Papertrey Ink November 2014 Blog Hop!

Hello friends : )

Have you missed me? giggles!! I keep thinking the busi-ness will stop and I will have time to get back to making cards but... so far card making has been at the bottom of my "to do" list.  It does not mean I have not been playing with paper or SHOPPING! though!! LOL

I have been very busy creating special thank you gifts for my neckStyles™ customers.  Today we kick off our holiday special by offering our customers 25% off all of our scarves through Cyber Monday : ) It is always a fun and busy time preparing orders.  With each order we include a special thank you gift.  At the holidays we change it up a bit.  If you like you can see what we did last year HERE.  This year we are making beautiful tags using the Tinsel and Tags Make It Market Kit by Betsy Veldman for PTI.  I LOVE these tags so much!! I can't wait to share them.

I will post more about those later but that is not what this post is about.  Today I have made a card!! Just one snowy white card that reminds me of the scene out my window and the chubby little chickadees darting everywhere.

The Papertrey Blog Hop is well under way! You can read all about it HERE.  I hope that you'll "hop" over heeheehee and, if possible, play along.  Even if you can't find the time to enter a card I hope you'll visit the blogs of the very talented blog friends joining today's challenge.

Not sure when I'll be back again with another card but if I do not post before Thanksgiving I want to wish all my US friends the best holiday ever!

Patti

Supplies:

PTI white cs.
Large snowflakes from MIM Tinsel & Tags by PTI
Small snowflakes and sentiment from Phrase Play #6 stamp set by PTI
Die cut birds from Song Birds die collection by PTI
Snowy "hill" cut from Lil Inkers border die
Ribbon from my stash : )
I used So Saffron ink by SU

Wishing you a wonderful...

Hello friends : )  I hope you had a wonderful weekend.  Where does the time go? Here it is Sunday night and I'm just now getting my posting done. Yikes!! I feel a bit like I'm in fast forward because I should be making these birthday cards in shades of orange with turkeys on them but instead it is snow flakes! : )  I honestly don't mind when they turn out this pretty.  We had such an early snow fall this year I decided to forgo the turkeys and get right to the dazzle of winter.

My friend, Theresa is celebrating her birthday on Tuesday : ) she shares her birthday with our oldest daughter, Kelly.  I pulled out some stickers! to make these cards.  That's right stickers.

I cut an extra face for my card a little bit smaller than the card base.  I placed the stickers where I wanted them on the card face and stamped my sentiment.  Then I cut the paper 3/8" from one long edge.  Next I trimmed off a scant 1/8th inch piece from the other long edge and attached both pieces to the card base using foam tape.  Finally I placed a smaller sticker in the center of each large snowflake - across the opening.  Can you see the tiny silver specks? these are actually centers left behind after the large snowflake (in the first picture) was removed from the packaging.

Metallic papers are so hard to photograph huh?   I know the pictures are a bit overexposed but I wanted the stark white and as much of the silver shine to show.  Here are a couple close ups that I darkened a bit so you can see the detail in the snowflakes easier : )

I would like to enter my cards in the Virginia's View Challenge #9 All things Metallic.  Please visit Virginia's blog and have a look at the wonderful cards made by participants from all over the world! There is still a little time perhaps you might like to consider joining these talented paper crafters by entering a card of your own! : )

That's it for my post but before I go I will share a picture of the Tamale makers and me : )   I had hoped to do a photo journal of the tamale making process but alas! The best laid plans are in the minds of (wo)men : )  Still! I will report that the tamales were outstanding!! as was the Mexican Flan that accompanied dinner. 

me, Renae and Matthew : )

Our grandson's Mom was visiting from California and naturally Matt wanted her to make some of his old favorite recipes while she was here.  She did not disappoint him! : ) or us!!

(((Hugs)))
Patti

Supplies:
White cs by PTI
Stickers from my stash (sorry : ( no manufacturer's name to be found)
Sentiment from Birthday Classics: May Stamp Set by PTI

Gratitude Attitude!

I really love that catchy slogan : ) from Linda, owner of The Catered Crop Challenge Blog.

The challenge is to create a Thank You card : ) Easy right?! especially at this time of year when thankfulness is at the forefront of our minds.  I am thankful for many blessings in my life - it truly is all about having an attitude of gratitude no matter what your circumstances look like!

This darling cook comes from Stamping Bella and is called "Lulu's Two pies".  For my card design I took my lead from the folks at Mojo Monday challenge blog who have adopted a 3.5 x 5.5" card option once a month.  This narrow card allowed me to let the skirt and pie hang off the side and still fit in the envelope - love it!

I stamped Lulu directly on my white card face and colored her using Prismacolor pencils.  I stamped a skirt and apron as well as the two pies on a separtate piece of cs and colored them as well.  I then fussy cut the apron/skirt section and carefully glued it flat to the top of the image. Next I fussy cut out the pies (including her left hand, and popped the pies up for some fun dimension.  For the pie in her left hand I also secured the oven mit at her wrist and folded the pie a little down the middle which really gives a sweet 3D  look.

The picture doesn't show it off very well but you can kind of see the dimension.

This was a really fun card to create.  I enjoy fussy cutting and "dressing" my images but I have felt that the "new" CAS style would not lend itself to that sort of detail work.  I think I proved myself wrong with this card.  It's pretty CAS looking right? giggles maybe I'm fooling myself : )

The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink's Boutique Borders: Friends Stamp Set.

That is all for me today.  I am super excited because some special friends are coming over today to make authentic mexican tamalies! I have never had homemade tamalies - I can hardly wait!! I will try to remember to take some pictures and share them here on Saturday.

Have a wonderful day!!

Patti

We'll always be friends...

My card today is for a wonderful new challenge blog called Retro Rubber Challenge Blog brought to you by some fun and creative!! blogland friends.  Please consider joining this "far out" group!! : )

For this challenge we are asked to use our oldest stamp.  These groovy pair of jeans are definitely one of my oldest images.  It was included in a stamp set by The Angel Company.  The Angel Company introduced me to unmounted stamps and I never looked back! : ) sadly this company is no longer in business but I still enjoy many OLD stamps from my early paper crafting days.

I wanted to make a CAS card so I selected my favorite white cs from Papertrey Ink and stamped my image directly on the card face.  I added a hint of color to the jeans and also some ink splatters for a little added color.  Finally I added some flower brads that, in the paper craft hobby, are now a bit retro too! : )  The sentiment was a gift from a friend a few years ago that I have never used so therefore it qualifies as NBUS : ) Unfortunately I immediately transferred the image to my stamp storage when I got it and failed to note the manufacturer so I can't say where this sentiment is from.

Thank you, Jane and Katie for introducing this fun challenge blog.  I look forward to many more fun and inspiring challenges from you and your talented DT!

If you have some "never before used stuff" please check out blogland's talented and entertaining friend, Darnell, to learn more about NBUS : ) You'll be left giggling all day long!


(((Hugs)))
Patti

A Monkey In Boxer Shorts

What could be better? giggles

Hello friends! I pulled this sweet little monkey out of a huge folder of images that I have.  I used to be involved in a large on-line paper crafting group.  One of the neat things the group did was image swapping. Therefore, I do not own this stamp so I can't tell you the name of the image.  If any of you know the name or know who makes it I would love for you to share and I will edit my post to include the information - and then go buy it! LOL because I really do love a monkey in boxer shorts!!  but then again... who wouldn't!: )

The person who gave me this image stamped it off on a small 4.25 x 2.75" piece of paper which limits what you can do with it on a card.  I found this great sketch on CAS(e) This Sketch challenge blog and decided to fussy cut the little guy out.  Note to self: cut the tail out first so you have something to hold on to for that teeny little thing : )

Monkey lovers around here can really use a pick me up after the huge dump of snow we received yesterday! It was better than predicted but we still got over 15" of the white stuff.  These are the days I am blessed to work at home so I can enjoy the beauty from inside where I am safe and warm.

I hope you are safe and warm and getting inky in your part of the world today.  ((Hugs))

Patti

Supplies:
Papers by SU
Retired sentiment by The Angel Company
Large Polka dot EF by SU
colored with Prismacolor pencils shading using Gamsol

Make mine strong!

Good morning friends : )   Today I have a card that I made for a real coffee LOVER! in my life who celebrated her birthday this week.   She loves this color combo and she loves coffee and I love her so it is a perfect fit! : )

I CASED myself! with this card.  I had entered my original design (see it HERE) in a MIM challenge back in March of this year.  I was (happily) CASED by the gal who ended up winning the prize that week! (See Becky's card HERE)   Her card was SOooooo! much better than mine in every way so I CASED her back heehee and here you have it!

Here is a peek at the inside of the card.

It is not really dirty IRL - it is actually a soft pretty pink.  The shadows made it rough to photograph

All of these cards were made using Betsy Veldman's nifty DIY Cover Plate challenge.  You can see her tutorial HERE if you'd like to try this technique yourself.  I cut 10 coffee cups from my soft pink card face and attached it to my white card base.  I then stamped the coordinating coffee cup stamp inside each opening.  Next I dolled the coffee cup up with the little hand saver sleeve included in this, amazingly inexpensive $5, stamp set. : ). 

I really enjoyed this challenge and was not happy with my original card so I've been wanting to re-try it.  I'm so glad I did because I like this card much better. 

We woke up to the light covering of snow from yesterday's storm but luckily it should melt today! We are not quite ready for the snow to come and stay! : )

I hope you have a wonderful day.

Patti

Supplies
White cs PTI
Pink Pirouette cs by SU
SU ink used: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Pool Party and Pink Pirouette
Heart-2-Heart #1 Stamp set and coordinating die from PTI
Sentiment from the Movers & Shakers Sentiments stamp set by PTI 

Stacked Blessings!

I created this card for my friend Theresa who has overwhelmed me with her kindness, generosity and faithfulness!! : ) You're the best Oma!

I used the On The Farm stamp/die set from Papertrey Ink.

Hope you are enjoying a beautiful day.  We are actually watching snow fall! eeek  It is melting as soon as it hits the ground (whew) but we know it will not be long before all the green is burried under the white stuff.

Patti

I love November!

Hello friends : )

I just love November because with it comes a little reprieve in my super busy schedule. Pretty much all of my scarves are sewn and craft shows over.  We focus from here until Christmas on filling orders and making our customers happy! : )  It is the "funnest" time of the year in our scarf business.  We are so ready!!

I also love November because with it comes colder weather, soup, turkey and pumpkin bread : ) yummy treats that always make my home and belly feel cozy!! : )

I was blessed to get into my craft room quite a lot this past week.  I created this card for Laurie Wilson's "Partial Die Stamping" technique - this week's Make It Monday challenge. Check out Laurie's video tutorial HERE. 

Laurie is a super talented member of the Papertrey Ink Design team.  This technique is easy peasy and full of endless possibilities.  Please consider joining the MIM fun!! there is a prize!! : )

For this challenge I stamped itty bitty little flowers on my "Wonderful Words: Friends" die as well as my "Fillable Frames Die #4" both from Paper trey Ink.  The flower stamp I used is one that is included in the PTI "Happy Hexagons Stamp Set".  I had to snip off the letter s from my Friends die to fit the message I wanted to give my friend.  The "I miss You!" sentiment is from PTI's "Flower Fusion #6 Stamp Set"

I cut my flower from vellum and popped the top layer up using foam tape.  It is a little bit more "airy" looking IRL.  I was pleased with how it turned out.  I will use Laurie's technique often in the furture I'm sure : )

I hope you are enjoying a pleasant weekend.

See you again soon.

Patti

Supplies:

Solid cs by PTI
Patterned paper by SU - Howlstooth & Scaringbone DSP
Flower stamp from SU's Mixed Bunch stamp and punch combo
All other supplies listed above

Happy New Home

Before I start my post today I would like to welcome my newest follower, Hannelie owner of  desert diva blog.  Hannelie is living in what we, here in Wisconsin at least, consider an exciting and exotic place - the Arabian desert! Please stop by her blog she is super talented!! You will really enjoy seeing her work. Welcome Hannelie : )

Recently my BFF moved into a new home with our shared grandson : )  and I created this card for them.

I used my new stamp/die set  from Stampin Up. I stamped "the neighborhood" in Basic Gray ink and popped up the wild looking polka dot "new house" using foam tape.  They liked it : )

I have been so covered up with work lately that I've barely had time to think about paper (gasp).  I do hope to be back in the swing of things and getting out to visit my blog friends more and more in the coming weeks.  Until then I hope all is well with you and that you are enjoying a beautiful fall wherever you are!

(((Hugs)))
Patti

Supplies:
White cs by PTI
DSP by SU - Confetti Celebration
Image and sentiment from Stampin Up's Holiday Home stamp and coordinating die set from the Holiday catty
Enamel dots created by me : )

Hand Dipped Roses

Danielle Flanders is our hostess for the PTI Make It Monday challenge this week.  I was so excited that I found the time to play along with her wonderful challenge!!  You can see Danielle's beautiful inspiration project and easy video tutorial HERE.

I used "The Sweet Life" stamp set with coordinating die from PTI.  After my flowers and leaves were cut and stamped I inked up just the side of each with Versamark Ink and then dipped them in gold embossing powder.  I heat set them with my embossing gun for a unique and elegant result!

My card design was inspired by this weeks Freshly Made Sketches #158

I was worried my card was not clean and simple enough so I tried again. 

I'm not sure this one turned out "cleaner" LOL but somehow it feels a bit cleaner to me. : ) My first card has a lot more gold and I attached my focal point section directly to the card face.  On my second card I tried to limit my gold embossing slightly and actually popped the focal point section up with foam tape and I like it much better.  : )

I have also decided to enter my card in Virginia's View Challenge #8 - Clean and Simple : )

Virginia suggests Clean and Simple cards with interesting texture, dimension and good use of white space.  She also suggests "creating your own simple embellishment" which, I believe Danielle has shown us how to do beautifully! Gold dipped flower petals - an elegant embellishment! : )

Thank you for looking friends!  I will be busy in the next couple of days visiting the blogs of each of these inspirational challenge blogs.  I hope you will visit some of these talented sites as well.

(((Hugs)))
Patti

Supplies:
White cs by PTI
The Sweet Life stamp set and coordinating dies by PTI
Pink Polka Dot paper strip from Imaginisce
Overlaid ribbon and pearls from my stash

Thanks a Melon

Hello friends, : )

I am popping in for a QUICK post because I'm in the throws of scarf making for neckStyles™ and getting ready for a new release and BIG sale! : ) If you like scarves I invite you to visit our Etsy shop.  My BFF and I have HUNDREDS of pretty scarves and - starting tomorrow we are having a "Buy Three get one FREE" sale!! Our customers really love this sale (If you mention that you found neckStyles™ from my blog we will refund all or part of your shipping costs.  FREE shipping for US customers, $5.00 flat rate for Canada and $10.00 flat rate for International customers : ) Sale only lasts until 10/21/14.)  I hope you'll come see what I do when I'm not playing with paper : )

 This little card was easy pesy to make but not so easy to photograph!  I cut a circle on the card face and then framed the hole opening with a scallop die cut.  I placed my little melon on the inside of the card - popped up with some foam tape. : )

I hope you are having a wonderful day doing something creative! See you again soon.

Patti

Supplies:

White cs by PTI
Melon from the Fruit Fusion: Melon Stamp Set and coordinating die from PTI
Sentiment from the same PTI stamp set
Circle and scallop die by Spellbinders
Little ribbon from my stash

Ready or not here comes winter!

We finally got our first hard freeze! I actually really love winter.  I LOVE snow and am blessed to work at home so that I don't have to get up at O'Dark thirty : ) to try and get my car started in order to get to work.  I can enjoy winter so much more than some people can but after last winter with the dreadfully cold temps and mounds of snow I have to say I am not as excited to see the white stuff as I normally am.

But! like it or not here comes  winter.  Our temperatures have dropped and we have actually had some snow already.  Nothing like this time of year to get me in the mood to make a big pot of homemade soup and get started on my holiday cards.

I created this one using exclusive Stampin Up products.  I don't actually own the flower or sentiment but my good friend Theresa, who is a SU demonstrator, is generous and always willing to share! : ) 

I want to make this short so I can get out to visit in blogland.  I keep trying to stay ahead but keep falling behind.  I hope to visit you very soon : )

Have a great weekend, friends.

Patti

Supplies:
Paper is from the Trim the Tree 4.5 x 6.5" paper stack from SU
"Blended Bloom" image from SU
Sentiment from "Good Greetings" stamp set

So Thankful for You

Where has the time gone? My life really begins to move in fast forward from September through January! 

In response to all of your lovely comments on my last post - my sister-in-law truly loved the card I created for her! : )

I had also made a batch of cards to give her for a gift and she loved those too : ) I tell you... there is nothing like a room full of women gushing over your card creations that makes your buttons bust! : ) I love how much people appreciate hand crafted cards : ) 

My card today was created using Stampin Up products exclusively when my friend Theresa and I got together in September. 

I masked the large cluster of trees from the "Lovely As a Tree" stamp set so that I could use just three in my circle.  The paper is from the "All is Calm" DSP paper series and the sentiment is from the "I like You" hostess gift stamp set.

That is it for today as I am sewing scarves for a New Release that will go live to customers on 10/14.  I LOVE sewing new scarves!! It is as much fun as opening a new paper pack!

Hope your day is going well.

(((Hugs)))
Patti

Happy Retirement

Happy Retirement and Happy World Card Making Day!!  I will not be home to play with my card making friends today because DH and I are headed to a party!  My SIL retired on Monday and today we are celebrating her new freedom! 

There is the star of the show now  : )  and here is what I hope she will be able to do plenty of:

I hope that whatever you are doing on this World Card Making Day will bring you joy!

Patti

Supplies:
DSP by SU: Flashback
 Happy Retirement sentiment from SU's Teeny Tiny Wishes
All other stamps and dies are from PTI's Polka Dot Parade #3

Just My Type

Hello friends : )  Today is a quick post of a card I made recently. 

I have been getting really comfortable with CAS cards lately! : )I especially love the ribbon on this card because it reminds me, in a strange way, of a typewriter ribbon! anyone remember those? : )

I hope you are having a great day! I have been super busy getting ready for a craft show this coming weekend where we will set up and sell our neckStyles™ scarves to the THOUSANDS! of people who attend.  Well... I hope we sell thousands LOL

See you tomorrow!

Patti

September Birthday

As September draws to a close I wanted to post a card I created earlier this month for my Hubby.

Do you ever feel like life gets stuck on fast forward? That is how September has been for me.  I really can't believe October is almost here.  I realize that means with one or two more blinks we'll be up to our neck in SNOW!  sigh  But right now in northwestern Wisconsin the weather is beautiful and the landscape everywhere is blazing with spectacular color! : ) Fall is my very favorite season.  I am enjoying every single day of it.

This simple card was created using the Hexagon cover plate by PTI.  Using several different SU "Sweet Taffy" DSP papers I positioned by hexagons and glued them flat on my white card base.  I popped up three shapes using foam tape.  I added my sentiment from the Birthday Classics: September stamp set by PTI and then a little splash of bling with some sequins. He liked it : )

I hope you have a wonderful week and will find time to get inky!! : )

Patti

Merry and Bright

My card today is another I created for my friend, Theresa of InkyFingers1 blog.  We have been sharing and swapping supplies. : ) She asked me to create some cards that she can share with her customers that use exclusive or almost exclusive Stampin Up products. 

My card base is white but the lovely patterned paper comes from Stampin Up's All is Calm DSP series.  I added some Soft Sky and embossed it with SU's new Polka Dot EF and finally I added one of the precious die cut houses in the new Holiday Home stamp set from the Holiday Catalog.  I love this set! there are so many fun things you can do with this stamp/die combo.  You'll be seeing a lot more from me from this versatile set.

I embellished with some ribbon and Baker's Twine from my stash and finally added a sentiment from the Good Greetings stamp set - which by the way is a hostess gift that you can earn for free when you have a qualifying party.  Please consider stopping in at Theresa's blog to leave some love! : )

I hope you have a great day : ) I will be... Theresa is coming over to play with paper : ) There is just nothing like a girlfriend and some great paper crafting supplies to put a smile on your face! : )

Patti

Give Thanks

Edited to add:  I have "found" Judy1223 from Judy's Card Corner blog! Please be sure to pay her a visit.  She is a lovely and talented papercrafter. : ) 

Hello friends : ) I have been away for a while as I wrestle with life a bit.  I am back now and hope to get around to visiting my blog friends very soon.

I wanted to welcome some new followers including Judy1223, Cardsrus, Claire Grantham and Mickey Jo.  Unfortunately, other than Mickey Jo's blog  I can't seem to figure out how to link you the the blogs of these ladies : ( I am such an old dog trying to learn new tricks. So ladies! if you visit me again please be so kind as to leave me a link to your blog I would love to visit you and give you a shout out. : ) Friends, please visit Mickey Jo and comment on her lovely cards and bracelets! : )

My card today was created for my friend, Theresa of InkyFingers1 blog.  She is a bran new Stampin Up demonstrator and she is trying to build her product and customer base.  With the exception of the circle and scallop die cut and the polka dot ribbon all materials used are current Stampin Up supplies : )

I hope this finds you well and happy today and enjoying a lovely weekend!

(((Hugs)))
Patti

Supplies:
Card base: Crushed Curry by SU
Patterned paper: Lullaby DSP by SU
Butterflies from the Papillon Potpourri Stamp Set by SU
Sentiment from the Good Greetings SU stamp set
Circle and scallop die cut from Nestabilities
Polka Dot ribbon by American Crafts

Happy Happy Birthday Bev!

Today is a celebration for one of the sweetest gals in blogland!  It's a birthday party for Bev owner of Happy Dance blog.

Me and my guy are all decked out for the happiest dance of the year!  Please join us at the party over at Ardyth's place - the  MASKerade blog.  Ardyth and her partner in "crime", Darnell of djkardcreations blog have cooked up quite a PARTY! : )

Happy Birthday, Bev! your card will be in the mail today.  I didn't want to take a chance mailing it too early for fear of spoiling the surprise : )  I hope it is the happiest birthday celebration of all!!

BIG (((Hugs)))

Patti

Supplies:
Image from Art Impressions, Inc.
Frame was computer generated
colored with Prisma Pencils

Hostess Gift

inside sentiment reads: thinking of you

Hello friends : ) I am home from my trip to Florida.  Thank you so much for all your well wishes and concern!  I was blessed to see my father in better health than I had feared I would find him.  He is recovering well and even getting back to some of his old favorite pastimes.

I took a gift of cards to my step Mother that I made using the "Life is Sweet" stamp and die set from Papertrey Ink.  She liked it : ) and here they all are.

I drew a heart shape on my card stock in pencil and then followed the shape to create my heart wreath.  I love the delicate littlest stamp in this set.

I drew a circle on my card stock for the wreath shape onthis card as well and then built my floral wreath : ) Super easy!!

Last but not least here is a picture that my brother took of my Dad and step Mom with me on their side porch it was the only picture I was able to get of them before my camera battery died.  

I am hoping to get out to blogland very soon to catch up with all that you gals have been up to while I have been away. My mouse finger is itching to see all the inspiration I've been missing : )

BIG (((Hugs)))

Patti