#cardsforukraine

The senseless tragedy of Russia's attack on their neighbors in Ukraine is hitting close to home! Papercrafters have a number of leaders in the industry that are from Ukraine. Yana Smakula is widely known for her designing, teaching and leadership with a variety of teams and companies. She is currently living in a bomb shelter, trying to survive. The design team at Papertrey Ink has a team member from Ukraine - Svitlana Shayevich - who is so talented and is trying to cope with having parents, a sister and many friends still in Ukraine. The DT at PTI wanted to show their solidarity, support and love to these dear fellow crafters and create a card supporting them and their country! 

I started by masking off a panel of Bristol Smooth Surface paper and sponging with Mustard Seed distress ink on one half and Prize Ribbon on the other half to represent the Ukrainian flag. The country's official flower is the sunflower so I went with layered dies from the Into the Blooms II die set from Papertrey Ink. I sponged with distress inks, added details with Prismacolor pencils and used foam tape between layers to add dimension. 

I added rain drop embellishments and ironically, thought I should call them tear drops instead. I've been very emotional thinking of the anguish that people in Ukraine must be feeling! After listening to Zelensky's address to Russia earlier today, I was definitely in need of tissues! I can only pray (I know God is in ultimate control) for an end to this ridiculous war! 

STAMPS: Just Sentiments: Thinking of You (Papertrey Ink).

INK: Mustard Seed, Prize Ribbon, Fossilized Amber, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge, Vintage Photo, Mowed Lawn, Crushed Olive distress inks (Ranger); True Black (PTI).

PAPER: Bristol Smooth Surface, White.

DIES: Border Bling: Tin Stitch, Mix & Mat: Scallops, Into the Blooms II.

OTHER: Rain drop embellishments.

 

Cards for Ukraine

 

I couldn't resist creating a second card for Ukraine support using a free digital image (Ukraine Sunflower/Anemone) from Emily Midgett on her blog post HERE. It's an ongoing way to send love to the Ukraine and while the digi image is free, Emily has a link to World Central Kitchen if you feel led to donate to that relief effort. Every little bit makes a difference! 

 

I used the sketch for the current Freshly Made Sketches challenge. Karren has given us a wonderful, wide open layout that allows so many options. I printed the digi on X-Press It Blending card then colored with Copics. I had two green colors that were not cooperating, so guess I need to get new ones since refilling with ink is not doing the trick. 

 

I popped up the image panel with adhesive-backed foam. The sentiment is from the Forever in Our Hearts stamp set from Pinkfresh Studio. It was a special fundraiser set to benefit Layton's Legacy (in memory of the loss of Layton, infant son of Lea Lawson). While I initially was attracted to the large butterfly image, I found there are many unique and beautiful sentiments included in this set!

STAMPS: Free digital image from Emily Midgett.

INK: True Black (Papertrey Ink) used with sentiment.

PAPER: Family Ties 6x6" pad by Pebbles; White (PTI).

DIES: Stitched Rectangle STAX Die-Namics (My Favorite Things); Sentiment Suite Basics (The Greetery). 

OTHER: Copics 

Sunflower: Y15, Y19, Y38, YR24, YR14, YR27

Anemone: B12, B14, B37

Leaves: YG03, YG93, YG95; YG25, G24, G28; G07, G12, G14 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by!  ~Wanda

Fusion Card Challenge

The weeks are flying by and I'm thankful we have February behind us and March is bringing us closer to spring! We have an awesome sketch and inspiration photo for this Fusion Card challenge and I just had to incorporate both in my card. 

For starters, I flipped the sketch to a vertical version. The roses and leaves were all die cut from Bristol Smooth Surface paper then smooshed with Peacock Feathers and Hickory Smoke distress inks. I added rain drop embellishments to give it more pizzazz.

STAMPS: Thank You Florals (Papertrey Ink).

INK: Peacock Feathers, Hickory Smoke distress ink (Ranger).

PAPER: Bitty Big: Hawaiian Shores, White (Papertrey Ink); Bristol Smooth Surface (Strathmore).

DIES: Into the Blooms: Roses (PTI); Stitched Rectangle STAX Die-Namics, Flag STAX Die-Namics (My Favorite Things).

OTHER: Rain drop embellishments (PTI).

 

You have two weeks to join us in this challenge! Hope to see you in the gallery.  ~Wanda

 

Color Throwdown #682

Another Wednesday means it's time for another Color Throwdown challenge! This week's colors are happy and bright and were perfect to use the new fun carrot dies just released at Papertrey Ink.

I used a pre-crimped kraft background and popped up the turquoise tag with foam tape. The carrots were already made and leftover from an earlier project. I had a small scrap of stenciled hexagons so all I had to do was stamp a new sentiment which is from the newly released Thank You Florals set. I love that it fits perfectly in the banner die that comes with the Tag Sale: Quilted die from PTI. The jute bow ties it all together with the background (yes...pun intended). 😂

STAMPS: Thank You Florals (Papertrey Ink).

PAPER: Hawaiian Shores, White, Orange Zest, Canyon Clay, Vintage Jadeite (PTI).

INK: Green Parakeet, New Leaf, Orange Zest, True Black (PTI). 

DIES: Spring Carrots, Tag Sale: Quilted (PTI).

OTHER: Jute twine, Crimped heavy weight kraft card stock. 

 

We would love to have you join us in the challenge. Remember...there is an entry that will be chosen to be our guest star stamper the following week. Happy stamping!  ~Wanda

What Do I Do With This?

**So sorry that I accidentally published this on my blog at end of January!**

Dana Kirby and I are up on the Papertrey Ink blog today with a new challenge for the What Do I Do With This? series. We are working with embossing powders and Dana shows how it can be used with stencils while I show how to use it with embossing folders. 

I don't know about you, but I have quite a stash of embossing folders and rarely use them anymore. Here is how you can use embossing folders along with embossing powders to create some unique backgrounds for your cards.

Step 1: Start by wiping a card stock panel with anti-static powder and lay it to the side.
Step 2: Lightly swipe your Versamark ink pad over one side of the embossing folder. You tend to get better results if you use the side with the raised portions of the design.
Step 3: Lay the card stock panel  over the inked side of the embossing folder, close it up and run it through your die cutting machine.
Step 4: Remove the panel from the folder and immediately cover it with embossing powder. Shake off excess and if needed, use a dry brush to get rid of powder that is sticking to areas where you don't want it to be.
Step 5: Use heat tool to melt powder.

This is a fun technique with endless ways to combine different powders with different colors of card stock!

Above is a photo of Rose Gold EP used with Luxe Gold card stock and a Sizzix plaid EF. 

Next, I tried Neutral Ultra Shimmer EP with Sweet Blush card stock. I needed to use a dry brush to remove powder where I didn't want it to stick.

Lastly, I used White Pearl Regular EP with white card stock and it was my favorite with the tone on tone look. 

It's the last day of the love month (as I generally refer to February), so I wanted to create yet another card using a fun set released in January called "With Love". 

STAMPS: With Love
INK: Sweet Blush, Raspberry Fizz, Enchanted Evening, Green Parakeet, Lovely Lady, True Black
PAPER: Bitty Big: Raspberry Fizz, White, Enchanted Evening
DIES: With Love
OTHER: Moonshine sequins, Gold embossing powder, Pierced circle die, WOW! White Pearl Regular embossing powder
 

The gold "wax seal" element on the envelope was created by layering multiple layers of gold embossing powder (4 or 5). Be sure to let the layers cool between applications.

So, that's it for today. You have a week to create a card and post it on the PTI blog for a chance to win a $25 gift card to the store!

Happy stamping!      ~Wanda

PTI Release Day

It's finally here! Tonight at 10pm EST you can order the new release products from Papertrey Ink. I have one more card using the awesome Weave A Basket dies along with florals from the Easter Egg-stravagance stamp/die set and a sentiment from Inside Greetings: Spring Blessings stamp set. I was totally inspired by this Hallmark card on the left that popped up in my feed while cruising the internet. I loved the soft colors and the scattering of flowers among the eggs in the basket!

The background patterned paper is from PTI's Share Your Heart packet of 8 1/2" x 11" two-sided papers. I cut a Border Bling: Diamonds frame and added a bow made from narrow light green satin ribbon and 1/2" dotted swiss tulle ribbon. I accented the card with Moonshine sequins - also available at PTI - which come in 3 different sizes. 

INK: Sweet Blush, Berry Sorbet, Lemon Tart, Summer Sunrise, Vintage Jadeite, True Black, New Leaf (PTI). 

Enjoy your Sunday and get your shopping list ready! ~Wanda

PTI Reveal Day #4

 

This is the 4th and last day of reveals for the February release at Papertrey Ink. Today, we are introducing you to Feathered Friends 20 dies. 

Check out this adorable rooster! I went with vivid colors for this king of the mornings! I color blended the base with Fossilized Amber, Ripe Persimmon and Candied Apple distress inks.

All of the bird parts were cut from Bristol Smooth Surface paper then ink blended with distress inks (see supply list below). I highlighted areas with Prismacolor pencils.

STAMPS: Thank You Florals, Feathered Friends Mini 8, Effortless Beauties
INK: Fossilized Amber, Ripe Persimmon, Candied Apple, Hickory Smoke, Wild Honey, Crackling Campfire, Ground Espresso, Mowed Lawn, Cracked Pistachio, Evergreen Bough, Pine Needles, Barn Door, Broken China distress inks by Ranger
PAPER: Bristol Smooth Surface; White, Harvest Gold
DIES: Feathered Friends 20, On the Border: Sunburst Borders, Love to Layer: Scalloped Circles, Feathered Friends Mini 8, Effortless Beauties

SUPPLIES 

I will have a release day card for you tomorrow but wanted to remind you that these items will be available to buy on the 27th at 10:00pm EST, sooo...get your shopping lists ready! ~Wanda