Purple Sage Creations

I Took The Pledge

I just have a quick moment today.  Our Spring activities are in full swing.  T-ball, softball and sewing classes have got me hoppin'.  So today I just wanted to leave you with this really cool find.  I made a pledge at Buy Handmade to buy handmade items and ask others to do the same.  After all, we are all crafters.  We create for us and our loved ones.  Why not support all who create.  Buying handmade items are not only helpful for the artist, but for the buyer as well.  We benefit from one of the kind, unique, quality work.  And behind each piece is the love that was put into it. 

So here is the badge that I am adding to my blog to show my support. 

 

You can join and take the pledge also by clicking here.

TSN - Earth Day Inspired

Welcome to this weeks TSN (Try Something New).  Today is Earth Day.  Did you know that it is the 40th anniversary?  Wow!

I wanted to share a technique that can be Earth Day friendly.  So I am showing how to dye ribbon.  I think that falls under the reuse category in the recycle, reduce, reuse theme of the day.  Earth Day alway reminds me to take care of the earth by being more thrifty and not waste.  And to recycle :) 

So here is how to dye ribbon using re-inkers:

 
You will need a white ribbon (I used Stampin' Up white taffeta ribbon), re-inker for stamp pads, a dish or container, a little water, and a paper towel.

 
Mix a small amount of water with a few drops of re-inker.  I think a generous amount of re-inker will coat the ribbon better.

 
Then dip the ribbon into the dye.  Lay the ribbon onto the paper towels to dry. 

 
The re-inker holds it's color in the ribbon for a long time.  Feel free to try lots of colors or mix them.  It can make some really cool effects.

 
This is the card I made using the newly dyed ribbon.  I hand cut the cloud and then sponged it.  I also sponged the background.  I added a little wave to the grass to give it a little more interest, too.

Now, I am off to make granola bars with my kids.  See you soon!

The Details:

Paper:  Brocade Blue, White, Certainly Celery, Summer Sun cardstock

Stamps: Taylored Expressions

Ink: Brocade Blue, Summer Sun, and Whisper White craft ink, Summer Sun re-inker

Accessories:  Button from Basic Grey,  Taffeta ribbon, natural thread

Tools: Circle punch

EBTKS Challenge

Today I decided to try a new challenge.  It's from the blog Everything But The Kitchen Sink.  I love the mentality - get inspiration from around the home.  The challenge I did created a sketch from an electric fireplace.  How creative is that?

So this is what I made from that inspiration:

 
  
I just melt when I see this color combo.  I am just so drawn to it.  I think it is the pastels or something.  I would use it for every card, but that would be totally boring.

The Details:

Paper:  Pretty in pink, certainly celery, lovely lilac, white cardstock from PTI; Tea Party DP from SU!

Stamps:  Hero Arts, Teeny Tiny Wishes from SU!

Ink: StazOn black, Chocolate Chip

Accessories:  Certainly celery grosgrain ribbon, rhinestones

Tools: Circle nesties, oval punch, flower punch

Spring Is Here!! (Finally)

Ok, I realize that most of the US has already welcomed Spring.  I have been sooo jealous as my family in Florida send me pics of their blooming Azaleas and flowering trees.  But I live above 6,000 feet so winter stays with us a little bit longer. 

I planted some tulips, daffodils, and hyacinth bulbs last September in my basement window well.  I didn't even know if they were going to grow let alone bloom.  But I have watched daily as this pink hyacinth bloomed so beautifully.

 

I noticed as I was taking the pics that my tulips have buds.

And this is my little toad house in the window well.  I have not seen one frog make this home.  It has sat there for two years.  Maybe it's the enormous frog sitting by the house that is keeping the toads away...hmmmm.

Thanks for stopping by today.

TSN - Inspiration from book covers

Welcome to this week's TSN (Try Something New).  This morning I was wondering what I should do for today's TSN.  I was really drawing a blank.  Then, as I was cleaning up the house, I saw this book:

My kids absolutely LOVE this book! 

The cover of the book inspired me to create.  I thought the layout of the cover was a great card layout.  And I loved all the cute little bugs on it.  So this is what I came up with:

This card is 4x4.  The little ladybug is made from punches.  I used a 1 inch punch for the black body and the wings.  Then I punched a smaller circle for the head.  The plants in the background are stamped with Old Olive ink and Certainly Celery ink.  I filled in the stems and blank areas using a marker with the same color as the ink.  Then I used pastels for the sky and ground. 

That's it!  Just a sweet and simple TSN today.  The warm, sunny weather outside is calling to me.

Talk to you soon!

The details:  (All supplies Stampin Up! unless otherwise noted)

Paper:  Pacific Point, White (PTI), Basic Black cardstock

Stamps:  Bugs and Kisses, Pocket Silhouettes

Ink: Old Olive, Pacific Point, Real Red

Accessories:  Flower die cut, rhinestones

Tools:  Circle punches, circle diecut from nesties 

Happy Birthday

Tomorrow is my sister-in-law's birthday so that meant I needed to make a super sweet card for her.  I decided to try the FTL 85  from Clean and Simple Stamping.  Sometimes a person just needs a simple layout.  No frills, just sweet and simple.  You can see the layout on the right...

And this is what I created from the sketch:

 

I stamped and cut out each of the balloons.  Then I used the coordinating ink to color the edges and add depth.  I also used my white gel pen to add a little more depth and light.  The orange balloon is raised with a dimensional.  I wanted to give the cluster of balloons a more 3D feel.  Oh! And don't ya just love the colors from the designer paper, too!

Thanks for stopping by!!

The details:  (all supplies are from Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted)

Paper:  White cardstock (PTI), Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo, Only Orange cardstock; Razzleberry Lemonade DP

Stamps:  Crazy for Cupcakes, Pretty Princess

Ink: StazOn black, Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo, Only Orange

Accessories:  Melon Mambo dotted ribbon, rhinestone

 

A Little Something For a Little Someone

Good afternoon!  I have been eyeing Amy R's blog for a while now, and I have finally tried one of her sketches.  This week's sketch is a repeat of one she did way back when she first started these challenges. 

Here is my take on the sketch:

Here is a look at the detail:

 

I have had this little stamp set from SU! for quite some time (maybe a year!) and this is only my second time inking it up.  I don't know why (shrug).  Anyway, I love the colors of this paper.  It is sooo fun!

Talk to you soon!!

The details: (all supplies are from Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted)

Paper: White cardstock (PTI), chocolate chip, old olive cardstock; Tall Tales DP

Stamps:  Animal Stories, Best Yet

Ink: Pacific Point, Chocolate chip

Accessories:  So Saffron brads, whisper white taffeta ribbon, Rose red button

Tools:  oval dies, scalloped oval dies from Nestabilities, paper piercer

Fab Find Friday

TGIF!!  Boy this week has just flown by!  Today I would like to share this fabulous blog I found.  I must admit I am not the greatest colorer.  I really try, but I always see places that are just not quite right.  The blog I found is perfect for the coloring-challenged like myself.  It is:

Prairie Paper & Ink

By Amy R.

As you can see from her blog badge above she features a weekly sketch challenge.  I have not yet played, but really want to.  What I really love about her blog are the videos she posts teaching color techniques with Copic Markers.  She is extremely talented and I have learned LOTS!!

TSN - Aluminum Foil Embossing

Hi fellow stampers and papercrafters.  How was your Easter?  We had a storm roll in and were pounded by snow!  It dumped about a foot and a half in a 72 hour period.  Soooo...needless to say we had our Easter egg hunt indoors.  But we jazzed it up a little by having it at night, in the dark, with flashlights.  That was TONS of fun:)

Now on to what you're here for...

Welcome to this week's TSN (Try Something New). My weekly challenge to myself has really been rewarding.  It has helped me to think outside of the box.  I look at everything around me as inspiration.  Including the aluminum foil I used last night when I was cooking dinner.  I had heard of embossing foil.  I have noticed special foil that was sold especially for that purpose.  But as I was using my regular aluminum foil that is regularly in my kitchen, I wondered if I could emboss with it.  I found out that I CAN!!!

Here is the card I created using the foil embossing technique:

So I found that I can't emboss the foil alone because it is too thin. I had to put some kind of heavy paper backing to give it a little more strength.  I decided to emboss my aluminum foil with my embossing folder and die cutting machine.  But I have found that you could use a stylist alone to create some unique and beautiful designs. 

Here are the steps to how I embossed the aluminum foil:

You will need aluminum foil, thick cardstock (I used PTI's white cardstock), and an embossing folder or template.

Cut the cardstock the size you would like it to be on your card or creation.  The cut the aluminum foil slightly larger. Place the foil on the cardstock and wrap the edges around it.   Make sure the foil is tight and secure.

Place the foil/cardstock foil side down onto the embossing template or folder. 

Your finished result is a perfectly embossed foil paper.  Leave the white cardstock on the foil and place it onto the card.  Then finish the card.

Here's a tip:  The embossed aluminum foil is pretty delicate.  Take card when you are finishing the card.  Also take card when you are mailing or delivering the card.  You may want to place a piece of cardstock over the card to prevent little nicks or unwanted embossing. 

The card I chose to make with the aluminum foil was a Father's day card.  Here is the inside...

I just thought the aluminum foil was very industious and masculine.  I may need to play with it some more, though.  I think some really pretty things can be done with it.

Check out The Next Step.  I LOVE how they used the foil embossed technique. They also give a step-by-step tutorial on how to create it.

Thanks for stopping by!  See you soon.

The details:

Paper:  Going Gray, Basic Gray cardstock (SU!), white cardstock from PTI

Stamps:  Father Knows Best (PTI)

Ink:  StazON black

Accessories:  brads, chipboard letters, aluminum foil

Tools:  Embossing template and die cutting machine

Sorry So Silent

Sorry my blog life has been so quiet.  That's because my real life is pretty busy. :)

I have really been making some changes to my blog.  I think I am finally satisfied with it.  Boy, that really took some time.  I will be back tomorrow, though, with a new TSN.

See ya:)