PTI August Blog Hop

I should know better.  But it seems I don't.  *sigh*  I wanted to try to participate in the August Blog Hop from PTI since I hadn't been able to in a while.  I had a few ideas rolling around and checked out what's already been posted.  That's where I should have known better.  Seems like I either didn't like my ideas anymore or saw several cards already posted that had a similar theme.  Back to the drawing board.  With limited time.  I must like working under pressure.

photo credit

So this is what I came up with.  I elected to take a more literal interpretation of this photo.  I'm not totally happy with it but it is what it is.

I used a lot of PTI goodness on this.  Pacific Vineyard paper to mimic the inside pattern and colors of the trunk.  Tea for Two label die, lots of items from the new Friendship Jar: Summer Fillers set, the original Friendship Jar jar & die, Text Style background on the tag that I did in place of the books in the photo, Birthday Bash Sentiments and Sending You to create the design on the napkin.

I can see several things that I'd like to play around with some more for a card with this kind of fold.  There's lots of potential for interactivity with the pocket on the bottom.  I need to play with this a little more.  I'm thinking it could be a neat way to present multiple gift cards for the holidays or a birthday.  What do you think?

Check out the card I created below for the Papertrey Playhouse Challenge just posted.  I hadn't seen the photo for the Aug Blog Hop and managed to still create a card that would work for the Blog Hop too.  :)

Papertrey Playhouse Same Tag Challenge

So often I have great ideas.  But they seem to be just a little too late to put into action.  I was so happy that this wasn't one of those instances.  Signing up for the next round of challenges on the Papertrey Playhouse challenge blog I tried to actually start thinking about what I wanted to do rather than waiting until the last minute.

For some reason I got to thinking about how one of my favorite magazine columns or articles is always where the same products are sent to multiple designers.  Between the ideas that never fail to make me think "why didn't I do that??" to seeing a variety of craft styles make a product work with their approach.

So I elected to use that concept for my challenge.  My twist on it was that I embellished a tag and sent it to everyone rather than them just having the "plain" product to start with.  I managed to not take any pictures or scans of the tags before I sent them out.  *sigh*  But each group member received a manilla tag with stitching around the edges.  I stamped the original Friendship Jar jar image off the edge and layered different PTI papers in a banner shape and circle.  I added some fabric tape over that and a little bit of lace tape near the top.

This is my creation using the "base" tag.  I didn't have anything in mind when I was creating these tags and hadn't even been able to work with  it until the Sunday night prior to posting the challenge for the group.  Once I did have a chance to play I knew I wanted to use the new Summer Fillers set.  I die cut and stamped the new pint jar on a scrap of grid patterned paper.  Since there were items already in place I did a good bit of creative masking to add to my images.  I did a little bit of coloring with my Copics on the single strawberry and straws.  I stamped a single word from 2 different sentiment stamps in this series to create the text in the Tiny Label.  I added some seam binding scraps and layered the tag over a doily.  The background paper is a sweet blue gingham from October Afternoon with stitching to match the tag.  This card feels summery to me.  Just a sweet something to send to a friend and recall summer memories.

I hope you'll consider playing along with those of us in the Playhouse.  Make sure to link your creation here or on the challenge blog so I can see it.

365 Days a Year

I'm a card maker.  I make lots of cards every single month.  But I NEVER seem to be able to get them mailed out in time for birthdays, anniversaries or special events.  It's embarrassing. But hopefully that's going to change going forward.  I'm really delighted with this project and so happy to be offering it as a class at Paper Vineyard.

Here are just 2 pictures of this perpetual calendar.  No more rewriting events from one year to the next!!

This is a 7 x 9, coil bound project that has 12 pages.  One page for each month of the year.  Each page also includes a pocket to tuck in all those cards you've made and have ready (unlike myself).

We'll be using the Zutter Bind-It-All and the Purple Monster as well as a little stitching if you like for this.

I'm super happy to be sharing Simple Stories products in this project as well.  Adriana will be bringing this in because of this project.  I know you'll love it when you see the designs  and the amazing versatility of it!!







Here's a look at the January page.  There's a tab on the outside edge for you to quickly and easily go to the correct month.  The pocket is large enough to fit a 5 x 7 card easily.

You'll like this so much you'll want to order extra kits to create them for gifts

PTPH Fall Project

I'm barely squeaking in under the wire on this one!!  The most recent challenge over at the Playhouse challenged us to create something for the fall or one of the upcoming fall holidays.  I was originally thinking of something for Halloween but ended up with a general Happy Fall card.

I really like starting with colored card bases sometimes.  It just makes everything easier and faster.  That was certainly the case for this little gem.  A smidge of PTI patterned paper with stitching on the bottom with the notebook die on top.  The notebook die was cut out of a manilla folder (one of my favorite things lately).  I inked all the edges I could find with Antique Linen Distress Ink.  The pumpkins are from the Friendship Jar Fall Fillers as is the sentiment.  I added a little interest to them with one of the background stamps from Bitty Basics.  So fun to do that and really change the feel of an image - the dots make them seem more casual, happy.  (How do you know if a pumpkin isn't happy??)  The label die is from the Tea for Two series.  I inked up the image that coordinates with it and then just wiped off the ink from the text inside it.  Lots of possibilities when you think of how you can selectively un-ink an image.

The next challenge, hosted by yours truly, goes live in the morning.  Stop by to check it out and play along!

Bunches of new classes added!

Just a quick update.  I've added a TON of new classes to my schedule.  I'm very happy to be expanding the classes I offer all over the Valley.  Projects have been posted - will add the remaining photos as quickly as possible - in the Class Projects tab.  I'm really delighted with all of them and looking forward to sharing them with you.  So make sure to sign up at the store nearest you!!

Also, with the addition of roller derby to my schedule, a few classes have changed dates or times.  I've tried to minimize these changes but please double check when you call the store to sign up.

And if you've got a favorite image you'd like to see featured in an upcoming coloring class, please bring it with you.  I'm always on the look out for interesting, new & different images to use in class.

New Spellbinders catalogs will be available in stores or classes starting after the 19th.  Soooooo many wonderful new products from them.  I can't wait to get my hands on the Edgebilities.  You can guarantee those will be showing up in classes as soon as I do!

The Amazing Technicolor Bruise

This happened Monday evening when I wiped out at my 2nd on skates Derby practice.  I think the colors are very pretty.  Wish I could figure out what Copic colors these would be!

My first on skate practice was last Thursday.  And to say I was exhausted is a huge understatement.  I don't think I've ever been so soaking wet outside of the shower or a pool in my life!!  And if my face wasn't at least fire engine red I'd be surprised!

Had 3 good wipe outs that night.  Was actually glad when the first one happened.  It was over and done with and I could stop worrying about it.  The other 2 came when I was trying to execute the rolling back stop.  Nothing like I used to do in my skating heyday.  Hence the multiple falls.  :)  Despite the heat, incredibly sore muscles and difficulty I'm loving it.  Really want to get past thinking about the skating part so I can concentrate on the techniques for the falls and stuff.  Trying to do both at once is too much even for a master multi-tasker like myself.

Tonight will be another practice and I'm actually looking forward to it.  I just want to go skate and get better and participate.  And am still contemplating my derby name.  The one I wanted is taken so it's onto plan B.  Am thinking of using "Scrappy" but not sure I wanted to combine my two hobbies.  Any thoughts?

Here's a layout I did several years ago when I tried to roller skate for exercise.  It's amazing how much of it still applies.  Have a great  day!!

click to enlarge

DERBY!!!!

Ok.  I'm trying not to let myself get to excited or start hyperventilating or anything.  But tonight will be the first time I'll be able to get geared up and skate at derby practice.  Just got word that my RED helmet is in!!  So happy.  I'm off to go pick it up, then some prep for classes this weekend.

Curious about derby??  Go check it out!