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Archive for the ‘PTI’ Category

Creating Backgrounds

Posted in Make it Monday, PTI on September 9, 2011 | 2 Comments »

I took a moment today to participate in the latest challenge from Papertreyink. The idea was to find a more obscure stamp in your collection and use it to create your own background pattern. I found this tiny stamp in the Mat Stack 1 Collection. Here’s what I came up with:

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In hindsight I wish I had used a softer ink than black, so to soften it a bit I covered the front with a piece of vellum. I stamped the sentiment on the vellum and used a black marker to create a frame. There, much better!

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Before you leave I have to show you the beautiful hydrangeas that currently grace my kitchen table. Aren’t they stunning?! They are a perfect fit for the white pitcher I got from my mom this summer. It is a family piece that comes from my grandfather’s home. I don’t think it’s worth anything, but I love that it’s so old!

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Thank you for stopping by,

Sara

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May Birthdays

Posted in Cards, PTI, Uncategorized on May 26, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

This weekend my Mother and I celebrated our birthdays together. Hers was on the 20th of May and mine on the 21st. It was the first time in over a decade that I got to celebrate the occasion with my family in Sweden! We had a great time with lots of food, coffee and of course, cake.

I just had to use the Year of Flowers: Lily of the Valley for my Birthday card for mom. It is after all the flower for the month of May. And it often blooms just in time for my birthday.  My nephew was even kind enough to pick Lily of the Valley bouquets for me to set on the table. (He may have been prompted by his mom to do so. =). Their scent is so lovely.

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I really love the effect of just coloring a border around the main image. So striking. And the tab for the sentiment adds a fun detail. To finish it off I ran the card panel through my Big Shot to add the wood grain texture. The entire card was inspired by Nichole’s countdown post for said stamp set. I find that I really learn a lot from actually trying the many fun things I see on PTI and other blogs.

I just have to share this photo of the flower I got from my Grandmother. Isn’t it such a cool idea to just place the flower head in a little dish of water like this? I just love it.

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When was the last time you enjoyed freshly picked flowers? If you haven’t yet this spring, I hope you will soon.

Thanks for stopping by,

Sara

Supplies: Stamps and Dies all from PTI. White embossing powder from SU!

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Violet Birthday Card

Posted in Cards, PTI, Uncategorized on May 17, 2011 | 1 Comment »

I found a photo of a card I never published here on my blog. I made it quite a while ago. As is usually the case, this birthday card was made, photographed (that doesn’t always happen) and then promptly given away. That “birthday card stash” is especially elusive at my house.

But whether it’s made way in advance or right before it’s needed I sure like to have a handmade card to give.

The little gift card holder was made using a Starbucks envelope that I took apart and used as a template. Inspiration can be found in so many places.

Thank you for stopping by,

Sara

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Line Frames 101

Posted in Cards, Make it Monday, PTI, Uncategorized on April 27, 2011 | 4 Comments »

I took the time to participate in Papertrey inks “Make it Monday” challenge. I say ‘took the time’, because I find that after the boys are finally in bed and the house it put back into some semblance of order it can be difficult to find the motivation to start something new. Does that sound familiar to anyone else?
Well, I am glad I did because anytime I sit down to make something I find it so refreshing!
I didn’t have a lot of time so I used the same sketch Nichole used in her video. I love how simple and sweet it turned out.

I knew I wanted to make a spring card too. We’ve had the most amazing weather here lately. After the long cold winter its as if the spring weather caused the entire nation to draw a collective sigh of relief! The sun just feels.so.good!!

Nichole showed in her video how to keep all the lines straight and even. With that tip under my belt I’m sure I’ll try this again.

Thank you for taking the time to visit. It’s so nice to be able to share my creations with other like minded crafters. =) The internet is really such an amazing thing.

Sara

Supplies: {Stamps} PTI Through the Trees, Wreath for all seasons, {Ink} SU! Close to Cocoa, Rose Red, Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip {Paper} PTI White, SU! Rose Red, {Other} Close to Cocoa Marker

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Make it Mondays #8: Ink Blending

Posted in Cards, Make it Monday, PTI on March 29, 2011 | 16 Comments »

When I saw this weeks MIM from PTI I knew I had to play along. The technique is the same one I learned at the Scrap-a-thon a couple of weeks ago. Such a great way to create a different yet very simple background.
Thanks for visiting me. Make sure and check out what the rest of the participants created too.
Sara

Supplies: Stamps and CS all PTI, inks from Ranger.

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Spring is in the Air! Oh How I’ve Waited.

Posted in Cards, Copic Coloring, PTI on March 26, 2011 | 3 Comments »

Today was such a beautiful day here in Sweden. Spring is beginning to be felt in the air here and the sun is slowly causing the earth to soften and yield to crocuses and daffodils. It feels especially nice after the cold and snowy winter, the likes which we have not experienced while living in Portland. We just had to get out for a while to enjoy the sunshine.

With two little ones every outing seems to bring its fair share of trials, but at the end of the day I was so grateful that we didn’t just stay home (we’re real homebodies) and that we didn’t just settle for a walk (easy way out), but instead we headed to Gothenburg. While we didn’t stay long, it was still so nice to do something different. And not to worry, once we came home we were able to fit in a walk too. =)

I wanted to share my very favorite card I created during the Scrap-a-thon last weekend. Perhaps I should save it for some sort of grand finale Scrap-a-thon post (LOL) but sometimes you just have to share your happiness with others.


I practiced with my copics on the fabulous tulip image from Papertreyinks “Friendship Jar Spring Fillers”. Oh it was so much fun! I shamelessly tried to emmulate Debbie Olson’s beautiful coloring job on that same image. It took me over an hour and I know there is so, so much to learn but I just think it’s the cat’s meow! ha ha. Copics has got to be the most fun craft supply I’ve used in a long time. Fun, fun, fun! I even did some sowing on my card for the first time ever. You’ll be seeing that again for sure.

Here’s a close up too:

I can tell you that I look forward to try this again. There is something so rewarding in learning new things. Now that I have my own little craft space to work in, I hope that I’ll get lots and lots of practice.

And just for fun I have to show you the same image taken with my iPhone Instagram app.

So sweet. And did I mention FUN?! =)

Thanks for stopping by,

Sara

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When you don’t know where to start…

Posted in Cards, Prisma Coloring, PTI on August 27, 2010 | 3 Comments »

…go ahead and CASE. Drawing inspiration from other peoples work or even copying layouts is such a great way to get your creativity flowing. Especially since I think this hobby of mine should be fun! The minute I feel like I have to be unique all the time I remind myself of this. I like to be original, but that simply does not happen all the time.

Some of you may recognize this card from PTI’s countdown post for “Year of Flowers: Gladious”. I liked Nichole’s card so much that I just went ahead and copied it. The only difference is the background. =)

Such a fun card to make. The Mat Stack 4 is just an awesome die! The flowers were colored with my prisma pencils. I hope my friend will like it as much as I do. =)

I just have to add that I managed to upload my first photo/post from my phone! How fun.

Thanks for stopping by,

Sara

Supplies: All from PTI except the Pearls (Kaiser Craft) and color pencils.

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Saying Goodbye

Posted in Cards, PTI on July 30, 2010 | 1 Comment »

I’m not a big fan of saying goodbye. Not the ones where you know its going to be a while, a great while, before you see each other again. Living in another country, I’ve had to say it so many times over the years to people that really matters. My family. And it’s hard every time. The past couple of weeks I (along with many others of my friends) have had to say goodbye to three  friends who are all moving to various places in the country. And that’s been tough too. I know I will miss them.

Yet, at the same time  I am happy and excited for them. Happy because I know how exciting change can be. Change is invigorating and often inspires us to try new things. But in order to get there we often have to say goodbye to something else, our old way of doing things or, as in this case, to our friends.

So, I guess its hard but good all at the same time. And isn’t that true for a lot of things in life?

I made this card for my friend Jay, who’s served on the worship team with me for the past 7 years. Though he’ll be missed I know others will soon have the chance to enjoy his musical skills.

Thanks for stopping by,

Sara

Card Supplies: Cardstock, Retired SU! in colors, Stamps from PTI, Inks are versamagic.

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So Glad We’re Friends

Posted in Cards, PTI on March 30, 2010 | 1 Comment »

You know you're the mother of a toddler when walking up the stairs takes 10 minutes because he just has to lay down on his tummy on every single step. Exploration is great fun. It is how we learn to do new things.

And speaking of new things, I decided to explore the stamping technique on vellum that Nichole used in this post. I love the soft look you achieve this way. As you can see I didn't deviate much from Nichole's layout and colors.

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It has been years since I used vellum when making cards so I had a hard time finding a piece among my supplies. But with the result I got I know I will try it again soon.

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I ended up using this one as a birthday card. Kind of fun to use a more nontraditional sentiment don't you think? Here it is, all wrapped up together with the gift which happened to be a gift card.

I'll be back soon with something that has been cooking in my kitchen. I can't wait to share it.

Thanks for stopping by,

Sara

Card Details (all PTI unless noted): {Stamps}: Friends til' the End {Paper}: Lemon Tart, Vellum {Ink}: SU! Basic Grey {Other}: Ribbon from my stash

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Last Minute and I are Great Friends

Posted in Cards, Challenge, PTI on March 8, 2010 | 4 Comments »

*This is my third (!!) post today, so feel free to scroll down to see more*

Yes, this is indeed last minute. I made one more card this weekend that I wanted to post today before the deadline of the Olympics of Stamping. I am entering this in the "Birthday" category, of course.

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When I started, the color scheme I had chosen was White, Aqua Mist and Pure Poppy, but as the evening progressed, I changed it to Very Vanilla, Spring Moss and Pure Poppy. I learned a few things from this:

  • Enjoy the process of creating
  • It's OK to practice – the end result will be better if you take your time
  • Try, try and try again

I really didn't think I was going to like this card, but it turned into one of my favorites. The result of playing can be surprising at times.

Thank you for stopping by,

Sara

Card Details: {Stamps}: PTI Through the Trees {Ink}: Versamagic Jumbo Java, versamark, Pure Poppy {Paper}: PTI Select White, Spring Moss, Pure Poppy {Other}: Curly Label Punch, Glossy, Chocolate Chip Marker (SU!)

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