From Kleenex Box to Card...

Yeah, sometimes us papercrafters find inspiration in the oddest places.... like this Kleenex box, for example:

(Ok, so it's Puffs, not Kleenex.  Whatever!)

As soon as I saw it, I automatically started thinking of PTI's Aqua Mist, Hawaiian Shores & Simply Chartreuse, paired with their Turning a New Leaf stamp set & coordinating Die set, and after an hour, this is what came out of it:

Supplies:
Cardstock:  PTI Aqua Mist, Hawaiian Shores, Simply Chartreuse
Patterned Paper:  PTI 2008 Bitty Dot Basics
Stamps:  PTI Turning a New Leaf, Damask Designs
Ink:  PTI Aqua Mist, Hawaiian Shores, Simply Chartreuse, Fresh Snow
Dies:  PTI Double-Ended Banners, Beautiful Blooms II - Collection #1, Turning a New Leaf, Mega Mat Stack 4
Other:  PTI Simply Chartreuse Vintage Button, 1/8" Silk Ribbon

Fun; one of those cards that just makes me smile!  What you can't really tell from the picture is how some of  the die-cut leaves are popped up for some dimension... looks pretty fun in real life, I think.   Where have you been finding your inspiration lately?  Leave me a link in the comments if you've got an oddly-inspired creation to share!

Cute... not that I'm biased or anything... (ha!)

Laters,
Steph

PTI's 5th Anniversary Celebrations - Day 4

This one doesn't use any sketch in particular that I'm aware of... but it seems to be a common-ish layout in Blogland, so correct me if I'm wrong.

Last, but not least, we've got Maile's Color Combo (Smokey Shadow, Classic Kraft, Spring Moss, Aqua Mist & Canyon Clay)!

Cardstock:  PTI Classic Kraft, Canyon Clay, Smokey Shadow, Spring Moss
Patterned Paper:  PTI Dotty Biscotti
Dies:  PTI Heart Prints, Small Scallop Border
Impression Plate:  PTI Canvas/Linen

Simple & sweet.... a perfect finishing touch to a full day of card making!  (Now here's hoping Random.org loves me, and my hard work pays off!)

Have a great night!
Steph

PTI's 5th Anniversary Celebrations - Day 4/Deconstructed Sketch #37

Card #9 for today pairs Deconstructed Sketch #37 with Jessica's Color Combo (Aqua Mist, Dark Chocolate, Canyon Clay & Harvest Gold):

Cardstock:  PTI Dark Chocolate, Canyon Clay, Aqua Mist,  Vintage Cream
Patterned Paper:  PTI Distressed Dots
Stamps:  PTI Mat Stack 1 Collection
Ink:  PTI Dark Chocolate, Canyon Clay, Aqua Mist
Dies:  PTI Mat Stack 1, Medium Scallop Border
Other:  PTI Aqua Mist Topnotch Twill

Awesome.  Totally not a color combo I'd ever come up with, but this is one of the few times I quite like the outcome!

One left!
Steph

PTI's 5th Anniversary Celebrations - Day 4/FTL #176

I really love the sketches they post over at Clean and Simple Stamping, and I've used them many, many times... I just never actually get around to linking anything up.  This actually may be the first one I've ever linked!

I paired Heather's Color Combo (Classic Kraft, Spring Moss, Aqua Mist, & Vintage Cream) with FTL #176:

Cardstock:  PTI Classic Kraft, Spring Moss, Vintage Cream
Stamps:  PTI Heart Prints
Ink:  PTI Aqua Mist, Spring Moss, Dark Chocolate, Tea Dye Duo
Die:  PTI Small Scallop Border

The photo is crap (as in, worse than usual) but this is my absolute favourite from today's efforts.

Two more to go...
Steph

PTI's 5th Anniversary Celebrations - Day 4/SFYTT February 2012

Okie doke - Card #7 for today paired Melissa's Color Combo (Autumn Rose, Hibiscus Burst, Simply Chartreuse, & Raspberry Fizz) with Jen's SFYTT for February:

Cardstock:  PTI Autumn Rose, Raspberry Fizz, Hibiscus Burst, Rustic Cream
Patterned Paper:  PTI Bitty Dot Basics
Stamp:  PTI Rosie Posie
Ink:  PTI Autumn Rose
Dies:  PTI Parisian Lace Doily, Limitless Layers 1.75" Circle Collection, Rosie Posie

I'm a little *meh* on this one... VERY out of my box with this colour combo!

Laters,
Steph

PTI's 5th Anniversary Celebrations - Day 4/ Mojo Monday #227

I decided I was quite liking this pairing of Color Challenge + Sketch Challenge - so the Mojo Monday sketch for this week was the next one I played along with.  This one combines Lisa's Color Combo (Classic Kraft, Pure Poppy, Spring Moss, & Aqua Mist) with Mojo Monday #227:

Cardstock:  PTI Classic Kraft, Aqua Mist, Spring Moss
Patterned Paper:  PTI Bitty Dot Basics
Stamps:  PTI Background Basics: Hearts, Think Big Favorites #11
Ink:  PTI Pure Poppy, True Black
Dies:  PTI Mat Stack 2, Layerz Mat Stack 2, Double-Ended Banners
Other:  PTI Pure Poppy Luxe Satin Ribbon, Pure Poppy Buttons, miscellaneous crochet thread

Cute.  Came together fairly simply.  I have no clue who's going to get this one... but that just doesn't matter!

Laters,
Steph

PTI's 5th Anniversary Celebrations - Day 4/CPS 5th Anniversary Celebrations - Day 11

This one has me all caught up with the CPS 5th Anniversary Celebrations! (WOO HOO!)  We've got Erin's Color Challenge (Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise, Simply Chartreuse, & Aqua Mist) combined with CPS Day 11 (Sketch #170):

Cardstock:  PTI Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise, Rustic Cream
Patterned Paper:  PTI Bitty Box Basics, Bitty Dot Basics
Stamps:   PTI Birthday Basics, Larger Than Life
Ink:  PTI True Black, Pure Poppy, Spring Moss (because I have no Simply Chartreuse yet)
Die:  PTI Small Scallop Border
Other: Pick Your Plum Red Baker's Twine

I wouldn't say I'm in love with this one...but I definitely like it.  Great sketch, but definitely not a color combo I'd come up with on my own.  Felt good to get out my box with this one!  As for that twine... it's super-duper thick.  I bought a bunch of different spools from Pick Your Plum when they had twine on, and didn't realize it was crazy thick - so thick, that knot is barely holding; I couldn't imagine trying to tie a bow with it.  That stuff's definitely better suited to packaging!  (And I'm *gasp* out of Pure Poppy Baker's Twine!)

Laters,
Steph

PTI's 5th Anniversary Celebrations - Day 4/CPS 5th Anniversary Celebrations - Day 10

Danielle's Color Combo (Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise, Hawaiian Shores, Raspberry Fizz) combined with CPS Day 10 (Sketch # 26):

Cardstock:  PTI Rustic Cream, Hawaiian Shores, Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise
Patterned Paper:  PTI Bitty Dots Basics, Bitty Box Basics, In Bloom
Stamps:  PTI Birthday Basics, Beautiful Blooms 2
Ink:  PTI True Black, Summer Sunrise
Die:  PTI Beautiful Blooms 2 Collection #3
Other:  PTI Hawaiian Shores Button, miscellaneous crochet thread

Yeah... I totally struggled with this sketch.  It is what it is... at least Emily likes it! (Lol, if you can trust the opinion of a 7-year-old!)

Laters,
Steph

PTI's 5th Anniversary Celebrations - Day 4/CPS 5th Anniversary Celebrations - Day 9

This is Betsy's Color Combo (Classic Kraft, Berry Sorbet, Melon Berry, Aqua Mist, Plum Pudding) combined with CPS Day 9 (Sketch #5):

Cardstock:  PTI Kraft, Aqua Mist, Melon Berry
Patterned Paper:  PTI 2008 Bitty Dot Basics, 2008 Bitty Box Basics
Stamp:  PTI Birthday Basics
Ink:  PTI Plum Pudding
Die:  PTI Flower Fusion #1
Other:  PTI Melon Berry Button, white crochet thread, Queen & Co Pearls

Kind of lovin' this one... it's definitely one of my favourites from today.

Laters,
Steph

PTI's 5th Anniversary Celebrations - Day 4/CPS 5th Anniversary Celebrations - Day 7

This one is Ashley's Color Combo (Harvest Gold, Simply Chartreuse, Hawaiian Shores, Berry Sorbet, & Sweet Blush) combined with CPS Day 7 (Sketch #242):

Cardstock:  PTI Hawaiian Shores, Berry Sorbet, Sweet Blush
Patterned Paper:  PTI Funky Town, Distressed Dots
Stamp:  PTI Birthday Basics
Ink:  PTI True Black
Dies:  PTI Bloom Builders #2, Double-Ended Banners
Other:  PTI Hawaiian Shores Button, Rustic Cream Button Twine

That's the first time I've used the Bloom Builders #2 die... I suspect it works much better with patterned paper vs cardstock, although it wasn't too bad with the cardstock.

Laters,
Steph

PTI's 5th Anniversary Celebrations - Day 4/CPS 5th Anniversary Celebrations - Day 6

I'm feeling pretty awesome today - I was able to play along with every single one of PTI's Colour Challenges today (that's 10 cards - sorry for flooding your Google Readers... lol)!

This is Dawn's color combo (Berry Sorbet, Raspberry Fizz & Ripe Avocado) combined with CPS Day 6 (Sketch #37):

Cardstock:  PTI Berry Sorbet, Raspberry Fizz
Patterned Paper:  PTI Distressed Dots
Stamp:  PTI Friends 'Til The End
Ink:  PTI Raspberry Fizz
Dies:  PTI Friends 'Til The End, Medium Scallop Border
Other:  PTI Raspberry Fizz Button, Ripe Avocado Luxe Satin Ribbon

Not exactly one of my go-to colour combos, but for being the first card of the day it didn't turn out too bad.  I'll throw a sentiment on the bottom when I decide what this card will be used for!

Laters,
Steph

PTI's 5th Anniversary Celebrations - Day 2/CPS 5th Anniversary Celebrations - Day 8

CPS Day 8 (Sketch #102) - Beth Siliaka's bee (haaaa.... this one seriously makes me giggle.  Love it!)

Cardstock:  PTI Stamper's Select White, Pure Poppy, Raspberry Fizz
Patterned Paper:  PTI Simple Valentine
Dies:  PTI Small Scalloped Border, Limitless Layers 1.75" Circle Collection
Other:  Stardust Stickles
Image coloured with Copics

Really lovin' the Simple Valentine paper pad... and that bee.  Oh, that bee.  I think this card is going to find it's way to school on Valentine's Day for my 7 year old...

This might be it... at least for PTI's Day 2.  I'm off to decide whether I'm going to make the last 3 cards I wanted to make today.. or if I'm going to sleep instead.

Laters!
Steph

PTI's 5th Anniversary Celebrations - Day 2/CPS 5th Anniversary Celebrations - Day 5

CPS Day 5 (Sketch #38) - Heather Nichols' sweet little birdie!

Cardstock:  PTI Smokey Shadow, Stamper's Select White
Patterned Papers:  PTI Funky Town, 2008 Bitty Dots Basics
Other:  PTI Fresh Snow Topnotch Twill, Basic Grey Self-Adhesive Pearl

This one was another super-quick card.  Love it!  (Thanks Heather Nichols & CPS for making it that way!)

Steph

PTI's 5th Anniversary Celebrations - Day 2/CPS 5th Anniversary Celebrations - Day 4

CPS Day 4 (Sketch #220) - Erin Lincoln's cassette tape (Dude.  I only ever owned 2 tapes - something by Amy Grant, and Queen's Greatest Hits.  I think I was 8-ish when I got those... it was forever CDs after that!)

Cardstock:  PTI Stamper's Select White, True Black
Patterned Paper:  American Crafts Teen
Stamps:  PTI Fillable Frames #12
Other:  PTI Summer Sunrise Topnotch Twill, Queen & Co. Nightfall Self-Adhesive Pearls
Image coloured with Copic markers

This one pretty much was born in about 10 minutes.  As soon as I saw that cassette tape, I knew I HAD to use these papers (that I may or may not be hoarding...lol)... and I realize that tapes were generally either clear or black - but that's boring.  Wouldn't they have been so much more interesting if they had colours like this?!

Back soon with more -
Steph

PTI's 5th Anniversary Celebrations - Day 2/CPS 5th Anniversary Celebrations - Day 3

CPS Day 3/ Sketch #54 - Lexi Daly's super cute toaster image...

Cardstock:  PTI Stamper's Select White, Pure Poppy, Raspberry Fizz, Hibiscus Burst
Patterned Paper:  PTI Simple Valentine
Die:  PTI Double-Ended Banner
Image coloured with Copics

The sentiment is handwritten... the other half of the banner's inside with more handwriting that says "Let's have a TOAST!"  (Haaa, I'm so punny... not.  I was so stuck!)

More to come...
Steph

PTI's 5th Anniversary Celebrations - Day 2/CPS 5th Anniversary Celebrations - Day 2

Here's Card #2 - using CPS Sketch #166 and Lisa Johnson's image:

Cardstock:  PTI Stamper's Select White, Hibiscus Burst, Melon Berry
Patterned Paper:  Making Memories (circa 2005 - omg.)
Dies:  PTI Limitless Layers 2.5" & 1.75" Circle Collections
Image coloured with Copics

(I swear that patterned paper is straight in real life.  I'm blaming my (lack of) photography skills + lack of natural light for anything you see that looks awry.)

......
Steph

PTI's 5th Anniversary Celebrations - Day 2/CPS 5th Anniversary Celebrations - Day 1

Hello, hello!

I've been working hard all day long, doing my best to use every one of the free images PTI shared today as part of their 5th Anniversary Celebrations - and I've been combining that task with the sketches that have been released so far at Card Positioning Systems for their 5th Anniversary Celebrations as well!  (Congrats, by the way, to both for rocking their respective fields over the last 5 years!)

Anyway, here's my take on CPS Sketch #136 (from Day 1), using Dawn McVey's image:

Cardstock:  PTI Stamper's Select White, Pure Poppy
Patterned Papers:  PTI In Bloom, 2008 Bitty Box Basics
Dies:  PTI 'Mat Stack 1', 'Limitless Layers 1.75" Circle Collection'
Other:  PTI Woodgrain Impression Plate, EK Success Small Corner Rounder

I'll be back with more...

Steph

PTI's 'My Favorite Things' Challenge

I had a chance to play along with PTI's first challenge in their 5th (!) Anniversary celebrations, which was to create a project inspired by any of PTI's designer's favourite projects from the last year.   I absolutely loved THIS project by Erin Lincoln when she first showed it, and was equally inspired when she shared THIS version of it.  Here's my take on it:

Cardstock:  PTI Vintage Cream
Papers:  Echo Park's "Little Girl" collection
Stamps:  PTI "Background Basics:  Hearts", "Think Big Favorites #7"
Dies:  PTI "Mega Mat Stack 4", "Heart Prints", "Journaling Tabs"
Ink:  PTI Dark Chocolate, Aqua Mist
Other:  PTI Hawaiian Shores Felt, Simply Chartreuse Felt; 3/8' White Grosgrain Ribbon ,  Half-Back Pearls, Hair Clips (from stash)

Ta-da - just perfect for adding a pair of handmade hair clips to!  Thanks for such a great idea, Erin!  (And thanks to the entire PTI Design Team for providing so much inspiration in various forms throughout the year!!)

Laters,
Steph

PWCO SUper Sketch #105!

Happy hump day!

It's sketch time again at PWCO - play along with at least two of our challenges this month (no excuses - you've got until the 30th to play!), and you'll be entered to win YOUR CHOICE of TWO PWCO Rubber Stamps OR November's PaperCard Kit!!!

Here's my take on it:

Dear Blogger, I hate you and the way you keep flipping my photos.
(Thanks to all who gave suggestions on how to fix that - but they all require way more effort than I'm willing to put forth.  Sorry! lol)

I quite enjoyed making this card, actually.  I broke the Copics out, and although I'm definitely rusty, I don't think it turned out horrible... (Reds are not nice to me, but they did ok this time!)  I added Stickles to the large snowflakes, a bit on the ground, and the snow under the snowman; there's Liquid Pearls on all the smaller snowflakes (the dots) - and there's Moonlight Smooch on the white accents on the girl's coat and the snowman's hat.  Used some PTI Aqua Mist, Pure Poppy & Rustic White cardstock, and PTI's Background Basics: Newsprint stamp set.  The sentiment comes with PWCO/RAM's Magical Christmas stamp.

I hope you're all having a wonderful start to your Novembers - we haven't had any snow yet... but they keep threatening us with it for the weekend!

Laters!
Steph

PWCO SS#90!

It's sketch time at PaperWorks Co again!  You can see the sketch here!  <--Click!

Here's my take on it:

A little bit of Echo Park's Sweet Summertime paper, a couple of buttons, half a leftover PTI die-cut & a little PTI sentiment and  PWCO's Zoe the Swimmer = simple, cute & fun!

Zoe was coloured using Copics (stunner..lol) and, even though you can't tell in the photo, I added Glossy Accents to her floaties, goggles, snorkel & flippers.  That stripe-y paper totally reminded me of a beach towel!

So how is your day going, anyway?  If you've got some free time (between now and July 31), make sure to head over to the PWCO Blog & check out the challenges - if you enter at least two of them by the end of the month, and use PWCO Stamps (or even the FREE DIGI), you'll be entered to win your choice of TWO PWCO RUBBER STAMPS OR July's PaperCard Kit!  You can't really go wrong with that, now can you?!

That's it from me today... have yourself a great one!
Steph