I was on a roll last night so I tackled the PTI Blog Hop too 🙂

This month was a photo inspiration:

I was really drawn to the country feel and the mix of patterns. While I know Nichole mentioned the blue as aqua, that is too subdued for me, so I went with spring rain:

The card base is stamped with a flower from Tag-Its – that is my large pattern. The gingham is my medium pattern. And you can’t see it at all, but the center of the flower is stamped with a tiny polka dot pattern from Bits & Buttons.

As one final touch I added little white dots to the flowers that are stamped on the card base.

Thanks for taking a peek!

I created this card for the latest CAS(e) This Sketch challenge (squeaking it in before the deadline).

While this card is not quite as CAS as my normal cards, I think it is enough to still qualify for the challenge.

For the confetti I stamped the group image in blue, green, and yellow. Then I went back with the individual pieces to add other colors to the group bits. That wasn’t quite enough integration, so I added marker-drawn confetti in orange and pink. I wish I hadn’t gone completely neon for the confetti, but still happy with the festive feel.

Months ago I bought a sampler pack of cardstock from MFT. Since there is only 1 piece per color I haven’t really used it, but the Cotton Candy was the perfect pink for the card base (bright but not overwhelming). Guess I’ll need to buy an actual pack of that!

So any of you who have been to my blog before knows that I am *not* a pink person. I guess I need to stop saying that! I do seem to create quite a few cards with pink – and I like them. I think I’ve decided that I have personal color favorites (found in my wardrobe and home decor) and then there is a separate category of colors for crafting. Does anyone else find they enjoy creating using colors that aren’t their “norm”?

Thanks for taking a peek!

My last one to catch up – yesterday’s PTI challenge was to feature a blue ombre.

My original plan for this card was just to have a monochromatic card. When I went looking for a good sentiment, this one caught my eye and then triggered an awesome change to the plan.

For the sentiment panel, I sort of used the inlaid-die technique with clouds, but only to form a flat surface on which to stamp. So it is just the clouds that are creatively cut to form one panel – which is then popped up on the card base.

Thanks for taking a peek!

The next PTI challenge was a little harder: use metallics and neutrals only. That automatically makes me think elegant and sophisticated.

I decided to tackle a technique I’ve been wanting to try (I’ve had the supplies for years, but never did it): gold foil flakes.

First thing I did was to watch a video. I did use the tip to use talcum on my fingers….actually what I used was my embossing buddy – on EVERYTHING – and it worked (I made less of a mess than I normally do with glitter!).

For my adhesive, I used Tsukineko’s glue pad – though I did coat my image with Versamark first (don’t think it is necessary, but I didn’t want to take a chance since it won’t be easy to replace Damask Designs once it goes to the vault next month).

You can’t see it in the photo, but I do like the extra, subtle, texture the flakes give – due to the overlapping of different flake pieces. I’ll see if I can get a better photo tomorrow.

Thanks for taking a peek!

Another Papertrey challenge – this time, create a bouquet using more than 1 flower set. I love flower sets, so I knew I could do this challenge. My biggest problem was finding flowers that looked like they went together.

Here’s my card:

I decided to use flowers from Mini Blooms & Day Dreamer. I also pulled a sweet little leaf sprig from Natural Beauties. For colors I chose those that made me think spring (soft, almost pastels).

The little pointy border on the side is the Heart Border die, but the pointy end instead of the petite scallop of the top.

Thanks for taking a peek!

Another Papertrey challenge. This time, be inspired by Maile Bells. I love Maile’s work – perfect CAS cards! One thing that stands out to me as a Maile technique – cutting a panel to make room for a sentiment. I tried my hand:

I ended up goofing on the sentiment placement so I had to leave a larger opening that I had originally intended. Still, I love the way it turned out.

Thanks for taking a peek!

My stamps have been gathering dust, but Papertrey’s 8th anniversary party got me inspired.

The first challenge was a color/sketch combo. I chose to use the first color combo with the seventh sketch to come up with this card:

I am really happy with how this turned out!

Thanks for taking a peek!

A long time ago I pinned this beautiful image from Design Seeds (link goes to home page as I can’t find the original post any more):

I pulled up the inspiration today and sat down to make a card…and ended up making 4!

I basically pulled out a die cut that reminded me of the lace flower in the inspiration piece, picked a sentiment that worked (with no reason to make cards, I went with a generic saying) – and then got started.

This one is my favorite:

I used distress ink to sponge a background (with a splash of water for interest). Very simple, and in my definition, a one-layer card. I love how the flower pops!

Next up is a watercolor background:

Again, I used distress ink – but a couple colors to go for a subtle ombre. I love the soft wispy feel.

A bit of cardstock color blocking:

I really wanted the flower to pop, so I started with the darker color at the top – bonus that that meant I could stamp (instead of emboss) my sentiment.

My least favorite of the four:

I like the idea behind it, but wish I had used a different stamp to make the background.

Also, I kinda got stuck on the blue color theme (which I *love* for the first two cards), but with the other two cards, I wish I had picked brighter (not necessarily blue) colors.

Thanks for taking a peek!