Saturday, May 16, 2009

KW color Inspiration #52






I love this pallet don't you? It is a hard one to work with. Hard to balance the warmth of the yellow with the cool grey and blue. When I made this card I figured I would do it as a double play. So I am also playing along with 365 cards, with challenge #79 Mondays Manufacturer, so I uses a lot of PTI, and Cuttlebug as those are my fave manuf.'s at the mo.

I made this beach theme card because that is what I thought of when I saw the colour palette. I love how the two yellows combine together to give such a warm sunny feeling.

I tried to just achieve the texture of a beach with the help of my cuttlebug embossing folders.

And the Pink Cat sentiment just went so well with this card, I couldn't wait to ink it up!

( I know I do get excited about the craziest things! ) LOL

I hope you have sunshine in your day!

R


It's all in the Ingredients:

Paper- PTI white, aqua mist, SU! saffron, ( shinny mustard so don't know), WW grey

Stamps- Pink Cat

Ink- PTI summer sunrise

Embellishments- Prima flowers, MM vintage brads, Cuttle bug swiss dots, divine swirl, Spellbinders large circles, pop dots, MS dove punch

Dawns colour challenge #5





What a wonderful picture of all those YUMMY PTI products! And I love the colours! I had fun with this one!

I am loving making blank cards right now. I am finding that too often I have a need for a card and I don't have just the right one! Although, like many of you I have 200 others! So... in an effort to remedy that I am working on a collection of blank cards to suit any occasion.

I hope you a have a chance to play with Dawns Color Challenge too!
R


It's all in the Ingredients:

Tea Pot Card:
Paper- PTI white, dark chocolate, berry sorbet,DCWV mint sparkle
Stamps-PTI tea for two, SU! flourish
Ink- PTI fresh sno, dark chocolate, Versamark
Embellishments- Recycled hearts(broken hair band), Offray ribbon, SU! corner rounder punch
Butterfly Card:
Paper- PTI white, dark chocolate, DCWV mint & coral sparkle paper
Embellishments- strand of pearls, PTI Berry Sorbet Satin Ribbon, Butterfly(cut with die at LSS), Cuttlebug swiss dots folder, SLICE design card #3, SU! corner rounder punch

Just Because...


Just because I finally had a moment to play with my SLICE! Whoohoo!
I must say I love my little SLICE. However, I don't take it out very often. I have not really figured out why. I think it is because my 1 yr old twins get into everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING!
So I took it out tonight at midnight, and started playing. Now I am tired and pleased that I had a mo to play.
I hope you take time for you JUST BECAUSE!
R

It's all in the Ingredients:
Paper- PTI pure poppy, MM notes
Stamps- PTI Damask
Ink- PTI Raspberry Fizz
Embellishments- Kaiser Bling, SLICE design card 3, Seasons card, Essential Packaging Organza flowers and leaf, MM vintage brad, Warm highlight glitter, Xyron sticker maker, strand of pearls, Offray black satin ribbon

Friday, May 15, 2009

Balanced Diet

I love this sentiment by Elzybells soooooooo... much! A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand; what a HOOT!
I think this is the moto I have lived my life by!
I hope you all have a wonderful Victoria Day!
R

It's all in the Ingredients:
Paper- SU! wasabi, WW brown, DCWV DP, MME DP, PTI white
Stamps- ELZYBELLS
Ink- PTI Dark chocolate, Memento Tux Black
Embellishments- hero arts gems, amuse mini twinkle stars, SU! corner rounder, COPICS

keep it to the corners


This is an interesting concept; keep your embelishments in the corners. I thought of all sort of wonderful things to do with this challenge. I had flowers and punches out; but ultimately, I felt that I needed to scale it back.
I decided to add a music background to it, to double play the challege. I am so far behind this week on my stamping. I really have not had any time for anything. And as time draws nearer to my holidays in the UK next month, stamping seems to get put on the back burner. Not willingly I tell you! LOL
So this is what I came up with. I am not sure how much I like it. I feel like it is missing a focus. I tried removing the birds. I tried having only one colour of bling. So any suggestions?
R

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Blood Type...

I have a husband who not only drinks coffee; but honestly NEEDS it. Without coffee he is shall we say on EDGE all day; and none of us want that, now do we?
So when I got this cute stamp set from Elzybells it was for my dear hubs, and all my friends who enjoy coffee, with great regularity.
I don't care for the stuff myself; with the exception of a once a year latte.
The funny thing is, I love the smell of coffee, and all things flavoured with coffee, especially icecream. ODD?
Cheers,
R

It's all in the Ingredients:
Paper- SU! so saffron, black, DCWV DP
Stamps- Elzybells- image and sentiment, SU! background stamps
Ink- Memento tux black, Color Box- Prussian Blue
Embellishments- Spellbinders large circles, Creative cafe buttons, Kaiser bling, COPICS, white pencil crayon

Trio of Delight

With this card I wanted to remind people that sentiments can be just as fun as images. So often we use sentiments for their original intent. Today I wanted to illustrate how much fun they can be to make your own DP.
The green card stock is stamped in versamark, with Elzybells sentiment one of those days. I love it. It is such a fun one as it makes the reader turn the card round and round to read it. Real cute, and real graphic.
Next on the tag, I used the same sentiment only stamped it in green, then layered a second sentiment on top. Don't you just love this effect?
Finally note Elzy herself, if you look closely you will see her pillow and blanket have been paper pieced. Paper piecing, is just stamping your image on DP, and cutting out the section you want in the pattern, then you adhere it to the rest of you coloured image. In this case I stamped it on 2 different DP's , as well as once on white.
This really helps those of you who hate to colour achieve wonderful images. Not to mention it really helps to tie in the DP on the rest of the card.

I hope you have a chance to give one of these techniques a try on your next card!
R

It's all in the Ingredients:
Paper- PTI leaf green, poppy red, white, Imaginisce DP
Stamps- Elzybells
Ink- Memento tux black, Versamark, COPICS, pop dots, Spellbinders, lrg circle, small scallop circles, Amuse bling, hole punch, hemp twine, red velvet ricrac,

Con- Grads!

This was a hard challenge for me. I don't know anyone graduating so I was not too inspired by this challenge.
But then I saw a tassle hanging out of my sewing kit, and thought right lets get the job done. So here is my hat,

And you will have to excuse me as I had no time to wait for the glue to dry before I took the photo. This is the underside, so it fits my daughters doll. She thinks this is real fun. Who knew a card would end up as DRESS UP CLOTHES?
R

Treating Yourself

As women, we don't often put ourselves first. I don't know if it is innate, or if we are so well trained by our mothers, to look after others; that we forget about ourselves. Either way, one thing is clear we need to treat ourselves every once in a while.

I made this card for several of the 365 challenges that I have missed in recent weeks. First lets talk about where it started. Recycling, that's right way back on Green Day. OK, I couldn't think of what to do. In fact I had too many ideas so it never got completed. So I looked at my list this week of unfinished projects, and the Recycling card was hanging over my head. I was eating an Popsicle, and that is where it all started. Then I looked around for some plastic, and I found wrapping off my kids diapers! Yes good things come from strange places!
Then I went back to my list, and thought right CANDY challenge done, and yes I can HAND WRITE my sentiment. That's right I have caught up 3 challenges in 1! It may seem cheeky, but to me it is BRILLIANT!

Now I know not all of us are going to rush out and treat ourselves today to the SPA, but perhaps a simple quiet moment and Latte, or a wonderful rich piece of chocolate?

Count your blessings, and treat yourself YOU DESERVE IT!
R

It's all in the Ingredients:
Paper- PTI leaf green, white, poppy red, DCWV- DP
Embellishments- SU! tag punches sm, and lrg, 1 1/2 " circle punch, pop dots, diaper plastic wrapping, Popsicle stick, hemp twine, orange marker, K&Co gems

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Happy MOthers Day to All!

Happy Mothers Day to everyone! I had a wonderful day away from my kids yesterday. I went to Seattle with my friend and we spent 18 hours shopping! I actually came home as usual with things only for my kids. But let's not get into that ongoing issue!
So today you are going to have to bare with me. I have a whole lot of cards to post. I will try to go back and post all the details if I get a chance.

I hope each of you have a wonderful day whether you are a Mother or Not!
R

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Kw#51 x 2

I am really feeling this happy color selection from Kristina this week. I have been playing around with the colours all day!
This is one of my very fave DP! And as luck would have it, it just works perfectly with this weeks colour inspiration.
I made this card for my BFF she is going through a very rough time with this economy. I am going to post it to her tomorrow. I hope it catches the "Pineapple Express to Hawaii"; she truly needs a pick me up.

I hope you too are having a great Stamping Day!
R

It's all in the Ingredients:
Paper- PTI sunrise, SU! choco chip, American Crafts- Roof Top Garden ( MMMmmm)
Stamps- SU! flourish, PTI sentiment
Ink- PTI fresh snow, dark choco
Embellishments- Hero Arts- gems, Offray ribbon, SU! scallop lace punch

KW#51

I am loving these colours they all work so well together. They create a balance and symmetry. I love how the bright pink is grounded by the Earthiness of the brown and mustard.

However, I can not decide where I like the bow. Can you help me?







What a fun and happy photo this is! Did you know you can send Kristina pictures for colour inspirations? She has a spot on her website, and that is such a fun idea. Amy sent Kristina the most wonderful picture for inspiration today. I love it. Almost as much as I love PTI Damask by Dawn McVey.


I have been having so much fun with this set. I love creating patterns. Do you too? Were you lucky enough to get this set too?

Happy Hump Day!


R


It's all in the Ingredients:

Paper-PTI sunrise, raspberry fizz, white


Stamps- PTI Damask


Ink- PTI dark choco, raspberry fizz, Color Box chalk mustard


Embellishments- PTI ribbon, coconut button ( Hawaii sorry), hemp twine


Tuesday, May 5, 2009

You are There...

Today at 365 it is Think Pink day.
I was going to post a bright pink card I made earlier this week but had not had a chance to post. But I decided that does not help the purpose of 365 cards. The whole idea is to make a card each day. With that said, I stuck to my guns and made a card.
I love this new little stamp by Inkadinkadoo. Are the birds not just too sweet for words? I love how sweet the pink is, it blends well with this cute stamp. I am usually a person who does not gravitate towards sweet stamps, so this is a real change for me. As is using this soft pink. I have a lot of it, I used it for my daughters ballet invites years ago. And since I have no idea what the colour is and who makes it, I figure it is time to use it up.
Do you get to that stage? Focus on trying to use paper?

It's all in the Ingredients:
Paper- pink?, DP fiscars
Stamp- Inkadinkadoo
Ink- SU! choco chip
Embellishments- Hero Arts gems, stickles icicle, pop dots








Yesterday at 365 Cards Pam challenged us to really think hard and make a different card.

"You are there and I am here"

I must say this sentiment challenge was VERY difficult.

I got out all sorts of stamps and started trying to think of how I was going to accomplish this. I had airplains, I had cute critters, I had knights and princesses, and then I decided to change my mind all together. No stamps at all. I tried thickers. I spelled the words out in all kinds of catchy ways; this too did not prove fruitful for me.


When at last the idea of cutting a simple paper suit case came to mind. And in the end simplicity won out!


I would love to see what you come up with. Please come join us at 365 cards, where there is a new challenge every day!


R

Mallow Out



Let's start off by saying this Elzybell Tea for Two set is just the cutest. I have had so much fun playing with it this month. I honestly can not get enough of it.

Looking at this card, I can almost smell hot cocoa; don't you feel the same way?


When I made this card I stamped and coloured the image in and then picked a sentiment to fit my mood. In hind sight, I should have put the marshmellows on top to suit the cute sentiment. But that is just not how it came together this time.


As for my mood let me explain...


Last night, ~UGH~ I said things I shouldn't have. Don't you hate when you do that? You know better yet you lose control?

Some times as adults we need to remember what we tell our children. "Think before you Speak", "Words can sometimes Hurt", "Don't say things you wouldn't want said to you". HMMMMM

What I now have to say to myself is mellow out! Go get some RETAIL THERAPY! I don't know about you but shopping always helps me get a grip!
R
It's all in the Ingredients:
Paper-PTI white, berry sorbet, SU! choco chip
Stamps- Elzybells- tea for two, SU! Flourish
Ink- PTI dark chocolate
Embellishments- stickles Icicle, Marvey scallop square punch, SU! circle punch, SU! corner rounder punch, pop dots, cuttlebug swiss dots folder, AC thickers


Monday, May 4, 2009

Mothers Day...


With Mothers Day quickly approaching I have to sit back and think .
I don't have any communication with my mother. And every year at this time I get mad, real mad. I don't get mad because I miss her, or wish her back in my life.
In fact quite the opposite, I get mad for all the things she missed out on. I get mad when I look at my kids and wonder how anyone could leave their young children. I get mad thinking how selfish it is to ever think of yourself before your children. I get mad at the moms who are out there who just don't seem to care about their kids, like being a mother is a right, not a privilege.
I get mad for the thousands of kids who grow up without a parent.

And then, I stop, I breathe, and I remember my life was better because she left.
My life is better because had my mother never left our family; my dad would never have remarried. And I would never have had the most wonderful step-mother there ever could be.

She fills every vacant spot my mother left and more. She is a mother and a friend to me; she is a bridge between me and my father. She has her own natural children, and grandchildren; yet she manages to love us all unconditionally and individually.
She helps me with my children every week, and she is there no matter what happens.
This year having had to deal with young twins in hospital, I got to realize just how important she is. She is the glue that holds our family together. She keeps me grounded, she comforts me and lets me cry when I need to. Without her I would not be a good mother. I did not have a good example of what a mother is until I met her.
She changed my life FOREVER!
My definition of Mother may be different than yours. But no matter what your definition is you need to be thankful for LIFE!

R

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Using numbers

I do not often advertise numbers on my cards. Perhaps this is because I would be horrified to see a number on my own birthday card!
This card was created for the challenge earlier this week to use numbers at 365 cards.
I made this card for my niece, I think when you are under 25 you are very proud and excited to celebrate your birthday. It is not until you officially have your 15th, 29th birthday that you begin to hate getting old!
Forever 29!
R

mmm Cookies!

Don't you just love hot cookies? Fresh of course just out of the oven. I love how the smell fills the house and lingers around in corners to remind you how sweet the cookies are.
OK I admit it, I need help!
I just can't help but think about cookies when playing with this fun set by Elzybells. The sentiments are so fun; and I can send them to any of my friends when they need a laugh, or pick me up.
R
It's all in the Ingredients:
Paper- SU! choco chip, PTI berry sorbet, Pebbles DP
Stamps- Elzybells
Ink- SU! choco chip
Embellishments: COPICS, Dollar store paper flowers, button(grans), pop dots

PTI Challenge, & 365 cards




Today over at Nichole Heady's blog; there is a challenge to use an inspiration picture to create a card. And over at 365 there was a challenge to use 8 flowers; as well as, earlier this week to use a leaf. So I decided to combine these 3 ideas, based on Lisa Johnson's gorgeous photo of the Tulip fields in Washington.
First I cut the luscious flower images out of PTI Raspberry Fizz Mix DP. Are those flowers not just yummy, and fresh on their own?
TIP- when you are cutting from DP and you have images that are only half there as they are part of the edge of the paper, don't think they are rubbish. Just position them on your paper project so they are also on an edge. This way it will look more natural, as well as allowing you to use all of your images from your DP.
Then I took lime green paper and made stems. This is shown in the first image above.
Finally I added leaves, which are actually lime green flower petals cut apart. I had these lime green flowers forever, and then one day it occurred to me they make the perfect leaf. Don't you agree?
TIP-When I have things that I don't like the way they are I try to think outside the box and reinvent them.
Perhaps you too have items in your paper craft supplies that need a new life. Give it a try I am sure you will find all those bits useful if you just be a little creative.
I hope you have a wonderful Weekend!
R
It's all in the Ingredients:
Paper- PTI white, Raspberry Fizz mix, scrap of lime green, scrap of blue
Stamps- PTI Damask sentiment
Ink- Black Brilliance
Embellishments- Hero Arts gems, MS butterfly punch, prima lime green flowers,cuttlebug swiss dots folder