My thoughts are with you (7 of 52)

clipped from cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com

Today I pulled together a quick card for a friend who didn't have time to go shopping. Look at me turning into the local (free) Hallmark.

I was drawing a complete blank, so I decided to do a quickie web search for some inspiration and came across this sketch from Card Positioning Systems. Sketches are such time savers, particularly when you feel like all your creative juices have dried up and you can't come up with one more thing.

So here is my masterpiece. I hope she likes it.

Supplies used: Paper - Basic Grey Sugared; Stamps - Clearly Wordsworth Comfort Collection, CTMH Felicity; Ink - CTMH Autumn Terracotta, Cocoa, Goldrush, Desert Sand; Ribbon - American Crafts, Offray; Adhesive - CTMH Liquid Glass, Scotch Foam Tape, Tombow Mono Liquid; WRMK Corner Chomper

Catch you later,
TJ

Papertrey Ink Blog Hop!

This month PTI customers get the chance to pay homage to their favourite Design Team members, as a thank you for all the inspiration they provide every day. My introduction to Papertrey Ink came in the form of a blog I accidentally visited whose author blew me away with her creations. Each day I returned I found something clean, beautiful, creative, and yes, inspirational. Reading Dawn McVey's blog every week gave me the courage to try my hand at cardmaking. So I present to you my Dawn inpired creation. It includes the 5 things that say "Dawn" to me - Kraft cardstock, Raspberry Fizz, ribbon, scallops, and polka dots.

I wanted to try my hand at those circle cards that seem to be popular right now; so I pulled out my Coluzzle and got to work. Since I'm new to the Papertrey family, I don't yet have the supplies I *need* but I did the best I could to represent Dawn with what I had on hand. First up is some kraft and raspberry fizz cardstock from the "Try Me" pack. Next is a little vellum window and some embossing with my darling little Sizzix Texture Boutique. In place of the much loved Polka Dot Basics II (gotta have this set), I used a Cuttlebug folder to get some dots on my vellum. I cut a window in the card base so that I could show off the embossing a little better, adhered a half circle with a scalloped border across the top, added some ribbon and a sentiment, and I was done. Enjoy!

Supplies used:
Cardstock - PTI Kraft, Raspberry Fizz, Vintage Cream; Vellum - Office Depot; Stamps - Inkadinkado Chelsea Sentiments; Ink - CTMH Barn Red, Colorbox Chalk Chestnut Roan and Creamy Brown; Embossing Folder - Cuttlebug Spots and Dots; Ribbon - Joann Fabrics; Punch - Fiskars Scalloped Sentiment, Coluzzle

I'd like to say a big Thank You to all the designers at Papertrey Ink for being a continuing source of inspiration for me and everyone else in "internet land".
You Guys Rock!

Laters,
TraceyJ

For My Friend JN (6 of 52)

Today, I'm sharing a little treat created for the birthday girl - my dear friend Jeannette. I don't get to see her every day, the way I used to, so I wanted to do something extra special.

I've been seeing the emboss resist technique everywhere lately and I wanted to give it a try, but I just couldn't find a stamp that worked well enough for me... until I happened across an old CTMH stamp of the month - You've Got Flair. It had a lovely medallion image that I felt would achieve the look I was going for, and it did. I embossed, and got to work with about 4 different inks. First, I went from light to dark to create a sort of gradient effect. Then I went back around the edges with the darkest colour until I had just the look I envisioned. I adhered it to a lovely piece of Basic Grey patterned paper, placed it on the card, and finished up with a sentiment from the January 2010 Stamp of the Month, a few puffy little heart stickers, and the best bow I've created yet. (A big thank you to the YouTube ribbon tying lessons from Kristina Werner and Dawn McVey)

And here are my ingredients:
Cardstock - PTI Kraft, Georgia Pacific White; Paper - BG Eva; Stamps - CTMH You've Got Flair, True Friends; Ink - Versamark, CTMH Barn Red, Blush, Chocolate, Hollyhock, Vineyard Berry; Stickers - K&Co Puffy Hearts; Embossing Powder - Ranger Super Fine Detail Clear; Ribbon - PTI Fresh Snow; WRMK Corner Chomper

Somethin Special (5 of 52)

Here's a little V Day card I created for my girl Nika - can't leave her out. The poor dear is trapped in a house full of boys, so you know I had to make her something girlie.

Flourishes abound on this sweet, swirly little number. I started with my Effervescence border punch from Fiskars so I could get lots of curves and circles. Then followed up with a beautiful K&Co heart flourish and finished off with a delicate bow.

Laters,
TraceyJ

Materials used: Cardstock - PTI, Bazzill; Paper - MM Cosmopolitan; Stamps - CTMH Somethin' Special, K&Co Seasonal; Ink - CTMH Blush and Hollyhock; Punch - Fiskars Effervescence; Ribbon - Offray; Adhesive - Tombow Mono Aqua; Scissors - Cutterbee

Hugs & Kisses (4 of 52)

Hugs & Kisses, originally uploaded by munzoo.

This is a little something I put together for my girl Nikki for V Day. It came together as I was watching a youtube video where the presenter was doing demo in which she punched both sides of the paper with a border punch. Now, it's not that this had never occurred to me before, but just watching her punch away made me think of pretty scallops and ribbon. So I grabbed a post it and sketched it down quickly before I forgot my idea and then I went in search of the perfect punch.
As I was cutting out the sentiment, I thought of all those cool Nestabilities tags I've been seeing all over the net. But I have none, so I improvised with the Corner Chomper. I'm thinking it turned out ok. Inked up everything with Brown Bag by CTMH and called it done. I'm really liking this look. I'll definitely be trying it in the future with some other border punches I own.

On a side note, I was watching Run Fat Boy Run this morning, and I have to say, I highly recommend it. I won't lie and tell you it's the best movie I've ever seen, but it was so fun, and the ending had me in tears. I thoroughly enjoyed it and so will you.

On to the ingredients of this card:
Cardstock - PTI and Bazzill; Paper - BG Eva; Stamps - Inkadinkado Hearts & Love; Ink - CTMH Brown Bag, Blush, Garnet, Black; Punch - MS Doily Lace; Ribbon - Dots & Dashes; Adhesive - Glue Dots, Tombow Mono Aqua, Scotch Foam Tape.

Until next time,
TraceyJ

{Heart} U (3 of 52)

Silly girl, after you make them you have to post them. How else do we keep track?

Yes, there will be much catching up today. I was blurfing, looking for some inspiration when I decided to check out the ol' blog. Immediately I realised I had not posted any of my weekly cards since January. Uh oh! What this means for you is that there will be a whole bunch of insane posts in the next day from yours truly. (It's the only way I'll get caught up)

N-E-Wayz, here is the first of many - a little something I put together for my girl Ali. Anyone who knows her is aware that she is a big holiday girl, with Valentine's Day topping the list.

This little gem has got some faux stitching, heat embossing, and a touch of the gold leafing with a paint marker. I really enjoyed making it and I especially like the end result.
(In case you're wondering, yes, she loved it)

Here's what I used:
Cardstock - PTI and Bazzill; Paper - MM Cosmopolitan; Stamps - CTMH Chocolate Alpha, K&Co Seasonal Stamps; Ink - Colorbox Frost White, CTMH Garnet; Ribbon - AC; Pens - Elmers Gold Leaf, Uniball Signo Broad; Punch - Fiskars My Funny Valentine and Upper Crest; Zing embossing powder; WRMK Corner Chomper

Laters,
TJ

Love (Card 2 of 52)

All week I've been feeling a little under the weather - tired, achy, sniffly... Well today I woke up with a runny nose and a sore throat. I figured that meant I wouldn't actually manage to make a card this week. Since this is only the second week, I felt that it was way too early to start skipping, so I pushed myself to get it done and I'm glad I did. This week's card is for my mom who always pushes through to get things done, especially when she's feeling less than 100%. Love you Momma!

My inspiration for this card came from a sketch I found on the Sweet Stop blog. So here it is - Sketch #SSS39. Enjoy!

I covered the card base with paper, punched out a border, added some chipboard, and finished it off with a bow.

See you next week!

Supplies used: Paper - Basic Grey Eva Collection; Chipboard - 3Birds; Punch - Fiskars Scalloped Sentiments; Adhesive - Tombo Mono Aqua Liquid Glue, ATG 714.

Hey There Sunshine

Here it is, week 1 of my 52 week cardmaking journey.

When I realised it was 9:30pm on Saturday night and I still hadn't posted, I knew simple and quick was the order of the day. Unfortunately, with my stash, that's easier said than done. Oh the stress of finding the right paper combo, the perfect stamp, and the right embellishment. At 10:30 I realised I'd never be done without some serious help, so I turned to cyberspace and found this sketch from the Card Patterns blog.

And I finally managed to grasp that concept embraced by cardmakers everywhere: Keep It Simple Stupid! So I did. And here it is - my take on Sketch 46 from Card Patterns:

This is just a simple white card base coloured with ink, an old tag, and a chipboard sticker. I didn't think I'd like it, but I think it came together very well. Yeah me!
Here's hoping the sunshine really does come back out. My toes are ice cubes in my socks and I live in sunny Florida! Hey there Mr. Sun, send us a little of your warmth please.
See you next week...

Supplies used: Inks - CTMH Buttercup, Creme Brulee, & Chocolate; Sticker - DCWV Latte Collection; Tag - Colorbok; Ribbon - Offray; Card Base - Value Pack from Michaels; Rhinestones from a swap; Tombow Mono Aqua Glue; Ranger Glossy Accents

New Year, New You

It's that time of year when we reflect on the past and look hopefully towards the future. Those who know me are aware that I don't believe in the whole "New Year's Resolution" thing, so I won't even bother to list some here.

I will say that I am still determined to use up my stash. To that end, I've been exploring the wide world of Amazon looking for some idea books to help me out, and I found this one: A Card A Day by the lovely people at Paper Crafts Magazine. Now I can't see me making a card a day for a whole year, but I figure I can manage 52 cards in 52 weeks, so I think I'll give that a try. I may end up doing more, but I figure this is a doable goal. And it will have the added benefit of giving me room to get some of the gorgeous new stuff I know is coming. (What can I say, it's an addiction.)

I haven't started yet, but I decided to post a little something I did for a girlfriend of mine who finds herself a year older this week. The card is based on a Mojo Monday sketch I found a few weeks ago.

Supplies used: Basic Cardstock; CTMH Stamps Set - Surprise; CTMH Markers - Honey, Crystal Blue; Tombow Dual Brush Marker Blender Pen; Inks - ColorBox Frost White & Memento Tuxedo Black; EK Success Border Punch - Diamond Lace; Perfect Pearls; Cuttlebug Embossing Folders - Moroccan Screen & Herringbone; American Crafts Zing Embossing Powder in White; Spellbinders Nestabilities - Labels 3; Sizzix BigKick; Ribbon from Michaels; Tombow Mono Liquid Glue