Category Archives: Papertrey Ink

PTI MIM: Shadow Backgrounds

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I had some free time yesterday and decided to play along with Papertrey’s Make it Monday: Shadow Backgrounds.

The concept is to make the images in the background grey or the same color as the cardstock and the main image is full of color. There were two image techniques I noticed – using outline and solid stamps together or larger and smaller images together. I made cards using the two image techniques.

My outline and solid card is also a clean and simple card:

The Sky is the Limit | by karen h @ carefree creations

It is cas only in that there limited layers.

I started by stamping the outline balloon image on the background and then added white clouds to help connect everything and make a flow.

My large and small image card is much less cas:

Hello Sunflower | by karen h @ carefree creations

This image is the only one I have in my stash where I have a large and small version. I wish I had a slightly lighter grey, but between the bold colors and the plaid stripes, I feel like the focus is where it belongs.

This was a fun technique!

Thanks for taking a peek!

the sky is the limit
Stamps: Up Up Away (Papertrey Ink – PTI);;
Ink: Pool (Hero Arts); Fresh Snow, Pure Poppy, Orange Zest, Bright Buttercup, Enchanted Evening (PTI);
Paper: Spring Rain, White (PTI);
Other: Up Up Away die, Double Ended Banner die (PTI);

Hello
Stamps: Autumn Abundance, Sunflower Bouquet, Plaid Builder (PTI);
Ink: Black (Memento); markers (Copic); Gravel Gray (My Favorite Things); Blueberry Sky (PTI);
Paper: White, Blueberry Sky, Enchanted Evening (PTI);
Other: Stitched Rectangle die (Lil Inkers); sequins (Simon Says); Noted die (PTI);

Season’s Greetings

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It is time for another CAS Colours & Sketches challenge. Check out the latest challenge:

And here is my take:

Season's Greetings | by karen h @ carefree creations

I recently picked up this stamp set and thought – with its rectangle shape and built in border – it would be perfect for this sketch.

I colored it with Copics. I’ve seen other cards with multi colored dots surrounding an image. I didn’t pull it off, but this was my first attempt. I’m not sure why I don’t feel like I “nailed it”, but I’ll try it again one day.

I hope you join us at CAS Colours & Sketches!

Thanks for stopping by!

A Little About the Challenge: This weekly challenge is posted on Tuesday, and alternates between color and sketch (if there is a 5th week in the month you get the double dose of color & sketch).

Season’s Grettings
Stamps: Botanical Blocks IV (Papertrey Ink – PTI);
Ink: Black (Momento);
Paper: White (PTI); Merry Moments DSP (Stampin’Up);

Too Cute to Spook

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It is time for another CASology challenge. Check out the latest challenge – JUMPY!

Here is my take:

Too Cute to Spook | by karen h @ carefree creations

I know, you may be wondering how the heck this is jumpy. The cute card front is to lull the recipient into a false sense of security 🙂 Upon opening the card, they’ll get a confetti shower!

Inside Too Cute | by karen h @ carefree creations

I used these instructions from Holly to make my confetti flinger. (FYI I took the rubber band off so I could take a photo.)

I hope you join us at CASology – and, for more inspiration, check out the other design team members:

Thanks for stopping by!

Too Cute to Spook
Stamps: Happy Spooky Halloween (Papertrey Ink – PTI); Alphabet (Michael’s Studio G);
Ink: Simply Chartreuse, Plum Pudding (PTI); Pumpkin Pie (Stampin’Up); Brillance Graphite Black (Tsukineko);
Paper: White, Royal Velvet pattern paper (PTI);
Other: Confetti die (Mama Elephant);

You are a Pearl

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It is time for another CASology challenge. Check out the latest challenge – PEARL!

Here is my take:

You are a Pearl | by karen h @ carefree creations

So why are pearls always shown in clam shells when they come from oysters? Well that worked for me as I don’t have any oyster stamps!

I hope you join us at CASology – and, for more inspiration, check out the other design team members:

Thanks for stopping by!

You
Stamps: Simple Seashells, Simply You (Papertrey Ink – PTI);
Ink: Chamomile (PTI); Blush Blossom, Petal Pink, Powder Pink, Tip Top Taupe (Stampin’Up);
Paper: Rustic White (PTI);

Celebrate Together

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Celebrate Together | by karen h @ carefree creations

It has been a crazy few weeks. I haven’t had much time to play in other challenges. Thankfully, The Library Challenge runs for a month! May’s challenge is the book “Brideshead Revisited”. I used the cover for my inspiration – and used quite a bit of it: the colors, a car, the scarf, the way the words go “out-of-the-box” of the scarf.

I also liked the little scratch marks in the bends of the scarf, so I added a few of my own with a marker.

Thanks for taking a peek!

Celebrate
Stamps: Enjoy the Ride (Papertrey Ink – PTI);
Ink: Pumpkin Pie (Hero Arts); Scattered Rose distress marker (Ranger); Burnt Umber (Momento);
Paper: Peach Bellini (My Favorite Things); Cajun Craze (Stampin’Up); Vellum (PTI);
Other: Swiss Dot embossing (Cuttlebug); Layered Banner die, Enjoy the Ride die, Birthday Cheer die (PTI);

Squiggle Butterfly

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It is time for another CASology challenge. Check out the latest challenge – SQUIGGLE!

Here is my take:

Thinking of You | by karen h @ carefree creations

Doodle style stamps seemed like a great way to go with this Squiggle cue! I used the a spot image to “color” the butterfly. I positioned the cluster of elements one-third of the way from the top.

I hope you join us at CASology – and, for more inspiration, check out the other design team members:

Thanks for stopping by!

thinking of you
Stamps: Springtime Doodles, Wonderful Watercolors (Papertrey Ink-pti);
Ink: Pale Peony (PTI); Pool (Hero Arts); Sour Apple, Grape Jelly (My Favorite Things-MFT); Espresso Truffle (Momento);
Paper: White (PTI); Lemon Chiffon (MFT);

Lacy Hello

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It is time for another CAS Colours & Sketches challenge. Check out the latest challenge:

And here is my take:

Lacy Hello | by karen h @ carefree creations

I had a few ideas for this challenge, but when I went searching through my dies, I found this die and immediately decided to change direction and make this card. The funny thing, to me, is that I bought that die for the two frame bits and figured I’d never actually use the floral inside!

I loved the idea of the blended ink showing through the lacy floral openings. With the very limited layers, this stays quite clean & simple!

This is definitely one of my favorite cards!

I hope you join us at CAS Colours & Sketches!

Thanks for stopping by!

A Little About the Challenge: This weekly challenge is posted on Tuesday, and alternates between color and sketch (if there is a 5th week in the month you get the double dose of color & sketch).

hello
Stamps: Communique Curves Sentiments (Papertrey Ink – PTI);
Ink: Distress Carved Pumpkin & Fossilized Amber (Ranger); Smoke (Simon Says Stamp);
Paper: White (PTI);
Other: Mix & Mat Scallops die (PTI); Bakers Twine – Basic Gray (Stampin’Up);

Copper Butterfly

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It is time for another CASology challenge. Check out the latest challenge – COPPER!

Here is my take:

Copper Butterfly | by karen h @ carefree creations

I have some old copper embossing powder and decided I would use that for this challenge. (Since I couldn’t come up with a useable police pun….)

This butterfly set is old, but I still love it. I knew there wouldn’t be much to the card if I only embossed the image & sentiment. As I was looking through my index, I realized I could cut/impress the clouds and give some white-on-white texture. I added a touch of blue sponging just to highlight the butterfly even more.

I hope you join us at CASology – and, for more inspiration, check out the other design team members:

Thanks for stopping by!

Birthday Wishes
Stamps: Butterfly Kisses (Papertrey Ink – PTI);
Ink: Versamark (Tsukineko); Tumbled Glass Distress (Ranger);
Paper: White (PTI);
Other: Copper embossing powder (Stampin’Up); Blue Skies impression plate (PTI);

Hello, Mr. Blue Jay

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It is time for another CAS Colours & Sketches challenge. Check out the latest challenge:

And here is my take:

Hello Mr Bluejay | by karen h @ carefree creations

When I first saw that blue, I thought Blue Jay! I think I miss those annoying birds! I grew up in Virginia and we always had those noisy pests…but now I’ve been in Colorado for awhile and I have not seen (or heard) them. I’ll have to pay more attention when I visit home next time.

Once I decided on Blue Jay, the green was a no brainer (leaves). I wasn’t sure how I’d incorporate the yellow, but I thought I might sponge it in the background. When it came time to actually do that, I didn’t like the idea. Instead I pulled out some old pattern paper and added a little border – which can also function as the tree trunk.

I love how the sentiment snugs right into the branches.

I hope you join us at CAS Colours & Sketches!

Thanks for stopping by!

A Little About the Challenge: This weekly challenge is posted on Tuesday, and alternates between color and sketch (if there is a 5th week in the month you get the double dose of color & sketch).

hello
Stamps: Winter Woods (Papertrey Ink – PTI);
Ink: Pacific Point, Pear Pizzaz, Crumb (Stampin’Up-SU); black (PTI);
Paper: White (PTI); Prints DSP – Saffron (SU);
Other: Winter Woods die (PTI);

Make Waves

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It is time for another CASology challenge. Check out the latest challenge – Marine!

Here is my take:

Make Waves | by karen h @ carefree creations

This challenge has made me realize I have lots of marine stamps! I haven’t used this whale set yet so this was the perfect time!

I really like Heather’s card so I CASEd it.

I hope you join us at CASology – and, for more inspiration, check out the other design team members:

Thanks for stopping by!

make waves
Stamps: Keep Swimming (Papertrey Ink – PTI);
Ink: After Midnight (My Favorite Things); Tumbled Glass, Salty Ocean, Mermaid Lagoon, Broken China distress inks (Ranger);
Paper: White (PTI); Tempting Turquoise (Stampin’Up); Watercolor (Ranger);
Other: Stitched Rectangle die (Lil Inkers);