Goal! Birthday Card for Soccer Fan

Our youngest grandson is a huge Seattle Sounders Soccer fan. In fact, today is his 9th birthday, and that is where he is - at a Sounders Soccer match with his family. I sure hope they win for him today!

I wanted to make his birthday card a soccer themed interactive card, but didn't have the dies PTI offers to make this a simple process.  So, after viewing the PTI You Tube video explaining how to use their spinner dies, I improvised, using what I had on hand.  (I also used Sounders colors of blue, green and gray, the colors of the beautiful Pacific Northwest!)

Product list follows. Wanted to mention a special product use: Glad Press and Seal. 
Laurie Willison has been posting projects using this product the past week, so wanted to try it for my layout. What a time saver! Thank you Laurie! (And to Jennifer McGuire's husband who apparently invented this awesome product).

Products Used:

Stamps: I Love Soccer - Stampin Up (Retired); Primary Alphabet - Stamp Craft; PTI Birthday Basics, Movers and Shakers Sentiments, Heart-2-Heart #5

Dies: PTI Heart-2-Heart #5 Banner dies, Modern Alphabet Dies, Be Happy (long rectangle border die); MFT Grass border

Cardstock: All Papertrey Ink; Spellbinders circle die and hole punch for spinner mechanism

Ink: PTI Smokey Shadow, Soft Stone; Tsukineko Brilliance Mediterranean Blue

PTI SAF 2014 - Exploring the 1940's

This is another era I kinda wish I could have experienced. After the war ended, it was a time of reunion and regrowth. I loved this little set put together by our Betsy Veldmann. I would like to play around with it a bit more - this pretty much cases the card she made, but I stamped on Sweet Blush and with a different color scheme entirely. Unfortunately, I could not get it to photograph well with my iPhone (DH took our good camera on his fishing trip. I really should get a camera of my own.) 

PTI SAF 2014 - Exploring the 1920's #2

My second project for the 1920's. This time the embellishment is created entirely on clear card stock - allowing it to look as if it is floating on the card. The Celebrate sentiment is stamped on Kraft Twill ribbon - I am pleased to see how well it takes the ink.  The background is stamped with Kraft ink, as I couldn't bear to use any of the designer papers that came in the kit - they were so pretty!

PTI SAF 2014 - Exploring the 1920's

Welcome to the Roaring 20's! This is one period of time I think is the most interesting in US History. All the glitz and glamour - I think I could have fit right in - NOT! But still love the styles and general American life in this period - life just seemed so simple back then!

This was a very fun challenge with Heather Nichols. We created an embellishment with a special die to add sequins and glitter to replicate some of the jewelry of the 1920's.

My Project includes background paper I created using A Little Argyle and some silver glitter glue. The medallion is backed with red card stock to make it pop. 

SAF 2014 - Exploring the Renaissance #2

My second entry for SAF Renaissance Challenge. Another old technique I learned many years ago. The supplies I purchased at that time to do this technique remain in my craft room, so am happy to have this technique revived again! I didn't have much luck with the image in the kit and the hot wax so tried another little wooden stamp that seemed to work a little better for me. 

Most supplies PTI - Sentiment stamp is an oldie from PSX

SAF 2014 - Ancient Rome #2

Still having fun with that mosaic cover plate.  There is also a little design element that matches this mosaic background in this set. Lizzie used to create the coolest border - I bet I tried for an hour to get the same effect with that image and sorry to say, it got the better of me at this late hour. 

PTI SAF 2014 - Exploring the Renaissance

Third Era for SAF this morning is the Renaissance - exploring textiles and royalty. I have always had a thing about royalty, no matter the era. The color that frequently come to mind are purple and gold. 

Using the SAF set for this era, this is my project. This is not a new technique to me, but one I have not explored in years. Thank you Nichole for bringing this back to the forefront! 

I love this regal image and the frame dies included in the set - I think I will be using these frequently. 

I also pulled out a few parts of the first Make It Market Kit. Can you spot them?

(the background paper has been in my stash for many years - source unknown.)

PTI SAF 2014: Ancient Rome with Lizzie Jones

Lizzie is quickly becoming one of my favorites! Her SAF segment was a travel thru Ancient Rome and the artistic style known for that era. For my first design from this era, following her video instructions, I created a mosaic stamp using sticky-back foam. I love this idea, as I have many large cutting plates for which this technique will work - problem is, I don't want to take this new "stamp" image off my acrylic block! She didn't advise as to what to do about that!

I used the recent Beautiful Brushstrokes stamp set along with the mosaic cutting plate in the SAF set. 

All ink and card stock is Papertrey Ink. (Background on the card base created with a Magenta image)

(I am waiting for some embossing paste to dry to try the next challenge - Faux Fresco.)

PTI SAF 2014 - Morning Timer Challenge

 It's Here! The biggest online stamping event of the year sponsored by my favorite stamp company!
If you are unfamiliar, you can read about this here

The first challenge of the morning is a wake-up call - make a card in 20 minutes using posted color schemes and sketches. These are to two I chose:

And here is my project. I wanted to add a little heart over the left side but ran out of time... will definitely add this on before I tuck this into my DH's bags when he leaves on his out-of-state hunt next month.

Copper Embellished Beautiful Brushstrokes!

Yesterday I had a little free time to play with my newest "love", PTI's Beautiful Brushstrokes Kit. (You can no longer purchase this kit, but can read about it here.) This kit lets design the most beautiful cards. Kind of a "no brainer" when you use the images, designer papers and embellishments in the kit. I've made several cards with this kit, but yesterday I wanted to try something completely outside the box. 

Years ago I purchased a metal embossing kit at a Heirloom stamp show. It included all the necessary tools and supplies, including the copper, to create beautiful art using stamps and copper. I have have been thinking about trying this technique again, but my kit is long gone. So I simply pulled out my copper sheeting from my stash, a mouse pad and some dry embossing tools and set to work.

Here is my end result. Try as I might, I was unable to capture the differential shades of pinks and light purples in the copper with my digital camera. As with so many shiny projects, they always look better in "real life". Please use you imagination!
 (The synopsis of my technique follows below)

My Technique:

1. Die cut the my images from the copper using BB dies (and the Savvy Hello).
2. Then stamped the coordinating BB images onto the copper die cuts using Staz-On black ink.
3. Debossed stamped images, using the back side of a mouse pad. I used both a metal and a wooden stylus, and pushed the stamped portion of the flower image into the mat. I flipped the copper piece over as I went  to check my progress.
4. Satisfied with the debossed images, I held each piece with forceps and "carefully" apply flame and watched as the copper changed to tones of pink and a light purple. When I say "carefully",  I mean "slowly" while moving the flame around constantly. (I learned this after ruining several completed pieces with too much heat - it changes color quickly and if you don't remove the heat in time, the color rapidly changes to an ugly dull metal color that has no resemblance to copper whatsoever.
5. Allowed pieces to cool completely.
6. I chose to use black glossy card stock to highlight these images (and Copper Shimmer stock as a card base). To place images after all that hard work, you need to apply something to the back of these images to prevent them from compressing flat, especially if you plan to mail your project. I used E6000 glue, applied thickly to the back of the flowers and leaves before mounting to the black glossy.
7. I had forgotten how difficult it is to photograph black glossy card stock. It picks up so much light and reflection, and every speck of dust in the room...you practically have to photograph in the dark to get a decent image. The next time I will chose a different non-glossy background.

PS: If you decide to give this a go - be sure you are using true copper. There are different Craft Foils on the market made to look like copper (and other colors) but they are simply painted aluminum. They will work for debossing, up to the point of adding heat - then the paint simply burns off and you are left with another ugly project that you have poured your heart into - ask me how I know :)