I've got the blues... {Market Street Stamps}

{As seen today on the Market Street Stamps blog}



Okay...no - I am not depressed, but I DO seem to have a case of the blues.

A little background about me: I grew up in a house that was completely decked out in various shades of what I call "Country Kitchen Blue". Thanks to being surrounded by it for so many years I now cringe when I even think about the color blue.

But for some reason - I think due to my love for teals and aquas - blue has started to slip back into my life.
{Only on paper. Don't expect to see me decorating my house in blue anytime soon. Or ever.}


I have seen some beautiful projects created with the new Flurries background stamped in white...but I thought I would add a bit of color to it. This background stamp (like all the others from Market Street Stamps) stamps beautifully. There are so many great ways to use this stamp!
I wanted to let it shine on this card so I used an almost A2-sized panel to let it take center stage.
{The background stamps from Market Street Stamps will completely cover the front of an A2-sized card, but I trimmed a bit off to have the kraft border show.}


I added a sentiment from the Essential Holiday Elegance set and topped it all off with a white button and some Denim twine.
This card would be easy to create in multiples, but has a big impact thanks to the beautiful Flurries background.

I hope you'll stick with me just a little bit longer as I share another blue(-ish) card with you:


This one uses one of the cute sentiments from the Chillaxin' set and is finished off with some cute little paper ties.
{I don't even know anyone who actually wears ties on a regular basis anymore, but they sure do look cute on a card!}


Thanks for coming by today!

Joy Of The Season Card Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (White); The Paper Company (Kraft);
Stamps: Market Street Stamps (Flurries, Essential Holiday Elegance);
Ink: CTMH;
Twine: The Twinery (Denim);
Other: (White Button);
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors); Martha Stewart/EK Success (Scoring Board);

Family Ties Card Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (White); Core'dinations (Aqueduct);
Patterned Paper: Echo Park (Little Boy collection - Awesome Dots);
Stamps: Market Street Stamps (Chillaxin');
Ink: Tsukineko (Red Magic);
Other: (Vintage Book Page);
Tie Pattern: Tifany DeGough;
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors); We R Memory Keepers (Corner Chomper - Stub); Martha Stewart/EK Success (Scoring Board);

Life Is Beautiful {Growing In Unity}

***Looking for my Market Street Stamps challenge post? Look HERE***

***Looking for my GIVEAWAY? Look HERE***


Welcome to my third day as the Growing In Unity gal!

Stay tuned each day this week as I show you something I've created using stamps from Unity Stamp Company...and we'll have a big celebration at the end of the week as we have a blog hop with Unity Stamp Company and Authentique Paper coming up on Saturday, October 8th.
You won't want to miss it!

If you are new here or aren't already a follower: I'd love to have you follow my blog!
If you are one of my regular readers: Thanks for coming back! I love having you!


For this project I wanted to challenge myself to use my stamps with only white cardstock and two colors of ink (Pixie Dust and Perfect Plumeria).
No manufactured patterned paper or other color allowed.

I love how it came out!

I randomly stamped the post card stamp from the "Be Mine (With Love)" set in Pixie Dust to create my own patterned paper. Then I took the frame (from the same set) and stamped it in Perfect Plumeria.

I topped it off by stamping the "Beautiful" stamp (a Melody Ross Itty Bitty) using both colors of ink, cutting out the frame and the bird, and adding a few embellishments.


Leave a comment telling me what you think about today's project so you can be in the running to win a free kit from Unity Stamp Company!
{The randomly picked winner will have a choice of one kit from the following list: Sending My Love, Bitty Backgrounds, Little Me, Bella Fiori, Homegrown , Hugs & Kittens, Handmade Holiday, Bella Trees, Imagine It - to be sent to a domestic address only, please.}

And, of course, I'd love it if you sign up to be a follower!

Thanks for stopping by today!


Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (White);
Stamps: Unity (Beautiful - Melody Ross Itty Bitty); Unity (Be Mine - With Love: Echo Park);
Ink: Tsukineko (Pixie Dust, Perfect Plumeria);
Ribbon: American Crafts (Rose Ribbon - White);
Other: Maya Road (Trinket Pins - Clear Star, White Star);
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors);

The Twinery/Echo Park: {Blog Hop}

***Looking for my FABULOUS news? Look HERE***




The Introduction:
The Twinery and Echo Park are joining up today for a blog hop to celebrate The Twinery's 1st anniversary!

If you are hopping along with us today: You should have come here from Stephanie Johnson's blog. If you did, you are in the right place! Welcome!
If you aren't already a follower, I'd love to have you follow my blog!

If you are one of my regular readers: Thanks for coming back! I love having you! Please join along in the hop - you can start at The Twinery's blog.

The Details:
As you hop from blog to blog make sure and comment on every post because the winners will be chosen randomly along the hop.

If you get lost anywhere along the hop (or if someone is having a blog glitch!) a complete list of participants will be posted on The Twinery's blog.

The deadline for commenting on this hop will be 11:59 pm (EST) on Friday, August 19th. Winners will be posted on The Twinery's blog on Saturday, August 20th.

The Prizes:
The Twinery is giving away the Ultimate Color Sampler Pack!


Echo Park is giving away three collections!



The Project:
For my project I created a piece that is both decor and a functional memo board.


I used a simple photo frame and added a background paper from Echo Park (behind the glass). I added various colors of The Twinery's twine (Charcoal, Stone, Peapod, and Honeydew) in three rows and adhered it so that the twine was accessible for hanging various accents.


I created some simple embellishments from various patterned papers from various Echo Park collections (detailed supply list is at the end of this post) and attached them to the twine strands. I added enough that it can stand on its own as a decor piece, but few enough that I still have room to add in small photos or notes.


Just the three strands of twine on the board still looked a little bare to me, so I tucked in a few small bits around the edges of the frame.


It's no secret that I am a fan of Echo Park's papers and I think it must be pretty obvious how much I love The Twinery's twine. And I extra super duper love how well the work together.


I won't be stopping with today's project...I have more to come...so stay tuned!
Thanks for stopping by today!


The Next Stop:
Shaunte Wadley's blog


Supplies:
Patterned Paper: Echo Park (Country Drive - Just Dandy, Clover Meadow; Life Is Good - Journal Cards; Little Boy - Rad Plaid; For The Record - Vintage Linen, Newsprint, Noteworthy; Playground - Merry Go Round, Jump Rope, Tag Journaling Cards);
Twine: The Twinery (Charcoal, Stone, Peapod, Honeydew);
Frame: Michaels;
Other: Houndstooth Ribbon; Pearls; Buttons; Mini Clothespins;
Adhesive: Ranger (Glossy Accents);
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer; Scissors; Squeeze Punches - Stars, Scalloped Circle, Circle; Hand Punch - 1/8" Circle); Martha Stewart/EK Success (Scoring Board); Tim Holtz (Tiny Attacher);

Fun with Echo Park

It's no secret that Echo Park Paper Co. creates awesome collections for paper crafters.
And not only do they consistently release awesome collections...they release awesome collections EVERY month.

The projects I am sharing today are created from some of the earlier releases - still some of my favorites!

I love this card..it truly makes me smile:


It was created using various papers from A Walk In The Park and is pulled together on a kraft card base. The border banner made it super easy to create the banner flags.

Next up is an adorable little gift box - the perfect size for a gift card or money:


I first created the quick and easy gift box base and then turned it into this sweet owl by embellishing it using various Fiskars punches.


I wanted to keep the fun going on the back, so I added the cute heart embellishment.
{Kinda reminds me of the heart on the Pound Puppies plush toys...remember those?}


The next card was brought to life thanks to the great journaling cards that come in each Echo Park collection kit.
Journaling cards aren't just for scrapbookers...they are great for cardmakers, too! Just add a quick, easy sentiment to a card base to make a clean and simple card.



Thanks for stopping by today!

And be sure to stop back by on Thursday (the 18th) to check out my stop on the Echo Park/The Twinery Blog Hop!

You don't want to miss it!


You Make Me Happy Card Supplies:
Cardstock: Kraft Outlet (paper bag kraft);
Patterned Paper: Echo Park (A Walk In The Park - Flutter, Tree Tops, Element Card Paper, Blissful Day Border);
Stamps: Provo Craft (12 pt. Circa, 18 pt. Circa);
Ink: Rubber Stampede (Black);
Accent: Heidi Swapp (Brads - Black);
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors); Martha Stewart/EK Success (Scoring Board);

Owl Gift Box Supplies:
Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (White);
Patterned Paper: Echo Park (Life is Good);
Ribbon: American Crafts;
Accents: Retail, Inc. - Target Dollar Spot (White Pearls); Heidi Grace (Heart Fastener - Mint);
Tools: Fiskars (Round n' Round Squeeze Punch - XL, L, & M); Fiskars (Lever Punch - Corner Lace); Fiskars (Hand Held Punch - 1/8" Circle); Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors); Martha Stewart/EK Success (Scoring Board);

Missing You Mini Card Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill (Cornmeal);
Patterned Paper: Echo Park (Springtime - Journaling Cards);
Accent: Queen & Co. (Snowflake/pearls);
Fibers: The Twinery (Pink Sorbet, Lilac);
Tools: Fiskars (Trimmer, Scissors); Martha Stewart/EK Success (Scoring Board);

Echo Park - "Fresh Faces" Call

The Little Girl collection from Echo Park just has something so cheery about it, doesn't it?
I thought it was the perfect fit for making a mini album.
The mini album is created by adhering the Little Girl papers to acrylic ornaments, and is finished off with a fun twine pompom.

Supplies:
Papers: Echo Park {Little Girl Collection};
Stickers: Echo Park {Little Girl Collection};
Acrylic: Peachy Keen Stamps {Large Acrylic Round Ornament Set}, Peachy Keen Stamps {Large Acrylic Star Ornament Set};
Twine: The Twinery {Blossom, Caribbean, Lilac, Pink Sorbet};
Other: Fiskars {Craft Knife}; Ranger {Glossy Accents}; Martha Stewart {scoring board}; Fiskars {paper trimmer};

This card was inspired by the great papers in the For The Record collection.
The colors, patterns, and embellishments work so well together and can create a variety of looks.
And I love that sentiment!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill {French Vanilla};
Patterned paper: Echo Park {Apron Strings, Noteworthy, Stamp of Approval, Vintage Linen from the For the Record collection};
Ink (dye): Ranger {Antique Linen};
Color media: Sharpie {Black/Pen. - Medium};
Accent: Queen & Co. {Nightfall/rhinestones};Tim Holtz {Nostalgic/tissue tape}; Prima {Artful Collage #523831/flowers}; Prima {Green/rose Leaves #170691};
Sticker: Echo Park {Element Stickers, For the Record collection;
Twine: The Twinery {Charcoal};
Tool: Tim Holtz {ruler}; Martha Stewart {scoring board}; Fiskars {paper trimmer}; Fiskars {Upper Crest Border Punch};
Other: black tulle;

A Walk In The Park is still one of my favorite collections from Echo Park - I love the great color scheme and the adorable images.
The butterflies in particular sparked the idea for this card:

Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill;
Patterned Papers: Echo Park {A Walk In The Park};
Other: Fiskars {scissors}; corner rounder; paper piercer; Martha Stewart {scoring board}; Fiskars {paper trimmer};

Tying a Perfect Twine Bow

Today I am going to show you a quick tip for tying a perfect bow using a special tool...from your kitchen.

Go grab a fork and some twine and let's get started!
{I am using Pink Sorbet twine from The Twinery}



Step 1:
Lay your fork down on a stable surface with a strand of twine behind it.

Step 2:
Wrap the twine on the right side of the fork over the top of the fork.

Step 3:
Wrap the twine from the left side of the fork (the twine that is still underneath the fork) over the other portion of twine. Thread it through the opening between the middle tines of the fork.

Step 4:
Pull both ends of the twine so it is snug against the fork.

Step 5:
Take the end of the twine from behind the fork and bring it through the top of the opening between the middle tines of the fork.

Step 6:
Tie the two ends of twine together and pull tight to secure the bow.

Step 7:
Remove your bow from the fork and add that cute little bow to your project!

{You can also use this method of tying a bow with ribbon, just be sure to keep the ribbon flat and untwisted as you work to get a beautiful finished product.}

I used this technique for tying a twine bow with The Twinery's Lilac twine on this card:



Card Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill (snow)
Patterned paper: Echo Park (Springtime collection: Delightful Stripe, Growing Vines)
Stickers: Echo Park (Springtime collection: Alpha Stickers)
Fibers: The Twinery (Lilac twine)
Tools: EK Success: Martha Stewart (scoring board), Fiskars (Scalloped Sentiment Border Punch), Fiskars (paper trimmer)
Other: Ranger (Matte Accents)

Two Cards: For The Record

***Looking for my giveaway? Look HERE***

Today I want to share two quick cards - both using Echo Park's For The Record collection.
{If you saw the sketches posted for the Go-to Sketches for Card Makers call you can probably spot right away that I used two of the sketches for these cards.}



As always, you can find Echo Park papers and TONS of other great manufacturers at A Walk Down Memory Lane!

Congrats Card Supplies:
Cardstock: (French Vanilla) Bazzill
Patterned paper: (Lace Stripes & Tablecloth, For The Record collection) Echo Park
Accent: (Nostalgic/tissue tape) Tim Holtz, (Nightfall, Rhinestones) Queen & Co.
Sticker: (Alpha Stickers - border & congrats, For The Record collection) Echo Park
Tool: (scoring board) Martha Stewart, (paper trimmer) Fiskars

Love Love Love Card Supplies:
Cardstock: (French Vanilla) Bazzill
Patterned paper: (Stamp of Approval,For The Record collection) Echo Park, (Advertisement, For The Record collection) Echo Park,
(Delightful Stripe, Springtime collection) Echo Park
Accent: (Yellow Sunshine/pearls) Queen & Co.
Rub-on: (Love love love) Basic Grey
Sticker: (For The Record Sticker) Echo Park
Tool: (craft knife) Fiskars, protractor, (scoring board) Martha Stewart

Peachy Keen Stamps: Ornament Mini Album

Here's a peek at the project I've shared today on the Peachy Keen Stamps blog. Be sure to head over there to check it out.


And don't forget...

Peachy Keen Stamps is allowing me to give away a $25 gift certificate this week...and YOU just might win it!

You can enter to win by leaving a comment on each day's post (on the PKS blog) -this will get your name into the drawing one time.
You can be entered five times this week if you leave a comment on each of my daily blog posts there.
If you'd like an extra entry, become a follower here on my blog and leave me a comment letting me know you are a follower.

I will pick a winner after my week on the PKS blog is finished.

See you back here tomorrow with a new project featuring supplies available from Peachy Keen Stamps!

Supplies:
Acrylic: Peachy Keen Stamps {Large Acrylic Round Ornament Set}, Peachy Keen Stamps {Large Acrylic Star Ornament Set}
Papers: Echo Park {Little Girl Collection}
Stickers: Echo Park {Little Girl Collection}
Twine: The Twinery {Blossom, Caribbean, Lilac, Pink Sorbet}
Other: Fiskars {Craft Knife}, Ranger {Glossy Accents}

Celebrate YOU

Here's another one of my "reject" cards from the recent Paper Crafts magazine calls. This one uses sketch #6.
{Again, you can see all the sketches here.}

Like my previous card this one uses the For The Record collection from Echo Park - Echo Park really did awesome on this collection!
{Who am I kidding? ALL of their collections are awesome.}








I got my inspiration for this card from the Get Daring with Decorative Tape Challenge in the Moxie Fab World. I used the Tim Holtz Tissue Tape on both the front and the inside of the card. I've been going tape cRazY lately and I sure love the tissue tape! It gives a nice accent but is still transparent enough to get a little glimpse of what is underneath.

Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned...I have more "reject" cards coming soon!

Supplies:
Cardstock: (Paper Bag) Kraft Outlet
Patterned paper: (Tablecloth, Advertisement, Lace Strips, For the Record collection) Echo Park,
Sticker: (Alpha Stickers "border" "celebrate" "you", For the Record collection) Echo Park,
Tool: (scoring board) Martha Stewart, paper trimmer, (Upper Crest Border Punch) Fiskars, (Deco Corner Chomper) We R Memory Keepers

Pat On The Back

Good news today: I got an acceptance e-mail from Paper Crafts magazine!

One of my cards that I submitted was accepted for publication and you should be able to see it this August in the Go-to Sketches for Card Makers Special Issue. {It hits the shelves the day after my birthday!}

This card {one of my many "rejects"} was also created using the same sketch from my card that was accepted {sketch #33} - it looks very, VERY different from the card that was accepted. They are totally different styles but I love them both in their own little ways.
{You can see all the sketches for the call here.}


There is lots of goodness from For The Record {one of the new Echo Park Paper collections}.

Of course I've also added some twine from The Twinery - love that new charcoal color! {I inked it up with some Distress Ink to make it flow better with the colors of the card.}


I got some of my inspiration for this card from the recent Get Daring with Decorative Tape Challenge in the Moxie Fab World. I used the Tim Holtz tissue tape to add some ruffles behind the sentiment and beneath the twine.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Cardstock: (French Vanilla) Bazzill
Patterned paper: (Apron Strings, Noteworthy, Stamp of Approval, Vintage Linen, For the Record collection) Echo Park,
Ink…dye: (Antique Linen) Ranger
Color media…markers, pencils, pens: (Black/Pen. - Medium) Sharpie
Accent: (Nightfall/rhinestones) Queen & Co., (Nostalgic, tissue tape) Tim Holtz, (Artful Collage #523831, flowers) Prima, (Green/rose Leaves #170691) Prima,
Sticker: (Element Stickers, For the Record collection) Echo Park,
Fibers: (Charcoal, twine) The Twinery
Tool: (ruler) Tim Holtz, (scoring board) Martha Stewart, paper trimmer, (Upper Crest Border Punch) Fiskars,
Other: black tulle

Look what I found!!!

{Here's the link}

A basic sketch and two cards...

***Looking for BLOG CANDY? Look here.***

I generally sketch out card design ideas before I start creating. Here's a sketch I recently did:


I used it to create two quick and easy cards using Echo Park papers from the A Walk In The Park collection.
Here is the first:


I love that this one can be turned on its side:


And a peek at how I finished the inside:


Here's another take on the sketch, still using Echo Park papers:


You can find Echo Park papers and SO much more at A Walk Down Memory Lane!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Kraft Outlet
Patterned Paper: Echo Park
Other: Magic Mesh, Fiskars {Round N Round Squeeze Punch}, brads, button, twine, corner rounder

I Still Get Butterflies

***Looking for BLOG CANDY? Look here.***

This card was SO easy to make thanks to the wonderful A Walk In The Park collection from Echo Park.


You can find this collection and more at A Walk Down Memory Lane. {They've got a big selection and great prices on Bazzill cardstock as well!}

Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Patterned Papers: Echo Park
Other: scissors, corner rounder, paper piercer

Enjoy Today

With today's card I have stepped out of my box and really mixed it up by using lots of color and multiple patterns in my card. My color combo was taken from the Moxie Fab World Bright & Bold challenge.


The stamps I used are from the Enjoy Today set and I also used the Bit of Burlap background stamp - all from Market Street Stamps, of course!

I paper pieced the cup using dimensional adhesive between the layers and I added the white foam using a Snow Writer to add a little texture.


I hope you have an enjoyable day!


Supplies:
Stamps: Bit of Burlap {Market Street Stamps}; Enjoy Today {Market Street Stamps};
Ink: Black Tuxedo {Memento};
Cardstock: White {Georgia Pacific};
Papers: "Flutter" from the "A Walk in the Park" collection {Echo Park}; "Bold Stripes" from the "Life is Good" collection {Echo Park};
Embellishments: Pink Sorbet twine {The Twinery};
Other: Snow Writer
Tools: Paper trimmer {Fiskars}; Scissors {Fiskars}; Scalloped Sentiment border punch {Fiskars}; 1/8" Circle Hand Punch {Fiskars};

Grey is the New Black

Grey is a great trendy neutral and I am playing along today with the Gray is the New Black Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.

I created three cards using grey as a basic neutral - then added some splashes of color.

Man Shirt Card:

Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill {Ash}
Patterned Paper: Echo Park paper Co. {Sunny Spots from Sweet Summertime Collection}
Other: Buttons, needle, Coats & Clark thread {yellow}
Tools: Fiskars Paper Trimmer, Scoring tool

Miss U Card:

Patterned paper: (Family Ties, So Sophie collection) My Minds Eye; (Celebrate, So Sophie collection) My Minds Eye
Color media…pens: (White/Signo) UniBall
Sticker: (Delight #53073) American Crafts
Tool: (craft knife) Fiskars, trimmer
Other: (3D-Dots) EK Success

Graphic Love Card:

Cardstock: (Cinder) Bazzill
Patterned paper: (Element Card Paper, A Walk In The Park collection) Echo Park; (Flutter, A Walk In The Park collection) Echo Park
Tool: (scissors) Fiskars

Small Gift Containers

I know that the holiday season has come to a close, but that doesn't mean that you won't be wrapping gifts again sometime soon. I thought it would be good to share a few ways to spruce up gift cards {or cash gifts} with hand crafted containers.


This is a gift bag made with papers from Echo Park's "Sweet Summertime" collection and The Twinery's beautiful Peapod twine. Peapod was one of the first colors of Twinery twine that I owned and is one of my favorites.
{Who am I kidding? They are ALL my favorites!}

This bag is the perfect size to hold gift cards or cash - and would also be great for other small gifts. {You could arrange a gift basket using some brightly colored mugs and fill this handmade gift bag with a few tea bags or cocoa packets.}

{Instructions for the Gift Bag can be found here: http://inkblotsbytrd.blogspot.com/2010/12/gift-box-bag-tutorial.html}





This gift box & bag set was created using Echo Park's "A Walk In The Park" collection papers and The Twinery's Caribbean twine.

The box is a basic box shape just the right size for a gift card or cash, but would also be the perfect size to hold a smaller gift such as jewelry.

{Instructions for the Gift Box & Matching Bag can be found here: http://inkblotsbytrd.blogspot.com/2010/12/gift-box-bag-tutorial.html}


If you don't add many dimensional embellishments to the gift box you can tuck it into it's own matching bag. {The bag is the same size as the bag made from the Sweet Summertime collection.}





This Gift Card Topper Bag is made using Echo Park papers from the "Life Is Good" collection. I love these trendy shades of teal, pink, brown, and green. It is is finished off with some fabulous Pink Sorbet twine from The Twinery.

This container is the perfect size for a gift card or cash.

{Instructions for the Gift Card Topper Bag can be found here: http://inkblotsbytrd.blogspot.com/2010/12/gift-card-topper-bag-tutorial.html}

Gift Bag Supplies:
Papers: Echo Park {Sweet Summertime: Whimsy Stripe, Citrus Circle, Happy Spots, Summer Argyle}
Twine: The Twinery {Peapod}

Gift Box & Bag Set Supplies:
Papers: Echo Park {A Walk In The Park: Picnic Fun, Playful Stripes, Raindrops}
Twine: The Twinery {Caribbean}

Gift Card Topper Bag Supplies:
Papers: Echo Park {Life Is Good: Journal Cards, Seeing Spots, Floral Dress, Happy Borders}
Twine: The Twinery {Pink Sorbet}
Pen: Sakura {Pigma Micron 05: Dark Brown}