The Inking spot of Crain Creations

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

  

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.

 

  

Some new Makeup Artists...

I don't have anything pretty for you to look at today, I just wanted to put up a quick post to say that Katie has posted the 7 newest Makeup Artists on the PMS Blog, so head on over and welcome them. I am so very excited to work with these great ladies! The entire PMS team is just an amazing group that I am so proud to be part of. Now head on over there and say "hey".

  

Jam Packed pretty package

 

Have you visited the My Time Made Easy store?  I am totally in love with Lauren's templates and stamps (oh yeah and the digi papers are just wonderful!).  Lauren has quick shipping and amazing customer service... I ordered some stamps from MTME, but before they got to me they got damaged and returned to her from the Post Office, she sent me a brand new package and a super nice email explaining what happened.  I was just so grateful at the way she handled the whole thing.  No, I am NOT a paid spokesperson, so I'll quit gushing now, lol!  Anyway, this is the Jam Packed template, easy as pie to assemble!  However, let me just tell you this... if you use SVG files, be sure to set your SCAL settings to "inkscape" because if it is set to Photoshop things will come out a little different and you WILL get a headache (I speak from experience here).  Photoshop has a different ratio than inkscape does.  The quote on the front is my absolute favorite and it's from Paper Makeup Stamps.

 

The whole idea behind this top panel was that I wanted to play with the Puckered Up Patterns stamps I got.  I stamped the bigger pattern in VersaMark and then added the Cocoa smaller X's.  I have to admit I'm pretty impressed with myself that there is not any patterned paper on here at all!  I really liked the look and I didn't want to cover it up, so I went to work on decorating the rest of the box.  By the time I was done, I could figure out what I wanted to put on the top, so I left it.  I just love this little box and I can use it for so many things :)  Well that's all I've got for ya for now, hope to see ya back here soon.  Have a fabulously inky week.

Stamps: Sing Love Dance (Paper Makeup Stamps), Puckered Up Patterns (MTME)  Paper: Dark Chocolate cs (PTI), Blush Blossom (SU), Mellow Moss (SU)  Ink: VersaMark, Brown (Vivid), Tuxedo Black (Memento)  Accessories: Blush Blossom button (PTI), Roses (Prima), White ribbon (SU!), deckled rectangle nesties, Martha Stewart Quilted Edges punch  Challenges: Color Throwdown #98

  

Happy, happy Birthday, Katie!

 

 Thanks for joining us on this SURPRISE Birthday Blog Hop for Katie!  You should have come here from Lisa K's blog, but if you didn't head on over to the PMS Blog and start this hop from the beginning (Katie is also having a Birthday sale at the store and all the deets are on the PMS Blog!).  Katie I hope you have an amazing day cause you are a truely amazing friend!  Huge big birthday hugs!!!! oh yeah, and... SURPRISE!  Your next stop on the hop is the fabulous Tina, who always has something amazing!

Stamps: Friends are Angels wordart, sentiment is from the Birthday Cheer set (Paper Makeup Stamps)

Let's go digi!

 

This week's JUGs Challenge was to "go digital"... digital papers, digital images.  Well if you follow my blog at all you'll see that I have totally been MIA this week... between all the end of the school year stuff, the parties and my baby "promoting" out of Elementary School this morning, being sick (oh yeah, and TONS of work), I just have not had any time to stamp.  BUT I knew I just HAD to do this challenge, because getting a little more adept at digi's is one of my goals.  I am in LOVE with the Digi papers at My Time Made Easy; Gina K and MFT have had some super fun ones too.  The patterned paper on this is from the Free Download from My Time Made Easy (you can get the link from the JUGS Challenge post).  Lauren was very generous with her freebies and offered a free digi image too, which was too cute... but I wasn't bright enough to get it printed the right size and was running out the door (I had to print it at the office on the big printer because my printer at home can't do PTI cs that I use to color on).  Anyway, super easy to print out the paper.  I highly recommend getting some of Lauren's digi papers (very inexpensive and her 'digi papers designers' are fabulous!!).  Ok, back to Miss Lucy here... I love this little image, she is just too cute.  I've colored her in gray tones before and LOVED it, but I wanted to give her some color today so I tried some browns, not sure that I care for the exact browns I chose but she is cute in brown.  Thanks for popping in, I'll be back with the supplies in a bit.

Stamps: Lucy Mouse (Paper Makeup Stamps)  Paper: Tasty Sampler digi (My Time Made Easy), Island Mist (Prism), Dark Chocolate (PTI)  Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)  Accessories: Scalloped Doily punch (Martha Stewart), Champagne Pearls (KaiserCraft), white gel pen (Signo), black glaze pen (Sakura), Lemon & Turquoise glitter pens (Spica), Vanilla Tafetta ribbon (SU)  Copics:  BG72, 75, C00, 0, E42, 44, 47, R21, Y19, 21, 0 Colorless Blender  Challenges: JUGS37