create along with us

For Papertrey’s Create Along With Us, I combined two wreath cards – Heather’s and Betsy’s – to make a card to send autumn greetings.

 

The result is a surprisingly very sweet card. The white embossing with the soft colors give this card a delicacy that is unexpected for a fall card. Mine tend to be much bolder. And don’t you just love the font that Dawn used in her Birthday Classics: September set? It is one of my favorites.

 

Do you finish the inside of your card? I try to, even if only to add a strip of coordinating paper. I was at a loss for this card. Since it is a notecard, I wasn’t adding a sentiment inside, had no patterned paper to add, and couldn’t manipulate the wreath stamp since it is rubber. What to do? I finally realized that I could stamp a side of the wreath, overlapping it three times, to give a twig border. I was happy with how it turned out – understated and delicate to go with the card front.

 

Hope you have a magnificent week. The trees are just beginning to turn here and are complementing the crispness in the air.

nancy

supplies:

stamps:  Garden Grace, Birthday Classics: September, and Birthday Basics (PTI); Bramble Wreath (Memory Box)

ink:  fine linen and canyon clay (PTI); VersaMark

paper:  stamper’s select white and classic kraft card stock (PTI)

dies:  Inside/Out Stitched Square STAX (MFT Stamps)

extras:  white embossing powder (Superior); baker’s twine (Recollections); enamel dots (Studio Calico; MME)

just a little note… literally

On the first day of Papertrey’s countdown, Heather shared a card that nestled its way into my heart and has remained there ever since. I knew that sweet little card would be my inspiration for Create Along With Us.

 

In my August Create Along With Us post, I shared that I was not ready for autumn, so you can imagine what I think about winter cards in September. It is why I created a card that is just right for this time of year – apple season.

Wouldn’t you rather have a glass of apple cider than a pumpkin spice latte in September?

nancy

supplies:

stamps:  Monthly Moments: September, Stitched Sentiments, Birthday Classics: September and tag-its #2 (PTI)

ink:  pure poppy, simply chartreuse and ripe avocado (PTI); tuxedo black (Memento); fresh snow (Palette)

paper:  ripe avocado, pure poppy and classic kraft card stock (PTI)

dies:  Party Pops (PTI); Banner Trio (wPlus9); Inside/Out Stitched Square STAX (MFT Stamps)

extras:  jute twine (Westrim); enamel dots (MME)

happy fall y’all – no, not yet!!!!!!!!!

Papertrey’s August release contained a number of autumnal products and because I’m not at all ready for a change in seasons, I thought of skipping this month’s Create Along With Us challenge. Obviously, I changed my mind and even made two cards, both with a decidedly fall flavor.

The first card chosen as inspiration is Danielle’s pink Happy Fall card. With its lighter, more feminine colors, this card is perfect for that transition period of the warm days and cool nights of late September, which is probably part of the reason I chose it. Another reason is that I own the fabric tape Danielle used. Because I had yet to unwind that tape, this was the perfect opportunity to get it out.

 

Back in April, I described my approach to Create Along With Us. Another reason for my duplicative approach is that it pushes me to try things that I otherwise would not. Using a white leaf on an autumn card or pairing Soft Stone with these colors is not something I would do, but I love how they look on Danielle’s card… and on mine.

Another technique that I haven’t tried – it just didn’t seem worth the effort to me – is ink blending on word die cuts. Boy, was I ever wrong! It’s not much effort and the blended die cut has so much depth.

This card is my attempt at Betsy’s Inspired:  Blessed card. The flower cluster from Don’t Forget to Write seemed to be a good substitute and its stamp set was another item I had yet to use. After making this card, I’ve decided that I need to add some wheat to my collection. (I think I had decided that before I made the card.)

Hope you’re still enjoying some sweet summertime.

nancy

supplies (happy fall):

stamps:  Stitched Sentiments, Pumpkin Patch, Birthday Classics: September and Birthday Basics (PTI)

ink:  sweet blush, berry sorbet, harvest gold and classic kraft (PTI); rich cocoa (Memento)

paper:  soft stone card stock (PTI); white card stock (Recollections)

dies:  Leaf Prints (PTI)

extras:  fabric tape (Recollections); ribbon (stash)

supplies (prayer is a hug):

stamps:  Don’t Forget to Write, Botanical Silhouettes and Inspired: Prayer (PTI)

ink:  aqua mist, canyon clay, terracotta tile, summer sunrise, harvest gold, ripe avocado, simply chartreuse, fine linen and classic kraft (PTI); rich cocoa (Memento)

paper:  classic kraft and fresh snow linen card stock (PTI); watercolor paper (Master’s Touch)

dies:  Don’t Forget to Write and Happiness in Bloom Leaves (PTI); Stitched Rectangles (SSS); Inside/Out Stitched Square STAX (MFT Stamps)

create along with us

It is fascinating to see the different approaches to Papertrey Ink’s Create Along With Us challenge. When Nichole tells us to create our own version of a project that the design team shared during the release, I take it to mean that she has given me free rein to copy a DT member’s card – well, as best as I’m able with what I own. What intrigues me with others’ approaches is how a person is able to reinterpret a card in such a way that it no longer resembles the original; yet, when you read the explanation of the process, it makes perfect sense. I’m not sure if I take a duplicative approach because I am a literal person or because I am so enamored with the original design that I want one of my own to hold in my hands. Whatever my reason, the lovely card that chose to be my inspiration is Betsy’s “don’t dig up in doubt what you plant in faith” card, the last in the post.

Although this is a very close interpretation of Betsy’s card, I had to make some changes to the placement based on the stamps used. I picked the small roses stamp from The Sweet Life because it is a three-flower cluster with two layers of color, as is the original. (The middle layer of the roses was not stamped.) The sentiment from Garden Grace was used because of its similar type of proverbial message and it fit with the design. I did put some thought into my card!

While this is no Betsy card, I was pleased with how it turned out… until I noticed the stray ink that snuck on the front. After trying a few methods to hide the ink – obviously without success – I told my daughter that if the recipient mentioned the goof, they just wouldn’t have to be subjected to another of my cards in the future. How’s that for being an adult?!

Thank you for stopping by.

nancy

pti create along with us

I last made a card in September, five months ago. When I was at my computer, looking at wonderful, lovely, colorful cards, I wanted to make something, but by the time I got to my supplies, the desire to create would disappear. Papertrey Ink’s anniversary challenges flipped the switch for me and I’ve made 13 cards since Thursday. I’m a very slow card maker, so that productivity is close to miraculous. My anniversary challenge cards are in the next post. My PTI Create Along With Us challenge card follows.

My inspiration is Betsy’s wonderful, merciful Savior card. Since I kept going back to Betsy’s blog to stare at that card, I thought it would be the perfect choice for this challenge. Basically, I copied Betsy’s card as best as I was able using Beautiful Brushstrokes, One Liners: Happy and my novice watercoloring skills.

Thank you for stopping by during this very busy time.

nancy

create along with us

When Papertrey Ink announced its new Create Along With Us challenge, I thought the most difficult part would be choosing the one card to use as inspiration. Actually, that was easy because Melissa's “Hello Dearest Friend” card just spoke to my heart.

The most difficult part of the challenge was getting my card posted on my blog. For some reason, there seems to be a major disconnect for me between completing and entering a challenge. But, this is the inaugural Create Along With Us challenge, so I just had to take part.

This card is going to my father-in-law, who used to garden when he had a large yard. (And yes, the inspiration for the radish colors also came from Melissa.) I felt that I was already pushing feminine boundaries with the pink gingham, so I didn’t add the bow. My plan was to cover the tag hole with some other embellishment, but it looked off, which resulted in the one thing that I wish I could have changed – using a Half and Half die instead of Tag Sale #6. If I hadn’t already attached the card front, I would have made the switch.

Whenever I use one of Melissa’s creations as my inspiration, I never expect my card to look anywhere near the same as hers. She is an artist; I am a crafter. Nevertheless, there are certain cards that sometime capture the essence of the original design. This is one of those cards. Since I have no photography skills, you’ll just have to take my word that this card leaves me enveloped in the warmth, caring and happiness that Melissa’s card did. I hope those same feelings make it through the mail and reach my father-in-law.

Thank you for stopping by.

nancy

supplies:

stamps:  Vegetable Garden; Happy Hexagons; Polka Dot Basics; and Two Feet Deep (PTI)

ink:  pure poppy, sweet blush, aqua mist and simply chartreuse (PTI); angel pink (Memento); VersaMark

paper:  rustic white and simply chartreuse card stock (PTI); vellum (Paper Studio); Family Ties (Pebbles); Country Drive (Echo Park); Lost & Found Two (MME)

dies:  Tag Sale #6; Pinking Shears border; Cover Plate: Hexagons; and Vegetable Garden (PTI); summer (Studio Calico)

extras:  leaf, powder, blush and rouge Zing! embossing powder (American Crafts); Lost & Found Christmas enamel dots (MME); swimming pool enamel dots (doodlebug design)