The Inking spot of Crain Creations

It's a Baby Blog Hop... PMS Style

 

Welcome baby McKinney!  My fellow DTer Lisa McKinney is about to welcome her second bouncing baby boy in to this world, so we wanted to wish her well and share a little of her excitement.  Congratulations on your soon to be here bundle of joy Lisa! If you are hopping along the PMS Baby Blog Hop, you should have come here from Miss Tina's blog and next you're gonna hop on over and see Miss Stephanie.  If you just happened along here you can start the hop at the PMS Blog.

Stamps: A Child Enters your life wordart (Paper Makeup Stamps)  Paper: Home paper pack (My Minds Eye), Island Mist light and dark cs (Prism), White (PTI)  Ink: Onyx Black (VersaFine)  Accessories: Always Artichoke brads (SU), Vanilla buttons (SU!), White grosgrain ribbon, rectangle and deckled rectangle nesties

  

What? White Space?

 

Not only do I struggle with no layers, but "white space"?  Holy snickerdoodles, I don't even have a white wall in my house!!  Well, I think that this is the best that I can do for "white space".  I actually really like this card and it was speedy-quick to make!  I added some rhinestones to the centers of the snowflakes and that was the perfect finishing touch!  If you haven't yet checked out the "Dar to get Dirty" challenges over on Split Coast you NEED to get over there (this is for Fan Club Members).  

Stamps: The Magic of Christmas (by Rupa Shevda for Gina K Designs)  Paper: Classic White (Prism)  Ink: Onyx Black (VersaFine), Storm Blue (Vivid), Summer Sky (Memento), Silver (Encore)  Accessories:  Dark Blue ribbon (Taylored Expressions), Silver Cord (SU!), Spring Rain button (PTI)

Now wanna see some eye-candy?

This is the newest addition to the Crain Clan.  Isn't he just precious!  My BIL called us a few minutes before 9 pm telling us about this cutie, and within 4 minutes Hubby & I were out the door to get us a new puppy!  Of course the kids had no clue until we got home... Priceless!  Thanks for stopping by, have a fabulous rest of the day! 

  

A recycled planter....

I know it's no surprise to some of you that I LOVE  my Latte's!!  Well, back when I was a "beginner" at them and my tummy was a little whimpy, I used to drink these...

I still do from time to time, kind of like a liquid dessert!  Yummm!  Well, I just knew these cans would be good for something, and after storing them for FOREVER... I have an idea!!!!  I thought making it into a planter would be fun, BUT your little plant would outgrow this in no time at all (insert thinking cap here).  So I had hubby cut out the bottom of this, like so...

This way, I can keep the lid on the bottom when I give the gift planter and when the roots need more space, I can take the lid off and put the whole container in a regular pot (I didn't have an empty pot ready, so I took this pic in a house plant I have) and now the roots can go crazy in this bigger pot! Well not these roots, cause my little sample is plastic, lol.

 I wanted this to be cute, but I couldn't add too much in too many places because I didn't want it to get ruined when watering.  Well, What do  you think?  Thanks for stopping by, hope you are having a fabulously inky weekend!

Stamps: Sprout (Paper Makeup Stamps), "Thinking of You" (Paper Makeup Stamps)  Paper: Slumber Party (SU!), White (PTI)  Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Onyx Black (VersaFine)  Accessories:  Ash & Cream flowers (KaiserCraft), Blue flower (Imaginesce & B95 Copic), Twine, Buttons (SU), Tag Nestie

  

The Will to Day Dream meets Makeup 4 the Weekend...

  

Happy Friday!!  The new PMS card kit has hit the store!!  It's called 'The Will to Day Dream', and this little Will looks a lot like my Will!  Since I am filling in for the Makeup 4 the Weekend challenge on the PMS blog this week, I also needed to add a little Graph paper to my card (graph paper is not included in the kit).  You can get all the deets on the challenge here.  This card kit is GREAT for boy cards, visit this post on the PMS Blog to see a list of contents.  

Will has a little grass around him, but I kind of left him "floating" as if in a daydream and  airbrushed some B0000 around him.  This would be fun to give to a teacher!  All of the paper, rubber and embellies (except the graph paper and twine are from the kit.

Copics: B0000, 34, 37, C0, E000, 00, 33, 93, G21, 24, R27, 29, Y21, YR23  Challenges: M4TW36

  

Taylored Expressions Blog Hop!

 

That's right, it's time for another TE Blog Hop!  This time I am using the CreativiTea set, this is SUCH a gorgeous set!

 

I love that there are solid images as well as line art images.  Sankari Wegman, created the sketch for this hop...I just LOVE this sketch!  Make sure you visit the other hoppers as there is some amazing eye candy!  Plus it's a fun way to find some TE sets that you just NEED! lol 

Stamps: CreativiTea (Taylored Expressions)  Paper: Porcelain (Basic Gray), Frosted Orange (Prism), Herbal Garden Medium (prism), Black Onyx (Gina K), Classic White (Prism)  Ink: Onyx Black (Memento)  Accessories: Black Pearls (KaiserCraft), New Leaf button (PTI), misc black gingham ribbon, punch (Martha Stewart) 

 
 

  

My ribbon storage...

 

Ribbon was another toughie for me to find the "perfect storage idea".  There are lots of things out there, not alot of them worked well for me.  I found this idea on Becca Feeken's blog (Amazing Paper Grace) and went to town making it my own!  I started off with a huge piece of white Mat Board (Michaels sometimes carries these, I got mine at a Frame Shop, Aaron Brothers).  I knew I wanted them to be stored in my Scrap n Cubes, so I adjusted the card measurements accordingly.  I wanted 4 rows, so I measured the inside of my drawer, divided by 4 and took off a bit for divider space.  My spools measure 2 1/4" x 2 3/4".  I secure the ribbons with a rubber band... voila!

 

Mat Board is necessary for these spools as it very strong.  Chip board or cardboard would certainly bend too much either from the ribbon being wrapped or from the rubber band.   I'm more than a little anal when it comes to listing my supplies used (when I was getting started I relied heavily on other's listing this info!), so I put labels on my cards.  For ribbons I LOVE and will certainly replenish when they run out I write on the spool itself, but for ribbons like SU where they retire, etc. I just write the info on a teeny post it note and stick the post it to the spool.  It certainly took some time to spool all of the ribbon, but honestly I took a bucket in with me a few times while watching a movie with hubby and it wasn't so bad!  When we went to the mountains for the 4th I took my last bucket and my friend Shaela helped me finish!  I love this way of storing ribbon, because it is certainly adjustable, as I get more ribbon it can grow.  I currently have 2 1/2 of these drawers full.  And as I have snippets of ribbon that I cut off but ended up not using, they can just as easily be added to the spools.  And best of all, this takes up WAY less space than keeping it all on the spools they came on!  I hope you found this helpful, please feel free to leave a comment with your ribbon storage ideas or comment on mine!

If you missed them, here are some other storage ideas I've shared.
My Copic Marker Storage

Small Binder storage (I'll be back soon with templates)

Large Binder storage (I'll be back soon with templates)

  

How about some makeup for the weekend?

 

This week's Makeup 4 the Weekend challenge is to use felt.  I fully intended to get some felt sheets and "punch" some shapes out, but wasn't able to in the end.  But I did have some felt flowers... perfect!  The sketch is from CCEE.  Head on over to the PMS Blog for the deets and to linkie up your felt creation.

Stamps: sentiment from the Faith Hope Love set (Paper Makeup Stamps)  Paper: stash dsp, White (PTI), Pink (Prism)  Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine)  Accessories: Felt Flowers (SU), white brads  Challenges: CCEE1028, M4TW35

  

A little Retail Therapy!

 

 Happy Monday!  Today some of the PMS team is showing off some more designs using the Retail Therapy set.  One of these days I will actually color that purse, but it is so stinkin' fun to paper piece!  This set is HUGE, there are so many fun  phrases and images!!  This card will be perfect for my Office Manager at work... she is such a purse-junkie.  As I am typing this I am wondering... I start Physical Therapy soon, I wonder if my Insurance would pay for some "Retail Therapy" instead?  I should call and ask, lol!  Well I was going to paper piece all of those little purses you see on the pink panel, but something came up and I ran out of time so I decided to use that image (they are a row of 6 hat boxes & bags) and make my own dsp.  I wanted it kind of subtle so I used VersaMark ink... I really LOVE the look!!  I did paper piece the focal purse, going over the clasp parts with Black Glaze pen.  Instead of all of the rhinestones on the strap that I showed you last week, this time I decided to take my Stardust pen and go over the "links" so it looks like a "chain" type strap.  I also used the Stardust on the scallops of the sentiment panel.  Here is a close up of those details.

 

Hope you can find a little inspiration here, thanks for stopping by.  Make sure you stop by the PMS Blog and check out the peeks there.  Have a fabulously week!

Stamps: Retail Therapy (Paper Makeup Stamps)  Paper: Blushed Collection (KaiserCraft), Baby Pink  light (Prism), Black Onyx (Gina K)  Ink: VersaMark, Onyx Black (VersaFine), Tuxedo Black (Memento)  Accessories:  Pink Pearls (KaiserCraft), Stardust Glitter pen (Sakura), Black Glaze Pen (Sakura), circle and large scalloped circle nesties, circle and scalloped circle punches  Challenges: SCS SC288

  

A little Birthday Mojo

 

I loved last week's Mojo sketch and since I needed to make a birthday card for someone at the office, I decided it was time to take a break from weekend tasks and I got inky! The images are from the brand new Dandy Wishes set from Paper Makeup Stamps... LOVE the versatility of this set!!!  I used some White Fluff on the Dandelion "fluff", I just love the look (thanks Katie for the idea!!).  Here's a close up of the fluff...

 

For the inside, I needed to keep it kind of plain because there are a handful of peeps that need to sign it.  And wouldn't ya know, that as I grabbed the card just before snapping the photo, I smudged the sentiment.  I'll fix it before I give it to her.  The sentiment inside is from the Birthday Cheer set also from PMS.

  

Thanks for stopping by, have a wonderful week!!

Stamps: Dandy Wishes, Birthday Wishes (Paper Makeup Stamps)  Paper: Kioshi kit from Taylored Expressions  Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Lilac Posies (Memento), Wild Lime (Vivid)  Accessories:  White Fun Fluff (Stampendous), Black Rhinestones (Zva), Button (Kioshi Kit from TE), purple ribbon (FlowerSoft), Big scalloped square nestie, oval and scalloped oval nesties, Pink Scalloped Sparklers (Taylored Expressions) Challenges: Mojo146 

  

Makeup Refresh...

 

Today Paper Makeup Stamps is "reviewing" our little critters by Diem.  I LOVE these little guys!!  While Angie was released last month, the sentiment you see is part of the brand new set called "Cutie Critter Sayings Set 1".   As I was making this card I realized that I have not colored in DAYS!  My peeks worked out well with my "mini vacation", so I didn't have to take all of my markers with me... I always forget how relaxing coloring is, how much I just love to color!!  I did keep the coloring very basic on this, mostly because I am too tired to be able to get my brain cells to work.  To add some fun touches, I used some Pool & Pearlized Smooch on the fish, so clear Glaze on the eye and some Crystal Effects on the "bubbles".  Head on over to the PMS Blog to see some more reviews from the DT.  

Stamps: Angie the Anglefish, Cutie Critter Sayings Set 1 (Paper Makeup Stamps)  Paper: DCWV, White (PTI), Classic Blue (Prism)  Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Onyx Black (VersaFine)  Accessories: Old Olive ribbon (SU), border punch (Martha Stewart), Crystal Effects (SU!), Clear Glaze pen (Sakura), Pool Smooch, Pearlized Top Coat Smooch, misc pearls  Copics: B000, 05, 06, 12, YG17, 25

  

Jugs & JustRite

 

 This week's JUGs challenge was to use the sketch and some Justrite stamps.  While I LOVE my Justrite stamps, the only ones I have are kinda old :(  I LOVE, LOVE , LOVE almost all of their stamps, but so far the monograms are all I have.  The sketch was fabulous!  This is a horrible picture (the reason I am posting this so late is because I've been struggling with the picture), but I think you can get the idea.  Thanks for popping in.  Have a fabulously inky week!

Stamps: Special Occassions font & Damask Border (JustRite), "Just a Note" (Paper Makeup Stamps)  Paper: Wisteria (Basic Gray), Plum Pudding (PTI), SUgar Cream (Prism)  Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Violet Mist (Vivid)  Accessories: Ivory Satin ribbon (PTI), Plum Pudding buttons (PTI), border punch (Martha Stewart), large scalloped circle Nestie  Challenges: JUGS40

  

Happy Hop Day!

 

I am so excited, release day is here!!  Woot woot!    Welcome to the PMS July Release Blog Hop!  Now, you should have come here from Andrea's blog, so if you didn't, head on over to the PMS Blog and start there (Katie's got all the deets on how you can save some dough on this month's release!).  I love this wordart, so much fun!  It's from the "A Cut Above" set being released tonight (perfect set for making a little somethin' somethin' for your fav hairdresser).  A couple of housekeeping notes... First off, don't forget about the Release Party tonight in the PMS Forum, all the fun starts at 9 pm EST.  Grab yourself a Latte and come on over and chat and have fun!  Second, hop on over to visit my friend Christi Snow (make sure you say "hey") BUT not before you take this letter with ya... (the letter "T")

 

Happy Hopping!  Thanks for stopping by, see you tonight at the Release Party!

  

Happy Peek Day #4

 

Today the PMS DT is peeking a set by Lindsay Spencer called "Dandy Wishes"  we are also coupling up some previously released images (like this "Birthday Wishes").  There are several more rockin' peeks on the PMS Blog, so make sure you check it out (along with how you can win some free rubbah!).  First, I want to say that I whipped this card up pretty quickly... Now why am I telling you that?  Because there are several ways to use this silhouette image... this card was pretty quick and simple (but with a WOW factor), but you could also use this image to make a much more detailed focal image.  I stamped the large silhouette here in some Brilliance Black ink, then add some color with some Diamond Bling & Turquoise Pearls.  This is a fabulous set... I can see this one getting LOTS of ink!!!  By the way, I am thinking I may be over my "kraft aversion", lol!  This is the BEST Kraft paper ever!  I am back home (I love my home!), the mini vacation was nice (too short) but we are all happy to be back home :)  Hope you like the peek... see you back here tomorrow for the Blog Hop (make sure you start at the PMS Blog).  Thanks for stopping by, see you tomorrow :)

Stamps: Dandy Wishes & Birthday Wishes sentiment (Paper Makeup Stamps )  Paper: Kraft (Gina K), Hawaiian Shores & White (PTI)  Ink: Graphite Black (Brilliance)  Accessories: Teal Pearls (KaiserCraft), Silver Bling (Basic Gray), Black Gingham ribbon

  

Happy Peek day #2

 

 So… Did you totally love yesterday’s peeks?  Today we are peeking the Retail Therapy set (and yup, it was illustrated by our own Shaela Odd).  I was so excited when I saw that my assignment was to peek this purse, the idea’s were just coming at me so quick!  Today I paper pieced it and added LOTS and LOTS of bling!  The whole handle of the purse is teeny clear and baby blue rhinestones and the buckle of the purse is done with a bigger blue rhinestone and some Snickerdoodle Smooch...love it!!  I will be back with the rest of the ingredients, but the purse & sentiment are both from Retail Therapy by Paper Makeup Stamps.  Make sure you stop by the PMS Blog to see the rest of the DT's eye candy for this set.  We are still enjoying our mini-vacation in the gorgeous mountains... it is peaceful and beautiful and just sooo very relaxing.  Hope you are having a wonderful 4th weekend.  Thanks for stopping by and hope you have a fabulously inky weekend!

Ahhhh vacation...

 

We left last night for a mini getaway, and I still hadn't made my card for this week's Makeup 4 the Weekend challenge and since I was filling in for Christi I had to do something. Taking ALL of my stamping supplies really was not feasible, so I just grabbed my PMS Card Kit and some word art, and voila!  I LOVE it, now I did have to grab a piece of white cardstock, but honestly everything I used to make this card was in the kit!  Talk about fabulous!!! I also grabbed some Nesties since it IS a window card, but alas I forgot my Big Shot, lol!  Never fear Hubby is here (once again!!).. here is our solution

 Apparently you don't need that silly Big Shot, just get some muscle and a hammer!  Don't think for a second that I'm getting rid of my big shot though, lol.  Btw, here is the inside of my card...

 

All supplies are from Paper Makeup Stamps.