Together Forever and the Pyramid Box -- the PCS blog hop for May!

"Together Forever" is the theme of the May issue of the Paper Crafters Sampler. Our "Together Forever" issue offers ideas for invitations, favors and gifts for the bride and groom.  Each design team member will be sharing a small preview of the project they are offering in the May issue.

This month's issue offers the Pyramid Box template.  There were so many ways to use this box, it was hard narrowing it down to just one!  Follow our blog hop to see the different takes that each member of the design team came up with.


Chances are, if you are here looking at my Pyramid Box, you came here from Tiffany Bauer's blog. If not, that's okay -- this is a good place to start, too!  To see more of these gorgeous and versatile boxes, please go to Cherie Franklin's  blog to see her lovely creation.

To make my pyramid box, I took my inspiration from the Finial Press Textured Impressions folder. I color embossed Vanilla cardstock with a light coating of So Saffron across the flat side of the folder, then ran it through the Big Shot.  It came out just like I wanted!  If you like a heavier coating of the darker color, just make a tight sandwich for your Big Shot.  I achieved the lighter, more distressed effect by using a looser sandwich.  The leaves were cut out using the 2-step Bird punch from the Occasions mini and Cherie Franklin's tutorial for the sculptured roses can be found in the April issue of the Paper Crafters Sampler -- just be sure to use the code PCSLH.

For Betty, a true old-school horseman...

A quick card for my cousin Georgia who lost her mother today.  Rest in peace, Betty -- you will be missed.

The large Vanilla layer is color embossed with Creamy Caramel on the Square Lattice embossing folder.  It's not obvious in the scan, but there is lovely texture to this card IRL.

Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers


Paper: Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Vanilla


Ink: Certainly Celery, Creamy Caramel, Always Artichoke, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip


Accessories: Brads, Square Lattice Textured Impressions folder, Big Shot, 5/8" Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon, Dimensionals

Not all cards have to be complicated....

It's been so long since I made a "quick" card that I'd forgotten how satisfying it is!  It seems like I spend most of my crafting time trying to figure out some cool new way of looking at the card, rather than just go along with it -- if that makes sense.   Anyway, just a couple of quick birthday cards for my mother-in-law and my sister.

Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers, Happy Everything

Paper: Regal Rose, Always Artichoke, White

Ink: Always Artichoke, Certainly Celery, Regal Rose, Rose Red

Accessories: brads, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions folder, Big Shot, 5/8" Regal Rose grosgrain ribbon, Dimensionals

A Very Shabby Welcome

I just came across this sign that I made with one of the chipboard birds, but had never posted -- I thought that she was just too cute to waste!  To make these gorgeous little sculptured roses, go to the Paper Crafters Sampler and subscribe to the April issue. In that issue, you'll find a great tutorial from Cherie Franklin on how to make these roses. Be sure to use the code PCSLH!

Are you jealous, Vera Wang?

This is a terribly impractical card to make, but very lovely to look at. The dress is stamped with White craft then heat embossed with white detail ep.

The main layer was embossed using the Perfect Details Texturz plate, then I used a white gel pen to highlight the trellis pattern with ivory beads at the cross points. Ivory beads also detail around the edges of both scalloped borders.

Be sure to double click on the photo so that you can see all the detail!

Stamps: Blissful Bride


Paper: Green Galore, Gable Green, White


Ink: White craft ink


Accessories: Perfect Details Texturz plate, Big Shot, White organza ribbon, Subtles beads, Scallop Border and Scallop Corner punches, white gel pen, dimensionals, White detail ep, Pretties kit

A preview from the April issue of the Paper Crafters Sampler!

I loved making this gorgeous little paper garden lantern and you can, too! You can find the template for the Garden Lantern and the directions for making these roses in the April issue of the Paper Crafters Sampler.  These glorious roses in the April issue of the PCS  and are the creation of Cherie Franklin.  To see more of Cherie's beautiful work, please go visit her blog, StampCrave.  

Please use the code PCSLH

Late Night Stampers challenge 65

I love this beach cruiser! Ever since I saw this set in the Summer Mini, this card was just begging to be made. I have a beach cruiser that I take to horse shows that's just these colors. Too bad that there isn't a straw basket on the front of this bike!

This card is also a nod to the wonderful return of Baja Breeze!

Stamps: Pedaling Past, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Baja Breeze, White

Ink: Black, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Baja Breeze, Going Gray, Not Quite Navy

Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dot folder, Baja Breeze corduroy buttons, Button Bouquet, Styled Silver HPH, brads, Pretty in Pink satin ribbon, Aquapainter

Very Baroque

I layered Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy and sheets from the Recollections ds. The Top Note layer was stamped with the flourish from Elements of Style, which was colored with markers. I then ran the image through the Big Shot in the Square Lattice folder, color embossed with Creamy Caramel. I then ran the whole thing back through the Big Shot using the Top Note die, then spritzed with both Log Cabin and Gold Smooch Spritz. The hummingbird is stamped in Bravo Burgundy, then spritzed with Gold Smooch Spritz.


Stamps: Elements of Style


Paper: Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy, Vanilla, Recollections ds


Ink: Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy, Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel


Accessories: Big Shot, Square Lattice Textured Impressions folder, Top Note, Antique Copper HPH, Burgundy 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Artichoke 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, sponges

PCS Chipboard Bird Hop!

Being inspired by the "Winged Things" theme for the April Paper Crafters Sampler, a few of the design team members put together a chipboard bird for your viewing pleasure.  We hope these birds will offer additional ideas and inspiration for utilizing the new Chipboard Birds.  For more ideas, please visit the Paper Crafters Sampler  -- remember to use the code PCSLH.

If you're coming to me from Tiffany Bauer's blog, My Crafty World, I know that you enjoyed her creation!  Now, hop on to Melanie Schulenberg's blog, Pockets of Inspiration, for her fabulous bird!

Enjoy!

Easter Blessings

If you celebrate Easter, then Happy Easter!!  I worked on this using the SU! Eggscellent Eggs kit and the  Mini-Milk Carton Sizzix die.

The milk cartons were a lot bigger than I thought that they'd be and they're filled with jelly beans.  I used strips of dsp around them, with a piece of coordinating 1/4" grosgrain ribbon tied at the bottom.  The little bunny heads were stamped in Craft ink and clear embossed.  I used the library clips from the SU clip assortment -- they worked great!

The eggs were all blown out by my kids I decorated them with the die-cuts and rub-ons from the Eggscellent Eggs kit.  I did try to dye the eggs using hot water, vinegar and my SU! reinkers, but the results were spotty.  It took a whole lot more ink than I ever thought that it would -- I didn't count drops, I count  how many seconds I squirted!  Needless to say, I've got more reinkers on my next order and I colored the other eggs with the ever-popular Paas.

The self-adhesive rhinestones are the bomb, though!  After I used up all the single ones, I cut apart the rhinestone strips and applies the rhinestones one at a time.  I used the for flower centers, in the swirls of the rub-ons and just about every other place.  If it sparkles, then I MUST use it!

All in all, I had a great time putting this project together.  I'm planning on using it for a centerpiece tomorrow.  I've got 10 of the little jelly bean filled milk cartons for all the cousins!

Happy Easter everyone!!

The Triumphant Return of Toile!

A first attempt with this glorious new set from the Summer Mini! The Bravo Burgundy layer was color embossed with Bravo Burgundy ink in the new Square Lattice Textured Impressions folder (also fabulous!).  The results using the Square Lattice folder are very much like the look of that non-skid rubber shelf "paper" that you can buy -- it's got a really nice texture!

The Smooch Sprays are also really cool.  They spray heavier than I expected, i.e. the coverage was really uniform, rather than a more random spatter.  They also put out more than I thought.  I still like the results and am sure that I'll get the hang of it soon!

Stamps: Elements of Style

Paper: Bravo Burgundy, Always Artichoke, White

Ink: Black, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Bravo Burgundy, Rose Red, Certainly Celery, Always Artichoke

Accessories: Silver and Log Cabin Smooch Sprays, Big Shot, Square Lattice Textured Impressions folder, vintage brads, Bravo Burgundy 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Always Artichoke 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Aquapainter, Dimensionals, sponges