Cream Oval with Gray and Rusty Red

To me, an oval shape brings a more formal look to a card design.  I continued a formal and elegant style with the gray with cream, the damask print, and the flowing script sentiment font.  The deep rusty red adds some bold brightness.  I like the dotted gray lines to ground the sentiment on the large oval label shape. 

Card details:

• Card stock is Papertrey Ink (PTI) terra cotta tile (rusty red), weathervane (gray), and vintage cream. 
• Patterned paper is from PTI melon berry (light orange)  pattern pack (tone-on-tone prints - retired).
• Die is from My Favorite Things layered label (retired).
• The sentiment "thank you" is from PTI big & bold wishes (retired), and the dotted lines are from PTI limitless layers - labels, stamped with PTI terra cotta tile and weathervane inks.

Created for Operation: Quiet Comfort.

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Leaves with Oval - Green on Aqua

A new die set with corner leaf clusters, and a very old die set with a label shape in an oval frame.  They look good together in this simple layout. 

Card details:

• Card stock is Papertrey Ink (PTI) aqua mist, new leaf (green), and stamper's select white. 
• Patterned paper is from PTI new leaf pattern pack (tone-on-tone prints - retired). 
• Dies are PTI Psalm reflections: October (leaf clusters) and framed out #7 (retired).
• The sentiment "thanks" is from PTI limitless layers: labels, stamped with PTI new leaf ink.

Created for Operation: Quiet Comfort.

(1367)

Oval with Green and Tan

To use more leaves cut from this card's scrap squares, I chose an oval on a label shaped mat.  The die cut leaf shapes are repeated with the stamped green leaf and the leaf print card base.

Card details:

• Card stock is Papertrey Ink (PTI) vintage jadeite (medium green), pinefeather (dark green), and rustic cream. 
• Patterned paper is from PTI fine linen (tan) pattern pack (tone-on-tone prints - retired). 
• Die is PTI heart-2-heart #12 (retired).
  
• The sentiment "thank you" is from Hero Arts sending smiles and the leaf is from PTI tag-its #12 (retired), stamped with PTI vintage jadeite and pinefeather inks.

Created for Operation: Quiet Comfort.

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Muted Red, White, and Blue on Yellow Stars

Some simple stripes and ovals on a starry card base.  I like the muted blue and off-white with the bright red and yellow.

Card details:

• Card stock is My Favorite Things red hot and Papertrey Ink (PTI) harvest gold (yellow), ocean tides (muted teal), and rustic white.
• Patterned paper is from Basic Grey fact (retired) 6 x 6" pad.
• Embossing folder is Darice stars asst (assorted).
• Dies are from PTI limitless layers: 2-1/4" ovals and PTI fillable frames #10.
• The oval border is from PTI limitless layers: labels (retired) and the sentiment "thank you" is from PTI thank you kindly (retired), stamped with PTI ocean tides ink.

Created for Operation: Quiet Comfort.

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Green and Cream Print with Tan

An oval label with an oval print - monochromatic with greens, cream, and tan.  I like the strip of green to brighten the tan label and draw attention to the "hello" focal word.  The script font adds some energy to my static, symmetrical design.

Card details:

• Card stock is Paper Source spruce (dark green - seasonal color) and Papertrey Ink (PTI) new leaf (medium green), fine linen (tan), and vintage cream.
• Patterned paper is from Basic Grey fiction (retired) 6 x 6" paper pad.
• Dies are My Favorite Things layered labels (retired) and hello.

Created for Operation: Quiet Comfort.

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Kraft Frame with Brown and Turquoise

Dark brown stamping adds depth to a kraft frame.  I like the pops of bright turquoise in the midst of brown and kraft. 

Card details:

• Card stock is Papertrey Ink (PTI) classic kraft, dark chocolate (dark brown), Hawaiian shores (turquoise), and vintage cream.
• Patterned paper is the stripe print from PTI classic kraft pattern pack (tone-on-tone prints - retired).
• The frame die is PTI framed out #10.
• The flower frame pattern is from PTI framed out #10 (retiring), and the sentiment "thanks" is from PTI limitless layers: labels (retired), stamped with PTI dark chocolate and Hawaiian shores ink cubes.

Created for Operation: Quiet Comfort.

(1003)

Butterfly on Oval with Green, Turquoise, and Yellow

Pastels with a bright butterfly, for this week's challenge (fall to layout #67) on the Clean & Simple Stamping blog.  The dots on the sketch reminded me of my recently purchased polka dot paper, which then set my color scheme of green, turquoise, and yellow.  

I wanted less of the medium green color to show, so I used an oval instead of a circle under my butterfly.  Also, I shifted the ribbon (yellow patterned paper) down, to keep a row of dots above it, and moved my oval and sentiment off-center.  And to make multiples of the card, I cut four 4" squares from the 8" square polka dot paper, giving me a green border around it.  But I can still clearly see the sketch design in my finished card.  Thank you, Natasha, for your inspiration! 

Card details:

• Card stock is Papertrey Ink (PTI) spring moss (light green), prairie grass (medium green), and Hawaiian shores (turquoise). 
• Patterned papers are a multicolor print from PTI polka dot parade 8 x 8" paper, and damask and bitty dot prints from PTI lemon tart (yellow) and Hawaiian shores pattern packs (tone-on-tone prints - retired).
• Dies are from PTI limitless layers: 2-1/4" ovals, signature series: butterfly, beautiful butterflies layers (butterfly body), and bold borders: diagonal (thanks).

Created for Operation: Quiet Comfort.

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Shimmer Vases on White

A trio of shimmery vases with bright flowers and foliage.  This card is a beauty, especially with that luminous Copic coloring on the leaves and flowers.  Oval shadows ground the vases to make a tabletop scene, instead of disconnected floating elements.  In real life, the ovals look more gray and less green.

Note: the gray border is background, not part of the card.

Card details:

• Card stock is Neenah solar white (flower and leaf die cuts) and Papertrey Ink (PTI) gold shimmer, blue shimmer, silver shimmer, and stamper's select white (card base). 
• Dies are PTI mega gracious vases, PTI gift card cozy bow, and Paper Smooches silhouette flowers. 
• From left to right, Copic markers are: 
• Iris - Y15, V04, leaves G12
• Fern leaf - YG05
• Leaf cluster - G14
• Flower cluster - upper flowers RV13 with RV14 centers, lower flowers RV14 with V04 centers, leaves YG05
• The oval shadows are from PTI in the shadows, stamped with PTI soft stone (light gray) ink cube.

(855)

Red, White, and Blue Stripes with Gray Chevrons

The stripes (dotted with tiny stars) and the gray chevron texture work well with the oval label shapes.  I like the outline sentiment colored with bright red and blue.

Card details:

• Card stock is My Favorite Things red hot (red), Paper Source gravel (gray) and royal blue, Papertrey Ink (PTI) stamper's select white, and a print from Doodlebug patriotic picnic 6x6" paper pad. 
• Embossing folder is Sizzix chevrons (retired).
• Dies are PTI fillable frames #10 and Spellbinders classic ovals large (2nd largest oval).
• The sentiment "thanks" is from Fiskars so much thanks, stamped with Memento tuxedo black ink and colored with Copic markers B26 and R29.

Created for Operation: Quiet Comfort.

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Red, White, and Blue Stripes with Ovals and Stars

Today's simple card includes embossed stars, layered ovals, and printed stripes in red, white, and blue.  Several years ago, I created the striped paper using PowerPoint.  I like the bold red and white ovals, contrasting with the finer detail of the script sentiment, narrow stripe lines, and repeating stars.  
Card details:

• Card stock is Neenah solar white, to print the striped paper, and Papertrey Ink (PTI) blueberry sky (blue), pure poppy (red), and stamper's select white.
• Embossing folder is Craft Concepts solid stars.
• Dies are PTI fillable frames #10 and Spellbinders classic ovals large (2nd largest oval).
• The sentiment "grateful for you" uses two stamps from Fiskars so much thanks, stamped with PTI enchanted evening ink cubes. 

Created for Operation: Quiet Comfort.

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Lacy Oval with Leaflets - Green, White, and Muted Teal

One of my favorite simple card layouts is something I call "medallion band."  Just a sentiment medallion in any shape, on a wide or narrow band of card stock, plain or patterned.  I've made many variations over the years.

Today it's a lacy oval on a wide piece of patterned paper.  I love the monochromatic look of the muted teal print with the light and dark greens.

Card details:

• Card stock is Paper Source sage (light green), Papertrey Ink (PTI) pinefeather (dark green), stamper's select white, and the ocean tides (muted teal) print from PTI "in bloom" 8 x 8" patterned paper (retired).
• Die is from PTI limitless layers: 2-1/4" ovals.
• The sentiment "just a note" is from PTI winter woods, with leaflets from PTI tinsel & tags sprigs (retired), stamped with PTI pinefeather ink cube.

Created for Operation: Quiet Comfort.

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Sunshine Vine with Blue Scalloped Mat

Bright sunshiny flowers on a sky blue panel with a sunny yellow print background.  Perfect for our gray rainy weather today.  The flowers and butterfly draw attention to the sentiment oval, with the vine's diagonal placement adding some energy and movement. 

Card details:

• Card stock is Papertrey Ink (PTI) spring rain (blue), ripe avocado (green), orange zest, bright buttercup (deep yellow), stamper's select white, and leaf print from PTI lemon tart (light yellow) pattern pack (retired).
• Dies are from PTI photo finish strips, PTI garden garland, PTI mix & mat: scallops, and Memory Box fancy blossoms (small and medium sizes). 
• Flower centers are punched with EK Success 3/16" and McGill 1/8" circle punches.  Butterfly punch is by EK Success.
• The sentiment "sending you sunshine" is from PTI simple sunflower, stamped with PTI ripe avocado ink cube.

Created for Operation: Quiet Comfort.

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Orange Sunflower with Cream and Brown

For today's challenge on Nichole Heady's blog Capture the Moment, we were asked to use one of the featured PTI stamp sets from 2009, or to draw inspiration from any of the projects she highlighted.  I don't have those sets, so I chose one of the projects to work from.  It's this one, the 6th "giga guide lines" example in Nichole's post today.  Thank you, Nichole, for your inspiration!

From the inspiration project, I combined elements of the card and the gift box.  From the card, I took the cream oval shape, with its circular orange motif and brown sentiment stamped across the design, and also the diamond-embossed cream panel.  From the box, I took the dark brown border and the horizontal orange accent, which I changed from ribbon to patterned paper. 

 Card details:

• Card stock is Papertrey Ink (PTI) dark chocolate (dark brown), orange zest, vintage cream, and the damask print from PTI orange zest pattern pack.  In real life, the stamped flower looks less red; it's a good match with the patterned paper.
• Embossing folder is Lifestyle Crafts diamonds and dots.
• Die is from Spellbinders large classic ovals. 
• The sentiment "thinking of you" is from PTI keep it simple: thinking of you, and the flower is from PTI simple sunflower.  They are stamped with PTI orange zest, dark chocolate, and fine linen (tan) ink cubes.

Created for Operation: Quiet Comfort.

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Blue Framed Sympathy Card

A simple layout with blue patterns and a blue-and-white frame.  The dark blue border line adds contrast, and the ribbon adds a bit of shimmer.  

Card details:

• Card stock is Papertrey Ink (PTI) stamper's select white and the leaf and bitty dot prints from PTI blueberry sky (medium blue) and enchanted evening (dark blue) pattern packs.
• The white rectangle is edged with Copic marker B39. 
• The sheer-and-satin (woven stripe) 5/8" white ribbon is colored with Copic marker B41.
• The sentiment "with sympathy" is from PTI communique sentiments, stamped with PTI enchanted evening ink cube. The floral frame is from PTI framed out #10, stamped with PTI blueberry sky ink cube.

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Purple Rickrack Hugs

Purple rickrack hugs.  The post title says it all.

Card details:

• Card stock is Papertrey Ink (PTI) plum pudding (purple), lavender moon, and several prints  from PTI guide lines 6x6" pad.
• I edged the oval and the patterned paper strips with Copic marker V09.
• Dies are PTI XL rickrack, limitless layers 2-1/4" ovals, and big hugs.
• Embossing folder is Cuttlebug swiss dots.
• Bottom corners are rounded with Crop-a-Dile 1/2" corner chomper.

Created for Operation Write Home, "supporting our nation's armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them." (471)

Red, White, and Blue Love, for Operation Write Home Blog Hop

Today I have two things to share: a simple card and an important message.  First, the message.  Operation Write Home, a charity that has supported heroes with handmade cards since 2007, will be closing later this year.  All cards need to be sent in by August 1st!  So, along with many other bloggers on our Memorial Day weekend hop, I’m helping to get the word out!

My card has a mix of curves and straight lines, lots of Red White and Blue, and a shiny accent heart.  The white oval makes a strong focal point with the Love word.

For the past five years, I've loved creating handmade cards for our deployed service men and women to write home on. A big thank you goes to Operation Write Home for making it possible for many of us crafters to express our gratitude to our heroes in this heartfelt way.  Please click HERE to see everyone's blog hop postings!

Card details:

• Card stock is Papertrey Ink (PTI) pure poppy (red), enchanted evening (dark blue), stamper's select white, and a striped print from Pink Paislee pen pals 6x6" paper pad.
• Note: the gray is background, not part of the card.
• Embossing folder is Darice diagonal stripe on the red panel. It looks nice in real life, but it's not so easy to see in the picture.
• Dies are PTI limitless layers: 2-1/4" ovals and Impression Obsession love.
• Bottom corners are rounded with Crop-a-Dile 1/2" corner chomper.
• The small red heart is inlaid into the Love die cut, and covered with Glossy Accents.

Created for Operation Write Home, "supporting our nation's armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them." (464)

Hello with Stars - Yellow, Gold, and Green

A nice variety of gold and yellow patterns and textures - printed paper, chevron-weave ribbon, and starry embossing - set off with dark green.  I like how all the different elements go together.

Card details:

• Card stock is Paper Source curry (gold), Papertrey Ink (PTI) lemon tart (light yellow), pinefeather (dark green), and a yellow print from Echo Park "all about a boy" 6x6" pad.
• Dies are PTI framed out #10 (inner oval) and Elizabeth Craft hello.
• Ribbon is unknown - probably by May Arts.
• Green stars are punched with 1/4" Fiskars hand punch.
• Embossing folder is Darice stars asst. [assorted]

Created for Operation Write Home, "supporting our nation's armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them." (449)

Burgundy Heart with Aqua on Rose

The aqua lace and oval glow against a rose and burgundy backdrop.  I challenged myself to try this color scheme and to use a small oval piece from my leftovers.  I like the contrast of the bold scale background (large stripes and polka dots) with the more delicate details of the heart-shaped focal point. 

Card details:

• Card stock is Papertrey Ink (PTI) rustic cream, autumn rose, scarlet jewel (burgundy), aqua mist, and the polka dot and bitty dot prints from PTI scarlet jewel pattern pack.
• Dies are PTI limitless layers: 2-1/4" hearts and framed out #8 (the small inner oval).  If I hadn't been using leftovers, I would have cut my oval with framed out #10 die (like the stamp set I used) but #8 has a very similar size and shape.
• The top of the cream banner is notched with the heart die, to fit the V curve, and the bottom is notched with scissors.
• Embossing folder is Lifestyle Crafts stripe.
• The sentiment "missing you today" is from PTI framed out #10, stamped with PTI scarlet jewel ink cube.

Created for Operation Write Home, "supporting our nation's armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them." (442)

Oval with Red, Orange, and Yellow Stripes

I find ovals challenging to use with my cards, tending to look formal and a bit too static for my eye.  But this card has movement with its bold and bright curving stripes.  The polka dot strip grounds my oval to make a strong focal point.  These shapes work well together, and I'll try the layout again sometime, maybe with bright green and turquoise colors. 

Note: the gray is background, not part of the card.

Card details:

• Card stock is Papertrey Ink (PTI) rustic cream, pure poppy (red), orange zest, summer sunrise (yellow), and the polka dot print from PTI summer sunrise pattern pack.
• Dies are PTI limitless layers: 2-1/4" ovals and rainbow stripes.
• The sentiment "thank you" and the oval frame are from PTI keep it simple: thank you and limitless layers: labels, stamped with PTI pure poppy and orange zest ink cubes.

Created for Operation Write Home, "supporting our nation's armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them." (439)

Thanks with Dots, Oval, and Chevrons

A mix of basic shapes to give an energy that offsets this card's subdued color scheme.  Polka dots, tiny pierced and printed dots, rectangles, chevrons, and an oval.  The dark green and cream oval and chevrons provide focus.

Note: the gray is background, not part of the card.

Card details:

• Card stock is Papertrey Ink (PTI) rustic cream, canyon clay (rusty orange), pinefeather (dark green),  and the polka dot print from PTI classic kraft pattern pack.
• The sentiment "thank you" is cut with the Silhouette Cameo, same as on this card.
• Dies are PTI diagonals, framed out #10, and stitched rectangle (4th largest).  I put a green rectangle behind the stitched rectangle die cut.
• I inlaid the cream V shapes, which made it easier to adhere the green die cut.  It has Scor tape under all of it, instead of individually adhering each green V shape. 
• The green dots in the oval are computer printed using Courier font.  This is easy to do in PowerPoint, but takes some juggling to make it look nice.  My note says "Dots are Courier 18 pt centered in text box, then using Quick Styles & Effects to curve; adjusted less flat; Used format text 3-D Z rotation to make ends line up." I did the top line of the dots first, and then when it was good, I copied and rotated it to get a mirror image below.

Created for Operation Write Home, "supporting our nation's armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them." (418)