Raspberry Suite Color Challenge #7

Hello. Here's my take on Raspberry Suite Color Challenge #7. For the flower and leaf, I tried this watercolor technique, originally posted here. I used just plain cardstock as I didn't have any shimmery on hand. I was pleased with the results but it did take a lot of work to keep the paper wet enough to blend the color. The video on Patty Bennett's blog shows the color blending much more easily than it did for me. I think I'll try again when I get my hands on some shimmery cardstock. Duh - it just dawned on me that glossy should work as well.

Also, I didn't wait long enough for the cardstock to dry before I started trimming. That ended up tearing it, so I recommend waiting until your cardstock is really dry.

The finished card is 3 7/8" x 8 1/2".

Thanks for stopping by!
Jennifer
Supplies (all Papertrey Ink unless noted) Stamps: Friends 'Til the End Ink: Certainly Celery, Old Olive and Pink Passion reinkers (SU!), Versamark (Tsukined) Papers: Spring Moss, Stamper's Select White, Friends 'Til the End patterned paper Accessories: white embossing powder (SU!), AquaPainter (SU!), Raspberry Fizz grosgrain ribbon

Papertrey Ink May '09 Blog Hop - Yellow

Hello! Welcome to Papertrey's Blog Hop. This month's theme is the color yellow. I made this Ready, Set, Wrap template using Lemon Tart cardstock, and stamped with Boxes, Bags, and Tags.

I decided to jazz up the box by using my new Fiskar's Apron Lace punch on the side flaps. First, using scrap paper, I determined that the punch removes 1/4" of cardstock. Next, I printed the side flaps on copy paper and cut them out to be a template. When I traced the side flaps onto the cardstock, I traced one side, scooted the template over 1/2", and then traced the other side. You still have to leave the bottom tab the normal size so that it fits in the box. I punched away, and it worked out perfectly!

Thanks for hopping by, and enjoy the blog hop!
Jennifer

Supplies (all Papertrey Ink unless noted)
Stamps: Boxes, Bags & Tags, Mixed Messages
Ink: Hibiscus Burst, Raspberry Fizz, Barely Banana (SU!), Wild Wasabi (SU!), Essential Glue Pad
Paper: Lemon Tart, Whisper White (SU!)
Accessories: Ready, Set Wrap Timeless Template, Hibiscus Burst Topnotch Twill ribbon, rhinestone (KaiserCraft), silver cord (SU!), Dazzling Diamonds glitter (SU!)
Tools: Apron Lace punch (Fiskars), 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" circle punches (SU!), small oval punch (SU!), large eyelet punch (SU!)

Raspberry Suite Color Challenge #6 & Fall-To Layout 41

Hello! I forced myself to try this color challenge as it was far outside my comfort zone. I think I've used Cameo Coral twice ever. Amazingly, the card came together fairly quickly - due in part to using this sketch from Clean and Simple Stamping. When I first showed my husband the different colored papers laying together, he sort of gagged. When I showed him in the finished card, he said, "Wow, I really like those rich colors." It's funny how a project can magically come together.

Thanks for stopping by!
Jennifer
Supplies (all Papertrey Ink unless noted)
Stamps: Heart Prints, Spots & Dots
Ink: Cameo Coral, Chocolate Chip (both SU!), Versamark (Tsukineko)
Paper: Cameo Coral (SU!), Stamper's Select White, Bitty Dot Basics paper in Aqua Mist
Accessories: corner rounder, scalloped Edge punch (both SU!), small heart punch, dark chocolate satin ribbon

Strawberry Cupcakes

Hello. I found a recipe in Cooking Light for strawberry cupcakes that looked really yummy. I decided to package some up to give away to friends using the strawberries in My Punny Valentine. This project ended up taking me 3 days! Everything takes much longer with a toddler in the house. I started the cupcake box from Valerie Stangle's tutorial on Friday during nap time. Then I made the cupcakes during Saturday's nap. Worked on more packaging on Saturday night and used the Ready, Set, Wrap Timeless template, thinking it would be faster. But I quickly ran out of time so I resorted to a cello bag with a quick tag. I finally made the frosting this morning and put everything together. I think I like the boxes better than the cupcakes. : )

A couple of tips: I found that the cupcake box will hold 2 small cupcakes if you don't make the insert, and the Ready, Set, Wrap box will hold a short cupcake. The strawberry on top got a bit smashed. Also, I discovered that it's much easier to make the scalloped rings for the cupcake box running both circle Nesties through the Cuttlebug at the same time. Maybe everybody else already knows this, but it didn't dawn on me until I had trouble lining up the inner circle with the outer scallops...

Have a good week, and thanks for visiting!
Jennifer
Supplies (all SU! unless noted)
Stamps: My Punny Valentine, Friends 'Til the End (both Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Real Red, Wild Wasabi
Paper: Real Red, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White
Accessories: Scallop Circle punch, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" circle punch, small and large tag punches, scalloped edge punch, Wild Wasabi stitched ribbon, silver elastic cord, window sheets, red ribbon (stash), Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Coluzzle

When It Rains, It Pours!

Hello. I cased this card from Dawn McVey's card. I wanted another quick masculine card for my husband, so Dawn's card came to mind. I incorporated my new Spots and Dots set and Smokey Green Stripes ribbon. I actually had this ribbon on my desk, but couldn't figure out how to incorporate it. So I gave up and decided to cruise the PTI release blogs. Then I found this card by Lisa Johnson -- perfect use of the ribbon! The sentiment was so appropriate for us right now -- our daughter has not been sleeping, my husband got sick, and now the Oregon rain just won't stop! Hopefully this card brought just a bit of cheer to an otherwise difficult week.

Thanks for visiting!
Jennifer
Supplies (SU! unless noted)
Stamps: Scattered Showers, Spots & Dots (both Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Basic Gray, Old Olive
Paper: Soft Stone (Papertrey Ink), Basic Gray, Old Olive
Accessories: Smokey Green Stripes ribbon (Papertrey Ink), SU! cutter kit

Raspberry Suite Color Challenge #5

ETA: I was thrilled to see that this card made it "In The Spotlight" for Dawn's color challenge! I was so excited that I almost woke up the sleeping toddler. : )


Hello. This card has been bouncing around in my head for a few days. I finally got to make it and liked how it turned out. But then it photographed so poorly that I almost don't want to post it!

This is 4.25" square card. I masked the center with a 3" square of copy paper and a little extra mask for the sentiment. Then I stamped the Polka Dot Basics. I sort of free-handed the frame. I'm an engineer, so I couldn't quite bring myself to do it without a ruler. I really like the scribble look, so I still tried for that. The umbrella is covered with Crystal Effects, which photographed very poorly. Need to work on that.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a good week!
Jennifer
Supplies (All Papertrey Ink unless noted):
Stamps: Scattered Showers, Polka Dot Basics
Ink: Fresh Snow, Raspberry Fizz, Hibiscus Burst, Basic Gray (SU!)
Paper: Raspberry Fizz, Hibiscus Burst, Stamper's Select White
Accessories: Hibiscus Burst vintage button, Basic Gray taffeta ribbon (SU!), white gel pen

Wishing You Sunshine!

Hello. I made this card for my husband because he really tires of the Oregon rain by this time of the year. We've been having particularly heavy storms this week, so I thought the sunshine sentiment was perfect for him. I tried to use masculine colors and then wondered if the card just ended up looking dark and dreary. Ha! I love how the paper piecing on the umbrella turned out. Will be using that technique again soon.

Thanks for stopping by,
Jennifer

Supplies (all SU! unless noted)
Stamps: Scattered Showers (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Not Quite Navy
Paper: Certainly Celery, Not Quite Navy, Stamper's Select White (Papertrey Ink), Not Quite Navy DSP
Accessories: rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Ribbon Tags Trio die (Spellbinders), Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon, Swiss Dot embossing folder (Cuttlebug)

Mother's Day Lilac

My friend asked me to make some Mother's Day cards using flowers. I wanted to use my ignored Blossoms Abound. I just picked up the Martha Stewart small ribbon threader punch for half off, and I found this textured paper for 10 cents! So this is what I came up with when I combined my new bargain goodies. It's hard to see but I shabbied the focal point up a bit by inking the corners and distressing the edges. I was thinking about how this is not my normal style when I realized that I had probably been inspired by Debbie Olsen's recent posts here and here. Funny how that works.

Thanks for stopping by!
Jennifer

Supplies (All SU! unless noted)
Stamps: Blossoms Abound, Women of Life (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Lavender Lace, Old Olive, Certainly Celery
Paper: Very Vanilla, Certainly Celery, Lavender Lace, Purple #1 textured cardstock (Die Cuts with A View)
Accessories: ribbon (Offray), small ribbon threader punch (Martha Stewart)

Papertrey Ink Spring Fling Challenge

Hello. I decided to participate in Papertrey's Spring Fling Challenge because I loved the colors in Becky Oehler's inspiration photo. Oh, and of course, the chance to win a stamp set is pretty inpiring. I was trying to re-create the circle pattern on the middle pillow and to include the scalloped edge from the pillow behind it. In the end, my card turned out nothing like I had envisioned. Sigh. But I did learn that the flowers from Women of Life fit the Gridlines II grid cardstock!

Thanks for stopping by.
Jennifer

Supplies (SU! unless noted)
Stamps: Women of Life, Mixed Messages (both Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Rose Red, Cool Caribbean, Apricot Appeal, Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip
Paper: Certainly Celerly, Apricot Appeal, Guidelines II grid cardstock
Accessories: 1 3/8" circle punch, flower punch

Raspberry Suite Color Challenge #4

Hello. I LOVE this card! It came together fairly quickly last night, and I was really pleased with how it turned out. I used this Fall-To Layout #13 from Clean and Simple Stamping and just adjusted the proportions to see more of the flowers. I re-discovered my Soft Sky paper and ink - had completely forgotten about that one. Okay, just a quickie post since the challenge deadline is less than an hour away.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a good week.
Jennifer

Supplies (all SU! unless noted)
Stamps: Life (PaperTrey Ink)
Ink: Soft Sky, Chocolate Chip
Paper: Stamper's Select White (PaperTrey Ink), Soft Sky
Accessories: Chocolate Chip wide grosgrain ribbon