Wednesday 30 September 2009

A week of swaps - day 3

Welcome to a few more fabulous ATCs from our recent swap!

Here's Emma's:



And Steph's:



And Vicki's:



Thanks for visiting - we'll have a few more to show you tomorrow!

Kate x

Tuesday 29 September 2009

A week of swaps - day 2

Hi all! Here are a few more fabulous ATCs from our recent swap:

Nina's:


Dawn's:




And Sue's:


Thanks for visiting - we'll be back tomorrow with a few more!

Kate

Monday 28 September 2009

A week of swaps

Happy Monday PTI friends! This coming week we're going to be posting all the fabulous ATCs from our recent swap - each and every one is fantastic and we thought you'd like to see them all!

First up a HUGE thank you to our wonderful Steph for organising the swap and, in keeping with her extraordinary generous and kind nature, making these fabulous boxes to send the swaps out in:






Thanks Steph honey! By the way the template she used was Lauren Meader's Tucked Away Timeless Template - just perfect for ATCs!

So onto the swaps - a huge thank you to everyone who joined in. It was so exciting receiving them all - you are a wonderfully talented bunch!!

Here's Tina's:



And Ann's:



We'll be back tomorrow with a couple more of the ATCs - thanks for visiting!

Kate x

Thursday 24 September 2009

Couch Surprise Card Tutorial

Hey!

Well the PC has been set up at our new home (thanks to Chris!) so I can now post a couple of things that I created and photographed before we boxed up and moved out!

Firstly, remember the card I created for Challenge 13: Cherished Colour?
I said I'd explain the chaos in the background later didn't I? I know this is much later but I still thought I'd tell ya! This card is a copy of my winning PTI August GSS entry; I was creating a tutorial to show how I made my 'couch surprise' card so was taking pics every step of the way creating this! Now I've managed to edit some of the pics, I figured I'd share with you all how I made it. It's easy peasy if I can make it and suits just about any occasion and recipient!

So without further ado, how to make a 'couch surprise card'...

Step 1
Stamp out your couch and colour (I used a circle nestie to stamp inside and promarkers to colour with directly onto Kraft card - I love colouring onto Kraft! I also added some detail with a white gel pen)
Then using a craft knife, cut across the top of the cushions you'd sit on (this is where the money slides out!)
Step 2
Now to make the pocket that will hold the money. I decided to use vellum as it's thinner than PTI cardstock so will slide easily in and out of the slit in the couch.
I figured it's easier to show you the template I created with the measurements written by the side (in centimetres). It's easy if you start with a piece 14cm x 4.25cm and alter to recreate the following pic. After cutting this out, score down the 1cm flaps and across where the narrow strip meets the wide part.

Step 3
Fold the side tabs inwards first, then stick them to the narrow strip. I do it this way so the back of my pocket remains a smooth piece of vellum without any risk of glue or folded tabs making it get stuck!
As you can see on the pic, the tabs are glued inside the pocket rather than wrapped around the outer sides so the back is tab free (gosh I hope that makes sense!) Step 4
I then stamped my cushion onto cardstock and cut a thin piece of card slightly narrower than the cushion. Apply some thin sticky tape to the top of the pillow and attach the card. The reason I apply it to the top of the pillow is so the pillow sits nicely on the sofa and overhangs on the slit in the sofa.
The strip of card is then stuck to my vellum pocket (the card adds more stability for when the pocket is pulled and pushed - vellum will tend to crumple!)After creating the pocket, test it in the sofa to make sure it moves freely and nothing catches!Step 5
Next, prepare the card blank BUT DON'T STICK IT TOGETHER YET (go on, ask me how I know LOL!) You need a card blank and another layer on top - I've picked kraft as a base and New Leaf as the layer here (scrummy!) but you can choose whatever the occasion suits! Plan where you want the sofa to be, and using a pencil, draw around the circle (or whatever shape your sofa is on!) remember you need enough room for the pocket to hide so portrait is the best orientation for this kinda card!Step 6
Using a craft knife, cut a large gap to ensure your pocket will fit nicely behind this layer. Leave enough of a border to stick down your sofa though. I love that I don't have to be too accurate with this and as no-one sees it, it doesn't matter if it's a little messy!
Step 7
Stick the sofa onto the card, threading the pocket through the gap you've just cut out.
Step 8
Decorate the rest of the front panel (I've wrapped coordinating vellum around the bottom half; drawn around the sofa circle with a white gel pen using the nestie it was cut with; cut another circle with the a sentiment on and added some yummy enchanted evening ribbon) Then add plenty of 3-D foam around the edges of the card, though not in the middle as this will prevent your pocket from working!

Step 9
Put your treat into the pocket (I went with a £10 note but it depends on just how generous you're feeling ;D) and place the pocket back into the sofa.
Then attach the layer to your base card

Step 10
Ta Dah! Couch surprise card complete!

Card with sliding tab down...
...pillow picked up to find a nice treat down the back of the sofa!
So there ya go - a couch surprise card in 10 easy steps! This card totally justifies the purchase of the On My Couch stamp set for me, I did wonder if I'd ever use it but I ADORE it!

I hope somebody found my tutorial kinda interesting or useful....obviously you can alter some of the dimensions for your own requirements! If you do have a go I'd love to see the results!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Catch ya later!
Aimes
x

Monday 21 September 2009

BIrthday bash

Happy Monday! So another challenge has come around, and this time we want you to make a birthday card - we always need a stock of those right?!

I used the fabulous Everyday Buttons Bits for my card, which was made with my lovely stamping friend Jo in mind... Happy Birthday for yesterday Jo, hope you had a good one!


Recipe: (All Papertrey unless stated)

Stamps - Everyday Button Bits/Background Basics - Retro
Ink - Basic Black

Card - Kraft/Raspberry Fizz/Sweet Blush/Aqua Mist/Stamper's Select White
Buttons - Aqua Mist/Sweet Blush/Raspberry Fizz
Ribbon - Raspberry Fizz
Other - white gel pen/sewing machine/Spellbinders Nestabilities and Tag dies/adhesive gems


And here's Aimes' - (apologies for the delay and poor pic everyone! This was made with what little PTI stash I could salvage from a box in our new home tonight! The sentiment on the faded star shows much better IRL - honest!):
Stamps - Star Prints
Ink - Pure Poppy/Ripe Avocado
Card - Stampers Select White/Ripe Avocado Bitty Dot Basics
Ribbon - Pure Poppy


To be in with a chance of winning the randomly drawn prize of a PTI goody bag we'd like you to make a Birthday Card using at least one Papertrey Ink product. Upload your card to your blog or online gallery and link back below before 9am on Monday, October 5th. We welcome entries from all corners of the globe but unfortunately we can only mail prizes within Europe.

Have fun!
Kate

1. Cathy
2. Antje
3. Clare
4. Linby
5. Margaret
6. Jan
7. Taheera
8. Lesley

A Winner!

Hi!

OK so a gal can only apologise so much for being away but I promise that as soon as I can get to the boxes with all my PTI stash in as well as getting the Internet sorted at our new home I'll be up and posting in no time!

Thanks for all your wonderful entries for this past challenge - it's been fab to see what your favourite colours are and the delicious colour combos you've put together! Also a HUGE thanks to the ever so wonderful Steph for organising that HUGE PTI order! So many more people have been able to play along thanks to the PTI Fairy Godmother herself :D!

Anyways onto the thing you've all been waiting for, the winner is.....

Here are your random numbers:5
Timestamp: 2009-09-21 08:24:59 UTC

Linby! Congratulations! Could you please email us your addy so I can post you a selection of PTI goodies including, cardstock, designer paper and ribbon!

Stay tuned for a new challenge posted much later today/tonight as I'm yet to make my example and have to root through boxes after work today for basic PTI supplies LOL!

Aimes
x

Saturday 19 September 2009

Aqua tree

Another Christmas card made with the Believe set - I LOVE this colour combination of Aqua Mist and Enchanted Evening for the holidays, with clear rhinestones dotted all over the tree it's so priddy! I'd love an aqua Christmas tree!!!

I don't think you can see from the photo but I stamped flourishes with aqua mist on the aqua mist layer:



Recipe:
Stamps - Believe/Fancy Flourishes
Card - Stamper's Select White/Aqua Mist/Enchanted Evening
Ribbon/button - Enchanted Evening
Other - Martha Stewart border punch/adhesive gems/Copic Sketch Markers


Enjoy the rest of your weekend and don't forget to check back tomorrow for a brand new challenge!

Kate x

Wednesday 16 September 2009

It begins...

Hi there fellow PTI fans!! Apologies for the lack of posts this past week, both Aimes and I have been caught up with 'sturf' and just haven't had time to create or post... up until yesterday! I was so inspired by the new Christmas releases (and how much did I ADORE all the new sets! It was an expensive day lol!!) that yesterday afternoon I pulled out one of my older PTI Christmas sets and started some holiday cards.

I used the Believe set, which was released two years ago this month - it was around this time that I discovered PTI..and my bank account hasn't been the same since lol! (Worth every penny though!)


...red, white and kraft is one of my absolute favourite Christmas colour combos so expect to see a lot more of it in the coming months! I usually colour this tree but I decided this time to leave it as an outline image and just added some black Stickles for the berries.


So what did you all think of the new releases? Did anyone order anything? What was your favourite? We'd love to know!

Kate x

Recipe: (supplies are PTI unless otherwise stated)


Stamps - Believe/Polka Dot Basics
Ink - Pure Poppy/Versafine black/Fresh Snow
Card - Kraft/Stamper's Select White/Pure Poppy
Other - Black gingham ribbon/white gel pen/corner rounder punch (SU)/scallop edge punch (SU)/Stickles

Monday 7 September 2009

Challenge 13: Cherished Colour

Hey!

Firstly, sorry so much for the delay in posting this! I'm back at work now and still in the process of moving apartments - oh excuses, excuses I know, I'm just being a bad blogger aren't I? LOL! I PROMISE to be more organised from this day forward - honest!

I was overwhelmed with the amount of entries and stunning CAS cards for the last challenge - you all really captured the CAS style so well!

Well I hope you're all ready for the next challenge?! This week there's no excuse for not playing along because this week we want you to create a card using your favourite colour. This challenge should get your mojo going if you can indulge in your fave colour to start with!

Firstly my fave colour without a doubt is green! Some say I like it because I can turn into a green-eyed monster at times but I say I like it because it's fresh and fun just like PTI's Leaf Green *drool*!

Here's my example (ignore the chaos in the background - I'll explain later!):

Recipe: (All Papertrey Ink unless otherwise stated)
Stamps - On My Couch
Card - Kraft/New Leaf/Pure Poppy/Enchanted Evening
Ink - Memento Black/Fresh Snow

Other - Enchanted Evening Satin Ribbon/Circle Nestability/Vellum/£10 LOL!



Here's Kate's - using her all-time favourite and beloved Aqua Mist ;) (No surprises there then Kate LOL!)



Recipe: (All Papertrey Ink unless otherwise stated)
Stamps - In Bloom
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Card - Kraft/Vintage Cream
Ribbon - Vintage Cream
Other - Copic Markers/sewing machine/adhesive pearls/Martha Stewart border punch/corner rounder punch


Now here's the deets, the challenge ends at 9am BST on Monday 21st September. An entry will be randomly selected to win a selection of PTI Cardstock, Designer Paper and Ribbon (The prize can only be shipped within Europe - sorry!) To enter for a chance to win or just to share your creativity (entries worldwide are welcome for just fun!), simply leave a comment with a link to your entry via a blog post or online gallery. To qualify all entries must use at least one PTI product!

I can't wait to see all your favourite colours - how many more green fans are there out there?

Aimes
x

1. Lesley
2. Vicki
3. Antje
4. Tina
5. Linby
6.Caryn
7. Vanessa
8. Laurel (from the USA - thanks for playing along!!)
9. Dana
10. Dawn
11. Ann
12. Nina
13. Chris
14. Chris (2nd Entry)
15. Emma

A winner!

Happy Monday everyone - I hope you all had a fab weekend. I've been drooling over the sneak peaks on Nichole Heady's blog these past few days... I'm getting excited about making my Christmas cards after seeing them! (It could be an expensive month lol!)


A big thank you to everyone who joined in our CAS challenge - what fabulous entries! Unfortunately there can be only one winner though....


Here are your random numbers:

8

Timestamp: 2009-09-07 14:35:55 UTC


....Dana! A huge congratulations Dana, please email your snail mail address to apassionforpapertrey@yahoo.co.uk and we'll send your bag of Papertrey goodies to you!


A new challenge will be up later today!


Kate x


Friday 4 September 2009

A Raspberry Suites Colour Challenge

Hey!

Happy Friday! I'm back again with a card that I've made for the current Raspberry Suites Colour Challenge! I love the way these challenges really make me think and dare me to step out of my safe and favourite colour combos! The added bonus is that ANYONE can play along so long as you have these colours in your crafting stash - it doesn't have to be PTI products (though I'd highly recommend them ;D!)

Anyways, here are this week's colours:They really call out autumn to me, even though that yellow is PTI's Summer Sunrise! I don't own any autumn themed stamps (note to self: I NEED some autumnal stamps!) so had to think again with what to play with!

I combined this colour challenge with the current Get Sketchy sketch and came up with this:I have to confess I'm not feeling the love with this card, although I'm glad I tried! Just wishing that flourish was more subtle and the sentiment bolder. I am my own worst critic aren't I?!

I've also made another card for the current RSCC that I'm pleased as punch with (especially as it's yet another masculine card!) I hope to upload this weekend when I can grab a spare moment and a decent pic of it - this weather isn't complimenting my poor photography skills! Maybe autumn is closer than I think...

Hope you have a fab weekend! Thanks so much for stopping by and I'll catch ya later!

Aimes
x

Recipe:
Stamps - Remember/Fancy Flourishes/Damask Designs
Card - Kraft/Vintage Cream/Dark Chocolate
Paper - Summer Sunrise Bitty Dot Basics
Ribbon and Button - Dark Chocolate Twill
Other - Oval Nestabilities/Martha Stewart Border Punch/White Gel Pen

Wednesday 2 September 2009

VERY CAS!

Hey!

Just a quick card to share with you today because it's so CAS it really doesn't take much babbling about LOL!

I'm always asked by my dear bf to make cards at the very last minute - this one was no exception! Here's where the CAS style really suits me - e.g when I gotta make a card in the quickest time possible to catch the post!
I'm wondering just how CAS a card can be? Is this too CAS? I'm still unsure about it as a whole but am I allowed to say that I love how my nestability embossed that square frame? Well I do anyways!
Kinda regret adding that strip of metallic card but I just couldn't stop at a simple emboss and stamp job. If it's any consolation, that strip is a scrap from a previous creation so at least I was recycling!

So if this card is anything to go by, there's no excuse for not joining in our current challenge even if you have the tiniest stash of PTI goodies. It might pain you to use your PTI stash but at least by entering you have the chance to win some more! We've had amazing entries so far (that have put both my attempts at the CAS style to shame!)

Aimes
x

Recipe:
Stamps - Damask Designs
Card - White Blank (from stash)/Magic Metallic Card (from stash)
Ink - Stazon Teal Blue
Other - Square Nestabilities