Monday, 12 October 2009

Saviour!

Happy Monday everyone!! I hope you're loving this month's PTI countdown! Just when I thought I had quite enough Christmas sets to last me a decade I see the October sneak peeks..... I wonder if one or two might find themselves in my shopping basket on Thursday hee hee?!!

We're so excited that we're going to meet so many PTI friends at the Christmas Make and Take!! We're fully booked now and can't wait for the 28th November to come around!

In addition to doing wonderful things like the Make and Take, I'm so lucky to have Steph as such a wonderful friend - a few weeks ago she got me out of a right pickle by lending me her Boards and Beams set at the very last minute - I had a commission from a friend for a new home card only to find that, despite owning a few (hundred lol!) stamps, I didn't have anything suitable for her card.

Steph to the rescue!! In the middle of her last minute holiday prep she rushed off the set to me and I managed to get my card made and delivered... phew!!

Here's the card:


Recipe:

Stamps - Boards and Beams
Card - Stamper's Select White/Dark Chocolate/Spring Moss
Other - Copics/brown ribbon and brads/sewing machine/Cuttlebug embossing folder/computer for greetings


This is such a fab stamp - a really good size and fun fun to colour! Thanks for coming to the rescue Steph - you're a star *mwah*

Thanks for visiting - oh and you still have a week to enter our current challenge!!!

Kate x

Friday, 9 October 2009

Ooops I forgot...

Hey!

I dunno about you but I'm still so hyped up about the exciting news of a PTI make and take!!! A HUGE thanks to the PTI Fairy God-Mother herself, aka Steph *mwah!* Honey!

Today I'm bringing you a card that I realised I'd posted on my own blog a while back but had forgotten to post here - tut tut! I thought you may wanna check it out as it's yet another creation oozing PTI goodness and was for a past Raspberry Suites Colour Challenge: Recipe
Stamps: Star Prints
Ink: Dark Chocolate
Card: Vintage Cream/Kraft/Summer Sunrise Bitty Box Basics
Accessories: Dark Chocolate Twill/Rustic Wood Button/Jute Rustic Twine/Nestabilities

This card was made with yet another male birthday in mind (too many males in my family for a girly crafter like me! LOL!) and the scalloped edge of the DP was made by drawing around a circle nestability repeatedly (you can use the grid on the DP to measure which is very helpful!) as I don't own a border punch like this yet!

I'm still itching to play along with the old RSCC as I ADORED that colour combo. Kate totally rocked it don't ya think? Definitely got me tempted to start on some Christmas card designs anyways....

Oooh and hands up - who is totally hyped up about the new PTI release countdown? Silly question I know but how adorable were those Holiday Button Bits samples?!?! Also, what an amazing idea to sell a jar of buttons with a mixture of colours in. Fab for all newbie (and old!) PTI addicts!!

Thanks so much for stopping by - hope y'all have a super duper weekend!!

Aimes
x

Thursday, 8 October 2009

Exciting news!!

We have something very exciting to tell you about today!!!

Do you love Papertrey Ink? Would you like to spend a fun afternoon crafting with other PTI fans? If you do, and you can get to Essex on Saturday, November 28th then we have a treat in store for you!!!

Our wonderful Steph has decided to run a Christmas PTI afternoon, and we will be there to help out!!

We'll be doing four make and takes (3 cards and one 3D project), there will be a prize draw and goody bags, a buffet lunch and refreshment... and guess what... it's all free!!!

So here are the details as quoted by Steph on her blog:

Date: Saturday 28 November 2009
Time: 12:00 - 16:00
Venue: Felsted Memorial Hall, Essex
Theme: Christmas
Projects: 3 x Cards & 1 x 3D Project using a Lauren Meader Template
Other: Free Prize Draw

All supplies & tools to complete the projects will be provided but you are welcome to bring along your favourite 'tools of the trade' if you wish.

A buffet lunch & refreshments will also be provided & the whole thing is completely FREE of charge. This is purely just for fun & I'm afraid there will NOT be any products for sale on the day - I am not affiliated with Papertrey Ink in any way!

Isn't she a star! If you would like to join us for an afternoon of Christmas PTI fun please email Steph at stamp.share@yahoo.co.uk by Wednesday 14th October 2009.

We hope to see you there!!

Kate and Aimes

xxx

Monday, 5 October 2009

Raspberry Suite Challenge

Just in time to enter Dawn's current color challenge! (Cutting it fine again!)



I loved the look of this combo but struggled a bit putting it together.. anyway here's how my card turned out in the end:


Recipe: (Papertrey unlesss otherwise stated)

Stamps - Vintage Labels/Rustic Snowflakes/Signature Christmas
Ink - Pure Poppy/Vintage Cream/Dark Chocolate
Card - Kraft/Vintage Cream/Aqua Mist/Dark Chocolate
Other - Aqua Mist ribbon/brown brads/Fiskars border punch/Labels One die/Cuttlebug embossing folder/adhesive pearls


Can you believe the Papertrey October sneak peeks have started already?! Some more Christmas sets by the look of it... have I got room for any more?! (Silly question lol!)

Have a good week and thanks as always for visiting!

Kate x

Challenge 15: Inspired by Autumn...

Hey!

Y'all ready for a new challenge? A new season approaches and with it a new challenge totally inspired by it!

For this challenge we want you to be inspired by autumn (or fall to anyone across the pond who fancies joining in!) You may use autumnal colours as your point of inspiration, or leaves, or even an occasion such as Thanksgiving or Halloween! It doesn't matter so long as it's autumn inspired!
Autumn is my fave season of them all; I love the colours, the dancing multi-coloured leaves, the conkers (no-one's too old for a game of conkers right?), and the snug feeling of being indoors when the early, dark nights creep in...ah I could go on and on!

Anyways my card was totally inspired by autumnal colours:Recipe: Stamps - Fancy Flourishes/Damask Designs Card - Dark Chocolate/Kraft/Ripe Avocado/Summer Sunrise Bitty Dot Basics/Pure Poppy Bitty Box Basics Ink - Dark Chocolate/Pure Poppy Accessories - Rustic Jute Button Twine/Rustic Wood Button Other - Martha Stewart border punch/Cuttlebug/Cuttlebug Flower Dies

Autumn a la Kate:


Recipe:
Stamps - Vintage Picnic/Vintage Picnic Sentiments/Vintage Labels
Ink - Plum Pudding
Card - Stamper's Select White/Plum Pudding/Father Knows Best DP
Other - Plum Pudding ribbon and button/Copic Sketch Markers/brads/Labels One Dies/Tags Dies/Cuttlebug/Sewing Machine


So here are the deets: your creations must contain at least one PTI product to qualify. The challenge closes at 9am BST Monday 19th October. The winner will be drawn randomly and will be the lucky recipient of some PTI stash (sorry we can only ship within Europe! However, worldwide participation is very welcome and much appreciated to share the inspiration and our passion for PTI!)

REMEMBER: Have fun and just go with the flow - I can't wait to see what you come up with!

Aimes
x

1. Katie
2. Tina
3. Vicki
4. Mandy
5. Vanessa
6. Linby
7. Claire
8. Lesley
9. Emilia
10. Ann
11. Dawn
12. Anja
13. Hanne
14. Nina
15. Emilia
16. Emma

A winner!

Thank you to everyone who joined in our last challenge, and we have a winner:

Here are your random numbers:

3

Timestamp: 2009-10-05 08:02:25 UTC

(Random.org)


The winner is Clare! Congratulations Clare! Please email your address to apassionforpapertrey@yahoo.co.uk and we'll send your Papertrey goody bag to you asap!

Don't forget to check back later on today for a new challenge! Thanks for visiting!

Kate x



Thursday, 1 October 2009

Last day of swaps

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you've been enjoying all the wonderful swaps we've been sharing this week - thank you again to everyone to joined in and to Steph for organising it all. We just have mine and Aimes' ATCs to share:

Here's mine:



And Aimes':


Watch out for an announcement later in the month for a Christmas Papertrey ATC swap! Have a great weekend!

Kate x

A week of swaps - day 4

Here we are on Day 4 of our week of swaps - where we are showcasing the fabulous ATCs from our recent swap.

Here is Shaz's':



Bekka's:



And Hanne's:


Thanks for stopping by today - tomorrow is the final day which leaves just mine and Aimes'! By the way we are planning a special Christmas PTI swap so keep an eye out on the blog for details!

Kate x

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