Gossamer Blue | December Memories Inspiration Blog Hop

  

Good morning! I am thrilled to be participating in the Gossamer Blue December Memories Inspiration Blog Hop. This year's December Memories kit is packed with so many fun embellishments, pocket journaling cards, 6x8 papers, washi tape, wood veneer and cork pieces, and so much more. 

First up I want to talk about organization. This kit has a ton of tiny embellishments, packaged stickers, papers, etc., and keeping track of everything can be tricky. I pulled out a divided clear plastic bin that I purchased from Ikea as my main method of organization. 

I dumped the wood veneer and cork right into one of the smaller bins, while the 800+ sequins were poured into a previously purchased glass jar. The jar had a sticker on it that was hard to remove, and left quite a bit of residue, so I covered it in fun red chevron washi tape.

Here's another look at my supplies, happy in their new crafty home. You can see that I've already used a few of the enamel dots... they are SO CUTE! Definitely one of my favorite embellishments in this kit.

I want to show you a few of the products in this kit that I will be pulling out for my album. Of course I love everything, but some products are more "me". 

These 4x6 cards fit perfectly in the divided page protectors that are included in the album, and they make me happy. The "december" card is one that I'm going to use right away. I love the tiny diagonal stripes and the font.

There are four separate products here: the fabulous stamp set, vellum shapes (LOVE these!), puffy stickers, and badges/flair. The circle star vellum shapes will absolutely be used up first... they are the perfect sizes and colors. I'm using my Xyron sticker maker to apply adhesive to the vellum shapes. 

 

Die cuts, chipboard numbers, wood pieces, and cork pieces. The chipboard numbers are a great weight, and they can be stapled or sewn right onto your pages. The wood and cork pieces are great additions to this kit and I'm super excited to use the wood wreath on one of the 3x4 journaling cards. 

My original goal was to finish all of the foundation pages before December 1st, but we've had company at the house for the past 10 days and that didn't happen. I got a good start on it today, and I'm hoping to make more progress tomorrow. Hopefully by Tuesday or Wednesday of next week I'll have all the foundation pages finished. 

 

I'm keeping it simple with my cover. I used one of the 6x8 papers and called it good. 

Here are the first few pages in my album:

 

I can't believe how quickly this album is coming together! All the colors coordinate beautifully and each element is unique. I hope my post has inspired you to pull out your Gossamer Blue December Memories kit and get your foundation pages completed! 

Make sure to check out the rest of the Gossamer Blue design team for more December Memories inspiration:

Anabelle O'Malley
Beshka Kueser
Brenda Weaver
Cindy Liebel
Diane Payne
Ewa Kujawska 
Eyoung Lee
Heather Leopard
Jessica Lohof 
Jill Cornell
Jill Keller
Jina Jean
Kasia Przbyt
Katie Ehmann
Keisha Campbell
Laura Rahel Crosby
Magda Mizera
Maria Lacuesta
Melanie Blackburn
Naomi Atkins
Michelle Wooderson
Pam Garrison
Rebecca Luminarias
Tara Anderson
Vanessa Perry
Gossamer Blue Blog

Paper Smooches Sparks | Anything Goes

Good morning! Today I have a card for this week's Paper Smooches Sparks Anything Goes challenge. 

I pulled out a new set, Cute Fruit, for my fun red and green card. And no, it isn't a Christmas card! But it does feature a handful of adorable smiling strawberries and a super fun sentiment.

The sentiment is from the Uplifters stamp set, and the red textured paper is from Studio Calico. 

That's it from me today! Check out the rest of the design team for more inspiration: 

Alice Wertz

Jenny Mullens

Katie Gehring

Lynn Mangan

Lori Tecler
Larissa Heskett

Savannah O'Gwynn

ColourQ | Challenge #269

Hello there! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We spent the day with some dear friends of ours, enjoying a wonderful meal and watching the Seahawks game. I couldn't ask for a better way to spend the holiday.

On Wednesday, before spending the evening in the kitchen, I had a chance to create a card for this week's ColourQ challenge:

A few week's ago I purchased six of the Wplus9 die inks that were released awhile back. I love how they stamp, and I'm very pleased with the coverage, but they are definitely lighter than the ink pad lid shows. I thought the orange and green were a close match to the inspiration colors, but they are quite a bit lighter after the ink dries. My card isn't an exact match the the color swatch, but I'm still happy with how it turned out.

I created the chevron background using CAS-ual Fridays' Zigs & Zags stamp set and my stamp press. This little tool has been used a lot lately... it's perfect for lining up background stamps. The flowers and leaves are from Papertrey Ink's Friendly Flowers stamp set. 

That's it for me today! I'll be back tomorrow with the next Retro Sketches challenge, and a card for inspiration. Thanks for stopping by!

Papertrey Ink | Make it Monday #190

This week's Make it Monday was super inspiring to me. I love the look of plaid and this technique is one I've wanted to try for awhile.

Like Ashley, I pulled out my Background Basics: Super Stripes set to create my plaid tag. I die cut the tag before stamping.

I started by stamping the three stripe stamp in Hawaiian Shores, then I added a single stripe with Berry Sorbet ink. I added the four stripe stamp with Enchanted Evening, then a single stripe with Aqua Mist. The last two colors I added were Melon Berry and Fine Linen. I am so excited with the results! I wanted the fun plaid technique to be the focus of my card, so I kept the rest pretty simple. I used one of Papertrey Ink's free $5 floral sets for the sentiment and flowers/leaves, and added some Enchanted Evening twine to the top of the tag. An enamel dot in the center of the flower finishes it off. 

(Supplies - Stamps: (Papertrey Ink) Background Basics: Super Stripes, Ruby Reprise. Ink: (Papertrey Ink) Enchanted Evening, Aqua Mist, Hawaiian Shores, Melon Berry, Fine Linen, Black. Dies: (Papertrey Ink) Tag Sale #5, Ruby Reprise, First Place. Twine: (Papertrey Ink) Enchanted Evening. Enamel Dot: My Mind's Eye.)

For the sentiment used the banner die from the First Place die collection, but only one side has notches in them. I die cut the banner from the die, then flipped the banner over and ran it through my Big Shot again, cutting out notches from the other end. 

That's it for me tonight! Thanks for stopping by and have a great week. 

Today | Traditional Layout

Last month I had the opportunity to meet Shannon McNab, one of the digital designers that I've worked for over the past two years. We have emailed, FB messaged, Google messaged, called, texted... but hadn't met in person. She and her husband were visiting Florida and I met them for an amazing lunch at Epcot. 

After our lunch, and a quick stop to see the Captain E0 movie, we stopped outside one of the many gift shops for a photo. I love how it turned out, and I used it to create a scrapbook page using the September Gossamer Blue kits. This layout was also featured on CSI Color Stories Inspiration.

This page came together quickly. I planned the page first (temporarily adding the photo, patterned paper, tags, etc.), then typed up my journaling in Photoshop and printed it out. The "we were here" wood veneer is my favorite embellishment on this layout (and the font is awesome!).

I also have a new layout & card on the gossamer blue blog today. I used one sketch to create both projects. You can check out my post here.

I'll be back tomorrow with a card for this week's Retro Sketches challenge. Thanks for stopping by!

Paper Smooches Sparks | Anything Goes

Good morning! This week's challenge on the Paper Smooches Sparks blog is Anything Goes! I pulled out my Blossoming Buds stamp set, and four pigment ink pads, to create the background panel on my card.

The "you're lovely" sentiment is my favorite from this set. I stamped the background and adhered it to the aqua cardstock, then stamped the sentiment onto patterned paper. I added the green bookmark from the Bookmarks Dies collection, and a die cut flower from Flowers Dies. The button is from October Afternoon.

The enamel dots were a late addition. I was lifting up my card to photograph it when I smudged the ink on the flower below the sentiment. Rather than start over I added a few coordinating enamel dots (from My Mind's Eye). I'm of the belief that enamel dots can fix just about anything. :)

I hope you can play along with us this week! Check out the rest of the Design Team for more inspiration: 

Alice

Angeline

Jenny

Savannah

Retro Sketches | Challenge # 141

(This is my second post today. To see this month's Gossamer Blue Inspiration Blog Hop, please scroll down.)

This week's Retro Sketches sketch is a perfect for both CAS cards and more layered cards. I wanted to use a couple of new stamp sets for a simple Christmas card.

The trees, deer, and cardinals are from Wplus9's Winter Woodland stamp set. I used Memento Luxe pigment ink for the trees and deer, and Simon Says Stamp ink for the birds. The sentiment is from Mama Elephant's Winter Wonderland stamp set.

I hope you can play along with us this week! Check out the Retro Sketches blog for more inspiration and to link up. Have a wonderful Saturday!

Gossamer Blue | November Inspiration Blog Hop

Good morning! I hope you have been enjoying your November Gossamer Blue kits as much as I have. I shared a few of my November projects earlier this week, and today I have three more cards to share using the November main kits + add-ons. 

I pulled out a sheet of rub-ons for this card, using the "I treasure you" rub-on for the sentiment. I added rub-on arrows and hearts, then punched out hearts from Life Pages cards for layering. 

The Kelly Purkey Second City collection has a lot of bright colors and bold patterns. I used a Maggie Holmes rub-on for the bottom of the card, and the KP collection for the rest. The big "hello" wood veneer adds the perfect finishing touch.

 

I don't create "shabby chic" cards all that often, and to be honest, I'm not sure this card really qualifies as one, but I love the layered floral elements, gold, and mix of patterns. The "xoxo" sentiment is subtle but sweet. The flower bobby pin is so cute and I added a few bright pink elements on my card to match it.

Make sure to check out the rest of the design team and their amazing creations. If you get lost along the way, you can start over at the Gossamer Blue blog.

 

GB Blog

Anabelle O'Malley
Beshka Kueser
Brenda Weaver
Cindy Liebel
Diane Payne
Emily Spahn
Erin Taylor (me!)
Eunyoung Lee
Jill Cornell
Heather Leopard
Jill Keller
Kasia Przbyt
Katie Ehmann
Keisha Campbell
Laura Rahel Crosby
Maria Lacuesta
Melanie Blackburn
Michelle Wooderson
Nicole Harper
Rebecca Luminarias
Sabrina Alery
Vanessa Perry

I'll be back in a couple of hours with this week's Retro Sketches card. Thanks for stopping by!

ColourQ | Challenge #267

Happy Friday, friends! It's been a busy week here (hence the crickets on the blog), but I have quite a few things planned this weekend! I have a card for ColourQ tonight, the Gossamer Blue Inspiration blog hop tomorrow + RetroSketches weekly sketch, and a card for Paper Smooches Sparks on Sunday. The blog has been neglected, but I have been busy creating!

I pulled out my Stampin' Up! inks for my card today. I don't have Only Orange (is it a new In Color?), so I substituted Pumpkin Pie. The stamp set I used for the leaves is called Wonderfall, and I used Papertrey Ink's Autumn Acorns for the sentiment. 

I used my paper piercer to poke holes in each of the leaves, then used tan thread to stitch them to my card. I added a few buttons and sequins, then stamped the sentiment onto a Studio Calico tag. The mini paper clip is from Tim Holtz. 

After I assembled my card I realized the alphabet on the bigger leaf is upside down... whoops! But it's done and I like how the card, as a whole, turned out, so I'm moving on. :)

Check back in a few hours for this month's Gossamer Blue Inspiration Blog Post!

Gossamer Blue | November Projects

I have so many projects to share using the November Gossamer Blue kits. They were a blast to work with... gorgeous florals, bright fall colors, and plenty of sparkle! Can you say "glitter bows"? 

First up is my "main kit only" project. I used the awesome flower stamp to create my background, then used my ink pad and water brush to add color. 

Let's talk about the feathers. I pulled out one of the Kelly Purkey feathers from the Life Pages Themed Add-on and used it as a guide to create my own feathers from patterned paper. I didn't even trace it... I just held the feather against the patterned paper and cut around it. This technique worked so well that I created a second feather to layer under the first one. 

I pulled the gold "happy" phrase off of a Maggie Holmes tag, then stamped "birthday" on a banner below it. I added some crochet thread and a wood veneer postage heart to finish off my card.

The wood veneer pack from Heidi Swapp's September Skies collection (from the Life Pages #3 add-on) was one of my favorite products to work with. I used my Memento Luxe pigment ink to recolor the "hello" piece. 

I'm sure there is a better way to do this, but when I recolor wood veneer, I usually place the wood piece on my craft mat, then tap the ink pad onto it. Sometimes I have to push harder to get good ink coverage (and I usually end up with ink all over my hands), but it works for me. Pigment ink takes a while to dry, so I'll use my heat gun to dry it if I'm short on time.

More pink and florals and gold. I rarely get to scrapbook with pink or flowers (thanks to a husband and two little boys!), but I love to use them on my cards. The flowers are gorgeous, but I was really drawn to the beautiful leaves included in the same pack. Black and white striped vellum, gold glitter, gold velum, and the dark green leaves are a few of my favorites. I layered them on white patterned paper, then added the "love you" sentiment. 

I'll share the rest of my projects on the 15th during the Gossamer Blue November Blog Hop. Please leave any questions in the comments; I'll make sure to answer them. Have a great week!

Paper Smooches Sparks | Designer Drafts Challenge

Good morning! This week's Paper Smooches Sparks challenge is Picture Perfect... a fun inspiration challenge based on this photo:

I ordered a new stamp set and matching dies earlier this week (Cool Dudes stamps and dies) and I used both on my card. I was inspired by the neutral background with pops of yellow and aqua, plus the giant heart. 

The epoxy hearts and washi tape are from this month's Freckled Fawn embellishment kit, and the gems are from Hero Arts.

I used Copic markers to color in my cute little snowmen. Nothing fancy, just basic one-color-per-section coloring. I masked the sentiment, also from Cool Dudes, and stamped "love never" before stamping "melts" under it. 

I hope you can play along with us this week! Make sure to check out the rest of the Design Team's awesome creations for more inspiration:

 

Alice

Angeline

Jenny

Savannah

 Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week!

Retro Sketches | Challenge #140

Hello there! I hope everyone had a nice Saturday. We just got home from a birthday party celebrating Mark's 32nd birthday (Happy Birthday, babe!), and our friend Anita's birthday. They are "birthday buddies" and this is the second year we have celebrated their special day together. I can't believe how much food we have left over... we are going to be eating leftovers for a week!

I pulled out my new Studio Calico card kit last night to create a card for this week's RetroSketches challenge. This sketch was a lot of fun to work with because of the layers and fun scalloped border at the bottom. 

The floral patterned paper is one of my favorites from this month's kit, and I used it as a background on my card. I used Papertrey Ink's Friendly Flower stamp set for the blue flower and gray leaves, and the October Studio Calico card kit stamp set for the sentiment. 

 

The blue cardstock is also from the Walden SC card kit. The ribbon is Stampin' Up!, and the white dots are from Queen & Co. (I think). 

Check back in a few hours for a card for next week's Paper Smooches Sparks challenge! Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend. 

ColourQ | Challenge #266

I have been drooling over the pictures of Gossamer Blue's December Memories kit, which starts shipping next week, and all the red and green put me in the holiday spirit. This week's ColourQ challenge is perfect for Christmas/holiday cards! 

I pulled out my July 2014 Simon Says Stamp Kit of the Month for the "sending" sentiment. I LOVE this font! I used Papertrey Ink's Holiday Sparkle stamp set for the "holiday sparkle" sentiment. 

It's a little hard to see, but the funny looking silver things are actually Hero Arts rhinestones. The sentiment has "holiday sparkle" in it, so I had to add some bling!

Heidi, over at the Chickaniddy Crafts blog, is having a fun gift wrapping series called the 12 Days of Gift Wrap. You can check it out here.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!

25 Days of Christmas Tags

Good morning! I am thrilled to be participating in this year's 25 Days of Christmas Tags blog hop, hosted by Tracey McNeely. 

You can win a variety of prizes from some fabulous sponsors:  Reverse Confetti, Clearly Besotted, CAS-ual Fridays, Neat & Tangles, and Paper Smooches. How fun is that? Click here (and scroll down) to see all the ways you can win. Make sure to leave a comment here to increase your chances!

The Retro Sketches team is using this week's sketch as inspiration for our tags. 

Once again I pulled out the patterned paper pack from the latest PTI Make it Market collection. I'm a wee bit obsessed with this paper pack! I also used PTI's Polka Dot Parade #9 for the Christmas tree, and some silver glitter enamel dots for ornaments.

The ink colors I used for the tree are (bottom to top): Dark Chocolate, Pure Poppy, Spring Rain, Ocean Tides, Hibiscus Burst, Ripe Avocado, and Classic Kraft. I used Papertrey Ink's Tag Sale #9 for the layered tag. 

Make sure to check out Tracey's blog for a complete list of blog hop participants, and leave a comment there (and here!) for a chance to win prizes!

Retro Sketches | Challenge #139

Hell there! My Retro Sketches card is a wee bit late this week because of a screw up on my part... I'm participating in a super fun blog hop tomorrow and I didn't read the directions thoroughly, causing me to combine two challenges that I shouldn't have. Whoops! But it's done and I'm sure happy with the results. :)

My plan when I created this card was to flip the sketch from horizontal to vertical, and try a black/white/light blue color combo. This flower stamp, from Stampin' Up!, is so gorgeous and I didn't want a bunch of color & patterns distracting from it.

I used Memento Luxe Tuxedo Black ink to stamp the flower. I practice 4 or 5 times to get it just right, but the result is a striking stamped image. I masked off the sentiment from the stamp and used a small sentiment from Papertrey Ink instead. 

Make sure to check back tomorrow for another project that I created using this sketch. I'm participating in a fun blog hop (with prizes!) that you won't want to miss!