Papertrey January Blog Hop Challenge

Seems like it was just the 1st day of 2016, and here we are at the 25th of January already. Nichole challenged us here to create a project using this colorful inspiration photo.

photo source: Rex Ray

I love the colors but the design was a bit intimidating. Just had to try the challenge though. Being in desperate need of sympathy cards, I went with the card below. The colors might be a bit bold for comfort, but I think the layered butterfly helps soften it some. At least I'm convinced.

Supplies: (all PTI unless noted)

Cardstock: Stamper's Rustic Cream

Ink: Tropical Teal and Orange Zest

Stamps: Brushed Off and Keep It Simple: Sympathy

Dies: Life Is Beautiful

Other: Clear Vellum, Micro Glue Dots and Orange Enamel Dot (stash)

PTI Create Along With Us Challenge: January 2016

This challenge allows us to select something the PTI Design Team created that inspired us and create our own version. There were so many beautiful projects it was difficult to pick just one. Since I'm in need of a sympathy card, I used that to help narrow down my options. My selected card is this one created by Betsy Veldman. Isn't she amazing? Not only did it put me out of my comfort zone with all the blending and watercoloring, but I don't have the supplies Betsy used so I had to get creative with what I own. She obviously practiced a whole lot more than I have. Don't you just love her colors and details? I do!

My sympathy card came together using two sizes of Stitched Rectangles by MFT to get my border. The three butterflies were die-cut from Life Is Beautiful. All of these were cut from watercolor paper and colored using blending tools and the same ink colors as Betsy…only less (Hawaiian Shores, Tropical Teal, Enchanted Evening and Black). That explains why my card looks so different and also why I'm not on any Design Team. Here's my reveal:

Think I should have left off the watercoloring underneath the butterflies, but it's too late now for me to fix that. I'll just go with it and hope the recipient appreciates my not-so-perfect-artsy card. Oh, and I must confess I actually cut the sentiment in two from Keep It Simple: Sympathy and stamped it in Enchanted Evening. My sparkling clear sequins are from Pretty Pink Posh. 

Supplies: (all PTI unless noted)

Cardstock: Stamper's Select White

Ink: Hawaiian Shores, Tropical Teal, Enchanted Evening and Black (Jo-Ann)

Stamps: Keep It Simple: Sympathy

Dies: Life Is Beautiful and MFT Stitched Rectangles

Other: Canson Mixed Media Paper, Watcolors, Paintbrush, Blending Tools, PPP Sparkling Clear Sequins and SU Dimensionals (all from my stash)

PTI MIM #236: A La Carte

As the year 2015 ended and 2016 began, our challenge was to select one of 40 videos from last year's Papertrey Ink Make It Mondays. There were so many new techniques showcased it gets overwhelming. I tend to forget to incorporate them into my card making. This was a great reminder! Thanks, PTI, for all the inspiration and challenges to push me out of my comfort zone. The technique I used was from MIM #204: Watercolor Smooshing by Betsy Veldman. Here's my card:

Using a piece of clear acetate, I used three shades of pink, misted them and smooshed my watercolor paper. While it was drying, I die cut the word "love" three times from Stamper's Select White card stock and the two hearts from Silver Glitter Paper. When dry, I die cut the word "love" from the smoothed paper and staggered it a bit to show the layer of Raspberry Fizz card stock behind it. The smaller heart is raised up for dimension and so is the pink layer. Nearly impossible to see, I used the end of a paintbrush dipped in Delicata Silvery Shimmer ink to place dots over the image. To finish it off, I drew a border using a Zig Painty Metallic Pen (silver). 

Burned out from making 70 Christmas cards just in time to mail them out, I was a bit reluctant to enter my craft room. Christmas Day we left town for 10 days and enjoyed a fabulous family vacation. Needless to say, I am way behind in blog commenting. Happy New Year to my blogging friends!

Supplies: (all PTI unless noted)

Cardstock: Stamper's Select White and Raspberry Fizz

Ink: SU Pretty In Pink Marker, Hibiscus Burst, Raspberry Fizz and Delicata Silvery Shimmer

Stamps: None

Dies: Bubble Talk and Wet Paint Cuts

Other: Zig Painty Metallic Pen, Silver Glitter Paper, Canson Mixed Media Paper, Paintbrush, Acetate and SU Dimensionals (all from my stash)