Graduation card

We went to our last graduation party of the season on Saturday.  I made cards for all the graduates we knew this year, but most of them were thrown together really quickly for the sole purpose of holding a little cash for the recipient. But this weekend, I had a little more time and put this card together...

I found the layout on pinterest and thought it would be a great use of all the patterned paper scraps I have.

I also noticed on my little counter that I'm almost to 8,900 *different* visitors to my little blog here!  So thanks for coming by and if this is your first visit, I hope you stop again!

~Anika

Celebrate!

We had a very busy weekend...2 weddings and a graduation party! I managed to find time to make cards for each event, too! Here's the first one I have to share...

The smudge by the sentiment is from my camera lens. I guess I'd rather have it there instead of on the card itself, but it's still irritating me! I used the In Bloom impression plate on the Aqua Mist layer and wrapped the Vintage Cream card in Jute Button Twine. I am in love with this color combo!

And here is the family at my cousin Jeri's wedding! (Congrats Jeri & Seth!)

The boys were wonderful the entire day! Yes, they are usually good babies, but they were exceptionally good during the whole celebration! They slept through the ceremony, sat contently in their car seats while we at supper, and even tolerated being passed around until 11:00PM while we chatted with family and did a little dancing!

Enjoy the day!

~Anika

*All supplies are Papertrey Ink.

Make It Monday #1: Go-To Sentiment Card

For the Third Day of Papertrey Ink's Anniversary Celebration, they are kicking off their "Make It Monday" Series. For details, visit Nichole's blog. I am so in love with the idea of using several sentiments surrounding the same theme to create a card - I never seem to have the right image to fill space on a card, but I sure do have plenty of sentiments!

I went with a baby card for my first crack at this concept.

It was more challenging than I thought it would be to get all the sentiments arranged just right, but I had a lot of fun working on this card and will definitely be using this idea on cards in the future!

Hope you are having a fabulous day! Thanks for stopping by!

~Anika

Supplies: (All Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: Berry Sorbet, Vintage Cream

Patterned Paper: It's Official, Bitty Box

Stamps: Baby Button Bits, Bitty Baby Blessings, Signature Greetings

Ink: Berry Sorbet, Dark Chocolate

Other: Rustic Jute Button Twine, Dark Chocolate Button, pink buttons from Spring Mix button collection, Small Scallop Border Die

PTI Anniversary Contest: Customer Favorites

Papertrey Ink is celebrating their 4th Anniversary! Today, we were asked to post our favorite PTI project from the past year. You can find all the details for the contest (and see the AMAZING prize package) here.

I have several PTI cards that I love from the past year - it was really fun to look back through my pictures and see everything I have made. In the end, I had to go with this Kraft, Red, White & Polka Dot card. I just adore these colors together and you all know how much I love Polka Dots!

Hope you are all enjoying your Saturday!

~Anika

Papertrey Ink Blog Hop: August 2010

The challenge for the Papertrey Ink Blog Hop this month is to use a lunch bag in some way. The details and list of participants can be found here on Nichole's blog. With the beginning of the school year approaching quickly, I didn't have a lot of time to make something super creative, but I did come up with this cute little gift gift bag.

I cut the top off and ran the bag through my Cuttlebug to get the scallops on the top, then I stamped the background, added some ribbon and a sentiment.

Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy the Blog Hop!

~Anika

Supplies: (All Papertrey Ink unless noted)

Cardstock: Raspberry Fizz, Kraft

Stamps: Embellishments, Signature Greetings

Ink: Raspberry Fizz, Dark Chocolate

Other: Raspberry Fizz Satin Ribbon, Small Scallop Border Die, Spellbinders Petite Oval Nestabilities, brown lunch bag

One week from today...

will be my last day of Summer Vacation. I can't believe how fast the months have flown by! I am certainly looking forward to a new school year, but I will miss my low key summer days.

Last week, I posted this card using Hawaiian Shores. I decided to give the same layout a try in a few different colors so here we have...

Orange Zest

Raspberry Fizz

and Plum Pudding!

These were so simple to put together since I only needed one stamp set.

Hope you have had a great weekend. Thanks for stopping by!

~Anika

Supplies: (All Papertrey Ink unless noted)

Cardstock: Orange Zest, Raspberry Fizz, Plum Pudding, Vintage Cream

Stamps: Round & Round

Ink: Raspberry Fizz, Dark Chocolate, True Black, Tea Dye Duo; Spiced Marmalade & Dusty Concord Distress Inks

Ribbon: Orange Zest Saddle Stitch, Raspberry Fizz Satin, Plum Pudding Swiss Dot

Other: Mat Stack 2 Die, Hole Punch

Card Set

I think this is the first set of cards that I have made that are all similar.

These all use Vintage Cream Cardstock and a Black Creative Memories fine tip marker.

Stamp Sets: Star Prints & Scattered Showers

Ink: True Black & Peeled Paint Distress Ink

Stamp Set: Signature Greetings

Ink: Raspberry Fizz

Cardstock: Raspberry Fizz & Dotty Biscotti Patterned Paper

cut with Beautiful Blooms 2 Die Collection #3

Stamp Sets: Embellishments & Leaf Prints

Ink: Pure Poppy & Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink

Stamp Set: Star Prints

Ink: Enchanted Evening

Cardstock: Enchanted Evening & Spring Rain Bitty Box

cut with a Cricut Cartridge

I've got a busy weekend ahead of me, but I am determined to make it to 100 posts before the first day of school so I will try to post some other projects I have been working on soon!

Have a great day!

~Anika

All Supplies listed are Papertrey Ink, unless noted otherwise.

Hawaiian Shores

I just adore this color! I've got a super simple card to share today.

I just love all that Hawaiian Shores...paper, ink, ribbon! I bought the Mat Stack 2 Die at CHA and I made this card primarily to try it out!

I'm headed out to go Back-to-School shopping with my mom today! Hope you have a great Tuesday!

~Anika

Supplies: (All Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: Hawaiian Shores, Vintage Cream

Stamps: Round & Round

Ink: Hawaiian Shores, Dark Chocolate, Tea Dye Duo

Other: Mat Stack 2 Die, Hawaiian Shores Bitty Dot ribbon

Thank You card & Desk Organizer

A couple things to share today. The first is a Thank You card and it's the last in my first set of cards for the baby shower game prize. I just love how simple this card is and plan on making many more with the same layout just different colors and sentiments.

I was having 'sew' much fun with my sewing machine on some cards when I came across this adorable desk organizer. You can find official patterns and directions here.

Since my machine was out, I decided to modified the design to fit some material I had on hand and came up with this!

It was so easy peasy! I think I finished it in under an hour and now that I have the kinks worked out, I don't even think they would take that long. Any guesses as to what is in between the layers of material that make up the sides and bottom? Here is a hint...I would have to buy 5 PTI Stamp sets in order to make 2 organizers. I'll let you think on that one for a second. (You can find the answer in the supply list below.) Since I don't have the scalloped square die cut that the original version uses, I just cut squares and then clipped and frayed the seam allowances after it was all sewn together.

This is going to be a back to school gift for the other Kindergarten teacher on my team. It happens to match this tote bag that I made for her for Christmas last year. (She's a coffee fanatic.)

Thanks for visiting! Have a wonderful Sunday!

~Anika

Supplies:

Thank You Card (All Papertrey Ink unless noted)

Cardstock: Vintage Cream, Simply Chartreuse

Stamps: Polka Dot Basics 2, Asian Fusion

Ink: Dark Chocolate

Other: Beautiful Blooms 2 #3 Die Collection, Brown Thread

Desk Organizer

10 - 5x5 inch squares of fabric

4 - 3x5 inch squares of fabric

5 - 4x4 inch squares of acetate (I used the clear boxes that my PTI stamps come in...finally a use for the many I have collected! And it cuts easily with my paper cutter.) Note: You could leave the bottom acetate sheet out and then the organizer would be foldable like the original version.

Live, Laugh, Love

This is going to be quick. I have to run to a friends house to do a little card making in a bit.

Just a fun girly card today!

I also wanted to show you my beautiful pile of PTI goodies from CHA!

Here it is! Lots of paper, ribbon, Impression Plates, dies! I also got some twine, envelopes, reinkers, patterned paper, Library Card stamp and of course the exclusive CHA set! (I earned 2...watch for a giveaway of my extra set when I reach 100 posts!)

This last picture is of most of the make n take projects we were able to do. 2 PTI projects, a card make with the Sizzix, a duck tape wallet, card make with an EKSuccess border and corner punch, digital layout from Jessica Sprague, Earrings, Scissor holder, denim Travel Butler, and an airbrushed t-shirt. Wish I could have gone the second day for more make n takes!

Have a great day!

~Anika

Supplies: (All Papertrey Ink unless noted)

Cardstock: Raspberry Fizz, Kraft, Dotty Biscotti designer paper

Stamps: Fancy Flourishes, Round & Round

Ink: Raspberry Fizz, Fresh Snow

Other: Prima flowers; Petite Oval Spellbinders die; button, floss, raffia, ric rac, & eyelet trim from my stash

Monochromatic Tag

A friend of mine is expecting a little one any day now.  They didn't find out if it was a boy or a girl, so I am getting prepared for either!!  When I saw the CARDS blog challenge was to make a Monochromatic project, I knew I had to make something all pink in case this baby is a girl.  After much trial and error, I finally ended up with this flowery pink tag.

I adore the color pink!!

Here you can see the whole package.  Love how it dresses up the plain Kraft bag!

Hope you all had a safe and fun 4th of July!  We have been busy with friends and family since Friday and it's been a blast.  We are so blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives.

Thanks for stopping by!

~Anika

Supplies: (All Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: Hibiscus Burst, Sweet Blush, Pretty Pastels Designer Paper

Stamps: Baby Button Bits

Ink: Raspberry Fizz

Other: Beautiful Blooms II #3 Die Collection, Raspberry Fizz & Scarlet Jewel Buttons, Cream Button Twine

Dare to be Fabulous

The card I have to share today is based on this sketch from the Go To Sketches magazine.

I needed to make a card based on a sketch for a Grad class I was in...yes, I found a way to incorporate cards into a class called "Supervising Field Experience Students"!  That was the only way I could make time for some crafting during the last 2 weeks!  Anyway, I love this sketch and this is what I came up with...

I am headed out to do a little shopping with my Sister-in-law today...we are hitting all the crafty stores in the area, Michael's, JoAnn's, & Archiver's!  Hope you have a fantastic Monday!

~Anika

Supplies: (All Papertrey Ink unless noted)

Cardstock: Kraft, Sweet Blush, Pretty Pastels Designer Paper, Flowers are cut from Basic Grey's Kioshi paper

Stamps: Big & Bold Wishes

Ink: Berry Sorbet, Tea Dye Duo

Misc: New Leaf Buttons and some others from my collection, Beautiful Blooms II #3 Die Collection (small), Rhinestones by Kaiser in Green

Papertrey Ink Blog Hop: June 2010

The challenge this month was to create a card using your favorite Papertrey Ink color combination.  Recently, I discovered this simple little combo and I just LOVE it! 

Here is the card I made.  It's kind of a spin off from a card I made a week or so ago 

that I shared in this post (it's the last card).

Thanks for stopping, enjoy the Blog Hop!

~Anika

Supplies:  (All Papertrey Ink)

Cardstock: Kraft, Pure Poppy, Stampers Select White

Stamps: Polka Dot Basics II, Star Prints (sentiment)

Ink: Versamark

Other: Pure Poppy Ribbon, Small Scallop Die, Beautiful Blooms II #3 Die Collection (medium size), White Embossing Powder

Celebrate Today

Tomorrow is my Grandma's birthday so I got busy and made her a card.  I think I spent more time on this card than any other I've ever made.  First I couldn't decide what to do.  I finally decided to make that paper flower, which was fun, but took a lot of time!  I saw a tutorial on it a few months back but I don't remember where.  Anyway, I cut 3 flowers from Sweet Blush card stock with my cricut, they had 6 petals and were 2" across.  Then I cut them apart, overlapped petals, scrunched the paper, inked the petals, glued things together, and finally glued it to the card and added that little pearl.

The card base is Stampers Select White, but I used a lot of my Tea Dye Duo inks, I think everything was inked except the pearls.  The little pink scallop is Sweet Blush cardstock and was cut with my Small Scallop Die.  The patterned papers are all from Basic Grey.   The sentiment is from Round & Round and the pearls are Kaiser and were purchased at Archiver's.

Well, I need to get ready for an evening out with my BFF!  She is visiting from California!  

Hope you are having a great weekend! Thanks for visiting my blog.

~Anika

(All supplies listed are Papertrey Ink, unless noted.)

Cards for Sailors Part 2

I have 4 more cards to be sent off to the sailors today.  (See yesterday's post for the details.)  

I used my Giga Guidelines Impression Plate and the Guidelines 2 & Asian Fusion Stamp Sets.  The colors are Hawaiian Shores, Vintage Cream and Kraft.  I also used the lighter of the two Tea Dye Duo Inks around the edge of the Hawaiian Shores paper. 

I love Guidelines 2 and I'm not sure why I don't use it more often!  I used Kraft, Plum Pudding & Vintage Cream PTI card stock and a strip of Basic Grey patterned paper.  The ribbon is Berry Sorbet and the ink is Ocean Tides, Berry Sorbet & Dusty Concord Distress Ink.  Oh and that sentiment is from Big & Bold Wishes.

I used more Basic Grey patterned papers on this card.  The stamps are from Asian Fusion. The ink is Hawaiian Shores and Dark Chocolate and 3 different Distress Inks: Dusty Concord, Peeled Paint, and Spiced Marmalade.

And my favorite of the day...I just adore this card.  I ran a sheet of Pure Poppy through my Cuttlebug using some Beautiful Blooms Dies, then I masked and stamped Fancy Flourishes, A Little Argyle, and Polka Dot Basics II onto the card base using Fresh Snow and Dark Chocolate Ink.  I stamped and embossed the sentiment from Signature Greetings and put the pieces all together.  

I'm going to go enjoy some of this sunshine that we (finally) have today! Hope you are having a fantastic Wednesday!

~Anika

Cards for Sailors Part 1

My best friend's husband is currently deployed with the Navy and I've been wanting to make a bunch of cards to send him that he can use to write home or share with his buddies who need a special card to send home.  Kind of like a mini-version of Operation Write Home.  Now that school is out, I've had time to start making them.  This is what I was able to accomplish today.  I'm hoping to make a bunch more this week and get them in the mail by the weekend.

I used Star Prints and A Little Argyle on the card.  The ink is True Black and Enchanted Evening, and Peeled Paint and Spiced Marmalade Distress Inks.  Cardstock is Stampers Select White and New Leaf.

I used Damask Designs and Asian Fusion stamps, Pure Poppy Ink, Stampers Select White and Pure Poppy Cardstock.  The die cut was cut with my Cricut.

No stamping on this one! I ran the Dotty Biscotti paper through my Cuttlebug with the Giga Guidelines Impression Plate.  Then I cut an embellishment from Color Couture Volume 3 and put it all on a Stampers Select White card base.

I used some Pretty Pastels paper on this card along with Stampers Select White and Melon Berry.  I used the small Scallop Die for the strip on the left.  The stamps are from Scattered Showers and Fancy Flourishes and are stamped in Dark Chocolate and Antique Linen Distress Ink.  To finish it off I tied some white floss around the mat layer. 

This card uses YOF: Violets and Signature Greetings all stamped in Hawaiian Shores Ink.  I used the large Scallop Die to make the border on the bottom.  The cardstock is Stampers Select White and Hawaiian Shores. I added a strip of Fresh Snow Twill to finish it off.

Can't wait to make some more tomorrow! 

Thanks for stopping by!

~Anika

Papertrey Paper Dolls: Challenge #8

School's Out for Summer!!  I am thrilled to have a few months to myself!  So far my plans include a 2 week grad class, crafting, tending to my plants, figuring out how to teach first grade, going to CHA Chicago, and most importantly RELAXING!

Today I made a couple cards.  One of them is for the 8th Papertrey Paper Dolls Challenge (find more info here).  I also made one for the 7th challenge, but I'm not sure I like it yet.  Anyway,  Challenge #8 was to use this color combo...

And here is my card...

I just got Life in my last order and I really wanted to use it.  I also used the Large Scallop die.  Everything is PTI except the green ink, which is Peeled Paint Distress Ink.

Thanks for looking, I should have more to share tomorrow.  Now I'm off to eat some yummy chicken that my husband made on the grill!  Enjoy your evening.

~Anika

Papertrey Ink Blog Hop: April 2010

Can't believe it's already the 25th again!  The challenge this month was to use tissue paper. I stamped polka dots onto torn strips of tissue paper to create the background for my card.

I want to try this again with flourishes and the Argyle set!!  I'm keeping it short and sweet,  because I'm sure you are hopping to many blogs tonight!  Thanks for stopping here!

~Anika

Supplies:  (All PTI unless noted)

Cardstock: Kraft, Raspberry Fizz, Stampers Select White (under the tissue paper

Stamps: Polka Dot Basics II, Delightful Dahlia

Ink: Raspberry Fizz, Hawaiian Shores, Fresh Snow, Dusty Concord Distress Ink, Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink

Other: Tissue Paper, Felt in Hawaiian Shores & Raspberry Fizz, Hawaiian Shores Button, Rustic Cream Button Twine, BB Dies

CAS Set on Kraft

Tomorrow evening there is a Baby Shower at my church and I am in charge of the game and the prizes for it.  So this afternoon I got busy stamping away and created 2 sets of 6 cards to bundle up as the prizes.  Hopefully those who win them will appreciate them more than a kitchen towel or a candle!  I decided to make the whole set on Kraft and to keep them pretty clean.  

Here they are...This one uses Asian Fusin, BasicGrey Koishi paper, Dark Chocolate Ink, and Dusty Concord Distress Ink.

I used Delightful Dahlia and Damask Designs along with more Koishi paper, Button Twine, Dark Chocolate Ink, Dusty Concord and Peeled Paint Distress Ink.

Lots of masking on this one!  The stamps are Year of Flowers: Violets and all the ink is Distress Ink...Dusty Concord, Peeled Paint, & Spiced Marmalade.  (Maybe everyone else has figured this out, but I didn't until last week, so here's my tip for you...after you cut out an image to use as a mask, save it in a ziploc bag instead of throwing it away.  Then next time you need a mask for that image, you can just pull it out and go!  Like I said, maybe I'm the last one to figure this little time saver out, but I had to share!)

Here I used Polka Dot Basics 2 and Scattered Showers.  The Ink is Hawaiian Shores, Berry Sorbet, and Dark Chocolate.  The paper that the umbrella is on is also from the Koishi Pad.

I used Fancy Flourishes, Year of Flowers: Violets, and Signature Greetings on this card.  The ink is Raspberry Fizz and True Black and the paper that the flower is on is Raspberry Fizz.  Oh, and the flower is there because I didn't get a clean image with the flourish so I had to cover it up!! Oops!

This is the last one in the set.  I used Butterfly Kisses and Signature Greetings.  Ink is Pure Poppy, Ocean Tides, and Dark Chocolate along with Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink.  Also added some Rhinestones on this one.

We are enjoying some gorgeous weather here today!  I took a break from crafting for a bit to go for a walk and have a Root Beer Float on the front deck with my husband.  Thanks for stopping by!

~Anika

**All Supplies used are Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted.**