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Friday, March 30, 2012

The Twinery & Nikki Sivils Product Showcase

Welcome to a fun posting day featuring The Twinery & Nikki Silvis!  Today I, along with several of my Twinery design team members, will be showcasing ideas using products from both of these fabulous companies! You'll want to begin at The Twinery blog and then comment on each blog along the way to be eligible for the giveaways in our two day event.  You can also find the links to the DT gals who posted yesterday there too!

First, let's take a quick look at the project and then I'll tell you all about the giveaway!!


This was so much fun to put together!  On the front of the card I featured The Twinery's Cappuccino and paper and tags by Nikki Sivils' new Messages Collection Pack!

If you have been to my blog before, I am sure you are familiar with the wonderful baker's twine from The Twinery
Up for grabs from the Twinery, just for commenting on the blogs in the hop, you could win this colorful sampler!



I was pleased to get to play with product for the very first time from Nikki Sivils!  Be sure to check out her products and her blog for lots of fun products and inspiration!


Just by commenting, you can win your choice of one of four crafting kits from Nikki Silvis!

I chose to work with a fun and super cool color-combination collection pack from Nikki's collection called Messages.  I loved that the paper from this pack was so unique!


I made a little file folder from Kraft cardstock and decorated the front with various tags that are included with the pack!! Talk about easy and quick decorating when you have everything you need right there! I used The Twinery's Cappuccino twine and a wood button to make a closure for the file folder.  The button is adhered to the card and the twine just slips down so that the file folder can be opened revealing a surprise inside!


Here is what you will find inside!  If you are a crafter, than you know how much fun it is to received RAK's (Random Acts of Kindness) from other crafters...especially when you aren't expecting it!  So that was my goal for this card! 

On the left page there is a little note card that is included with the kit (ACTUALLY there is a whole page of fun notecards that you can choose from in this kit! This is only one!).  I left the bottom space blank to write a note to the recipient.


And the right hand page, which was SO fun to make, features a card that I die cut from ledger paper included in the set.  I adhered that to a thin chipboard piece, also die cut to the card shape, to add stability to the cardstock so I could easily wrap my twine later.  Then, I took my crop-a-dile and notched five 1/2 circles in each side of the card so that the twine wouldn't slip off the card, especially in the mail.  I wrapped my twine (I used 5 fabulous colors:  Lemondrop, Flax, Honeydew, Buttercream & Cappuccino) and tied a loose knot on the backside of the card.  I also attached a tag from the kit on the front.  I attached the card to the card base with thick pop dots so it can easily be removed.  Wouldn't that be a fun gift to receive in the mail! 


Thank you SO MUCH for stopping by today!! I hope you enjoyed this idea! Be sure to visit the rest of the Design Team for more chances to win and more ideas!!

Supplies:
Twine: The Twinery Lemondrop, Flax, Honeydew, Buttercream & Cappuccino
Patterned Paper:  Nikki Sivils Messages
Cardstock:  Kraft
Stamp: (Inside) PTI Movers & Shakers Sentiments
Dies: PTI Button Card Die Collection, Edgers #5 Die Collection 

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Papertrey March Blog Hop Challenge

Welcome to the March PTI Blog Hop! I couldn't resist playing along with this blog hop as the inspiration photo for this challenge was so beautiful!


The card I made based on this photo came together so quickly!  I LOVED working with these colors and will have to do it again soon!


I first stamped the background with Aqua Mist and Harvest Gold ink.  Let me tell you that I LOVE that Harvest Gold ink!  It stamps wonderfully!  I really, really like this background stamp too, especially that you can so easily use 2 colors to make your own custom backgrounds each time.  I really hope PTI makes more background stamps that work just like this one!


Here is a closeup of the top.  I tucked one of the Banner Border die cuts under a couple of strips of cardstock.  I scored it before I inserted it so that it sticks up slightly to add an interesting element to the card.  Then, I tied Lemondrop twine from The Twinery around the top once.


For the bottom of the card I die cut 3 frames with the new Framed Out #2 die and cut the aqua one in half to adhere on each side of the card.  The sentiment panel is popped up with pop dots.

Thank you so much for stopping by!  I hope you enjoy your day!


Supplies (all PTI unless noted)
Stamps: BB: Medallion, Framed Out #2
Paper: White, Harvest Gold, Aqua Mist
Ink: Aqua Mist, Harvest Gold
Other: Lemondrop Twine from The Twinery, Banner Border die, Framed Out #2 die

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Sending you Love Janelle!

Today we are having a blog hop for a very special person, Janelle. (Details on how you can participate are at the bottom of this post!!) Many of you may know her.  I know her as an online friend and count myself very fortunate to have the honor to "share" in her journey as she travels down a very hard path fighting a brain tumor.  You know those kind of people who inspire you and encourage YOU during THEIR difficult times?  Yeah, she is one of those!  Her posts are uplifting, even while bearing news that is difficult.  Her posts bring me closer to God, even through tears.  She is a women who I can only hope to be like if I were to ever be going through such a difficult period.

But, instead of me TELLing you, let Janelle herself SHOW you!  This is an excerpt from her Show & Tell blog on her February 28th post:


"Psalm 44:5-7a

"Only by your power can we push back our enemies; only in your name we can we trample our foes. I do not trust in my bow; I do not count on my sword to save me. You are the one who gives victory over my enemies;..."

This is one of those verses where I use a little leeway and plug my words in to make the verse make more applicable to me: "Only by the Lord's power can we push back this brain tumor; only by His name can we trample this disease that's trying to kill me. I'll take the treatments, but I won't count on them to save me. Only the Lord will give me the victory over my disease."

And, that's how I make a verse personal to me."


Reading Janelle's blog is like reading an excerpt from one of my best devotional books.  She is so inspiring and so full of faith!  As often as she can not only does she share a verse that has been spoken directly into her heart, but she also shares a card or project that she has made.  I can only imagine how many people she has ministered to through this difficult illness!

So today, we celebrate Janelle and the beautiful gifts that she has given to everyone who has had the opportunity to be a part of her story, whether in person or online through her blog.  We celebrate her husband, Ken, who is faithfully at her side during the good and the bad.  And we celebrate her family who stands by her as well.

This card is for her, for them.


Janelle, Ken & family we love and support you! We pray for your healing!

I want to close this post with more words directly from Janelle's blog posted on February 26th that really spoke to my heart about my own obedience to the Lord and what He is calling me to do or accept. Janelle writes:

"I want to be obedient to the Lord. But I am selfish. I also want to live. Maybe God will allow me to live a long life. But maybe He has other plans for me. I have to be willing to accept that. And so do those who love me. That's a tough one, isn't it? One that I'm continually having to work on. How about you?"
**If you would like to participate in this blog hop for Janelle and make a card for her letting her know you are thinking about her, you can link your card on Laurie's blog. **

Thursday, March 22, 2012

LID Release: Release Week Wrap-Up

Hello!! I hope you have enjoyed all the Lil' Inker Designs new release products and posts this week!  Today the entire design team will be showcasing projects made using the new products that are already available in the Lil' Inker Designs store!  If you are following along in the hop, you should have come from my friend Amy's blog!  If you would like to start at the beginning of the hop, visit the Lil' Inker Designs blog.

I saved my favorite project from this release to share with you today!  It features the Coffee Cozy dies and stamps that are phenomenal!


I created a matching gift set with a homemade coffee cozy!


For the card I cut the coffee cup and lid with the new Lil' Inker Designs (LID) dies out of cardstock.  The cozy was cut from fabric that matches the cozy I sewed.  I added a little heart button and stitched charcoal twine through the holes.  The background was made with the letterpress technique by smearing the pink ink on an embossing folder and embossing white cardstock. 


Here is a closeup of the LID goodies!  I used two of the banner/flag dies from the Flags & Tags set for the sentiment and image panel.


This is how I decorated the inside of the card.  I just stamped the coffee cup, the cozie, the steam (isn't the steam so cute!!) and the sentiment from the Coffee Cozy set.  Very simple but yet it dresses up the inside.

To complete the gift set, I sewed a coffee cozy from the same material featured on my card as I mentioned earlier.  I also made some chocolate covered spoons for the recipient to dip into her coffee for an added treat!  This would be a great Father's Day gift too...just don't use pink spoons, lol!  For the toppings I added chocolate chips, Andes mint pieces & jelly beans.  You could also add white chocolate, peppermint pieces broken up, heath candies, etc... there are so many fun possibilities!  After the chocolate was dry, I put them in bags and tied them with twine from The Twinery.


And for one more added treat I put together these little yummies!  I took caramels, pushed a craft stick into them and then coated them with melted chocolate.  I can tell you that these are so yummy in a hot drink...or straight off the stick! :)


I'm giving this gift away tonight so I hope my friend likes it!! She is an avid coffee drinker!

I hope you enjoyed this post!  I have several other cards to share with you using this set soon, so be on the look out! 

Don't forget to comment on the blogs along the way to be in the drawing to win one of the 2 prizes being given away this release!  Your next stop on the hop is to Sarah Jay's blog!

Thanks for stopping by!


Supplies
Stamps: Lil' Inker Designs Coffee Cozy
Dies:  Lil' Inker Designs Coffee Cozy & Lil' Inker Designs Flags & Tags
Paper: PTI Black, White, Raspberry Fizz, Aqua Mist
Ink: PTI True Black, Raspberry Fizz
Other: Twinery Charcoal & Pink Sorbet Twine, Sizzix Layered Circles Embossing Folder, PTI Button, Hobby Lobby Fabric, PTI Linen Impression Plate

Rings! Rings!

**This is my 2nd post today.  To see the Twinery/PTI Color Comparison post, please scroll down**

Hey everyone!! Just wanted to pop in with a quick post to show the rings I've added to my Etsy store, Jen's Ink Spot today!




Love the color of this ring!  I purchased these buttons at a local store owned and operated by the sweetest Holderman lady!  Her daughter designs many of the buttons that they carry so they are very unique!  This one has white/silver flowers printed onto the button. 







Very similar to the popular black & silver Disco Dance ring that I also carry in my shop, this one packs a little bit more of a punch with a hot pink blingy button!




If you want to show some team spirit, this ring is a great way to do that! 




This ring is one of my all time favorites but the button pictured in the center of the ring is now discontinued.  :(  But, no need to fear, the button pictured on the left, which is very similar, will be used as its replacement.

I've also renewed a lot of rings that have sold back into my shop!  So have some fun and take a look around! :)


The Twinery & PTI Color Matches

Hello everyone!  I have had quite a few people asking me over the last year what Twinery colors of baker's twine matches Papertrey Ink's colors. I decided to put together a list that can be referenced when putting together your projects or to help with ordering!

There are a few colors that aren't necessarily an exact color match but they coordinate or compliment each other nicely and I listed it that way in my chart for your reference.

Twinery Color: Blossom
PTI Color Match: Sweet Blush



Twinery Color:  Pink Sorbet
PTI Color Match:  Raspberry Fizz
Complements:  Hibiscus Burst


Twinery Color: Maraschino
PTI Color Match: Pure Poppy


Twinery Color: Lilac
PTI Color Complements: Plum Pudding 

 
Twinery Color: Orchid
PTI Color Complements: Plum Pudding
*Note:  I also think you could use this one with Lavender Moon but it is a different shade


 Twinery Color: Cantaloupe
PTI Color Match: Melon Berry


Twinery Color:  Mandarin
PTI Closest Match: Terra Cotta Tile



Twinery Color: Lemondrop
PTI Color Match: Summer Sunrise
Coordinates with: Harvest Gold


Twinery Color: Buttercream
PTI Color Match:  Lemon Tart
PTI Coordinates With: Harvest Gold


Twinery Color: Peapod
PTI Coordinates With: New Leaf


Twinery Color: Honeydew
PTI Color Match: Simply Chartreuse & Spring Moss


Twinery Color: Denim
PTI Color Match: Enchanted Evening
PTI Coordinates With: Blueberry Sky


Twinery Color: Shore
PTI Color Match: Spring Rain
PTI Coordinates With: Blueberry Sky


Twinery Color: Caribbean
PTI Color Match: Hawaiian Shores
PTI Coordinates/Complements: Aqua Mist


Twinery Color: Cappuccino
PTI Color Match: Dark Chocolate


Twinery Color: Flax
PTI Color Match: Kraft
PTI Coordinates With: Dark Chocolate


Twinery Color: Charcoal
PTI Color Match: True Black


Twinery Color: Stone
PTI Coordinates With: Soft Stone, Smokey Shadow & True Black

I hope that that helps some! This is, of course, just my opinion on what matches and/or coordinates well.  There are other colors that would look very pretty with the twine too, but as far as paper color matches this should at least help.

So, what do you think?  Do you have other PTI colors that you'd recommend for matches or papers that coordinate?  I'd love to hear your opinions!

I hope to be back soon with some new rings I'm adding to my Jen's Ink Spot Etsy shop today!  If you would like to know when I add new rings or when I have specials, "Like" my Jen's Ink Spot Facebook page to stay up to date!

And tomorrow, I have will another Lil' Inker Designs post to wrap up this amazingly fun new release so be sure to stop back by!

Have a great day!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

LID Release: The Cutest Funny Bunnies

Hello!! Ready for another fantastic set from Lil' Inker Designs that released this week!!  You can see it in the store now! If you are following the blog hop you should have come from Alicia Thelin's blog!  If you would like to start at the beginning of the blog hop you can visit the Lil' Inker Designs blog!  There is a giveaway, so be sure to comment on the blogs in the blog hop to be elibigle to win the stamp set we are previewing today or a $10 gift certificate to the LID store.

Today's new release is super, super cute!  It is called Funny Bunnies and when you see them they will make you smile!


Are you smiling?  Told ya! :)

Now for my cards.


First up is a super soft pastel card with the little girl bunny as the focal point.  She has the sweetest smile on her face.  I colored her with my colored pencils and odorless mineral spirits.


Did you notice the chevron background strip?  That was made from the Coffee Cozy set that was highlighted Monday & Tuesday.  The sentiment is included in the Funny Bunnies set and it is something that I can just hear Lil' Inker's Owner, Laura, saying!  It is also a great sentiment to use year round with other Lil' Inker sets!


Second up is another Easter card made from images in the set that I colored with my copic markers.  


The grass is made from 2 different stamps in a set that was released previously called Cutie Cat.  Once I had my images stamped and colored I added the grass to finish it off. 


And, last but not least, a closeup of another adorable sentiment stamped on a die cut from the Lil' Inker Designs banner die.

I hope you enjoyed these projects!! I will have more to share with you on Friday for a wrap-up post and I am very excited about the project I made so be sure to stop back by! And tomorrow more of the LID design team will be sharing projects made with the Funny Bunnies set.

To continue on with the blog hop, your next stop is to Emily Leiphart's blog!


Supplies
Hiya Sweetie! Card
Stamps: Funny Bunnies & Coffee Cozy Lil' Inker Designs
Paper:  PTI Rustic White
Ink: PTI Spring Moss, Aqua Mist; Palette Charcoal & Toile Pink
Other: Colored Pencils, OMS, Ribbon, Doily Details Die PTI, Pop Dots

Eggs-traordinary Friend Card
Stamps: Funny Bunnies & Cutie Cat Lil' Inker Designs
Dies:  Flags & Tags by Lil' Inker Designs
Paper:  Bright Side by Lawn Fawn, White by PTI
Ink:  Memento Black
Other:  Lilac Twine by The Twinery, Copics