My Inkspirations

TLC286 Anything but a bow or knot!

Ok, so todays Technique Lovers Challenge on SCS was to use ribbon without tying a bow or knot.  I made two cards today for the challenge.

Here's the first one

So you may be wondering where the ribbon is...well see the black webbing..that is actually ribbon!!  I got it last year from Sharon Johnson's Stamp Simply Store.  I adhered it to the card base with mini glue dots and some crystal effects.  The main image is from PTI's Spooky Sweets II and was stamped onto soft stone cardstock.  I then sponged it with Spiced Marmalade Distress ink, love the way it turned out.  My sewing machine had a mind of it's own today, so the zig zag stiching is quite wonky, but I thought it went with the Halloween theme of the card so I left it ;)

On to my second card....

Pretty simple and self explanatory...The main image and sentiment are from PTI's Blooming Button Bits.  I stamped the leaf with Ripe Avacado ink.  I then cut 8" pieces of the ribbon~Scarlet Jewel, Enchanted Evening and Terra Cotta Tile~ and with needle and thread stiched the bottom then gathered it and sewed it together.  A little half back pearl for the center and voila..Ribbon Rosettes!!!

Full Deets Below

Creepy Treats Card

Stamps: Spooky Sweets II

Cardstock:  Plum Pudding, Orange Zest, Soft Stone, Black; PP is from Cosmo Cricket

Ink:  Memento Black, Orange Zest, Spiced Marmalade

Extras: Black Web ribbon,  Purple rhinestones, sewing machine

Ribbon Rosette Card

Stamps:  Blooming Button Bits

Cardstock:  Kraft, Ripe Avacado, Scarlet Jewel

Ink: Ripe Avacado, Scarlet Jewel

Extas:  Ribbon, half back pearl

Thanks for stopping by!

Melanie 

The Tropics

I made this card some time ago, never posted of course, but it falls into todays Ways to use It challenge over at SCS...Buttons!  I used the button as a "hanger" for the "painting".  The frame was created using a technique in the resources section over on SCS as well.  It's called Faux Wood Frame by Kim Teasdale, gosh I just love her work.  I didn't have any mini brads so I used some teeny half back pearls in black from my stash. 

Oh, let me show you the card...duh....

This image is from a set called Paradise Island by Artful Inkables.  I just love this set, can you say Ideal Getaway!  The image was stamped and embossed onto watercolor paper, then watercolored with Tombow Markers.  The background was sponged with various inks.  The designer paper behind the "painting" is from an old pack from SU.  To me it looked like wallpaper, perfect background for the painting.  I made this card for my younger son's teacher last year....I just couldn't part with it though....then what's the point of making cards if you can't part with them?  Oh, I don't know.....I will probably package it with a small gift and still send it off to him ;)

So on to the deets!!

Cardstock:  Summer Sunrise-PTI, More Mustard-SU for the frame, Strathmore watercolor paper

Stamps:  Artful Inkables-Paradise Island

Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black, various inks for sponging the background

Extras:  Tombow Markers, Aquapainter, Button, Dew Drops, mini pearls, jute twine, Cuttlebug EF

Thanks for stopping by!

Melanie

GrumpaBella

This is exactly how I feel in the morning...'cept I don't look as good as this little cutie! I saw a sketch over on Katarina's blog that inspired this card.  I Love her work!  Sigh~ when I grow up I want to create like her!

So here we have GrumpaBella from Stamping Bella.  Since this is a scheduled post and I'm posting from work, I can't remember who makes this sentiment.  I picked it up years ago at either Michaels or AC Moore.  I stamped her onto cream cardstock with Memento black and colored her with Copic markers.  I then sponged the image and sentiment ovals with Tim Holtz Distress inks. The patterned paper is from DCWV, I think it's called the Luxury Stack.  I dyed the seam binding with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist.  And the pearl swirl is from a larger Prima swirl, I just cut a portion of it.  I don't think you can tell in the photo, but I added some sparkle with my clear Spika glitter pen to the coffee cup, steam and her slippers.  It's so sweet irl.  Did you ever make something that you just couldn't bear to part with?  Me thinks this is one of them for me....

Stamps: Stamping Bella, Sentiment...don't have it with me :(

Cardstock:  PTI's Kraft, Black & Cream.  PP-DCWV Luxury Stack

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Extras:  Nesties, Copics, Seam Binding, Prima swirl, EK Success border punch.

Thanks for stopping by!

Melanie

CC283 Baja Poppy Cakes

Wow, I don't post forever and this is my second for today?!  Anyway, I just couldn't resist yet another challenge over at SCS, this is for todays Color Combo.  I was able to get it finished and photographed before I left to come into work.  Yes, I'm posting from work, at least I'm able to bring my laptop with me :)

So here is my colorful rendition

The card measure's in at 5 1/2" square.  I stitched both layered panels with my trusty Sew Mini.  I created a background on the blue panel PTI's Giga Guidlines set.  The teapot was stamped onto Cream cardstock with Pure Poppy Ink and adorned with mini rhinestones.  The label was also stamped onto cream cardstock but with Black ink.  They are both popped up with dimensionals.  A wide black striped ribbon finished off the card. 

On to the Deets:

Stamps: PTI's Tea for Two & Guiga Guidlines

Cardstock: PTI's Kraft, Black, Spring Rain, PP-Tea Leaves

Ink:  Pure Poppy & Cream-PTI; Black-Memento

Extras:  PTI dies, Ribbon-Stamp Simply Ribbon Store; A Muse tiny rhinestones

Thanks for stopping by!!

Melanie

CAS 79

I'm having so much fun participating in the challenge forums over at Splitcoast Stampers.  CAS stands for Clean & Simple and here is my rendition of this weeks challenge "Gardens"

I created this little beauty yesterday, but just got done editing it today.  The images are from PTI.  I stamped and embossed them onto watercolor paper, then watercolored them with my Tombow markers and aquapainter.  The background was created using a panel of Aqua Mist and I stamped the Tin Types background to create my own BG paper.  I adhered it to a panel of Simply Chartreuse and finished it off with some zig zag stiching.  It's funny, I actually dropped out of 2 adult sewing classes.  I just  couldn't get the hang of it, my Mother is an incredible seamstress, that gene apparantly skipped me.  I am however finding some success sewing on cards - sewing straight lines of course ;) haven't tried it in a circle...maybe soon!!

Ok, back to the card...The base is Kraft and I swiped my fresh snow inkpad around the edges to soften it.  Hello is stamped onto cream cs and cut out with a nestie as is the black scalloped oval.  Onto the Deets..

Stamps:  PTI's Flower Garden & Tin Types Background

Cardstock:  PTI's Kraft, Aqua Mist, Simply Chartreuse, Cream, Black; Strathmore watercolor

Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black; Memento Tuxedo Black; PTI Fresh Snow; SU's Summer Sun for sponging the sentiment.

Extras:  Tombow Markers, Aquapainter, Sewing Machine, Nesties, Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Melanie

 

I Love You Beary Much!

I have a sweet little card to share with you today.  This cute little bear is from There She Goes.  Just the cutest thing I have ever seen... The card measures 3 3/4" square.

I stamped the images several times on watercolor paper then watercolored them with Tombow Markers and an aquapainter.  I cut out pieces and popped them up with dimensionals.  Here's a close up.

I think it turned out cute.  Ok, here are the Deets

Stamps:  There She Goes-Bear Hugs; PTI-Tin Types Background

Cardstock:  PTI's Kraft, Dark Chocolate, Ocean Tides, Ripe Avacado.  Strathmore watercolor paper

Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black, PTI pigment cream. Memento Rich Cocoa & Various inks for sponging

Extras:  Nesties, paper piercer, foam dimensionals.

Thanks for Stopping By!

Melanie

Home Made - Beach House

When Papertrey Ink (PTI here on out) started coming out with their line of templates I was on board from the beginning.  This one that I'm going to showcase was one of the last ones by Lauren Meader (I believe) before she went on to start her own company.  Anyway, I fell in Love with the Home Made template.  I've created so many different little homes, but the one I'm going to show you tonight is a sweet little Beach House.  The beach is my favorite place to go.  I love digging my toes into the sand while reading a book and listening to the waves crashing.  Talk about recharging your batteries.... sigh... I wish I could live there. 

So come along and take a tour!

And here is a closeup of the front

I used some twigs from my backyard and wraped them in rustic twine to make them look like piling leftovers that some people use to decorate the front of their shore homes.  I stamped the little birds then cut them out to represent sea gulls.  I braided some twine to create a natural wreath for the front door. 

Here is a side view

And the back

I know the flip flops are not to scale, but I just had to add them.  Well I hope you enjoyed the little tour, the Deets are below!!  I was fortunate enough to spend about 5 days at my Aunts shore house last month, so I will fill this house with chocolates (her favorite) and give it to her as a Thank You gift!!!

Cardstock:  PTI's Rustic White, Lemon Tart, Aqua Mist

Stamps:  PTI's Home Made, Day at the beach, Birds of a Feather

Ink:  PTI's Lemon Tart, Aqua Mist, Chocolate

Extras: Lemon Tart saddle stich ribbon, Rustic Twine, MS fence punch, EK Success border punch, blue half back pearl.

Thanks for stopping By!!

Melanie

Life's Simple Pleasures

I actually created this card some time ago but never posted it.  This actually qualifies for 2 challenges over on SCS.  Since my mojo has been low to non existent I decided to start perusing the Challenge forums there to get my juices flowing.  So here goes!!!

The challenges:  CAS78~use of Polka Dots & WT282~Stick It!!  So here are the Deets...

Stamps:  PTI - Polka Dot Basics & Shapes by Design

Cardstock:  PTI's Kraft, Black , White, Berry Sorbet, Ripe Avacado, Summer Sunrise, Ocean Tides, Vellum

Extra's:  PTI ribbon, Martha Stewart Butterfly Punches, Zyron, Glitter, Pin and pearls, A Muse Rhinestones

Again, a simple design that speaks for itself!! 

Thanks for stopping by!!

Melanie

Another Embellish Magazine challenge :)

First off though, WOW some Stamping and Stamp illustrating Rockstars commented on my last post!  I am truely in awe!! I took Kim Teasdale's Tombow watercoloring class over at My Creative Classroom  I actually took both of her classes and will show a sponged card I made hopefully tomorrow...

Ok, so back to this post ;) the latest challenge over at the Embellish Magazine Blog

And here is my card

I think I over edited this one..sorry.  I will show a closeup of the felt flower below.  

Cardstock:  PTI's Simply Chartreuse, Hibiscus Burst, Dark Chocolate and White

Stamps: PTI's Birds of a Feather & Polka Dot Basics II

Ink: Versamark, Memento Rich Cocoa, PTI's Simply Chartreuse

Extras:  PTI's felt in Simply Chartreuse, Raspberry Fizz & Dark Chocolate; Seam binding dyed with Tattered Angels Pink Bubblegum, Rectangle Nesties and PTI's flower dies, chocolate button from PTI and a little half backed pink pearl from Prima.  I adding some shading and blue sky with Prisma colored pencils and gamsol.

The layout is simple and speaks for itself ;)  Here is a closeup of the flower, I did a much better job editing this one!!

It's hard to see, but there is a chocolate felt flower underneath the pink one!   

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Melanie

Hey All

As usual, it's been quite some time since I posted anything!!  I'm getting a little more proficient with PSE6, so I've been editing some photos of some of my cards and such. 

A couple of weeks ago I came accross the Embellish Magazine Blog and the current challenge they are having just got my juices flowing again.  So I created 4 cards!

Here's the Challenge....

And here are my cards

For this card I used the Ric Rac as antennae for the Butterflies.  Very simple card...Supplies are mainly from Papertrey Ink.  The card base is Dark Chocolate, the accents that were cut with Spellbinders Fleur di Lis are in Orange Zest and Hawaiin Shores.  The butterflies are from the Butterfly Dreams stamp set.  They were stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto Kraft cardstock then colored with Copic Markers.  I added half pearls from Michaels to the center of the butterflies and some Stardust Stickles to the Ric Rac Antennae though it's difficult to see in the picture.  The antennae was created using PTI's cream felt and small Ric Rac die.

This next card also uses Papertrey Ink supplies.  The base is Kraft cardstock, the circles were cut with Spellbinders Nestabilities circles in Hawaiin Shores and Terra Cotta Tile cardstock.  Stamp sets used were Damask Designs and Simply Stationary.  Ink is Tim Holtz distress inks in Broken China and Fired Brick.  Ric Rac was cut with the small PTI die and Hawaiin Shores and Dark Chocolate felt.  The little roses were created with the leftovers.  Betsy Veldman has a tutorial on her blog, I will post a link later.  I hand cut the leaves from Simply Chartreuse felt.  The little rinestones on the center Kraft circle are from A Muse.

 Up next is a card that is still CAS, but took a little more time to put together.  Again, all Supplies are from Papertrey Ink..I used the Take Three: Summer stamp set.  I stamped it on to watercolor paper (not PTI)  with Versafine Onyx Black ink and embossed with clear EP.  I watercolored the flowers with Tombow Markers (also not PTI).  I punched them out with a scalloped square punch from Marvy Uchida as well as the Hawaiin Shores square with the sentiment and flowers.  The flower centers were dotted with Stickles, though it's hard to see in this picture.  Ric Rac was die cut with Dark Chocolate felt and onother ric rac rose adorns the end with some hand cut leaves.

Last Up...

This card uses stamps and dies from Papertrey Ink's latest release!  Love it!  The base is Kraft cardstock and I stamped notebook lines from It's Official with a cream pigment ink.  The focal point uses Dark Chocoale, Hawaiin Shores and Orange Zest cardstock.  I die cut spiral notebook page twice and stamped the "order" image (also from It's Official) in white pigment ink.  The ticket is also a new die from PTI, and I used another new set called Just the Ticket to stamp the focal image with Memento Black ink. 

So, where's the Ric Rac for this challenge?  I used a scrap piece of Hawaiin Shores ric rac felt, tied with some Dark Chocolate twine and a mini library clip (SU) as a little accent piece.  Another CAS card.  I'm pretty happy with the way they turned out.

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs, Melanie 

It's been a while...yada yada yada

I am coming back, I promise!  Just bear with me while I re-aquaint myself with Typepad and PSE.  So much has changed here at Typepad! heeheehee

Also, if you were a recepient of some Corporate gifts or visited me at the Holiday Craft Show, be assured that I am working on a page where you can purchase those and many other gifts and cards.  Wait until you see what else I have in store for you.  Did you love the Holiday Cottages that were filled with chocolates?!  Well you won't believe what I have been working on. 

Let me see if I can find a photo already resized to be able to at least share "something" with you all.

Ok, found one!  I made this little Valentine Cottage for a contest over at Papertrey Ink.  I didn't win, but I did however get an honorable mention by Nichole, which in all honesty sent me over the moon!!!

Thanks for popping by, and I will be back very soon!

Hugs,

Melanie 

Still Loving Santa....

Ok, so here is THE card that was inspired by the Great Anna Wight, very similar..just a few different details...(like her awesome watercoloring..)

 

Anna's card can be seen Here.  That was the card that totally sold me on purchasing some High Hopes images, and let me tell you that I am very happy with their stamps. I just Love them!  Anyhoo..Santa was stamped with Palette Noir onto SU's faboo watercolor paper.  I watercolored him with an Aquapainter and SU's Classic Inks...recipe to follow.  Isn't he just the cutest thing ever?! The glitter extravaganza are the Anna Wight-flakes as described in my previous post.  The banner idea came from Anna as well.

Thank You Anna for the wonderful inspiration!  I hope you all have enjoyed yet another installment from the semi dormant "My Inkspirations"....  Hugs to you all!!

I have a couple other High Hopes cards to share with you all tomorrow...think Cat & Mouse, but "cute"

And, coming soon....my Snowman ornaments that were a hit at the couple Craft Fairs I did recently!

Ingredients:

Stamps:  High Hopes

CS: PTI Cream & Ripe Avacado; SU's Bravo Burgundy , Summer Sun & their faboo watercolor paper; Patterned Paper from a K & Co. paper pack; shimmer bronze

Ink: Palette Noir, Summer Sun, Ridinghood Red, Blush Blossom, Going Grey, Bravo Burgundy, Pink Pirourette

the extra's: Marvy and MS Snowflake punches, MS branch punch; Dimensional Glaze, Glitter stuff from M's

I Love Santa!!!

Am I the worst blogger ever???  Anyway... a couple of weeks ago as I was going through the many blogs in my google reader account, I came across this  card by the incredibly talented Anna Wight.  I just loved everything about it..the super cute image by High Hopes , Anna's snowflake accent, the coloring...I could go on forever!!  I was so inpsired by her Anna Wight-flakes (that's a name I came up with) that I just had to try to replicate.  You can see Anna's post on this technique Here.  I used some cheapo fluff stuff from M's, it looks ok, but on my next trip to Mike's I'm going to look for some Diamond Dust Glitter.

So here goes                                                              

Isn't this Santa image adorable!!!  I am just in love with High Hopes rubber stamps!  I colored him in with Copic markers and just sponged the "beach" and "sky" with SU's inks.

Here is my attempt at a close-up of my Anna Wight-flakes.  I'm still trying to learn how to use my camera in manual mode, so I apologize for the blurry picture. 

I also made a second card which is pretty much the same except for the sentiment and the center snowflake accent.

 

I used a star button here.  I inked up the edges a bit either Riding Hood Red or Bravo Burgundy (can't really remember) and just threaded some copper cording through.  Here is another close up attempt, again sorry for the blurry pic.

 

Ihave been having problems lately with my black inks and coloring with Copics.  I have Palette Noi, but it has been smearing lately.  I also have Memento in Tuxedo Black, that smeared on me too.....Insert pouty face here.....Maybe I'm not letting them dry long enough before I start coloring...I dunno..do you have any suggestions?  I ended up using my Onyx Black Versafine pad and clear embossing powder, I was then able to start coloring immediately!  I'm not good on the waiting thing. 

Anyhoo....don't you think this would make a cute retirement card for someone?  You don't necesserily have to adorn the card with snowflakes...hmmmmmmmmm my wheels are turning now.....stay tuned.  Either later today or tomorrow I will post another High Hopes creation that is very similar to Anna Wight's Santa Face card.  Actually, I placed my first order with High Hopes because of Anna's card!!! 

Well, I hope you enjoyed today's post!  And I promise that I will not let time slip by me again!! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to either email me or leave a comment on this post!

Supplies:

Stamps: High Hopes, sentiments from Papertrey Ink

CS:  Cream and Ripe Avacado from PTI, Bravo Burgundy and Summer Sun from Stampin' Up!

Ink: Versafine in Onyx Black

The extra's:  Copic markers, Marvy and MS snowflake punches, Nestablilities ribbon label die, ribbon from PTI, button and snowflake doo-dad

New Picture

So, I have a brand new picture over to the right.  What do you think?  I don't usually like myself in photographs...not very photogenic at all...I know you've heard me say that before, but I must say that I am thrilled with the way this turned out.  This was taken during the Soulology Weekend I spent with Erika and a bunch of other wonderful women....Hi Mary!!!!!....  Jen/  took our pictures and she is Amazing. 

 

Ok, so enough with the babbling...here's another Halloween card I made a few weeks back.  This is a fluffles stamp..I'll take a pic of that drawer too someday and show you all...anyway he is colored with my Copic Markers.  I double stamped him so I could cut out the had and the frog to give the finished card a 3-D effect.  It's really cute in person.  I then just sponged some random colors around the main image. 

Cardstock is Su's Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, PTI white.  The designer paper is from SEI.  The Bat brad is from MM and the little skulls are rub-ons from SU.

Here is a side view, you can click on it for a larger version. 

 

Thanks for stoping by!!!

AaaaacK!

Sorry I'm so late in posting the winner, so here we go!!!

Shirley from ND

email me your address and full name and I will get the package out to you!

I will be away this weekend spending time with the Stampin' Mama herself Erika Martin!!!!  Can you belive it?  A whole weekend with Erika, Jenn and some other women, in Lancaster County!!  A little time away from the boys and my Termite....I mean doggie....will do me some good!!!

I will post again either Sunday or Monday morning with a cute little Halloween project I created.  I'm heading out early so I can spend some time with one of my Bestest friends who lives in Lancaster before the weekend retreat begins...that's who the gifties are for, so I don't want to post pics yet!

Have a beautiful weekend!!!