Imagine

Hi,
Today is the Papertrey Ink Blog Hop.  I have never participated in a blog hop before, and am excited to see all the projects!  The entries are to be based on a photo posted here.  I chose to follow the color scheme in the photo, only I eliminated the yellow, as I do not own any yellow ink that I like. But I do love how the colors turned out on my card!
Cheers,
Val

Materials:
Paper:  C/S PTI Sweet Blush, White
Stamps: PTI Asian Fusion, Take Three Winter
Ink: PTI Spring Moss, Berry Sorbet, SU Pretty in Pink, Cool Caribbean, Color Box Berrylicious, Versamark
Other: MS Edge Punch, Ranger Diamond Stickles, Stampendous White EP, Copics

Fabulous Day Card

Hi,
I have been on vacation all week and thought I'd make more cards, that didn't happen, but I did get a small vegetable garden planted!  This is something I've been wanting to do again for a few years, and I am absolutely thrilled to have accomplished this little dream!  Now onto my card.  I used the reverse masking technique as shown in the Make It Monday video @ Papertrey Ink.  After cutting my card, it was embossed using  a Cuttlebug folder.  First I stamped in Versamark and embossed in white the vase (with a post it note at the top  portion of the vase to facilitate flower placement later) from PTI's Asian Fusion.  Then I created a reverse mask by stamping another vase on scrap paper and cutting it out, using the"frame " of the vase for my mask.  This I placed over the vase on the card and stamped in Versamark the largest flower from the PTI In Bloom set, and heat embossed it with white EP.  With the mask still in place, I sponged navy ink over the flower. Next the smallest flower from In Bloom was stamped atop the vase, and then the sentiment was added.  I must say I am really enjoying these challenges, and I love the feeling of nurturing creativity.  
Cheers,
Val

Materials:
Paper: PTI C/S Vanilla Cream
Stamps: PTI Asian Fusion, In Bloom, Signature Greetings
Ink: Versamark, SU Not Quite Navy
Other: Cuttlebug EF Grace's Frame, Stampendous White EP

Fall to Layout 145

Hi,
This has definitely been a lucky week.  I won a $25 gift certificate from Winners, I received a complimentary restaurant gift certificate from my mortgage broker, and I won a free online card class from Dawn McVey's blog.  It is the Summer Camp online card class, and there are so many talented designers participating,  I am thrilled to be able to partake. I wanted to make a lighthearted happy card today, I was trying to let the colors  "talk".
Cheers,

Val

Materials:
Paper: PTI C/S Raspberry Fizz, Kraft,Aqua Mist, White
Stamps:  Hero Arts Small Solid Flower,Unity Feel the Joy
Ink: Versamark, ColorBox Berrylicious
Other: Thread, Sewing Machine

Miss You

Hi,
Oh, so many goodies @ Papertrey Ink.  Makes keeping to the budget sooo difficult.  This card is for the latest Make It Monday; it is quite colorful for me.  I changed up the  vase color a few times, but in the end, chose the blue, which was actually also my first choice.  Kinda like buying clothes. Love the look that can be created by using the  rock and roll tecnique.
Cheers,

Val

Materials:
Paper: PTI C/S Vintage Cream
Stamps: PTI Asian Fusion, Masculine Motifs
Ink: Colorbox Royal Blue, SU Burgundy, Saffron, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Celery, Old Olive
Other: Spellbinders Nestabilities Rectangles, Scor Pal

Stretching

Hi,
As much as I enjoy challenges, sometimes the very nature of the task seems formidable to me. Right now I am referring to Papertrey Ink's Make It Monday # 18, using Tissue Paper Texture.  I think I have a clean and simple style, so when a technique is presented that is shabby, vintage, ornate, or anything but clean, I think, can I REALLY do this?  And should I post it?  It's not me. But something is always gained in stretching beyond one's creative comfort zone.  Dontcha  think?
Cheers,
Val

Materials:

Stamps: PTI Masculine Motifs

Paper: PTI C/S White, Kraft

Ink:  Ranger Distress Walnut, Studio G Turquoise, SU Not Quite Navy

Other: Clear Glue, White Tissue Paper

Feel the Joy

Hi,

This is a card for Fall to Layout 143 @ Clean & Simple.  As usual, I thought this would be real quick to whip up but I really had to search for an image to fit the space. Does that mean  I need more stamps?!!!

Cheers,

Val

Materials:

Stamps: Kaisercraft Butterfly, Unity sentiment

Paper: PTI C/S White, Berry Sorbet

Ink: PTI Berry Sorbet

Other:Spellbinders Nestabilities Rectangles,Tags; 

       MS Edge Punch; Unknown Fibers

Wishing You Well

Hi,
I had so much fun making this card.  This is my first time using UTEE, and it is a little magical.   This is for the PTI Cracked Glass technique.  I stamped the vase with Colorbox ink, embossed it 3 times, and then cracked it. Hope you enjoy it!
Cheers,

Val

Materials:
Stamps: Asian Fusion
Paper: PTI C/S Vintage Cream, Raspberry Fizz
Ink:Colorbox Royal Blue, Berrylicious, Versamark
Other: ScorPal, Stampendous White EP, Ranger Clear UTEE, Copic Marker

Make It Monday # 16

Hi,
Love these  MIM challenges. I do not have a huge stamp collection, so many of my cards are made using the same stamps.  But sometimes I just get attached to certain stamps, and I really struggle to use new stamps. Maybe there's more to the psychosis than just the paper!
The Papertrey challenge this week is to make a sympathy card.  Thought I'd try a new look, I stamped the bloom in Memento ink, colored it with Copics, then restamped it with versamark and heat embossed  with white embossing powder.
Cheers,

Val

Materials:

Paper: PTI C/S Stampers Select White, Berry Sorbet, Sweet Blush

Stamps: PTI In Bloom & Asian Fusion, Hero Arts Grid Pattern

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark

Other:  Copics, Stampendous White Embossing Powder, Unknown Pop-up Dots

Make It Monday #15

Hi,
Finally had a chance to play.  This week's MIM was to make mist spray using a reinker, which was all very new to me.  At least I didn't labor over which color reinker to use, as I only own one, but now that I have done this challenge, I could be tempted into buying a few more.  It was a lot of fun using the spray mist and the results are a little unpredictable, which adds to the fun!
Cheers,
Val

Materials:

Paper: PTI C/S Vintage Cream, Stampers Select White

Stamps: Hero Arts Large Open and Solid Flowers,PTI Signature Greetings

Ink: Versamark, Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress Reinker Broken China

Other:Stampendous White EP, ScorPal, Marvy Butterfly Punch

Birthday Wishes

Hello,
I have a little birthday card to post.  I have had this patterned  paper for over a year and was just recently able to make the first cut. Comprendez?!!!
Unfortunately I do not know the manufacturer of the paper, but I distinctly remember where it was purchased, and that would be at a wonderful shop called Buffalo Stamps and Stuff. On a trip to New York last March, a friend and I spent 3 hours in this store while a class was being taught.  I do not ever recall spending 3 hours in a shopping mall in my entire life, let alone a single shop!
Hope you enjoy the card.
Cheers, Val

             

Materials:

Paper: PTI Vintage Cream, Pure Poppy C/S + Unknown PP

Stamps: Just Rite 2" Decorative Borders Set, SU Watercolor Trio sentiment, Verve Filigree 

Other: PTI Ribbon, MS Edge Punch,Spellbinders Circles

Good Luck

I am glad these card challenges are so named.  I have only attempted simple type card layouts. It never fails, I see the sketch and a card that a talented person made, and think "Yes, I have a great idea for that sketch". And when I start to put together what I have envisioned in my mind, I usually come up with something quite unattractive.  Then I change a few things up and think "I really don't think I can do this after all". Eventually my stubborn streak kicks in and I think "there has to be a way I can do this!  And  gradually, almost magically sometimes, a card takes on a shape of its own that is actually quite delightful, at least to me.  A little more insight into the name paper psychosis?
 A card for the Clean & Simple 140.
Cheers,
Val

Materials:
C/S: PTI Vintage Cream, Pure Poppy
Stamps: Stampin Up Charming, Sincere Salutations, Hero Arts Grid Pattern
Ink: Versamark, Color Box Cranberry
Other: Sheer Creations Ribbon

Hello

Good Morning! 
I made this card yesterday and quickly ran outside to take a picture of it while it wasn't raining (1st day in 20 for no rain!!!), snapped 2 pics, and my trusty old Canon Rebel broke.  Did I take it to the shop?  Why no, I had to enjoy the day in the garden, and it was heavenly.  It never fails to amaze me how good things feel when we apppreciate them more (eg. just being outside in the sun).
 As for the card, I have often used both this layout and the Hero Arts grid stamp, I think it is my all time favorite, and certainly my most used.  I cannot take full credit though as the idea  for the card was partially inspired by this card by Laurie  Schmidlin whom I find very inspiring.  Also I wanted to thank people for leaving comments, it is both exciting and encouraging!  I wouldn't have known that my previous In Bloom card was tweeted on Papertrey except some thoughtful person had conveyed this by comment. After checking  out the tweet, I wanted to thank the person who left the comment, but by then yesterday's twitter glitch had reclaimed it. Anyway, thank you.
Have a wonderful day,
Val
Materials:
C/S: PTI Aqua Mist,Kraft
Stamps: Hero Arts Grid Pattern, Studio G Polka Dots(on bird)
Ink: Versamark, Color Box Frost White
Other: SU! Bird Punch, Spellbinders Circles, Stampendous White EP, Crafts Ribbon & Gem, Computer Generated font  (for hello)

A Friend to Me

Hi,
I made this for the Papertrey Ink Make It Monday challenge. I used part of the In Bloom leaves for the flower stem and lengthened it (by selectively stamping only a part of the stem) to make it "fit"  the flower better.  Also the sentiment is created from 2 stamps: "You are a blessing to me" is stamped in 2 parts and the word "friend" is taken from the In Bloom Sentiment  which reads "there is nothing better than a true friend".
I like to have these kinds of cards on hand to give someone a little boost when they are feeling low.  Here in Nova Scotia, we are into Day 19 of rain, and that really affects peoples' moods.  I am very thankful that I like to make cards as it seems such a positive thing to be able to create something if I can't be outside  in the garden.
Cheers,
Val

Materials:
C/S: PTI Stampers Select white, berry sorbet, spring moss
Stamps:  PTI In Bloom & Signature Greetings, Hero Arts Grid Pattern
Ink: Versamark, Memento tuxedo black
Other: Spellbinders Labels 9, MS Punch, Copics, Stampendous white EP, PTI In Bloom Die

Happy Mother's Day

Hi,
I had already made a MD card, however when I went to write in it, I thought this is a card I would like to receive (it is very plain), but I think my Mom would like something more flowery. Well, it just happens that I took a copics class a few evenings ago and thought I'd give them a try while watching over my son and his friends last night.  I think I could get used to this coloring thing!  Again, Happy Mother's Day and hope you enjoy the card.
Val

Materials:
 C/S: PTI Stampers Select white
Stamp: PTI In Bloom
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Other: Computer generated line and font, PTI In Bloom Die and copics

Variation of FTL 139

Hi there,
Love these CAS cards. Although I am so S-L-O-W at making these sketches.  Will it ever get any quicker?  I'll be sure to let you know if this happens soon!
Happy Mother's Day to all,
Val

Materials: PTI C/S white, aqua mist, kraft
stamps:
PTI Signature Greetings, Hero Arts Grid Pattern
Ink: Versamark
Other: Fiskars threading water punch, Michaels ribbon, Stampendous white embossing powder