Inktegrity Excitement

I am excited to announce that I am on the Inktegrity Spring design team!! I came across Inktegrity a couple weeks ago and it was just the right time because Joni, the owner, was searching for a new DT.  I love all her super cute digi images that are perfect for paper piecing.  Be sure to check out the store and blog.
This is the card that I did for the Inktegrity DT application.  I took the sketch that Diane created (here) and added digis from the "On the Right Track" set.  I really wanted to show a variety of ways to use digis.  From PP (thanks for the idea Leigh Ann), to a single image, and making a chipboard element.   Plus, to make it even better I now have a card made for a B-day boy turning 4 next month.  I really like this digi set because it is perfect for little boys, but there is also a Birthday girl crossing sign.  When my daughter was 3, all she wanted for Christmas was a train set!

I decided to add some heavy cardboard to the crossing sign to give it dimension and make it look real.  I used cardboard that came with a PP stack and fortunately my paper cutter made it thru it easily.  I then took my black copic and ran it along the edges of the cardboard before gluing on my CS.

I really had fun with this card!  I have fun with this set in general.  I promise you will see it more in the future because I am full of ideas for things to create for my sons.  Oh, and I still have scrap booking to do for the year my daughter received the train set from Santa!

A HUGE thank you to Joni for giving me the opportunity to work with her adorable images!

Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Stamp Set - Inktegrity On the Right Track, PP - SU (retired), CS SU black, riding red, and PTI aqua mist, brads - Joann's, ribbon -stash, and Black Copic.

Sketch Girl #13

Sketch Girl #13!

It will be lucky for one participant because this month our sponsor is Wild Flower Kids digital stamps, which are available in the Wild Flower Patch Store.  One random participant of Sketch #13 will win 5 digi stamps, so link up your project HERE.

I love the sketch this time around because you can keep it super simple or dress it up.  I went the simple route and created these cards.  I think this is the perfect sketch for making a set of quick cards, which is a great gift to have on hand.

I am combining the sketch challenge with another challenge...this week Little Paper Shop has a color challenge - Kiwi, Dark Brown and Kraft.  I was not sure to do with that combo at first, but I really like the 3 colors once they are put together.

The argyle is created using Practicing Creativity's Key to My Heart set.  Now this next one is also being submitted into MFW's Olympics!  Cath always has great challenges and this one is right up there.  This is the only way I will ever compete at the "Olympics" LOL! 

Check out these links to all the other Sketch Girls:
Our guest designer for February - Amy Tsuruta
Annie
Alyssa
Amber
Bonnie
Harriet
Jennie
Jessica
Katie
Randee
Sara
Tiffany

Smiles everyone!  Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Julie
Details:  Stamps:  Practicing Creativity - Key to My Heart, Little Paper Shop - Lily and Lucy Messages (B-day sentiment), CS - PTI and SU, Buttons and Twine PTI, and CB Embossing Folder Swiss Dots.

Inspired by Buttons

I know, I know, when am I not inspired by buttons?!?!

Courtney Baker made a card with tons of buttons and the rays from her latest stamp release, You're Dandy (check it out here). All those circles inspired me to create this card using the latest EBTKS sketch challenge. Yes, surprisingly there are no buttons on my version, but the idea of all those circles had me pulling out my 1/4" punch.


It is so clean and simple yet full of color. I wish I had thought of this the last time there was a tough color challenge because this is an easy way to get in 5 colors!
I am also submitting this card into MFW's Olympic challenge, for the "Hello/Thinking of You" category.  Cath always has fun challenges and this is no exception.  I've got lots of circles here, so here is hoping they turn into an Olympic medal!

Smiles,
Julie
Details: Stamp Set - Practicing Creativity Key to My Heart, CS SU and PTI, & Ink SU Blue Bayou.

Stuck on Green

My last few cards have included lots of green...today's is no exception! This one reminds me of the 90's! It's not exactly mint green and peach, but those are the colors that define the 90's for me. I am once again using these Foof-a-la buttons - I bought the bag because of this orange color - sooo not me, but I love it!

The card is based on Jen's SFYTT found here. She is having a huge giveaway at the end of the month, so be sure to check out all the sketches this month. Jen's sketches are the first I started following while checking out blogs - she always has good ones!
Smiles,
Julie
Details: Stamp set - PTI Everyday Button Bits, Buttons - Foof-a-la, CS - SU Kraft, PP - My Mind's Eye Home Photo Mat Blue and PTI twine plus stash ribbon.

Sweet Pears

Over the weekend I visited my LSS and as soon as I saw the Nook and Pantry pear paper I grabbed it with this Little Paper Shop pear image in mind - the paper and image make the perfect pear :>). I have more goofy puns in mind which I will spare you from!!

The pears are a free digi available to Little Paper Shop forum members, you can join HERE. This image would be perfect to try out if you have never used digis before.

Today's card combines a few challenges:

First is the Little Paper Shop's challenge to use distressing. Besides inking up and distressing the paper edges, I inked up the green paper a bit and also added a bit of stitching to the pear PP. Vintage buttons too!

Second is CPS Sketch challenge #154:

And last, but not least...Joanne B has a paper piecing challenge this week. She will be doing challenges for the next 3 weeks in celebration of her 3rd blogaversary, with a giveaway at the end, so be sure to check out her blog - Just a Little Something.

Smiles,

Julie

Details: Stamp - LPS Digi Pears and PTI Handwritten Notes (sentiment), Ink - SU Black, Close to Cocoa and Chocolate Chip, Paper - SU Very Vanilla and Kraft, PP - BasicGrey Nook and Pantry, Foof-a-la buttons, PTI Twine and Sizzix Argyle 2 Embossing Folder (my new fave!).

Card Patterns #51

Rub-ons. I see them in a store display and I hear them calling my name. The only problem is once I get them home I never take them out of the package. I bought more rub-ons about a month ago to add to my collection. I then saw more yesterday and stopped myself. I have to start using what I have before I am allowed to buy anymore. So that is why I created my first card using a rub-on...

This card is based on Card Patterns sketch #51, another goodie. I changed out the hearts and flipped it, but it still has the basic elements there.
Enjoy your weekend!
Smiles,
Julie
Details: image - K&Co Roam Rub on, Buttons - Foof-a-la, CS - SU Whisper White and PP - My Mind's Eye Home Photo Mat Blue (greens) and BasicGrey Nook & Pantry (yellow).

Sketch Girl #12

Today sketch #12 was revealed from Sketch Girl!
Sassy Studio Designs is our sponsor this sketch, are you ready to play along for a chance to win 4 digis? You have until February 27th at 9 pm EST to link up your creation to the Sketch Girl post found HERE. Remember that when you play along you can rotate or flip the sketch (I rotated it 90 degrees). The basic idea is that all the elements are there, but feel free to substitute other shapes for the rectangles and circles. Plus, you are not limited to creating a card!

The owner of Sassy Studio was so sweet and she generously gave the design team 2 sassy digis to play with. I went with Cocoa Carol and paper pieced away!

I also added an American Crafters Fabric Thicker sticker in the shape of a coffee mug. The sticker was light brown, so I inked it up with SU Chocolate Chip to match my cardstock.

All the PP is from BasicGrey Nook & Pantry. The circles across the top are taken from the striped paper in the pack. I rarely use this type of striped paper as a full sheet because it is too busy. It is perfect for borders though, so I hand cut out the scalloped circle row.This card is also for the GKD release challenge to use 4 or more buttons. I LOVE buttons!

Check out these links to all the other Sketch Girls:
Our guest designer for February - Amy Tsuruta
Annie
Alyssa
Amber
Bonnie
Harriet
Jennie
Jessica
Katie
Randee
Sara
Tiffany

I am just a little late getting my post up because I am feeling under the weather today :>( ! Yuck - I am ready for Spring!!
Still Smiling,
Julie
Details: Stamps - Sassy Studio Designs Cocoa Carol and PTI Handwritten Notes (sentiment), PP - BasicGrey Nook and Pantry, CS SU Chocolate Chip and PTI Tidal Waves, Ink - SU Chocolate chip, Blush, Rose Red and Close to Cocoa, Coffee mug Sticker - American Crafts Patchwork Accents Thickers, and PTI Buttons.

Just a Touch of Red

The latest Little Paper Shop challenge is to use the colors black, white and red.


I pulled out the mailbox stamp from the Lily and Lucy Messages set for the front (thank you to Julia at LPS - I won this set on the LPS blog!). As of right now the inside is blank because I think this card could be used for a variety of occasions. My first thought is a get well card because I never have any on hand when I need them, but it could be for a Birthday or Valentine's Day to name just a few. I liked the simple look so no coloring besides the red heart on the envelope. Add in a red button and the red card base, but it is still CAS to me :>)
Plus, I almost forgot...red is the challenge on Crazy 4 Challenges this week - love it!!
Happy Valentine's Day!!

Smiles,
Julie
Details: Stamp Set - Little Paper Shop Lily and Lucy Messages, PTI Everyday Button Bits (sentiment), CS PTI, stash ribbon and button.

Party On

Today's PTI challenge is to create embellies for a friend and a matching card! I am going with the pom pom flowers that have been so popular of late. I have seen these type on quite a few different blogs and the challenge gave me the perfect opportunity to try them out. I punched out 9 scallop circles, centered each with a button, and then crumpled away. By using double sided PP it creates a fun colorful flower. Now onto the card. You can't go to a party without a dress :>) I used Jennie's latest sketch from StampTV and embossed away! Prima flowers create the ruffle at the bottom of the dress. I added a few dimensionals in the center of the dress then glued down each side to create an arc shape on the paper pieced dress.
Do you need a laugh? I stuck the flowers on the acetate as I made them. When I went to take the aqua flower off to put on my card it would not budge!! I had to rip it off...I guess glue dots that have "permanent" on the box are really permanent regardless of what they are stuck to - see, you learn something new everyday!
Smiles,
Julie
Details: Stamp Set - GKD Retro Boutique, CS - PTI, PP - SU, Ink - SU Rose Red.

Card Positioning Systems #153

This week's Card Positioning Systems sketch challenge is sponsored by PTI!

I made this card to coordinate with the treat box I made for my husband (here). I kept it super simple, because I love using the plaid embossing with this stamp set!
Smiles,
Julie
Details: Stamp Set - Practicing Creativity Key to My Heart, CS - SU Very Vanilla, Rose Red and Going Gray, CB plaid embossing folder, Ink - SU Rose Red and Going Gray.

100% Cute

The sketch this week at Card Patterns is a good one - #50! The design team made adorable cards, using digi stamps from this week's sponsor Inktegrity, so last night I decided to check out the digi stamps for myself. I saw this train and immediately thought of hearts for the smoke - I am going for the cute factor on this card! Plus, my sons love trains!I kept it really simple, but added a ton of dimensionals and buttons. I stamped hearts on the card base and hand drew the stitching lines on the circle, hearts, and "track". Besides hearts, this train would be great with ABC's or a child's name for the smoke!A big thanks to my friend Lisa for the idea of using embroidery floss to connect the wheels! I was talking about what I was going to do with the train and when I mentioned using buttons she said "and connect them with thread, right?".
I also have to mention that Inktegrity sent the digi stamp via e-mail super fast and the owner is a sweetheart!! Thank you again!
I don't know what I am going to do once Valentine's Day is over, I have been loving all the hearts lately. I guess it is on to Easter eggs or better yet, little chicks!
Smiles,
Julie
Details: Stamp - Inktegrity Digi Stamp On the Right Track and Practicing Creativity - Key to My Heart (the hearts on the card base), CS - SU Close to Cocoa, Riding Hood Red, Pink, Chocolate Chip, PP - SU Candy Lane, Black marker, embroidery floss, and PTI buttons.

PTI Color Challenge Part II

I found time to sneak in one more card for PTI's color challenge.
After making my last card with Spring Moss I decided I wanted to make one more and Lisa's colors work so well together.
The layout is based on Jennie's layout challenge on StampTV. I love her sketches :>)
Here it is so you can play along:I have done so many grid projects lately which is why I decided to make the grid with twine. You can't use twine without buttons, so I tossed in a bunch of those. After seeing the buttons in the pic, I think I should go back and use glue dots to hold down a few.
Smiles,
Julie Details: Stamp - GKD Tropical Flowers, CS - SU Kraft, Black and Very Vanilla, PTI - Spring Moss, Buttons - Black are from stash and Moss are PTI, and PTI twine.

PTI Color Challenge

The PTI party continues on Nichole's blog! Today is a color challenge, with the choice of each designer's favorite color palate.
I was immediately drawn to Michelle's favorites because Aqua Mist, my personal fave, is among the colors. After making this card, I have decided that I really like spring moss too, so I am off to whip up something with that!
Thank goodness there was a choice today. Yesterday was an assigned color challenge based on our user name. I go by Julie E, so creative I know! Anyway, I could not get past the color combo that included raspberry fizz and orange zest. My card for that challenge is in the garbage.
Smiles,
Julie
Details: Stamp Set - PTI Holiday Tree and Handwritten Notes, CS - all PTI, except for SU Very Vanilla, PTI twine and buttons.

Scrappin' Embossing Saturday

PTI is continuing their celebration and this time around the challenge is to make a project with the emboss resist technique. Nichole has a great video tutorial - super short and full of tips beyond just embossing, so check it out. PTI is introducing Make it Monday tutorial challenges which will be starting this spring, I can't wait!!

It has been forever since I did heat embossing, so I was happy to find my heat gun LOL! I decided to try out the technique on 2.75" squares and use these as mats for 2.25" photos. To break up the repetitive squares I used dimensionals behind some of the squares and left some photos unmatted.
Join in the fun, there are a few hours left to link up your challenge project!
Smiles,
Julie
Details: Stamp Set - PTI Holiday Tree, CS and Ink - SU Cranberry and Always Artichoke, Twine and Button - PTI.

Happy 3rd Anniversary PTI

PTI is turning 3 and celebrating with contests and challenges. Today is a challenge and there are just not enough hours in the day for me! Each designer created a digi stamp and the challenge is to create a card using each of the stamps. I may have only had enough time to create one card, but I downloaded all the digis. Be sure to check out Nichole's blog with all the links because there is lots of PTI goodness to be found!
This card uses PTI Turning a New Leaf PP and the "Happy Birthday" digi designed by Tiffany Pastor. I added hand stitching and buttons and now I am calling it a night!
Smiles,
Julie