Playing Around

So, I made it through another year without winning a darn thing throughout any of the PTI releases.  Haha! ;-)  Pity, because I know my Hubby would love it if I could win some free stuff for once, instead of spending the obscene amount that I do on silly craft supplies, bless his heart.

Anyway, I had fun creating some cards for a week or so, and that does have its own rewards.  I woke up after the release and it felt weird not to have a purpose for creating something, so I ended up creating something just for the fun of it, because I was already in the habit.  You know how that is, right?!  Not sure why I’m blogging about it, though; guess I just wanted to share.

I’ve still been trying to improve my skill at the whole shaker card thing.  I’ve also been seeing many black and white stripe designs around the crafty internet, and I just love them all!  On tap for today, then, was black and white stripes with my new Love Blooms stamp set from Reverse Confetti.

I glued a few of those sequins into place around the sentiment, so it wouldn’t be quite so big and white and empty in there.

This card took me hours to create yesterday, mostly because we’re trying to get back into the ‘normal’ routines after the Banquet craziness that was the rule last week.  But in between a little bit of this week’s ‘normal chaos’, I still had some card-making fun.

Thanks for stopping by today. ;-)
-Ally

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Love Blooms (Reverse Confetti);  Poppy Birthday (Verve)
Paper/Cardstock:  White (Michael’s);  True Black (PTI);  Misc Glitter Cardstock
Inks:  Tuxedo Black (Memento);  Hibiscus Burst, Raspberry Fizz, Winter Wisteria, Plum Pudding, Harvest Gold, Summer Sunrise, Simply Chartreuse (PTI)
Embellishments:  Sequins
Tools:  Shakers & Sprinkles Rectangle Die, Sparkle & Shine Sequin Dies (PTI);  Love Blooms Dies (Reverse Confetti)

Papertrey Ink 8th Anniversary – Day 8 Card

I actually have a two-for-one post today.  After the Banquet, I took the day off from just about everything yesterday, and I used a bit of that time to sit and create a few cards.

Yesterday’s challenge was to create something with the color blue using the ombre effect.  This first card is actually a variation on a card I created a few weeks ago:

This Phrase Play #5 die is so perfect for shaker cards – it takes away most of the guesswork, which is essential for me! (LOL)

I know the contest allows for only one entry per person.  But I was having so much fun that I created another one with the same theme.

Thanks for stopping by today. ;-)
-Ally

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Keep It Simple – Birthday; Stylish Sentiments – Birthday (PTI)
Paper/Cardstock:  White (Michael’s); Blueberry Sky, Enchanted Evening, Spring Rain, and Smokey Shadow Cardstocks (PTI); Blueberry Sky, Enchanted Evening, and Spring Rain DP’s (PTI)
Inks:  Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Embellishments:  Misc Sequins
Tools:  Double-Ended Banner Die, Phrase Play #5 Die, and the speech bubble cover plate – I can’t remember its name right now so I’ll come back and edit this later but please tell me in the comments if you know what it is, thank you!  (PTI

Papertrey Ink 8th Anniversary – Day 7 Card

Thank goodness for the extended deadlines this year, because the Blue & Gold Banquet really ate up my yesterday!

The Day 7 challenge for the Papertrey Ink 8th Anniversary festivities was to use nothing but metallic and neutral materials.  So, here’s my take on that:

I’m not quite sure about this one, honestly.  I had a difficult time working with only metallic and neutral elements, going through about 3 other ideas first before finally settling on this design.  I used some never-before-used supplies for this one, as well, finally breaking out my cute little pink box of sequins and such from the Shakers & Sprinkles Make-It Market Kit that I purchased a while ago.  I’ve been slowly trying to learn how to make shaker cards, but it has come with MUCH trial and error for me.

I couldn’t quite decide on how to place the shaker element, when my little PrincessM – who has really taken to making her own cards lately – walked by and suggested that I tilt the panel a little.  So I went with that, since I’m feeling all ‘decisioned’ out after a lot of party planning the last few months.

Not my favorite card, but not too bad, I suppose.

Thanks for stopping by today. ;-)
-Ally

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Stylish Sentiments – Birthdays (PTI)
Paper/Cardstock:  White (Michael’s); Soft Stone DP (PTI); Misc Glitter Cardstock
Inks:  Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Embellishments:  Sequins and Such (PTI)
Tools:  Shakers & Sprinkles Rectangle Die, Seeing Stars Die (PTI); Starry Die (Verve Stamps)

Papertrey Ink 8th Anniversary – Day 5 Card

Today’s challenge for the Papertrey Ink 8th Anniversary celebration is to ink up a stamp set that hasn’t been used yet.  Sadly, this is too easy for me to do.  Probably 80% or more of my stamps have never seen ink.  I always see things that others use – making things I would love to make – only to purchase it and find out that it’s not really my style or that I really don’t know how to use it.  Or, I have my favorite fall-backs that I use over and over and over again.  Or, I just don’t have the time to use all the many, lovely supplies I have in my stash.  (sigh)

At any rate, I chose to work with a few un-inked stamps from a variety of sets – Doodlie Do, It’s Official, Balloon Bash, and Friendly Flower.

Now, I know what you’re thinking right now.  “What??!  A card from Ally that isn’t all white??!”

I like black and gray, too.  A little nod to my high-school punk-rocker roots.  Haha!

I had a good time with this one.

Thanks for stopping by today.  ;-)
-Ally

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Balloon Bash, Doodlie Do, Friendly Flower, It’s Official (PTI)
Paper/Cardstock:  Smokey Shadow, True Black (PTI); White (Michaels); Designer Paper (‘Digital Stories‘ Etsy Shop)
Inks:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); Smoky Slate (SU); Hibiscus Burst (PTI); Copic Markers
Embellishments:  Rhinestones (Recollections, Kaisercraft)
Tools:  Doodlie Do Die, Spiral Notebook Die (PTI)

Papertrey Ink 8th Anniversary – Day 4 Card

Here again with a little something for Day 4 of the Papertrey Ink 8th Anniversary celebrations.  Today’s challenge is for something that features a bouquet that is created with more than one floral stamp set.  I used only 2 sets – Friendly Flowers and Ruby Reprise – for the following card:

It is so refreshing to be creative lately!  As another Blue & Gold Banquet for the Cub Scouts looms ahead this week, I’ll hope for a little more creative time in between the busy moments.

Thanks for stopping by today.  Have a great week, everyone!  ;-)
-Ally

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Friendly Flowers, Ruby Reprise (PTI)
Paper/Cardstock:  White (Michaels); Soft Stone DP (PTI)
Inks:  Various Inks by Papertrey Ink and Stampin’ Up!
Embellishments:  Rhinestones (Recollections)
Tools:  Friendly Flower Die, Simply Jame Die, Limitless Layers Oval Dies (Papertrey Ink); Stitched Rectangle Die (Lil Inker Designs)

Papertrey Ink 8th Anniversary – Maile Belles Inspiration Card

Using the ol’ blog here to post a few things for entry into the PTI anniversary contests.  Sometimes I wonder why I do it, since I’ve never won anything from PTI amongst all the many contests I’ve entered there over the past 5 years.  But it is difficult to resist playing along during Anniversary Week.

The challenge for day 2 is to find and use inspiration from a Maile Belles creation.  I have enjoyed Maile’s work for several years, and it is never hard to find something by Maile that inspires me – I don’t think I’ve ever seen an item of hers that I haven’t liked!  But I did finally decide on CASE-ing this card of hers, and here is the result:

I had a good time creating this card, and it is fun to blog about it, too.  I keep wishing I could get back into the blogging scene someday, but my life right now just doesn’t provide the time and effort it takes to do that.  Maybe I’ll get a few things posted over the next week of celebrations, though.

Thanks for stopping by today.  Hope you are all well and happy!  ;-)
-Ally

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Friends Til The End, Think Big Favorites 24 (PTI)
Paper/Cardstock:  White (Michaels); Smokey Shadow & Soft Stone DP (PTI)
Inks:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); Copic Markers
Embellishments:  Rhinestones, Enamel Dots (Michaels); Glitter Spray (Tsukineko)
Tools:  Tin Types Impression Plate, Friends Til The End Die (PTI

Copic Marker Class Day 8 – Card 3

Summer was non-stop crazy, and I always look forward to the slow-down that comes with Autumn.  It has been nice to find a little time this past week to be creative.  It is a welcome distraction from some of the things that have been occupying my mind and life lately.

I’m still busy enough that I haven’t been able to accomplish all that I’d like to with this Copic marker class, but I hope to catch up in my practice time soon.

For the time being, I have one more card to share that displays one of my practice images.

This card reminds me of Pepto Bismol, with all this pink and red.  But after spending way too much time considering other layouts and color combinations, I finally ran out of time and just quickly finished it off with my ‘easy way out’ combo – white, embossing folder, and gems.

I think this will be a good card for my Princess M on her birthday next month.

Thanks for stopping by today. ;-)
-Ally

Supplies Used:
* Sentiment (Friendly Flowers – PTI)
* Embossing folder (Stampin’ Up)
* Stitched rectangle die (Lil Inker Designs)
* Banner die (PTI)
* Twine (The Twinery)