Papertrey Ink July Blog Hop

Woot!

Blog Hop time again! I love these blog hops. I always get a TON of ideas from all the incredibly talented bloggers.

So I decided to try my hand at one of Lauren's templates again. This is the Milk Made template, and let me tell you, this one was actually a lot of FUN for me to put together. The little milk cartons were just so adorable. I'll definitely be using this template over and over, and talk about EASY. Even I had no trouble with these. Most of my lines are even straight, Ha!

So let's see what we have here.... The milk carton bases are PTI Vintage Cream cardstock. The theme for this blog hop is "text", and although mine is subtle, it is on here.

I wrapped layered bands of cardstock around each carton (after scoring the carton, before assembling). Layers are Scarlet Jewel, Aqua Mist, and Sweet Blush. After scoring the Sweet Blush cardstock strips, I masked each scored area and stamped text from Background Basics: Text Style, so that each side would have its own nice, neat, centered text print. I stamped the text with Versamark.

The flowers and leaves are from the Flower Garden stamp set (one of my faves). Flowers were stamped in Versamark ink on Sweet Blush cardstock, and leaves were stamped in Versamark ink on Aqua Mist cardstock, then a little more text was also stamped in Versafine.

I gave the flower centers a little splash of color with a Scarlet Jewel coordinating Copic marker, one 'cause I thought it could use a splash of color, and two, it made the pearls in the center pop a little more. I do loves me some pearls. Wouldn't it be great if PTI had a line of pearls to coordinate with their fabulous cardstock?

The border punch is from Fiskars. I placed more pearls around the bottom of the milk crate below the Sweet Blush dotted ribbon.

This little baby is going to a co-worker for her birthday. Inside will be some of my handmade lotion bars, to thank her for being a guinea pig when I was "testing" them.

Well, there it is, thanks for reading all the way through this VERY long post.
If you feel like it, let me know what you think of the pics. My wonderful photographer (aka DH) took these with his new photo tent system. I had to edit through 58 photos!

Take care and keep playing!

PTI CASE

Well, today I just have a CASE of a card to post. I just thought this was just a fabulous card; I couldn't NOT CASE it. It's from Taylor VanBruggen in the Papertrey Ink gallery. I didn't change much of the card. Taylor's is a little more dramatic; mine is a little more subdued since I wanted to turn it into a get well card.

So here it is. I had a great time making this one, too. (and that's really what it's all about at the end of the day- just enjoy what you do.)

Material used:

Cardstock: Papertrey Ink- Rustic White, Spring Rain, Melon Berry

Stamps: Papertrey Ink- Flower Garden, Mixed Messages

Inks: Versafine- Onyx Black, Versamark; Papertrey Ink- Spring Rain, Melon Berry, Berry Sorbet, New Leaf

Markers: Copic

Spellbinders: Nestabilities- Classic Circle

Ribbon: Papertrey Ink- Spring Rain

Don't forget this Saturday is the Papertrey Ink Blog Hop, and YES my project is ready to go!! Woot for me; I actually got something finished ahead of time.

Viva La Verve! July Week 1

Week 1? Yes, that's me- always behind. I'm probably not going to be able to complete all the Viva La Verve challenges this month, but hey, at least I got one done, and had a great time doing it. The twist on the sketch for this challenge was to "distress" (your card, not yourself- hee!)

As you can see, I distressed the edges of all the panels, and then gave them a tiny bit of color with some of the Chamomile ink from PTI. The top of the balloon was paperpieced, ad I chose not to add any color to the base of the balloon; I just thought it kept it a little more "vintagey" (not a real word, I know). I swear in real life, the ribbon actually matches the papers (darn camera, well, probably more like darn photographer).

Materials used:

Cardstock: Papertrey Ink- Rustic Cream

DP: My Mind's Eye- French Flea Market

Stamps: Verve- Up, Up and Away, Fairy Tales

Ink: Versafine- Onyx Black; Papertrey Ink- Chamomile

Ribbon: Papertrey Ink- Aqua Mist

Pearls: Kaisercraft

Tools: Edge Distresser- Heidi Swapp

I hope everyone had a great weekend; I certainly did, and we finally got some rain this evening!!!!

Win $1,000 at TheCuttlebugSpot.com!

I have just discovered that The Cuttlebug Spot is having a contest - "The Journey to 1,000"! They are trying to reach 1,000 followers by the end of July and need your help. To enter all you have to do is go to their site, sign up as follower and complete a few easy steps and you could win a $1,000 gift certificate to Custom Crops (www.CustomCrops.com)! GO NOW and check it out at www.TheCuttlebugSpot.com

Work for it!!!

Sue at Sue's Krafty Kards is giving away some yummy blog candy, but you have to work for it. Ya gotta answer 99 questions! Here's mine:

1. Started your own blog-You're reading it (started in February of '09)

2. Slept under the stars- yes, not a big fan

3. Played in a band- junior high counts, right? :)

4. Visited Hawaii- no, maybe someday

5. Watched a meteor shower- no

6. Given more than you can afford to charity- well, they do say charity begins at home...

7. Been to Disneyland/world/Disneyland Paris- no, but plan to as soon as La Princessa is old enough

8. Climbed a mountain- uh, no, not gonna happen

9. Held a praying mantis- yes, quite intimidating creatures

10. Sang a solo- only in the car or shower

11. Bungee jumped- are you out of your mind?

12. Visited Paris- would rather go to Venice

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea- yes, but the storm was at sea, I was on the beach

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch- taught myself how to sew, and cross stitch, and cook- these are arts, yes?

15. Adopted a child- the "always there" friends of your children count here, right?

16. Had food poisoning- yes, thought I was seriously going to die

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty- no, viewed it from Battery Park

18. Grown your own vegetables- yes, got a few going now; hope to have more next year

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France- no

20. Slept on an overnight train- no

21. Had a pillow fight- absolutely

22. Hitch hiked- absolutely not

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill- I plead the 5th

24. Made a Snow Angel- doesn't snow enough here to do that

25. Held a lamb- no; baby goat- yes

26. Gone skinny dipping- uh, no

27. Run a Marathon- I'm allergic to exercise

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice- I'm guessing the one at the Venetian in Vegas does not count here, huh?

29. Seen a total eclipse- yes- awesome!

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset- yes, also awesome (especially in Jamaica) :)

31. Stood in the rim of the Grand Canyon- no, just saw it from the plane

32. Been on a cruise- not yet

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person- nope

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors- no

35. Seen an erupting volcano in person.- yikes! no

36. Taught yourself a new language- no

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied- is there really such a thing? :)

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person- no

39. Gone rock climbing- no

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David- no

41. Sung karaoke- not in public

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt- no

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant- no

44. Visited Africa- no

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight- yes {sigh}

46. Been transported in an ambulance- no

47. Had your portrait painted- no

48. Gone deep sea fishing- no

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person- no

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris- no

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkelling- not gonna happen

52. Kissed in the rain- I seriously don't remember (sorry honey)

53. Played in the mud- yes, tee hee

54. Gone to a drive-in theatre- yes

55. Been in a movie- no

56. Visited the Great Wall of China- no

57. Started a business- maybe someday

58. Taken a martial arts class- no

59. Visited Russia- no

60. Served at a soup kitchen- no

61. Sold Cookies for charity- yes, Scouts honor

62. Gone whale watching- no

63. Been given flowers for no reason- yes, thank you sweetheart

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma- yes

65. Gone sky diving- not on your life

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp- no

67. Bounced a check- when I was 17

68. Flown in a helicopter- uh uh no way

69. Saved a favourite childhood toy- no darnit

70. Visited Buckinham Palace- no

71. Eaten Caviar- yes, yummy!

72. Pieced a quilt or blanket- only if crocheted pieces count

73. Stood in Times Square- yes

74. Toured the Everglades- no

75. Been fired from a job- no

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London- no

77. Broken a bone- yes, ring finger- left hand

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle- yes

79. Been to the top of the Empire State Building- no, just stood outside of it

80. Published a book- no

81. Visited the Vatican- no

82. Bought a brand new car- yes, but it was a lemon

83. Walked in Jerusalem- no

84. Had your picture in the newspaper- happens occasionally with my job

85. Read the entire Bible- no

86. Visited the White House- no

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating- yes, made to help my mother (it was HORRIBLE)

88. Had chickenpox- yes, twice

89. Saved someone’s life- running joke with my DH when I get an eyelas out of his eye is that I saved his life :)

90. Sat on a jury- no

91. Met someone famous- saw Little Richard at Burger King a couple of weeks ago, does that count?

92. Joined a book club- yes, current member of thegoodcook.com

93. Lost a loved one- yes

94. Had a baby- yes

95. Seen the Alamo in person- no

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake- no

97. Been involved in a law suit- more than once (both sides)

98. Owned a cell phone- yes (and I {heart} my Blackberry Storm)

99. Been stung by a bee- yes

Now lets see what you've done!

Stampavie Challenge #7

Here's my card for the Stampavie challenge (a recipe). The recipe is:

3 Flowers (the flowers are layered, hope that still counts)
1 Ribbon

2 Buttons

Embossing (image is heat embossed and cardstock panel is dry embossed- just covering the bases)

I am pleased with the way this one turned out (I happen to really enjoy monochromatic cards).

It was really difficult to follow the recipe, and ONLY the recipe. In fact, I couldn't do it. I HAD to place that pearl in the center of the flowers, I'm tellin' ya I just HAD to.

Materials used:

Cardstock: Papertrey Ink- White, Vintage Cream, Aqua Mist, Ocean Tides

DP: My Mind's Eye- Bloom and Grow (Bloom)

Stamps: Stampavie (Sarah Kay)- Spring Blossoms; Papertrey Ink- Damask Designs (sentiment)

Inks: Versafine- Onyx Black; Papertrey Ink- Chamomile, Chai, Aqua Mist

Markers: Copic

Punches: Marvy, EK Success (3 flower punches)

Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug- Textile

Dies: Spellbinders- Classic & Scalloped Ovals, Ribbon Tags Trio

Ribbon: Papertrey Ink- Satin Aqua Mist

Buttons: Papertrey Ink- Aqua Mist

Pearl: Kaisercraft

Stamps and Smiles 22

Better late than never; here's my card for the Stamps and Smiles Fresh Batch challenge.

This is just a fun little simple card that I had a great time making.

Materials used:

Cardstock: Papertrey Ink- White, Hibiscus Burst, Spring Rain

DP: Doodlebug

Stamps: Stamps and Smiles- Cuppy Land

Ink: Versafine- Onyx Black (image was embossed with clear EP)

Markers: Copic

Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug- Swiss Dots

Dies: Nestabilities- Classic Circle, Labels Two

Buttons: Doodlebug

Brads: Bazzill

Glitter: Doodlebug

A Hundred Hearts

This card was supposed to be for an OCC challenge a while back, but.....


The packaged flowers were my inspiration for the color scheme ('cause I'm pretty sure I would have never combined Melon Berry and Plum Pudding on my own).

The DP in the photo looks blue, but I swear it's purple. I just can't take good photos, is all.
I tried something new (for me) on this one; stamped directly on the flowers. I'm not sure why I haven't tried that before now; it looks pretty cool.
Materials used:
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink- White, Melon Berry, Plum Pudding
DP: Die Cuts with a View
Stamps: Verve- Hundred Hearts
Inks: Versafine- Onyx Black; Papertrey Ink- Lavender Moon, Plum Pudding
Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities- Peony
Border Punch: Fiskars
Flowers: Prima
Ribbon: unknown
Pearls: Kaidercraft
Well, just in case I don't get to talk to you again before then, I hope everyone has a wonderful Independence Day. Please take a moment to remember what this day is all about, and the freedoms we are fortunate enough to have. (off my soapbox now).
Love to you all!

Blog Candy!

Ann from Creative Antics is celebrating her one year blogoversary with scrumptious blog candy being offered to a lucky someone. Check it out, and sign up! {Good luck to me} Hee!

Twinkle Twinkle

Hi everybody- Happy Humpday!
It's a beautiful day here, not too hot, although we could desperately use some rain. My lawn is "crunchy".
Today's card is for the sketch challenge at Stamps and Smiles. It is also for the High Hopes challenge (to use stars or stripes- {I've got both!- Hee!})
Also, a teeny little shout out to my son, even though he'll never read this. (He thinks people who blog are "dorks"). He got his driver's license yesterday! Help us all, they will indeed give anyone a license. Stay off the sidewalks, ladies!
Anywho, here's what's in this card:
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink- White, Summer Sunrise, Spring Moss, New Leaf, Aqua Mist
DP: My Mind's Eye- Grow
Stamps: Pink Cat Studio- Sweet Pea stamps
Markers: Copic, Spica
Broder Punch: Fiskars- Apron Lace
That's all for now, hope everyone enjoys the rest of the day!