Purple Haze

Firstly, I wanted to thank everyone who has commented recently due to the Papertrey Ink blog hop.  I have enjoyed reading everyone's comments and visiting your blogs and marvelling at the talent and cleverness!

Last Thursday night (April 22nd) found me needing to make a card for a college friend of mine.  I have been really remiss in sending out cards for ages now, but I have been trying hard to get out cards for birthdays this year.  So far I believe I am pretty much on target (with a few belated cards like this one).  My college friends have been sadly neglected and they really shouldn't be as they are special ladies. 

I had two directions when I began constructing this card: using my Kenner Road stamps again and incorporating purple.  Upon showing this card separately to my mom and sister they both asked if purple was my friend's favorite color and that is not the reason why I chose purple.  I think my college days have a purple haze around them...purple reminds me of my college friends and it just felt right. I searched through my Scarlet Lime kits (and some of my other kits) and came to the conclusion that purple isn't all that popular (having said that just yesterday I received my April kit from Kenner Road and it has a wonderful purple punch).  Still I found that the paper (Deep Black Patch from the Nancy Jane Collection by ADORNit - Carolee's Creations) I used from the April 2009 Scarlet Lime kit to make the Gypsy Bird Card has a touch of purple...I really am digging this paper (perhaps because it has black, white, aqua and limey green...colors that I go to over and over again).  Maybe it is a year old, but I have never been one to live completely in the moment as I always have a foot in the past (and a thought or two in the future).    And like the Gypsy Bird Card I again did the pleat using the strip of the paper I had punched because I dig that too.

Here is the purple card I made with pictures of the front, inside and back (as always please forgive my shameful photography):

And for those interested in seeing a picture of the paper:

Deep Black Patch from the Nancy Jane Collection by ADORNit - Carolee's Creations

I hope you have a joyous day and thanks for calling at the Hall!

Black & Purple Timely Birthday Card

Supplies:

Stamps: Cuckoo Clock, Home Sweet Home Frame, Vintage Seal, Yesterday Today Tomorrow and Embroidery Hoop, Kenner Road;  Wishing You a Happy Birthday (from Everyday Classics set), Papertrey Ink

Inks: Black Soot, Dusty Concord and Milled Lavender, Tim Holtz Distress Inks by Ranger Industries; Jet Black, Archival Ink, Ranger Industries

Cardstock: White, Georgia Pacific; Black, Stampin' Up!

Patterned Paper: Deep Black Patch (from Nancy Jane Collection), Adornit Carolee's Creations

Punches: Loop Border Punch, Martha Stewart Crafts; Modern Label, Stampin' Up!

Other: Transparency; Copic Marker; Black Ribbon, Offray; Foam Dimensional Adhesive

The 14th of the Month

I love the 14th of the month for three reasons:

• Papertrey Ink Release
• Kenner Road Release
• Sneak Peek of the upcoming Studio Calico kit

Last night also happened to be the live webshow of House of 3 too so I had my fingers in a lot of pies.  After watching the webshow I decided to chat with the ladies over at Kenner Road.  If you are intimidated by chats I can tell you that the monthly chat at Kenner Road (on the 14th of the month at 8 p.m. Pacific) is the place to introduce yourself to chat rooms.  The people are as sweet as a hot chocolate on a cold winter night.  Everyone is happy, helpful and friendly.  Plus kl, the woman behind Kenner Road, is just one of those people who creates joy whether it is in her own art, with her kits or in how she treats her customers.

After I chatted, did a little (too little for my liking, but there is such a concept as a budget--ugly, nasty word!) shopping and pined for a whole lot more, I made another card.  It came out a bit dark and full of grunge because it is yet another masculine card.  I am coming to believe I make more masculine cards than feminine which is odd when I come to think of it...no wonder I am trying to build up my Tim Holtz stamps and products and other stamps and products that work for guys/boys.  Thankfully, Papertrey Ink just addressed males in this month's release although unfortunately I can't buy any of it yet (budget rears its ugly, nasty head again). 

Anyway, there was a typewriter with a typewriter font alphabet block stamp set from Studio Calico I wished to use and I decided to keep with the whole Basic Grey Origins kick I have had all year (Heck, why break with the trend when I had made cards for this cousin's brothers and father with the Origins line already.  Surely he would wonder if his card didn't match--well, if he noticed such a thing).  I may have gone a little overboard with the distressing and the card is a bit busy, oh and the concept I had has to be explained for anyone to get it (Hint: notice which letters I highlighted on the "typwritten page" coming out of the typewriter as it actually spells out something even if the letters aren't in order for the word), but it's the thought that counts, right?

Thanks for calling at the Hall!

Typed Birthday Card
Supplies:

Stamps: Typewriter Duo and Vintage Map, Studio Calico; Happy (from Simply Stated set), Fancy Pants Designs

Inks: Black Soot, Vintage Photo, Peeled Paint, Mustard Seed and Crushed Olive, Tim Holtz Distress Inks by Ranger Industries

Cardstock: White, Georgia-Pacific; Earthstone, Neenah Papers

Patterned Papers: all from Origins collection, Basic Grey

Acrylic Craft Paint: Warm White, Americana

Other: Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper, We R Memory Keepers; Dimensional Foam Adhesives

Using the Stockpile

This past week I created two cards I am pretty happy about.  I had a concept in my head for each and I was able to actualize it which isn't always how it works for me (I wish it was the norm!).  I set myself another challenge as well.  I have all these lovely kits I have stockpiled because I am a hoarding nut.  It is embarrassing to admit my problem, but isn't that the first step?  Hello my name is Shay and I am a hoarder of all craft supplies.  I decided enough is enough (plus I am running out of room), so I thought I would break into my Scarlet Lime kits and use those to create my cards. 

After looking through them I decided on a kit with lovely limes and turquoises for the wedding card and then I chose another with bright vibrant colors with a touch of black for my friend's birthday card.  I began on the wedding card on Sunday evening with a great idea to use my vintage boy and girl and the ampersand stamps from Studio Calico (sadly they are all retired now).  I was happily adding patterned paper and rub-ons from my Scarlet Lime kit (horrible hoarding admission time: that was the first time I had used a rub-on although I have bought more than a few over the years) when I decided my card-base was all wrong.  So Monday night I went with a more basic card-base and set the other aside for future use.  I think all turned out well with the card although it may be cleaner than my natural inclination. 

Last night I knew I had to make a card for a friend's birthday which is this upcoming weekend and needed to get in the mail pronto.  I knew I wanted to use some of my Kenner Road stamps for a vintage look (and they are gorgeous!).  I remembered seeing some wonderful projects that Katie Watson created whilst on the Kenner Road design team back in October 2009 and they proved to be an inspiration for the card I made.  The other inspiration for me is one of my favorite, favorite cardmakers of all time: Betsy Veldman. 

Now I didn't look at either of my inspirations when I was actually making the cards, but I know these were the visual references flashing in my head:

Katie Watson (birdhouse with stamped scallop--genius!)
Betsy Veldman (strip of background behind focal image which I began with and then because an empty card felt well empty I went for more and more!)

Here is the card I created (front and then lastly the inside):

A lucky choice of adding the buttons around the that adorable bird stamp makes it took a bit like a nest to me.  Another lucky choice was "ruffling" up a strip of punched patterned paper which just wasn't working before.  I learned the basic technique in a Basic Grey card class I took locally (you place a strip of adhesive on the backside of a long strip of paper and then pleat--fold--the paper onto itself which remains in place because of the adhesive.  The smaller the pleat, the longer the paper needs to be) and I thought why not try it with the patterned paper I had punched?  It worked out just right--adding interest, flair and some texture and I even like that a bit of the white from the back peeks through.

Thank you for calling at the Hall! I hope you enjoyed today's cards.

Boy & Girl Card

Supplies:

Stamps: Vintage Boy, Vintage Girl and Ampersand, Studio Calico; Banner (from Narrative Elements set), Inque Boutique; Congratulations (from Darcy collection), Anna Griffin

Inks: Walnut Stain, Peeling Paint and Broken China, Tim Holtz Distress Ink by Ranger Industries

Cardstock: Sand and Earthstone, Neenah Papers

Patterned Papers: Beach Caribe and Cantando (from Canta Collection), GCD Studios

Embossing Folder: Allegro, Cuttlebug by Provo Craft

Other: Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper, We R Memory Keepers; 1/4" Ribbon, Offray; Dimensional Foam Adhesives; Cuttlebug, Provo Craft

Gypsy Bird Card

Supplies:

Stamps: Collage Bird, Vintage Seal, Today Circle and Button Card Trio, Kenner Road; Background Basics: Diamonds and Background Basics: Text Style, Papertrey Ink; Happy Birthday (from Greetings Peg Stamp Set), Inkadinkado

Inks: Black Soot, Vintage Photo, Broken China, Fired Brick, Spiced Marmalade and Worn Lipstick, Tim Holtz Distress Inks by Ranger Industries

Cardstock: White, Georgia-Pacific; Recycled 100 Natural White, Neenah Papers

Patterned Paper: Deep Black Patch (from Nancy Jane Collection), Adornit Carolee's Creations

Punch: Loop Border Punch, Martha Stewart

Other: Embroidery Floss, DMC; Buttons, from Scarlet Lime kits; Dimensional Foam Adhesives

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)