PTI February Blog Hop: Monograms

  

Watercoloring was too much fun last time my son and I did it together, so we pulled them out again this morning and I made another stationary set for PTI's February Blog Hop.  Really it takes three minutes tops to make one card (less once you have the colors you want mixed), so it takes practically no time at all to make a set. I watercolored stripes on a paper, die cut the oval out with PTI's 2 1/4" Oval Dies, and finally die cut the "J" from PTI's Script Alphabet dies. I kind of love stationary because you can't do too much or their won't be room to write.  The simplicity makes me happy.

Okay, and here is the second type of card I made.  I got the idea for this one from stationary I saw at minted.com (LOVE that place). It took about two seconds to make. I die cut the letters out of a post-it note using PTI's uppercase script alphabet dies, masked a strip on the cardstock, mixed a few watercolors together to get the shades I wanted, and painted. And that's it.

Papertrey February Blog Hop: Monograms

Papertrey's February Blog Hop Challenge is to use monograms.  I had lots of fun ideas, but in the end went with the fastest and easiest...stationary.  Stationary always reminds me of my mother (she writes notes all the time...I still love getting snail mail), so I made it for her.  I just pulled out a bunch of stamp sets, drew a 1 3/4" circle and started stamping away (using this journal as inspiration). I did do a trial run in black ink to get an idea of where I wanted to stamp everything, but my time was limited, so I basically just winged it and hoped the colors would come out fairly balanced.
Supplies 
Stamps: CTMH (Chocolate Alphabet Small), PTI (Daydreamer, Happy Hexagons, Polka Dot Basics, Turning a New Leaf)
Ink: PTI (Berry Sorbet, Spring Moss), SU (Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron)
Cardstock: Rustic White

Monogrammed Post-It Notes

I wanted to make something I'd actually use for Papertrey's February Blog Hop Monogram Challenge, and I use post-it notes all the time, so I thought I'd make them slightly more attractive to carry around in my purse or have out on the counter.   I got the idea for this one from stationary I saw at minted.com, and it was another three or four minute project.  I die cut the "l" out of a post-it note using PTI's Block Alphabet Dies.  Then I used it as a mask while I painted some strokes with white acrylic paint onto aqua mist cardstock.  Post-it Notes are conveniently 3'x3", so I cut the cardstock at 3 1/4"x6 7/8" and scored 3 1/4" in from the top and the bottom to create the simple holder.

PTI MIM #104: Pinwheels & RS#51

 

 

This week's Make It Monday Challenge at Papertrey was to make a handmade pinwheel.  It's been a long time since I made one, so it was fun to do again.  I used pinking sheers to make the slits and I like the little touch it adds to the pinwheel, which is made from a My Mind's Eye 6x6 pad that I love love love, but have never used...still trying to break that habit. :)  I used PTI's soft stone cardstock as the base and chicken wire is from PTI's Background Basics: Farm & Barn.  My son says "messy" every time he sees the room I craft in whether the door is open or not (and whether it is clean or not), which has been pretty good motivation to de-junk again.  That's how I happened upon these really old embellishments from Making Memories that I used on the card.

I made this super bright card using RetroSketches Challenge #51. It's a fun sketch, and I can definitely see myself using it again.  The sentiment is from All About You (The Alley Way Stamps).  A different font for me, but in a good way and perfect for the teenager this card is going to. 

 

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CTS #15: Welcome Little One

Another quick post of a card I made last night for (CAS)E This Sketch #15.  Submissions for this sketch close in 30 minutes.  Nothing like cutting it close, right?    My sister will be having a baby Wednesday (or sooner), so this is for her.  In retrospect, I wish I would have stamped a very light background first, but I didn't have time to redo the card.  Oh, well.  Onesies are always cute, right?

(CAS)E This Sketch Challenge #15

I made this card a couple days ago for (CAS)E This Sketch Challenge #15.  I love these sketches and had only intended to use a small panel of color on the right side, but due to a giant stamping error  and me not wanting to throw the whole card base away, the panel got quite a bit bigger.  I'm loving the orange, pomegranate, turquoise color combo these days.

PTI Accessory Challenge: Interchangeable Onesie Part 4

Okay, this is my last post for PTI's Homemade Accessory Challenge, and it is the fourth and last of the accessories I made for my niece's onesie with interchangeable accessories.  All of the accessories were really easy to make, and I love how this one turned out. (I'm sure it has something to do with how much I've been loving PTI's Beautiful Butterfly dies lately and that I chose one of my very favorite color combos.  You can see the rest of the velcro interchangeable accessories I made in these posts: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

Supplies
Dies: PTI (Beautiful Butterflies)
Other: Hobby Lobby (felt, thread, velcro), Michaels (ribbon, button), Target (onesie)

PTI Accessory Challenge: Interchangeable Onesie Part 3

The Papertrey challenge on Nichole Heady's blog today was to make a homemade accessory.  This is the third accessory I made as part of my soon-to-be-born niece's interchangeable onesie.  it was super easy to make.  I just die cut all three of PTI's Notched Flower dies then sewed them on with a button.  The felt I used is kind of thin, and I found that the dies cut through the felt cleaner if I put a peace of thin cardstock underneath the felt while I was diecutting.  The only thing I wish I would have done different is used a colored thread to sew on the button instead of white, but the beauty of all these accessories having Velcro on the back is that I can always make another one.  (To see the other interchangeable accessories go here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 4.)

Supplies
Die: PTI (Notched Flowers)
Other: Hobby Lobby (felt, thread, velcro), PTI (Vintage Cream Button), Target (Onesie)

PTI Accessory Challenge: Interchangeable Onesie Part 2

Here's another project I made for PTI's Homemade Accessory Challenge.  It is the second accessory I made for my niece's interchangeable onesie.  I adhered these flowers all on a large piece of felt that has velcro on the back, so it can be changed out with the other onesie accessories.
(To see the other interchangeable accessories for the onesie go here: Part 1, Part 3, Part 4.  For a little more detailed explanation on these flowers, you can view this post.)

Supplies

Dies: PTI (Flippin' Out)

Others: Hobby Lobby (orange felt, rhinestones, thread, velcro),  JoAnn's (felt flower garland), Target (onesie)

PTI Accessory Challenge: Interchangeable Onesie Intro.

For PTI's Homemade Accessory Challenge I decided to make an interchangeable onesie.  This idea sort of evolved. I first made these larger flower hair accessories, but then I decided I should make one for my niece who is due to be born any time now.  I made a smaller version of the rolled felt flower, but then I remembered how my sister didn't really start putting things in her oldest daughter's hair until she was over a year old, and I wanted this new baby to have something now.  That's when the idea for an embellished onesie popped into my head.  The only trouble was that I had more ideas for embellishments, so I decided to make it an interchangeable onesie.  I sewed a velcro square onto the onesie and each of the accessories has velcro sewed onto the back as well.  It makes it easy to change the accessories out and easy to wash the onesie.  All good things.

Sorry about the colors in this last photo, but here is what the flower looks like on the onesie. (Go to this post to see more information on the flower itself.  The only difference is that I made this flower quite a bit smaller in width and length than the ones in the previous post.) Oh, and I thought that I should mention that it's really important to use velcro withOUT adhesive on the back.  In case you're wondering, if you accidentally grab the wrong (adhesive backed) velcro one of the times you go to sew, it will gum up and ruin your sewing machine's needle, and you may have to finish sewing the rest by hand if you don't have a spare needle on hand.  Not that I did that or anything. ;)
You can see the other interchangeable accessories I made in these posts: Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4.

Supplies

Dies: PTI (Simple Circles)

Others: Hobby Lobby (felt, thread, velcro),  Target (onesie)

PTI Challenge: Homemade Hair Accessory

Just a quick post showing another set of hair accessories that I made for PTI's Homemade Accessory Challenge.  For some reason I only took one photo of this set.  All the flowers actually came on a garland I bought at JoAnn's almost six years ago, but the pink flowers were just plain, so I die cut little orange flowers from PTI's Flippin' Out die, glued them on, then added a rhinestone in the middle.  I was pleasantly surprise to see that you can't even tell any difference between the flowers I kept as is and the ones I "doctored up".  (I forgot to take pictures of packaging, but you can see this post to see packaging I've done in the past.)

Supplies

Dies: PTI (Flippin' Out, Simple Circles)

Others: Hobby Lobby (felt, thread, rhinestones), Sally's (Metal Double Prong Clips), JoAnn's (felt flower garland), Michael's (ribbon)

PTI Challenge: Homemade Accessories

  

I am super excited about the new Boutique Accessories and Clever Barrettes dies that release tomorrow at Papertrey Ink.  I don't have any girls in my home (except for me of course :) ), but I have eight nieces and two more are due to arrive within the next month.  I'll be able to get plenty of use out these dies.  Plus, I just enjoy making hair accessories and products that can make that process easier are pretty exciting.  Today the challenge at PTI was to make a homemade accessory.  I got a little carried away.  I think I have about five or six posts to do.

So the first thing I did was make a set of rolled flower hair accessories for three of my nieces.  I roughly followed this tutorial (I didn't really read it, I just looked at the pictures).  One big change I made was instead of gluing the strip, I sewed it.  I made two big flowers and one small flower and turned then into a ponytail elastic, a headband, and a clip.

And as you can see, each accessory tucks quite nicely into PTI's Favor It #1 Box.

Supplies
Stamps: PTI (Background Basics: Farm & Barn, Tremendous Treats: Valentine)
Ink: SU (Real Red)
Cardstock: PTI (Pure Poppy, Stamper's Select White, True Black)
Dies: PTI (1 3/4" Limitless Layers Circle Dies, Favor It Box #1, Simple Circles)
Other: Hobby Lobby (felt, thread, felt headband, Velcro), Sally's (Metal Double Prong Clips, ponytail elastic), Michael's (ribbon)

Muse #4 & PTI Watercolor Challenge

Here's a different take on PTI's Watercolor Challenge.  It's actually the first card that I made for PTI's watercolor challenge because when I saw the challenge I immediately thought of this week's Muse #4 Challenge.   This is the Muse inspiration card by the extremely talented Therese Calvrid.  Obviously I loved it because I essentially kept the same layout and even mimicked the image.

I colored the image with Stampin' Ups watercolor crayons.  

Supplies

Stamps: PTI (Friendship Jar: Summer Fillers, Round & Round)

Ink: StazOn (black), CTMH (Amethyst)

Paper: AC (Tropicals), DCWV (Baby), Michaels (watercolor paper), PTI (Rustic White)

Other: PTI (Tiny Tags die), SU (watercolor crayons), The Twinery (Peapod Twine)

PTI Water Color Challenge Card (yes, another!)

This is another super quick card I made for PTI's watercolor challenge using more butterflies that I diecut out of my son's watercoloring masterpieces this morning (you can see them here).
Supplies
Stamps: PTI (Round & Round, Turning a New Leaf)
Ink: SU (Always Artichoke)
Paper: PTI (Kraft), Michaels (Watercolor paper)
Dies: PTI (Beautiful Butterflies)

PTI Water Color Challenge & DT Favorites Inspiration Challenge: Melissa

This card was inspired by one of the amazing Melissa Philips' favorites. I know it looks nothing like a "Melissa card" which are so recognizable, but I know my limits.  (I've even tried breaking out a few times during PTI's anniversary challenges, and I ended up not liking the final project.) I loved Melissa's layout, but I'm rarely successful with a lot of layers, so I just simplified it...a lot. (I used the middle card in the second column as inspiration.)

I also made this card for PTI's watercolor challenge, though I cannot take credit for the watercolored butterflies on my card.  My cute little son would be the artist behind that.  (You can read more and see the little artist in action here.)  I just took what he watercolored and die cut it.

Supplies
Stamps: PTI (Mat Stack 3 Collection, Think Big Favorites #19)
Ink: SU (Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky)
Paper: AC (Tropicals), PTI (Rustic White), SEI (Poppy), Michaels (Watercolor paper)
Other: CTMH (hemp), PTI (Vintage Cream button, Beautiful Butterflies die, Mat Stack 3 die, coaster), watercolors

PTI Watercolor Challenge

Today's challenge at PTI is to use watercolors.  Watercolors always make me think of my mom and my sister.  They both have created the most beautiful pieces of art using this medium.  I, on the other hand, am not so good at watercoloring.  It's so much harder than it looks (at least in my opinion). A few years back we stayed at a family cabin and my mom brought a bunch of inexpensive watercolors for ALL of us (yes, even the men) to paint pictures with.  She sent the leftovers with me, and they've sat untouched until today.  When I saw PTI's challenge I thought this would be something my little boy could help me with.  He's almost 20 months and this was his first time painting.  He loved it!  He was so serious at first, then he really let loose and just started covering the pages.  I decided to use his artwork to make my cards.  Here's a couple pictures of the little artist hard at work.

 After he painted a page I cut the hearts out and quickly snapped a picture.

Then when he took a nap I turned the hearts into these valentines that he'll be giving to family.  I'm gonna be honest: it's going to be really hard for me to give these away. I think they turned out so stinkin' cute.  I was so proud of him.  For sure this was the best craft "I've" ever done.

Supplies

Stamps: PTI (Fabulous Frames)

Ink: CTMH (Denim)

Cardstock: PTI (Rustic White, Rustic Cream, Soft Stone), Michaels (watercolor paper)

Other: watercolors

PTI Color Inspiration #6 & DT Inspiration Challenges



This card is for two PTI challenges - Nichole's color inspiration challenge and the DT favorites inspiration challenge.  I used color inspiration #6 again and took inspiration from two cards by Cristina. 

 

Supplies

Stamps: PTI (Fabulous Frames)

Cardstock: PTI (Hawaiian Shores, New Leaf, Orange Zest, Raspberry Fizz, Stamper's Select White, Summer Sunrise)

Ink: PTI (True Black)

Other: SU (3/4" square punch)

CTS#14 & PTI Color Inspiration #5

This card was made using inspiration from CAS(E) this Sketch #14 (I sort of flip-flopped everything) and Nichole's color inspiration #5.  This color combo is one I would normally not choose to use, but I made this card for an aunt of mine and the colors seem to fit her.

 

Supplies

Stamps: PTI (pretty peonies)

Ink: CTMH (cranberry)

Cardstock: PTI (rustic cream, kraft, melon berry, scarlet jewel, soft stone)

Other: 1" circle punch, 2 1/2" circle punch

PTI 6th Anniversary Color Challenge & DT Inspired Challenge

A quick post to share a circle card/tag I made for a new nephew of mine.  The PTI challenge today is to use one of Nichole's color inspirations on a project.  I used #6. The tag flips open and the message is written inside.   This tag was also inspired by Maile Belles. (The card in the middle right.)

 

Supplies

Stamps: PTI (Baby Button Bits, Bitty Baby Blessings, Fabulous Frames)

Ink: PTI (Hawaiian Shores, New Leaf, Raspberry Fizz), SU (Apricot Appeal, Pumpkin Pie)

Other: Marvy Uchida (2 1/2" circle punch), button

PTI's 6th Anniversary Gift Wrap Challenge (Take 6)

Okay, this is my last entry for PTI's 6th Anniversary Gift Wrap Challenge.  And it's my favorite because I made this one for my son for Valentine's Day, and I know he's going to be super excited about the pirate (and of course the treats inside).  This was my Pinterest inspiration photo.


Source

I loved the stamped burlap in the inspiration photo, so I stamped the polka dots from PTI's Botanical Silhouettes in True Black ink on the burlap that wraps around the bottle.

Supplies
Stamps: PTI (Botanical Silhouettes, Tiny Treats: Birthday, Tremendous Treat: Birthday, Tremendous Treats: Valentine)
Ink: PTI (true black)
Cardstock: PTI (pure poppy, rustic cream, true black)
Other: PTI (2 1/4" Limitless Layers Oval Dies), SU (1 1/4" Punch, 1 3/8" Punch), Hobby Lobby (burlap), DMC (red embroidery floss), colored pencils