Monday, August 31, 2009

Pearls


I love pearls. A single strand of pearls is truely classic. Pearls are the focus of last week's
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday challenge; the deadline is this evening. I made a small gift card using Thinking of You and Vintage Wallpaper, both by Flourishes. I used Aqua Mist ink by PTI and mounted on a card base of Aqua Mist cardstock. Thanks for looking and happy stamping.
Cammie

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

PTI's Blog Hop



Hello everyone! I am so pleased to be able to participate in this month's blog hop. I'm going to have a snack or maybe a glass of wine and be inspired by you talented stampers!

Here is my humble contribution to tonight's festivities.


(You may click on photo for a larger image.)

I know everyone is quite busy, moving from blog to blog, so here is the scoop on my card. I took Nichole's suggestion to try some fabric on a card. Because I spent so much money lately on crafting, I didn't want to buy any fabric even if it was just a bit for a card. I'm not really into sewing, so I don't have many fabric scraps either. However, I did make ten pillows for porch furniture a couple of years ago, so I chose to use some of the black ticking remnant for my card. I used a scalloped rectangle Nestabilities to cut it; I did have to run it through the Cuttlebug several times. After sewing it onto Summer Sunrise, I chose to mount in on an angle on the card for a little interest. I thought the Basic Grey paper was an good complement to the ticking. The edges of paper were already distressed; however, after cutting it, I needed to distress the "new edges"; I used Ranger ink and a dauber to accomplish this. I colored the sunflowers from the new set, Autumn Abundance, with Prismacolor pencils and blended with baby oil. Again, the ticking reminded me of creamware, so I kept the pitcher light. Finishing touches include a few black buttons with twine. The end product may not be the most autumn hued (That may not be a word in the Oxford dictionary, but if Walt Whitman could create words for his poetry, I'll create some for my blog), but I enjoyed making the card, and the enjoyment this hobby brings is most important. So enjoy this evening as you blog hop, enjoy your time stamping and papercrafting, and enjoy making that next PTI order!

Cammie

Supplies:
Stamps: Autumn Abundance (PTI)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Antique Linen (Ranger)
Paper: Vintage Cream, Summer Sunrise, True Black (PTI), Ambrosia 6x6 Pad (Basic Grey)
Other: Scalloped Rectangle Nestabilities, Prismacolor pencils, buttons (Paper Studio), Rustic Cream Button Twine(PTI)

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Cherry Retro


(Click on photo for larger image)

When I saw this dp, I knew I had to use it with Everyday Button Basics. This card reminds me of a kitchy 50s kitchen. Such a happy environment. I can just see the perfect little wife and mother in her shirtwaist dress, heels, and pearls putting a roast in the oven. ( Why a roast? Well, I cooked a roast with carrots and potatoes this week, not in the oven though--in the crock pot. And I wasn't wearing a dress, heels, or pearls--try tank, shorts, and flip-flops.)
Back to the card. This is one that came together quickly for me with no mishaps along the way. I did notice the bow is a little wonky in the photo.
I'm off to exercise and do a few chores around the house. This evening we're heading to an Irish festival, supporting Second Harvest food bank. Some Irish music, crafts, food, and a beer and wine garden. Should be a fun evening down town. Hope you have some fun planned this weekend. Thanks for stopping by.
Cammie

Supplies:
Stamps:Everyday Button Basics (PTI)
Ink: Paris Dusk(Memento)
Paper: Cherry Pie (Jenni Bowlin), Rustic Cream, Pure Poppy, Kraft (PTI)
Other: Pure Poppy Vintage Buttons (PTI), Scalloped punch (EK Success)

Friday, August 21, 2009

Stamping Christmas at the Log House in the Woods


Oh boy, I finally get to post a card for Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge that doesn't use Sweet Violets. Don't get me wrong; I love that stamp set, but there are other beautiful Flourishes stamps. So I ordered all the newly released stamps and some others that had been on my wish list. Now I am an official card carrying member of FLIP. Read about this program here. This week's challenge is a color challenge-red, black, olive, and a neutral. I knew the strawberries or cherries would be perfect for this. So the question was when would my new stamps arrive? The question was answered on Wednesdsay when the postwoman delivered two boxes-one from Flourishes and one from PTI--stamping Christmas at the log house in the woods. Yesterday I sharpened the Prismas and inked the strawberries. Flourishes' stamps give a beautiful impression the first time! I look forward to stamping with more stamps from Flourishes.



Check on photo for larger image.

Thanks for stopping by,
Cammie

Supplies:
Stamps: Strawberries(Flourishes)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Paper: Stampers Select White, True Black,Pure Poppy, Bitty Dot Basics (PTI), Gingham (Paper Studio)
Other: Classic Rectangle and Circle Nestabilities, Ripe Avocado twill ribbon (PTI),Prismacolor Pencils

Thursday, August 20, 2009

A Sunny Card on a Dreary Day

Thunderstorms are rolling through this morning. I actually dark rainy mornings with the window open so I can listen to the rain. Of course, this morning is so muggy, the window was open for about five minutes before I had to shut it.

Tiny bursts of yellow and black--goldfinches darting from the crepe myrtle to the bird feeder or feeding on rubdeckia. These tiny birds were the inspiration for my card for this week's Crafty Secrets challenge to use yellow. I love this fairystamp --I've always thought the idea of fairies was so interesting. I love fairy houses in gardens, although my garden is lacking tiny cottages for them, so I don't guess I'll see any fairies in my garden. When we visited Ireland a few years ago, I was so excited when one the hotels in Galway advertised a fairy ring in the woods on the property. Well, the clerk obviously hadn't read the blurb in the travel book because she gave me quite a look when I asked for directions. Most of the travelers were interested in the golf course on the property, and I was the crazy American woman asking about fairy rings. DH and I had a lovely walk in the magical woods, the trees talked to us; ok, they creaked in the wind, but we never found the fairy wing.




For this card I used an image from Fairyland and some recently purchased paper from Basic Grey. It was actually 50 % off at LSS (How I love seeing those sale signs!) Does anyone else walk through LSS with samples of PTI cardstock matching to DP? OK, back to the card, I used a crumpled paper flower in the corner because a. it added the right touch, b. it was sitting on the desk, longing to be placed on a card, c. it was necessary to cover the wonky stitching in the corner of the card. And the correct is..... C I haven't perfected turning a corner and keeping the same width between the stitching and edge of paper, so cover up was necessary.

Personal note to help me be more accountable--I've headed back to the gym this month after becoming such a slacker-three times last week and twice already this week.

Thanks for stopping by,
Cammie
Supplies:
Stamps:Fairyland (Clear Art Stamps)
Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento)
Paper:Dreamsickle(Basic Grey), Vintage Cream, Lemon Tart (PTI)
Other: Labels 4, Cuttlebug flower die, pearls, Prismacolor pencils

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Timeless Tuesday on Thursday


(Click on image to enlarge.)

This week's Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge is to use scoring on a card. I stamped the small Sweet Violets image on Vintage Cream cardstock, using Vintage Sepia ink. I colored it with Prismacolor pencils. I cut the image with a rectangle die and mounted the image on a scalloped rectangle in Spring Moss. I stamped Vintage Wallpaper background onto Lavender Moon cardstock in Versmark Champagne Dazzle. I like the subtle glitter in Dazzle ink. It looks much prettier in person. Then I scored Spring Moss for the bottom portion. Finishing touches include a cream scallop and Spring Moss twill ribbon and bow. I like this color combination. I'm looking forward to puchasing some Flourish stamps tomorrow night. If you haven't checked out the sneek peaks you need to go here. Oh yea, did you notice I finally have a Timeless Tuesday gadget? I've had trouble with the code for the blinkie, so for now I simply have a still shot.
Thanks for stopping by,
Cammie
Supplies:
Stamps: Sweet Violets, Vintage Wallpaper (Flourishes)
Ink: Vintage Sepia (Versafine), Versmark Champagne Dazzle
Paper: Lavender Moon, Spring Moss, Vintage Cream (PTI)
Other, Spellbinders dies, Spring Moss Twill ribbon (PTI), Prismacolor Pencils,Fiskars border punch

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Greetings from the Other Side


I made this card for this week's Crafty Secrets Challenge on SCS. The challenge is to use a frame.
I used one of my new little stamps from Mouse Party, such cute little rodents! I colored him with Prismacolor pencils , used Stickles on the pom-poms on the hat and a glitter pen on the buttons, and cut the image so that he would cover part of the frame. The sentiment is from Wildflowers. To complete the idea of a picture, I used twine and a button to hang my picture. For the background, I used Aqua Mist stamped with Polka Dot Basics in Versmark and heat set with clear embossing powder for the top portion and Dotty Dude paper for the lower portion. This paper from My Mind's Eye has several colors that work well with PTI cardstock. The red base matches the frame.
I'm off to stamp some more.
Cammie
Supplies:
Stamps: Mouse Party, Wildflowers (Clear Art Stamps), Polka Dot Basics (PTI)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Versamark
Paper: Dotty Dude (My Minds Eye), Aqua Mist, Lemon Tart, Pure Poppy, Stamper's Select White (PTI)
Other: Aqua Mist Vintage Button ,twine (PTI), Prismacolor Pencils,Scalloped border punch (EK Success)

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Golden Violets

Click on image for larger view.


Flourishes is sponsoring another contest to celebrate their second birthday. This time the contest is to make a card that has some glamour to it. This not easy for me; I'm not into a lot of bling, so this card definitely has an understated glamour to it with simple gold on white. I stamped the small Sweet Violets image and then cut it out with Labels 4 die. While it was still in the die, I used a gold pen to outline. Using the next larger Labels 4 die, I cut another label which I sponged with the ink pad while it was still in the die. I wanted it to have a white edge to it just like the smaller shape. The background design Vintage Wallpaper. The card base was sponged with the gold ink around the edges. I was going to use gold ribbon, but the gold ribbon I had was too bright for the subtle, aged look of the card, so I went with a simple white satin ribbon and bow. The winner of this contest wins this month's release! I'm crossing my fingers.

Cammie

Supplies:
Stamps-Sweet Violets and Vintage Wallpaper (Flourishes)
Ink:Gold (Martha Stewart)
Paper: Georgia Pacific
Other: Labels 4 (Spellbinders), white satin ribbon


Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Flourishes Birthday



Happy Birthday to Flourishes. This stamp company produces such beautiful images. Although, my collection of their stamps is very small, I plan to add more this month. I already have previously released sets on my wish list, but I am waiting to see what this month's release will be on the fourteenth.

I love the Sweet Violets stamp set. I don't think I will ever get tired of coloring it. Because the image is so pretty, I think it lends itself to a clean and simple style. I went with a soft look for this card.
Thanks for stopping by,
Cammie
Supplies:
Stamps: Sweet Violets (Flourishes)
Ink: Vintage Sepia (Versafine), Plum Pudding (PTI)
Paper: Vintage Cream, Lemon Tart (PTI)
Other: Lemon Tart twill ribbon (PTI), Cuttlebug embossing folder, Spellbinders ribbon tag,Prisma colored pencils