a smile with color on top...

 
Hello  Monday....and friends.  The sun is shining brightly here in my neck of the woods this morning....we are approaching the 60's and are loving it....it seems to make everyone smile a bit brighter, and breathe a bit more deeply.  I had such a wonderful Valentine Day with my two sweethearts yesterday....we had steaks on the BBQ, sat on the porch swing...I even had a long, quiet afternoon nap....I couldn't have asked for anything more that just time together.

I have ooooodles to share today...so get comfy and I'll dive right in.  First up is a Crafty Secrets Color Challenge blog hop....the Design Team members were asked to add color to stamps in unique and creative ways.  I wanted to share my most favorite way of adding color through the use of glitter. 

Glitter of course comes in many colors from bright to opaque....I love using white glitter because it lets the color, pattern, and character of what's beneath shine through.  I feel that white glitter is just as colorful as glitter that comes in bright, bold colors....but just in it's own beautiful way.  

For this card I used the Crafty Secrets Altered Art stamp set...one of my faves, with such beautiful images.   I stamped the wings, crown, and face on cream patterend paper in Spring Moss, and Lavender Moon ink.  I then stamped the wings again on Vintage Cream cardstock.  I used my Marvy Le Plumme II Blush Pink marker to color in just a bit of the detail on the butterfly.  This created my own stamped patterned paper for my background and then I cut the wings from the Vintage Cream cardstock and coated them with a light dusting of Doodlebug Lily White glitter...I love this technique.  I attached the wings directly over images stamped on my background paper using dimensional adhesive so they very subtly stood apart from the rest.  I also used a scrap from the Birds & Blossoms Creative Scrap collection, a Prima flower, a sentiment stamped from the Sweet Kids stamp set, and a bit of scrunched seam binding from this etsy shop.  I hope you'll give it a try...you'll love it.

Here are link to the other designer's blogs...they have beautiful things waiting for you today:

Vicki Chrisman

Pam Hooten
Heidi Blankenship
Marisa Grosson
Linda Duke
Michele Kovack
Michelle Van Etten
Flo from France
Julie Campbell

 

Crafty Secrets

Heartwarming Vintage

 

Now....lots of fun Papertrey Ink creations using new release stamp sets....I have so many new favorites.  This first card uses stamps from the Butterfly Dreams stamp set designed by Niki Estes....it's SO beautiful...butterflies galore and the sweetest sentiments and font.   

This next card uses the Fillable Frames stamp set....soooo in love with this set too.   This sweet little set is only 5 bucks....
 
  

These little matchbook cards use the new Year of Flowers:  Violets stamp set.

 

 

Nest is a card using the Luck of the Irish stamp set....another $5 set.   
This card uses the new Asian Fusion set.   

And, lastly...two sets I am smitten with...Dawn McVey's Studio Style set and the new Dot Spot stamp set....perfect for a sweet, crafty friend.  
 

For this project I bundled up some of my most favorite ribbons and tucked them inside a glassine bag and made a sweet gift presentation with the card and bag together.  

 

I think that about covers all of the Papertrey Ink goodness....have fun shopping.

And lastly, many of you have asked about the scalloped date prompt cardstock sticker I used in a previous post.....it is from Melissa Frances.  You can find that sticker along with many other date prompt stickers on many of the Melissa Frances cardstock sticker sheets...the scalloped circle is always in the upper right corner of the sheet.  You can see them all HERE, and can shop for them at Emma's Paperie and The Scrappy Gourmet.  

 

Hope your day is filled with happiness.

Melis

 

P.S.  I have oodles to post in my etsy shop...I'll be posting them just as soon as I can.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Comments

[Stella]

As always.....beautiful!

[pam hooten]

Love your cards Melissa! There is always so much to look at in your details, beautiful!

[Evgenia]

Melissa, you are so talented! Love your works!

[Julie Campbell]

Such beautiful projects, Melissa! Love all your detail...just perfect!

[Lisa Dolson]

Hi Melissa! Your Crafty Secrets card is so sweet...just music for my soul. Big smile...I think I'll just sit and look at it awhile. :)

[Nancy]

Creativity to feed the soul. Oh so many details in each and every card. I love them all. Thanks again so much for sharing. Nancy in So Cal

[shery]

lovely cards

[cendrillon]

lovely cards.

[Dani]

Absolutely gorgeous! How do you get so much done?? I'm in awe of you! I really am in love with the one with the butterfly on it! The frame is gorgeous and I love these colors together! But they are all stunning...as always.
XOXO
Dani

[Jan Hennings]

Beautiful cards!

[Marisa]

What great projects and techniques. Love them all.

[Heidi Blankenship]

Love your cards Melissa! Love all of the details and embellishments!

[Lynette]

OK! It is official...you got me good and truly hooked. I have never seen such beautiful cards. Never had the urge to make them...but I have made myself a promise never to miss any of your card kits again:)

Lynette
South Africa

[Joan]

All of your cards are wonderful. Thanks for the link to the Etsy shop, I am going to buy me some of that great binding tape. You are always a refreshing source of inspiration.

[mary from maine]

Gorgeous is the first word that came to mind when I opened your blog today. I can't get enough of your card art. Your creations are my inspiration. more..more..:)
Thankyou for taking the time to share.

[Donna K]

You have such a beautiful, distinctive style. I need to study your cards to see if some of it will seep into my subconscious. I love your soft colors and all the added details. Thanks for sharing.

[jan metcalf]

Your work is just beautiful!

[Floliescrap]

you work is just PERFECT .. as always !
i'm so fan...
Flo from France