Sunday, February 8, 2009

Some button fun.

So it's a coincidence that my card today has buttons on it after Nichole's recent annoucement that PTI will be selling buttons (which by the way is my DREAM!). I made this card last week and was inspired to use buttons with the branch from Out on a Limb. After placing the buttons on the branch I envisioned a way of making them pop and as such grabbed polka dot basics and used the circle to add appeal to my "tree".

And just in case you didn't know, I absolutely love the look of kraft, white and brown together.



You'll note I used the white ink pad to brush around the edge of the scalloped rectangle and cut out sentiment.



Supplies
Stamp Set(s): Polka Dot Basics by PTI ,Out on a Limb by PTI
Cardstock: Kraft by PTI

Ink: Snow Cap by Ranger, Dark Chocolate by PTI
Accents: Buttons by MME

Tools: Scalloped Rectangle by Spellbinders


Have a wonderful Sunday.

Alli

Friday, February 6, 2009

My last So Sketchy Sistah post

I have had such a super time being a So Sketchy sistah and wanted to take this opportunity to thank Ally and wish all the new sistahs well on their new adventure. Ally's sketches are outstanding. I love how she is not afraid to create an out of the box design. I also love to see how everyone has a different take on her sketches too. Make sure you stop by So Sketchy for your weekly inspiration--I promise you won't be disappointed! And on that note, you can bet I will be creating more cards using her sketches in the future.

It's rather funny how this card came to fruition. I had stamped the polka dots on this clear sheet and heat set it. I wasn't sure how I was going to use it but just wanted to "try" something new. When I received Ally's sketch assignment I was toying with the idea of using my Valentine's inspiration basket and pulled out a few materials. I laid out my patterned papers and embelishments and was deciding on the layout when I spied that clear sheet with the polka dots (which was not originally intended for this project). It all came together perfectly.







Supplies
Stamp Set(s): Polka Dot Basics by PTI
Cardstock: Stampers Select by PTI, Clear Sheet by Cornish Heritage Farms

Patterned Paper: Scenic Route
Ink: Snow Cap by Ranger
Accents: Cranberry Distress Emboss Powder, Gingham Ribbon by May Arts, Sticker Letters, Rub Ons

Tools: Scalloped Heart Die Cut by Spellbinders
, Stapler

Again, thanks for this wonderful opportunity Ally!

Have a terrific day.
Alli

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Wise Owl Book Tutorial

I am excited to bring you a step by step mini book tutorial today. I like that this project has very few steps as well as endless possibilities for its use. While I created this book to fill it with inspiration (stamp design inspiration) you could also create a notebook for shopping lists, quotes that inspire you, a phone book, a gift for a friend or teacher, a doodle book or joke book for your little ones and much more.

Here are the supplies you will need:
  • computer paper
  • polka dot basics and wise owl stamp sets
  • cardstock and ink
  • needle and embroidery floss
  • tape
  • corner rounder
  • other: markers, ribbon
Begin by cutting your cardstock to 4.25x5.5 (standard card size) and score the center of your card. Stamp polka dot pattern over the entire sheet. Heat set to dry (or set aside to dry).



Next, use the corner rounder to round corners.



Cut a piece of cardstock 4x5.25 and stamp it. Heat set to dry. Now prepare your computer paper by cutting several sheets to 3.75x4.75. You are free to add as many sheets as you would like but keep in mind that the thicker the book, the smaller the paper needs to be cut (adjust accordingly). Score the center of your papers.



You can either stamp a variety of quotes on your computer sheets or you can leave it blank--the choice is yours.

Pierce through all your computer papers (you may have to pierce through a few at a time if you have lots) using a needle or special piercing tool. Center it over top of the inside piece of cardstock (the black one you see above) and pierce through the cardstock too. Repeat at the bottom. You'll note that I pierced the paper 1/4 from the top and the bottom on a foam mat.



Once you've pierced through all the layers top and bottom, thread the pages to the cardstock using embroidery floss.



Tighten the floss by pulling it through the back of the cardstock and adhere it with tape.



Once the embroidery floss is taped down adhere the black inner layer to the inside of the red cardstock.



I used the scraps leftover from my inner to make polka dot strip on the outside. I also stamped my image and sentiment. Then I coloured my image. I added the final touch of ribbon and adhered it to the front of my mini book. You could add buttons and die cuts or keep it simple with a stamped sentiment.




If you have any further questions regarding this project either leave them in the comments section of this post or in the convo box to the right and I'd be happy to answer them.

Have a super day!

Alli

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Wise Owl winner and PTI Celebration continues...

Thank you all for your support and well wishes yesterday. I read through 900+ e-mails and it was the best day ever! I really am excited about working with PTI again.

I wanted to take this opportunity to congratulate the winner of the wise owl stamp set



Also have you checked out Nichole's BIG giveway??? Free stamps for a year!!!!



Make sure you read all the rules (fine print) HERE for your chance to enter this AMAZING contest.

I will be back tomorrow with a full tutorial on the mini book from today :)

Hugs,

Alli

Monday, February 2, 2009

PTI Stamp Designers' Favourites



Are you ready to celebrate day 3 of Papertrey Ink's anniversary countdown?

I am absolutely THRILLED to announce that I am returning to Papertrey Ink as a stamp designer. As many of you know I had stamp sets released through PTI last year but stepped away to commit to other design work. This year I am fully commited to sharing projects using a variety of my PTI stamp sets (old and new) so stay tuned.

Today, each of the stamp designers was asked to share their favourite PTI stamp set. The 2008 designers were asked to share their favourite stamp set that they personally designed, while the new designers (congrats girls!) are picking their fav PTI set. I am sure it comes as no suprise to learn that my favourite set is Wise Owl. Wise Owl was the very first set I designed for PTI and it was also the very last set that I shared for my 2008 Urban Design release. What I really love about this set are the endless possibilities--the fun owl faces, the mini owls mixed with the large owls, the flowers, the fun whimsical greetings mixed with the wise greetings and so much more!

Here is a quick summary of some of the projects I have created using Wise Owl

Examples: Flower Fun, Owl Card, Out for Publication Sign
Out of the box examples: Clock, Reindeer, Ghost, Home Decor, Barrettes, Necklace

And here's a new project: A mini note book.





I'll be providing a full tutorial on Thursday so make sure you check back.

Supplies
Stamp Set(s): Wise Owl (Urban Design) by PTI
Cardstock: Real Black by PTI, Poppy Red by PTI

Patterned Paper: October Afternoon
Ink: Dark Chocolate by PTI, Real Black by PTI, Snow Cap by Ranger
Accents: Spring Rain Gingham Ribbon by PTI, Embroidery Floss

Tools: Copic Ciao Markers
, Corner Rounder by EK Success, Computer Paper

Now, are you ready for a GIVEAWAY???? Leave a comment on my blog now until midnight EST February 4th and one person will be chosen randomly to win Wise Owl. The winner will be listed here and on Nichole's anniversary blog post here after 12PM EST on February 4th. Good Luck! Make sure you check out the other stamp designer blogs as each of them is also giving a set away today!

Candice Aguilar
Melissa Bickford
Lisa Johnson
Dawn McVey
Tiffany Pastor
Heather Nichols
Beth Silaika

Thanks for stopping by!

Alli

An eagle, some stars and red, white and blue.

So I know the 4th of July is far away and of course many of you know that I am Canadian so you are probably thinking WHY 4th of July. Well two reasons: 1) I received this Kim Hughes set around the 4th of July but never got to use it 2) I was going through my paper scraps and came across a lot of American colours and just had to go with it. It never hurts to be prepared ahead of time and I look forward to sending this card to one of my American friends this year :)



Recipe

Stamp Set(s): Freedom (Kim Hughes Collection) by CHF, Eagle (Kim Hughes Collection) by CHF Cardstock: Stampers Select Whute by PTI, Dark Brown by Prism

Patterned Paper: Melissa Frances, Liberty Collection by Scenic Route
Ink: Espresso by Ranger, Snow Cap by Ranger
Accents: Ribbon by PTI, Button by MM, Hemp Twine
Tools: Copic Ciao Markers


I hope this encourages you to search through your scraps box and be inspired to create something too.

Have a terrific day.

Alli

Sunday, February 1, 2009

A Simple Hello.

A simple hello is all it takes to remind a friend that you are thinking of him/her. Believe it or not, these are the types of cards that I don't often have hanging around in my stash. Today's card is easy peasy in 5 steps.

Step 1: Cut the cardstock to 4.25x5.5
Step 2: Cut patterned paper to approx 3.5
Step 3: Cut paper strip (1 x 4.25) and stamp sentiment.
Step 4: Stamp tree image on card and on patterned paper. Cut out tree top from paper.
Step 5: Adhere layers to the card. Note: I added dimension to the trees using a pop dot.



Recipe:
Stamp Set(s): Tree from MochaChica (Kim Hughes Collection) by CHF
Cardstock: Stampers Select White by PTI, Dark Chocolate by PTI
Patterned Paper: Offbeat/Unconvetional by Basic Grey
Ink: Espresso by Ranger, Snow Cap by Ranger

Have a wonderful Sunday.

Alli