Vintage Parfum

I am in a challenge on Swap-Bot to use one stamp three different ways.

This was one of my projects. I am entering this in Unscripted Sketches 186 and Simon Says Stamp challenge ‘Anything Goes’ as well.

Sorry the formatting is messed up. I sent this via email and when I edited it in Live Writer, it seems a bit odd. The flowers are coloured with some Copics I rarely use but they look so pretty with these vintage colours. V91 and 95. I wonder if they make another V90 something… Incidentally, the stamp I used was the bottle and it conveniently has several different things you can stamp within the label! This one is definitely my favourite.

I dyed the seam binding myself. I added several drops of blush reinker and a tiny, less than a drop, amount of Antique Linen to some water. It’s hard to see but the ribbon is unevenly dyed which makes it look old and stained. TIP: To achieve that effect, I added the blush reinker directly to the water but smeared the Antique Linen directly to the bag. I smushed the ribbon in the water and squeezed it dry. Then I dragged the wet ribbon into and through the AL. Means the ribbon gets unevenly dipped in the AL and a stained look. Perfect!

Isn’t this bottle so pretty? I stamped it on a solid coloured paper from the pack. Then I shaded both the label and the bottle but subtly. I twisted the ribbon that goes around the card because I didn’t like how much it covered the lace. I like the look!

I’m also entering this in the Shabby Tea Room Challenge to use Neutrals as well as twine or ribbon and a sentiment. Mine is little but it is there, on the tag. Click on the photo to visit the challenge post.

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps: Graphic 45 Olde Curiosity Shoppe
Ink: chocolate-Papertrey Ink, old Paper, frayed burlap distress. perfect plum-SU! (envelope)
Paper: true thyme CS-SU!, ivory CS-scrap, DP-Capella Basic Grey
Accessories: Copics, tag die-Quickutz, HugSnug Seam Binding, blush reinker-SU!, Antique Linen reinker, vintage MOP button, lace-stash, foam dots-Jody Morrow, twine-PTI

Sarah’s Shower Card and Cake

My sister is getting married and yesterday was a huge shower for her. It was arranged by the family of her fiancée and they are Italian. My family is of British descent and it isn’t a heritage we really honour in any way. But the Italians have quite a few traditions and lots of fabulous food so I am having a blast joining in with all the fun!

This is the card I made for her. If you are really on the ball, you will remember that I already made her a card but since this is what I do, why not make another? Especially since he really likes birds and I found this paper with two sweet little birdies on it and an appropriate sentiment! The trim isn’t 100% perfect but it does match better IRL. I think I’m going to have to buy some matching ribbon from PTI because it’s an odd colour to match.

So back to the shower. In my circle of friends, our tradition is to have a bridal shower one afternoon or evening, have appetizers and desserts in someone’s home, usually whomever has the biggest house, and bring lots of gifts. The Italian tradition is to rent a banquet hall, have served lunch, several courses, wine, music and mostly money in cards as gifts. Wow, what a huge difference! I loved every minute! I’ll take cheesy mushroom risotto, spinach and cheese-filled, cream sauce-covered pasta, stuffed herb stuffed chicken breast over veggies and dip, pastry-covered mini sausages and brownies made from a mix any day!  And tartufo (Italian layered ice cream), fruit and a sweet table later! It just isn’t doable in my group as we don’t have the money but it was scrumptious. I don’t want to sound ungrateful for any of the showers I’ve been invited to; they are fun and lovely especially since the company is most important but it was a nice afternoon out sans men and it was great getting to know some new extended family.

One of Sarah’s fiancée's sisters is a cake maker and make this beauty for the shower. Amazing huh? The cake plate even is to die for. Another fun part of the shower was the door prize draws. I have a big voice and I was sitting with the ‘sisters’, so I was nominated to call out the winners. I ended up winning a door prize basket! No, I didn’t cheat! A nice fabric covered box with a tin of cookies, some Hershey’s Kisses, a coffee mug, bath salts, body wash, a bath pouf, a candle and a packet of hot chocolate! Awesome. Then I also won the centerpiece! Whomever was sitting in the seat with the yellow ribbon tied on it got to take it home. Every chair had a different colour and I only chose the seat I did because it was at the back so out of the way because I had the baby and the stroller. I had thought a little curling ribbon was an odd choice in decor!

My card based on November’s SFYTT. You have a couple days to try it out! I’ve actually played 11/11 so far and I am so proud. Watch me drop the ball on December’s sketch! As you can see, I rotated mine 180 until it was upside down. And then stretched it to landscape orientation. But all the elements are still there in basically the same places!

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps: WMS Say It Loud
Ink: Autumn Rose-PTI
Paper: Autumn Rose CS-PTI, DP-Blush MME
Accessories: lace-Fabricland, trim-stash, flower-Michaels, pearl brad-Recollections, punch-EK Success,

Case Study Warm Winter Wishes

I loved the inspiration piece they chose for the CASE Study challenge this week. Click on the photo to check it out.

I decided to use snowflakes instead of leaves. I had planned on a very simple once layer card like the one provided to CASE but my brain just couldn’t stop trying to come up with my own spin on it; a way to make it my own. So I thought of die cutting a hole and adding the sentiment to acetate using white Staz-On ink. But honestly, I HATE using white Staz-On. It is messy and hard to clean off of stamps and blocks. It has to be re-inked every time you use it and doesn’t even always give a great impression. I guess I could have carefully heat embossed it but I didn’t think of that until I am typing  right at this moment! So I left the acetate alone and just used it to support the snowflakes I inserted into the opening then stamped the sentiment on the inside of the card.

I got this all done and even photographed it then decided it needed more bling. So I added glitter to the aqua snowflakes and rhinestones to the sentiment area. Shame you really can’t see the glitter at all. It is white so it can’t be helped. I’m entering this into the Caring Hearts Card Drive. I have to hurry and get it and my other card in the mail. I’m sure they would love it if you could help out!

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps: SU!
Ink: hawaiian shores, aqua mist, blueberry sky-PTI, bashful blue-SU!
Paper: aqua mist CS-PTI, white-TE
Accessories: label dies-Nesties, snowflake dies-MFT, rhinestones-Kaisercraft, glitter-Stampendous

Papertrey Ink November Blog Hop–Life is Good Congratulations Card

This month’s theme is to use some sort of cover art as inspiration for your card or paper crafting project. Funny, when I told my hubby about it, he assumed it meant music album cover art! He used to be a semi-pro/paid hobbyist musician so of course that’s where his mind went first. But I reminded him this was all about girls and paper crafting. Cover art to us is books and catalogues! Of course, you could think of it as any cover art you like!

I couldn't think of any books or catalogues I thought were particularly inspirational, I buy mostly online, so few catalogues, so I asked my mom. She actually bought a book once because she thought the cover was so beautiful. I agreed!

I’m sure you can see how I was inspired by it! There is a bit of technique needed to get this look. First, stamp the palm trees, trunks and colour them in. Then using an embossing ink pen, colour the trees and clear emboss them. This protects their colour from the next steps and adds some shine to an otherwise flat background. (You could cut masks if you wish but it can be hard with 4 stamps to line up, 2 tree tops and 2 trunks)Tear a scrap of paper to use as a mask – I use copy paper and add temporary adhesive. I specifically use this because you not only need a mask but also need the opposite piece later. If you use a sticky note, the remaining piece won’t be large enough to use later. Use half of your torn paper to mask off the top of the paper and sponge the bottom using a ground colour. I used frayed burlap. Now take the opposite torn paper, line it up so no white background shows and sponge in your sky. I used apricot, lemon tart, aqua mist and broken china. Work your colour in slowly so you avoid lines. You can always add more. Be especially careful when using any ink other than Distress inks as they don’t sponge as smoothly.

I added some opaque white to the highlights of my car. Cars are so shiny that it is very hard to accurately portray the finish but I did my best with the white highlights. I am not entirely happy with the left side of the body of the car. I may rework it with some more shading and some blue-violet too. I just realized too that there isn’t any shading under the car. As it is up on foam dots, it does make its own shadow somewhat but I may add a bit more under the tires. I may also add some glossy accents to the bumper for shine. I’ve STILL got a cold so things that might normally seem obvious take more brain power when my head is full of {{redacted for politeness}}.

I hope you liked my card, want to see more of my work? Feel free to sign up using subscription thingies on my sidebar; I have both email and RSS. Have fun on the rest of the hop!

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps: car, congrats-PTI, trees, life sentiment-Verve
Ink: Archival black-Ranger, Memento black, lemon tart, aqua mist-PTI, apricot, artichoke, old olive-SU!, broken china Distress
Paper: coloured, clear CS-PTI, white CS-X-Press It
Accessories: foam dots-Jody Morrow, embossing ink pen, clear EP-SU!, Copics, opaque white-Copic

Bee Thankful Card and Tag Set

A guy at my husband’s work keeps bees. I’ve been looking for a reason to make him a card ever since I got the PTI set Honey Bees. I know that seems weird but it is such a perfect set for someone who loves bees.

He sold my husband honey last year but as it was his bees’ first year, they didn’t yield much. But that honey was sooo good (apparently, hubby drank it all in his coffee, I didn’t get any ). This year the yield was low again because his queen got aggressive and he had to replace her mid season. We did get one jar though, at a discount, so I had a reason to make a thank you card. Yeah! Honey and a reason to use Honey Bees set! To butter him up so he might bestow upon us another jar, I decided to include a small gift; a tag he and his wife can use the next time they give a jar as a gift to someone else.

I love this tag layout. Something about it keeps me looking at it again and again even though it is ridiculously simple! I don’t know what it is about the circles within the circles but I’m a huge fan! I am so hoarding this honey comb/hexagon paper. Unfortunately, it isn’t in the 12x12 pack I bought. I was so bummed when I realized that. I think I may add a couple rhinestones to either end of the sentiment now that I look at the photo.

In case you are wondering, I added a new hole to the tag die. I don’t really like the way the hole sticks up so high on it’s own bit of paper so I trimmed it off and punched a new hole and it works perfectly because the ribbon covers the irregular paper from the trimming. I love the embossing from the die so it was still a good purchase.

I used Mojo Monday for the layout. Click on the sketch to visit the blog post.

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps: Honey Bees, Life, Home Made (Thank You)-PTI
Ink: celery, saffron, apricot-SU!, moss, ocean tides, berry sorbet-PTI, Archival black, scattered straw, vintage photo, antique linen Distress-Ranger
Paper: kraft CS-PTI, white CS-TE, DP-MME
Accessories: foam dots-Jody Morrow, metal frame-Making Memories, all card dies-Spellbinders, tiny rhinestones-TE, brad-iTop, brad fabric-silk swatch, ribbon-Masterstroke, tag die, circle strip die, twine, button-PTI

Awesome Giveaway

I don't usually post giveaways to my blog but this one is so good, I just have to get another entry and let you know about it too. 

So check out http://create.northridgepublishing.com/thirty-days-of-holiday-giveaways-day-5-silhouette-portrait/

For a Silhouette Portrait Die Cutter!

Rebecca 

New Pets Card

My cousin got a new puppy and a new kitten so I wanted to say Congrats! Now this is where I KNOW my card making is an advantage. Try and find a card in Hallmark that’s a congrats on your new cat AND dog in the same card! Hah! Take that Hallmark!

I used Max and Whiskers paper, specifically half puppy and half kitty papers. The heart tags are those Making Memories frames to which you add your own paper in the centers. Worked out well except I wanted warmer coloured+-frames than the silver they come in. So I used a Copic marker on them tapping the side along the frame. So now it looks antiqued/distressed.

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps: puppy-CDS, kitty-H&M Stamps, sentiment-Clearly Sentimental About Pets-MFT, paw-PTI
Paper: DP-Max and Whiskers Basic Grey, chocolate CS-PTI, natural ivory-SU!
Ink: Memento black, Antique Linen, Vintage Photo distress
Accessories: Making Memories frames, foam dots- Jody Morrow, Copic, corner chomper WRMK

Avon Gift Set

I found a few things in the Avon catalogue that I knew my girlfriend would like and were also on sale (yeah!) so when they arrived, I knew they needed some pretty packaging!

This also works for a couple of challenges, Skipping Stones Sketch Challenge, Joan’s Garden’s Challenge #41 – Recycle, Friday Mashup #85 Project Saying Thank You and Really Reasonable Ribbon Anything But A Card. (Click on sketches to visit blog posts)

The box uses a clear box I got stamps in from PTI. I added a cardstock bottom; makes for such a nice presentation I think. Quite professional I think. My button is also recycled, it still has the thread in it and even a scrap from the original garment on the back. I made the flower. It actually uses the Spellbinders rolled flower die. Doesn’t look like it does it? I’m going to be coming up with a tutorial on how I do that soon, stay tuned!

The sentiment says, “A friend is someone who sings your heart’s sing back to you when you have forgotten the words.” –David Coppola. You can click the photo to enlarge it and get a clearer version too. If you ever want to make a nice gift basket or gift box, consider varying the heights of items or raising them to make them more visible with glue dots. In baskets, professionals even glue things to skewers (with points removed) to raise small things up above the edges of the basket or container. I used them to hold the nail polish up.

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps: SSD Heartsong
Ink: pink pirouette-SU!, chocolate-PTI
Paper: DP-American Crafts, pink cs-SU!, white CS-Taylored Expressions
Accessories: leaf-Prima, lace-vintage, ribbon-May Arts, Nesties dies, MS punch, clear box-recycled from PTI packaging, button-vintage also recycled,

Thanks, You’ve Been Wonderful

This is a triple challenge post. For this month’s WMS blog party and this week’s WMS sketch challenge. And Friday Mashup #85 to make a Project Saying Thank You.

I’m afraid my photography is suffering today from the bright light in my craft room, not bright enough for no lights but bright enough to add a strange colour cast to the lights I do have. Grrr… In addition, I have a cold so I am a bit shaky so the focus is off. bummer. So sorry.

I have a die cutting trick for you. I always hoard my favourite sheets of DP. So I was loathe to cut into another sheet of this paper for the label. But in my mind, nothing else really suited. So I worked out exactly where I would place the final focal tag. Then I traced it. Since the larger mat would cover over the area below, I was free to ‘steal’ it for my label! Cool idea right? I had one small problem in that the card base showed through the holes in my die cut. This is only a problem with this ribbon treatment and not normally an issue. I solved it easily with a snippet of paper in a similar colour from the same pack! The spots are so tiny you definitely cannot tell.

It was awesome to find a paper that already had words in the corners a la the sketch! But not so overwhelming that I couldn’t add my own sentiment as the focal image. My sister and I finally agreed on the style of her wedding favours and this is the ribbon treatment and tag style we are using so I had them in mind when I made the card.

(Click the sketches to visit the blog posts.)

The favour is biscotti so they will be individually wrapped in bags intended for pretzels then wrapped in patterned paper. Then the tag will be added in a similar fashion but instead of tying the ribbon the way mine is above, the holes will be punched on the other sides and the ribbon will wrap around the biscotti and paper. The paper will probably have scalloped edges if I can figure out a way to do it that won’t take forever or require multiple punches due to dulling them because of so much use. 200+ favours is a lot! I’ll be sure to show you when I make them.

Thanks for visiting, if you like what you see, be sure you don’t miss anything by subscribing. Subscription thingies for RSS and email are on my sidebar!

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps: sentiment-WMS, music-Skipping Stones Designs
Ink: Berry Sorbet, Chocolate-PTI, Antique Linen, Vintage Photo Distress
Paper: MME Be Amazing, kraft CS-SU!, melon berry CS-PTI
Accessories: pearls-Dollarama, foam dots-Jody Morrow, ribbon-SU!, label dies-PTI, flower-stash,

Vintage Teacher Thank You

At the end of the last school year, I made two card fronts for my son to choose from. This was the one he didn’t choose. I had it kicking around my craft room for ages when all it needed was a base! Do you ever do stuff like that?

I love the butterfly paper. Isn’t it interesting? Once it is gone, I am going to try and make my own. TIP: I’ll stamp text in black on cream cardstock. Then clear emboss butterflies in a not-too random pattern. Then sponge or brayer over the whole sheet with black ink. I’ve used this technique before and it turns out really cool. The only thing is that the brayering or sponging takes a while.

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps: Clearly About Teachers-MFT
Ink: Memento black, antique linen, vintage photo Distress ink
Paper: Graphic 45 Olde Curiosity Shoppe, 7 Gypsies Conservatory, kraft, vanilla CS-SU!
Accessories: May Arts Ribbon, Recollections flower

Ocean Themed 250 ct Diorama MB

I love the ocean so it was a natural choice for my diorama matchbox!

I used a scallop die to make the waves. The sand is stamped with kraft ink then stamped again with a glue pad and gold glitter was added. The fish ‘bubbles’ are Dew Drops and the water is glittered along the edge and blinged with rhinestones. The sea bird dangles from a piece of rickrack.

The cover features pieces I cut from a Graphic 45 paper pad. Along with a die cut doily and some cool bling! In case you are familiar with a normal 250 ct MB, yes, this is much thinner. I specified that the box be thinner so it would cost less to mail. So it is only 1/2” high. Since I was sending it all the way to Australia, I’m glad I made it thinner! $4.85 vs closer to $10!

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps: crab, post-Shore Treasures CDS, bird-Seashore Crafty Secrets, sand-SU!
Ink: Memento black, kraft, chocolate-PTI, Versamark
Paper: Aqua Mist, Kraft, Hawaiian Shores-PTI, white CS (clouds)-Taylored Expressions, x-Press It white CS, vintage typing paper (doily)
Accessories: cloud, scallop, doily die-PTI, fish button, gold swirl-Jesse James, Dew Drops, rhinestones-stash, coloured glitter-Art Institute, white glitter-SU!, foam dots-Jody Morrow, bling strip-Recollections, vintage lace, May Arts ribbon, rickrack-stash

Curiosities Slider Box Hostess Gift for Unscripted Sketches

Before I talk about -my project, can I just give a shout out to the gals at Unscripted Sketches? Not this Saturday but last, I got the Top Three award for the 4th time! I love you guys, thanks so much!

I have decided to try and always take a hostess gift when I am invited somewhere. Someone brought me one a few years back and I thought it was the nicest thing! It was just a bar of goat’s milk soap in a pretty wrap but it obviously made an impression! So I made this when I was invited out to a friend’s house for my 15th Anniversary celebration!

You can find the instructions at Splitcoast Stampers under Slider Box. It was actually pretty easy but read my comment underneath if you decide to try and make one. I added some important tips. When you pull on the drawer, the tag at the top pops up. It is a really fun surprise for the recipient! Everyone will think you are a paper goddess!

It would make a great gift box for jewellery or a gift card but I added some candies. Nice for a hostess gift.

And here is what it looks like closed. Just a regular old box… NOT! I used this week’s Unscripted Sketch to make this. I really enjoy their sketches. Click on the sketch to visit the blog post.

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps: Home Made-PTI
Paper: black CS-SU!, Curiosity Shoppe DP-Graphic 45
Ink: Vintage photo Distress
Accessories: foam dots-Joy Morrow, rhinestones-Kaisercraft, gold ribbon-Offray, striped ribbon-May Arts, gold paint pen-Krylon, Tim Holtz hitch fastener

Let It Snow Scrapbook Page

I can’t believe I haven’t posted this before. It is one of my favourite scrapbook pages of all time!

I’m afraid I’ve forgotten what supplies I used so this post will be short! The red doesn’t look very red but it is a either real red or riding hood red by SU! IRL. I guess I had trouble editing this photo. Sure wish my then almost 10 year old would smile nicely. He’s even more ‘tween-y’ now! {{SIGH}}

The journaling card records my kids answers to ‘why do you like the snow?’. Click on the photo for an enlargement.

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps and Die: PTI ticket
Paper: night of navy CS, red CS-SU!, DP??
WRMK corner rounder, Masterstroke seam binding ribbon, MFT snowflake die?, SU! word window punch, Tim Holtz mini paperclip, Let it Snow stamp-?CTMH, white, white pearl EP-stash, Lumiere paint (diluted)

Belated WMS Sketch

Bummer, I missed posting and linking up to the WMS sketch by a few hours. I am always missing opportunities this way. UGH! I made this for my new next door neighbour. I don't know her to well yet but she seems nice!

I actually won the papers I used from PC magazine. It is so fun to use stuff I've won! I paper pieced the door with a wood grain textured CS in the back. The heart die is by Memory box and is so pretty. I die cut it from the same paper as the tab but it was too pale so I sponged it with Berry Sorbet ink.

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps: WMS Say It Loud, PTI Home Made
Ink: Hawaiian Shore, Berry Sorbet-PTI, Pink Pirouette-SU!, Antique Linen, Vintage Photo Distress
Paper: American Crafts-Neapolitan, kraft CS-SU!, textured white CS-stash
Accessories: Prima flower, memory box heart die, PTI tab die, button, twine, May Arts lace, scalloped edge punch-EK Success

Teacher Thank You for MFT Sketch Challenge

My 5 year old's teacher is amazing. And she loves my son despite his erratic personality. I seriously would hire her to tutor him for the rest of his life if I had the money! Her favourite colour is ‘rainbow’ so I thought I’d go for an autumnal version of rainbow.

So many bright, fun colours in this card. I used my PTI ice cream die, the cone part, to cut the banners. But they were too long for the card so I carefully measured an exact amount off of the top of each and trimmed it off. As the cut pieces lay on the table, I realized they were perfect for toppers for the banners! Cool right? I hope she likes it!

This card is based on the My Favorite Things Wednesday Stamp Club #96. Click on the sketch to visit the blog post.

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps: Clearly Sentimental About Teachers-MFT, flourish-PTI
Ink: Archival black-Ranger, Memento Teal Zeal
Paper: DP-Echo Park, teal, olive CS-SU!, other CS-PTI
Accessories: foam dots-Jody Morrow, dies-PTI, scalloped punch-EK Success, rhinestones-Dollarama, ribbon-Offray, Bakers Twine-Divine Twine