Simply Handmade by Heather

I Have Missed You All

2020-12-28T19:44:00.002-06:00

Hello my sweet friends!

I have missed you all. I have missed the friendships. I have missed the inspiration. I have missed the support. Make no mistake, I have been seeing everyone's beautiful creations around social media, and it has kept me in the loop. I never really stope creating, but it was definitely on a low scale and mainly for Christmas and birthdays.

The world's current events have left me with a lot of time that needs filled. I have been working from home since the second week of March and I spent my spare time during the growing season, outside working in the yard. When it turned cold I was desperately searching for something to take that space. Enter me familiarizing myself again with the passion I once had for creating.

I am loving all of my new stamps, dies, and ink pads from Pink Fresh Studio. This beautiful set is called the Daisy Wreath Layered Set. I played around yesterday with various color combos and this was the first one that made it into a full card creation. I am absolutely addicted to this background stamp and I am sure you will be seeing it a lot.

I look forward to reacquainting myself with you all again. I can assure you that I am much better at posting on my Instagram regularly, than I am with blogging. There you will see other bits of my life and passions, such as gardening and houseplants. I have nearly 100 houseplants!!

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Heather

Framed Flowers

2018-02-24T19:14:00.001-06:00

Hello and Happy Saturday. I made this card for the PTI Make It Monday challenge and posted it on Instagram, a few days back. Unfortunately I am just now getting a chance to post this on my blog. I used an assortment of frame dies as well as stamps from Gran's Garden as well as Farmer's Market Florals from Papertrey Ink.

I wish I had more time in my day to craft and post, but that never seems to happen. I stay connected to the stamping community through Instagram and post regularly there. If you'd like, you can follow me there.

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Heather

Flowers and Valentines

2018-02-18T13:58:00.000-06:00

Hello again! I have been so horrible about posting on a regular basis, as I've been sporadic about crafting. We had weeks of really cold weather and all I wanted to do was crochet and watch tv on my day off. Gone are the days when I stayed home with my son and would craft whenever I felt like it. I work full time, have an elderly client I care for on Sunday, and try and make it to the gym 4-5 days a week after I get off work. That really only leaves me with Saturdays, which I usually go to the gym on that day as well, weather permitting. Needless to say that my card-making has gone by the wayside.

Here are a few cards I made over the last month. A couple Valentine's and a Best Wishes card for my work bestie that is leaving and going to another job. As soon as I'm done typing this out, I am going to create some more. Stay tuned!!

All cards were created using Papertrey Ink cardstock, ink, Stamps, and coordinating dies.

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Heather

Wishing You A Quick Recovery

2017-11-15T14:20:00.001-06:00

Good afternoon! I have a couple cards to share with you that I made for some of my coworkers, that are having surgery. I used the same basic design, just varied the stamps.

The above card background was stamped using an MFT background stamp and PTI Lavender Moon ink. The flowers were stamped in Lavender Moon, Lilac Grace, and Melon Berry, while the leaves were stamped in Spring Moss. Cardstock is Spring Moss and Stamper's Select White.

The card below was made using Lavender Moon and Lilac Grace cardstock. I stamped the sweet butterflies from Butterfly Dreams in matching ink on the Lavender Moon and Background Basics is stamped on the Lilac Grace in the matching PTI ink. The Darling Butterfly is stamped in Lavender Moon and Melon Berry with added Stickles for some glitter.

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Heather

We Love Dawn Blog Hop

2017-11-10T08:31:00.000-06:00

I've been using PTI stamps nearly as long as I've been blogging and making cards. They were the very first company that I ordered stamps from. When they posted a Blog Hop for Dawn, one of their long time stamp designers/DT members who just had a much needed transplant, I decided that I wanted to make a card to send and show my support.

This card was made using Garden Party, one of my favorite floral sets designed by Dawn.

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Heather

Sweet Butterflies

2017-11-10T07:56:00.001-06:00

Hello, and Happy Friday!! I don't know about where you are at, but the temps has significantly dropped and its been in the 30's for highs and teens for lows. Brr! I made this Thanks card last weekend but have yet to have time to post it. I didn't make this for any particular reason other than wanting to have more thank you cards on hand.

The photo below is most true to color, the top photo has a bit of yellow cast to it. As I have mentioned before in previous posts, I like to stamp backgrounds ahead of time. I have a small basket sitting on my desk with background stamped patterns. The sweet little butterflies were stamped using PTI's retired set called Butterfly Dreams. For the life of me I can't think f the name of the set with the little polka dots.

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Heather

Quick Birthday Card

2017-10-27T15:13:00.002-05:00

Hey! It's Friday and we've had some snow flurries! I am not ready for snow. Heck, the trees just started turning for fall, now its snowing. Ugh! I do in home care for seniors during summer breaks and on Sunday's. I have an elderly lady that I have been working with since last June, and her birthday was yesterday. She loves her coffee, so I thought this was fitting.

I used all scraps for this card, expect for the die cut coffee cup and label.

I am entering this into the Seize the Birthday.

Have a great weekend!

Heather

Build A Wreath

2017-10-22T14:21:00.001-05:00

Happy Sunday! I am popping in quick to share the card I made for Make it Monday at PTI. This week Melissa is challenging us to build a wreath.

I used a few PTI stamp sets to get this look. Graceful Greetings, Tag its 2, Background Basics: Text Style, and Sending You. I like how this turned out. I followed Melissa's advice on building the leaves behind the die cut wreath. Ink colors used: Honey Nut, Pale Peony, Simply Chartreuse, Melon Berry, Classic Kraft, and Fine Linen.

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Heather

Make it Monday

2017-10-15T19:53:00.001-05:00

Hey there! Told ya I had several cards to share. This one was created for PTI's Make it Monday. I have to admit, this didn't turn out like I had hoped. Something I realized after making this is, that I do better with less restrictions on my creativity. I like my cards best when I am creating for myself, or for an occasion, not a sketch or specific challenge. When you are new to cardmaking you need these challenges to help you create. It is the trial and error process that makes you learn your style and likes. For me, I like the elements of this card separately and individually, but not how this ended up when put together.

For the first time I tried the shadow effect for my sentiment. I now see that it would have been better if I had not only moved it down, but over slightly as well. The sweet butterfly background was stamped alternating each solid and open butterfly group pattern. I stamped this background several months ago and it had been sitting in my basket, awaiting to be used. I have to say that hands down, butterflies and flowers are my favorite and go to for stamps.

I am also not happy with the lighting for the photo of my card. I did spend the money and buy a light tent, but it was absolutely not what I had hoped for. Unfortunately I let it sit in my craft room closet too long to return it to Amazon. I'm totally kicking myself in the butt!! It looks much better IRL. I may try and add a thin Melon Berry frame around the circle window. I think that it needs it to ground the middle of the card. Heck, I am way too hard on myself! Story of my life. Haha

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Heather

Happy Fall

2017-10-15T13:03:00.003-05:00

I've been a busy little Bee this last week. I've been creating but not having time to post, so I'll have several posts today. This sweet little thing was put together with a hodge podge pieces I had laying around. Remember me telling you in my previous post that I stamp out a bunch of backgrounds ahead of time? The top pattern is from MFT called Jumbo Mod Borders, and I like how easy it is to stamp in my Tim Holtz Stamp Platform, or even a MISTI.

I have had this Wreath For All Seasons set from PTI for many years. I like the versatility and easy of creating various wreath for different seasons.

The wreath is stamped in Memento Rich Coca ink, while the berries are in PTI Honey Nut, and flowers in Pale Peony, and leaves in Spring Moss.

I am entering this in Inspired by All the Little Things challenge.

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Heather

Humming Along Birthday

2017-10-15T12:48:00.000-05:00

Hello and Happy Sunday! This sweet little card will be added to my birthday stash that I'm working on building up. It never fails, when I need a birthday card at the last minute, I never have one on hand.

The darling little Humming bird and flowers comes from the stamp set called Humming Along from PTI. PTI inks used: Kraft, Honey Nut, Spring Moss, Aqua Mist, and Mint Julip were used. Cardstock: PTI White, Honey Nut, Black

This was based off the sketch at Freshly Made Sketches.

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Heather

So Sorry for your Loss

2017-10-14T18:59:00.001-05:00

Hello again! I have a card to share that I created for a coworker, who's grandmother passed away. I needed it to be fairly simple and quick, as I wanted to be able to give it to her right away. Die cuts and a pretty floral set from PTI did the trick.

When I don't have a specific project to work on, I stamp a variety of patterns and colors for backgrounds and keep them in a basket on my craft desk. The blue polka dot was pretty easy to do, in my Tim Holtz stamp platform. I have the small MISTI and it works great for smaller things like the flowers, but for background stamping, I like the Platform.

Yes, I am totally addicted to the Wonky Stitched Rectangle dies, I use them on nearly every card. Since I don't sew on my cards anymore, these work perfectly! I stamped the flowers from PTI's Floral Sketches on Tim Holtz watercolor cardstock using PTI Melon Berry and Berry Sorbet, then added a little water to the tops for a softer look.

Thanks so much for stopping by,
Heather

Autumn Blessings Take 2

2017-10-10T11:10:00.002-05:00

Hello and Happy Tuesday! I've been enjoying creating without restrictions, lately. The MFT Sunflower dies were on my desk, so I pulled out my TH Distress inks and TH watercolor paper and started to mix different colors to create the look that I ended up with. I really liked the colored cardstock and pretty blue patterned papers, when they were all out on my desk. After I assembled the card and started taking photos, it looked too 'country' to me. Not what I was going for. UGH!!

The dies are mostly MFT, with the exception of the center cutout panel.

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Heather

Autumn Blessings

2017-10-03T14:48:00.001-05:00

Hello! I made these cards a couple weeks ago but needed to wait until the recipient received them before I could share them on my blog. I love this oldie but goody from PTI called Autumn Abundance. I pulled out my brush pens and started coloring this darling fall image. Its been fun experimenting with this new to me medium for coloring

Another sweet oldie but goody from PTI that is simple and quick to stamp out is Botanical Silhouettes. The mix and match stems and various flower head options make for a quick card when in need.

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Heather

Not Quite Fall

2017-09-17T10:37:00.001-05:00

Good morning and Happy Sunday! The weather is finally cooling off, after some much needed rain last night. We have had a long, dry summer this year. The poor trees have been dropping leaves to conserve water and energy, and all the flowers are dried up within an inch of their short lives. Fall is my second favorite season, next to Spring. I hate to see the magnificent show of colors be limited by the heat and lack of rain. Fall will be here in a few short days, whether the weather cooperates or not.

I created this card last week while wishing for cooler temperatures. I used my Zig Clean Color brush markers for the wreath and some Tim Holtz Distress inks for the flowers. I love the loose look of watercolor and have yet to master the technique, but I will keep trying.

Thank you for stopping by! Enjoy the rest of your weekend. I will be back soon with a couple cards to share.

Heather

Coworker's Birthday

2017-09-14T15:07:00.003-05:00

Hello, and Happy Thursday! I have a couple coworker birthdays this week and quickly whipped up these two cards. The recipients are both males, so I kept them CAS. I ordered the balloon bash cover plate with my last PTI order, but had not used it yet. I sponged some TH Distress inks on white CS and spritzed some water on it, for the background behind the die cut panel.

This card was quick and easy to make, just a one stamped layer. The stamps and dies used are from My Favorite Things.

Both cards we created for the Seize the Birthday challenge with the "toppings" to be balloons.

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Heather

Sending you Sunflowers and Sunshine

2017-09-02T11:55:00.000-05:00

Good morning! It's the beginning of September and the shorter days and cooler temps have me thinking of fall. I adore this set Simple Sunflower stamp set from PTI. I have used it countless times over the years, and it continues to be one of my favorites. I was playing around with my Tim Holtz Distress markers with this set. I colored the stamp and misted with water, which gave it this pretty washed out look. I played around with different colors for the sunflowers trying to decide which one I was going to go with. Well, I decided that I loved them all and made three different cards with varying color schemes.

I am entering the top card in the Sisterhood of Crafters for the "anything goes" challenge.

I used several PTI dies for each card, and some pretty foiled vellum accents. The flowers were inked using Tim Holtz Distress markers, misted with water, and stamped on Tim Holtz watercolor paper.

This one turned out to be my favorite. I am also entering this one into the Seize the Birthday challenge.

Thanks so much for stopping by,
Heather

Birthday Balloons

2017-08-19T16:58:00.002-05:00

Happy Saturday! I am back with a card to share that I created using some of my new PTI stamps and dies. I layered this darling little tag and topped it off with a couple balloons. I was going for a more CAS card as the recipient is a no frills kind of gal. Even the colors were outside of my comfort zone.

I am entering this into the Seize the Birthday "anything goes" challenge.

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Heather

Make A Wish

2017-08-13T19:25:00.002-05:00

Hello, and happy Sunday! I am back to share a cute little birthday card I made using some new PTI stamps that I ordered myself for my birthday. I used the current, pretty color combo from Color Throwdown. This Confetti Toss stamp set gave me a run for my money. Figuring out how to stamp it so it looked random, was no easy chore. I used PTI inks in Lilac Grace, Sweet Blush, and Aqua Mist.

Color Throwdown

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Heather

Humming Along

2017-08-01T21:16:00.004-05:00

Hello! I ordered this sweet Hummingbird set a few weeks back and spent the entire evening stamping out a bunch of darling little Hummers and Petunias for them to drink from. I was undecided on how best to place them on a card, so I searched out a challenge to have a jumping off point. The Paper Players had the perfect challenge, Tic Tac Toe. I used the bottom three across: blue, animal, and circle.

If I keep up with blogging, I'm going to have to get a light tent again. Sigh.

The Paper Players

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Heather

Garden Party

2017-07-23T19:32:00.000-05:00

Hello, and Happy Sunday! It's few and far between that I blog. I recently bought some PTI stamps and have been playing around, stamping various flower color combinations. One of my new favorites is PTI's Garden Party by Dawn McVey. You can always count on Dawn for beautiful stamp sets. I used my new i Phone 7 Plus to take my photos, so we will see how well these look on my blog. I didn't do any kind of touch ups or filters, these are just as they were taken. Tell me what you think.

For my first card I played along with a sketch from Fusion Card Challenge. I followed the sketch and somewhat used the color palette provided.

My last cad wasn't using any sketch, just something that I put together.

Thanks so much for stopping by,
Heather

Just a Few

2016-12-14T12:59:00.001-06:00

Hello again! I just wanted to share a few photos of cards that I have made in the last couple months. The top cad was for my father for his birthday. I adore this PTI set of vintage Thermos'. I have recently started collecting various antiques, and vintage Thermos' is one of them. I have started on my Christmas cards, my plan is to finish them up, this weekend. If I accomplish my goal, I will be bac to share some photos of my new cards.

Thanks so much for stopping by,
Heather

Just A Few Cards

2016-10-16T15:50:00.000-05:00

Hello and happy Sunday! I wanted to pop in and share a few cards that I have made over the last couple weeks. Creating and not having any kind of pressure as to what and when I blog has been nice. I found that the creative process is a lot more enjoyable.

This first card is using MFT dies. The retired butterfly die set from Mona Pendleton, aren't they adorable?! The layers are cut using Wonky Stitched Rectangle die STAX.

This second card is using PTI Noted: Scalloped A2 die collection, and Brushed Blooms stamp set.

Finally, the third card is using the same Scalloped A2 die set as above, and the darling Graceful Greetings stamp set and coordinating dies.

Thanks so much for stopping by,
Heather

Graceful Greetings

2016-10-05T11:35:00.002-05:00

Good morning! I have a card to share with you that I made using one of my favorite, new stamp sets. I ordered Graceful Greetings from PTI, a couple weeks ago, and have used it many times now. And, this gorgeous new Noted: Scalloped A2 die that cut all the stitched layers for my card. Anything that makes the creating process easier, and prettier, is a win in my book.

I am sure that I created this using a challenge of some sort, but it has been a couple weeks and is now too late to link up. So I will just share it with you for the sake of sharing what I love doing.

Thank you so much for stopping by,
Heather

Floral Sketches

2016-09-15T09:01:00.007-05:00

Good morning! I told you I would be back. I was home sick with a sinus infection, yesterday. I went to the doctor and he prescribed me an antibiotic and steroids. Let me tell you...I came home and cleaned for a couple hours then proceeded to sit down and craft for several hours. I can't believe the energy I had within forty-five minutes of taking the steroids. Then I was up half the night as well. Sigh

I played along with two different challenges with this card. A color challenge and an inspirational challenge. Links and graphics are below.

I stamped the background in the back using PTI's Tin Types, the script was stamped using Background Basics: Text Type, and the stripe is from an MFT set that is no longer available. Those pretty flowers from one of my favorite new floral sets from PTI called Floral Sketches. Various inks were used on the flowers and leaves. I am building my ink pad collection at the moment. The majority of my previous work was coloring with Copics, so I didn't need too many ink pads.

Here is the gorgeous graphic for the color challenge I participated in.

The Color Throwdown

And here is the pretty inspiration photo for the other challenge.

Inspired by All the Little Things

That's all I have today, but I have several other cards to post as well. I'll be back soon!

Thanks for stopping by,

Heather