Color Throwdown 220-Teacher Thank You

It’s time for another Color Throwdown! Wanda is our hostess this week and she's challenging us to use Tempting Turquoise, Very Vanilla, Limeade Ice, and Cherry Cobbler as inspired by this photo. I used the colors and the sketch from the current Retro Sketches challenge to make a teacher thank you card. I have to admit that as a teacher, it was the cards with the heartfelt messages from my students and their parents that were the gifts I always treasured the most.

Here’s my take on the colors. I used the Mint Motif School Basics stamp set from i {heart} papers for my card. The set’s cursive “thank you” sentiment is stamped on a cream label die cut. I staggered the placement of the words so I’d have room for the set’s solid apple image on the panel. I added a leaf stamped in green ink to incorporate just a teeny, tiny bit of the Limeade Ice color.

Even though the stamp set includes a notebook paper line style stamp, I took the easy way out and used a piece of designer paper with a notebook paper pattern for the panel behind the sentiment. The paper's a cream base with red and turquoise lines--three of the challenge colors all together!  It’s matted on red cardstock and layered on to the kraft card base. A strip of red faux suede ribbon runs over the panel. I set the sentiment panel in place, then added a knotted piece of the same suede ribbon at the top of the sentiment. A pair of copper brads just beneath the panel finishes the design.

To play along, just create a paper crafted project using these colors as a starting point and add a direct link to your finished project using the linky tool found at the end of this week's CTD post. As always, if you don’t have exact color matches, something close works just fine. And, if you upload your project to an online gallery, use the keyword CTD220. Before you get started, here’s some inspiration from the talented Color Throwdown team and our November guestie, Lynn Mercurio.

** Barbara ** Broni ** Denise **  Joan **
** Kerri ** Lynn ** Tammy ** Wanda **
November Guestie Lynn Mercurio

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Mint Motif School Basics stamp set, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black, Pear Tart, and Rhubarb Stalk inks, My Mind’s Eye School Daze 6x6 paper pad, Spellbinders Labels 4 and Labels 4 Small dies, May Arts red faux suede ribbon, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

other: Cherry Cobbler and Very Vanilla cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); kraft cardstock (Papertrey Ink); copper brads (Michaels); corner rounder

Look Who's Turning 5

Here's my card for this week's CAS-ual Fridays challenge to create a clean and simple birthday card in honor of the challenge's first birthday.  I made this birthday card using the current Clean and Simple Stamping sketch.  I knew the layout would be perfect for using Mint Motif's I've Got Your Number set from i {heart} papers.

I stamped one of the set's outline number images--the 5--on a scrap of white cardstock and colored it with several blue-green markers.  The number is cut out and set at the edge of a dotted paper panel with a dimensional dot or two.  I stamped the "look who's turning" sentiment on the panel next to the number. 

To match the pattern on the paper panel, I embossed a piece of aqua cardstock with a dotted embossing folder, then layered the patterned paper panel with the five over that. The panel is attached to a teal card base.  After I had everything put together, I felt like it needed something else, so I added a white button, tied with some twine, to the side of the five. The button carries on the card's dot theme and adds a little texture and dimension to the simple design.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers:  Mint Motif I've Got Your Number stamp set, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic markers (BG10, BG11. BG13, BG15), Echo Park Dots & Stripes-Soda Fountain 6x6 paper pad, Lifestyle Crafts Polka Dots Pattern (small) embossing folder, Lawn Fawn natural hemp twine, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots


other:  Aqua Mist and Hawaiian Shores cardstock (Papertrey Ink); white button (Michaels)

Simple Teacher Thank You

In my day job in education, I’ve been working with a large group of early childhood teachers on a year long project that’s just about over. The teachers have done a lot of extra work on the project above and beyond their regular classroom and teaching duties, so I wanted to do a little something to show my appreciation for their commitment to their students and this project. I designed a simple thank you card so that I can write a personal message to each teacher. Since I’m making close to 20 cards, I kept the design simple to reproduce and light on supplies, but still eye-catching and fun.

I used the Mint Motif School Basics set for my card. I used the set’s notebook paper line image to create my own lined paper by stamping the image repeatedly in Bahama Blue ink, then stamped the set’s cursive “thank you” image on one of the lines in Lady Bug ink. The words are designed to be a perfect fit for the lines. Once the sentiment panel was done, I set it in place on a white panel and stamped a trio of stars in the upper left corner and again in the lower right corner using Cantaloupe ink. It looks sort of like a gold star, doesn’t it? After stamping, I layered the sentiment panel on a turquoise mat, then lined the piece up to match with the stamped stars.  I layered the finished panel on a yellow card base.  When I sit down over the weekend to make the rest of these, I think I'll mix up the card base colors up and do some red, some turquoise, and some yellow . . .

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Mint Motif School Basics stamp set, Tsukineko Memento Lady Bug, Cantaloupe, and Bahama Blue inks 

other: Tempting Turquoise and Summer Sun cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); white cardstock (Xerox)

IHP DT Challenge-Mint Motif

For this month’s i {heart} papers design team challenge, we’re highlighting Mint Motif stamps designed by Kimberly Crawford. If you haven’t checked out the two newest additions to IHP’s exclusive Mint Motif line, you can see them right here—Beyond Borders, Too and Simply Sentiments.

I’ve had a few requests to make teacher cards, so I pulled out the School Basics set for the challenge. I love the look of the set’s sentiments and manuscript lines stamped in white on chalkstock, so I started my card off with that.

In keeping with my school/teacher theme, I die cut a circle from a piece of apple patterned designer paper and set that on a coordinating green panel. After wrapping the panel with a piece of narrow green silk ribbon, I stamped layered the piece over it. I used a little more of the green ribbon to tie a bow right next to the stamped panel. I stamped the set’s apple image and colored it with Copic markers, then cut it out and added it to the end of the sentiment panel with dimensional dots.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the IHP DT has created for the challenge. Here’s where to find them:

• Carolyn


• Deb


• Gretchen


• Loretta


• Lori--you're here!


• Lynn


• Tracy


• Kate

After you've hopped along, we'd love if you'd join us by creating a project inspired by something you've seen on the hop. Using Mint Motif stamps is not required, but be sure to use some products available at IHP. Link up your creation using the linky tool at the end of Kate's blog post by 6 PM on Sunday for a chance to be featured on the i {heart} papers blog.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Mint Motif School Basics stamp set, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic markers (YG01, YG03, YG13, YG25, E25), Jillibean Soup Apple Cheddar Soup 6x6 paper pad, Spellbinders circle dies, Canvas Corp. chalkstock, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

other: Crème de Menthe cardstock (Gina K Designs); So Saffron and Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); Fresh Snow ink (Papertrey Ink); green silk ribbon

IHP DT Challenge-Calendar Crazy

For this month’s i {heart} papers design team challenge, we’re sharing different ways you can use SRM’s mini calendar stickers to make a unique calendar. With the end of the year and the holiday season fast approaching, calendars make a great gift—or are the perfect accessory for your own desk!

When we last did a calendar challenge, I used one of the CD calendar cases that Kate carries to hold my finished calendar. This time I took a slightly different approach and used a clear photo frame I picked up at the dollar store as the base for my calendar.

I cut white cardstock panels to build my calendar on. Each panel is stamped with one of the long border images from the Mint Motif Beyond Borders stamp set. I varied the colors I used for each month, trying to pick a shade that was somewhat seasonal. A coordinating strip of paper is attached to the bottom of the panel, again chosen to coordinate with the month or season. For example, for January, I used a snowflake embossing folder to emboss a strip of silver cardstock. For February, I picked a pink and red patterned paper strip, and for March, a green on green pattern.

Once the strip was in place, I attached the month’s calendar sticker, mounted on a coordinating solid cardstock block to set it off from the rest of the page. Each panel is layered on a coordinating cardstock panel to add a contrasting border around the white. These came together in no time at all—and the calendar will look great on my desk at work!

Be sure to visit the rest of the DT for more ideas for using these versatile calendar stickers. Here’s where to find them:

• Carolyn
• Deb
• Gretchen
• Kendra
• Loretta
• Lori--you’re here!
• Lynn
• Tracy
• Kate

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Mint Motif Beyond Borders stamp set, SRM mini calendar sticker sheet, Tsukineko Memento Lady Bug, Paris Dusk, and Pear Tart inks, Lifestyle Crafts Snowflake embossing folder, Echo Park Happy Days 6x6 paper pad, My Mind’s Eye Six by Six Dwell paper pad

other: white cardstock (Xerox); Real Red, Night of Navy, and Gable Green cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); clear picture frame

Teacher

This week's CAS-ual Friday challenge is to create a project inspired by a book using black, white, and red. The card I came up with for the challenge also fits this week's Crazy 4 Challenges back to school theme and The Play Date Cafe's black and white with a splash of red challenge. Lots going on on this simple card!

Here's the story behind my card. I've always been a pretty voracious reader from just about the time I first learned to read. I read a pretty diverse selection of materials--some of my recent reads include The Boys of Winter (about the 1980 US Olympic hockey team), the entire Hunger Games trilogy (finished in less than two weeks), some professional articles for work, and Room (a novel about a mother and young child held in captivity). As a kindergarten teacher, I also have an extensive collection of children's books and after some thought, decided to base my card on one of my back to school favorites, Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten. It's the first in a series of rhyming books that are always a hit with my students and the author is local to my area, too.

Here's my story inspired card. I used chalkstock and the notebook line image from the Mint Motif School Basics set to make a notebook striped panel. The word "teacher" is stamped inside one of the lines in the same white ink. I layered the black panel on a red mat for a chalkboard-like look.

The set's apple image is stamped in black and filled in with the matching solid image in red. I cut the apple out and placed it on a white circle using dimensional dots, then added a black button tied with red baker's twine. The circle is set at the left edge of the chalkboard panel. I slipped a folded piece of black and white gingham ribbon underneath the circle as an accent to add a little texture to the design.

The weather forecast for today calls for rain, so I have a feeling I'll be spending a little time on my day off curled up with a book . . . not a bad way to spend the day in my book!

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Mint Motif School Basics stamp set, Canvas Corp. chalkstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black and Lady Bug inks, Spellbinders circle dies, Sticky Thumb dimensionals, Divine Twine Cherry Red baker's twine, May Arts black and white gingham ribbon

other: white cardstock (Xerox); Fresh Snow ink (Papertrey Ink)

IHP DT Challenge-Looking at Logos

This month's i {heart} papers design team challenge is to be inspired by the logo of a favorite charity.

I chose the logo from First Book, an organization that supports early literacy by distributing free, new books to children in need. As a kindergarten teacher, this is a cause that is near and dear to my heart. Some of the children and families I work with have received books from this organization and for many, it is one of the only books in their homes and becomes a treasured possession.

Here’s my card inspired by the First Book logo. I took the logo’s book shape and ran with it, cutting a pair of book shapes using the Labels 7 die. The white die cut piece is stamped with the line image from the Mint Motif School Basics stamp set and filled in with the word “teacher” in red ink. I stamped the set’s apple, colored it in with Copic markers, cut it out, and added it to the die cut with a dimensional dot. It’s accented with a button tied with blue baker’s twine.

The assembled book is set on a colorblocked card base. Again, I incorporated elements from the logo, using the blue and reds as my color scheme. The patterned paper panels are from a sheet of paper from the American Made collection. The “thank you” sentiment is stamped on the solid red block in black ink.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the IHP DT has done for the challenge. Here’s where to find them:

• Carolyn
• Deb
• Gretchen
• Kendra
• Loretta
• Lori (you're here!)
• Lynn
• Megan
• Tracy
• Kate

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Mint Motif School Basics stamp set, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Rhubarb Stalk and Tuxedo Black inks, Copic markers (R12, R22, R24, R27, E34), Spellbinders Labels 7 dies, My Mind’s Eye American Made Collection Kit, May Arts white faux suede ribbon, Divine Twine Blueberry baker’s twine, Zva Creative dimensional dots

other: Riding Hood Red and Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin’ Up!)

You're So Sweet

Here's my card for this week's CAS-ual Friday challenge to make a card incorporating sweets and treats. I made my own paper lollipop focal image as my sweet treat.

The lollipop is made from three striped paper circles, cut with a Spellbinders circle die and stitched together along the center. I used redline tape to attach a lollipop stick to the back of the circles, then added a pretty pink glimmer ribbon bow to dress it up.

The lollipop is set on a dot embossed dark pink panel with a piece of the same striped paper as I used for the lollipop at the bottom. I stamped the "you're so sweet" sentiment from the Mint Motif Sweet Hearts set in pink ink on a banner end die cut and attached it along the seam between the two papers. The lollipop is set on the panel using dimensional dots. Sweet--so sweet, in fact, that Chloe the cutie puppy nabbed the finished card to snack on . . .

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Mint Motif Sweet Hearts stamp set, Tsukineko Memento Rosebud ink, Echo Park Dots and Stripes-Candy Shoppe 6x6 paper pad, Spellbinders circle die, QuicKutz Polka Dots embossing folder, Creative Impressions light pink glimmer ribbon, i {stick} papers redline tape, Zva Creative dimensional dots, Bow Easy

other: Whisper White, Melon Mambo, and Blushing Bride cardstock (Stampin' Up!)

Cake Shoppe Birthday

Here's a sweet birthday card using this week's Mojo Monday sketch and the Mint Motif Cake Shoppe stamp set.

There are a lot of cake building options in the Cake Shoppe set and after playing with a few options, I finally settled on a double layered cake design. I paper pieced the layered cake using gingham patterned paper from SEI's Fair Day paper pad. The little dots at the top of each layer are filled in with pale pink Liquid Pearls for some dimension. The candle on top of the cake is also paper pieced, but with a solid cardstock scrap. The candle's flame is covered with a little Yellow Stickles for a fun sparkle.

I layered the cake panel on a pink scallop edged panel and did the same for the "happy birthday" sentiment. The panels are layered on another patterned piece from the SEI paper pad. I attached a piece of yellow cardstock along the bottom of the panel and set a pink scalloped strip across the panel's top. A piece of bright pink faux suede ribbon is knotted at the top of the scalloped strip.

And, while we're on the topic of birthdays, I couldn't let today pass without mentioning Chloe the cutie puppy's "birthday" milestone. She's a year and a half old today and still as cute as can be with a personality to match. I took this photo of her last night--she was super tired from a full day at doggy day care and I had to wake her to get her to pose and as you can see from her expression, she wasn't real excited about the command performance . . .

Materials Used:

from i {heart} papers: Mint Motif Cake Shoppe and Cake Shoppe Too stamp sets, Tsukineko Memento Rich Cocoa ink, Ranger Petal Pink Liquid Pearls and Yellow Stickles, SEI Fair Day 6x6 paper pad, Spellbinders circle and scalloped circle dies, May Arts fuschia faux suede ribbon

other: So Saffron cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Bubblegum Pink cardstock (Gina K Designs); medium scallop die (Papertrey Ink)

Cake Stand Inspired

I’m excited to be one of the hostesses for today’s SCS clean and simple holiday stamping challenges! That's right, instead of one clean and simple challenge, there will be a whole bunch of them. All day long, a new set of challenges will be posted at the start of each hour. I hope you'll find some time to play along.


Let’s get things started! Here’s my first challenge—an inspiration one based on this fabulous flag themed holiday treat concoction on the Martha Stewart website. Doesn’t that look yummy? For the challenge, I made my own version of a layered holiday cake by combining three Mint Motif sets from i {heart} papers.

I started by building the cake image using the Cake Shoppe and Cake Shoppe Too sets. The images are stamped in black ink and shaded just a bit with Copic markers. Instead of a trio of flags for a topper, I used the number “4” from the I've Got Your Number set. I added the word “happy” from the Cake Shoppe Too set along the side of the 4 in blue ink.

The other element from the photo that really stuck out to me was the red raspberries at the top of each cupcake. I wanted to incorporate that into my project, so I added dots of Rouge Liquid Pearls across each of the cake’s layers.

To finish the design and to make it so that the cake didn’t appear to be floating in space, I layered strips of red and blue cardstock underneath it and wrapped some red baker’s twine around the card for a striped element.

Check back later on today for my next challenge . . .

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Mint Motif Cake Shoppe, Cake Shoppe Too and I’ve Got Your Number stamp sets, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black and Bahama Blue inks, Copic markers (R12, R22, R24, B000, B0000, W00), Ranger Rouge Liquid Pearls, Divine Twine Cherry Red baker’s twine

other: white cardstock (Xerox); Riding Hood Red and Night of Navy cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); medium scallop die (Papertrey Ink)

Trendy Thank You

This card's another birthday thank you note, inspired by both this week's Color Throwdown colors--lime, gray, and black--and the current Moxie Fab Chevron Chic challenge. I went clean and simple on this one and combined sets from two different companies, which I rarely do.

I started by stamping the chevron strip from the Mint Motif Beyond Borders set in lime and gray inks. There are actually more like 5 or 6 chevron strips, but some of them are covered by the cardstock strips at the end of the white panel. I wrapped a little black and white baker's twine around the edge of the green solid cardstock strip
to hide the seam between the green and white, tying it in a small bow at the bottom of the panel.

I used my new Papertrey Ink Wonderful Words die set and coordinating Wonderful Words Additions stamp set for the sentiment. I stamped "thank" in gray ink, then set the die cut "you" just underneath it. The white panel is set on a black mat, then on a green cardfront. Another thank you note checked off my list!

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Mint Motif Beyond Borders stamp set, Memento London Fog and Pear Tart inks, Divine Twine Black Licorice baker's twine

other: Wonderful Words Additions stamp set, Wonderful Words dies, Simply Chartreuse cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Basic Black cardstock (Stampin' Up!); white cardstock (Xerox)

Rainbow Wishes

Here's a bright and cheerful birthday card I made for today's SCS featured stamper challenge. It's based on this birthday card featuring border images running across the cardfront.

I used a solid border stamp image from the Mint Motif Beyond Borders set instead of a more detailed image. Like the card I made last week, I stamped the image repeatedly in a rainbow color sequence using Memento inks directly on a white card base. I did a pretty good job of getting things lined up straight!

Once I was finished with the rainbow lineup, I stamped the birthday sentiment from Very Square Sentiments on a small white panel and edged it with a purple scalloped strip. I used a dimensional dot to attach it to the card. A tiny light purple glimmer ribbon bow, made with my Bow Easy and set at the bottom of the sentiment panel, is the only additional embellishment.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Mint Motif Beyond Borders and Very Square Sentiments stamp sets, Memento Rhubarb Stalk, Dandelion, Tangelo, Pear Tart, Summer Sky, Lulu Lavender, and Tuxedo Black inks, Zva Creative dimensional dot, Creative Impressions lilac glimmer ribbon, Bow Easy

other: white cardstock (Xerox); Lovely Lavender cardstock (Gina K Designs); scallop edge punch (Stampin' Up!)

Mint Rainbow Thoughts

It's been a while since I played along with one of the Paper Craft Planet CAS (clean and simple) Card Group's challenges. As soon as I saw this week's lesson to create a card with a rainbow motif, the idea for this card popped into my head and I had to play along.

This quick card took less than 15 minutes from start to finish. I stamped one of the long border strip images from the Mint Motif Beyond Borders stamp set repeatedly in a rainbow array of Memento inks on a white panel. Each time I stamped, I shortened the length of the stamped image just a bit to add interest to the pattern. I stamped the "just thinking of you" sentiment from the Very Square Sentiments set in the open space underneath the images using black ink. I set the stamped panel on a black mat to set it off, then attached it to a white card base. What a bright and cheerful way to let someone know you're thinking of them!

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Mint Motif Beyond Borders and Very Square Sentiments stamp set, Tsukineko Memento Ladybug, Dandelion, Tangelo, Lulu Lavender, Pear Tart, Summer Sky, and Tuxedo Black inks

other: Basic Black cardstock (Stampin' Up!); white cardstock (Xerox)

Spring Thank You

Here's a quick card for today's SCS sketch challenge. When I first saw the sketch, I couldn't figure out what I wanted to use on the sketch's 4 small square panels. The idea came to me while Chloe and I were on our brisk late afternoon, trying to beat the sunset walk.

I used the cloud image from the Mint Motif Very Square set to make a cloudy backdrop for a kite. The cloud image was stamped in Palette Ballet Blue ink on scraps of white cardstock. I punched out the squares using my 1 3/8" square punch (which, from the fuzzy-ish edges it left behind, apparently needs a little sharpening).

I used two patterns from Echo Park's A Walk in the Park Collection Kit to cover the cardfront. A piece of green striped twill ribbon runs across the spot where the patterns meet, adding a little texture and making a nice transition between the two. Each stamped panel is attached to an aqua mat. I set them in a square, then attached one of the kit's coordinating stickers using dimensional dots. Before I attached the kite sticker, I dabbed it with my anti-static bag that I use for embossing to lessen the sticky stuff. A sentiment from Mint Motif's Very Square Sentiments, stamped in the corner of the card in brown ink, finishes the design.

Materials Used:

from i {heart} papers: Mint Motif Very Square and Very Square Sentiments stamp sets, Palette Ballet Blue ink, Echo Park A Walk in the Park Collection Kit, May Arts celery green striped twill, Zva Creative dimensional dots, Memento Rich Cocoa ink

other: Aqua Mist cardstock (Papertrey Ink); Whisper White cardstock (Stampin' Up!); square punch (EK Success)

Birthday Fishes

Here's my card for today's SCS featured stamper challenge. My card's based on this simple design here. Since Charlene was an original Mint Motif design team member, I thought I'd go with Mint Motif images for my card. I kept the birthday theme and basic layout of the original design, but altered the other design elements to make my own version of the card.

I used two different Mint Motif sets on my card. The first is the Beyond Borders set. I used it to make my own patterned paper for the bottom of the card. This image made me think of waves, so I used it to create some water for my simple scene. The stamped panel is attached to the bottom of the card base and some turquoise striped twill runs along its top edge, adding some texture and contrast.

Instead of a felt flower, I used a fish Woolie from the Max & Whiskers collection. And, I made my own sentiment by combining parts of two different sentiments from the MM Very Square Sentiments set. I inked the "f" from the "hope you feel better soon" stamp in black ink and stamped it first, then inked the "birthday wishes" part of the set's birthday sentiment, omitting the "w" in wishes. I carefully stamped the image, placing it so that the "f" would replace the "w" to spell "birthday fishes." Successful on the first (and only) try! It seemed to need a little contrasting color thrown in, so I wrapped some orange baker's twine around the card and secured it with a button to finish the design. From start to finish, the card took less than 20 minutes, including experimenting with a few blue-green inks to find a good match, doing all the fussy inking of the stamps, and wrapping and tying the twine. Love when that happens! Gives me plenty of extra time to spend with Chloe the cutie puppy at the dog park. We're on our way now!

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Mint Motif Beyond Borders and Very Square Sentiments stamp sets, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, May Arts turquoise striped twill ribbon, Basic Grey Max and Whiskers Woolie, Jillibean Soup orange baker's twine

other: Hawaiian Shores ink, Hawaiian Shores cardstock, Orange Zest button (Papertrey Ink); white cardstock (Xerox); Corner Chomper

Blogger Challenge: Week 189

This week’s blogger challenge is a color challenge to use black, white, and red. In my mind, gumball machines are always red (even if that’s not always true . . .), so I decided to build my card around the one from the Mint Motif Sweet Hearts set from i {heart} papers.

The gumball machine is stamped on white cardstock and colored with Copic markers. The red gumballs I arranged inside the machine are made from tiny red cardstock circles. I carefully cut out the machine and set it aside to assemble the rest of the card.

In keeping with the gumball motif, I used dotted patterns for the rest of the card. I picked a black dotted paper for part of the cardfront and embossed a red panel with a polka dot pattern for the other part. To set the gumball machine off from the patterns, I set it on a black panel using dimensional dots. The “stuck on you” sentiment is stamped in black ink on a red strip that extends out from under the gumball machine. I added a red button, tied with some black baker’s twine, to the end of the sentiment panel for one more gumball-like element.

For more ideas using these colors, check out the links below. And, if you join in the challenge, feel free to add your link to the list.


Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Mint Motif Sweet Hearts stamp set, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Copic markers (R12, R22, R24, R27, C00, C-1, C-3, C-5, C-7, B000, B0000), Jillibean Soup Soup Staples designer paper, QuicKutz Polka Dots embossing folder, Zva Creative dimensional dots, Divine Twine Black Licorice baker's twine

other: Riding Hood Red and Basic Black cardstock, 1/4" circle punch (Stampin’ Up!); button (Papertrey Ink)

IHP DT Challenge: Sweet Inspiration

It's time for January's i {heart} papers design team challenge! This month, our challenge leader, Deb, challenged us to create a project inspired by this photo taken in a gorgeous European candy boutique in Ottawa. Look at the fabulous sweet treats on display here--yum!



Here's what I came up with based on the photo. I used one of IHP's clear plastic treat tubes as my starting point. I filled the tube with brightly colored gumballs and created a simple box to hold the tube. The box is made from red cardstock and held together with redline tape. (Edited to add) You can find the template in PDF form here. I covered the panels with pieces of paper from October Afternoon's Modern Homemaker pad--don't those dots look like gumballs??

I made a little tag to attach to the box using the new Mint Motif Sweet Hearts set. The gumball machine image is stamped on a Labels 4 die cut and colored with Copic markers. I used a 1/4" circle punch to make a bunch of brightly colored "gumballs" to put inside the machine, then added an acetate overlay on top of them for a glassy look. I layered the tag on a larger red mat, then used a piece of red baker's twine to thread it through a red faux suede bow tied at the top of the box.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the IHP DT has created based on the inspiration photo. Here's where to find them:

• Carolyn
• Cathleen
• Deb
• Gretchen
• Kendra
• Loretta
• Lori (you're here!)
• Lynn
• Megan
• Tracy
• Kate

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: clear treat tube, October Afternoon Modern Homemaker paper pad, i {stick} papers redline tape, Mint Motif Sweet Hearts stamp set, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, X-Press Copic blending cardstock, Copic markers (R12, R22, R24, R27, C-1, C-3, C-5, B000, B0000), Spellbinders Labels 4 and oval dies, Divine Twine Cherry Red baker's twine, May Arts red faux suede ribbon

other: Real Red cardstock, 1/4" circle punch (Stampin' Up!); acetate

Teacher Thanks

This week's SCS clean and simple challenge is to use the faux letterpress technique on your project. I've been wanting to try this for a while, so I was really excited about the challenge. It was pretty easy once I figured out to go sort of easy on the ink . . .

I used one of Papertrey Ink's impression plates for my faux letterpressed panel. I inked the alphabet panel with some cream pigment ink and ran it through my Big Shot. Love how it turned out!

The rest of the card is very simple. I went with a school themed card to match my letter pattern. The "thank you" sentiment from Mint Motif's School Basics set is stamped on a strip of chalkstock in white ink. I used a strip of red and white striped fabric tape to make a notch-ended strip across my card, then attached the sentiment above it. The set's apple image is stamped on white cardstock and colored with Copic markers. I cut it out and attached it to the card with foam tape. Now I just have to find a teacher to thank--and since I work with a whole bunch of kindergarten teachers (in 40 elementary schools!), this shouldn't be too hard . . .

Materials Used:

from i {heart} papers: Mint Motif School Basics stamp set, Canvas Corp. chalkstock, red and white striped fabric tape, Couture Cardstock white Copic blending cardstock, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic markers (R12, R22, R24, R27, YG05, YG17, YG25, E37, Y23)

other: Fresh Snow and Vintage Cream inks, Book Print impression plate (Papertrey Ink); Real Red and Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin' Up!); foam tape

An Apple for You

Here's my card for today's SCS clean and simple challenge. This week's challenge was to be inspired by the word "delicious." Today is the first day of school in the school district I work for and because of that, I got to thinking about school supplies. There's something special about new, fresh crayons, pencils, scissors, and notebooks and the promise of a new school year. So, I went school themed with images from the Mint Motif School Basics set.

I started by cutting a fancy label shape from a piece of chalkstock--yes, that's right, chalkstock. This paper has a chalkboard-like look and finish. It's so cool and just perfect for school themed projects. I stamped the ruled line image and the words "for you" on the chalkstock in white pigment ink. I love the crisp chalk-like look! A red twill bow is set at one corner of the label. The set's apple image is colored with Copic markers, cut out, and placed at the lower right corner of the label with foam tape. In keeping with the school theme, I attached a piece of grid patterned paper to the center of a kraft card base, then placed the embellished label over that.

I had an eventful "first day of school" even without going to school. I got a call from my dog walker that Chloe the cutie puppy had gotten sick while I was at work. I rushed home to clean her and my house up and to get her to the vet. Once we got to the vet, Chloe acted so feisty that they couldn't believe she was sick. She has such a happy disposition that it's hard to tell with her. I guess that's a good thing . . . Anyway, she's on some medication to calm her tummy and on a diet of chicken and rice for the next few days. Now she's settled down to sleep on my craft room floor. Hopefully tomorrow will be a less eventful day.

Materials Used:

from i {heart} papers: Mint Motif School Basics stamp set, Canvas Corp. chalkstalk tile, Couture Cardstock white Copic blending cardstock, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic markers (R12, R22, R24, R27, YG05, YG07, YG21, E17), Alexx Kesh red herringbone twill, Spellbinders Labels 9 die, Sassafras Lass Cherry Delicious designer paper

other: Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Fresh Snow (Papertrey Ink)

Get Organized with the i {heart} papers DT

The theme for this month's i {heart} papers design team challenge is organization. We've all created a project that can be used to help get a handle on all that's going on in our busy lives.

I find that I tend to write lots of little notes about things to remember on small pieces of paper. Those papers tend to get scattered everywhere (or, when my back's turned, "stolen" and chewed up by one Chloe the cutie puppy, as was the fate of two different sticky notes last night . . .) and it's hard to keep track of them. So, I altered a wooden clothespin that I picked up at a craft store to help me keep the notes all in one place.

I started by painting the wood piece with some bright yellow gold acrylic paint. While waiting for the paint to dry, I cut a piece of October Afternoon designer paper to fit the flat front of the clothespin. I stamped the ruled line image from the Mint Motif School Basics set on the patterned paper in black ink, then used a black pen to write the word "notes" in my very best kindergarten teacher handwriting.

After the paint had dried, I used Mod Podge to secure the paper to the wood. Once the Mod Podge had dried, I added a few simple decorations. Some light blue faux suede ribbon, layered with some white velvet ric rac, is wrapped around the front of the clothespin. I found that the i {stick} papers redline tape held the ribbon really well. I added a felt flower, embellished with a Copic marker colored self-adhesive crystal at the center, to finish the project.

Be sure to check out the rest of the IHP DT for more fun organizational ideas. Here's where to find them:

Carolyn
Cathleen
Deb
Gretchen
Kendra
Loretta
Lori (you're here!)
Lynn
Megan
Tracy
Kate

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: October Afternoon Fly a Kite designer paper, Mint Motif School Basics stamp set, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, May Arts light blue faux suede ribbon and white velvet ric rac, i {stick} papers redline tape, Queen & Co white felt flower, Zva Creative clear self-adhesive crystal dot, Copic marker (BG13)

other: acrylic paint, wooden clothespin, Mod Podge