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

Sketchy Menagerie

Did you get a lot of snow? I was so happy to have a day off yesterday so I ended up crafting! In my second post this week for The Ton, I am introducing the stamp set Sketchy Menagerie. Please visit their blog, share with friends, and spread some love! Feel free to use the social media icons at the bottom of this entry to share/repost! ♡ ♡ ♡

Have you ever found yourself struggling with masculine cards? These are FANTASTIC for cards for the guys in your life! Although cute critters are a trend on their own, this collection of animals is another must-have! They are available for pre-order and anticipated ship date is February 1, 2015. 

I love those sentiments! For my first card, I created something very simple (yes, I'm really trying to get outside of my comfort zone). 

I ran the kraft cardstock front through my Big Shot with a polka dot embossing folder to give it some texture. For the white cardstock piece on top (any size will do), I stamped a polka dot border stamp in Delicata gold ink at the bottom. Next, stamped the deer and sentiment from Sketchy Menagerie in Memento tuxedo black ink. I added some brown twine to match the kraft cardstock and added the top layer with foam tape. How easy!

For my next card, I decided to add some patterned paper in the back for a bolder statement. Do you have lots of patterned paper just sitting around? Well, get them out! These go well with so many different designs. 

Of course, I had to add in some sequins for this. Aren't those size 4mm sequins ADORABLE? These are HIGH QUALITY sequins! Check them out. 

For the last set of cards, I created a bunch of Valentine's Day cards for kids! The "You make my heart go wild" sentiment is PERFECT for your loved ones! These sentiments are great for other celebrations as well or just because.

Here, I used one of the animals and created a background using Antique Linen Distress Ink and heat embossed the sentiment in red. 

The rest of the animals were heat embossed with Liquid Platinum embossing powder - Jennifer McGuire's favorite!

Aren't they adorable? I'm sending these off in the mail for the Caring from the Heart Card Drive. 

I would love for you to visit The Ton blog and leave them some comments. They are available on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. Please SUBSCRIBE for details! We have a small blog hop scheduled for Monday, February 2. Do stop by for a chance to win an amazing prize package. 

I'll be back later this week to showcase their planner stamp set Scheduled - did you notice the font? I have not seen that anywhere else! 

Happy crafting, my friends!

Linking to the following challenge:

Simon Says Stamp Work it Wednesday Challenge: Use something new

Fusion Card Challenge: Heartful (inspiration photo)

Runway Inspired Challenge: #76 Carven

Introducing The Ton

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME GREAT NEWS??!! Today, I'd love to officially announce on my blog that I've been selected to be on the DESIGN TEAM for a new company called The Ton. Some of you know what it's like to be a newbie in this industry (or anywhere else for that matter) so please visit their blog, share with friends, and spread some love! Feel free to use the social media icons at the bottom of this entry to share/repost! ♡ ♡ ♡

I am introducing their absolutely stylish stamps called Shoe Wardrobe. They come in Filled and Lined and do coordinate with one another!! How fun! They are available for pre-order and anticipated ship date is for February 1, 2015. 

CHECK THESE OUT! I have not seen sets like these anywhere else! They are a must-have!

Since you know I get color happy and love sequins, I started with a shaker card. Yes, The Ton also sells sequins and confetti! Their colors are AMAZING. You must check them out here. 

I began with patterned paper that was sort of fashionable and decided to mix a bunch of sequins and confetti together. I must say - their black confetti is AWESOME. I was floored by the selection that The Ton carries. They will start making some exclusive mixes that you'll definitely want to see!

Here, I used the sentiment "celebrate in style" from the Shoe Wardrobe Filled set and stamped it onto a watercolored heart. 

This set is PERFECT for shoe-lovers and fashionistas! The sentiments are great for celebratory occasions or just because! 

Just look at those gorgeous colors! The heart sequins are available here in pink, red, silver, gold, and black. 

I would love for you to visit The Ton blog and leave them some comments. They are available on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. Please SUBSCRIBE for details as they have some more news to come in the next few weeks! I'll be back later this week to showcase other The Ton stamp sets. Happy crafting, my friends!

Linking to the following challenges: 
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Have a Heart
The Card Concept: Challenge #27 Love (Mixed Media)
Craft Stamper: Take It Make it Challenge
Time Out Challenge #23 Valentine's Day
Simon Says Stamp Work it Wednesday Challenge: Use something new

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

Papertrey January Blog Hop Challenge

Well, I'm just in time for Papertrey's Monthly Blog Hop. I'm keeping it SIMPLE! I made these cards on Friday and the timing couldn't have been more perfect. Of course, CAS cards are hard for me. I always feel the need to add more more more! Lol. To be honest, I might end up adding some sequins to these later. ;-) 

I used Papertrey Ink's Framed Out #11 set for these:

Linking to the following challenges: 
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Have a Heart
The Card Concept: Challenge #27 Love (clean and simple)
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

You're Cool

Card #3 using Altenew's Geometric Menagerie. I did the messy background embossing on purpose. Letting go of perfectionism...sort of. :)

Linking to the following challenges: 
Papertake Weekly Challenge: Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes
Altenew December Challenge - From the Craft Room: Warm Sunshine

Without You

Card #2 using Altenew's Geometric Menagerie. I bought A LOT of patterned paper, so I really need to use them all now, lol.

Linking to the following challenges: 
Papertake Weekly Challenge: Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes
Altenew December Challenge - From the Craft Room: Warm Sunshine

Pride

I bought Altenew's Geometric Menagerie set over a month ago and now I finally have a chance to use it :) I decided to make 4 cards with similar colors, inspired by Altenew's own December challenge photo posted below.

I am in love with the soft colors. Getting out of my creative slump was a bit of a challenge. Hope you like the cards! I'll post each one in a separate post. :)

Linking to the following challenges: 
Papertake Weekly Challenge: Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes
Altenew December Challenge - From the Craft Room: Warm Sunshine

Thinking of You

Another card using Altenew's Sketchy Cities America:

I'm trying to make at least two cards of each design so I can stock up on cards. When I first started making cards in July, I tried to keep track of all the cards I was giving away to friends...and I can proudly say that I've made and given away at least 150 in the past 5 months. :) I made my first card July 21st without sentiment stamps at the time! I handwrote the happy birthday sentiment myself, lol. I've come a long way :)

Linking to the following challenges: 
Papertake Weekly Challenge: Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes
Altenew December Challenge - From the Craft Room: Warm Sunshine

Runway Inspired Challenge: #74 Escada

Happy Thoughts

Fall semester has ended and I spent the first few days of winter break renovating my room and craft space. I'm happy with the new look :) I can post pictures of the space later. Here's one card I made recently using Altenew's Sketchy Cities America:

I get color-happy. I am working on making clean and simple cards...eventually! ;)

Linking to the following challenges: 
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes
Altenew December Challenge - From the Craft Room: Warm Sunshine

Runway Inspired Challenge: #74 Escada

Coffee Blog Hop #11

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! :)

Linking to the following challenges as well: 
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Bling It On