Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Pretty Little Kitty Card Post - Petaloo


It's Cat Day at PET-aloo 
Petaloo  is celebrating pet days. It's part of their nature after all...being a company named for pets... PET-aloo.   There are prizes that can be won for participating so check it out at Petaloo's blog right here

   Yesterday I posted my dog cards.  Today the cats get their day in the spotlight.  I had to separate the two because if I didn't, I'd have tails and fur a'flyin.  Let's just say my cats aren't the best at sharing space with dogs. 

You can find the dog post right here, complete with a quick step-by-step for one of  the dog cards. 

You can also find some of the cat and dog card sets available in my ETSY shop right here.  The cat cards are here.  

This is a pop-up card I created for my husband.  I added gorgeous Petaloo flowers to the front of the card but left the inside unadorned because I wanted it to close flatly to surprise him.  This is the first pop-up card I have made so he was most certainly surprised.  
The front of this card features the
Petaloo Botanica Collection - Chantilly Mixed Blooms - Mauve.  Aren't they just spectacular?
I used a super old collection for this card - My Minds Eye - Lost & Found Collection.  
And look at all these darlin's staring at you. 




Here is my next card.  
This card features a new flower -Fairy Blossom Branch (code 5016-101).  They are sweet delicate velvet flowers with a little sparkle to them.  Look for them to ship  soon!
I also used the  Petaloo Textured Elements -  Briar Rose Canvas in Red  though I chose a flower with a bit more pink from the package. 


This is my next card.  Sweet and simple.  I let the Petaloo flowers and cat silhouettes stand out on this card.  The cat silhouettes were made using the Tim Holtz -Crazy Cats and Dogs dies and accompanying stamps. 
I punched some cats out and really loved the negative space creating a delightful silhouette. 

The soft Petaloo flowers on this card include  the newly released -Fairy Blossom Branch  (code 5016-101), the green flowers from the package of  Petaloo Chantilly Hydrangea in Red  and some delicate Petaloo lace trim, Petaloo Crochet Lace Fancy Trim -White .
 I used the Petaloo Crochet Lace Fancy Trim -White as a border strip.  
This is the last card and a simple but graphically fun card.  It's a shaker card with  washi tape used as a background. This card also has the Petaloo Crochet Lace Fancy Trim  used as a border.  
I decided to use some of Petaloo's Jeweled Florettes in pastel colors - they are flat flowers that resemble the flowers on the patterned paper.  
I felt the shaker card was bulky enough to send through the mail - the flat flowers were a great alternative and still added a bedazzled element to the card.  

__________________________________________________________
Available in my ETSY shop while it lasts: 
Available in my ETSY Shop
Even more fun?  This set of 3 crazy cat cards are available in my ETSY shop.  See the listing here
These are just purrrfect for the crazy cat lover, like myself....or to say hello, wish someone a great day, or even sadly to send condolences when someone loses a beloved amazing furbaby.  
Those pet condolence cards can be hard to find and yet so very necessary to send at times.  


Look for the new releases like the Fairy Blossom Branch (code 5016-101) I shared on the blue kitty "I Love You" card in this post.  
You can find more Petaloo products listed here, and I invite you to join and LIKE Petaloo on Facebook right here.      

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful Day filled with love from your family, friends and Petaloo!


Petaloo Supplies:
Petaloo Botanica Collection - Chantilly Mixed Blooms - Mauve 1279-161
Petaloo Textured Elements -  Briar Rose Canvas in Red- RS5208-011/4
Petaloo Jeweled Florettes - Pink Blue Yellow White - Baby's Coming 1350230D
Petaloo Fairy Blossom Branch  -5016-101 ( NEW release)
Petaloo Chantilly Hydrangea Red 1272-192
Petaloo Crochet Lace Fancy Trim -White - 1482-000

Other Supplies ( All Cards):
Tim Holtz - Distress Ink Vintage Photo
Sizzix Framelits - Mini Crazy Cats & Dogs by Tim Holtz - 661594
Stampers Anonymous - Tim Holtz - Mini Cats and Dogs Stamps CMS272
Watercolor paper, Watercolor Paints and Water Pen

Pop Up Card
Petaloo Botanica Collection - Chantilly Mixed Blooms - Mauve 1279-161
2Crafty Chipboard- Tiny Hearts and Stars ATC041
2Crafty Chipboard - Valentine's Hearts m00475
JustRite Paper crafts - Large Oval Sympathy CR-05055
My Minds Eye - Lost & Found Collection  6x6 paper MAD
Spellbinders Dies D-Lites Vines of Passion Heart Die S2-022
JustRite Papercrafts Vintage Labels Eleven Die 05066

Blue Cat Card
Petaloo Botanica Collection - Chantilly Mixed Blooms - Mauve 1279-161
Petaloo Fairy Blossom Branch (code 5016-101)
DoodleBug Design Paper - Smitten Kitten Collection 6x6 52698
Spellbinders Dies D-Lites Vines of Passion Heart Die S2-022
Doodlebug Washi Tape - Cats Meow

Thinking Of You Cat Card:
Petaloo Crochet Lace Fancy Trim -White - 1482-000
Petaloo Chantilly Hydrangea Red 1272-192
Petaloo Fairy Blossom Branch  -5016-101 ( NEW release)

Meow Shaker Card:
Petaloo Jeweled Florettes - Pink Blue Yellow White - Baby's Coming 1350230D
Petaloo Crochet Lace Fancy Trim -White - 1482-000
Doodlebug Design Paper - Smitten Kitten Collection 6x6 52698
Prima Finnabair Art Ingredients - Glass Beads in Licorice 961688
Doodlebug Washi Tape - Cats Meow
Foam Tape and Acrylic sheet

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Dog Cards by Petaloo Plus DIY Tip


The Dogs Have IT!  It's Dog Day at Petaloo 
PET-aloo is celebrating pet days.  Click here for a chance at some prizes.  
 Now to avoid fur-balls flying in the air, I decided to post my cat and dog cards on separate days.  In my house, the cats will not put up with any dog shenanigans.  Yes I know that many households around the world have dogs and cats living in blissful harmony.  That's just not the situation at my house.

My cats may not love dogs, but I certainly do.  So to get even, I am posting the dog cards first.  Cats have to wait their turn and are featured here.  

I had so much fun that I created a variety of cards and even a quick step-by-step for one of them. 
This little pup is my first card.  I used a few sizzix dies by Tim Holtz for my cards.  This one uses the negative space from the die.  I thought it made a lovely silhouette. 

 The Petaloo Botanica Baby Blooms  in Purple  are so striking with the purple/blue of my paper - which is   Doodlebug Design Puppy Love.

This is my second card with a tiny DIY step-by-step.  
Before I move on to the DIY instructions, I will tell you a little about the card.  
The papers are once again Doodlebug Design Puppy Love as is the teal and brown "Woof" washi tape. 
The flowers I chose for this card were Petaloo Chantilly Hydrangea in Red.
The red and brown hydrangea's looked marvelous with my crazy brown pup. 
Here are my simple DIY steps: 
Die or punch your choice of cardstock or patterned paper. 
Cover  a plain piece of cardstock with washi tape.  
Place the die cut over the washi tape...and continue on with your embellished elements. 
It's THAT EASY!
The words on this card make me laugh.  "Ruff Day?" Way too darling.  This puppy is waiting to cheer you up. 

My last card of the day is the only card that doesn't use Doodlebug's Puppy Love collection.  
This is Graphic 45 Botanicabella Collection - full of warm browns and oranges.  
I thought it would be perfect for the negative image of the Crazy Dogs die ( Sizzix and Tim Holtz).
I used the Petaloo Chantilly Hydrangea Red  in this card as well, but focused on the green and brown flowers in that package - I used the red flowers on my first card above. 


I'll be back tomorrow for Cat Day!  

You can find more Petaloo products listed here, and I invite you to join and LIKE Petaloo on Facebook right here.      

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day filled with love from your family, friends and Petaloo!




Petaloo Supplies:
Petaloo Chantilly Hydrangea Red 1272-192
Petaloo Botanica Baby Blooms -Purple RS5007-102/4
Petaloo Darjeeling Teastained Butterflies Blue 1486-103
Petaloo Teastained Dahlias in Blue


Other Supplies:
Doodlebug Design Puppy Love 12x12 collection
JustRite Paper crafts - Large Oval Sympathy CR-05055 - Ruff Day and Woof  Card
Spellbinders Dies D-Lites Vines of Passion Heart Die S2-022 - Ruff Day and Woof  Card
Tim Holtz - Distress Ink Vintage Photo
Sizzix Framelits - Mini Crazy Cats & Dogs by Tim Holtz - 661594
Stampers Annonymous - Tim Holtz - Mini Cats and Dogs Stamps CMS272
Watercolor paper, Watercolor Paints and Water Pen


Purple Card With Trees:
Sizzix Thinlets Die - Tree Line 661604
JustRite Papercrafts Vintage Labels Eleven Die 05066
Stickles Glitter Glue - Sea Foam and Cinnamon


Red Woof Card
Petaloo Chantilly Hydrangea Red 1272-192
Clarity Stamps - Line Writing Sentiments  STA -WO-10013-AS
Spellbinders Dies D-Lites Vines of Passion Heart Die S2-022
Doodlebug Design Washi Tape - Woof Woof S222

Blue Ruff Day: 
Petaloo Darjeeling Teastained Butterflies Blue 1486-103
Petaloo Teastained Dahlias in Blue

Thinking of You Card
Petaloo Chantilly Hydrangea Red 1272-192
JustRite Paper crafts - Large Oval Sympathy CR-05055
Graphic 45 Botanicabella Collection 12x12 4500213
Stickles Glitter Glue - Cinnamon
Tim Holtz - Distress Ink Vintage Photo
Martha Stewart - Doily Lace Edge Punch

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

DIY Easy Cards for Valentine's Day


Happy Valentine's Day - Quick DIY Cards

I made a few cards to send to family members to show I appreciate and care about them.  A Valentine's card doesn't need to be mushy.  Mine were simple, quick and the message I wrote on the inside was also a quick note to let them know I appreciate and value them.  
Lately I have been obsessing over washi tape.  It's fun and it can give any project a pop of color.  Washi tape is the main product on my cards.
  
I bought my washi on sale at Michaels.  
These cards take just a few simple steps to create and you can use the same technique to create cards all year for any occasion.  Just swap out the washi (which means buying more fun colorful washi) 

Start with a die or punched piece of cardstock.  I used a simple heart die that I like.  It's from Cheery Lynn and it's the Heart Shaker Die Set.  

Cover a blank piece of cardstock with strips of tape. Once satisfied go ahead and glue the punched cardstock to the washi covered cardstock.  



It's as easy as that!

You can keep it simple and call it done or you can add other embellishing elements like flowers, sentiment stamps or whatnot. 
I chose to add Petaloo flowers to some of my cards. 
 These flowers have a gorgeous bit of green and I loved how it looked with my bold washi.  


Next - a pink card using the cheery pink tones of washi I snagged.  


Thanks for stopping.  


Petaloo Chantilly Hydrangea Red 1272-192
Petaloo's Darjeeling Teastained collection -  Petite Blooms in Pink
Recollections Brand Washi Tape for Valentine's Day
Cheery Lynn Heart Shaker Die set

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

DIY Valentines cards for Petaloo


Valentine's Day Cards With DIY Tips
Sharing some Valentine's cards for February, the month of sweetness.  I have two cards adorned in pink - both gussied up with Petaloo's gorgeous pink flowers.   I think the happy cheery pink is a perfect balance to the dull chill of winter.  
This is a sweet dainty card showing the flirty side of Petaloo.  Along with the pretty Petaloo crocheted trims, I used the following Petaloo flowers to embellish this card: 
 and the new Petaloo Ranunculus flowers in pink ( aren't they fabulous!).  
The Ranuncula's will be shipping soon!
Creating this card was easier than you think.  Here are a few simple steps I took to make this card: 

I stamped an image onto watercolor paper so that I could paint the dress. 
I used watercolor paper because it is heavy and will absorb the water from the paints.  Regular cardstock or patterned paper is not as durable when water is applied and tends to get mushy and disintegrate.  
I selected an ink that would not bleed or run when water is applied.  

After my image was stamped, I simply blotted watercolors onto the paper.  Easy!  No real skill needed.  

Here is another close up of the Petaloo Textured Elements -  Briar Rose Canvas in Red 
 and the new Petaloo Ranunculus flowers.  The new collection of flowers is absolutely amazing and better yet...shipping soon!

My second card is equally bright and cheery.  It's a shaker card.  Who wouldn't love to receive a shaker card in the mail?  

 I used the following Petaloo flowers to embellish this card: 
The flowers make quite a statement on this card I think.  

 You can find more Petaloo products listed here, and I invite you to join and LIKE Petaloo on Facebook right here.      


Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful Valentine's Day filled with love from your family, friends and Petaloo!

Petaloo Products
Petaloo Ranunculus flowers in pink  -RS5017-102

Other Products:
Lawn Fawn Paper - Perfectly Plaid -6x6 LF1114
Brutus Monroe - Detail Ink in Raven
Spellbinders Nestabilites: Victorian Bow S4-542
Spellbinders Nestabilites Oval - Large S4-110
Memory Box Dies - Oriel Butterfly 98740, Lunette Butterfly 98745
Prima - Julie Nutting Love Day Doll Stamp - 910716
Watercolor Paints and Paper
Stickles Glitter Glue- Icicle




Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Wedding Chapel Bride & Groom - DIY Tips with Petaloo and Maja Design


DIY Home Decor -Wedding Chapel
Sharing a fun piece of home decor I created to celebrate February, the month of love.  Nothing says true love like a wedding.  And nothing adds beauty to a project like Petaloo flowers.  I have added Petaloo gardens all around the chapel for warmth and charm.

This project was really fun to create because I paired some of my all-time favorite products: Maja Design PapersPetaloo  Flowers and Prima's Julie Nutting Doll Stamps.    

I hope you enjoy my little photo session with the happy couple. If you scroll down a bit, I'll show you a few tips on how I created both the chapel and the bride and groom. 

In this shot, I've placed the newlyweds in the back garden.  Here is a close up of the back garden complete with a trellis made from wood skewers and a chipboard birdhouse. 
This back garden features the following flowers:  

I used Maja Design's Summertime paper collection to create both the chapel and the bride's gown. This collection is soft , warm and perfect for a romantic day. If you skip to the Maja Design blog, you'll see the chapel featured in the monthly Mood Board .  Maybe you'll decide to play along with the Mood Board challenge this month.
Here is a photo of the Mood Board and the Summertime paper that I used.  You can see how wonderfully it fits the challenge.  
   
This is a little peek at the side of the chapel with white picket fence and the following Petaloo flowers creeping through the fence: 


The Chapel
This is how the chapel looked before it was covered and decorated.
This is a cardboard house that I purchased on clearance the end of the Christmas season from Michael's.  I am always watching for these types of little end-of-season treasures when I shop - at a discount of course. 

I started covering the roof first, one punched strip at a time -starting at the bottom and working my way up, as roofing shingles would typically appear.

Each shingle strip is securely applied to the chapel using a coat of sealant on both sides.   I used matte finish Mod Podge.  There are other options as well- clear gel medium, or a thin mixture of white glue and water painted on each strip.  

I created this piece for the Petaloo display booth at Creativation (formerly known as CHA)held this past January, so the Mod Podge protected the paper from fingerprints, ripping, peeling and actually provided more support to the cardboard structure.  It helps create a durable decor piece.  

After the Mod Podge roofing was dried, I moved on to add some texture to the sides of the building.  
The next few photos show how I combined stencils, stamps, and paste ( or heavy gesso) to create the appearance of brickwork.  

Below is another side view of the chapel.  This side has a sweet Petaloo Darjeeling Butterflies - Teastained in cream.  
Creating the Bride and Groom
Next , I'm moving on to showcase my bride and groom.  The beautiful blushing bride is carrying a Petaloo floral bouquet made of Petaloo Penny Lane - Forget Me Nots - Antique Red .
The handsome groom has a boutineer made of Petaloo Mini Daisy Petites Pink .


Now I'll share some of my tips for making the bride and groom from Prima's Julie Nutting Doll Stamps (Camille and Adam).   I love making the dolls 3-dimensional so they stand.  I believe I have come up with a very cool and simple doll stand that works nicely for this couple. 

The first step is to stamp several layers for the body, including one layer of thin cardboard (chipboard). I want my doll to stand and be durable - not bendable.  This doll has a front and a back that people will see so it was important for me to make the back appealing.  

To create the back, I stamped a third image and turned it around to use the un-stamped back side. The long bridal veil covers the backside perfectly so no stamping is really needed.

Next - I used a large binder clip for the base.  I removed the metal handles after the clip was in place. At this point, I was able to cover the binder clip with more stamped layers creating the dress.  
Here is the side view showing the binder clip and how I covered the clip with paper layers.  


I  snuggled the groom up behind his bride and glued them together for life.  I covered the backside up with the long lace veil.  You cannot tell that the backsides are not stamped.  

Here is a view of the bottom of the clip.  They stand perfectly balanced.
Here are some additional photos of the joyful event.  More garden shots, and a photo of the front steeple.  The beautiful heart shape on the steeple is a resin piece that Petaloo made a few years back.  I had been saving it for a perfect occasion.   


Thanks for taking time to stop here.  
 You can find more Petaloo products listed here, and we invite you to join and LIKE us on Facebook right here.      

The new collections will be available soon. 
You can see the Magnolia sneaks hereGarden Roses here,  and adorable Glittered Bugs ( Butterflies and Dragonflies) right here



Petaloo Products:
Petaloo Darjeeling Butterflies - Teastained Cream 1488105
Petaloo Darjeeling Mini Garden Rosettes Cream 1492105
Petaloo Penny Lane - Forget Me Nots - Antique Red 1837-050
Petaloo PennyLane Mixed Blossoms - Antique Red 1836-050
Petaloo Penny Lane - Forget Me Nots - White 1837-000
Petaloo Darjeeling Teastained Dahlias in Cream 1467-105
Petaloo Darjeeling Teastained Mini Mix Red 1462101R
Petaloo Darjeeling Teastained Mini Mix Spice - 1462-108
Petaloo Darjeeling Teastained  Dahlias Red 1467-101
Petaloo Darjeeling Hydrangeas - Green 1493-107
Petaloo Mini Daisy Petites Pink 1839-058
Petaloo Daisy Centers Resin Heart - Ivory 4202-009


Other Products:
Maja Design = Summertime Collection
Prima Stencils - 575939 and 575953
Darice - White Picket fence 9148-66
Sizzix Thinlits Holiday Greens 661597
Dusty Attic  Bird House DA0699
Prima Julie Nutting  - Doll Stamps - Camille 911409
Prima Julie Nutting  - Doll Stamps - Adam 911201
Prima Julie Nutting  - Doll Stamps - Accessories - Clothing for Adam 911225
Mod Podge - Matte
Recollections  Christmas Collections - Paper House Chapel 49151
Martha Stewart Paper Punch - Doily Lace Edge
Tim Holtz Distress Ink Walnut Stain
Tim Holtz Distress Paint  -Vintage Photo
Super Heavy Gesso
Prima Finnabair Clear stamp - 961947
Lace and Trim