You're the BEST!

Hello everyone! 
I pulled out some spring flowers, inspired to play along with the Create Along With Us Challenge at PTI.  Made my card and alas, missed the chance to share it there. So I'm hopping in to share it as part of the Transformation Tuesday challenge. I hope it's OK with the challenge hosts to make a second card with the leftover part of a first card. It does transform the card layout! 
Here's the first card made with the PTI Seasonal Borders Spring stamps and dies, and Penned Elegance.

For the second card, I incorporated the die cut circle from the first card, and added a sentiment from Bold Basics. 

I used a new to me technique called Floating Die Cut Frames that Jennifer shared on her blog last week, find her great tutorial HERE. 

You can get an idea of how the die cut pieces fit together to make a raised panel on the card with the help of Press N Seal to lay it out. 

Keeping this short today but I must say it feels good to see bright spring colors and flowers here on the page! It's also good to have two encouragement cards ready to go.

Thanks so much for stopping in. Have a great day! I don't tell you often enough how much you encourage me. Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas holiday. 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Inks used : PTI - Sweet Blush, Pale Peony, Berry Sorbet, Aqua Mist, Ocean Tides and Simply Chartreuse. WPlus9 - Queen Bee.

Celebrate In Style

Hello everyone! 
I've been so caught up in Christmas preparations and events. Have really missed my crafting and regular posts. It's a busy time of year but I'm delighted to be able to stamp today as the featured guest stamper at CAS(E) this Sketch! I'm so honored to stamp again with this talented team of designers. 

I need a card to be on hand for a January guy birthday and I wanted to create a classy style. Choosing bold neutrals with gold gave me a great head start on a card that could also double as a New Year's greeting.

I'm way out of my comfort zone with two grays and black but they do look really good with lots of white and gold accents. 

Here's the sketch. 

You can find the challenge HERE and it will be in play for two weeks. Hope you will check out the wonderful projects and make your own to join in the fun! 

Thanks for your visit. Hope you have many good things to celebrate today.   

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Supplies used:

Stamps: none

Paper: Neenah Solar White, SU - Basic Gray and Basic Black, WPlus9 - Fog, Gold Foil paper

Accessories: Sissix - Celebrate die, SU - Starblast Edgelit Die (retired) 

A message to my readers

Hello friends, 

I am just here to share a few thoughts with you today. Hope you don't mind if a card is missing in this post. 

Truth is, there's something I've been having difficulty with, and I'm sharing it in hopes that you will understand and maybe even know how to help me figure it out. 

A couple years ago, I thought I would stop blogging. I've been at this since 2007, after all. And I did "end" my blog at typepad with a fond farewell. 

I found that I just missed being part of the sharing and caring community of stampers.  A couple of months later I reopened my blog again and I've really loved sharing with you all here. 

Here's my problem: for some reason, I find myself UNABLE to leave comments at most of your blogs.

I don't know why this has happened but I've tried fixes that recommend clearing the cookies, clearing the cache, checking filters, reading of similar problems on the google forums etc. None of these have helped. For so many of you that leave comments on my blog, when I write a comment on yours it either disappears when I submit it, or I try to click on the photos to verify that I am not a robot and they just keep going on and on and on. 

I would really like to know if anyone has a good suggestion for how to fix this?  You can email me at stampspaperandinkatgmail.com (use the @ sign) if you have an idea to share. 

Sharing is what I love the most about blogging, and for so many of you, especially fellow fans of PTI, I am not able to reciprocate by leaving a comment on your blogs. 

Hope you understand and know that I am working on it! I really hope I can get this resolved. 

I've always been much more crazy about stamping and much less fond of techie stuff, lol! Hanging in there and wishing you a good day~

Let It Snow Take Two

I've always loved using one design as a jumping off point for another card.  A few days ago I made a card using the Let It Snow die. Once the supplies are out, it's easy to create two cards for one. 
Want to make it even more fun?  Add some brand new supplies that you just got in the mail!

Using the die for today's card, I kept it wrapped in red foil paper and used the same colors and DSP. I changed the layout, making a square card. The scene I created with the Fence Line:Winter stamps and dies, is framed with a circle that has white glitter paper peeking from behind the lattice cut outs. 

I'm playing along with the Mojo Monday sketch challenge.

Also adding this to the Transformation Tuesday challenge at Papertrey Ink.

PTI products used: Fence Line Winter: Stamps set and dies, 

Shape Shifters Circle 4 Die, Christmas Cheer Dies, Merry Mug Stamp set and dies.

I'm so glad you came by to visit today. Have a wonderful weekend! 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Decked Out Dies

Hello friends! 
Well, the theme of decked out dies is a good one for Make it Monday. 

I must have had the deck the halls idea in mind as I created today's card, combining a rustic country feel with snowflakes and traditional colors. 

I've been wanting to use the Let It Snow die from PTI for awhile. It was fun covering it with read foil paper so it can shine against the background of snowflakes.  I used a designer paper (Echo Park) with a wood background for the main panel, then added two panels with a pattern of flakes over the wood. A few large die cut snowflakes and holly for flat mailing. Please notice - NO sequins, lol!
That's all for me today. Happy creating! 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Christmas Reindeer

It's been awhile since I've posted but I have been busy.  Crafting has been happening sporadically in between lots of holiday preparations and family gatherings. 

We did however make time to boat on a warmer day this week, before putting the boat into storage. I don't want to ever miss a chance to be on the lake, you know? Others say we're CRA-ZY!!

Would you like to see my project? 
I'm in love with the Reindeer dies from Elizabeth Creations and featured them on my Christmas card. 

My background uses Distress Oxide Inks in Broken China, Peacock Feathers, Salty Ocean and Wilted Violet blended to 
create a night sky. Using a stencil from the Make It Market Fairytale Christmas from PTI, I slicked on embossing paste and glitter to make pretty falling snowflakes.

Silver accents include the embossed sentiment, a skinny strip of silver foil paper along the top of the panel, 3 rhinestone gems and a silver chord adorning the deer's neck. 

I am pleased to have another card added to the stash. Hopefully I will be getting them addressed to mail soon! 

Thank you so very much for stopping by to visit today! Hope you are enjoying some crafty moments too! 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Yuletide Sparkle

Hello!
Time for another card using the Bold Borders: Yuletide Die with lots of sparkle and the bling of foil!
I'm loving making multiple inked borders and keeping them handy until the idea strikes to use it for a card. For this background, I inked the panel with Distressed Oxide inks and then covered that over with Versamark Ink, adding a layer of glitter for a super sparkly look. The photo only shows a smattering of this, but IRL it covers the entire panel. 

I also layered inks to add shading to the die cut greenery. I adhered silver foil to the die cut sentiment which makes it stand out with SHINE as the focal point. 

I'm playing along with the Love of Layers Make It Monday Challenge at PTI. Hope you have a great day! 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

November 2018 Blog Hop with Papertrey Ink

It's been a busy few days but I'm popping in to play along with the blog hop today. I didn't have much time but I got in the craft room for just a bit today to make my card. 

I kept the style clean and crisp as that's what the inspiration photo suggested to me. I love the bold combo of lots of white with red and a touch of blue. 

I used the following products from PTI: 
 Bitty Big Patterned paper in Pure Poppy, Bold Borders Yuletide Die, Sending Joy Stamp Set, Pure Poppy Ink. 
The blue ink is Lakehouse from WPlus 9. I needed a clean blue with no hint of green so this was selected after trying a few other inks. 

The Yuletide die is perfect for an elegant look, but I loved using it this time in a different way. Instead of a frame, I used it under my panel extending over it on the right side, giving me more room for the focal point and sentiments. I added a couple white die cut holly leaves and a tiny red bow.

Thank you so much for stopping by today! I'm happy to have another card ready for mailing and it took effort to avoid sequins or other bling so it is flat for the post office. Having just mailed a bunch of cards I am sure I need this to become my habit!

 Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Merry and Bright

YAAY! Happy Friday! 

As I mentioned yesterday, I'm back again today with Take 2 of the sketch from CAS(E) this sketch. I took a more literal approach using bold stripes and a hexagon window. 

 The reindeer from the Merry and Bright stamp set (SSS) was colored with Copics. He is surrounded by two trees die cut of white card stock and also colored with Copics.  I arranged the scene on an inked background and topped it with the stamped sentiment banner. 

In case you need a refresher of the sketch, here you go! 

I'm pleased to be on a roll with stamping this week and happy to have quite a few Christmas cards finished. I hope you feel glad to have stopped by today. Enjoy your weekend!

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Supplies used:

Stamps: SSS - Merry and Bright

Paper: Neenah Solar White, red foil card stock

INK: Simon Says Stamp - Intense Black, WPlus9 - Gala Red

Accessories:  Hexagon dies - Plus 9, Copic markers, Glossy accents

Cas(E) This Sketch

Welcome stamping friends, hope you're having a great Thursday. 
It's a very special day for me, I've been invited to be Guest Designer this week at CAS(E) this sketch!  It's my very favorite challenge and I'm thrilled to be part of the team today. 

We were given this fabulous sketch created by Donna.  
I interpreted it somewhat loosely, using  a white embossed sentiment and a few die cuts to define the shapes. 

This kind of elegant simplicity is one of my favorite types of cards for Christmas. Be sure to check out the amazing inspiration from the design team. And feel free to play along! 
Thanks so much for visiting my blog today. I'll be back tomorrow with my 2nd take on this sketch

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Supplies used:

Stamps: WPlus9 - Hellebore Builder and dies; SSS - Stained Glass Greetings

Paper: Neenah Solar White, SU - Real Red

INK: Versamark - WPlus9 - Gala Red, Fairy Dust, Last Leaf, Appletini, Old Gold, Hayride

Accessories: White embossing powder, Gold sequins

Vintage Merry Christmas

Hi! I'm back with a quick post today.
I created my card after being inspired by Melissa's beautiful card for PTI's Create Along With Us. 

I kept my card simply embellished but I wanted to include the oval frames, gingham paper and felt greenery that Melissa used. I cut the felt accents with dies that I had on hand. Now you see why I fell in love with Melissa's card. It's the sweet SNOWman!

Making this was a bit of a stretch from my comfort zone but I like the unique vintage style of this card. 
Thanks for visiting me today. I will be posting every day this week so please check back!  

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Fairy Tale Christmas

Hello again!
Welcome to my Tuesday Papertrey Ink post. Have you seen the gorgeous Make It Market Kit called Fairy Tale Christmas?  It's amazing! 


I've had many of the kit elements in piles on my desk. Today is the day I combined some of them into this card. I'm not quite ready for any white stuff yet, but I was dreaming of snow when I made this night time Christmas scene.

Believe it or not, there is no stamping! A printed scene is behind the oval frame, and I die cut printed images to pop up on this panel. For embellishments I added a sequin to the star in the night sky, and a wrap-up of silver chord with a flocked bit of ribbon. 

I'm happy to be playing along with the Mojo Monday Challenge. Have you heard that Julee Tilman has brought her beautiful sketches back? 

The dies are also new to me, they are PTI's Pierced Feature Frames: Ovals. I know these will become a go-to for me. They add such elegance. 

That's all for me today. It's been a dark rainy day here, and I've been stamping up a storm. See you tomorrow!

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Christmas Pageant

Hey! How are you today? 
I'm just popping in with a card using the delightful faces and children from the Christmas Pageant stamps and dies (Neat and Tangled.) I was completely taken in when I saw the images last year and I've been coloring them in between other projects. 

I used Copic markers to color, and Distress Oxide ink (Cracked Pistachio) blending lightly for the background. I pulled out the Swirling Star Trail die (SSS) and added a pale gold glitter paper behind the stars for bling. There's a bit of shimmer sparkle on the children's stars but it doesn't show up in the photo, sorry. 

This card really fills my "cute-ness" quota for the day. Hope your day is great! Thanks for visiting! 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Beside Still Waters

Welcome back, I'm so glad to have you visit my blog today! 

Sometimes when you have an idea you just have to get creative with it when it first hits you! That's what happened with today's card. 

I love the idea that Dawn shared at MIM to use panels made with brushstrokes from paint. You can see her gorgeous cards and the amazing challenge samples HERE for more inspiration. 

I got excited about making panels using Nuvo Mousse as I have a quite a few colors of that product. After I made the panels and let them dry, it was too late for me to enter the challenge. 

I also realized that I didn't want to use my panels as a card front or frame, or for foliage since the Mousse colors are soft pastels. 

As I was cleaning off my desk for another project, the idea hit me to use these satiny papers as elements for a Psalm 23 scene.  Instead of setting them aside,  I made this card right then.

I only wish the photo captured the subtle colors and shimmer. The Year of Psalms June set from Papertrey is so beautiful and uses one of my favorite Scriptures. I embossed it in gold. The trees were die cut with Fresh Pine Trio (Memory Box) and the deer die cut is from the first PTI set that I bought - Winter Wonderland.

That's it for me today! 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Supplies used:

Stamps: PTI - Year of Psalms June

Paper: Neenah Solar White, SU - Baked Brown Sugar

INK: Versamark

Accessories: Gold EP, Nuvo Mousse - Mother of Pearl, Aquamarine, Spring Green, Indian Gold; other dies - PTI Stitch In Time Borders Die

A Simple Sketch - Times 2

Hello there! 
My stamping has been a bit hit or miss this fall, but somehow I got on a roll. Here's the first post to share with you! 

I used to have a category on my blog called Twice is Nice. If I found a sketch I really like it was fun to make two completely different cards with it. That's what happened with me while crafting. I couldn't stop after one card and had to make a second. 

Let me show you the sketch first, from the great designers at CAS(E) This Sketch. 

I began with wanting to place the sentiment in the sketch and then added the leaves around that to form rows. Although it is a bit busy, I like how this card turned out. 

For the second card, I went looking for a smaller image and pulled out the Whole Lotta Happy set from W Plus 9. This card is still also a bit busy, but the uniformity of the images gives it a more cohesive look. I like it so much better than the first card.

These images are so cute and I thought they'd be perfect for a rainbow themed card. You know they've been the rage for so long but until now I hadn't made one! What fun! 

Here's where the rainbow comes in, on the inside - 

This will be a congrats card for someone we love so much! The photo makes it look wonky but I promise that the image and sentiment dies are straight. Both cards give me a sense of delight in using stamps and dies that have been long lost in my stash. It is invigorating to re-discover them. The sketch inspired me to seek them out. Another reason I love sketches. 

Thanks for visiting today! It has been raining here, but I keep looking for the rainbow from my warm cozy spot. 

Be yourself

     Delight in your craft 

        Make something beautiful!

Supplies used:

Stamps: SSS -  Apple of my Eye;   WPlus9 - Whole Lotta Happy