February Papertrey Ink Blog Hop

I have been contemplating doing a Papertrey Ink Blog Hop for months and months (sounds better than years and years), but I have been chicken until now.  Suddenly I am fearless.  I have a brand-spanking new blog, attempting challenges (one challenge rather) and a blog hop.  Watch out world! 

As it is Design Team Appreciation Day, February's blog hop challenge was to use a card or project done by one of the ladies of the Papertrey Ink Design Team to inspire your own.  Honestly, this was a pretty difficult assignment for me simply because:

1. I had to chose one from a bevy of talented ladies with a tremendous ability to create inspiring cards and projects; and
2. Once I decided on one design team member I had to chose a card/project (I imagine I could have chosen more than one designer and/or project, but I am still getting my sea legs).

Nichole Heady of Papertrey Ink mentioned we could use this post to voice our appreciation and I really should because all of the ladies of Papertrey Ink's Design Team (of course also Nichole Heady and the whole Papertrey Ink family) are magnificent.  Their blogs and projects have brought not only inspiration, but happiness into some days that needed a little creative happiness and beauty.  Even good days were better for their efforts.  So, thank you Betsy Veldman, Dawn McVey, Debbie Olson, Erin Lincoln, Heather Nichols, Kim Hughes, Lisa Johnson, Maile Belles, Melissa Phillips, Michelle Wooderson and Niki Estes (I was going to write their first names only, but I felt I was being too familiar like referring to Martha Stewart as only Martha) for making life sweeter and prettier for sharing your talents with us all!  

Ultimately, I picked a truly darling card by Betsy Veldman (when does she ever disappoint?).  I happened to need a sympathy card for clients who lost their beloved dog this week and thought why not do a card using my With Sympathy and With Sympathy: Loss of Pet sets using Betsy Veldman's card as my inspiration. 

Betsy Veldman's card (didn't I tell you it is darling?):

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My card (not anywhere near as darling, but then I am no Betsy Veldman):

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Beloved Pet Card
Supplies (all Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted):
Stamps: Squares (from the Borders & Cornes {square} set),  Lines (from the Guide Lines set), Flowers (from the With Sympathy set), Sentiment and Paw Print (from the With Sympathy: Loss of Pet set)
Inks: Spring Rain, Aqua Mist and Raspberry Fizz
Cardstock: Spring Rain; Natural White and Earthstone, Neenah Papers
Punches: Border and Royal Butterfly, Martha Stewart; 1" Square, EK Success
Other: Gems, The Paper Studio

Happy Friday

Happy, happy Friday!  Fridays are a favorite day of mine having been born on a Friday and since it marks the end of the work week and the beginning of the weekend.  Who doesn't love their days off work though?   I adore being able to sleep in (or at least linger in bed for a while), stay in my pajamas (Isn't "pajamas" an intriguing word?  Where did it originate?  I like the sound of it) longer than I should, watching morning cooking shows, reading a book if I like, blog-jumping...just having the freedom to use my time how I decide.  What are your favorite bits of the weekend or the days you have off?

Anyway, I thought I would continue on with the Kenner Road stamp theme (by the way, make sure to check out Kenner Road's gallery and blog as the design team is excellent).  I love this sweet polka dot bird.  I decided to paper piece the wing.  In all I was pleased with how this card turned out. 

I don't think the luscious metallic green color comes across very well in the picture.  I have been painting cardstock for ages now.  When on a budget (or even not) there is nothing better than being able to easily and inexpensively alter that plain white cardstock we all have easily.  I have found that the metallic craft acrylic paints have the best feel on paper...they feel smooth and the paper is still very flexible while other craft acrylic paints can make the paper feel almost chalky and brittle.  Perhaps a coat of gesso before the craft acrylic paint would alleviate this issue.  I also believe that higher quality acrylic paints like Golden would make the paper feel more like the metallic variety than the craft acrylic paint.

The other stamps I used were from Unity Stamp Company.  I have many of their Kits of the Month which are great deals and full of really cute stamps.  The frame stamp is fantastic and comes from the November 2008 Kit of the Month.

Happy creating!

Happy Bird Birthday Card

Supplies:

Stamps: Bird, Kenner Road; Frame (from the enjoy YOUR STORY...laugh set) and Happy Days Are Here Again Happy Birthday (from the Fresh Beginnings set), Unity Stamp Company

Inks: Dark Chocolate and Raspberry Fizz, Papertrey Ink

Cardstock: White, Georgia-Pacific; Kraft, Papertrey Ink

Patterned Paper: Spring Silhouettes Designer Series Paper, Stampin' Up!

Acrylic Paint: Metallic Peridot, Folk Art (Plaid)

Embossing Folder: Swirls, Cuttlebug

Border Punch: Scallop Dot, Martha Stewart

Other: Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper, We R Memory Keepers; Pink Colored Pencil; Foam Dimensional Mounts

Enabling: Kenner Road

I thought I would share another card of mine with you.  This one makes me laugh because unintentionally I made a Christmas birthday card for someone whose birthday is November.

Perhaps it is the red and white color scheme or candy striped ribbon?  Regardless, I hope the person I sent it to felt a little more jolly (ha, ha) from receiving it in the mail. 

One of my missions in making this card was to use one of my many Kenner Road stamps.  I compulsively collect buy these stamps.  They are beautiful vintage style stamps that are included in the swoon-worthy Kenner Road kits (I have never swooned, but I imagine it is something akin to the loss of breath from the excitement and joy I feel just looking at these kits).  If you love paper crafting of any sort and have a hankering for vintage go check out Kenner Road.  This is vintage loveliness at its best and the lady--Kerry Lynn Yeary known as kl--who lovingly designs the kits (when you see the kits you will know she puts a lot of care into creating them which can only be described as love) is an awesome paper craft artist.  kl has a great blog: live. craft. learn.  

Be inspired and don't blame me too much if you can't stop yourself from subscribing.  I admit it: I am an enabler.

Not-Meant-To-Be-Christmas Birthday Card

Supplies:

Stamps: Scalloped Hexagon, Kenner Road; Flowers (from the Office Accoutrement set) and Flourish (from the Kind Thoughts set), Stampin' Up!

Ink: Fired Brick, Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Ranger); Basic Gray, Stampin' Up!

Cardstock: White, Georgia-Pacific

Acrylic Paint: Metallic Bright Red; Folk Art (Plaid)

Border Punch: Apron Lace, Fiskars

Other: Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper, We R Memory Keepers; Candy Stripe Wire-Edged Ribbon, Kirkland; Signature; Flower Gemstone, The Paper Studio (I think); dimensional foam mounts (not sure which company as I have a bag full of them from various companies and use whichever work at the time)

The Easier Route

One of my favorite easy cards for guys involves Tim Holtz's compass mini mask and Tim Holtz Adirondack Color Wash in one of my favorite colors: lettuce.  I am addicted to this color.  If you had told me a few years ago that I would reach for green over and over again and especially a green with a touch of acid I would have thought you crazy, but tastes change. 

I don't know about any of you, but I am a slow cardmaker.  I can easily whittle away an hour or two (or more sadly enough) on a single card.  I think it is because I don't usually plan the card in advance.  I start rummaging through my studio trying to find images or materials that I think appropriate for the person I am making the card for..their favorite colors, style, images, etc.  I often will have made many elements only to put them away for another day as they do not work.  It drives me a little crazy how I can agonize over a card.  It is a relief to have some cards that can be produced in a short time.

Navigated Path
Supplies:
Cardstock: Kraft, Papertrey Ink
Color Wash: Lettuce, Tim Holtz Adirondack by Ranger
Mask: Compass mini mask, Tim Holtz Idea-ology (Advantus)
Border punch: Upper Crust, Fiskars
Other: antique copper mini brads;Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper, We R Memory Keepers

Papertrey Ink Emboss Resist Challenge

I mentioned motivating myself with this blog and one of the ways is to enter challenges.  For my very first challenge I decided to take the plunge with an emboss resist challenge issued by Nichole Heady of Papertrey Ink.  For more on both Nichole Heady and Papertrey Ink read the post before this one because I go into raptures about them.  I will restrain myself today though and keep myself on track.

I really admire how the design team create clean, modern cards and I am attempting it here.  Still my messy and fussy nature dominates.  On the left is the embossed unresisted side and on the right I sprayed some gossamer gold mist which is very pretty in real life.  I know the card is very wedding looking...perhaps the bride chose to have her wedding on her birthday to make it more likely her husband would remember the date?  It could happen.

My card (remember that my photography skills are sketchy at best):

Bridal Birthday
Supplies--
Stamps: Medallions (from Giga Guide Lines set) and Birthday Wishes (from the Out on the Limb Sentiments set); Papertrey Ink (wonderful fonts!)
Ink: Champagne Dazzle, VersaMark
Cardstock: Kraft & Aqua Mist (one of my most favorite colors ever!), Papertrey Ink; Earthstone, Neenah Papers
Mist: Gossamer Gold Moon Shadow Mist, Moon Glow's 
Border Punch: Loop; Martha Stewart
Die Cuts: Labels One Nestabilities, Spellbinders
Other: Aqua Mist Twill Ribbon, Papertrey Ink; Cream Button, Papertrey Ink; Clear Embossing Powder, Ranger; hemp twine

Love for Papertrey Ink

As it is the wonderful Papertrey Ink's 3rd birthday celebration, I thought I would bring you a card I made using one of their stamps.  Now, if you haven't heard of Papertrey Ink, I urge you to head on over to Nichole Heady's blog.  This woman is savvy, clever, industrious (the thought of all she does along with being a wife and mother makes my head spin), innovative, generous and talented.  Her blog is one of my all-time favorites because she knows how to build anticipation, impart inspiration and encourage creativity.  Each month she gives peeks to the upcoming month's releases.  She is ingenious about it I tell you!  She sucks you in and you are forever changed.  You are hooked and must check in on each day until the grand release on the 15th of the month.  She does this each and every month and in February for their birthday month it is even bigger and more exciting.  How does she do it?  With the help of gifted stamp designers, an excellent design team, great customer service (they even pack a thank you note into each order) and fabulous products.  Ladies and gentlemen, Papertrey Ink is a class act through and through.

So, on to the card.  I love tree images and I find trees to work for all sorts of occasions, but most notably for masculine cards.  Now, I think I am not alone in the area of needing to stretch myself to make cards appropriate to guys.  Even in this one I threw in a patterned paper by my beloved Amy Butler.  Do you know I buy this paper obsessively? Whenever I see it I buy it.  I have quite a collection.  I thought I could get away with it as the color is so great and damask was quite the rage even for men centuries ago.  Who am I to question the gender appropriateness of a pattern?  And another favorite of mine snuck in...that Catslife Press stamp has a life of its own I tell you.

Now one of the wonders of Papertrey Ink other than their lovely stamps, incredible stamp designers and design team is their Perfect Match products of cardstock, ink, buttons and ribbon.  And I am an ardent supporter of their Kraft cardstock.  It is a must-have.  A basic...something like jeans are in clothing.  Gender neutral, can be dressed up or down, works for all styles, ages and tastes, but has a certain je ne sais quoi that white sometimes wishes it had.

Not So Basic Tree
Supplies--
Stamps: Tree (from Father Knows Best set), Papertrey Ink; Happy Birthday; Catslife Press
Inks: Aged Mahogany & Peeled Paint, Tim Holtz Distress Ink by Ranger
Pattern Paper: Amy Butler by K&Company
Cardstock: Kraft, Papertrey Ink
Border punch: Upper Crust; Fiskars
Other: Hemp twine; Scor-pal; Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper, We R Memory Keepers; Ink Blending Tool, Ranger

The Color Purple

I am not a good photographer by any means, but I hope to improve (and how could I not?).  I do like the look of cameras though as evidenced by the card below (this is an awesome stamp by the way and one of the reasons I subscribe to Studio Calico is because they have delightful stamps).  I thought I would share a card or two (or three) I had made in the past.  I hope you enjoy! 

The one that immediately follows is from this past August.  I found during that time I grabbed for purple quite a bit.  All the purples are curtesy of Stampin' Up!.  The exact color being Rich Razzleberry which is one of their current (2009-2010) In Colors.  The recipient of this card was a male relative. 

 

Another example of purple.  That silver embossed argyle is aluminum foil I ran through through my Cuttlebug.  This is another example of a card made for a male relative.  Who knew purple could be so manly?

Yet another purple card, but this time it is justified by it being the colors of the wedding of my cousin I made the card for.

Camera Obscura
Supplies--
Stamps: Camera & Frame, Studio Calico; Flourish, Inkadinakdo; Happy Birthday, Catslife Press (my favorite "happy birthday" which you will see over and over from me)
Inks: Rich Razzleberry and Crushed Curry, Stampin' Up!
Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Stampin' Up!
Patterned Paper: An old scrap from my stash
Border punch: Zig Zag Stitch, EK Success
Other: jewel, The Paper Studio


Know This
Supplies--
Stamps: Know This & Frame, Studio Calico; Happy, Fancy Pants Designs; Birthday, Unity Stamp Company (I think, I will have to make sure)
Inks: Bermuda Bay, Stampin' Up!, Basic Gray, Stampin' Up!
Color Wash: Wild Plum, Adirondack by Ranger (Tim Holtz)
Paint: Claudine Hellmuth Studio Gesso by Ranger
Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry and Bermuda Bay, Stampin' Up!
Border Punch: Upper Crust, Fiskars
Other: white gen pen, Ranger; embossing folder, Cuttlebug; distressing tool, Tim Holtz by Tonic; aluminumfoil


Wedding Rose
Supplies--
Stamps: Rose (from Fifth Avenue Floral set), Stampin Up!, Flourish Journaling Block, Unity Stamp Company
Inks: Rich Razzleberry, Stampin' Up!, Basic Gray, Stampin' Up!
Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Stampin' Up!
Patterned Paper: An old scrap from my stash
Border Punch: Postage Stamp, EK Success
Other: Silver glitter glue, Stickles by Ranger; ribbon bought at JoAnn's; metallic purple craft paint

Inspiration: Love of the Letter

Because I believe this post is so beautiful and inspirational, I thought I would share it with you all (plus this is an awesome site all the time).  {Click here} 

Perhaps why I love cards so much is my enduring fascination and adoration of correspondence.  I love the imagery and the meaning behind it.  I love the scrawl of a handwritten note or letter.  I will look at handwriting backwards against the light like some do a painting, marveling at the swoops, swirls and angles.  Valentine's Day may be the one time that most promotes the arcane use of pen and paper. 

If you have the chance or the inclination get out your supplies and make some handmade cards or notes because I know I am not the only one who is thrilled to receive such a thoughtful gift.

Welcome to Verdigris Hall

Welcome to my humble residence on the internet which I have named Verdigris Hall. 

As someone who is prone to having my head in the clouds (and also prone to extreme procrastination) nearly a year ago I began writing a melodramatic introduction to this blog.  I had big plans on what I wanted to do before I made this blog "live".  I wanted just the right look and feel.  Yet, it is now February 2010 and I am very nearly a year older, I think it is time to just move forward and worry about making this blog--like life--evolve as it goes along. 

What you will find is that I am in the process of trying to develop my creative voice.  I am not far along, but I like where I am because I have so much more to learn, so much to look forward to and so much room for growth.  I plan on using Verdigris Hall as a place to express myself, chronicle my journey, connect with others, share inspiration and motivate myself.

Here at Verdigris Hall you are just who are supposed to be...beauty and art is found in imperfection.  Please feel free to make yourself at home here.