The 12 Kits of Christmas: May

What is going on?  Where is Christmas?  Has it been stolen by the Grinch?  No, don't worry.  This is just a brief interruption in our regularly scheduled '12 Kits of Christmas' program, to bring you the 1 kit of Hanukkah.

This month was my turn to host the kit, and I decided it might be fun for everyone to play with some Chanukah stuff, just as a change of pace.  I was pretty sure that I was the only one in the group who owned some of these stamps, and decided to send them out and see what happened.  Suzanne, our resident graphic designer, was kind enough to give us a new, temporary logo for this month, too.

Here is a picture of the kit I sent out.  Doesn't Kara do such a great job of taking photos?

Photo Courtesy of Kara

I found some digital paper on Etsy that had a Chanukah theme as well as lots of fun other patterns, in a color scheme that matched with the PTI colors of Enchanted Evening, Blueberry Sky, Spring Rain and Harvest Gold.  I used Mazel Tov, Tranquility Trilogy and an Obsession Impression Jewish Greeting set, plus lots of different die cuts in matching colors.  There is a complete supply list at the end of this post.

Since I was the host, I felt obligated to make a lot of projects.  No need to hold back any supplies to CASE any creations, since I could just make more of anything I needed.

Now for the best part--head on over to the blogs of all the other gals in The 12 Kits of Christmas to see what they have done with their Chanukah kits.

Renee of It's a Patchwork Life

Cathy of Empty Nest Crafter 

Suzanne of The Card Yard

Marybeth of Marybeth's Time for Paper

Joyce of Cards-by-the-Sea (that's me!)

Amy of Stamp-n-Paradise

Christina of Sea Glass and Sentiments

Kim of Cupcakes, Cards and Kim

Kara of KandR Designs

Jessica of The Paper Parade

Jeanne of A Kept Life

Sharron of On Papillon Wings

Here is a list of all the supplies I sent:

Stamps:  PTI sets:  Mazel Tov, Tranquility Trilogy, Fillable Frames # 4 & #10, Label Basics; Impression Obsession Jewish Greetings

Dies:  PTI dies:  Wine Bottle Tag, Favor-it #3, Tag Sale 3, 5 & 6, TranquilityTrilogy, Fillable Frames #4, & #10, Double Ended Banner, Label Basics, Limitless Layers Circles & Ovals, Make a Wish, Pinking Button;  Memory Box Wimsy Circle, Nestabilities Postage

Paper:  PTI:  White, Enchanted Evening, Spring Rain, Blueberry Sky, Harvest Gold;  Patterned paper is a digital kit from Etsy.

Ribbon & Buttons from PTI

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Make it Monday Pocket Cards

I have a quick post this morning with a card for Make it Monday #68:  Pocket Cards.  I made a birthday card for my father-in-law, and this card will be dropped in the mail immediately.

I've been mulling over buying Guidelines and/or Guidelines Two, but realized that there were some images in Iconic Images that I had never played with, that could tide me over until I made my decision.  This is what the card looks like all assembled.

Here is the pull out card.  I recently bought Birthday Bash Sentiments from someone on the PTI forum, and I just had to add that little 'to YOU' that he will see when he pulls the card out of the pocket.

I hope I have some free time later this week.  I've got lots of ideas for more pocket cards using some of my new goodies I bought from the May release.

If you have an opinion on Guidelines or Guidelines Two, I'd love to hear it.  Also, links to sample creations would be great.

Don't forget, to come back later to see the surprise for our May "The Twelve Kits of Christmas" post.

Supplies Used (PTI):

Stamps:  Iconic Images, Think Big, Framed Out, Birthday Bash Sentiments

Paper:  Kraft, Ripe Avocado

Other:  Framed Out Die, Rustic Jute twine

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Bar Mitzvah Card

I am back from my trip to New York for my nephew's Bar Mitzvah.  In case you were wondering, going to New York from San Diego just for a weekend is very tiring.  But, it was great to see all the family, the Bar Mitzvah ceremony was very nice, and the party was one of those 'over the top' parties I had only read about until now.  Let's just say that it was a night to remember, but that my husband and I are glad that we live in low-key California, and that our girls wouldn't ever expect or even want such a shindig.

Here is the card I made for my nephew.  I used the colors of his invitation.

This has become my standard format for Bar and Bat Mitzvah cards.  I like how the trifold makes it like opening an ark.  Here is the inside:

Looks like I will be spending the rest of the day doing laundry (boo) and catching up on all my favorite blogs (yay).

Come back tomorrow night for our May "The Twelve Kits of Christmas" post.  I am the host this month, and I guarantee a surprise.

Supplied Used (PTI):
Stamps:  Mazel Tov, Paper Source Mazel Tov
Paper:  White, Smokey Shadow, Scarlet Jewel
Other:  Limitless Layers Ovals dies, Herringbone IP

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PTI May 2012 Blog Hop

It's time for the May Papertrey Blog Hop.  This month, I decided to do something a little different with our beautiful inspiration photo.  Instead of trying to replicate the photo, which I usually try to do, I just pulled out some elements of the photo that spoke to me, and then made a card with them.  What I took away from this photo was--the color scheme (black, white, simply chartruese), geometric patterns, and a something round and green.

Today, I am traveling to New York to attend my nephew's Bar Mitzvah.  So, I promise to come and visit your blog when I get home.  I'm eager to see what you have created, too.

Supplies Used (PTI):
Stamps:  Background Basics Medallions, Just the Ticket
Paper:  White
Other:  Felt, Ribbon
Ink:  Simply Chartreuse, Memento Tuxedo Black

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Waltzingmouse May 2012 Blog Party

The theme this month for the Waltzingmouse Blog Party is felt and cozy fabrics.  I made a felt flower and tried to create a background paper that looked like a cozy blanket, right down to the crazy stitching around the edges.  I used Off Beat Backgrounds and Pic-Nic Patterns to create my plaid, and the stitching stamp in Off Beat Backgrounds to create the faux stitched edge.  If I had a sewing machine, this is probably what my stitches would look like.

Enjoy the rest of the party.  I'm looking forward to seeing what every one else has created.

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse:  Off Beat Backgrounds, Pic-Nic Patterns, Compact Sentiments, Market Street Bit of Burlap
Paper:  PTI Vintage Cream, Kraft
Ink:  PTI:  Autumn Rose, Simply Chartreuse, Winter Wisteria, SU Crumb Cake
Other:  PTI Notched Flower die, button, twine

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Graduation Card

My niece is graduating from high school in a couple of weeks.  Her school colors are black and red, so that is the color scheme I used on this card.  I was inspired by this card by Kim, which reminded me I had made this card for a nephew on the other side of the family last year.  That was even before I had a blog--I can hardly believe that I have been blogging less than a year.

I had a hard time getting all four numbers onto the width of the card, especially when trying to cut them out in a way to use the red negative portion.  I ended up cheating just a little bit.  I cut the first three numbers out of the red, and adhered the red to the smokey shadow gingham with foam dots.  Then, I cut the last '2' out of the smokey shadow gingham, and adhered that on top of the red with foam dots.  The two levels allow for a bit of overlap, which is just what I needed to get everything to fit.

Supplies Used (PTI):

Stamps:  Tag-it's, Paper Smooches Sentiment Sampler

Paper:  White, Pure Poppy, Smokey Shadow Pattern Pack

Other:  By the Numbers Die 

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Make it Monday: Happy Father's Day

 

This week's Make it Monday MIM #67:  Step-it-Up:  Mixing Patterned Papers has some great hints on mixing, matching, and using patterned papers.  Just what I need, as I love to buy patterned papers, but am not always so good about pulling them out.  I made two cards using the second level of difficulty--papers from the same paper pack--Pacific Vineyard.

I actually made this card first, and then decided to make another one using some of the leftover pieces.  I think I like the one above better.  No matter, as they will both get used this June.

It is a little hard to see in these photos, but the card front is embossed with the prickly side of the Canvas/Linen Impression Plate, and the solid star centers are embossed with the Polka Dot Impression Plate.

Supplies Used (PTI):

Stamps:  Fillable Frames

Paper:  Kraft, Fine Linen, Ripe Avocado, Royal Velvet, Pacific Vineyard Patterned Pack

Other:  Stars Border Dies, Stars Dies, Canvas/Linen and Polka Dots IP 

Ink:  Ripe Avocado

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Circles

It's been quite a while since I had a chance to participate in A Passion for Papertrey challenge, so I was so glad I could play along this week.  The challenge is Circles, and Amy's card really caught my attention.  Since she gave detailed instructions along with her card here, I figured it would be OK to case her--exactly.  I used one of the circles from Tag-it's, however, since I didn't have the stamp she used. 

I just kept staring at that pattern, thinking how cool it looked, so picking a sentiment from my Paper Smooches sentiment stash was pretty easy.

I took a break after making this card above, and thought about circles all through spin class.  When I got home, I was ready to play with some more circles, and come up with something of my own.

Supplies Used (PTI):

Totally Cool

Stamps:  Tag-it's, Paper Smooches Good Gab

Paper:  White, Raspberry Fizz, True Black

Other:  Raspberry Fizz Button

Ink:  Orange Zest, Versacolor Opera Pink

Way to Go

Stamps:  Tag-it's, Paper Smooches Sentiment Sampler

Paper:  White

Other:  Ribbon, Button

Ink:  Simply Chartreuse, Versacolor Turquoise

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Butterfly Thank You

This is my last submission for this week's ColourQ cQc #137.  I promise.   But, I don't promise to stop using these colors together.   Too yummy.  I made an extra piece of striped background paper when I made this card.  It was the perfect element for me to use with my new butterfly die, sent to me by my friend Jeanne from A Kept Life. 

Isn't that butterfly just gorgeous?  It is so delicate and pretty in real life.  I cut it out of Winter Wisteria paper, and then adhered just the middle section to a butterfly that I made by tracing the outline of the die on Hawaiian Shores paper.  

Thank you so much, Jeanne.  I hope you like this card, which is on it's way to you right now.


Supplies Used (PTI):
Stamps:  Distressed Stripes, Beautiful butterflies
Paper:  White, Winter Wisteria, Hawaiian Shores
Other:  Serendipity Butterfly die, Heart Border Die
Ink:  Amuse Slate, Versacolor Turquoise, PTI Simply chartreuse, Winter Wisteria

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With Sympathy, For Janelle

I thought I would post the sympathy card I made to send to Ken, Janelle's husband.  I normally do not like to make sympathy cards for a specific occasion, because it makes me even sadder.  I find it easier to make sympathy cards for my stash, and then I have them when I need them.  But, I felt Janelle should have a card made just for her.  I made a few extras, tweaking each one slightly.

Janelle was a wonderful person.  I never had the chance to meet her in real life, but we had many a fine chat over email and through our blogs.  She was taken much too soon.  Her strong faith was an inspiration to me and many others.  I truly hope that she is in a better place now. 

My inspiration for the design of this card was a card I saw last week on Anya's blog.

Supplies Used (PTI):
Stamps:  Background Basics Woodgrain, Larger Than Life, Think Big Favorites
Paper:  Vintage Cream, Simply Chartreuse or Ripe Avocado, or Kraft
Other:  Larger Than Life Die

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More Color Challenges

I think that this must be my week of color challenges.  I had some time to craft, and the colors of my favorite color challenges were especially appealing.  

I really loved this week's ColourQ colors, and decided to make another card using them.  I really loved the layout of this card by one of the ColourQ designers, and used that as the starting point of my card.  I used Distressed stripes in Amuse Slate, Versacolor Turquoise, and PTI Simply Chartreuse and Winter Wisteria ink.  It's a bit hard to tell, but I impressed both of my front panels with the Canvas/Linen Impression Plate.

Congrats

My next card is for this week's Play Date Cafe PDCC132, black, white and a splash of mustard yellow.  I used PTI Summer Sunrise for my yellow.  It's a bit hard to see in this photo, but the white panel is raised with dimensionals.  I colored bits of the image with Copic YR15.

Feel Better

Supplies Used (PTI):
Congrats
Stamps:  Distressed Stripes, Celebrations
Paper:  White
Other:  Canvas/Linen Impression Plate

Feel Better
Stamps:  Stitches & Swirls, Asian Fusion, Market Street Houndstooth
Paper:  White, Summer Sunrise
Other:  Copic Marker

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Make it Monday and Color Challenges

This week's Make it Monday MIM#66 has a great tutorial by Ashley about making felt flowers from border dies.  There is also quite a bit of good information about how she puts her cards together from sketches, so have a look when you get a chance.

I made two cards using this technique, one for each daughter.  I was fortunate enough this week to see two color challenges that each seemed perfect for one of my girls.  Both of my cards were inspired by (OK, copied from) a card I saw this morning by Kara.

This first card uses this week's ColourQ CQC#137.  I interpreted the colors as Amuse Slate, PTI Winter Wisteria, Simply Chartreuese, and Hawaiian Shores.  I used PTI Vine Die to create my rolled flower out of Hawaiian Shores felt.  The flower looked a little small after rolling just the cut vine portion, so I used the cut away piece and rolled that part around as well.  This card is for my youngest daughter. 

ColourQ

My second card uses this week's Color Throwdown CTD192.  I interpreted the colors as Amuse Slate, Sweet Blush, Orange Zest and Hibiscus Burst.  I used the PTI Heart Border die to make my flower out of Hibiscus Burst felt.  My older daughter will get this card.  She loves pink (and smooches). 

Color Throwdown

 

Supplies Used (PTI):
ColourQ
Stamps:  Sending You, Flower Fusion #9, Paper Smooches Word Salad
Paper:  White, Simply Chartreuse
Other:  Vine, Double Ended Banner Dies, Felt
Ink:  PTI Winter Wisteria, Simply Chartreuse, Versacolor Turquise, Amuse Slate

Color Throwdown
Stamps:   Sending You, Flower Fusion #9, Paper Smooches Chit Chat
Paper:  White Sweet Blush 
Other:  Heart Border, Double Ended Banner, Flower Fusion Dies, Felt
Ink:  PTI Orange Zest, Hibiscus Burst, Amuse Slate & Shell

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