The Ton Challenge Blog: March Edition!

Good morning, friends! Today is March 1, which means that we have the start of another challenge for The Ton Stamps Challenge Blog. The theme this month is:

LUCKY. Appropriate, right? 

Now, I don't know about you, but I've never sent a St. Patrick's Day card (haha).... but cherry blossoms are supposed to bring good luck, and I adore the Always Cherry Blossom set, so I decided to dig that out of my still-unfinished craft room (wah) and put it to use! I started with a panel of A2 sized aqua card stock that I die cut twice using the Stitched Rectangle dies to create a frame. Then, I stamped the pretty cherry blossom branch using white embossing powder around the edges of the panel. I colored in the images using a white colored pencil to give it a soft, ethereal look. 

For my greeting, I initially wanted to use the lovely "good luck" greeting from Lucky Tulip, but found that it was a tad long to fit on my stitched rectangle. Lucky for me, (see what I did there? ;) ) the Scripty Alpha set came to the rescue! I stamped the "good luck" using Hot Tourmaline ink and the Scipty Alpha Lower, then trimmed (while simultaneously cringing)  the "wishing you" and "in your  future endeavors" to create my own perfectly-sized sentiment! The last step was to add a few dots of Oyster Gray Nuvo drops to the centers of the cherry blossoms. 

And that's it! Nice and flat, easy to mail, and super soft and spring-y. The promise of spring always enhances my love of pastels and white. Nice and clean for a new season!

Now, it's your turn!! Use your stamps from The Ton to create a "lucky" card, then link it up to the Challenge Blog's link-up to be eligible to win a generous $50 gift certificate! Have fun, and good luck!!!

PTI February Blog Hop!

Hi friends! Happy Saturday. Today is February 25, which also means that it's PTI blog hop day! The inspiration photo this month is absolutely incredible...

 

Seriously, wowzers. Those deep, rich fuchsia, saffron, charcoal, and plums are just stunning, and they definitely got the creative juices flowing. I have other things I should have been working on, but I couldn't resist playing along...

To start, I used the beautiful Fresh Bouquet stamp and die set. (To think I somehow thought that I didn't need that one... Crazy talk, I tell you! #givemealltheflowers) To bring out those beautiful bronze embellishments in the inspiration photo, I die cut and heat embossed the floral spray twice on watercolor paper using Bronze embossing powder from Hero Arts. I watercolored the pretty flowers and berries using my Zig markers (though I think this could just as easily be done with the solid stamps included in the stamp set!). I am nit-picky enough that I felt the need to color even the outer edges with my charcoal Zig marker so as not to get that unwanted pop of white. There isn't any white in the inspiration photo, so I didn't want any white on my card. 

Now, I have a confession to make. I made the mistake of stamping, embossing, and watercoloring these pretty flowers before I die cut them. Then I die cut them and, while the die is mostly open, there is a large section that is solid metal, thus making it very difficult (nigh impossible) to get the die positioned perfectly over the image. I won't give you exact details as to my reaction when I pulled the die off not one, but BOTH of the die cuts, but suffice to say sailors might have blushed had they been in my craft room. Did I mention this was at 11:30 last night? So... I started all over again. BUT! Silver linings... I get to tell you to die cut FIRST with this particular set. And, I was able to take a comparison photo to show you what a difference adding that charcoal coloring around the edge of the die cuts, rather than just leaving them white. It really makes the card feel totally different without those white lines. My husband told me I was crazy for staying up til 1:30 am redoing them... but for the sake of art, one might lose a little sleep. I honestly like the coloring better on my original sprays, so I might try coloring charcoal around the edges to see if the incorrect die cuts will still work, but c'est la vie. 

After my stamping and die cutting fiasco, I decided to die cut some simple foliage using the Garden Garland die and some pretty bronze metallic card stock I found at my local Joann's. Just the exact right color to match the bronze EP. I added my foliage to my watercolored sprays, popped them up on the Smokey Shadow card base, then turned to the sentiment. I die cut the Thanks from Graceful Greetings using Smokey Shadow card stock, then heat embossed the coordinating sentiment using the same Bronze embossing powder.

I'm really loving how this turned out. The springy temperatures have been bringing out my inner CAS gal, using lots of white space and clean lines, but it got cold yesterday, so these rich, deep colors really just got the juices flowing. Thanks for a marvelous inspiration photo, PTI! I hope everyone is enjoying the photo as much as I am. I can't wait to see what beauties are waiting in the link-up! Have a wonderful weekend, friends! 

It's still February....

.... so that means I am still allowed to post a valentine, right?

Yes, I've been in the throes of unpacking these last 2.5 weeks. The new house is really coming together quite nicely. We are still getting our other house emptied of boxes of non-everyday stuff, so every time I think I have things relatively unpacked, hubby brings in ten more boxes for me to organize the contents... sigh. My craft room is looking pretty darn good considering that we've only been here for 2.5 weeks, but I'm sure I have a couple of boxes o'stuff that I don't remember lurking about somewhere. However, the crafty essentials are all set up, and I was able to make a valentine for my sweet, hard-working hubby after the kiddos went to sleep. 

My New Year's Resolution was to make 20 cards with products I had purchased but not used before buying anything new in 2017... well, the no-spend isn't going exactly as I had planned (whoops), but I am making a concerted effort to make as many cards as possible with sets that have previously lain untouched. My PTI cards from earlier this month definitely fit that criterion; hubby's valentine was the same. I focused on a set that I purchased before Christmas by Neat and Tangled: Lumberjack Love. I have always teased my burly, plaid-wearing, strong-as-an-ox, woodworker hubby about looking like a lumberjack, so this set was absolutely perfect for his valentine. 

I started by die cutting and stamping the majority of the pieces in the Lumberjack Love stamp set and coordinating dies onto some watercolor paper using Archival black ink. I then watercolored all of the images with my Zig markers and wet paintbrush, being sure to give the cutie patootie little lumberjack some beautiful auburn hair, just like my hubby. :) 

Because this was going to be hand-delivered, I decided that I wanted to make a shaker card. Not the most masculine of cards, but the detail lover in my hubby enjoys the construction of the shakers as much as he does the card itself. I die cut the scalloped heart on a panel of gray card stock, intending to use the negative space. I then die cut the same scalloped heart, but also cut the solid heart from the center to create a frame using some red foil card stock to really make the heart pop and inlaid it within the gray panel. I backed the whole shaker with some pretty red gingham patterned paper (I love to purchase and hoard patterned paper. I know I'm not alone in this, and it makes the disease easier to face.) that I bought ages ago and never used. I have now used 1/4 of a sheet and feel so much better. Ha!

I stamped my punny sentiment (I'm trying to get better with those, I really am) on the bottom of my gray heart panel, arranged my little lumberjack scene, and hastily placed it on his bedside table so that he could see it when he woke in four hours. (I work late into the night sometimes.... I love the quiet house.) I think it's safe to say he liked it, because I woke to a snapchat, facebook, and instagram post about it, as well as some pretty flowers that I know weren't there the night before. :) 

Well, that's all for me today. I'm going to be scrambling over the next several days trying to get my craft room finished so that I have plenty of time for the new Daily Color challenge coming in March. The PTI anniversary is also happening next month, and I always enjoy playing along with the challenges, so be prepared for another mile-long post with my challenge entries!! Can't wait! Have a stupendous weekend, my friends! 

PTI 2017 anniversary festivities!

Hello, friends! Long time, no see, huh? Well, we have spent the last several weeks prepping for and moving to our new house, so my crafting and blogging have been on hiatus. I was sooo happy when I learned that Papertrey Ink was going to move their anniversary festivities to March, because I knew at that point my new craft room would certainly be completed (at least to the point that I would be able to participate). Well, the stars aligned just right (aka, my children were little angels and my hubby was tolerant of the boxes o'stuff that lay untouched for the last week) for me to be able to play along for a few of the challenges for their anniversary festivities for THIS month, so here are my projects! I kinda went backwards, starting with the more recent years (I only got up to 2012) and going back towards 2007.

2012/2016

This one was inspired by the pretty project that Nichole showcased for Sentiment Signs. Since I don't have that stamp set, I decided to use a similar layout and colors to Nichole's pretty card. One thing I love about the PTI challenges is that it gives me an excuse to ink up sets that have been sitting on my shelf unloved. In this case, last year's anniversary set: Painted Petals. (This also fits the requirement for the 2016 challenge with the use of the Painted Petals set!) 

2011

This project was inspired by the post revisiting the Year of Flowers collection. I don't have that set either (I sold it long ago... how I wish I had it back! Wah.), but I found the lovely posies in the Botanical Blocks series to be quite similar in feel. I watercolored a pretty pink peony, then layered it on some Amethyst Allure Bitty Dot patterned paper. 

2010/2015

This project was inspired by Wreath for All Seasons. I recently purchased Twig Wreath set and thought this would be the perfect opportunity to put it to use. I love the fresh, springy colors in this one! It also works for the 2015 challenge with the use of the Twig Wreath set that was showcased for 2015! 

2009

I don't have many, if any, of these older sets. Most of them were sold off to fund my new purchases (haha!), so I have been "inspired by" the anniversary projects for most of my projects today. This one is no exception; I used the Make It Market Summer Fruits mini kit as a replacement for the First Fruits set released in 2009. I simply die cut several of the pretty, pre-printed images included in the kit, layered some plaid patterned paper and a strip of orange shimmer card stock. The Smokey Shadow background was looking a tad bare, so I used a white Prismacolor pencil and my T-ruler to draw a chalkboard-esque rectangle around the edge. 

2008

For this project, I was inspired by Birds and Blooms, released in 2008. I don't have this set, either, but I was reminded of the pretty branches and birdie in the Spring Woods set that has, sadly, lain untouched since I purchased it. I really love the Spring Rain and Berry Sorbet color scheme on this project. The background was blended with some Spring Rain ink around the edges, then the lattice stencil from the Garden Gate kit was placed over the top and some more Spring Rain ink blended to create a very subtle background. This set is definitely going to get some use now that I've inked it up! I might just have to get Winter Woods, too! 

2007

For this challenge's final project, I was inspired by the nautical themes of Out To Sea to pull out and ink up my Guiding Light set. These lighthouses are so beautiful in their graphic simplicity... Just love them all. I die cut a stitched oval from one of the Noted die sets, then subtly blended some Spring Rain and Blueberry Sky ink towards the top. The lighthouse was die cut and stamped using Soft Stone and Smokey Shadow inks. I added the sentiment and some seagull silhouettes, then finished it off with a little white twine bow to really give it a nautical feel. 

 Well, that's all for me today! I know I should feel lucky that I got any time at all after just having moved a couple of weeks ago, but I am still a little disappointed that these cards were the only ones I got to make. I actually have several of the stamp sets shown for the more recent years! Oh well, hopefully I will get to play along with next month's festivities, as well! And I plan to do a craft room tour of my new room as soon as I get everything looking the way I want it... which is taking longer than I anticipated, because I get distracted by things I find while I'm organizing! Yikes.

Hope you all are off to a wonderful start to your week! See you back here soon!

Hello, Sunshine!

Good morning! We are in the throes of packing up our old house and painting at our new house right now, and so I haven't been able to get into my craft room quite as much as I'd like lately. I have just been sneaking a few minutes at the end of the day, trying to use some of my new products, since my New Year's Resolution was not to buy anything new until I had made 20 cards with my previously-unused products! It's taking quite a bit longer than I thought....

Anyway, this Botanic Hello stamp set from Mama Elephant immediately grabbed my attention...  Just begging to be watercolored. I had teal, sunny yellow, and gray colored pencils out on my desk for a different project and thought what a pretty and unusual color combination! Since I only get snatches of time to play at my desk, I decided to reach for my Zig markers instead, since they are definitely a speedier coloring method. 

I started by heat embossing the beautiful focal image from the Botanic Hello set onto some Canson Montval watercolor paper. I love this paper because you can manipulate the color, adding and taking away layers of color while using lots of water, and do so without pilling the paper. I colored the flowers with a pretty yellow, then added some darker orange to the centers and pulled out the color with my wet paintbrush. I then colored the leaves with the pretty turquoise and added gray to the word "hello," then fussy cut the entire image. 

For the card base, I used an A2 panel of pretty coordinating turquoise card stock and stamped the corners with the floral edges of the "Hello" stamp using some turquoise ink for a tone-on-tone look. After I had finished stamping the turquoise panel, I popped up my fussy cut image with dimensional adhesive, then I added a few sequins here and there for a bit of sparkle. I wish I had added some Spectrum Noir Shimmer pen to the letters, just to add a bit more dimension, but oh well. 

I have one other project that I have created to show you before the big move officially begins and my craft supplies are boxed up (wah!) until the house is somewhat in order. I will be back this weekend with that post! Hope you all have a marvelous day! Thanks for stopping by, friends! 

The Ton Challenge Blog: Love

Good morning! If you remember, during The Ton's Anniversary Release, we started a new Challenge Blog... 

Today, the Design Team is introducing this month's challenge:

LOVE. How appropriate for February, right? 

For my card, I wanted to do something a little more bold and graphic than my usual floral, pastel watercolors. I started by heat embossing the heart from Bokeh Burst: Heart using some white pearl embossing powder, then watercoloring the interior of the heart with a shocking pink Zig marker, then the "burst" exterior with a pretty sky blue marker, using a wet paintbrush to smooth everything out. 

Next, I heat embossed my sentiment, from Brushed: Love onto some vellum (for some reason I can't get enough of these beautiful large sentiments heat embossed on vellum) using silver sparkle embossing powder and fussy cut it. I heat embossed the "you to the moon and back" onto a strip of turquoise card stock, then flagged the end with my scissors. 

I die cut a frame from some similarly colored foil card stock using the Stitched Rectangles dies, then popped it up around the edge of the watercolored panel. I popped up the fussy cut sentiment and sentiment strip using dimensional adhesive, as well, then added a smattering of sequins in Don't Wait On Me Fuchsia, Fairy Pink, and Light Blue Topaz. 

And that's it! Fairly simple and straightforward, and definitely fitting the "love" theme. (My giant "love" is so subtle lol!) Now it's your turn! Pull out your lovey-dovey stamps from The Ton and create a masterpiece of your own, then link it up to the new Challenge link up here. You have until February 28, 2017 to link your project to be eligible for the $50 gift certificate to The Ton Stamps! Have fun, and good luck! Can't wait to see your entries! 

PTI Blog Hop, January 2017!

Hi there! Yes, this is my second post for today. I always seem to forget about the Papertrey Ink Blog Hop... until the 25th of each month, when I receive an email from PTI with the inspiration photo. Usually, by that point, it's far too late for me to get a project done, photographed, and blogged, but today, somehow, the stars aligned just right and my kiddos napped just long enough for me to (ignore my other duties and) get a card done! 

The inspiration image for today really inspired me. I absolutely love the chalkboard look, and that's exactly what this image made me think of:

Isn't it just so pretty?? Anyway, here's my take on it:

I started by die cutting a panel of Smokey Shadow card stock (I have already packed up my black card stock. For shame!) using the Noted: Scalloped A2 Vertical die. I then stamped my greeting from Fancy Pants Sentiments using Versamark and heat embossed it with white embossing powder. I stamped the coordinating flourishes using PTI's white pigment ink to add to the chalkboard feel. 

For the pretty flowers, I used the Black Magic technique, first stamping my blooms from Forget Me Not using the same white pigment ink from PTI, then coloring over the top with my Prismacolor pencils. I added a few little flourishes here and there with my white gel pen, as well as filled in the centers with some sparkly orange gel pen. The final step was to mount the scalloped die cut onto an Amethyst Allure card base and call it quits!

I'm so happy I was able to get a card made this month... Thank goodness for a long nap! Now, back to packing... le sigh. I seriously need a magic wand to just magic all of our stuff into boxes, and then magic those boxes into the appropriate rooms of our new house. This is so tedious. I'd much rather be playing with my goodies. :) Have a fantastic day, friends! Can't wait to see what everybody else has come up with for this one! 

Crafty Christmas Collaboration with Jessica Frost-Ballas!

Good morning!! Today, I have the honor of being the very first guest in my fantastically awesome friend Jessica Frost-Ballas's new monthly series:

We were discussing how nice it would be to work on a Christmas card stash all year round, so that when the holidays arrived, the mad dash to get cards mailed wouldn't be quite so maddening! Jess came up with the brilliant idea to have a monthly collaboration with different crafters. She and the chosen crafter (I'm the lucky collaborateur this month!) each create some elements to make a card... some die cuts, a watercolor panel, a sentiment, whatever each one wants... being sure to create two of everything, so that we can keep one set and send the other. This way, we each make our own versions of the cards! We weren't allowed to show each other what we made until after we had already made it. So fun, right?? Here are the pieces I sent to her:

For my elements, I chose one of my sadly neglected holiday stamp sets from Papertrey Ink. I seem to go in spurts with my holiday stamps, and so it was nice to have an excuse to pull out one of the sets I didn't get around to using recently. I die cut and stamped a bunch of snowflakes from the Fab Flakes set, then stamped them with inks in shades of icy blues and purples. My sentiment die cut is also from PTI: Christmas Cheer die set. Truth be told, this is one of my favorite holiday sentiment die sets. I also created a sequins mix to go along with my pretty, icy snowflakes, just in case the Queen of Sparkle wanted to create a shaker card. :)  

And here are the pieces she sent to me:

She knew I had been ogling those darling little owls from Winnie and Walter's Happy Owlidays, and she sent me just enough to whet my appetite and make me want/need to buy the set. (You should have called this collab Crafty Enabling Collaboration, Jess!) She also included some pretty glass glitter and a sequins mix. I can't wait to use that glass glitter... so pretty and sparkly! 

Here's my project using my own supplies. I blended a soft purple halo with Soft Amethyst ink from PTI using my Clarity Stencil Brushes onto an A2 panel of white card stock. I trimmed it down slightly because I knew I wanted to add a frame of royal blue foil around the edge to really add to the icy look I was going for. I then arranged my Fab Flakes in a cluster in the center, using Press 'n' Seal to pick them up in the meticulously arranged cluster, and adhering them back on my blended panel with dimensional adhesive. Next, I adhered my silver foil "Let It Snow" greeting with some Multi Medium Matte.

The last step was to tuck some of the pretty sequins from my new mix here and there around the edge of the snowflake cluster. 

I was so excited when I saw that Jess had sent me something to color... Especially when I saw that I got to color those cutie patootie owls. I got out my new-ish Prismacolor pencils to color that adorable little owl... wearing a scarf... not much cuter than an owl wearing a scarf. <3 For the background, I again used my Clarity Stencil Brushes to first create a halo on an A2 sized white panel, starting with a light blue ink, then a medium blue around the very edges (I'm sorry, I can't remember which blues I used!). I then used my stencil brushes to blend some navy blue ink over a snowflake stencil from Echo Park. To create my shaker, I die cut the scalloped frame using some silver foil and filled my shaker, adding my owl and branch over the top. The sentiment was trimmed down from the panel Jess sent, then flagged on the end and adhered to the side of the card. 

And that's it! I love Jess's idea to see how different (or similar!) our projects can be starting out with the same supplies! So creative. If you haven't already come from Jess's blog, be sure to click over there to see the truly gorgeous cards that she created using the same supplies! They're so lovely.

Jess wants to include as many crafty friends as possible, so she's included a linkup in her blog post so that you can link up your own projects! All you have to do is create a project inspired by the projects in the collaboration series... it can be a color scheme, layout, stamp set, whatever... and link it up to her blog. Be sure to use the blinkie included in the top of the post in your own blog post! At the end of the year, she will draw a name from one of the participants to receive a $100 gift certificate to the crafty store of his or her choice! What a wonderful surprise! (You can read more of the details over on Jess's blog.)

Jess is also doing monthly giveaways... how amazing is that! All you have to do to be entered to win this month's $25 gift certificate to Winnie and Walter is leave a comment on both of our Crafty Christmas Collaboration posts. 

Well, that's all for me today! Have a marvelous day, friends! 

More Corner Adorner!

Good morning! I'm back today with another project using Lil Inker's Corner Adorner stamp set! I am prepping to pack up my craft room for our move, and I had one of those ideas that I just had to do before I forgot it in the chaos of moving. This stamp set is so freaking gorgeous.... I couldn't resist. AND I finally used my poor, neglected Copics... hooray!

 

I started with a piece of heavy weight vellum from Papertrey Ink and heat embossed the beautiful floral arrangement from Corner Adorner with some silver sparkle embossing powder. I then used my copics (and this technique is basically the only reason I keep my copics around anymore haha!) to color the back of the best embossed vellum! I just adore this technique... it looks like stained glass! The back is almost pretty enough to leave it flipped over... 

 

 

The thing to remember with this technique is that you have to choose colors that have some depth to them, because the colors will become very muted when you flip the vellum over to the correct side. After I had colored all of the pretty blooms, I fussy cut them out. 

 

I wanted something subtle for the background, but still needed some color and interest. I used a piece of watercolor cardstock and my ph Martin watercolors to create a kind of sunset ombré wash. I then die cut it using a Winnie and Walter scalloped frame and stamped and die cut the greeting using another set from Lil Inker: Warm Welcome. 

 

 

Look at the detail of this awesome stamp. Swoon! 

Adhering vellum can be tricky. I usually try to hide it with some strategically placed die cuts or sequins, but the colors of the Copic coloring was sufficient to hide my little dots of Multi Medium Matte. I popped up the watercolored scalloped frame on my silvery A2 panel and adhered it to my card base!  I hope you will bear with me over the next month as we are moving. I get to have a real craft room, complete with closet and huge windows and everything, so I'm really excited, but dreading having to pack everything up and organize, etc etc. The end result will be so worth it, but I've decided that I need a magic wand to just magically make everything move itself! Haha! Have a fabulous day, friends! 

With Sympathy.

Hello, friends! I hope you all had a marvelous weekend. Ours was pretty productive, to say the least. I did some reorganizing and purging in preparation for our upcoming move... I also got some coloring in, since I am not anticipating having a lot of time for coloring, crafting, or blogging during the month of February! I wanted to play with some new stamps that I received a few weeks ago: Corner Adorner from Lil Inker Designs. This set is truly stunning, and as soon as I saw it peeked, I knew I (and my Zigs!) neeeeeded it. 

To start, I stamped the main floral stamp from Corner Adorner a few times on my A2 watercolor panel using Versafine and clear embossing powder. I then used a variety of jewel toned Zig markers and my wet paintbrush to color the image... let me tell you, was this ever cathartic and so, so much fun! I have a couple more fun ideas for this set, and I hope I get some time to show them to you in the next couple of weeks. One of the things I love about floral clusters like this is that you can totally change the mood depending on what colors you choose. Color is one of my favorite things about this hobby. 

After I'd finished coloring everything, I die cut the With Sympathy die three times from black card stock. I adhered them all together to create a dimensional die cut, then adhered them onto my card front. The final touch was to cover them with some Spectrum Noir shimmer pens and Glossy Accents.

It's just so pretty! I can't wait to play with this set even more!

 Thanks for stopping by. Hope you all have a marvelous week! 

The Ton Anniversary 2017 Blog Hop

Goooood morning and happy Friday! Today is The Ton's Anniversary Blog Hop... and we have a lineup up some exceptionally talented crafters to give you even more inspiration using The Ton's new release goodies. You should have arrived here from Janette's blog and your next stop is Laurel's blog. 

For The Ton's 2017 Anniversary, Effie has released 26 new stamp designs and 7 new couture mixes! There are several exclusive* gifts with purchases that you can obtain with this new release. This promotion does not apply to prior purchases. The threshold amount is calculated before taxes and shipping. This promotion will continue until January 19 at 11:59pm EST or until supplies last. Limit one GWP (Gift With Purchase) package per customer.

Spend $75 or more: Receive a free pack of our new Cotton Candy Puff Couture Mix

Spend $100 or more: Receive a 2x3 Flutter Mini Stamp (and Cotton Candy Puff Mix)

Spend $150 or more: Receive a 3x4 Lone Poppy Set (and Flutter Mini Set and Cotton Candy Puff Mix).

*You may be able to find these GWPs at your international retailer. These GWP items will NOT be available at any other U.S. retailer.

Note: Effie is holding the release of the Oscar Stamp sets pending permission from the Academy. Unfortunately, there is an additional stamp set (one that has not been debuted) that also had to be pulled from this release. Thus, The Ton has a total of 26 new designs releasing on Thursday, April 12. We hope you understand!

Now, for my projects today. My first project was inspired by my love of macarons. I've been slightly obsessed with these little French cookies since I had them at a party a few years ago. A friend of ours has a friend who lived in France and learned to make them, and they're absolutely scrumptious fresh. None of the stores in my little rural town sell these confections, so I have to make do with photos and, now, stamps of them. I'm so excited to have both the outlines and the layered versions to play with in the new Macarons set. 

Since I can't get my own box of fresh macarons, I decided to make my own (shaker) box of macarons! I started by stamping a macaron outline on a piece of masking paper. Using the fussy cut mask, I stamped two rows of macarons using waterproof ink onto some watercolor paper, then colored them using my Zig markers and a wet paintbrush. (One of my most favorite things about macarons: they can come in basically any color! The color coordinating party planner in me looooves that.) I stamped the greeting, also from Macarons, in Versafine ink, then clear heat embossed it to really make the sentiment pop on the colorful background. 

I die cut a stitched frame using the Stitched Rectangles dies and some pale mint card stock, then added some baker's twine on two corners to make it look like a bakery box. :)  I filled my shaker with the new Winter Thaw Couture mix. Does it look like a box of macarons to you?? 

My last card for today features the gorgeous poppy bouquet from Thoughtful Poppies and the pretty Poppy Garden background stamp. I started by stamping the lovely bouquet of poppies using Caviar ink onto some white colored pencil paper, then colored it using my Prismacolor colored pencils and a blender pencil. I fussy cut the entire bouquet out (which did not take as long as you would think!) then set it aside to work on my background. 

For the black background, I stamped the beautiful Poppy Garden background stamp onto some black cardstock using Versamark and clear embossing powder. I wanted something super subtle that wouldn't detract from my painstakingly-colored poppy bouquet, but I needed a little texture for the black backdrop. The clear embossing powder creates just enough interest. I trimmed the black panel down just a tad, so that the red card base could peek around the edges. I popped up the poppy bouquet with dimensional adhesive and then added a Congratulations word die cut in white. All done! 

A few reminders:

The Ton is launching it's own challenge blog! The Ton's new Challenge Blog is now live! We'll be playing with a new monthly challenge that begins on the first of every month. The theme for our first challenge is "Celebrate"! Be sure to link up your project to be eligible for a fabulous prize from The Ton!

For each Release Day (1 through 4), The Ton is giving away a $50 gift certificate! So there are four $50 gift certificates up for grabs! To qualify, you must leave a comment on The Ton's Daily Release posts. Leave a comment on each Design Team member's blogs to increase your chances of winning.One stamp set of choice for 7 commenters from each of the Design Team member blogs during Release Week (Days 1-4).

The comment period for all giveaways will close on Monday, January 16th at 11:59pm. Winners will be announced thereafter.

Well, that's it for me! I hope you've enjoyed all of the projects I've displayed for you this week. I surely enjoyed creating them! These new products are so very much fun! Your next stop on the hop is the fantastic Laurel Beard. Enjoy the rest of the hop! :)

The Ton Anniversary Release, Day 4!

Good morning!!!! This week marks The Ton Stamps's second anniversary, and boy oh boy, do we have a week chock full of excitement for you! 26 stamp designs. 7 Couture sequin mixes. AND we are debuting a brand new Challenge Blog for you all to play along with! See, I told you this week was going to be exciting! Effie has outdone herself with these fantastic designs. Truly. You're going to flip. Today is Release Day, and we are debuting the final five new stamp sets:

City Girls: Park Life

City Girls: Special Day

Beautiful Day Bicycle

Scenes: Fountain Terrace Background Stamp

Bride Tribe

For The Ton's 2017 Anniversary, Effie has released 26 new stamp designs and 7 new couture mixes! There are several exclusive* gifts with purchases that you can obtain with this new release. This promotion does not apply to prior purchases. The threshold amount is calculated before taxes and shipping. This promotion will continue until January 19 at 11:59pm EST or until supplies last. Limit one GWP (Gift With Purchase) package per customer.

Spend $75 or more: Receive a free pack of our new Cotton Candy Puff Couture Mix

Spend $100 or more: Receive a 2x3 Flutter Mini Stamp (and Cotton Candy Puff Mix)

Spend $150 or more: Receive a 3x4 Lone Poppy Set (and Flutter Mini Set and Cotton Candy Puff Mix).

*You may be able to find these GWPs at your international retailer. These GWP items will NOT be available at any other U.S. retailer.

Note: Effie is holding the release of the Oscar Stamp sets pending permission from the Academy. Unfortunately, there is an additional stamp set (one that has not been debuted) that also had to be pulled from this release. Thus, The Ton has a total of 26 new designs releasing on Thursday, April 12. We hope you understand!

Remember, all of the products shown throughout the week are now available for purchase in The Ton's shop! Ladies and Gentlemen, start your shopping!

For my first card, I started with a panel of watercolor card stock. I stamped the lady and gent from City Girls Special Day using waterproof ink, then stamped them again on masking paper and fussy cut them out. I placed the masks over the couple, then stamped the bicycle built for two over the top. I cut another mask for the basket and placed it over the basket, then stamped the sweet little puppy from City Girls Park Life. (I love how it looks like his little ears are flapping in the wind!) 

Next, I stamped the balloon string using the same black waterproof ink, then stamped the balloon heart with Versamark and heat embossed it in a pale blue. I colored the images using my Zig markers and a wet paintbrush, then added the sentiment from the previously released Scripty Greetings using the same waterproof ink. I trimmed the watercolor panel, mounted it on a piece of coordinating pink card stock, and mounted both of those onto my white A2 card base. Nice and flat and super sweet for an engagement or wedding card! 

For my last card for today, I was trying to channel my inner Rifle Paper Company. I absolutely love the concept of the new Bride Tribe... I have always wanted to be able to create stationery for bridal parties, and this new stamp set is perfect! Lots of font options, and even an option for the male wedding party! Love it. 

I started by die cutting a stitched rectangle, then stamping my sentiment from Bride Tribe in the middle using Caviar Hybrid ink. I then used the just the bottom layer of the flowers from Scripty Greetings, stamping the larger middle flower in Red Sangria, then the two smaller flowers in Soft Garnet ink. The foliage was stamped directly over the top of the middle flower using Soft Garden and Bright Fern inks so that it would be peeking out from behind the top flower. I stamped the larger flower again on another piece of white card stock, fussy cut it, and popped it up over the top of the flower I had muddied with the green leaves. Super simple, but pretty and clean with all of that white space. 

Well, that's all for me today! A few reminders:

First: The Ton's new Challenge Blog is now live! We'll be playing with a new monthly challenge that begins on the first of every month. The theme for our first challenge is "Celebrate"! 

For each Release Day (1 through 4), The Ton is giving away a $50 gift certificate! So there are four $50 gift certificates up for grabs! To qualify, you must leave a comment on The Ton's Daily Release posts. Leave a comment on each Design Team member's blogs to increase your chances of winning.One stamp set of choice for 7 commenters from each of the Design Team member blogs during Release Week (Days 1-4).

The comment period for all giveaways will close on Monday, January 16th at 11:59pm. Winners will be announced thereafter.

Join us back here tomorrow for our Blog Hop with tons of special guests, giveaways, and beautiful projects! Have a fabulous day, friends! 

The Ton Anniversary Release, Day 3!

Good morning!!!! This week marks The Ton Stamps's second anniversary, and boy oh boy, do we have a week chock full of excitement for you! 26 stamp designs. 7 Couture sequin mixes. AND we are debuting a brand new Challenge Blog for you all to play along with! See, I told you this week was going to be exciting! Effie has outdone herself with these fantastic designs. Truly. You're going to flip. Today, we are debuting five new stamp sets:

Sweet Macarons

Macarons

Party Fans

Morning Glory Border
Poppy Garden

For The Ton's 2017 Anniversary, Effie has released 29 new stamp designs and 7 new couture mixes! There are several exclusive* gifts with purchases that you can obtain with this new release. This promotion does not apply to prior purchases. The threshold amount is calculated before taxes and shipping. This promotion will continue until January 19 at 11:59pm EST or until supplies last. Limit one GWP (Gift With Purchase) package per customer.

Spend $75 or more: Receive a free pack of our new Cotton Candy Puff Couture Mix

Spend $100 or more: Receive a 2x3 Flutter Mini Stamp (and Cotton Candy Puff Mix)

Spend $150 or more: Receive a 3x4 Lone Poppy Set (and Flutter Mini Set and Cotton Candy Puff Mix).

*You may be able to find these GWPs at your international retailer. These GWP items will NOT be available at any other U.S. retailer.

Note: Effie is holding the release of the Oscar Stamp sets pending permission from the Academy. Unfortunately, there is an additional stamp set (one that has not been debuted) that also had to be pulled from this release. Thus, The Ton has a total of 26 new designs releasing on Thursday, April 12. We hope you understand!

I have been wishing for a layered macarons set, The Ton style, for a very long time, so I was thrilled when I saw the two macarons sets we are debuting today! My first project focuses on the gorgeous new Sweet Macarons and Party Fans sets. This tower of macarons is so very festive, so very elegant, so very Parisian. Gorgeous. I started by stamping the beautiful tower outline using The Ton's hybrid black ink, then stamping the pink layer with Rose Quartz and the green layer with Lofty Mint inks. I colored the flower, frosting centers, and platter base with my Prismacolor colored pencils. 

For the background, I started by blending Rose Quartz and Lofty Mint inks lightly on my card base, taking care not to mix the two colors so I didn't have a muddy brown mess. :) Next, I stamped the adorable fans from Party Fans using the Ruby Collection and the Minted Collection inks. I fussy cut the pretty tower of macarons, die cut the Happy Birthday from silver foil, then stamped the "my sweet friend" from Macarons onto a vellum Stitched Rectangle using white embossing powder. 

I popped everything up with dimensional adhesive and added a few sequins from the Cotton Candy Puff incentive gift with purchase. Love how elegant and still festive these macarons are! I can't stop playing with them!

Last for today: a simple and pretty card using the brand new Morning Glory Border. I received the full set of Prismacolor pencils for Christmas, and this set was just begging to be played with using my new colored pencils! I stamped the lovely Morning Glory Border stamp on some Toner Grey paper from Strathmore, then used white detail embossing powder to pick up all of the pretty details. To color the flowers, I first laid down a layer of white colored pencil, then added the color on top, using my blender pencil to make everything nice and smooth. The flowers are so pretty that I just added a simple dimensional die cut Thank You sentiment, covered it in a little Spectrum Noir sparkle pen, and added some Glass Slipper sequins. 

Well, that's all for my projects today. Now, for some more fun announcements!

First: The Ton is launching it's own challenge blog! The Ton's new Challenge Blog is now live! We'll be playing with a new monthly challenge that begins on the first of every month. The theme for our first challenge is "Celebrate"! 

For each Release Day (1 through 4), The Ton is giving away a $50 gift certificate! So there are four $50 gift certificates up for grabs! To qualify, you must leave a comment on The Ton's Daily Release posts. Leave a comment on each Design Team member's blogs to increase your chances of winning.One stamp set of choice for 7 commenters from each of the Design Team member blogs during Release Week (Days 1-4).

The comment period for all giveaways will close on Monday, January 16th at 11:59pm. Winners will be announced thereafter.

Join us back here tomorrow for the last day of gorgeous stamp set reveals, giveaways, and beautiful projects from our Design Team! Have a fabulous day, friends!