Birthday picnic

Here's a card a made a few days ago ... it's for my Great Uncle who turned 99!!! I'm still adoring this basket set - it's a real go-to set for me, something for everyone and quick too when you paper piece the basket as I've done here.

That's all for today - off to London for the week and if I don't go right now I'll miss my bus LOL!

Kate xx

Recipe:
Stamps - Vintage Picnic
Card - Kraft/Pure Poppy/Stamper's Select White
Paper - Bitty Box papers
Ribbon and Button - Spring Moss
Other - sewing machine/Copic markers/Circle Nestiabilities

The Results Are In...

Hey!

I'm back again with a card full of PTI goodness to share with you today!

The title of this post is the very reason why I had to make yet another masculine card (I've had to make way more than my fair share of 'em!)

Chris' (my long-term-dunno-how-he-puts-up-with-me bf) brother received his super A-Level results. He got all the grades he needed to get into his first choice of University so we'll all really happy for him! Cue the congratulatory card.....

Now I don't want to suggest that I have a favourite PTI set (for fear of upsetting my others - they have feelings too y'know!) but Star Prints really is an amazing set to have on hand for when I'm asked to make a card and my mind goes blank! I really like the fun bold colours to celebrate - I don't think it's too girly is it? I confess I managed to sneak some ribbon and paper piercing on it - I couldn't resist (Tee Hee!)

As part of my kick-start for this card, I based it on this Mojo sketch:
Well I hope you like it! Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you all have a wonderful bank holiday weekend - mine is gonna be busy with my own little (or not so little as he towers above me!) brother's birthday along with a BBQ, and a night out with friends. What are the chances of rain?! I have the feeling it's gonna be soggy sausages for me LOL!

Aimes
x

Card Recipe
Stamps: Star Prints/Fancy Flourishes
Ink: Summer Sunrise/Enchanted Evening/Fresh Snow
Card: Enchanted Evening/Summer Sunrise/Stampers Select White/Pure Poppy Bitty Box Basics
Accessories: Enchanted Evening Satin Ribbon/Cuttlebug/Nestabilities

PTI Blog Hop

Hey!

Eeek! My first post on the PTI Blog - how daunting! Seeing as I'm the new gal around here I hope you'll be gentle with me!

Firstly can I just thank everyone for being so welcoming towards me here on the PTI blog - I feel truly blessed to not only have the opportunity to be contributing here, but to be part of such a supportive community - big hugs to you all!!

Well seeing as I'm the kinda gal that throws herself into the deep end, I thought I would do the same with my first official post on here. So cue this post not only being a card, but a card that fits the current Raspberry Suite Color Challenge #15 as well as being a part of this month's PTI Blog Hop too!

I've never taken part in a Blog Hop before but I actually had time this month due to the long (and nearly ending!) summer holidays. I did consider participating in the blog hop on my own lil' blog but seeing as I'm hoping a lot of PTI addicts will stop by, this site seems much more suited to it!

Now if you're new to the idea of a blog hop - it's just as the name suggests, no need to be literally hopping LOL! You just hop from blog to blog to see people's creations based on a set challenge.

The PTI Blog Hop challenge this month was to create something inspired by autumn (or fall to you on the other side of the pond!). The current RSCC really screamed out autumn to me (well maybe not the pink so much as the other colours!) so I decided to multi-task and combine this with my blog hop entry too, here are this week's colours:
And finally - here's my creation!I hope you like it! I wanted it to represent autumnal leaves blowing through the wind. As a kid I used to (and still do!) love it when loadsa leaves are blowing towards you and you try to dodge 'em - ah the best things in life are free!

I double stamped a couple of my leaves to add more depth to the orange leaves (it's all about the Melon Berry, Baby!)This card sums up why I ADORE PTI, the stamp sets are SO versatile that you can create nearly anything when you combine them. With PTI, the world really is your oyster - your imagination is the only limit!

Well that's all from me now - how did I do on my first post?!

Thanks so much for hopping by - now I'm off to do a spot of hopping myself!

Aimes
x

Recipe: (All Papertrey Ink unless otherwise stated)
Stamps - Remember/Fancy Flourishes
Ink - Melon Berry/ Whispers Sage Shadow/Hibiscus Burst
Card - Vintage Cream/Spring Moss/Melon Berry
Other - Vintage Button (Melon Berry)/Vintage Cream Ribbon/Rustic Cream Twine/Cuttlebug/Nestabilities/Corner Punch

Challenge 12 - Clean and Simple

Welcome to a new challenge..... this week we're going back to basics with a Clean and Simple (CAS) theme!

Instead of me blathering on with a definition of CAS (although it's pretty straight forward lol!) I thought I'd point anyone who's interested in a detailed description towards the CAS challenges on Splitcoaststampers here - at the start of every challenge they define this look.

To be in with a chance of winning a goody bag of Papertrey Ink products (cardstock/papers/ribbon and buttons) we'd like you to make a CAS card using at least one PTI product.

Here's my sample:



Recipe: (All Papertrey Ink unless otherwise stated)
Stamps - Everyday Button Bits Ink - New Leaf Card - Kraft/Stamper's Select White/New Leaf Other - Vintage Buttons (Sweet Blush/Hibiscus/Raspberry Fizz/Lemon Tart/Spring Rain) Hibiscus Topnotch Twill/Scallop Edge Punch (SU)

And Aimes' sample: (we didn't compare notes by the way, they just turned out really similar...great minds think alike?!!)



Recipe: (All Papertrey Ink unless otherwise stated)
Stamps - Remember/Fancy Flourishes Ink - Pure Poppy/Ripe Avocado/Memento Black/Versamark Card - Hero Arts Blank Kraft Card/Vintage Cream/Pure Poppy/Ripe Avocado Bitty Dot Basics

You have until 9am BST on Monday, 7th September to enter by uploading your card to your blog or an online gallery then linking it below. Prizes are drawn randomly and can only be shipped within Europe.

Have fun!
Kate x

1. Laurel (An entry from the USA - Yay! Thanks for playing!)
2. Tina
3. Kim
4. Caryn
5. Vannessa
6. Vicki
7. Claire
8. Dana
9. Rustyhammer (sorry I don't know your name aka Sharon!)
10. Lesley
11. Nina
12. Karin (Another adorable entry from the USA playing along for fun! Thanks!)
13. Jo
14. Dawn
15. Vanessa
16. Ann
17. Julie
18. Taheerah
19. Emma

Changes...

I'm very sad to today have to be the bearer of some unhappy news.

Steph, who has been my partner in crime here on A Passion for Papertrey for the past six months, has decided to step down from the blog for personal reasons. I know everyone who has supported our blog will miss her sense of humour, generosity and wonderful creations as much as I will.

On a personal note I want to thank her for everything she has done for our blog – we met on a stamping forum, realised we both adored Papertrey, and our friendship bloomed from there. When I had the idea of starting a UK and Europe PTI blog I wanted Steph to be the person I worked with –she’s become a great friend and I’m so grateful for all her hard work and dedication. She’ll still be around in blogland, concentrating on her own blog, so don’t forget to go and visit her often!

As is so often the case, when one door closes another opens, and after the sad news of Steph's departure I have some good news! Steph certainly can’t be replaced but this is a two person blog so I’m delighted to announce a new face (but not new to most of you I’m sure!) to A Passion for Papertrey!

Amy Wanford...aka Aimes!

Over the past few months Steph and I have become good friends with Aimes, and actually had plans to invite her to design for the blog. I’m thrilled that she’ll now be doing more than that and will be my partner on here!

Aimes was one of the first stampers I ‘met’ online almost a year ago when we swapped stamped images – and I’m so pleased to now be able to call her a real friend (and, of course, a fellow Papertrey addict!). Her creativity and originality never ceases to amaze me and she certainly has had an audacious start to life here on the blog having just won Papertrey’s Guest Star Stamper award! If you haven’t seen her amazing entry check out her blog here and Nichole Heady’s post here.

I know all our blog readers will join me in thanking Steph for all she's done and wishing her well and also welcoming Aimes to our little corner of blogland!

While we're talking about changes I wanted to ask all our readers if there's anything else you'd like to see on this blog - it would be great to hear any ideas you have. Thanks once again for all your ongoing support - we're very blessed to have met so many wonderful fellow PTI fans!

A new challenge will be up later today!

Kate x

A winner!

Morning all - it's time to draw a winner for our latest challenge!

The winner is:

Here are your random numbers:

7

Timestamp: 2009-08-24 09:49:08 UTC

(Random.org)

JanJ! Congratulations Jan! Please email your snail mail address to apassionforpapertrey@yahoo.co.uk and we'll get your prize sent to you. You can see Jan's card here.

Don't forget to check back later on today for a brand new challenge :)

Kate x

Butterflies..

Hello all - so sorry for the lack of posts over the past few weeks, I ended up extending my holiday so catching up on blogging has got rather delayed! I think I left my mojo somewhere on a mountain in Switzerland but hopefully over the next few days it'll come home!

Here's a little something I made before I went away - I've had some Spellbinder butterfly dies for ages and finally decided it was about time I used them:


Recipe: (All supplies Papertrey Ink unless otherwise stated)

Stamps - Polka Dot Basics
Ink - Sweet Blush
Card - Stamper's Select White/Spring Moss
Other - Buttons (Spring Moss/Hibiscus Burst)/Spring Moss satin ribbon/Spellbinders butterfly dies/sewing machine/Cuttlebug/toy stuffing

I used the butterfly die to make the card base (making sure to keep a 'hinge' at the top), stitched around the edges and sewed on some buttons - very simple, but I like it :)

After I made it I decided to make a butterfly hanging decoration to match - using the same dies to cut through some white material and toy stuffing for the filling:


Hope everyone has a great weekend and don't forget to check back on Monday for a new challenge!

Kate x

Rosy apples

I'm hoping by the time you read this I'll be in Switzerland with some dear friends who are flying in from Australia and America, meeting another friend who now lives there - I have a bunch of cards to show that I've made recently so thought I'd (try to!) schedule a post while I'm away.

For those of you who aren't quite so eagle-eyed you may not have noticed (as I didn't!) that the last time I made a card with Vintage Picnic I stamped the basket upside down! (In my defence I'd already stamped and coloured it the right way up on white card then decided I wanted to use kraft again and did it in a blind hurry - that's my excuse anyway!)

It was kindly pointed out to me so I'm hoping this time I got it right!

Recipe: Stamps - Vintage Picnic Ink - Memento
Card - Stamper's Select White/Pure Poppy Paper - Bitty Box
Other - Black Gingham ribbon/Copic Sketch Markers/Martha Stewart border punch/Spring Rain button

I love that PTI are releasing more sets to colour! Those apples are so adorable I used them on their own on the following card (that was sent out to a friend a while ago *hi!!*)


Recipe:
Stamps - Vintage Picnic
Ink - Memento
Card - Kraft/Stamper's Select White/black
Other - New Leaf ribbon/Copic Sketch Markers

Thanks for visiting and hope everyone enjoys the new release!

Kate x

Challenge 11 - Thank You Card

We have a new challenge for you today....very simple, we just want you to make a Thank You card.

Here's mine....

Recipe: Stamps - In Bloom, Polka Dot Basics & Spiral Bouquet / Card - Hibiscus Burst, Spring Moss & Kraft / Ink - True Black, Ripe Avocado, Hibiscus Burst & Raspberry Fizz / Ribbon - Classic Grosgrain Spring Moss / Other - Martha Stewart Edge Punch

Kates:

Recipe: Stamps - Polka Dot Basics/Everyday Button Bits/Floral Frenzy

Ink - Dark Chocolate/Sweet Blush

Card - Kraft/Vintage Cream

Other - Vintage Cream satin ribbon/Sweet Blush buttons/adhesive pearls/sewing machine
.

And the randomly drawn winner will receive....

PTI 6x6 Guide Lines Paper Pad

.

To qualify for the prize (ship within Europe only - sorry!) your entries must contain at least 1 PTI product and be submitted by 09:00 am Monday 24th August 2009

.

Hope you play along this week & can't wait to see your cards!

.

Love Stephanie xxx

1. Tina
2. Aimes
3. Chris
4. Dawn
5. Taheerah
6. Tesa
7. JanJ
8. Claire
9. Vanessa
10. Hanne
11. Ann
12. Emma
13. Taheerah (2nd entry)
14. Taheerah (3rd entry)
15. Vannessa
16. Dana

Blog Candy Winner

Wow wee - we had 400 entries for our Blog Candy & would like to thank each & everyone of you for taking part!

There can only be one winner & random.org has generated number 55 which is......

LAURA (Italy)

Congratulations Laura - please mail your address to apassionforpapertrey@yahoo.co.uk

Stephanie & Kate xxx

BLOG CANDY

*CANDY NOW CLOSED*

Thank you to everyone who took part!

No challenge this week, instead, to celebrate & thank you all for our Blog nearing 30,000 hits (wow!) we have some Papertrey Ink Candy up for grabs...

Everyday Classics Limited Edition Anniversary Stamp Set & Hodge Podge Paper Pad incorporating 6 Paper Collections (click on images for larger view)

For a chance to win please leave a comment and also link this Candy to your Blog (if you have one). This Candy is open to EVERYONE (worldwide) & the random draw will take place on Monday 10 August 2009.

Good luck & thank you once again (we really appreciate it)!

Stephanie & Kate

P.S. Details of a PTI swap to follow shortly :)

Baby blue

Isn't it lovely to have to make a baby card?! Seems to be coming into baby season so I'll be using this Bitty Baby Blessings set quite a bit - it's actually the first time I've used it! I love that it's so great for paper piecing:



I'm madly rushing around trying to get sorted and packed before going on holiday first thing Tuesday morning - I'm wrestling between this huge pile of ironing that needs to be done, and an empty suitcase that needs to be filled and the beautiful sunshine outside (and some new PTI stamps that haven't received as much love as they should have too)

Thanks for stopping by - don't forget to check back tomorrow for the draw of our blog candy and a new challenge!

Kate x

Recipe:
Stamps - Bitty Baby Blessings
Card - Kraft/Enchanted Evening/Stamper's Select White
Paper - Men of Life
Other - sewing machine/Enchanted Evening button/Fiskars border punch/oval Nestabilities

Blooming Buttons

The sun is shining and that always puts me in a great mood so here's something bright & cheery....

Recipe: Stamps - Women of Life & Garden of Life / Papers - Pink Patterns / Card & Ink - Berry Sorbet & Spring Moss / Ribbon - Topnotch Twill Berry Sorbet / Vintage Buttons - Berry Sorbet

Hubby's managed to blag a sporty little convertible number for the weekend so we can take full advantage of the sunshine lol

Have a fantastic weekend everyone and thanks so much for visiting :)

Love Stephanie xxx

Celebrate With Cake

Just a quickie from me today, I really enjoyed making this card....

Recipe: Papers, Card, Stamps & Ink are Papertrey

Have a nice day & thanks for stopping by

Love Stephanie xxx

Blooming basket

I hope no-one is tired of seeing Lauren Meader's baskets (how could anyone be?!)... anyway, if you are then look away!


Recipe: (All supplies Papertrey Ink unless otherwise stated)

Stamps - Beautiful Blooms
Ink - Spring Moss/Pure Poppy
Card - Vintage Cream/Pure Poppy
Other - sewing machine/Spring Moss buttons and saddle-stitch ribbon/red brads (SU) /Martha Stewart border punch


Has everyone been drooling over the pics of the Papertrey booth at the CHA show that the some of the PTI design team have been posting on their blogs.... how much do I wish I'd been there to meet Nichole, the design team, fellow PTI fans and to shop! If it's on next year I'll be there for sure - anyone care to join me lol?!

Kate xxx

Papertrey ATC Swap

Finally, here we are with details of our first Swap!

Being very conscious of limited PTI supplies we thought what better than an ATC Swap (ATC's are little pieces of Art Work that measure 2 1/2" x 3 1/2")

My Example:
....& the fantastic thing about ATC's is they make excellent Card Toppers for a quick & easy card....

Recipe: Stamps - Heart Prints, Damask Designs & Polka Dot Basis II / Card & Ink - True Black, Enchanted Evening & Raspberry Fizz / Ribbon - Saddle Stitched Grosgrain Enchanted Evening / Other - EK Success Edge Punch & Paper Piercing Tool

.

Kate's Examples:

Recipe: (All Papertrey Ink unless stated)

Stamps - On My Couch/On My Couch Additions/Background Basics - Retro

Ink - Pure Poppy/Versamark/Memento Tuxedo Black

Card - Stamper's Select White/Enchanted Evening/Pure Poppy

Ribbon - Pure Poppy twill

Other - Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder/white embossing powder/corner rounder punch

Recipe: (All Papertrey Ink unless stated)

Stamps - On My Couch

Ink - Hibiscus/Sweet Blush/Memento Tuxedo Black

Card - Vintage Cream/Hibiscus

Other - sewing machine

If you want to join in, please leave your name & email here, further details will follow when all spaces are filled (or by 05/08/09 at the latest)

.

Stephanie & Kate x

*No More Spaces*

ATC's will be due in by 31 August 2009

Other brands can be used (cardstock, embellishments, ribbon etc.) but Stamps & Designer Paper must be PTI

.

1. Stephanie

2. Kate

3. Tina

4. Shaz

5. Aimes

6. Dawn

7. Sue

8. Ann

9. Hanne

10. Vicki

11. TesaB

12. JanJ

13. Nina

14. Jeannette

15. Emma Lynne

16. Bekka

Shared Order Anyone?

Okay, I may well live to regret this (LOL), but here goes....

I know there are many of you in the UK who absolutely love Papertrey Ink goodies but simply cannot justify the shipping costs (& who can blame you!)

Would anyone be interested if I were to organise an order from Papertrey Ink so that shipping costs could be split by all included?

I must stress at this point that I am in no way affiliated with Papertrey Ink (I am NOT on commission & I do NOT receive a discount - I am just a huge fan lol)

There will be conditions, for instance I will require payment up front (I'm sure you can understand why), there is the additional cost of postage from myself to your address & in the event of customs charges (very likely on large orders) you will be required to pay the 15% of your individual total. However, in most cases, it will still work out notably cheaper :)

I'm sure you can appreciate how much work this would involve so I'm afraid it will be a one off.

Pop your name & email down if you would like to join in & I'll compile a list of interested parties on this post.

Stephanie x

1. Stephanie (me!)
2. Kate (of course lol)
3. KatieJane
4. Steph
5. Clare
6. Emma-Lynne
7. Joy
8. Valerie
9. Margaret
10. Linby
11. Jo
12. Vicki
13. Ann
14. Christine
15. Jeannette
16. Joyce
17. Emma
18. Nicole
19. Aimes
20. Cath
21. Michelle
22. Dawn
23. Janette
24. Karen

25. Samantha

26. Kim

27. Helen

28. Caryn

29. Zoe

30. Sue

31. Ally

32. Michelle

EDIT: LIST NOW CLOSED

Participants will be emailed with further details, order to be placed on August 15th @ 08:00 (Release Date)

Dawn's colours

My last minute entry for Dawn's Colour Challenge, details and waffle are on my blog, I'm bushed so nighty night peeps!



Kate :)
x