Saturday, March 31, 2018

12 Kits of Occasions: March - Many Thanks


Welcome to the March post for 12 Kits of Occasions!
Our hostess this month is Jessica Davis, and she gave us a kit 
full of whimsy and wonderful papers and a whole lot of thank you!
Talk about fun... well just have a look,


Leading off with my favorite, 



Those cute little owls took on attitude with coloring, and I just loved perching them on a 
shaker with one of Jessica's sentiments.



Jessica included a whole bunch of fabulous pattern paper I cut into strips to weave as a 
bg for my little Indian cub. I added a couple of arrows from Papertrey's You Have My Heart.

Another sentiment cut with an oval die, and PTI's Banner.


This little sweetie was inspired by one of my granddaughters Noelle.
She's never without a little buddy.


OK, confession time. I finished coloring my Concord & 9th unicorn, only to flub up tail.
Couldn't bear to toss it, so began adding bling, and more bling and yet MORE bling. 
I just know my little Noelle will think it's super special BECAUSE of all that bling!
Mama Elephant: Landscape Trio


Maybe should'a stopped at the glitter!


My last card is this sweet pair, and their appreciation, which is just what I wanted to 
end with, my appreciation for your visit! 
Thank You Jessica, loved every bit!

You're in for a treat with the other designers.
I got a sneak peek, and looks like we all had a blast with this kit! 
Happy Easter all!




Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Alleluia! Happy Easter


It's Easter week and I have so much to do, baking, shopping, playing with grandkids...
but somehow I found time to be in the craft room (early morning!) and create a card
for PapertreyInk's new challenge: Transformation Tuesday.
This week Melissa Phillips took a beautiful card she made, and simply 
changed colors and styles. 
I did a card for the Card Concept Challenge with Brushed Birds,


and a cover plate with branches.


With a few birds left over, decided to do the second card using the Shape Shifters: Circle 1 die,
together with Beautiful Berries: Spring, changing up the colors from aqua & yellow, 
to Amethyst and Yellow. I added a bit of glitter to this one as well.

I enjoyed this challenge, transforming or tweaking a card a bit, using the same or similar elements
and stamps.

Find Melissa's cards here:



A peek inside 


also playing along with this weeks' Word Art Wednesday: Anything Goes


Below is a list of PTI products I used. If you click on the item,
it will take you right to the product.

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

MIM: Stenciled Edges


Lizzie shows us how to 'stencil our edges' this week on MIM.


I stenciled the edges of my A2 card base with the awning striped stencil from 
the Market Street, Make it Market.
First inking the yellow vertically then turning the stencil horizontally and inking
it again with Mint Julep. 
(I can't remember which designer showed this technique during release, 
But I love it! Creates a big bold plaid!)
Maybe now as subtle as Lizzie's tutorial, think I got a bit heavy handed!
Then, as Lizzie did, I cut off close to 1/8" on all edges to soften.


When I cut the Shape Shifter Oval die out, I purposely glued down only the
center, so the top and bottom stood out slightly. 

It was the first time using Fresh Bouquet, and it's already a favorite.


Sentiment is from Penned Elegance.

All items below are a direct link to PTI product.
Thanks for visiting!


Sunday, March 25, 2018

PTI March '17 Blog Hop


It's Blog Hop time at PTI, and we have a floral photo for inspiration.


Definitely inspired by all the spring blooms, and the rustic feel of 
the nest and farm house desk.

I tried to keep the more pastel look of the photo, but ended up
going bolder and brighter.


Thankfully my latest PTI order arrived, with Stitching Garden and Stitch In Time Borders.
The flowers stamp with 3 steps, and going bolder definitely emphasizes those gorgeous
petals.


Arranging my bouquet within and upon the triple cut frame was so much
fun, I can't wait to use this set again.
No sentiment yet, I can add one when the occasion arises.

The Blog Hop is all day, and you're sure to find endless inspiration.

The following is a list the PTI supplies I used. Just click on what you like
and it will take you to the item in the shop.


Some of the inks I combined with PTI were Catherine Pooler
Ranger Distress Oxide inks sponged on the linen cardstock
Mr. Huey's Opaque White Color Mist

Saturday, March 24, 2018

Blog Blitz: Hello


Do you know there's Blog Blitz going on at the Poppy Stamp blog?
Visit, comment on the Blitz posts for a chance to win the new dies!


This sweet little die is called Rotary Phone. 
Remember you must comment on the designers posts to win.
The more comments, the better your chances.


Blog Blitz ends on the 31st. 
Winners announced on April 3rd
Good Luck!

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

The Card Concept: Spring has Sprung


The Card Concept begins a new challenge today, very timely,
called: Spring Has Sprung.


Crisp white, bright sunny yellow, with a few color accents, guided my choice to
center a card around Easter, in a favorite style: Clean & Layered.


I was recently introduced to Lindy's Magicals, during a craft weekend (thank you Marcia Hill),
and created a bg for my birds with them, and a scrap left over from a die cut.
Marcia demonstrated  her Magicals, and I was hooked! You never know what will 
turn out after the powder dries, and these little jars are filled with iridescent magic!


With the exception of the Magicals, and some sequins, my Clean and Layered card uses all PapertreyInk stamps & dies.
Inks are another new find from the Craft Weekend, Catherine Pooler Inks.
(Thank you, Colleen, Linda & Marcia!)

You will find links to each PTI product at the end of the post.
Hope you'll be inspired to play along.
A list of styles, and much more inspiration by the designers can be found on
The Card Concept Challenge Blog.
Happy Crafting!


Lindy's Stamp Gang: Magicals (Amazon)
Inks: Catherine Pooler, Tiki Torch, Tiara, Mint to Be, Aquatini, Skylight

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Our Savior Lives!


Make It Monday this week is with Melissa Phillips, and she uses an 
embossing enamel for texture on her card. 
I've never applied my Stampendous Shabby Green the way Melissa did, and
was happy to learn a new technique with an embossing powder I already loved.


Starting with the bg, I used a PTI stencil, and sponged inked my colors with Tim Holtz' 
Distress Oxides, and wet the stencil before laying it onto my inked panel.
Marcia Hill shared this technique with us all at our retreat in Kansas.
Just love the effect! 
Cut Fun Frames several times, and treated the center with Lindy's Magicals
before adding the Shabby Green Embossing Powder.


My egg and die cut sentiment are layered, both cut with shimmer cardstock.
I found the silk ombre seam binding ribbon in my stash, and think it's a bit
bright for the card. If I do a repeat, I think white ribbon would be better.

I love to send out Easter cards. And this along with others, will be sent out this week.

Here are links to the PTI products I used:







Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Create Along With Us: March


Hi there! It's time again for 'Create Along With Us' During PTI's release, we are challenged
to case the talented designers, showcasing all the
wonderful new product.
My card came from Betsy's Veldman's card featuring a new corner stamp, coming
out this month.


Betsy embossed her lovely card front with a die, giving her centered image just that extra 'pow'!
Loved it! Loved too, the florals circling the framed sentiment.

Here's my case:


If you click on the products they link directly to PapertreyInk's stamps dies and inks.

Embossed frame is the outer die from Papertrey Ink - Mix & Mat: Pretty Brackets Die
Now the corner frame took a bit of doing. It's part of Papertrey Ink - Grand Finale Die,
(couldn't find it in their shop. Could be discontinued, but the dies are available.)
I masked the bottom of the die, stamping just the top to resemble a corner.
The florals are a mix of Grand Finale and the new Anniversary set:
And a sentiment from a new favorite:
Penned Elegance Stamp Set, so many beautifully scripted sentiments in this set!

Here's a list of the inks I used:

My thank you card goes in the mail today to a special aunt who never forgets a
birthday or anniversary. She always tucks away some money for pizza, she says, in
her cards. Such a thoughtful thing after 48 years of marriage!

Play along at PTI's blog through Sunday!

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

The Card Concept: Monochromatic Green


The Card Concept has a new challenge beginning today, called:
Monochromatic Green.


March means more green everywhere I look, including a holiday I love,
St. Patrick's Day. As an ex teacher, I used to love telling the story of St. Patrick,
and how he became the patron saint of Ireland.


I also love getting to play with a couple of new sets from PTI, one with plenty of 
Irish Blessings, Irish Blessings Stamp Set, and another that creates a frame,
My frame is embossed with Stampendous, Pearl Lustre: Emerald

I'd call my card Clean and Layered, but there are several styles for you to choose from.
Play along for 2 weeks on the Card Concept blog!


Saturday, March 3, 2018

Poppy Stamps: For You


Hi sweet Poppy Peeps! I'm up on the Poppy blog featuring one of the new Easter
dies: Easter Bunny Egg.


If you visit the Poppystamps blog, I give a tutorial on how to make this card.
Actually, I made 3 cards. Once I got started, I just kept going! Love assembly line crafting!


Happy Crafting, all!