Enjoy the ride

This card is for the January Papertrey Ink blog hop. This month's challenge was to create a card that is the "total package" - that is, not just decorating the outside, but also thinking about the inside (and even the back of the card!)
I really wanted to show the little birdie riding the bike, but if you're familiar with the stamp, you'll know that he usually faces the other way. One of the benefits of clear stamps is the ability to see where you're stamping. So I inked up each bit separately (feet, beak, tail) and stamped them where I wanted them. Thus the little guy is facing the right way!

And I'm sure you're asking - where on earth did she get thread for those buttons - it matches the cardstock PERFECTLY! Well folks, hold on to your hat. That's because it IS carstock! I sliced very thin strips with scissors, and threaded it through the buttons. Cool beans, huh?

For the background, I wanted the look of patterned paper stripes, but with some texture. So I cut strips of cardstock, added a length of ribbon, stamped the dotted flourish (from Holiday Button Bits) and also scored a line below the sentiment.

Here's a look at the inside - I think I spent more working on the inside than on the outside!
Using buttons on the inside would have added too much bulk, so I used paper instead! For the bike, I punched two circles from Ocean Tides and stamped with the star (from Tree Trimming Trio), then edged them in Ocean Tides ink to give the edges some definition. To give the idea that the bike is moving, I stamped the dotted flourish from Holiday Button Bits, also in Ocean Tides.

Even more stripes carry the front of the card to the inside. The larger bird has a paper circle body, I embossed it using a CB embossing folder. I also added a wing (also with stripes, keeping with the theme.)


Finally, even the back of the card got some love. Rather than my usual "handmade by" stamp, I used another of the Everyday Button Bits sentiments, "Sending smiles across the miles" and the same star. Sorry it's hard to see, click on the photo for a larger image.

Stamps: Everyday Button Bits, Holiday Button Bits, Tree Trimming Trio (PTI)
Paper: Ocean Tides, Berry Bliss (PTI), Confetti White (SU)
Ink: Ocean Tides, Berry Bliss (PTI)
Accessories: Berry Bliss ribbon, Ocean Tides buttons (PTI), 3/4", 1" circle punch (SU), Large rectangle Nesties (Spellbinders), Snowflakes embossing folder, CB (Provocraft), pink button (Making Memories)

Super exciting news!!!

I hinted a few weeks ago about some exciting news, well here it is!I've joined the Crafty Storage team!!! Crafty Storage is a blog dedicated to discover and report on any type of crafty storage (hence the name!). You all know how much I love organization, so I was thrilled to join the team!

My first article is up on the blog: Where Shantaie Spends Her Days

My next article is already lined up, so I'll let you know when we post it. Otherwise, be sure to check out the blog, and let me know what you think!

LOL

My friend came over to teach me how to decorate cakes using a piping bag and a star tip. We did a practice cake, then I did this one on my own. I'm going to take it into work tomorrow, where I'm sure all the computer geeks will appreciate it! ;)

Pink and brown cupcake

And here's the last of my Pink Cat Studio paper piecing projects. I had so much fun creating these, I hope you enjoyed seeing them!

This was another of "quick print" project. I simply printed the colour reference file onto confetti white cardstock, cut it out, and glue it all together! I added some sparkle with Stickles, a fun ribbon, and some big glossy brads.

Stay tuned for some more exciting news - I can't wait to share it with you!

Sweet Brown Owl

My second-two last Pink Cat Studio paper piecing project (for now!) This time I printed the Owl on a Branch image onto different papers, cut them out, and assembled. Oh, and I ran the belly and wings through the Cuttlebug, using the Swiss Dots folder. Don't you love his sweet little belly?

This layout is for Mojo Monday Week 121. It came together really quickly!
While putting it together, I decided to use one of the paper pieced leaves on the scalloped flower, which helped balance the card. I also used some of that scrumptious SU Alpine Originals felt ribbon. The stitching in the ribbon is off-white, so I coloured it with a marker (because it clashed with the bright white paper in the card.) Some SU rub-ons finished it off.

Owl on a Branch layout

For this Pink Cat Studio paper piecing project, I went old-school. Um, for me, anyway, as I started out as a scrapper!

Like the Clown Owl card below, I used the simple option for this cute owl - I printed the colour reference sheet onto white carstock, cut it out, and glued it all together - easy peasy!

I looked for some photos that had a similar blue colour, and these ones (of Chloe's 11 month photos) were the best option. I used the blue and orange as my main colours, with a pop of green to match the leaves. A large SU rub-on adds some black details, and a wee blue scallop on the far right to balance the layout.

I have two more of these projects to share with you, so come by again soon :)

And here's the direct link to the Own on a Branch image.

Another Clown Owl card!

And here's the next Pink Cat Studio paper piecing project. It's the Hootie Pie clown again!

Each paper piecing image comes with a few options, allowing you to print it on your choice of cardstock, print out the pieces and use them as templates, or print the coloured image directly, which is the quickest option. Don't forget they also come with the files for use with electronic cutters (if you have one.)

This time I went with the quickest option, and simply printed him out on white cardstock, using the colour scheme created by Melissa. Then I just cut out the pieces and glued it all together.

This card is based on the Smiles and Stamps SASSC47 sketch challenge.

Some more texture with Cuttlebug-embossed paper and a wee bit of ribbon. I used more of that happy birthday paper to make a banner, and then added a few dew drops.

And a bit of a preview. Here are the three images I worked with, all printed on white (or confetti white, in the case of the cupcake) cardstock. You'll see the projects with the blue owl and this cupcake tomorrow.

ps. Here's the direct link to the Hootie Pie clown image.

Cupcake Card

Here's another Pink Cat Studio paper piecing project. This time it's a cupcake! This card is based on Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #55.

In this case, I printed the paper piecing image onto several different types of paper, both cardstock and patterned paper. Then I cut it out and pieced it together. I added some Stickles to the heart and scalloped border, and then applied a line of redline tape and covered it in glitter. An SU rub-on punched out with the modern label punch finishes the card.

A few tips about paper piecing:
- When cutting, turn the paper, not the scissors; you'll get smoother edges
- A glue pen is your friend for all those small pieces like the wee flower and band around the cupcake
- Add dimension in logical places (like here, where I popped up the icing)

Don't forget to check out the other examples on Melissa's blog. There's a free butterfly paper piecing image and a CONTEST for a $50 Pink Cat Studio gift certificate!!!

ps. Here's the direct link to the cupcake image.

Clown Owl Card

A few weeks ago, Melissa over at Pink Cat Studio asked for volunteers to try out a new venture: paper piecing projects! Melissa designed some of her super cute images into files that you can print out and cut by hand, or if you're lucky enough to have an electronic cutting system, you can input the files into the machine, and it cuts them for you!

I'm not lucky enough to have a machine, so I cut all my projects by hand :) Here's my first, the clown owl card:
The image from Melissa is meant to create a shaped card, so when you cut it out, you fold it in half, and you have the beginning of a really cute card! I printed the image onto yellow cardstock, and cut out the card base. The file also comes with separate feet, so I printed those out on orange carstock. Then I had fun dressing up my owl!

I didn't cut the flower on his hat very well, so I made my own with a pipe cleaner and a foam flower. I added some googley eyes and then printed a sentiment "belt" on my computer, repeating it several times for fun.

I have several other projects to share over the next couple days, but meanwhile, check out the other examples on Melissa's blog. There's even a free butterfly paper piecing image and a CONTEST for a $50 Pink Cat Studio gift certificate!!!
ps. Here's the direct link to the Clown Owl image, which includes the bonus shaped card image.

2009 in Review

I have been busy in the crafts room, but can't share anything just yet. Stay tuned though, it's pretty cool!

I saw this idea on several other blogs, and thought I'd give it a go. Anyway, here's a quick review of 2009 on craft-o-rama:

January
February
March

April

May

June
July

August

September

October

November

December

And of course, a New Year's resolution: to continue with even more crafty-goodness this year (including more time with the sewing machine, and not just for paper!) to share with all of you.

If you're up for it, why not create a review of your own 2009? It doesn't have to be a project per month, even just your favourite projects from 2009 would be great! Post a comment with a link to your post, I'd love to see it!