My Favorite Things Sketch 376

This is a card for the My Favorite Things Sketch #376:

Try as I might, I just could not work that sketch in its original form – vertically.  So I tipped it on its side and went with that.  The flower was created using some of the sponged panels I’ve had sitting around for months.  I haven’t used that Plentiful Petals die very much, but I sure do love it when I do!  Wow!

I am also using my word dies much more.  I have been hesitant to use them, because I am not very patient with intricate dies.  But I have found that using some adhesive-backed fun foam on the back of my cardstock gives it a bit of reinforcement, and then I am able to work with the word dies better.

Thanks so much for stopping by today.

-Ally

Freshly Made Sketch 328

Here today with a card for the Freshly Made Sketch #328 challenge.

That little square on the right gave me a little angst, but all’s well that ends well, right?  I used my new Mixed Bouquet stamp set for the flowers.  And I think I am on a navy blue kick – can’t seem to leave my Enchanted Evening DP alone.  And Berry Sorbet is my new go-to color.

Freshly Made Sketches #328 challenge:

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I hope you are in for a wonderful weekend!

-Ally

Butterfly

A clean and simple Butterfly card:

This little butterfly is one of the many pre-colored images in my hoard which I have been trying to use lately.  It really is nice to be able to just grab something and go with it!  I think this one has actually been sitting around for a year or more.  So, fly free, little butterfly!  Off you go into the world at last!   Haha.  😉  Don’t you just love that Clearly Besotted Stamps sentiment?!  The Brushed Greetings sentiments are among my absolute favorites.  And this is the inaugural usage of my Garden Garland die set.  Yay!

This one is being linked to the CASology #286 Butterfly challenge:

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today.
-Ally

Viva La Verve Flower Challenge

Here is a different look at the papers I used for my previous cards:

What is not visible from the photo is that the tips and the center of the flower layers are touched with a little bit of Wink of Stella glitter pen, and the flower is paper pieced with some pink paper from the previously-mentioned collection.

I love that when using my Verve stamps (which I adore!), I always find that my “style” of card making seems to change just a smidgen, especially when I work with the Viva La Verve challenges.  I use a few more layers, I gravitate to a different style of paper, and my card design isn’t so typically simple.  It’s a fun change of pace!

I am linking this up to the Viva La Verve February 2018 challenge:

And also to Flower Challenge #17 for Paper Piecing:

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  Happy Middle of the Week! 🙂
-Ally

Bitty Bouquets – You Are Loved

I had several pre-stamped Bitty Bouquet images in my “ready to use” container, so I pulled them all together to make this card:

I added a few dots of gold paint marker to the flowers to tie them into the gold glitter strip.

This is for the CAS(E) This Sketch #257 retro challenge.

 

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I hope you will have a great weekend!
-Ally

Papertrey Ink 9th Anniversary – Day 2

I know I only pop in here every 6 months or so, but the Papertrey Ink Anniversary festivities always draw me back into the crafty world for a little smattering of creativity, with all the fun and inspiring challenges.

Today’s challenge was to find an item of clothing which inspires us.  After a little browsing, I decided upon this adorable little item at Old Navy.

I gathered a few Papertrey Ink stamp sets and inks and then put together my little imitation:

The sets I used are Embellished Elegance, Garden Gild, Graceful Greetings, Lovely Layers, Sending You, and You’ve Been Framed Oval.  The inks I used are Berry Sorbet, Harvest Gold, Melon Berry, Ocean Tides, Spring Moss, Spring Rain, and Memento’s Tuxedo Black.  I used the Linen/Canvas impression plate to add a hint of texture.

I hope you’re all doing well and having a wonderful 2016 so far!
-Ally

A Sunflower, Just Because

Another card with a hand-colored image that has been patiently waiting in my files for oh so long:

It is always so fulfilling to finally use the images I’ve colored on a card – you know, like, now my life is complete.  Or something.

Thanks for stopping by today. 😉
-Ally

Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Sunflowers (Flourishes); Friendly Flowers (PTI)
Paper/Cardstock:  White (Xpedx);  Smokey Shadow, Pure Poppy, Pure Poppy DP (PTI)
Inks:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); Copic Markers
Embellishments:  Rhinestones (Recollections)
Tools:  Stitched Mat Rectangle Die (Lil Inker)

Hello There, Yellow and Blue

Not sure why I felt the need to try the ColourQ challenge #296 color scheme, but I gave it a go.  I also used Freshly Made Sketches #192.  Just having some fun, creating.

Thanks for stopping by today. 😉
-Ally

Challenge Photos:
Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Hennah Elements (Altnew); Fancy Flourishes, Scripted (Papertrey Ink)
Paper/Cardstock:  White (Xpedx); Enchanted Evening Striped DP, Lemon Tart (PTI)
Inks:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); Harvest Gold, Enchanted Evening (PTI); Marina Mist (SU); Copic markers
Embellishments:  Rhinestones, Enamel Dots (Recollections)

Home Sweet Home – Clearly Besotted Stamps

This week, I have the honor of being a Guest Designer in helping to introduce a few new supplies from Clearly Besotted Stamps.  I love my Clearly Besotted stamp sets.  They are high quality and are classy and stylish with just enough of a hint of whimsy.

This is my first experience of this sort – designing for a company – so I really had no idea what to expect.  But Stephanie is such a generous and kind soul who made this process oh so very pleasant and painless, and I am beyond thrilled to be a representative for Clearly Besotted Stamps this month!  You will love the new supplies. 😉

Today I have a card for you which features the new Home Sweet Home stamp set and coordinating dies, which will be available for purchase on July 6th.

Aren’t these images adorable?!  I used a stitched rectangle mat die-cut to create a little scene using these supplies.  I always think of sending out ‘New Home’ greeting cards to family and friends when they move, but I rarely think to actually create them…. on time.  This stamp and die collection made for such a quick process, so I really have no more excuses in the future!

You can find more samples using July’s release products by visiting Stephanie’s blog.

Thanks for stopping by today. 😉
-Ally

**The Home Sweet Home stamp set and dies will be available for purchase
on July 6th at the Clearly Besotted Stamps store.**

Freshly Made ColourQ Tulips

Oh man, I have had such a difficult time getting into the crafty mood lately.  Although I can feel the end of my Christmas card extravaganza getting closer, and as much as I love a good assembly line setup, I think the process is draining my creative desires right now.  The only thing that I’ve really enjoyed and wanted to do is a little on-the-side Copic coloring.  I finally grabbed a couple of challenges and a stamped image and then made an original, non-Christmas project.

This card utilizes the ColourQ #165 colors and also Freshly Made Sketch #63.

I am loving the new PTI Sweet Blush pattern paper pack.  Really pretty papers.  The image is from the Vintage Picnic stamp set, colored with Copic markers.  I sponged around the circle perimeter using Baja Breeze ink.  I kept the aqua/turquoise to a minimum here.

The sentiment is from the Framed Greetings stamp set, stamped in Real Red ink.  The doily was cut from an MFT die.

For the two center strips behind the focal panel, I used my favorite Offray lace and a bit of hand-dyed crinkly seam binding.  I used the seam binding because I intended to put a little bow on the side of the image, but it just didn’t seem to fit, so I left off the bow but kept the ribbon strip.  Hope it’s not too weird.  And, of course, a few rhinestones.

So, I have a little question for you:  Would you find it helpful for me to list the Copic markers I use on my cards?

I don’t really give it too much thought when I’m listing supplies, but if there are any who would find it helpful, I could be persuaded to list them.  If it’s not a big deal to anyone, I guess I wouldn’t really bother with it.  Either way.  Just wondering what you all think about it.

Thanks for stopping by today. 😉
-Ally

Challenge Photos:
Supplies Used:
Stamps:  Vintage Picnic (Papertrey Ink); Framed Greetings (My Favorite Things)
Paper/Cardstock:  White Cardstock (Xpedx); Real Red Cardstock (SU!); Sweet Blush Pattern Paper (PTI)
Inks:  Tuxedo Black (Memento); Baja Breeze, Real Red (SU!); Copic Markers; Tea Dye Distress Ink (Ranger)
Embellishments:  Rhinestones (Kaisercraft); Lace (Offray); Seam Binding (Hug Snug)
Tools:  Dainty Doily Die (MFT); Standard Circles Die (Spellbinders)