Plum Pudding and Black…perfect together.

This new Plum Pudding by PTI is knocking me out! The deepness of the purple is quite stunning..especially with black. Here is a card I did using strictly plum pudding, black and white:

I softened up the picture a little so you could see the score lines. Here is another card using “Flower Garden” by Lisa Johnson with the same color combo except this time I added spring moss to the mix:

Stamping with black right on the plum pudding ribbon is a real pop in real life. Those are the tear shaped rain dots in the center of those petals. They are a perfect fit!

 

Boards and Beams

I think the name of this set is the coolest name ever. Maybe it is the alliteration I love so much, but it actually feels like a strong name as well and nothing could be nicer for a set about houses. SO…I can’t wait to play with this set some more. I have made some more cards with it and I will share them soon, but right now I will share with you my project for this month. Some kitchen towels for a gift that I will actually be giving to a new neighbor this week! Enjoy!

 

Introducing “Guide Lines”

As I share with you my new projects for Papertrey for this month, I am reminded time and time again how much Nichole’s style of designing sets just brings out the best in me. When I see beautiful stamps like this with such wonderful pattern opportunities. I really feel like I connect with these types of styles so much because I grew up seeing so many gorgeous cathedrals, stone work and tiles. It is seared into my memory. These beautiful patterns which I still to this day marvel at every time I step into a new church to sing. I find myself (unfortunately most times during the message, because that is when I am not working) just turning my head and staring at the woodwork or stonework. Memorizing patterns, finding the comfort and beauty in the hand-crafted work. Appreciating the hours and years spent to perfect each and every turn and cut. This is where I find such peace. In the appreciation of the effort it took to create such beauty for the glory of God.

Guide Lines is now available at PaperTrey Ink. It is such a beautiful set, I urge you to take a look.

 

Introducing “Birds of a Feather”

This set is just down right lovely, no? I just love birds, and know they are all the rage right now. I love a lot of bird sets out there right now. From cartoony to elegant, they just do something for me! I love how Candice made use of the pure silhouette images. They are also small, so you will have oom to do several on one card. What really puts me over the top is the birds nest and eggs though! Of course, Papertrey’s Aqua Mist is the perfect color for those robin eggs! When making my birds nest card, I went for a very monocromatic look so I went with gray on the eggs. I wanted a lot of the vellum to show to mimic the transparency of the eggs. I also added bits of the Martha Stewart twine onto the nest itself to give a feel of real twigs.

 

Gimme some “Sweet Love”

So I am totally hoping you are going to love how this turned out as much as I do. I almost wish I weren’t going on vacation. This lack of teaching is seriously boosting my mojo around here! I had to pull this beauty of a stamp set out (Sweet Love) when I saw this paper in the store. it is like they were made for each other! Hope you like my little stationery set.

I just took the 12×12 paper and wanted to make the best use of these lovely scallops. Basically…I didn’t want to cut it…and I DIDN’T! I scored the paper at 5 inches and 7 inches, then turned it and scored at 2 inches and 10 inches. then I cut the slits in the middle and pulled up both sides. Voila, done!

Supplies:

Stamps: Sweet Love

Paper: Vintage Cream, Creative Imaginations “Narrative” Berry Sorbet

Ink: Black Stazon

Ribbon: Berry Sorbet Twill

 

Introducing “Flower Garden”

Well…Lisa Johnson has made a fantastic debut with her set “Flower Garden” and “Flower Garden Sentiments” to the Papertrey arsenal! I have a couple of more projects from this set half done on my desk and I can’t wait to share them with you. There are so many combinations you can make using this set. Here is some of what I came up with. Hope you like it.

The patterns you can make with this set are endless. The leaf and stem stamp is my favorite for these patterns. I used the stem stamp and did not ink up the entire stem, allowing it to be repeated with ease and stacked perfectly for the first card. In the second card, the little leaf stamp made for a wonderful faux grass. I have also used this leaf stamp in a different project I will show you when I get home from vacation. YES…

I am going on vacation starting Thursday for 2 weeks. BUT…COME VISIT THE BLOG STILL! I have posts that have been scheduled, so the blog will be updated and you can see more of my release projects as well as a couple of other goodies, so don’t think I am leaving you! We are surprising the kids and taking them to Disney World after school lets out. They have never been, and neither have I, so any hints on how to navigate this vacation would be great and welcomed! Have a great day!

 

Stamp Simply Challenge “Gettin’ Buggy!”

Stamps: PTI “Little Lady”

Paper: PTI stampers select white, Purely Pomegranate

Ink: Purely Pemegranate, Pretty in Pink, black stazon

Other: Purely pomegranate stitched grosgrain, dimensionals

Stamps: PTI SImple THings Anniversary Set (background) “Honey Bees” PTI (honeycomb and bee)

Paper: PTI Stamper Select White, PTI Lemon Tart, Basic Black SU!

Ink: Black Stazon, PTI lemon tart

Other: Lemon Tart Satin Ribbon PTI, dimensionals

Our challenge was to stamp simply and get buggy!!!  well…I did both of these things.  I really focussed on the art of using a simple background stamp to add the real interest.  In both cases I took a 4×4 sheet and stamped an interesting background.  Both cards are 5.5×5.5.   It was so simple, so fast (because it is such a small space) and yet it adds so much interest.  It was so fast, I actually made two cards.  I also kept it simple only using two colors on each of the cards.  The first cards colors were inspired by my friend Janet.  She used pretty in pink and purely pomegranate together when she was at my house stamping with me and it totally blew us both away.  It looks so nice together!  Packs a pink punch!  The second card I wanted to do buggy sophistication!  So I used a lot of black with a hint of lemon tart from PTI.  ALSO…a couple of things!! 

NANNY!!!  IT IS HER BIRTHDAY TODAY!!! 105!!!!!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANNY!  I haven’t reached the 105 cards goal yet, so if you still can send a card, PLEASE e-mail me at oehlers@verizon.net , so I can give you her name and address!!! THANKS!!!

ALSO…a couple of questions have been asked about the digi scrapping and I want to share every answer with you!!! If you have questions (ANY QUESTIONS!!) please ask in the comment below.  I am going away for the weekend to our shore house, but want to answer them fully and methodically when I arrive home, OK?  SO…ask away!!!! 

Now…go see what my buggin’ buddies have made with this challenge!!! 

Sharon Johnson

Dee Jackson

Julie Koerber

Jennifer Buck

Tammy Hershberger

 Janine Orchard

 

Papertrey Release!

I love “this time of the month!” Now I get to share what I have been up to for Papertrey! The new color they came out with was Lavender Moon. Such a pretty purple for all of you purple fans out there!

Nichole’s Design of “Bitty Baby Blessings” was really timeless. I love how these images were drawn. It had a really 30’s and 40’s feel to them. I made up these projects with the set. All information for all of these projects can be found in the gallery over at Papertrey Ink. What is not found over there however is how I made these pins. I did NOT laminate them or use any machines. I bet most of you are now curious, so I have decided I will do a tutorial next week to show you how I made them! They are EASY PEASY!

pins made to put on a diaper/beach bag! Very versatile!

These are Gerber washcloths that fit perfectly in the windowed tin WITHOUT buckling! They leave a little space because they are not as long as the tin, but that is easily remedied by putting the belly band at the top of the tin rather than in the middle.

This lamp was so much fun to alter. I got it at K-Mart from Martha Stewart shade and all for only $9.99! I used some muslin and paper to bring a focal point to the elephant image. I also used a matching button to compliment the Spring Moss Grosgrain ribbon!

Remember “Favor it Weddings?” This time around it was “Favor it Babies” and I picked the theme “Sugar and Spice.” I really wanted to keep this simple, so that if you have to make a favor it is fast and cheap! This pourer was only 3.99!! I wanted to go a little retro with it, so I figured this diner sugar pourer and some Pepperidge Farm gingerbread cookies would be a perfect fit!

Candice’s set this time was “Honey Bees” I had a fun time making up a great little girl’s birthday card! The box is to hold honey roasted peanuts! A great gift for anyone!

Alli Miles’ set “Mailbox Greetings” was so great to color with! I did a box to hold 3×3 cards and envies. I had fun putting this together. I used prismacolors and gamsol to color with. All details are in the gallery over at Papertrey Ink.

I hope you enjoyed my projects this month! Hopefully it has helped inspire you to try something like this on your own!

 

Thinking Outside of the Tin

Well…I just couldn’t help myself.  The Senior PTI team was given a challenge today to try and “Think Outside of the Tin”.  you know when it has to do with a project, I can’t just NOT play along!  Trying to think of something that has not been put in a tin was pretty daunting, so I thought I would make it even more daunting and have a boy theme to this project…GASP!  I don’t have boys!!  Well…I guess this project doesn’t have to be just for a boy now, does it?  Just for your favorite little fisher of the family!  Here is a great way to give some new lures to your favorite little fisher!!  Introducing, the Mini Tackle Box! 

 

 

I made this box enclosure and stamped a whole scene around the tin, so the recipient would feel extra special.  This way, after removing the tin, they could keep the box on their dresser and maybe use it to collect photos of their prized catch inside!  Maybe a tin full of photos!!  Here are the measurements and instructions for the box:
Cut cardstock 11 x 7 1/2. With the 11 inch side at the top score at 1″,4 3/4″, 5 1/2″
Turn paper. With the 7 1/2 inch side at the top score at 1 ” and 6 1/2″to meet the other score line. Then stamp as desired. You will have leftover paper at the top so you can cut it or trim it as you wish depending on the look you want. Hope you enjoy this!

Stamps: PTI Pond Life, PTI Simple Alphabet
Cardstock: PTI Stampers Select White
Ink: Close to Cocoa SU!., Old Olive SU!, Bashful Blue SU!, SO Saffron SU!
Prismacolor pencils and gamsol
Other: Windowed Tin Papertrey Ink

 

 

My Blogaversary and My Birthday…TODAY! HUGE BLOG CANDY!

First of all, I would like to thank each and every one of you who come and visit this blog on a daily basis for inspiration and just to hang out.  I would very much like to offer you something special today for seeing me through a great, actually, amazing year of stamping.  I have only been staming for a little over a year now, and am blown away by the talent I see from all of you on a daily basis.  It has taught me a lot.  First, another picture…and then hold on to your hats.  You won’t believe what I am giving away for my double celebration today.

I made these necklaces with square white buttons called “Start Ups” from Buttons Galore. They are fantastic to alter. I altered them using some images from the PTI Anniversary Set. This set is a very special set, because you have to buy over 12 main sets for the year in order to EARN this set for free. It has 21 sentiments and 13 fantastic images to work with. A full, beautiful set. One of my favorites that PTI has come out with. What am I getting to? Well…since I have been blessed to be a part of the fantastic design team over at PTI, and I have my design team set for this right now. What you may not know is…as a customer, I have earned this set as well. I have been an avid PTI fan from the beginning, and would like to offer this special set up for blog candy today on my first anniversary of blogging AND my birthday!!
You may think I have gone crazy. Just crazy for YOU. I have not received my set in my hands yet, but when I do, I will send it to the lucky winner!! What do you have to do? Well…if you have a blog, just add me to your blogroll, please! If not…just say you don’t but leave a comment on why you come here!! It is that simple! Since I think this will be a VERY popular giveaway…I will leave this open for comments until Wednesday. I will pick a winner on Wednesday at 9pm eastern time. Thanks for celebrating with me today!