has posted a link to their blog. It's a lot of fun and you can find a lot of inspiration! Thanks for hopping over here! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Text Boxed (Papertrey Ink); Ink- Pumpkin Spice, Hint of Pesto (VersaMagic), Summer Sunrise (Papertrey Ink), Burnt Umber (Palette); Paper- Summer Sunrise, Dark Chocolate (Papertrey Ink), Certainly Celery (SU); Accessories- rhinestones brads (Darice), Threading Water punch (Fiskars), Cinnamon and Stardust Stickles.

July Blog Hop

Tonight's the July Blog Hop at Papertrey Ink! You can find the thread in the forums where everyone will post links to their creations with this month's challenge. . .to use vellum.

I chose to use vellum as an overlay for a black and white photo. My husband and I just celebrated our 8 year anniversary, so this card is for him. Maybe the pearl brads were a little too "un-masculine", but I tried to keep the rest of the card "un-frilly". I think he'll like it though! I can't wait to see everyone's vellum creations this month! Head on over to the Blog Hop and join in the fun. It starts at 8pm EST! See you later! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Out on a Limb Sentiments (Papertrey Ink); Ink- Red Riding Hood (SU), Onyx Black (Versafine); Paper- Red Riding Hood, Basic Black (SU), vellum; Accessories- pearl brads (Darice), paper piercer, black pen

June Blog Hop

This month's Blog Hop Challenge was to use transparencies in a creative way. I don't know why, but wedding placecards came to my mind when I thought about what to create. I guess I've been seeing weddings everywhere so I have them on the brain. :) There is a reality show that I saw a commercial for as I was flipping through television channels. I don't remember the name of it, but it featured people who plan these extremely lavish and EXPENSIVE weddings. In the commercial clip, they showed how each guest's place at the table was decorated. Each chair was covered in draped fabric, and there were beautiful centerpieces, but it was the napkin that caught my eye. Each guest's napkin was folded like a swan (I think) and it had a Swarovski Crystal chain hanging from it. When thinking about the Blog Hop Challenge this month, I thought using transparencies for the placecards would go along with the Swarovski Crystal theme. . .clear and elegant. Of course, I couldn't imagine making these for a large wedding! LOL I used the Wedding Day stamp set and a Fiskars embossing border punch with Kraft cardstock and Pearlized Cream cardstock. I printed the name out on the computer and used the Word Window punch to punch it out. I added gold brads on either side and stamped the table number underneath. This placecard makes me think of a ritzy hotel room door with a nameplate and number! :) Hope you like it! Be sure and head to the Blog Hop forums to see what the other Blog Hop participants have created! It's a lot of fun! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Wedding Day (Papertrey Ink); Paper- Kraft (Papertrey Ink), Pearlized Cream (Paper Accents), transparency; Ink- Onyx Black (Versafine), Whisper White Craft (SU); Accessories- gold brads (Making Memories), Word Window punch (SU), embossing border punch (Fiskars), paper piercer

May Blog Hop

This month's Papertrey Ink Blog Hop Challenge was to use score lines in a creative way as a decorative accent to a project. For this card, I scored small lines in between each flower and added two scores lines across the bottom of the card with the sentiment stamped between them. Nothing fancy, just simple. . .adding texture to the card. If you'd like to see what other participants have done with score lines, head over to the Papertrey Ink Forum and look for the May Blog Hop Thread where everyone will be posting links to their creations. Thanks for stopping by! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Garden of Life (Papertrey Ink); Paper- Stamper's Select White, Kraft (Papertrey Ink); Ink- Summer Sunrise (Papertrey Ink), Onyx Black (Versafine); Accessories- Swiss Dots Summer Sunrise ribbon (Papertrey Ink), Sunflower Dew Drops (The Robin's Nest), Stardust Stickles, paper piercer, Scor-Pal

Papertrey Ink Blog Hop

The Papertrey Ink Blog Hop Challenge for April was to use the pattern paper download that Nichole provided in a creative way. Since they were small square swatches of the paper, I cut them out and folded them in half to create this Iris Twist window. I lined the window using the Faux Ribbon set with Sunflower Dew Drops at the corners. The sentiment was stamped in Burnt Umber on the front. Through the window in the card, you can see the tree from Father Knows Best that I stamped on the inside. Check out the other creations for this month's Blog Hop Challenge. I'm going to do that now! There are 25 blogs that were randomly chosen to be in the contest that you can visit and actually vote for your favorite. Unfortunately I'm not one of them, but there's a whole Extras Thread that you can view and see what those people have created. All in all, it's a night of fun! Hope you can join in! SUPPLIES USED: Stamps- Father Knows Best, Faux Ribbon (Papertrey Ink); Paper- white Stamper's Select, patterned paper (Papertrey Ink); Ink- Burnt Umber (Palette), Spring Moss (Papertrey Ink), Old Olive, Close to Cocoa (SU); Accessories- Sunflower Dew Drops (The Robin's Nest), paper piercer.