PTI Anniversary Challenge Day 8: Blue Ombre

Papertrey Ink's Day 8 Challenge asked us to create a blue ombre look however we wanted it to be, whether in a sentiment, background, in images, etc. I decided to go with a sky background using different blue distress inks. Colors included Tumbled Glass, Salty Ocean, Stormy Sky, and Chipped Sapphire.

I think it came out gorgeous! I love creating these. I used their Zappy Birthday stamps and dies and Mama Elephant's Tiny Heroes. The beautiful blue sequins around the card can be found at The Ton.

Ohh, would love for you to check out The Ton's first video! Please leave her some love. We are planning a few great things for you in the coming weeks! Thanks so much for all your comments and love. 

Linking this to the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Great and Small

7KidsCollegeFund Challenge: Anything Goes

Love Songs + Winners

As you may already know, I'm busy with school. I squeezed in the time to make some love-you cards. It's such a great feeling when others like your work enough to want to buy it. A huge thank you to those who understand the value of a handmade card and also get me enough to know that I totally undercharge for my cards ❤

This adorable card has already been given away :-) Sometimes I come back to older stamp sets - they don't go out of style for me. 

It wasn't too hard to make. I just want to add in that eventually I have lots of plans for my blog, which includes a whole new domain and look for the site, more detailed entries with step-by-step instructions on how I created my cards, and a weekly series. It's hard right now with school but I hope you stick around long enough to watch where I take my work :-) 

The winner for my personal giveaway has already been contacted. Using random.org, the winner was Barb Macaskill. Congratulations!

The winner for the Blog Hop, Skip and Jump sponsored by The Ton has been announced on their blog. Thanks so much to everyone who participated and shared with friends. We truly appreciate your support! 

Linking this to the following challenge:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: H is for hearts!
7KidsCollegeFund Challenge: Anything Goes
Virginia's View Challenge #12: Shaker Cards

I Like You

I am just super thankful for all the blessings in my life. Personally, there's always something going on inside someone who's got a Type A personality. At least for me, chaos is distressful, but knowing that there are people who not only tolerate me but actually enjoy my company is blissful. There are people who look out for me, who take care of my needs when I am unable to (since I'm currently an unemployed grad student), and who support what I choose to do with my life. They like me as I am, and when I saw this sentiment from Mama Elephant's Purrfect Pair, I knew I had to have it. I like many people the way they are, too. ;-) Isn't it amazing being able to tell someone that...with cute cards like this one? The stamped borders are from Waffle Flower Crafts' Pattern Play. I LOVE them. 

P.S. I'll be sharing personal thoughts on my posts sometimes, but I hope that you stay subscribed. Your comments totally make my day. Sometimes I screenshot them and share them excitedly with my besties! :-) I have a giveaway on my Instagram right now until midnight this Thursday: spread the word! I will be posting my blog giveaway by the end of this week. Thanks for being patient. 

P.P.S If you're interested in purchasing any of my cards, you can make a request! I just need a few weeks' advance notice. :-) 

Linking to the following challenges: 
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Have a Heart
7KidsCollegeFund Challenge: Anything Goes
Papercrafting Challenge: Magazine Mondays #84 (floating hearts)
The Card Concept: Challenge #27 Love (clean and layered)
Time Out Challenge #23 Valentine's Day

More Cards from the Heart

I'm back with another set of cards for the Cards from the Heart Card Drive, using Mama Elephant's Honey Bunny set and coloring backgrounds with distress inks.

I love the color combination for this card and decided to use some of my patterned paper instead of another blended background (seriously, I need to use all my paper lol). 

I decided to try different color combinations for some of the other cards. They're quite simple to make! 

I hope you're feeling inspired! I have more to come this week. :-) 

Linking to the following challenges: 
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Have a Heart
7KidsCollegeFund Challenge: Anything Goes
Time Out Challenge #23 Valentine's Day

Cards from the Heart

Hi friends, thanks for being patient with me as I get adjusted to my new and last semester. Now that I have all the syllabi, I'm naturally stressed about the next four months, but I am happy that I got to squeeze in some crafting (after a painful creative block). Anyone else feel guilty about hoarding--I mean owning new products and hardly getting to use them? Yes, I felt that immense guilt for quite some time...so what I like to do is make a bunch of cards and then make someone's day with them! I would like to think that somewhat evens the balance, lol.

Anyway, I love discovering causes and being able to partake in them. Recently, I found out about the Cards from the Heart Card Drive, where Valentine's Day cards are given to children in hospitals. All the rules and deadline information is on the website if you're interested in participating as well--hurry, it's ending this week!

I was inspired by the subtle colors of this photo from Taheerah's blog:

Her inspiration pictures are always so beautiful! Have you seen her work? It's STUNNING. She has a style that's bold and breathtaking! Please check out her blog and take part in her weekly Monday challenges. This month is sponsored by Winnie & Walter (who are celebrating their first birthday this WHOLE month with incredible challenges and giveaways of their own!) 

This is a set of cards I made using Mama Elephant sets Purrfect Pair and Love Quotes, MFT Die-namics Love & Adore You, and MFT Die-namics Straight to My Heart. I stamped, colored and die cut everything first because my creativity wasn't exactly flowing. Eventually, this is the card sketch I decided to go with and ended up finally using some doilies I had sitting around! What do you think? They look adorable!

Linking to the following challenges: 
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Have a Heart
7KidsCollegeFund Challenge: Anything Goes
Craft Stamper: Take It Make it Challenge
Time Out Challenge #23 Valentine's Day

So Happy for You

Here's a card I made using Mama Elephant's Carnival Cupcakes for a friend who just had a baby boy! 

Linking to the following challenge: 
7KidsCollegeFund Challenge: Anything Goes

Purrfect ♥

Here's a card I made using Mama Elephant's newer stamp set, Purrfect Pair. I am loving the color combination. :) 

Linking to the following challenges: 
7KidsCollegeFund Challenge: Anything Goes
Mama Elephant December Challenge: Valentine's Day Cards

Coffee Blog Hop #10

Here's another project I'm linking to the Holiday Coffee Lovers Blog Hop.

Don't forget to comment on my first post for a chance to win some blog candy and for other details about the blog hop! :) I thought it would be really cool to use Mama Elephant's Cross My Heart stamp set here :D

Linking to the following challenge as well: 
Runway Inspired Challenge #73

Mama Elephant December Challenge: Valentine's Day Cards

7KidsCollegeFund Challenge: Anything Goes

Coffee Blog Hop #4

Here's another project I'm linking to the Holiday Coffee Lovers Blog Hop.

Don't forget to comment on my first post for a chance to win some blog candy and for other details about the blog hop! :) I used this stamp set and this die from MFT Stamps.

Linking to the following challenges as well: 
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Bling It On
7KidsCollegeFund Challenge: Anything Goes (Mama Elephant creative cuts)

Holiday Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

Thank you for visiting my blog today! Sorry, my post is late, but better late than missing the deadline, right? I participated in a Coffee Lovers Blog Hop back in September for National Coffee Day, and it was so much fun (and I even won one of the flash prizes!). This time, I'm participating in the Holiday Coffee Lovers Blog Hop (thanks to collaborative efforts from many crafters and sponsors and especially to Amy Tsuruta). 

Now who doesn't like to win? We have many sponsors for the blog hop for participating bloggers who link up their projects, and some participants are even offering blog candy on their personal blogs! You can check out Amy's link here or read below for how you can win some prizes!!

Check out the wonderful & generous Super Sponsors:

17 Turtles:  $15 Store Gift Card

A Muse Studio/Chris Franco:  Cup of Good Cheer stamp set

Add a Little Dazzle:  $25 Store Gift Card

Butterfly Reflections Ink:  Prima Coffee Break

Color Cast Designs:  Coffee Lovers kit

Create a Smile:  Monster Party stamp set

Hero Arts:  A Little & Today's Special stamps/Cup 'O Joe Shadow ink

Kraftin' Kimmie:  $25 Store Gift Card

Kreative Kymona:  Fancy Mug Giveaway

Latina Crafter:  Cafe Wood Veneers + $25 Store Gift Card

Neat & Tangled:  Warm Wishes stamp set

Newton's Nook:  $15 Store Gift Card

Paper Smooches:  $25  Store Gift Card

Pickled Potpourri:  $7 Store Gift Card

Poppystamps:  Tea Cup Stack Die

Reverse Confetti:  $15 Store Gift Card

Stamp Academy:  2 classes

Stampin' Up/Veronica Zalis:  $20 Store Gift Card

STAMPlorations:  $10 Store Gift Card

Stamp Simply Ribbon Store:  Coffee Cup Prize Pack

SugarPea Designs:  $20 Store Gift Card

Sweet 'n Sassy:  Pick Me Up Clear stamp & die set

The Alley Way Stamps:  Tea Par-tea stamp set

Two Paper Divas:  Your Warm My Heart stamp set

Your Next Stamp:  $20

Verve Stamps:  $25

Whole Wild World:  Coffee before Talkee mug

Keep in mind: 

• Blog Hop participants (those who link up with a newly created holiday/winter coffee/other favorite holiday hot beverage project) are eligible for Sponsored prizes.  
• For those who are participating, the linky will remain open through Friday, December 12th 11:55 p.m. PST. This will give everyone plenty of time to link up their projects and perhaps even link up multiple times!
• The actual hop will end Sunday, December 14th for those commenting on participating blogs offering blog candy/prizes.
• Please TURN OFF word verification and enable Comment Moderation♡

Now onto what I created... I LOVE COFFEE! I think I'm even more dependent on it since I've been having a super stressful semester at school. I find crafting therapeutic and squeeze in the time to create every now and then :) Thanks SO MUCH for visiting and leaving me love. I will have a giveaway here next month as I get closer to 6 months of my crafting journey. I strongly encourage you to visit other blogs - I'm in awe of all the creativity out there :) There are already over 230 entries!

I will be offering blog candy! Just leave a comment on this post to be eligible and I'll select a winner Monday. It's a surprise :) Make sure to leave your e-mail address so I am able to contact you. If you'd like, I'd love to know how long you've been crafting for and what you like to do with the cards you make. Bonus entry if you subscribe to my blog. :)

I've been really busy with school so I didn't have too much time to go all out with my cards, and I have been in a creative slump. I will post them anyway. ♥

I started off with my favorite type of card: shaker cards. They require a little extra effort but are totally worth it. I used Neat and Tangled's Warm Wishes for this one.

Be sure to check out my other posts from today. Have a great day!

Linking to the following challenges as well: 
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Bling It On
7KidsCollegeFund Challenge: Anything Goes (Mama Elephant creative cuts)

winnie & walter Playdate No. 4: Card Set

Here's my last post for the winnie & walter Playdate No. 4 challenge.

This was the inspiration palette:

I used A Tree for All Seasons and came up with this one first:  

Talk about stretching your stamps. I started off with this card first and then my friend bought it as well, lol. I decided to create a whole batch of them in different colors, as you can see below :) Isn't this set amazing? It's so versatile! I created some for birthdays and one as a thank-you card, too. 

Linking to the following challenges as well: 
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Work it Wednesday: November
Papertake Weekly Challenge: Take Your Pick (blues & greens)
7KidsCollegeFund Challenge: Anything Goes+Twist of Fall Colors (Mama Elephant creative cuts)
Little Tangles: Challenge #49 Giving Thanks

winnie & walter Playdate No. 4: Thankful for You

Here's my fourth card for the winnie & walter Playdate No. 4 challenge.

This was the inspiration palette:

This is one of my favorite sets! I used A Tree for All Seasons and created a shaker card. Look at all the pretty colors! 

Linking to the following challenges as well: 
Papertake Weekly Challenge: Take Your Pick (blues & greens)
7KidsCollegeFund Challenge: Anything Goes+Twist of Fall Colors (Mama Elephant creative cuts)
Cure for the Monday Blues: Challenge #35
Little Tangles: Challenge #49 Giving Thanks

winnie & walter Playdate No. 4: Happy Birthday

Here's my third card for the winnie & walter Playdate No. 4 challenge.

This was the inspiration palette:

My friend already bought this from me and I'm glad I got at least one picture of it... was inspired by the photos and colors of the challenge. :) I used The Big, the Bold, and the Happy here. 

Linking to the following challenges as well: 
Papertake Weekly Challenge: Take Your Pick (blues & greens)
7KidsCollegeFund Challenge: Anything Goes+Twist of Fall Colors (Mama Elephant creative cuts)

winnie & walter Playdate No. 4: Joyful Blessings

Here's my second card for the winnie & walter Playdate No. 4 challenge.

This was the inspiration palette:

I love w&w's big sentiments! I used The Big, the Bold and Blessings for this card. I colored white cardstock with Gansai Tambi watercolor paints and dried it using a heat tool. Then I heat embossed the sentiment in gold and added "joyful" using Memento black ink. I can't stop adding sequins... :) 

Linking to the following challenges as well: 
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Work it Wednesday: November
Papertake Weekly Challenge: Take Your Pick (blues & greens)
7KidsCollegeFund Challenge: Anything Goes+Twist of Fall Colors (Mama Elephant creative cuts)
Little Tangles: Challenge #49 Giving Thanks

winnie & walter Playdate No. 4: Welcome Home

I made a few cards for the winnie & walter Playdate No. 4 challenge. I wish I had had more time, but these should suffice for now. :) It's great that they offer the playdates every 3 months so I can always try my luck next time! The awesome thing about this challenge is that the chosen winner will receive winnie & walter's January Release + will participate in the January Release by having our very own projects featured on the w&w blog along with The Talent!!! Good luck to everyone who participates.

This was the inspiration palette:

I first started with a welcome home card for my sister-in-law and nephew who'll be coming to the U.S. in a few weeks, God-willing. I can't wait to see the little one! 

When I showed this card to friends, it was a hit. Many requested one for themselves but I haven't had the time to make more yet. Shaker cards or ones with the clear sheets can be quite challenging, especially with the sequins (or in this case, the faux ice) flying everywhere. 

I stamped and colored the house from This Awesome House, fussy cut it and glued it to cardstock that I had sponged with some Stormy Sky distress ink. Gluing the faux ice was lots of fun :-P I die cut the top layer in a shimmery silver color, added some green ribbon because the foam tape was peeking through... we can't all be perfect :) The welcome home banner was stamped, colored with Copic marker, heat embossed sentiment in gold and added on the front with dimensionals. Added two gold sequins and a silver bow on top. 

I hope you like it! I plan on making more in different color schemes, maybe with sequins. 

Linking to the following challenges as well: 
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Work it Wednesday: November
Papertake Weekly Challenge: Take Your Pick (blues & greens)
7KidsCollegeFund Challenge: Anything Goes+Twist of Fall Colors (Mama Elephant creative cuts)